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Heh, another chapter, another secret pairing revealed X3 Enjoy!

Chapter 5:

Raul had to get out. He had to get away.

Tears flow freely from his eyes as he turns on his heel and bolts out the door. He is mildly aware that he had to push past someone in his effort to get to the door and heard someone call his name in surprise and puzzlement, but he's far too deep in his emotions to pay any attention. He didn't even pay much mind to the rain only becoming aware of it when he almost trips in a puddle.

He ran. He ran as fast as he could. He didn't know where he was going, or if there was anywhere for him to go, he just had to leave.

He always knew something like this would happen. He always knew that his sister would react badly to his relationship with Tala, but he never imagined that she would react this badly. Heck, she doesn't even know how long he's been dating the redhead Russian. All she knows is that they shared a kiss, his first kiss, somewhere along the line.

How would she have reacted if she learned that he's been seeing Tala for months now?

His chest soon begins to hurt after running so hard while sobbing painfully. He soon finds himself struggling to breath and he falls to his knees, expecting to land hard on the cement but instead his knees sink into the wet sand of the beach. But Raul doesn't register it at that moment, all he can hear is the blood thundering in his head and his harsh breathing as he tries to get air back into his lungs.

After what seems like hours, Raul gets his breathing under control enough for him to take a quick glance at his surroundings, but with tears still cascading from his eyes, everything is a blur. The sound of crashing waves and heavy rain falling around fills his senses.

"I'm at the beach," he whispers softly as he moves to sit on the sand, pulling his legs up to his chest. He wraps his skinny arms around his legs and rests his chin on his knees as he gazes out at the rough sea, his tears all but spent.

Raul is experiencing a sense of denial at the moment, a part of him wishing that this was all a dream. His sister doesn't hate him and she doesn't know about his relationship with Tala. Things are so much easier that way.

"Why?" Raul asks the falling rain. "Why does it have to be this way? I love my sister, but I love Tala as well. Why is Julia making me choose?"

Another sob escapes Raul's throat and he buries his face into his knees, his tiny frame once again trembling with emotion. He feels exhausted, on the brink of falling asleep, but he can't seem to stop crying. The tears are never ending.

Raul wraps his arms tighter around his legs as his mind drifts to his boyfriend. Tala…He wants him here with him, to hold him and to comfort him that no one else but he can.

He needs him…

"Raul…"

Raul buries his face deeper into his knees when he realizes that he's longing for Tala's touch so much that his mind is starting to imagine his voice. It sounds so real…

"Raul!"

Snapping his head up at the sharp and precise voice that has a hint of panic within the tone, Raul glances up and blinks multiple times to will away the blurriness of his tears. That voice…could it be?

Soon, through the mist of his tears, a familiar figure emerges. Tall and strong, powerful and comforting; it's him!

"Tala?" Raul croaks softly, silently praying that his mind isn't playing tricks on him.

A split second later he hears someone land on the sand next to him and something warm wrap around his shoulders. Soon, warmth envelopes him completely when he finds himself being drawn into a pair of protective arms and powerful chest.

"I'm here," a voice whispers and Raul knew immediately that Tala is really here. His mind isn't playing tricks on him. The boy he loves with all his heart and soul is here!

"Tala…" Raul whimpers as he buries his face in his chest, suddenly realizing how cold it really is. He clings to Tala's warm and comforting body as his tiny frame shivering uncontrollably from the cold. "She…she said…"

"It doesn't matter," Tala cuts him off as he places a small kiss to his forehead. "That isn't important right now. Let's get you back inside. You're freezing."

But the thought of going back to the dojo frightens Raul and he shakes his head in the negative. "I don't want to go back to the dojo."

"You're not going back there," Tala answers quickly as he holds his tiny lover closer. "They won't hurt you again."

"I'm so glad you're here," Raul whispers, his voice getting softer and softer.

An expression of alarm appears on Tala's face and he looks down at his lover and soon realizes that he is on the verge of falling asleep. "Raul? I need you to stay awake for me."

"I'm sorry," Raul whispers ever so softly. "For being so weak…"

Raul then utters a soft sigh and slumps against Tala complete, his breathing coming out in short, harsh breathes.

"Goddamn fucking shit!" Tala curses as he scoops Raul effortlessly into his arms. He stands to his feet and looks around. "What do I do now?"

--

Squinting his eyes, Bryan peers through the rain sodden streets and realizes that he redheaded captain isn't anywhere to be seen. Tala can move incredibly fast when he's concerned about something, and his concern only doubles when it has something to do with his slightly younger lover, the timid circus star.

Although Bryan would rather cut out his tongue than call anyone adorable, but he can't help but associate that word with Raul. He's cute…in a cuddly sort of way. Ian just loves to glomp the unsuspecting teen, which evokes Tala's jealous side which causes Raul to cutely assure him that he only has feelings for him, which provokes Kai into belting Tala for ever doubting Raul.

Raul is just too…adorable sometimes.

"Dammit," he curses out loud as he stops running, Garland pulling up next to him. "We lost him."

"He couldn't have gotten far, right?" Garland says as he too glances at his surroundings.

Wiping his brow irritably, Bryan frowns as he turns to the shorter silver hair teen next to him. "Do you have any idea where Raul could have gone?"

Garland stays silent for a moment, pressing his lips into a thin line but then shakes his head. "In the state that he was in, I don't think he had a destination in mind," he replies softly, almost with a tone of guilt at not being able to help the adorable teen.

Like Bryan, he finds Raul adorable and a little childlike at times. He's naïve and sweet. Who would want to hurt him? Well, his sister, apparently.

"He just needed to get out," he continues. "He just ran."

"Dammit…" Bryan mutters as he folds his arms over his chest.

Garland nods his head, and then suddenly shivers when he realizes just how cold the rain is. It's almost like liquid ice! Poor Raul is only wearing jeans and a shirt, and Garland himself isn't much better, but that isn't the point. Hopefully Tala will find him soon before he passes out from the cold.

"Oi, you're shivering," Bryan's voice abruptly pulls Garland out of his thoughts. "What the hell were you thinking, running out into the freezing rain without a jacket?" He asks with a sense of scolding in his voice.

Garland blushes at how foolish it was for him to run out without a jacket and wraps his arms around himself as his shivers intensify. He opens his mouth to make a pathetic excuse for his foolishness when he suddenly realizes that Bryan is taking off his jacket. He is about to question the older male when he suddenly throws the article of clothing around his shoulders, drawing it tightly around him.

"You're going to get sick," he stats as a matter-of-fact.

Garland's blush deepens but he grabs onto the jacket with both hands and snuggles into the fabric. "What about you?"

"I'm use to the cold," Bryan answers quickly. "I'll be fine."

Garland senses that Bryan's tone of voice left him no room to argue so he simply nods his head. He turns his gaze to study Bryan as he glances around at his surroundings. "Bryan?"

"Hmm?"

Garland swallows thickly as he takes a step closer to him and places his hands on his shoulders. Ignoring the look of surprise on Bryan's face, Garland leans forward and kisses him softly on the lips for a moment before pulling back, a light blush on his cheeks and he looks off to the side.

"I'm sorry," he says softly. "I've been selfish, haven't I?"

Bryan tilts his head to the side in confusion. "What?"

"About wanting to keep our relationship a secret," Garland explains and takes a step forward to lean against Bryan's chest, subconsciously seeking his warmth. "It's stupid. I know you don't care about what others think. I just realized that it shouldn't matter what they think. I love you, and I will continue to love you no matter what."

Yes, Garland and Bryan have been secretly seeing each other for a long time now, not as long as Kai and Miguel mind you, but they come a close second.

Bryan blinks slowly a few times before placing his arms around Garland's shoulders and pulling him close. "…What brought this on?" he asks as he rests his cheek in his hair.

"Kai actually inspired me to think the same way," Garland tells him, a soft smile spreading across his lips.

"Oh?"

"He came out about his relationship with Miguel in front of everyone," he tells him as a soft chuckle passing his lips when he remembers the blatant shock on everyone's faces when Kai and Miguel shared a very drawn out and passionate kisses. It was a classic moment.

"He pretty much just told them that if they have a problem, then it's their problem," he continues. "If they do anything or say anything against Miguel, he'll beat the shit out of them."

A smirk spreads across Bryan lips when he realizes that that sounds exactly like something Kai would do. "Really?"

Garland nods against his chest, emitting another chuckle. "He confirmed it when he almost broke Rick's nose after he made noises of disgust."

This time Bryan laughs outright. "Pity I missed that."

"Yeah," Garland murmurs as he nuzzles his head under Bryan's chin and sighs softly. "And I get the feeling you would do the same."

"Damn straight," Bryan replies by tightening his hold on his boyfriend.

"Bryan!"

Springing apart at the familiar voice, the two silver hair teens glance around at their surroundings, looking for the owner of the voice.

"Tala?" Bryan calls out into the rain. "Did you find Raul?"

A moment later Tala appears, cradling a shivering Raul against his chest, holding him as close as possible to keep him as warm as he can.

"Is he alright?" Garland asks as he and Bryan jogs over to the redhead, meeting him halfway.

"He fainted," Tala informs him with a slightly panicky tone. "I don't know what to do."

"Kai's apartment," Bryan tells him bluntly, pulling the keys out of his pocket. "Let's get him inside and then I'll call Kai. He'll know what to do."

Garland gently places a hand on Raul's forehead and winces, concern blatant in his eyes. "He has a fever."

"Then let's hurry," Tala said before he pulls Raul closer to his chest and then breaks out into a sprint, Bryan and Garland hot on his heels.

Ah! Poor Raul! What have they done to you?!

Tala: -twitches- Don't you mean, what did YOU do to him?

…Oh yeah…-hides-

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