Hi there! cough cough I'm really really sorry, and appreciate all those patient enough to stick with my story. I really enjoy writing this so I will continue it but it just might take me some time with school work and all.
Just a couple notes. 1) Is aid in chapter one I don't even watch Beyblade, what I mean to say is not anymore. I don't believe in writing fanfiction unless you know the anime so I wanted to correct myself, and 2) yes, I was watching Pretty Woman when this idea jumped into my head but I can promise you only the idea was inspired by the movie its not based off of it. I guess finally I wanted to mention that I'm sorry for the out of characterness.
Anyway here we are. Oh and as my disclaimer Beyblade obviously doesn't belong to me.
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Chapter Three
A soft brush against his warm cheek was the only indication he acknowledged that it was time to wake up. For over an hour the neko jin had ignored the pale sunlight that forced its way through the drapes and into his room, as he fought against awaking to face another day. However the gentle intrusion that the sudden weight had provided on the side of the bed, brought him to his senses. He battled with the urge to just open his eyes, for he assumed this would startle the man into withdrawing his affection. At last, unable to sit still any longer, he slowly stretched and yawned blinking with amber eyes to his current companion.
"Good morning," Tala spoke softly not wanting to abruptly awake his purchased captive. "I was wondering when I would finally get to see you this morning."
Rei groaned soft and buried himself deeper in to the Egyptian cotton and down comforters, before lowering the blanket just below his eyes to respond.
"What time is it?" He asked through another yawn.
"Almost noon and you said I could take you shopping today." Tala grinned and forced a cup of tea at Rei.
The neko jin gladly accepted the tea but groaned at the idea of shopping. Shopping to him was little more than a battle for attire. A war not only against bargainers looking for a sale and clothing that actually fit and looked good, but also there were always the sales associates who scaled the store scoffing and looking down there noses at people like Rei.
"Don't grimace like that," Tala softly instructed Rei, raising from the bed so he could rummage around the room in search of clothes for the neko jin to wear. Unable to find a pair of pants that might fit his newfound pet, for Rei was far to skinny to even be generously considered slender, Tala hesitantly reached for the tight black jeans that Rei had been wearing and tossed them on the bed. Blue eyes watched the youth critically, feeling sympathetic for the boy to have such little weight on him, it made him wonder how the days had treated him until now. Had Rei ever had enough to eat, the red head wondered as he remembered how the night before the neko jin had ate any dinner item that was in arms reach.
"I guess this is all you have." Tala asked rhetorically before finding one of his own white button up shirts and laying it next to the pants. "Here wear this."
Rei watched the man carefully knowing that he had meant well but still amber eyes blinked back humiliation. This act of finding better clothes seemed to mean to Rei that Tala regarded him as inferior. That his attire nor himself were equal to the wealthy business man. Swallowing the insults Rei realized he needed to return a firm grip on reality. Of course the two of them weren't equal and thus any aspect of the neko jin that represented him and the life he belonged to would not be accepted in Tala's world. People would always scoff and look down their noses at him.
Rei's melancholy demeanor did not go completely unnoticed though. The red head saw a subtle change in the youth as he to raised himself from the bed and began changing into the clothes Tala had set out for him. Reaching for Rei's hand Tala sat down on the bed and pulled the half dressed boy next to him.
"Did I say something wrong?" he asked directly staring Rei in the eye. In response the golden gaze the other possessed retreated to find something interesting on the floor. "You know Rei," Tala spoke again slowly, "you are allowed to look me in the eye."
Rei started to say something but failed and shook his head trying his best to brighten his expression. His eyes flickered a moment in Tala's direction capturing the sapphire orbs before he looked away again and finished getting dressed. Rei decided it was best to just ignore the comment and thus tried instead to look eager to get going.
Tala downcast the floor defeated by the neko jin's stubbornness, and then rose to his feet to follow the youth on their way.
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Most of Rei's wardrobe had always consisted of tight thin clothing that had more purpose in making him look attractive and irresistible then keeping him warm and well dressed. The suits and outfits that Tala presented in store after store left him feeling uncomfortable itchy and drowned in layers of suffocating material.
"How can you dress like this day after day?" The exasperated neko jin asked wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "I think I'm going to die."
Tala smiled at the exaggerating youth and shrugged before handing him another outfit, this one consisting of dark blue pleated pants, a light blue over shirt, a tie and a pair of suspenders.
"You have to be kidding me," Rei questioned glaring at the suspenders that taunted his feline qualities by swaying back and forth through the air. "Why is dressing me up like some sort of poled associate so important?" He asked still eyeing the sway of the suspenders.
"We will be having dinner tomorrow night with my coworkers and boss, and well," Tala bit his lips trying to find the best way to put his reasoning, "there is a sort of dress code," he concluded meaning that he needed Rei to dress more appropriate.
"Can't we find something else that might be a little more comfortable."
"I agree," a sudden voice sounded from behind them. A greasy man came into view holding a pile of clothes waiting to be returned to the rack; all the clothes that Rei had tried on previously. Directing his glance towards Tala, whilst intentionally ignoring Rei he glared.
"Would you mind taking your pet elsewhere, you have been here well over an hour and have yet to pick out a single item. This is a business for potential buyers not a place to dress up strays." He sneered still pretending Rei did not exist. "And you can tell said stray that even if you dress up an animal it will never look human."
"You can tell him that yourself." Tala snapped clenching his fists to his sides. "Rei is not an animal, nor a stray, and I would appreciate if you didn't talk to him like he wasn't here." His blue eyes narrowed into icy daggers as he physically had to check himself so that he didn't throw a fist towards the man's chest. "I have no need for this kind of service." He concluded not wanting to start something, though his opinion desired otherwise. "Rei are you ready to go?" He asked turning to look at the youth but found the change room empty.
"How sad it looks as if your pet ran away." The sales associate chuckled vilely as Tala turned on his heel and ran out searching for the amber eyed boy.
He hadn't searched for long before he found the sulking form of Rei huddled at a desolate table in a nearby food court. It looked as if the youth had dressed hastily and thus his shirt was not tucked in and unbuttoned in all the wrong places. His hair had come loose from his pony tail so that the thick ebony locks framed his face hiding his tearful eyes from the world. Only the radiating stubbornness from him seemed to keep the threatening tears from falling.
"Rei." Tala called out softly as he approached the table and eased himself into one of the adjoining chairs. They shared a moment of concrete silence before Tala reached forward with his hand and stroked Rei's cheek. "I hope you didn't believe a word that that asshole said. He's just full of himself and has nothing better in life to do. I wouldn't be surprised if he has the entire store lodged up somewhere unpleasant."
This brought a slight smile to Rei's lips, no one had ever defended him like this before. The warm hand the cupped his face brought a stirring inside him that he couldn't place, but before he knew it a slight blush had blossomed across his cheeks as Tala removed his hand and began fixing his shirt. If Tala noticed the rose coloring, he tried to ignore it by taking an intense interest in Rei's buttons though a sudden desire emerged to brush his fingers against Rei's skin. Both men were caught up for a moment as their eyes clashed and then dispersed until they sat across from one another as if nothing had happened.
A few minutes of silence passed until Rei noticed Tala's blue eyes widen and then his shoulders shook with a frustrated sigh.
"Rei act cool, remember you are my boyfriend." Tala told the younger man as Rei suddenly felt a solid presence behind him.
"Tala, how nice to see you on our day off, and it seems you have a friend."
"Hello Kai. What brings you here?" Tala asked ignoring the mention of Rei at first.
"A little shopping and then to meet with a friend." Kai answered airily as if he had better things to do then to answer to the red head.
"Then maybe you should be on you way," Tala suggested with forced friendliness.
Rei could not take being ignored anymore and so he slowly turned around until he came face to chest with the man acknowledged as Kai.
"Hello, I'm Rei." The neko jin introduced himself then following suit of Tala who had just stood up, rose to his feet as well. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"And this is?" Kai asked Tala ignoring the hand Rei held out for him.
"My date for tomorrow night." Tala answered cringing at the fact that yet another person was acting as if Rei wasn't there. Rei took a step towards him allowing Tala the chance to wrap an arm around his waist so that his fingers hovered carefully above Rei's slender hip.
"The stray cat from the phone the other night, how nice." Kai replied hollowly obviously not impressed by the announcement. "Well I guess with a little grooming the two of you might actually make a nice couple, but I won't be around to see the results. I better go." One last glance at the two of him added to his sneer before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
For a moment Tala and Rei remained in their positions until almost reluctantly Tala removed his arm looking at Rei in a different light. He was surprised over how much he enjoyed the closeness of the youth and with disdain he made sure that he didn't subconsciously pull him back towards him.
The feeling still possessing him he took Rei's hand and asked if it was okay to continue shopping. Rei agreed and together they weaved amongst the crowds finding stores until they finally agreed on several outfits that were neither suffocating nor heavily layered. Tala smiled as Rei finally began to enjoy the pampering.
As they were leaving the mall Tala recognized the steel blue of his coworker's hair and again they were confronted by Kai's presence however this time he seemed not to notice them and instead appeared to be caught up in debate by his companion. Tala watched, until Rei also took an interest in the argument; as Kai raised his hand and then lowered it again before bring his palm to rub his temple. At first the two men couldn't see who he was talking to, and then as a crowd walked by, Kai was forced to move to the side and Rei was able to lock eyes with the teal gaze of the man in interest.
"Brooklyn." The neko jin gasped taking a step backwards so that he was able to hide behind Tala's figure but it was too late Brooklyn had seen him. Rei groaned inwardly and then grabbed Tala's hand hurriedly rushing them away from the mall.
"What was that about?" Tala asked after they were a safe distance from the shopping center.
"That," Rei panted, "is my worst nightmare."
"A friend of yours?" Tala asked concerned that this teal eyed man might be the companion it seemed Kai always seemed to lusted after.
"I wouldn't say friend, he's a whore like me." Rei continued bitterly, now finally regaining his breath.
Tala shuddered at the bluntness of the word that Rei used to describe himself, but shuddered even more at the scandalous thought that Kai was hiring a prostitute. "You serious?"
"Yea, except," Rei looked away resentment that seemed to drown him. "He's of a hire class. You're a business man so this should make sense to you, he's the corporate officer and I'm well, the janitor." Rei watched to see Tala's expression and was alarmed to see surprise in Tala's eyes.
"You can't mean that." Tala said softly stopping in his tracks and reaching for Rei's arm so that he might do the same. Then turning to face him he smiled. "I can't see you as a janitor you are far too pretty for such a job." He told the neko jin affectionately brushing Rei's bangs from his eyes. "I thought you were more than that and was surprised even that you're charging me only three grand for your companionship."
Rei blushed deeply knowing that he couldn't hide it for it was obvious that his cheeks became considerably warmer under Tala's palm.
"No one," he stuttered trying to look at the ground but was instead firmly redirected by Tala's hand, "has ever said anything like that before to me." He told Tala. "I mean besides Tyson but he doesn't really count, but usually clients just… And I can understand that you haven't really hired others like me so you don't have anything to go off of, and uh…" Rei's rambling of denial died off as Tala came closer and pulled him into a light embrace. Blushing harder Rei fought the urge to nuzzle into the older man's chest. The feeling was wonderful, Tala's strong arms around him holding him gently as if protecting him from the world. Rei sighed as the scent of an expensive cologne drifted around his senses and he became intoxicated by emotion. Then reality sunk in a Rei abruptly escaped the hug, he wouldn't allow himself to fall victim to affection, he couldn't fall for this guy just because he said some nice things. It would be devastating to his career.
Tala bit his lip trying to ignore the rejection, knowing himself that this was business and he shouldn't allow his feelings to get in the way of the contract the two had made. Switching the subject he offered Rei lunch.
"So who is Tyson?" Tala asked curiously realizing that up until now Rei hadn't let anything slip about his life aside from the obvious.
Relieved to be on a new subject Rei confided into telling his companion about his partner. "Tyson and I work and live together. We've known each other for so long I can't even remember how old we were."
This brought knew questions to Tala's attention as wondered just how old Rei really was and how long he had made a mark on his profession. What had happened to Rei to make him follow this path in life. Rei continued to explain Tyson to Tala who he also referred to as Tyka with such fondness that Tala began to feel a little jealous of the boy who had obviously truly earned Rei's companionship. Just as Rei was wrapping up the one-sided conversation about all of Tyson' favorite foods, the red head spotted a small quaint coffee shop. Taking Rei's hand he guided the youth into the restaurant.
"May I help you with something?" A gentle voice asked as the two were greeted by a youthful man with blond hair and blue eyes. He smiled warmly at them and offered the special; a tortilla wrap with breaded chicken and salad, which Rei eagerly ordered.
"I didn't know this place was here." Tala told the barrister while Rei scanned the drink menu for coffee.
"Well its new I just opened it about a month ago." The blond told them as he took down Rei's order for some sort of iced coffee that he couldn't even pronounce.
"Its very inviting." The red head concluded smiling, at Rei's renewed cheerfulness and the warmness that the barrister gave to both of them.
"I really enjoy it here, I am just having a hard time keeping up with business with such a limited staff. My name is Miguel by the way."
"I'm Tala, and my friend here is Rei."
"Nice to meet you both."
"So you are looking to hire then?" Tala asked smiling at Rei who seemed oblivious to a possible career change.
"Perhaps, I have someone that helps me part time, but unfortunately he has another job and his hours are always unsteady." Miguel replied suddenly taken over by a sad expression.
"That's a shame," The red head responded sincerely before placing his order and turning away to find a seat.
"I'll send your food out to you when it is ready." The blond instructed then disappeared to go prepare the order.
"I liked him," Rei smiled fondly pleased to have the first person of the day, aside from Tala, treat him like an equal.
"Yes he did seem rather pleasant, and its looks as if he is in need of some employees," Tala suggested subtly, but again either Rei was intentionally ignoring him or oblivious to any new ideas.
They talked a while, waiting patiently for their meal.
"Excuse me?" A polite voice came from behind Rei as the waiter recited the order which belonged to them.
Rei whipped around quickly, startled by the recognition.
"Tyson!"
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"I'm telling you, that little slut he was with is a prostitute." Brooklyn told Kai easily, teal eyes observing his nails with little interest. After their argument in the mall Kai had asked the red head back to his place which had eventually led to bed, the very same bed where Brooklyn had sprawled himself out now. He lay undressed, his naked body exposed to Kai while he physically demanded the attention that Kai had relinquished to shuffle through documents. The seduction of him merely lying on the bed was not working so Brooklyn raised himself to his feet and padded over to Kai's desk.
The bluenette clothed only in boxers pretended not to notice as Brooklyn draped himself over his shoulders and swiftly begin to kiss Kai's ear and neck.
"You must be mistaken," Kai replied to the earlier statement, "They seemed far to distant for that."
"What do you mean by that?' Brooklyn asked slipping his hand down Kai's arms across his chest and stomach and towards the hem of his silk boxers.
"I mean they act differently between the two of them compared to us." The bluenette responded gritting his teeth so that he would not respond the Brooklyn's touch.
Brooklyn seemed to ponder this a moment wondering what Kai considered their acts as. "Perhaps because they have yet to sleep with one another." The red head answered vaguely. "Ha. What a pathetic whore Rei has always been now he doesn't even sleep with his customers."
"Maybe Tala isn't his customer?" Kai asked. "Tala never seemed like the type to me.
"What are you suggesting?" Brooklyn asked now coming to face Kai as he tugged on his pants.
"That they might possibly be together," crimson eyes stared Brooklyn down a moment before he gave up on his work and pulled the man into his arms.
Kai's suggesting made Brooklyn laugh. "Prostitutes do not love. They must never mistake their job for feelings and thus love would ruin them. You don't do your job for a hobby, but only because you get paid, it is the same for us. I'm here because you paid me this is my job not my joy."
Kai almost dropped his embrace around the man which would have made him slip from the chair they were both sitting on. "How can you say that?" Kai glared dousing Brooklyn seductions with the fire that radiated from his eyes.
"Because Kai I don't let my job influence my life." Brooklyn responded coolly.
"What life!" Kai demanded with increasing anger. "You are a whore as much as I am a business man and my work follows me everywhere, couldn't you at least try to enjoy it."
"Is this about my career or you Kai, because you aren't very clear. I'm not about to fall in love with my clients."
Kai sighed and tried to let his rage subside until a sudden though occurred to him. "You sit there and call Rei pathetic," he told the red head with carefully planned words, "and you and him are both whores, but the difference is, he and Tala can at least pretend to be a couple. You," Kai wavered a moment, his chest filled with emotion, "will never be anything more than a prostitute because you don't even try to see life differently. Kai stood up and released Brooklyn from his arms who stumbled back surprised.
"Your clothes are on the ground we are finished for today." Then reaching for his wallet Kai handed the man a small wad of bills and then pointed towards the door. "I'm seeing you out now but I've paid you in advance for tomorrow night, I still expect to see you."
Brooklyn looked at Kai with wide eyes then subjected to his orders, dressed and left.
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Rei and Tala had experienced a silent walk home as both were lost in their thoughts. After Tyson had dropped off their food he had fled to the kitchen and neither saw him again. Realizing that he must have been keeping this secret from Rei for a reason, the neko jin decided it was best just to let him have his freedom, even if it did pain him that Tyson hadn't told him.
Tala left the matter alone, and instead tried to support Rei even though the youth was trying to be a subtle as possible with his upsets and concerns. They eventually found their way home and spent the afternoon apart separately brooding over the day.
It was almost midnight when Tala knocked on the door to the master suit and found Rei curled up on the bed with dried tears flecking his otherwise beautiful complexion. Tala watched him as he slept, only his side moving as he breathed. He looked so relaxed and perfect that the red head found it hard to believe that he was anything more but a youth surviving the world one day at a time. He looked his slender body over a few times and noticed that he was sleeping with his shirt open. What Tala had not noticed before was the thin pearl scar that decorated the exposed part of his torso. Furious Tala tried to imagine anyone horrible enough to take advantage of this body and found himself fighting to control the pent up rage. Who had touched this younger man before him and why had they thought it fair to do so.
Tala watched almost from outside his body as his slowly found his touch on Rei's soft bare skin. He tried to stop but found it impossible as his fingers drifted over faint scars and the slimness of the neko jin's stomach. Resting his weight on to the bed, he moved closer to the youth until he was almost lowered above him just hovering over the vulnerable figure. Everything about Rei made Tala want to pull him into his arms and without a conscious though he lightly brushed his lips against the boy's own and that was when Rei finally awoke startled.
"What are you doing?" He demanded half heartedly, his voice still full of sleep.
Tala was about to pull his hand away from where it rested on Rei's chest when the neko jin enclosed it with his own two hands holding it closer to him.
"I didn't mean to but…" Tala tried pathetically to come up with an excuse but failed as Rei rose himself up so that his face was chest level to Tala.
"Its alright," the neko jin grinned finally feeling safe in a situation he was actually use to. "I understand." Rei told the red head as he took his hands away from Tala's and began to work his way up the older man's shoulders to the collar of his shirt. Slowly he unbuttoned the hem exposing the older man's strong solid torso. Gently pressing himself against the man, his lips pressed against Tala's collar bone and worked their way in soft kisses and nips to the his nipple which he gingerly licked.
Tala gasped a moment caught by surprise by Rei's playing and responded by wrapping his arms around the youth to keep him upright. Rei sighed into the embrace and went about working his tongue and lips harder around Tala's sensitivities.
For the first time since Rei had met Tala things were making sense. Rei had always thought he had figured out people, and this included sex, as far as the neko jin was concerned people could not live without guilty pleasure and hence he had a job. As Rei suspected Tala was no different and thus finally seeing that this man was just like everyone else calmed him. There was definitely no reason to fall for him now.
Slowly in even caresses Rei lowered his hands so that they almost breeched the hem of Tala's jeans, but just as he was about to go further, the grip on him loosened and the very same hands that had been holding him close a moment ago had stopped his own hands.
"Enough." Was all Rei heard through muffled breaths as Tala held his hands firmly in place not allowing Rei to work himself any longer. "This is not why you are here."
"You started it." Rei retorted in his defense his amber eyes filled with confusion.
"And now I'm stopping it," The red head confirmed as he gently pulled Rei away from him and lowered the youth back on the bed. "I apologize and am ashamed of my actions, please don't hold this against me." Blue eyes stared Rei down with soft sincerity.
Rei looked away, as Tala noted he often did, and then stared back trying with difficulties to meet the sapphire stare. The only response Tala received was a nod and a slight smile, which the red head returned before raising to his feet with the intentions of leaving.
"I'll leave you alone. I'm really sorry Rei. I had no right…" his voice died out as his guilt overwhelmed him. "I'll be on the couch."
The neko jin watched him with widened amber eyes; warm and lonely, before smiling at Tala and gesturing to the spot next to him. "I know how you can make it up to me."
"How?"
"You could at least spend the night with me. No sex. No commitment. Just the warmth and comfort of knowing someone is there."
Tala nodded and smiled, before rounding the bed so he could slide into it next to Rei. He lay awake for over an hour brooding over his actions before the sleeping youth curled up against his back, and the warmth of his body allowed Tala to drift off into his own dreams.
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A couple of end notes. In the last chapter I said the dinner was supposed to be tonight but changed it so that I could have some TalaxReiness, and also yes I know barristers don't usually introduce themselves to clients but hey its Miguel. (It was bothering me )
Thank you all for reading .
