"Crossword" by thebirdgod
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or the characters contained within Beyblade. Also, most crossword questions came from the Courier Journal, a newspaper in Kentucky.
Note: Serious apologies on the delay of getting this chapter to you all. I haven't had the greatest couple of months…had to fix my car, my laptop somehow had half its operating system deleted off, and oh, I broke my nose where it connects to my skull and had to have surgery to repair it. So…yeah. But I'm back, and aside from possible shoulder surgery, I should be getting on with the story. Sorry for the wait!
Pairings: JohnnyxRobert, MiguelxKai, TalaxClaude, SpencerxBryan
Chapter 4
67 DownWhen Robert said he wanted to play chicken, this wasn't what he had in mind. Across from him was a very demonic looking Ian, sitting atop Aaron's shoulders, in the middle of the pool. The German had to take a long moment to convince himself that Kai most likely would appreciate his sacrifice, as the amethyst haired man sat on the dense shoulders of the object of his affection. Only now was he beginning to realize how stupid he was.
Robert wasn't alone in the mortification of sitting astride your crush's shoulders, as Johnny was trying desperately to control his hormones with the German's crotch being so close, and those sleek legs slung over his shoulders practically staring him in the face sure wasn't helping him any. 'Focus on the match, focus on the match.'
"~There are no rules,~" Johnny spoke softly in Gaelic to his partner, "~you can get away with just about anything.~"
"~All right, just don't drop me.~"
Mathilda announced the start, and Robert instantly stopped thinking about those firm hands on his calves as his hands locked with Ian's, the Russian smirking deviously in his direction, using his weight to try and unbalanced the German. In all honesty, this didn't surprise Robert, as he was somehow less in weight than his shorter opponent, and looking tactically, as the German was prone to do, it would be the one way to bring his downfall. Of course, no one mentioned to Ian that this was a no rules kind of match, and that, gave the knight a serious advantage. Robert let go of one of Ian's hands and gave him a swift punch in the arm, effectively knocking the little Russian off Aaron's shoulders.
"Checkmate." Robert stated from his perch.
"That's not fair!" He cried out as he resurfaced, looking put out as Robert slid down to ride piggy-back on Johnny.
"All's fair in love and war Ian." Robert stated, a rather deranged smirk crossing his normally schooled features. "Why, do you want a rematch? I believe I can hold Johnny up long enough…" Crimson eyes look thoughtfully over the redhead's shoulder to leer at Ian, the German's smirk hidden behind the broad shoulder of his companion.
Johnny's hand faintly stroked a creamy thigh, letting a smile grace his features, "Oh, I'd only need a few seconds, Robbie. I've been practicing my knockout times in the ring the past few months. Really cutting it down."
"Who cares?" Came Bryan's sarcastic statement, "Me and Spenc versus Kai and Miguel."
Miguel looked to Kai for permission, knowing that the small Russian was not at all happy about the water in general, and was pretty sure that this wasn't going to end in their favor.
Kai, being one to never ignore a challenge, huffed his agreement and slowly made his way over towards Miguel, giving his Russian friends a dirty look before giving the Spaniard a dazzling smile, full of reassurance and confidence. Neither emotion reached his garnet eyes, however, and it was dually noted by the blond.
Robert leaned close to Johnny's ear, "This ought to be interesting."
"Agreed." The red head took his time walking over the steps leading out of the pool, savoring the feel of the German's legs wrapped firmly around his waist. Even as they stepped out of the pool, Johnny continued to carry his friend around, marveling at how light his companion was. He made his way to the pair of pool chairs that sat under the umbrella, where only a little while ago sat Robert and Kai in what had originally appeared to be friendly conversation. The redhead was heading that way however for it's relatively safe distance away from deranged Russians.
The Scott let Robert slide down his back and onto the chair, where he proceeded to make himself comfortable. Johnny to the seat next to him, handing the German a towel, as the redhead amusedly watched Kai mount Miguel's bronzed shoulders. He briefly glanced back at the amethyst haired man next to him, enjoying the slightly damp hair that framed an angular face. With a soft sigh, the redhead returned his attention to the pool.
Mathilda announced the start of the next match, Bryan on top of his lover's broad shoulders, Kai practically clinging to Miguel's. Bryan threw a punch, but Kai dodged, and sent one of his own, surprising Miguel. He didn't realize it was going to be a fist fight.
The pair went back and forth, dodging and blocking blow for blow, until finally, Bryan managed to send a kick towards Kai (Robert wasn't entirely sure how Bryan had pulled that move off). Of course, the smaller male dodged, with a degree of difficulty, but in doing so made poor Miguel lose his balance, and the two went tumbling backwards into the water.
Miguel was the first to surface, dragging a very wet, very unhappy looking Kai with him. The lithe Russian was coughing and sputtering and glaring bloody murder at Bryan, who sat victorious on top of his lover's broad shoulders.
"Kai, do you know that you look like a drowned rat?" The silver eyed Russian stated, a lecherous grin crossing over his fine features, a look of absolute mischief dancing in his eyes, "I don't believe it's the look for you." His lover seemed to catch on to the intense teasing, a soft smile playing on his chiseled features as he realized what Bryan was trying to do.
"I don't know Bryan, he kind of has that 'you know you want this' look." Kai made a face that almost had Spencer pissing himself. "Miguel, maybe you and Kai should take a break and dry off?" Spencer suggested subtly, praying that the blond would take the initiative and lead away the soon to be murderous Russian.
"That's a good idea, I think," Miguel replied, wrapping a tanned arm around Kai's waist as the little Russian swore horrible things in his native tongue, causing Bryan's cheeks to turn just a faint pink in embarrassment. There were just some things that should never leave one's mouth, and what his friend was muttering ranked high on the list.
Kai allowed himself to be led out of the pool, and to a lone beach chair, where he was forced to sit. His displeasure over his defeat, and his friends' statements, were briefly forgotten as Miguel sat behind him on the same chair, so close that Kai could feel his warmth spreading across his back. A fluffy towel soon entrapped him, tanned arms encircling his thin body, the edges of the towel held in muscled hands as Miguel wrapped them both inside its comforting warmth.
Johnny took that moment to share a look with Robert. "You were right."
"When am I not right?"
The Scot smirked at the rhetorical question. "Well, there was that one time where we took a bet on whether Rick was sleeping with-"
Robert cut him off, "Let's not go there, I still can't get that particular image out of my head."
"I thought it was pretty impressive how flexible Michael was when we caught them on the-"
"What part of let's not go there did you not get?" Robert asked incredulously, a blush dusting his features.
"All of it." Johnny offered a warm smile, "Besides, you're cute when you blush."
The German's blush intensified. In an attempt to shun his embarrassment, he responded, "Hardly a reason to give me nightmares though." Robert's smile remained however, and he looked back to the pool where Tala had just tackled Bryan off of Spencer's shoulders, resulting in a massive wave as all three men slammed into the water.
Oliver had at that point wandered over next to Robert and Johnny, and after amusedly watching Russians flail around in an attempt to dunk the other, said, "You think I should tell everyone that dinner is ready? Or should we wait and see if they kill each other first?"
Johnny seemed to think about it seriously, but his thoughts were interrupted when Robert said, "Well, I don't know about you Oliver, but I'm not in the mood to play Hide the Body."
Oliver smiled, and promptly yelled his announcement over the roar of the Russians. It was comical to watch how fast his house guests could move when food was involved. The Frenchman walked back to his station by the grill and began to supervise what could later be described as a feeding frenzy.
"Shall we?" Johnny asked, offering a hand to his still damp companion.
"Yes, please," Robert replied, taking the extended hand, allowing himself to be pulled up. The pair stayed like that for a moment longer, violet locked with crimson and the feel of calloused fingers grasping silken ones.
"Robert, Johnny! Hurry up before it's all gone!"
They hastily parted, and began the short trek towards the group, but not before the Scot caught the look of disappointment in twin pools of garnet. He'd just have to fix that later.