It's been two weeks since Valerie Ross transferred. To anyone on the outside, they would have thought she had been there the entire time. She herself has started to figure out some things about the Bladebreakers that they didn't quite know themselves. You see, Valerie was that strange individual who can observe very small interactions and figure out what they mean and the person's intentions behind them. Since the first day she transferred, she knew something was there between Tyson and Kai, even though Max swore to her, "They hate each other." She kept a close eye on them, noting whenever they would start an argument or try to sneak some sort of physical contact in. On a usual day, Tyson would pick on something Kai would say, they would banter back and forth, and one of them would end up fake wrestling the other. Small things like that.

After she mentioned something to Max, he started noticing these things too. Valerie has finally gotten fed up with waiting for them to do something.

"Max, if we don't do something they will never, ever get together." Valerie huffed from her spot on his bed.

"What are we supposed to do? They are too stubborn to do any of this on their own. Kai has too much damn pride and Tyson probably thinks Kai hates him." Max replied.

"Then why don't we set them up?" She stated nonchalantly.

Max gave her a wary look, "You really think you can handle these two?"

"I got you and Rick together, didn't I?" Max blushed at the memory. "If I can get Rick Anderson to give up his damn pride and confess to you, I can get those two nitwits to do it."

Max was still hung up at the memory of how Valerie got Rick and him together. She was devious, he can give her that. She basically tricked the two into going on a date together then convinced his mom that they should room together when the All Stars went to a tournament. He knew she planned that part because she conveniently got him slightly tipsy and got him to slip that he had a thing for a certain dorky, blonde teammate.

Max regained himself. "In truth, I never would have acted on my feelings if you hadn't gotten involved."

"Then think of it this way, Tyson is you and Kai is Rick. It's really easy if you start constructing the puzzle."

"You better not use alcohol on either of them." Max glared at her.

"Don't worry Maxie! I won't do anything like that." She smirked. "So how about we get them to admit to us first before we get started?"

"What the hell are you planning?"

"The first thing we need is for Kai to screw his pride. I have learned a thing or two since you left Maxie."

"If I were Kai I would be scared right now."

"Yes, he should be."

"Hey Kai!" Valerie called as the class was packing up to go.

Kai looked up from his bag. "Hey Val, what's up?"

"Maxie and I were going to study for our Biology test after school. Since Tyson and Ray have family business to tend to, want to join us?"

"Yeah, sure. Hey, where is Max? He bolted out the door right when the bell rang."

"He had to get something from a teacher. He'll meet us at his dad's shop."

"Great. Let's go."

The two of them walked to Mr. Tate's shop, pleasantly conversing about random topics, Valerie making sure to avoid the topic of Tyson, but bringing up things that could be connected to him as a final test for Kai. He passed with flying colours. Every time Valerie mentioned something that could be connected to Tyson, Kai connected the two. Oh, he's in deep. Valerie thought, a giant grin spreading to her face.

Mr. Tate greeted the two as they walked in the shop. "Hey Val, Kai. Where's Maxie?"

"He's on his way Mr. Tate. He was getting something from a teacher. We are going to go study for a test."

"Ok, have fun studying." He waved them off as he went back to stocking up some items behind the counter.

On their way up the stairs, they hear the door open, followed by a quick "Hi dad, bye dad." from Max. He goes to run up the stairs when he sees them.

"Hey guys." He continues to walk up to his room.

"Hey. That was quick." Valerie prodded.

"Yeah well, Mr. Holdsworth knew I was coming. Let's get to studying!" He said as he flung the door open, followed by flinging himself onto the bed.

"You're ridiculous Max." Kai smirked as he plopped onto the floor next to the foot of the bed, rummaging through his backpack for his books.

The afternoon goes on, the three of them studying hard. Every once in a while, Valerie would slip in some sort of inappropriate joke about whatever they were doing. They bantered, and joked about various things when they determined they needed a break. Valerie wouldn't give up a chance to test Kai's feelings for Tyson, each time Kai didn't disappoint. Eventually they were interrupted by Mr. Tate.

"Hey Max? Can you come help me with something downstairs real quick?"

"Yeah, sure." He hopped off the bed and left the room, closing the door behind him.

As soon as the door was closed, Valerie made her move. "So when are you going to ask him out?"

He blushed a few shades of red. "A-ask out who?"

"Tyson of course."

"Wh-what!" He stuttered. "I-I have no idea what you're talking about." He crossed his arms and stared at the wall, away from Valerie.

"I see how you look at him." Valerie states, hopping off the bed and sitting next to him. Kai couldn't quite figure out the tone of her voice. "You've been wanting him for a while." He finally turns and looks at her briefly before looking away again. "I know how you've been instigating arguments with him, creating an excuse for his attention to be only on you, starting wrestling matches just so you can be physically close to him."

Kai draws his knees up into his chest, resting his head on his knees. "He doesn't feel the same." He muttered.

"What?"

"He doesn't feel the same." He spoke louder. "Even if he did, he's too good for me. I'm not right for him. I never treated him nicely when we were younger. Why would he like me now?"

"So you do like him?"

Kai raised his head to look Valerie in the face. "Yeah." He said as he looked away again.

As Valerie went to say something, Max came back. He saw the strange looks on Kai and Valerie's face. "What are we talking about?"

Valerie perked up at the question. "Kai's undying love for Tyson."

Kai jumped at her response, smacking her in the arm.

"So, when are you asking him out?"

"Wait, what?" Kai had officially been confused by the pair.

"I've known ever since Valerie picked up on it. She honestly thought you two were together the day she met you."

Kai shot a look at Valerie, then looked back to Max "So…you're cool with me…being gay?"

"Yep! I am too."

"Again, what? Since when? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I could ask the same thing Hiwatari and I guess I have been as long as Valerie has been. We helped each other figure it out. I like someone back home in New York."

"You mean you're with someone back home." Valerie corrected.

Max turned a few shades of red.

"So you've been dating someone this whole time and you never told us?" Kai asked, blindsided by the statement.

"Well, I mean, Valerie kind of set us up, but we haven't made it completely official yet."

"Are you going to tell me who? I bet it's someone I know from how you are acting about it."

Max sat there in silence, turning deep red. Valerie chimed in since Max was silent. "It's Rick Anderson."

Kai's jaw dropped at the name. "Rick!"

Max bit his lip. "Yeah, it's been going since the summer. We haven't made it official yet because we are just trying the water now, we might make it official after I go home this winter break but that's all beside the point! The subject at hand is you and Tyson!" Max desperately wanted the conversation away from him.

"Yes, Kai, we have to do something about you two. I have to admit, it's been painful watching you two not together. It's so obvious that you two want each other."

"Look, I don't know if he even likes me too."

"We can get that out of him."

"Nononononono! You leave me out of this Valerie." Max protested.

"Oh hell no, you are my partner in crime through and through."

"I appreciate this but really-"

"No buts." Valerie scolded. "You are going to ask him out on a proper date. If not, we will do it for you."

"Seriously dude, you don't want that." Max added. "You don't know what she's capable of. She is one meddlesome lesbian."

Kai looked up at the clock. "Oh shoot! I need to leave. I told Chief 'd meet with him to go over some team tactics and blade specs. I'll see you guys tomorrow." He started gathering his books. "And Valerie, I am saying this now. You scare me just a little. In a good way, but you still scare me."

"I'll make sure you and Tyson live happily ever after!" She called after him.

"That's what I'm afraid of!" He closed the door with a slight smile.

They waited for a little bit, listening to Kai say goodbye to Max's dad, then the door closing behind him.

"So what the hell are you plotting?"

"We, as in you, are going to get it out of Tyson that he likes Kai."

"…I don't like where I think this is going."

"I think it's time to tell the group you like dudes."

"I was afraid of that."

"Look, Kai warmed up when he heard you liked Rick. I bet you Tyson is the curious type and I bet you that he would ask you things about your sexuality. When he does, try to pull it out of him Valerie style."

"How do you even know that's going to work?"

"Never doubt the master, young one. I bet you, this will work."

I do so love plotting! ;} Kai should be scared! Warfang as my beta! loves them! I am enjoying this plot like it's my job!

Morty out! :}