Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.
A/N: I'm not even going to make any more excuses. Sorry about the long update. Everything in Italics is a phone conversation. Enjoy.
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The sound of a cell phone vibrating against the marble countertop broke the quiet of the penthouse and Rei was immediately on his feet, reaching for the phone as he was the closest. Seconds before he touched the sleek silver surface pale fingers closed over it and lifted it out of his reach. He frowned when Bryan lightly flicked him in the shoulder. "No need to get grabby."
Bryan simply smirked as he looked at the display, instantly recognizing the number as the private family line for Stratholm Castle. "I wouldn't care if it had been any other call." Feeling three sets of curious eyes on him he stepped onto the balcony and closed the door before flipping the phone open. "I'm surprised I didn't have the cops following me all the way here."
"Only because Gustav came to me before calling the police. Not that you did anything warranting arrest. I was not surprised by your disappearance and after everything you have done for me, borrowing a car is not worth raising a fuss over."
Turning to lean against the railing Bryan smiled at his friends, knowing their curiosity was piqued and he would get no rest from their prying. "Funny, I would have thought you would be trying to find a way to lock me out."
There was a brief silence and Bryan could almost see Robert at his desk, thinking of what to say. "In the last five days I've come to the conclusion that keeping you from my home is the last thing I want falke."
Warmth coiled in the pit of Bryan's stomach at the words. His life had always revolved around Tala and the other Demolition Boys and the thought of having someone else who wanted him around was overwhelming. "And what would Gustav have to say about that?"
"Gustav has no say in who I decide I wish to spend my time with." There was a sound of shuffling papers. "I sincerely wish we could continue this conversation but I believe this is something that must be talked about face to face and I have a conference I must attend."
"Just as well since I have three very curious people wondering just who I'm talking to. I should be returning within the next couple of days. Depends on how long it takes before I want to kill Tala."
Quiet laughter, a sound he had rarely heard from the older teen. "No need to rush falke. I will be here when you arrive. Rest well."
"Good night Robert." He flipped his phone shut and casually entered the penthouse, taking great pleasure from the confusion permeating the air. Settling back in the spot he had vacated he slipped his glasses back on and picked his book up waiting for the inevitable questions.
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Tala paused in the doorway to Bryan's bedroom, watching as the pale haired teen moved around with quiet efficiency, packing away his belongings. Bryan had always been the mostly tightly wound of their team, even after they had been out from under Biovolt's control. And it was evident to anyone that had known him for any length of time that something had changed. He was more relaxed then Tala could ever remember seeing him before, except for the last night they had spent together.
The only possible reason for his sudden relaxation was the phone call from three days earlier and it was irritating to not know who could calm his friend with just a short conversation. "I just realized in all the time since you've been back I never once asked where you have been hiding."
Glancing over his shoulder at Tala the pale haired teen raised an eyebrow. "Germany." He turned back to his packing, knowing his friend would be quick to figure it out. They only knew one German.
There was a moment of silence before Tala finally managed to put it all together. "Holy shit Bryan! You mean to tell me that you've been living with and working for Robert Jurgen for the last six months?"
Bryan nodded, knowing Tala was ten seconds away from starting in on a rant. "I can't believe you'd rather stay with him then us. I mean, from everything I've heard about him and seen he is a pretentious asshole who doesn't care about anything but his self. And is he actually paying you for your work or just expecting you to do it?"
He let Tala ramble, choosing to ignore his words. It was better to let Tala get whatever he wanted to say out of his system. His normal patience for Tala's rants however, died after his friend called Robert a prick twice in a minute. "Tala, you have no idea what you're talking about and shut up before I break something vital."
Tala paused mid tirade, well aware of the fact he had irritated his friend. Pale eyes were fixed on him with anger, and the earlier relaxation was gone. He quickly backtracked over his words, trying to figure out exactly where he had irritated his friend. His mind quickly settled on his use of prick in regard to Robert. Bryan rarely jumped to anyone's unless he was deeply upset by the words and only when he felt a strong emotional attachment to the person in question. He felt his heart stop for a minute as everything fell into place.
"That's why you said when you first got here about not having feelings for Kai anymore. You're half in love with Robert." He moved to sit on the bed, shock rendering his knees weak. Next to winning his team's happiness had always been an important to him and Bryan's in particular. After Bryan had found out about them he had been nearly eaten up with guilt. Now however, seeing the truth he didn't feel so bad about what had happened.
Eyes narrowed Bryan stared at Tala for a moment before shaking his head. "I think having your head slammed into the headboard so many times has knocked something loose. I am not in love with him."
Even as he said the words he knew they were only partially true. Love wasn't a factor but he wasn't above admitting there was something between them. The need to touch Robert on the balcony had been overwhelming and he'd given in to it, had been surprised when hands had rested on his hips, not pushing. He would be an idiot to not realize he enjoyed the noble's company and was more relaxed when with him. That after his conversation with Robert he had realized he cared for the noble, as more then just a warm body.
He looked at Tala, feeling everything crystallize into realty. "I am not in love with him, but fuck if it couldn't happen."
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The sun was just slipping beyond the edge of the horizon, darkness slowly creeping along the ground. For a brief moment Robert considered going inside to at least pretend at being productive but the thought of being inside was unappealing.
"Probably a good thing I asked Gretchen where you were or I would have ended up in your father's office."
He turned to smile at Bryan who was standing in the doorway, looking calm despite the flicker of unease in his eyes. "I usually only go there when the weather is bad." Gaze drifting back to his lands he fought the urge to tense as he felt Bryan move to stand behind and slightly to the right, leaning against the parapet.
It was a conversation that would be better done face to face but neither made to move. They knew it could not be stopped once started and that the changes were unavoidable. "What do you want out of this?"
Bryan shrugged. "I don't honestly know." He had ideas, someone to spend time with who was willing to deal with his shit. That there would be physical contact there was no doubt, but he wasn't going to push that. Reaching out he skimmed his fingers along the curve of Robert's ear. "I've spent eleven years of my life with little emotion and only dealing with anger and hate. The past two years have helped some, but I can't guarantee anything."
There wasn't anything he could say to that so Robert simply nodded. "I wish I had something to add to this, but my life to this point has not been conducive to any kind of romantic relationships."
Shifting to stand behind Robert he settled his hands on the noble's shoulders, thumbs stroking lightly up and down his neck. "It's not like there's any guarantees this is going to last a month, let alone a lifetime so we might as well both be at a disadvantage."
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"I don't suppose you have any idea why in the world your accountant was still doing this completely by book and wasn't using a computer?"
Signing an invitation Robert half shrugged. "No, but if you would like to start keeping all of it on a computer I will have one ordered through the company for you. Although, I would ask that you also keep a hard copy of your work. I would hate to think of the disaster it would become if all of the accounting disappeared."
Bryan nodded. "You don't even have to tell me. I've seen what happened after Tala's internal computer crashes and it isn't happy."
Gustav chose that moment to enter the room, looking slightly pleased. "Master Jurgen, Lady Kilchberg is here and wishes to speak with you."
Bryan knew the older teen was too polite to roll his eyes even in front of Gustav but it wasn't hard to tell Robert was not happy. "I take it she not your favourite person?"
Standing Robert shrugged. "More of the idea that I know why she is here." He turned to look at Gustav, the picture of perfect nobility. "Bring her here would you Gustav." His gaze drifted back to Bryan, the slightest hint of a smile on his lips. "And if you would falke, a little privacy would be appreciated."
It didn't take a genius to figure out Robert had given him permission in his own way to hang around out of sight. He had planned on eavesdropping either way but he didn't feel as guilty with Robert's permission. "Of course."
Setting his glasses on the ledger he got up just as a young woman roughly their age swept into the room in front of Gustav. She was dressed in a perfectly tailored pants suit, hair upswept in a classy knot. Ignoring him she stopped in front of Robert, holding a hand out to him. "Robert, I'm so glad you could see me on such short notice."
Robert smiled and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. "Not a problem Helga. I was simply going over the household books with my accountant."
Seeing her gaze shift Bryan slipped from behind the desk. "And I was just leaving." He nodded to Robert and was out the door, almost completely closing it behind him. The hallway was deserted and he crouched down, focusing on the conversation.
"Robert, please. My father is arranging a marriage for me with Lord Zimmerman. He is almost old enough to be my father and I don't want to marry him and if we say we're engaged, perhaps he will give up."
Silence spread for a moment and when Robert finally spoke Bryan could almost hear the older teen's offended honour. "Helga, we have been through this many times. I will not pretend to be engaged to you simply so you can get out of it. Simply tell your father you do not wish to marry Zimmerman."
Shrill, angry German followed and Bryan bolted to his feet and disappeared into an alcove just as Helga came storming out of the office. Once she had rounded the corner he slipped back into the room. Robert was at the window, arms folded across his chest and obviously upset about what had happened.
"Is that a normal occurrence for Lord Jurgen? Having to drive women away?" His words got a soft laugh from the other teen and he moved to stand behind him. It had been three days since they had decided to try and make it work but hadn't really established anything. He slid his arm across Robert's chest, hand resting on his shoulder as he drew the older teen close.
Taking a breath Robert leaned back, hands coming up to rest lightly on Bryan's arm. "No. I have only had problems with Helga. Her marriage to Lord Zimmerman has been rumoured about for years. Every time she mentions it I simply tell her to talk to her father but she refuses to listen."
Hand settling on the noble's hip Bryan pressed a light kiss to his cheek. "I'm not trying to be a bastard, but if your father had arranged a marriage for you would you have rebelled against him?"
Eyes closed, feeling more relaxed then he had in a long time he leaned more into Bryan, feeling the taller teen widen his stance to better support the added weight. "If it was for the good of my family, no I would not. Nor would I stoop to try and get out of it through beguilement."
Laughing softly he kissed Robert again. "Your willingness to stand up for what you believe in is admirable."