I'll admit that I'm not entirely happy with how this one turned out. It's RedWheeler's request of Max, Mariam and a bloody lip. I think I could've done better, but I was stuck with it for a while and finally got an idea that I was somewhat happy with. Actually, 'Reluctance' started out as an attempt at this request and ended as it's own thing.

But, I do think this fits into the quirky early days of Max and Mariam's relationship, so I like it for that.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

Enjoy!

Bloody Lip

Max hated the taste of blood. He considered it one of the most vile tastes known to man. It tasted like a telephone pole or something else metallic. That thought led him to remember the many times he'd been fooled into licking a frozen pole and getting his tongue stuck as a youngster, which was another good reason to hate the way blood tasted.

But the taste of blood, no matter how unpleasant, was easily recognized. So, when he got in between Kai and Tyson during a fight that became physical at precisely the wrong time, he knew he was bleeding – and pretty badly, too. As Ray rushed to help stop the flow of blood from his nose and Tyson apologized profusely, Max could only be glad that it wasn't Kai who has struck first or he'd surely have a broken jaw and/or nose.

After much fanfare and arguing about whether or not Max's nose was broken, the blond was able to sneak off by saying he could really use fresh air. He decided to go to the beach – it was his safe haven where he figured no one would bother him. He got there in a reasonable amount of time and sat on a large piece of driftwood that he'd pulled up over the high tide line a long while back.

He had been staring out over the ocean for some time when someone sat next to him. The salty sea smell increased ten-fold and he knew who this must be.

"Hey, Mariam."

"What are you doing here, Max?" the bikini-clad girl asked as she flicked a stringy section of wet hair over her shoulder.

"I always come here," he shrugged.

"Aren't you usually training right now, though?" She had the team's whole schedule memorized – she spent a lot of time spying on them.

"Tyson's trying to argue with Kai again." He turned to look at Mariam, knowing she'd understand because she knew how the Bladebreakers could be.

She nodded and did a double-take.

"Is your lip bleeding?" She hadn't noticed before and, frankly, neither had he.

"Probably," he sighed. "My nose was, too."

"You should probably put something on it. The salt in the air will just make it burn."

He froze as she gently wiped away a trail of blood that had started to trickle down his chin. A deep blush spread over his cheeks.

"I-I don't have anything for it."

"I could give you something." He didn't like the smile on her face.

"That's okay." He inched away as she moved closer. Was it suddenly ten degrees warmer on the beach, or was it just him?

Smirking, Mariam cupped his cheek with her hand and gave him a soft kiss. She pulled away from a wide-eyed Max and ruffled his hair.

"You're a strange kid, Max."

Without another word, she stood up and walked back down to the ocean, swaying her hips as she went. She got too much amusement out of messing with him.

"And she thinks I'm strange?" Max shook his head.

A/N: I think I like the early days of their relationship... They don't understand each other that much at all and she messes with him constantly. Oh, young love.

I would also like to say that this would've been up last night, but Fanfiction freaked out on me again. It's been doing that a lot lately. I think it hates me.

Review?