Friends and Foe

It's like a bad dream. One that never ends. One he cannot wake up from.

He doesn't know how long he sits there but he doesn't get up till Max knocks on the door. And then he has to quickly wipe his tears and gather himself up from the floor.

"Hey, you're back early. I thought you'd stay with Kai." He's carrying bags of food in his hands. "I think I have enough breakfast for the two of us." Max sets the bags on the table and turns around to face Tyson who has locked the door and was lingering unsurely by the doorway.

"Are you okay?" asks Max.

Tyson doesn't want to tell him but his chest feels heavy. Like there is a giant hot rock placed upon it. He feels like throwing up.

"I… I didn't spent the night at Kai's."

"Okay?"

"I think I drank too much," he continues, the truth seconds away from spilling out of his mouth but then he pulls himself together. "I need to- I think I need to sleep it off."

"Yeah, sure. Have some breakfast first and then you can sleep as long as you want. I'll be quiet. Keep the curtains closed."

"Thank you. Um, and if anyone asks for me, can you tell them I'm not here?"

"No problem. Come here, Ty. Sit. You look pale. Eat something."

"Thank you"

"Stop saying thank you."


Tyson takes a shower, naps for a couple of hours and then takes another shower to get rid of the icky feeling he has after waking up.

He has a paper to write.

He pulls out his laptop and tries to concentrate.

He writes two lines before he gives up, opens Facebook and looks up Megumi.

Megumi.

The search shows a list of names but his eyes snag on the one toward the middle of the screen.

Because it's familiar.

Because he's heard it from multiple people's mouths.

Because it was cursed out almost every day in the Blitzkrieg house lately.

Megumi Hiruta

23 years.

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tyson's eyes bore into the profile.

Hiruta

Of the Horsemen.

His fingers shake as he clicks on the user. Breath caught.

The profile photo is of a guy wearing glasses, posing with a flute of champagne in a balcony. Tokyo behind him.

He recognizes the face.

It's the same one he had lain next to this morning.

Sudden nausea hits him, making him dizzy with it. The room disappearing and spinning around him for a moment. He extracts himself from the blanket clumsily and scrambles to the toilet.


"I need to see him." A thunder starts in Tyson's chest when he hears his voice, demanding from the hallway.

"He's not here." Max blocks as well he can.

Tyson can't see him. He has been avoiding his calls. Putting his phone on silent. He's running a fever.

His chest tight. Hot. Fingers cold and numb.

He hasn't gotten out of bed all day and he is in no shape to talk to him right now.

He doesn't know how he'll react if he sees his face. His eyes. Doesn't know how he'll meet them without falling to pieces.

His voice alone has Tyson fearing the worst.

He gets out of bed and shakes his head at Max vehemently when he turns to look at him.

Don't let him in.

Please don't let him in.

"I know he's in there and I need to see him. Out of my way."

"I'm sorry. He said he doesn't want to see anybody."

"He'll want to see me. Please move."

Max twists back to look worriedly at him.

Tyson loses hope.

He feels himself detaching from his surroundings as Kai pushes past Max and enters the room.

Their eyes meet and his heart stills. The ground rushing back under his feet.

Immediately calming at the sight of him. Warmth flooding into his body instead of leaving it.

"What happened?" He steps toward him. "Why didn't you answer any of my calls?" he asks in his gentlest voice.

Tyson can't speak.

Kai's arms close around him and he pulls him into his body. It's home. It feels like home. Kai touches his forehead. "You have a fever. Shit."

Tyson closes his eyes. Lets Kai comfort him because he's selfish and craves his touch.

He takes the reprieve without remorse. The small break he gets from the agony he's been in since morning.

Kai presses a kiss to the side of his head.

"Did you eat anything?"

Tyson nods. He looks over Kai's shoulder and sees that Max has already silently slipped out.

Kai kisses Tyson's mouth. Smooths his hair out of his eyes. "Shall I call a doctor?"

"No!"

"Will you take an advil then?"

"Okay. There's some in the drawer I think."

Kai finds it. Gives a tablet to Tyson along with a glass of water.

He swallows it down and sits on the bed, tired.

"Take a nap."

"I have a paper to write. It counts for my final grade."

Kai draws Tyson into the side of his body, giving him heat.

"When do you have to turn it in?"

"Tomorrow"

"I'll take care of it. Sleep."

"I can't"

"I'll stay with you."

Tyson feels the sob starting in his chest. He pushes his face into Kai's jacket to smother it. His scent is grounding. Kai pulls him down to lay on his side, cocooned in his warmth.

He drifts off easily, used to sleeping in his arms.

When he wakes, Kai's still there. A solid chest under his cheek.

The lights are off.

"I was drunk," he starts, voice hoarse. "I-I drank too much last night."

"Shh, it's ok. Don't worry about it."

"I…" He trails off, deflating, losing his strength. "I missed you." The words are barely a whisper. They're barely even audible.

Kai presses him closer.

"Are you hungry? You haven't had anything in hours."

"I don't want anything."

"That's the fever talking." He shifts. Tyson holds on tight. Not wanting him to leave.

He sighs. Settles down again.

He's rubbing circles on his hip. And then it hits him again all of a sudden. What he did. What he's doing.

He's done something so wrong and now he's lying next to Kai like nothing happened.

It's not right.

This isn't right.

This is what liars do.

Tyson suddenly sits up, disgusted with himself. Wanting to claw out of his skin.

Kai is surprised. He moves into a sitting position and looks at him confused. "What?"

He reaches out and Tyson flinches. He can't. He can't do this. He can't lie. But he can't tell him the truth either. Doesn't have the strength for it. "I need…I need to be alone," he says.

"Did I do something-"

"No. I… I just need to be alone. For a while."

Kai's expression smoothens out, thinking it's no big deal. "Please take care of yourself."

"I will."

Kai leans and kisses him on the forehead. Tyson bears it. He's never hated himself more than in this moment right here.

Kai doesn't deserve this. He deserves the truth. Yet Tyson's a selfish coward and he can't find any words to say to Kai as he gets up and leaves.


1 friend request from Hiruta Megumi.

Tyson Granger at 11:23 p.m.

Hi

Hiruta Megumi at 11:24 p.m.

Hey. Wild night huh?

He takes a breath. Types.

Tyson Granger at 11:24 p.m.

Was it? I don't remember anything after the first few drinks.

Hiruta Megumi at 11:24 p.m.

You're such a lightweight.

It's cute

I like it

His stomach twists.

Tyson Granger at 11:25 p.m.

Did something happen?

Hiruta Megumi at 11:25 p.m.

You're gonna have to be more specific

He worries his lip.

Tyson Granger at 11:26 p.m.

Did we hook up?

He sees the bubbles jumping at the bottom of the screen and nearly scratches his skin off when the message appears.

Hiruta Megumi at 11:26 p.m.

Of course we did.

Why? Why did he have to do this?

Tyson Granger at 11:27 p.m.

I don't remember it

Tears blur the screen in front of his eyes as he reads his messages.

Hiruta Megumi at 11:28 p.m.

What a shame. You had so much fun.

I have a little picture of you.

[Photo attached]

He clicks on it and it's a picture of him lying on his side on a bed, naked and asleep.

Hiruta Megumi at 11:28 p.m.

You're so sexy

Your bf's a lucky mf

He knows. There's no way he doesn't know it's Kai. It's too much of a coincidence.

Tyson Granger at 11:30 p.m.

Can you please delete that photo? I'm not comfortable with my photos being taken unaware.

Hiruta Megumi at 11:31 p.m.

I will if you come meet me tomorrow. [Address attached].

I'll give you my phone and you can delete it yourself.

He bangs the laptop lid shut. How much of an idiot does he think he is? He's using Tyson to get back at Kai.

And Tyson...Tyson had helped him.

He can't breathe. He needs to do something. He needs to get out of here.


Only pussies stay cooped up inside on a lovely winter night like this.

Christmas is coming soon.

There's the smell of snow in the air.

There's no actual snow however.

Tala loves the weather. He lounges on the bleacher, a book open before him. Makeshift lamp next to it. He's soaking up uninteresting information he otherwise wouldn't because of the cool weather alone when he spots a figure. On the track.

Walking around aimlessly.

The fuck?

Who lost their soul? Was hell week that bad for the juniors? It's scary to think how bad it will be for him and his batchmates. He might have to steal the first test sheet. Just to be safe.

Tala stands up, descends the steps and walks on the track toward the student aiming to make friendly conversation and to find out why he is wandering alone.

"Hell week suck the soul out of-?" Tala trails off when the student looks up from under their hood and he sees his face. The same shock is mirrored in his softer features for a second.

And then he tries to move away. Walk around him. But Tala clamps onto his wrist. "Not. So. Fast."

Granger's wrist is slender in his hand. Breakable. He's shivering under the hoodie.

"What's up, Granger?" he drawls, pulling him back a step so he can see his face.

He wasn't imagining it. There is actual terror in his eyes. His skin is ashen. He is shaking with fear.

"What did you do?" he asks slowly, knowing fully well that something awful has gone down.

Come to think of it, Kai was boyfriendless the whole day. Granger was hiding. He has been hiding and now he's come out at night to wander around like a zombie when no one can see him.

He's troubled big time.

Tyson pulls against his hold. "Stay out of my business," he grinds out and the audacity alone makes Tala drop his wrist. Really, it's not that serious. He and Kai can go fuck themselves.

His mouth curls in disdain as he looks at him. "Fuck it up again, Granger. I really don't care. Fuck you. And him."


He expects to see Kai moping the next day but he's in his best spirits. Winning debates in the morning, drawing up plans for mass annihilation of the Yakuza at night.

So Kai doesn't know.

Yet.

Whatever that's plaguing Tyson hasn't reached Kai yet which means it's probably worse than he initially thought.

Granger's keeping something terrible to himself.

Tala needs to find out what it is.

Granger be damned. He can't let it reach Kai before him.

So he does what he does best and spies.

Granger's actively avoiding Kai. Ducking into classrooms and hiding behind books.

Does he really think that shit works?

Kai on the other hand isn't seeking him out. He's giving him a wide berth.

Are they on 'break' again?

"What's up with you and Granger?" He sidles up to him near the water dispenser.

"Nothing" Kai throws the drink back and flings the cup into a bin. "Why?"

Tala narrows his eyes. "Nothing. Why are you not glued together? It's a bit strange to see."

"Tyson has a light fever. He wants to be alone."

"Ah. Fever. Didn't he go clubbing last weekend?"

Kai nods. "He has a habit of overdoing it."

"Right"

Kai eyes him. "What are you sniffing at?"

"Checking to see if there's trouble in paradise."

"We're not breaking up any time soon."

"Don't want you to."

Kai snorts, giving him a once-over before he turns around and walks off to his next class.


It doesn't last for longer than a day.

Kai figures out Tyson's deliberately avoiding him.

And Tyson's doing bad. He looks like he's lost a significant amount of weight in just two days.

His eyes are watery and constantly ringed with red. Like he's always crying. Hasn't stopped in days.

Tala gets a bad feeling in his gut. Kai's mood takes a turn for the worst. A sudden and complete one-eighty.

A feeling of impending disaster hangs in the air. It is never good when Kai gets like that.

On the fourth day since the weekend, they have an argument.

It's less of an argument and more of Kai trying to get a hold of Tyson and Tyson fleeing.

"Will you at least let me help you?"

"I don't need your help."

Tala catches the tail end of it. Fuck his professor. He really didn't have to keep them for an extra five minutes.

Sees Tyson spinning on his heel and storming away. Fleeing.

The fucking chicken.

Tala follows him. Catches him around the corner.

It's a lovely little nook in the building.

No one's ever going to see or hear them.

"What the fuck is going on, Granger? You better tell me now."


Tyson was trying to get away from Kai as far as possible when he suddenly gets grabbed by his arm and slammed against a wall.

Tala's angry, frustrated face greets him and Tyson nearly loses it right there.

"What is going on?" He presses slower this time, a little, just a tiny bit gentler.

And it breaks him. He wanted someone to help him and who better than Tala?

He always had Kai's best interests at heart didn't he?

There was no harm in telling him and he really needed to tell someone.

It's killing him to keep it inside of him any longer.

He waits. Eyebrows slightly cocked. And Tyson says it.

Finally speaks the terrible words out loud. "I slept with someone else."

The shock on his face is disconcerting. It sits strangely on his features. He's not used to nasty surprises.

Tyson's own features twist in distress as he bursts into tears. Ugly helpless sobs.

Tala's slightly shaking his head looking at him, unable to believe it.

"I was drunk," Tyson explains. "I was drinking and I don't remember it but I woke up next to him in the morning."

A frown forms in his brow. "Who- who was it? Do you know the guy or was it just some stranger in a club?"

Tyson feels like the traitor he is as he stares at his face and tells him with his heart in his throat, "He said his name was Megumi."

Tala's face grows ashen. He takes a step back. He is so still for a few moments that it makes Tyson jump when he hits the wall by the side of his head. "Son of a bitch," he swears, angry. "He wants to ruin Kai but he's too pussy to do it like a man." He looks out the window for a minute before looking back at Tyson who is reeling from what he had just said.

Ruin Kai?

This will ruin Kai?

"You said you don't remember it."

Tyson looks up at him. He's calmer. "I don't remember a thing from that night. The last thing I remember is sitting in the club talking to him. Then it's all black."

"Did he buy you a drink?"

"Yes"

Tala nods, understanding dawning on him. "Son of a bitch drugged you." His gaze scans over Tyson's body. Then he says, "You can't tell him."

Tyson looks at him in surprise.

"You can't ever tell him, " he insists. "He doesn't need to know. He can't know."

Tyson gulps. Tears drying on his cheeks.

"Go back to Kai. Forget it happened. Make up some excuse for avoiding him. I'll take care of Hiruta."

He frowns. If he drugged him, then-

"Did you want to sleep with him?" asks Tala.

Tyson shakes his head. "No"

Tala shakes his too. "No" He didn't think he did. "Go to Kai. Make up with him. I'll take care of that son of a bitch."

Tyson feels better after telling him. Liberated. May be not as guilty anymore. He turns to go.

"It is not cheating if you were drugged," says Tala from behind him. "And you didn't want it. Nor do you remember it. It's ok." He gives Tyson a light pat on his back before he leaves.


Hiruta Megumi at 06:25 p.m.

You missed our rendevous

Tyson Granger at 06:27 p.m.

You put something in my drink. You drugged me.

Hiruta Megumi at 06:28 p.m.

You have no proof of that

Tyson Granger at 06:30 p.m.

Delete my pics and leave me alone

Hiruta Megumi at 06:30 p.m.

Or what?

Tyson Granger at 06:31 p.m.

I'll go to the cops

Hiruta Megumi at 06:35 p.m.

:)


Tyson calls Kai that night. Makes up with him as best as he can.

The next morning he waits. Near the window he and his friends always hang out at.

Hilary and Max by his side.

The Americans stop by.

It's a good day.

Tyson's joking with them when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He opens it and sees a missed call from Tala.

It's so strange.

"I've already made up with him" he texts him before putting the phone back in his pocket and joining the conversation his friends are having.

It's about a pregnancy scandal and Hilary's recalling the one she missed by a hair's breadth when Tyson spots Kai coming down the steps. In a hurry.

He smiles at him at first but the smile drops when he sees the look on his face.

Gutted

Eyes haunted.

The Americans part to make way as Kai stops in front of Tyson.

And raises the phone in his hand so he can see.

It's a text conversation between him and Hiruta.

"Tell me he's lying," says Kai. Breathing hard. At the point of begging Tyson. "Tell me he's wrong."

Tyson reads the texts and meets Kai's eyes. His dark almond shaped eyes. He can see his own scared face reflected in their depths.

Words rise up his throat but not a single one makes it out. His lip quivers and his heart stutters and he sees Kai's break as he stares into his eyes.

The mask slides into place quickly. He blinks and the emotion's gone, only to be replaced by a flicker of cold anger and disappointment. He drops his arm and turns, sweeping out of there.

Tyson's frozen for a second before he runs after him. Trying to stop him. Make him listen.

He runs across the quadrangle and latches onto Kai's arm only for him to throw him off.

He tries and tries, desperate to the bone, for the length of the campus, in front of everyone. Kai pushes him off repeatedly, every time, unwilling to listen till he shoves so hard Tyson falls onto the ground and scrapes his palms.

He's left there. Sitting on the ground, hurt and bruised, in the heart of the campus as students stare. Max and Hilary rush towards him.