Snow and Rain

Tyson fixes his hair with the help of the vanity mirror. It's getting a bit long. Starting to curl around his ears. He needs to cut it.

He sees Kai gazing at him out of the corner of his eye. Kai does that a lot. Watches him with no qualms. He'd probably do it forever if Tyson didn't do anything about it.

Tyson meets his gaze. "What?"

"Ready to go?" Kai takes the key out of the ignition like he hadn't just spent an awfully long time staring at him.

"Yeah"

They trek up the front yard and Tyson pushes open the door with a loud announcement. "I'm home!"

It's freezing and the living room is empty so he tells Kai to get in. "Take your shoes off."

"Here?"

"Yeah. I'll take them inside."

"No" Kai disagrees, toes out of his shoes and picks them up himself.

"Okay" Tyson takes his off and follows him inside.

"Where should I put them?"

"Here." He shows him the rack just inside the house.

"Dawgs!"

Tyson looks up with a bright smile. "Grampa!" he shouts before running over to give him a hug.

He stays there for a while, soaking up Ryuu's pine-leaves and myrrh scent and general warmth.

His grandpa's chuckles reverberate against his chest as he rubs his back.

"Aw, T-dog's wasting away. Where is your tummy?" He pokes and Tyson yelps, jumping back.

"Ow" He shoots Ryuu an indignant look.

"We need to fatten you up again," he says, giving him a swat on the side of his leg with his cane.

"Kai-kun, don't stand there like a stranger. Make yourself at home!" He cracks the cane on the floor and Kai spurs into action. He walks in and comes to stand beside Tyson, hands jammed in his packets.

"I got something special for the two of you," Ryuu says and Tyson beams.

"Oh, do you?"

"It's brewing in the kitchen right now. I'll go check up on it. Why don't you get settled in the meantime?"

"Sure" Kai says with a polite smile and Tyson wants to eat him.

When Grandpa heads to the kitchen, Tyson tackles Kai onto the couch and gives him a deep kiss.

"You're so cute sometimes," he says, panting as he pulls away.

"Am I?" asks Kai, breathless and with his head resting on Tyson's chest.

"Yeah"

"Thank you"

Tyson smothers him with more kisses till he's flushed a nice pink colour.

"Would you like a house tour?" he asks sitting up.

"Yes" Kai nods.

He wriggles out from under him and pulls Kai up by his hands. "Photo tour first. Grampa has my entire life documented. Let's start at the very beginning, shall we?" He drags him towards the wall full of pictures and moves to the far end of it where the very first photo is hung.

"This is grandma and grandpa when they were young." He points out to Kai who leans forward to take a look. "They had just gotten married. This was taken on their honeymoon. They'd gone to Bali."

Kai hums. "Bali's nice."

"Yeah, I've heard. I want to go there too one day."

"We can go tomorrow."

Tyson shoots him a scolding look. "Don't be obnoxious. Flaunting your wealth around is nasty behaviour."

Kai snickers. "It was well-earned, baby. Don't be ashamed."

"Flaunt then."

He feels himself getting soft and googly eyed as he looks at him so he refocuses on the pictures.

"Dad was born the next year. This was taken that same year. A very cute baby."

"Mhm" He smiles a little.

He moves to the next one, taking a quiet breath. "This is mom and dad. At their wedding reception."

Kai observes the photo silently and says, "Your mom was beautiful."

"Thank you. She was very very beautiful."

He feels a hand run up and down his back soothingly. Next one. "Hiro" He points at his 5-year old brother's smiling face. "Hiro was a little shit back then but you can't see it here."

Kai chuckles.

"And then, me. I have a few photos with mom but I'm in her belly in all of them." The photo they're standing before has three people in it. Hiro, Tyson's dad and his very pregnant mom. She holds a loving hand over her belly, smiling serenely into the camera.

"She looks a lot like you."

Tyson nods. "I have her eyes."

"You carry a lot of her in you."

He says it so simply, so unaware of how the words impact him, how they crawl so deep into him and touch a wound that he'd spent years hiding.

He blinks out his tearing eyes and moves on. "My first day of school. With dad, Grampa and Hiro. I was so scared. I was a timid kid and Hiro didn't help."

"Hm" Kai hums thoughtfully. "Tell me more about Hiro. Your relationship with him. You don't talk about him much."

"Hiro and I…"

"Brunch is ready!" Ryuu bursts into the living room right then. "You can gossip later. Fill your stomachs first!"

"Brunch?"

"I'm modern now. T-bone, you're looking more scrawny with each passing minute."

"You're just making shit up, Grandpa."

"Language!"

"Oh, language? Why, because Kai is around? There is usually no decorum in this house," he tells Kai.

"You will embarrass your own family like that. Of course you would. Get your skinny butt in there and eat."

Tyson giggles, taking Kai's hand and guiding him to the dining area.


"Chikara udon!" Tyson cries out as soon as he smells it. His eyes and mouth water upon the sight of the steaming bowls on the wooden table. He drops to his knees in awe. "With scallop soup? I'm going to cry."

Grandpa herds Kai to take a seat beside Tyson and occupies the cushion across from them. "Crying over Udon? You're twenty years old."

"This is my favourite food." He steeples his fingers, his bottom lip trembling.

Kai is smiling softly at him, a fond twinkle in his eye.

"Then dig in!" Ryuu urges.

And Tyson does. He picks up the chopsticks and begins scarfing it down. "Oh this is so good I could cry."

"You've been crying," Ryuu teases, then glances at Kai. "Kai-kun, would you like some more udon? T-bone, where are your manners? Attend to your guest!"

"Oh" Tyson sits up, holding a tissue to his runny nose. "Baby, do you want something?" He only realizes his slip up once it's too late so he proceeds to pretend like it didn't happen.

"No, I'm good."

"He doesn't eat much," Tyson says to Ryuu.

"I can see. He is skinny!" He knocks at the table with his cane and they both jump. "Eat up!" He scoops out more noodles and broth for Kai. "Would you like more soup? I have both creamy and hot and sour with corn in it. You want corn?"

"I'm good, Ryuu-san," Kai declines politely.

"He watches his calorie intake way too much," Tyson snitches. "He doesn't eat any sugar at all. Like it's crazy. I've never met anyone like him."

"Anorexia! Kai-kun, that is not something to aspire to."

"I am not-"

"You must eat so your heart is happy. A happy heart is a healthy heart. Look at T-bone, I taught him to eat as his heart desires and his metabolism is unmatched. Eat your favourite food and your body will be healthy."

"I am healthy but I understand what you're saying, Ryuu-san. I'll take your advice."

"He won't," Tyson says sideways around his chopsticks.

"I will actually," Kai turns around to address him. "In moderation but I'm willing to try."

"Aren't the finales in like two weeks?"

"I need to bulk a little."

"Have a milkshake with me then," Tyson challenges.

"I'll have a sip," says Kai and Tyson lifts his eyebrows.

"Two sips"

"One and a half."

Tyson pauses, then explodes. "What the fuck is a one and a half s-"

"Language!"

"Oh come on!"

"Takao, eat!" He cracks the cane again.

Tyson quietly returns to his food and stuffs his face with it. One and a half sip. Really, he's on some next level bullshit.

"Kai-kun, what finale is Takao talking about?"

"I box. In my free time."

"As a hobby?"

"Mostly" he answers carefully, wiping his mouth with a cloth. "There are competitions in the gym."

"Interesting. Rei-kun also participates in martial art contests. Do you know Rei-kun?"

"Rei Kon. I've met him in the ring a couple times."

"Oh" Tyson sits up with interest.

"You do martial arts as well? Which discipline?"

"Mixed with a focus on Taikwondo."

Tyson chokes. Taikwondo? And he never said that to him.

"Who won?"

"Once Rei did and then I did."

"So you're equally matched?"

"I wouldn't say that," Kai says with a teasing smile.

"Takao here is good at Kendo. I trained him myself."

"So you're a master?"

"I am"

They go into discussing kendo mastery and martial arts theory and Tyson wonders when he got thrown out of the conversation.

So annoying, really.

"Takao lacked drive. He had the talent but he just couldn't focus or stick to the rules."

"You know I hate following rules, Grampa."

"Lazy is what you are."

Tyson sighs.

"Imagine being born with immense talent and wasting it every day. That's what he does. There is nothing Takao cannot do if he puts his mind to it but he never puts his mind to anything. His mind is busy with nonsense."

He rolls his eyes so hard it hurts. "You're exaggerating."

"I wish"

"No, it's true," Kai interjects and Tyson turns to him a fake ass smile on his face. Et Tu, Brute? "Tyson has so many talents. He excels in almost everything he does. All he lacks is focus."

"Thank you so much. You really are always on my side. You flatter me, Kai."

"I'm not going to lie just to make you happy."

Tyson bristles. He scoops more udon into his plate and mixes some scallop and cream into it as well before munching down like a savage.

"May be some of your discipline might rub off on him," says Ryuu to Kai.

"May be"

"You guys are so…" Tyson twirls noodles around his chopsticks with a big huff. They're both enjoying this a lot aren't they? Tag teaming against him. He can practically feel the glee coming off of Kai and Ryuu.

At least the udon is marvelous enough to soothe him.

They eat in comfortable silence for a minute then Ryuu asks, "Takao, when is Hilary-chan coming? She should have been here as soon as the sun was up."

"Oh" He hasn't spoken to Hilary out side of a few texts exchanged after finals, but Christmas is a big thing and she loves Ryuu so she has to show up at some point today, regardless of how she feels about him. "I think she'll be here in the evening."

"Well, she better because I have something for her," says Ryuu. "How is she? I haven't heard from her since your school started this year."

"She's alright."

"And her family?"

"Good I think."

Just then, there's a sound at the door, someone shuffling inside. Tyson looks enquiringly at his grandpa and Ryuu looks excited, which is weird.

"Ryuu-san" An older woman's voice calls out fondly and Tyson's eyes widen.

"Nana!"

Nana enters the room where they're all eating and gasps. "I had a hunch Takao would be joining us this morning. And he's brought a friend. This is a wonderful sight. Oh no, don't stand up, dears. Sit, please. Sit."

He and Kai had gotten to their feet out of respect and Ryuu also made it up and walked towards her to help.

"What did you bring? Your hands are loaded, Mina-san."

"Goodies for the boys and Hilary-chan. And for Takao dearest," she steps forward and extracts a casserole from one of her bags, " a special something." She winks.

Tyson opens it and gasps. "Dumplings"

"Not just any dumplings. Your favorite."

He shoves some into his mouth and some into his soup and some into Kai's mouth.

"Join us, Mina-san," says Ryuu, guiding her towards the table. "Have something."

"Well, I had tea earlier but it was a while ago so I guess I'll have a few bites."

She takes the cushion next to Ryuu and he passes a bowl to her.

"It's grandpa's best udon, Nana," Tyson cries around a mouthful.

"And your favourite," she notes with a laugh. "Takao-kun is feasting today."

Tyson shakes his head overwhelmed. "I'm spoiled."

Kai snorts.

It draws Nana's attention towards him. "Takao, introduce your friend."

"Ah, this is Kai." He lays a hand on his shoulder. "He's um… a third year so it took me a while to meet him. But once we did, we hit it off."

"Inter-year friendships are rare aren't they?"

"Yes, they're pretty rare. Usually seniors just bully juniors but I bullied him instead," says Tyson, grinning at Kai.

"I don't think they believe that for a second," says Kai.

"Believe my fist that broke your nose."

"You never broke my nose."

"I dented it."

"Can you see it?"

No. His nose is perfect. Thank god or he would have never forgiven himself. He reaches over and lightly dusts off the bridge with a finger and says in a prim tone, "No."

Kai bows his head, hiding his smug smile.

Tyson clutches his chopsticks. "I will deal with you later."

He sees Nana and Ryuu exchange glances out of the corner of his eye.


Tyson's bedroom is small or may be Kai's just used to seeing large bedrooms. This might be normal-sized for all he knows.

Nevertheless it's cozy and smells like him everywhere.

He sinks on to the soft springy bed covered in floral sheets and sighs.

God, the room is full of Tyson.

The said person closes the door and turns on all the lights he got, including the fairy lights.

"I grew up here. I think, this is how the room has always looked since middle school. And apart from a few changes like the wall colour and the gaming console and may be a few photo frames, everything is same as it was in my childhood. And of course the bed. I got a new one when I started growing like crazy." He scratches absently at his elbow.

Kai smooths his hand over the soft sheets and exhales. "Are you staying here tonight or coming back with me?"

"I was planning to stay here for a few days. Can you stay too? At least tonight?"

Kai scrunches his face and shakes his head.

"Aw" Tyson's shoulders slump. He walks over and sits next to him on the bed. They'd exchanged presents earlier. In the Kinomiya house with Ryuu and Nana. She'd knitted sweaters for everyone. Tyson had received one with the letter T on it.

Kai gave him a thin chain, one that can be hidden easily behind the neck of his t shirts, but looked casual on the surface in case it slipped out. It was a pendant that had his initials on it, littered with tiny, sparkling diamonds.

Tyson had given him a scarf he'd made himself. "My skills aren't as great as Nana's but I'm still pretty proud of it," he'd said as Kai unwrapped the grey scarf.

It was surprisingly well-made and warm and Kai was currently wearing it just like Tyson was sporting his chain.

"I was hoping you'd stay," he says, a pout on his lips and in his voice as he picks at a lint on the shirt covering Kai's chest. "I had plans for us."

"Isn't Hilary coming over soon? I don't want to make it awkward for you guys."

Tyson squawks indignantly. "Pfft, that's not a problem. If that's why you're-"

"No, I have to meet someone."

"Who?"

"A piece of shit."

Tyson tilts his head.

"Arms dealer," says Kai.

Tyson takes his hand away immediately. His mouth opens and closes repeatedly. "Wh- why? Why is there a need for that? You're already quite… loaded," he says, alluding to the armoury he'd seen at their house on campus. There's more back at Kai's place. And even more at Bryan's.

But, it's not enough to cover them for what's coming.

"I don't get it," says Tyson helplessly.

"It's a war," he says, dropping his voice. "We can't be short on guns."

He looks at him with wide, concerned eyes. "Can't you talk it out?"

"We've been over this already."

"I know"

"We can't talk it out. I hurt him. Those people were his family. It doesn't matter why I did it. They were still his family. He'll avenge them. He has to."

He can see fear growing ten fold in him as he continues to speak. He takes a breath, but it looks like a gasp.

"Between your grandfather, and now this… this man. It's like the entire nation is coming for us. Kai, I can't-"

He takes his face into his hands and makes him look at him.

"Can't we just run away?" asks Tyson.

"You know we can't," he whispers gently, caressing his cheek.

"Is your family alright? They were pretty… fucked up last night. Do you know if.. Do you know if they're alright?"

"They're alright." It's crazy that even when they were after him last night he's still worried about them. "Grew tired looking for you and passed out after a few hours." He traces his brow. "Tyson"

He looks at him curiously.

"You're too good." For me.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you care more than you should sometimes."

"They were drugged. They didn't know what they were doing."

"I'm not talking about them."

"Then?"

"I'm talking about the people in your life. How some of them don't deserve to be in it but you keep them there." He takes his hands away. Drops them to his own lap so Tyson has his space and doesn't feel caged. "You hold on so tight to everyone you meet inspite of how they treat you. You don't have to be nice to everyone. You don't have to be friends with people who have wronged you. You don't have to forgive everyone and find excuses for them. Not all people deserve your friendship. Or your kindness. Some of them need to be cut away."

Tyson's eyes are orb-like, even glowy. He mulls over his words carefully before saying, "Like who?"

"Well, you know them better than I do. You should be the one to decide who they are."

He blinks, thinking back to something. "You have someone in mind. Who is it?"

Kai sighs. "It doesn't matter what I think."

"It kind of does. Who is it?" he pushes.

"It's not my business."

"Who is it?"

Kai tries to move away and Tyson climbs on top of him, straddling his hips and holding his wrists down on the bed. "Spill"

Kai gazes at him. "You're kind of hot like that."

Tyson frees him like he got burned. "Oh, stop distracting me."

He sits up and kisses him under his jaw, holding him close in his lap.

"I think you know, Tyson," breathes Kai, his lips against his soft cheek. He smells like peaches. "I'll let you decide whether to keep them in your life or not."

Tyson absently kneads the muscles along Kai's shoulder then draws away. "You're not talking about Hilary, are you?" he whispers, frowning. "Because she is… a good friend."

"Well, you know her better than I do."

He sees him thinking. He drapes the scarf around Kai's neck better and combs his hair into place with his fingers.

"She can be thorny sometimes but she's also been my friend forever. Like she has been there for me you know. Like I've had some really, really bad days and if it weren't for her I wouldn't have…"

"I know. Sometimes it's our closest people who end up hurting us out of jealousy."

Tyson glances at him, curiosity rich in his gaze.

"Like you would never expect them to hurt you. Of all people. You're willing to put your life in their hands and you have, often, and then one day, over the silliest shit, it happens. They fuck you over. And then come crawling back for forgiveness. But at the end of the day, they're the closest thing you have to a brother so you…forgive them."

"You're talking about Yuriy," Tyson breathes with realization.

Kai looks up at him feeling guilt spread in his chest over what he'd said.

"I never… I never saw it coming. He's…he's to me what Hilary is to you. I never thought he'd hurt someone I cared about."

Tyson gently caresses his cheek, trying to comfort him.

"He promised he'd never do it again and Yuriy keeps his promises so I trust him." He looks at Tyson. "I know you talked to him last night and I like that you're starting to get along, but be careful. I trust him with you but baby, be careful for me, will you?"

Tyson nods. He's silent for a minute before he says, "I don't know why he's being nice to me all of a sudden. Did you say something to him?"

"I asked him to be nicer but I've been asking him to do that for months."

A niggling sensation appears in his gut but he squashes it. Yuriy being nicer to Tyson is a good thing. Whatever the reason may be he knows for a fact that it's not with the same intentions he had with Ileana.

Yuriy makes oaths that not even God himself can make him break.

Tyson will be safe.

"It's not Hilary," says Kai.

"Hm?"

"The friend of yours I have in mind isn't Hilary."

"Oh."


"You're leaving already?" Tyson holds onto Kai's thumb as he puts on his shoes and exits the house.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Kai puts an arm around him and gives him a kiss on his cheek.

"I don't know how I'm going to survive the rest of the night," he says into his shoulder. "I need you with me. Especially at night."

"You'll be just fine." Kai presses another heartfelt kiss to his temple and draws away.

Tyson pouts as they walk down the driveway and when Kai gets in his car he gives him a small wave before he drives away.

"Missing your boyfriend already?" Ryuu asks when he re-enters the house making Tyson jump two feet in the air.

"Don't even try to deny it."

Tyson sighs. Toes out of his shoes. "Yeah" he admits quietly, irrational fear in his chest.

"How long has it been? You and him?"

"A few months."

"Months already," Ryuu grins, sliding the door closed after Tyson and shuffling into the house. "You're going to end up getting married."

Fear morphs into embarrassment.

His cheeks heat. "Grandpa!"

"What? You don't want to marry him?"

"Well, I- I'm … very very young. And he's… "

"He doesn't want to get married? Well, you better sort it out quickly T-bone before it gets more serious for you."

Tyson wants to pinch himself. Is he really having this conversation with his grampa right now?

"You don't want to end up hurt."

"I mean I want to and I would like to bring it up with him but we're so young. Like extremely so. We shouldn't be thinking about marriage right now. We're meant to be having fun."

"Takao, you don't know how to have fun."

Tyson bristles and continues with his argument. "And I am very inexperienced. I don't know if I'll feel this way with other guys as well or if it's just a Kai thing. I need to explore more before I do serious things like settling down with someone for the rest of my life."

"Oh Takao wants to go shopping now. How many men do you need to be with before you realize they aren't any good and Kai is the one for you?"

Oh Kai has Grampa wrapped around his finger, doesn't he? Grampa wants him as his grandson already. Tyson knows what's going on here.

"You're smitten with him, I see."

"Come here, Takao," Ryuu beckons, patting the couch beside him. "Come sit. Let's have a talk."

"It better not be that talk."

"Oh no but you better be using protection and getting all your vaccinations."

"What the fuck." Tyson gapes, freezing on his way to the couch.

"Did you get your HIV vaccine and no don't give me that look. I spent hours with you both. I know what's going on. Did you get the vaccine?"

"Yes, Emily made sure I did," he mumbles. His face is on fire.

"God bless Emily."

He forces himself to move his feet and sit on the cushion beside his grandfather.

"Hm, now let's have that conversation we were having earlier about your lack of focus."

"Oh here we go," Tyson sighs. "I am focused. I don't know what you're talking about. I pay attention in all my classes. I did great on all of my tests."

"Yes that's all well and good but, Takao, there are two types of men," says Ryuu, using the voice he uses to tell him stories with. Tyson listens with rapt attention. "There are those who are good at using their intellect and then there are those that excel physically. You, fortunately, are blessed both ways. Just like your beau, whose smarts can be sensed from a mile away."

"Okay"

"So what do we do when we have a situation like that?" he pauses so Tyson asks, "What?"

"You follow your heart."

"I'm following my heart. I've told you before, I want to graduate with a job at a top paying company near ou-"

"Our house?" Ryuu almost barks and Tyson shuts up, wondering what brought it on. "Takao, you were never meant to be a corporate lackey. You're meant to fly."

"Fly how? Like in a plane?"

"Like on a racing track."

"Oh, Formula One? That's a big dream but I'm not that good at driving."

"Being purposely obtuse isn't going to get you out of this conversation, lil fella," says Ryuu.

"Grampa, my dream has always been to work somewhere nice and close so I can-"

"Keep me company? You don't have to do that anymore. Because I've finally found someone after all these years. I'm not alone anymore, my little one. I've found someone to spend the rest of my life with," he says with glimmering eyes and Tyson's heart constricts.

He takes his hand in his and he holds his breath. "Mina and I are getting married."

"Nana?" Tyson breathes and it feel like his heart is going to fall right out of his chest. He feels tears threatening the corners of his eyes.

"I asked her last week and she said yes. I've been waiting to tell you. I thought it best to break the news in person than over the phone."

"Grampa, I-" Tyson's voice breaks. "I'm so happy for you."

"Oh, my child," Ryuu cradles his face with his hand. He feels small. He feels inconsequential in his grampa's hold.

Tyson throws his arms around him and hugs him. The tears fall then and they don't stop.

"You don't have to worry about me anymore, my child. You are free to live the way you truly want."

He draws back, frowning. "You're not doing this because of me, are you?"

"I have made lots of sacrifices for you, Takao." Ryuu looks at him with glistening eyes and watery smile and proudly says, "But this isn't one of them."


"It was pretty shit of you to not show up to see Grandpa today," Tyson calls over his shoulder, sitting on the swing set in the park.

"What are you talking about? I just got home. I was at my dad's house." Hilary sinks into the swing next to his and sighs.

"Oh sorry."

"Yeah, jerk. I'll pay a visit to him first thing in the morning."

"Thank you because he's been wanting to see you."

"Hmm" She tilts her head in thought. Swinging a bit. "I miss Ryuu too."

"How was your Christmas?" asks Tyson, scuffing at the dirt.

"Meh, dad got mad at mom again."

"Why?"

"It's that same land issue they've been fighting over for ages. God, you'd think one of them would just give up already but they're squabbling over it like that's their daughter." She gives a short laugh. "It's so stupid."

"Hil, I'm sorry." He reaches over to hold her hand.

"Don't be, it's been this way for years."

"That's why I'm sorry. You don't deserve it." He squeezes her fingers briefly and lets go.

There's a short lull with just the sound of metal creaking breaking the silence between them then Hilary asks, "How was your Christmas?"

"Erm, eventful I guess. Had dinner at Grandpa's with Kai last night then went over to Kai's house."

"What's his family like?"

"Well, his dad never acknowledged me, or him, and his mom treated me like I was something beneath her shoe and his grandfather called me weak so….great I guess?"

Hilary snorts. "Wow. Why are they mad at him?"

"Because he left them."

"Why'd he leave them and why did he go back last night?"

Tyson takes a breath then sighs. "I.. It's complicated."

"Yeah, I get it. You don't want to tell me."

"No, it's not that. It's just not my story to tell, you know?" he argues.

"Hmm" she hums understandingly.

"Today morning was more fun. We spent it at Grampa's."

"Ryuu likes him?"

"Loves him. He's trying to marry me off to him already."

Hilary bursts into surprised laughter. "He must be in love with Kai."

"That's what I'm saying."

"He's still home?"

"Kai?" asks Tyson. She nods. "No, he left a while ago."

"Is that why you're here?" asks Hilary.

"No" says Tyson. He can feel her waiting but he doesn't elaborate.

"Why are you here, Tyson?" she asks again because she knows he doesn't come here at night unless something big has happened.

It takes him a while to muster up the words because it's bizarre and saying it out loud would sound even more..

"Grampa's getting married," he blurts.

"What?" she asks in shock. "No way."

"Yeah"

"With… Mina?"

"Yeah"

"My god. Oh my god." She puts her hand over mouth. "Tyson… wait, are you crying?" She gets off the swing and crouches down next to him as he silently sheds tears. "Ty, it's okay. He's not going anywhere."

"I know, I know. I'm being silly. I don't know why I feel this way." He tries to stop crying.

"Oh, honey." She rubs his knee. Then reaches up and wipes his tears for him as a fresh batch of them pours down.

"It's just… I'm happy for him. I really am happy for him but… . I just feel so…" His lip wobbles and he breaks down again.

"Oh dear god." She tries to give him a hug but it's awkward because he's still on the swing.

"Oh god, I'm horrible."

"No, you're not. I understand why you're feeling this way."

He pauses to look at her. "Why?" His face and hands are all wet.

"Because you've been the most important person in his life for so long. He's the only one in your family who made you feel like you mattered to them. You didn't get that from your parents or your brother or anyone except him. And you feel sad because you think you've lost that position. Like you're not the most important person in his life anymore but that's not true, Tyson. Ryuu loves you more than anyone."

Tyson nods. He's simply got a river flowing down from his eyes now so he's stopped trying to control it. His shirt and lap is starting to get wet too.

"Also, you have me. You'll always matter to me. Though it may not always seem like it I love you too."

He presses his lips together and musters a smile for her.

"Right. Guess that's why." It doesn't make him feel better. In fact it makes him feel worse.

"I mean, that could be why. I'm just…trying to make sense of it like you."

Tyson nods. "Get off the ground, Hil. It's cold."

"Yeah, I'm freezing my butt off." She stands up and dusts snow off her skirt.

They sit in silence for long minutes during which Tyson's eyes continue to leak. "Yeah, I've always had him to rely on," he says after a while. "Whenever my dad doesn't show up, or someone breaks up with me, I tell myself 'at least I have Grandpa' but now… he has someone he loves a lot. And yeah, may be not as much as me. May be. But I don't have him to myself anymore. You know Grandpa always said that he loved me the most."

"I know. He used to say it right in front of me."

"Yeah, it makes me pretty happy to hear that he loves me over his own son and his eldest grandson. I'm selfish as fuck, damn."

"No, Tyson. You just want to be loved. Everyone wants to be loved and be special to someone."

He suddenly remembers the conversation he had with Soichiro and his eyes brim full. You're nothing special to him. Just another one of his conquests.

Oh Tyson wishes he was stronger than this. Strong enough to not listen to that man.

He presses his hand against his eyes and takes a big breath. Sick of crying. Sick of feeling this way. "How do I make it stop, Hilary? Please help me make it stop."

Weak

"Do you want to go smash things?"

"What?" he asks, taken aback.

"Do you want to go smash things?" she repeats. "Break stuff?"

That sounds pretty great right now actually. "Yeah" he says, sniffing. "Yeah"


A/N: Hello, everyone. How are you? I know my update schedule got all of y'all fucked up but the motivation to write comes to me in spurts and not a steady stream. So this happens.

Apologies.

Anyways, I hope you liked it. We're going to reach a milestone 80 chapters next update so, you can, may be, look forward to something special.

I don't know if we will make it to 100 chapters or if the story will conclude before that but I'm excited to find out.

Take care of yourselves. Have a happy week!

Byeee. See you soon.