A/N:This story is based on the anime, I will mention some elements of Beyblade Rising but it will have no real relation to it as the continuation of the story. Also, the end of the series where Takao and Kai battle each other didn't happen. Kai disappeared immediately after Takao and Brookyn's battle. Also, Kai might be a little OOC, which is intentional, hope that doesn't discourage anyone.
Beyblade nor its characters are my own. English is not my first language.
Aftermath
Chapter 1 - Max
The plane landed at Newark Airport. The last time Kai was in New York he hated how troublesome JFK and La Guardia were, so although the airport was in New Jersey it was really convenient to take the train to Manhattan and avoid the traffic the other two usually had. That trick he learned from Max and it came in handy.
He swiftly made his way through customs and picked up his luggage. It was spring break so there were a lot of people, and no seats available on the train but after having been seated for the last 13 hours it was good to be standing up.
He put on his headphones while looking through the door's glass window. He thought of the blonde blader who had given him the advice that he was currently practicing. Kai hoped he had time to give to him, after all, he was in the Big Apple with the sole purpose of talking to Max.
It had been one year since BEGA. After Takao and Brooklyn's battle, Kai disappeared from his friends' lives. They had tried to reach him and know if he was okay, especially after the injuries he had sustained after his own battle with the redheaded, so he made sure to let them know he was fine but that he needed time and space for himself after all that fiasco. And they respectfully gave it to him reassuring him they would be there when he was ready.
In that time Kai had reflected on the events that transpired, from the rough battle to losing Dranzer, but the reason he was on his way to pay Max a visit was also one of the things he realized during that time. He just hoped it was as easily done as it sounded in his head.
He arrived in Manhattan and after having checked in at his hotel and having had a shower, he started walking to the address he had visited before with the Bladebreakers. Max still lived there that he knew of, because if he didn't this would get a little complicated, nothing he couldn't deal with but still.
He arrived at a city house in a nice neighborhood. Judy being the American BBA's director paid off. He walked up the stairs and rang the bell. Some minutes passed until a tall boy with freckles and yellow hair opened the door. His cerulean eyes opened like dishes when he looked at Kai, and his mouth took the shape of a big O. If Kai were someone else, he would've laughed, but he just smirked.
"KAI!? IS THAT REALLY YOU! OH MY GOD!" Max couldn't help but raise his voice. He and Takao were such loudmouths, no wonder they were best friends.
"Hey Max" the two-toned replied as quietly as always.
"MOOOM KAI'S HERE!" Max in his energy spike ran inside the house leaving Kai waiting at the door. Kai sweatdropped at this.
After some seconds Max came back apologizing for leaving Kai outside and they both got to the living room. Judy went to say hi to Kai who respectfully bowed his head. It was a little weird for Kai to see Judy in a comfy outfit and kind of like she just got out of bed, she usually was always well dressed and wearing makeup, her hair flawlessly styled. But after all, this was spring break and she was probably enjoying time off too. There was something else Kai could not place at first sight, kind of like if she was tired, and maybe also like she had gained some weight. But Kai would never mention it, it was none of his business.
After telling Kai to feel at home she went back up the stairs to the second floor and left them alone.
"Kai is so awesome seeing you here but how come you came to visit me? It's so unexpected" If Max were a puppy, Kai was sure he would be wailing his tail. It was heartwarming to know that the younger man still reacted happily to seeing him.
"I came to talk to you" Kai always being straightforward could see that Max kind of tensed to his tone. "Have you eaten lunch already?" he asked the blonde trying to sound relaxed.
"I haven't! C'mon, I will take you to the best burgers in town! They have all kinds of mustard!" Max started walking to the door "Mom I am going to eat lunch with Kai, be right back!" he shouted for Judy to hear him.
They walked down the street for a couple of blocks and then entered a burger joint that wasn't very big, it seemed very local and although there were some people it was comfortable enough for Kai to not feel overwhelmed.
They seated and after checking the menu and the waiter had taken their orders they stayed in silence for some minutes. Max was fidgeting nervously, and Kai was trying to not do the same since he knew that talking wasn't his strongest suit. When he spoke he did it clearly and concisely, with few words, and completely direct. But initiating a conversation, especially an emotional one was unnerving and Max's fidgeting was not helping either. To be honest he didn't understand why the younger male was nervous at all, although now that he thought about it it was the first time they hung out only the two of them, so for Max, it would probably be unsettling.
"So, what did you want to tell me?" Max started.
"Max, why are you nervous?" Kai's tone was soft.
"Uhm I don't know! I feel like I am going to get scolded or something" Max blushed a bit putting one hand behind his head and Kai couldn't help but chuckle.
"No Max, if anything… I should be the scolded one"
Max was dumbfounded. He seemed he had frozen and Kai who had his eyes closed opened them thinking the blonde had left him because he was abnormally quiet. Kai sighed, this reaction was the one he was expecting but it didn't make it any easier.
"What do you mean?" Max finally said.
"Well, I know I did wrong by joining BEGA, and what I came to say is… I'm sorry"
Max imagined he was one of those cartoons he used the watch as a kid where the wolf's or the cat's jaw dropped to the floor and although physically impossible, he was waiting for the sound of his mouth hitting the floor.
The silence grew more uncomfortable at least for Kai, and Max could sense this so he closed his mouth immediately.
"You don't have to apologize Kai, there are no hard feelings," he said trying not to start laughing.
Kai's trademark scowl made itself present when he noticed Max's efforts.
"No no, don't get me wrong Kai please, I just… feel so happy! I didn't expect that. You know I don't ever harbour resentment towards anyone Kai but I was sad at the time, even if I knew why you did it. Being back together as a team after so long, for the reason we did, I just wished we were all together. So just hearing that I don't know… it made me happy…"
Kai's scowl disappeared and he closed his eyes. A faint blush could be seen in his unpainted cheeks.
"Thanks, Kai" Max's smile was bright and kind. Kai side looked at him still feeling a little embarrassed. He hoped he didn't feel this way every time he did this. "It means a lot and I appreciate it"
With that, Kai knew he didn't have to say anything else so he just smirked. Yeah, Max was the easiest of them. He admired that quality Max had, how easygoing he was, how carefree, it was a completely strange concept for Kai, and he could admit he was kind of jealous of that ability because even though Kai didn't care deeply about many things, he wished he enjoyed more mundane things as Max did.
The waiter arrived with their orders. Kai hadn't noticed how hungry he was, his mind was concentrated on the conversation he was going to have like a mission he had.
"You know my mom is pregnant, I am going to be a big brother! I am so excited!" Max said before having a big bite of his hamburger.
It now clicked for Kai what he had thought of Judy when he saw her. He couldn't fake being surprised, well in his own very Kai way of just raising his eyebrows.
"Congratulations," He said with what he hoped was a warm smile. He was truly happy for his friend, and he had no doubt Max was going to be an excellent brother, a great example for the new life that was to come.
"Thanks!" Max said after swallowing loudly. Takao was supposed to be the pig among them but he guessed bad table manners were contagious. "Here put some more mustard on yours! They have different kinds!" Kai saved his hamburger on time sending one of his death glares so Max dropped it.
"So what are you doing after this" Max asked while Kai started eating.
"I am going to China," he said after swallowing quietly.
"Oh! Are you going to visit Rei?"
"Hn"
"That's great! He will be so pumped" Max almost shouted, "Sorry," he said lower after having realized it.
Some seconds passed in silence as they both ate. Kai thought again about how he had never shared a moment like this with Max before, surely they had had lots of lunches together but usually someone else was with them and he found he wasn't as uncomfortable as he thought he would be. He had always thought of Max as a little annoying brother who he preferred to boss around, and look after but keep at a distance, and not because he disliked him, but rather because of the energy the younger blader had, Kai couldn't match it, that was only achievable by Takao. But now, it was nice talking casually with the American-Japanese who even though had grown to be almost as tall as Kai, still possessed that cute aura around him.
After some more talk, he remembered something important. As distant as he was with all of them, the others were more in contact among them.
"Max, I would appreciate it if you don't mention my visit to the others, nor tell Rei I am going to China"
"Sure thing dude! I am a tomb" Max said with a thumbs up.
After having finished they went back to Max's house.
"Wanna come in?"
"No thanks, I am going back to the hotel," Kai said putting his hands in his pockets.
"Aw man you shouldn't have stayed at a hotel, you know you can stay here however long you want" Max was disappointed. Kai didn't say anything just looked at him trying to communicate with his eyes.
"Right, you would never do that," Max said with a laugh. Kai smirked.
"See ya later Max" and with that Kai started walking.
"Be in touch! No more staying silent!" Max shouted for the retreating Japanese to hear to which in a very Kai way only waived his hand not turning around.
"One done three more to go," Kai thought looking at New York's skyline.
A/N: Thanks for reading.
Just a warning: at some point in the story there will be mentions of mental health issues that I will be sure to mention as trigger warnings in the chapter they're mentioned before it starts. Please no flames.