Chapter 6

Ripped from a nightmare into a dream. Going from near certain death to the comforts of Kai's womb. It was too much excitement for anyone to process.

Wyatt came to himself with the buzzes of Beyblades clashing in his pounding head. But he had lost his battle. It was over, so who was fighting? No, it couldn't be... He snapped awake in an instant.

There was Kai standing tall, head in the air, unbound mane fluttering in the wind, giving him a royal quality that underlined the stern demeanour he held, as he was facing off against the big guy.

Yes. His Kai, beyblading again, fighting for him. Wyatt's heart fluttered making him so lightheaded he had to will himself not to black out again. This was real, and better than anything he ever dared to imagine!

Seeing Kai look so passionate, and determined was his greatest accomplishment in life. He grappled himself up on his feet, ignoring the swelling aches in his spine, so he could stand by his side. Hands clutched together, he wanted to cheer but the atmosphere was so heated that it felt juvenile to do so. Not when Kai was this earnest. Bold and proud, rising from whatever darkness he had found himself in over the past year. Truly the human counterpart to his phoenix beast. The one that was only loyal to him, and Wyatt understood so now. Seeing Kai on TV was one thing, but in person, feeling his powerful energy prickle under your skin, that was something different entirely. Nothing Wyatt's pathetic attempt had come close to emulating. Rather than sour over his loss, he appreciated Dranzer's selectiveness. The way she protected her dignity and in extension Kai's.

The Beyblades built up for something big, clashing into each other with a cataclysmic force, which ejected outwards beyond the confines of the dish, making him lose his still insecure footing once more. Even Kai was grounded, though maintaining composure. He was icily staring down his opponent whilst their Beyblades simultaneously spun out.

When the actuality of the situation sunk in on him, Kai, unable to fathom the new reality, broke and fell into hysteria. In stark contrast to his solemn demeanour, his shoulders started shaking in repulsion, his voice contorted to a yapping laugh. Wyatt prodded closer on his fours, approaching step by step as not to freak him, until he was right in front. Not knowing what to do he acted on pure instinct and put his arms around his shoulders, rocking him in comfort.

"I'll get you next time." His opponent swore.

He plucked the Beyblade up with his hands, dirt caked under his fingernails, rubbed it onto his soiled garment, and unceremoniously skipped the scene.

Wyatt's eyes trailed him for a bit, but he didn't much mind him disappearing through the door, off to live his life, whatever that may entail, until he'd respawn to cause trouble again. His devotion was to Kai, whose face was crusted with sweat, dirt and either snot or tears, but Wyatt didn't care as he tenderly brushed it with his sleeve. That seemed to soothe him.

"You were amazing." He whispered. Meaning it.

"Not good enough. You know what that means?" Kai chuckled, but in a hopeful way, a genuine glint of excitement shining through. "Dranzer is coming out of retirement."

Wyatt squeezed him tight. "I'm so happy."

Kai snorted. His nose was red, not sore, but vulnerable. "It's all you ever wanted, isn't it?"

Wyatt stole a hushed glance; he couldn't look any more guilty.

But with a rare touch, Kai raised the tip of his jaw with his finger. It was hard to pay attention to his words when his chin was tingling at the point of contact.

"Own it. In your chaotic, meddling way you made it happen. And I'm grateful to you for that."

Now Wyatt smiled, and Kai smiled back, they both just smiled at each other. It was so idyllic, feeling more like satire of life than their lived reality.

It wasn't so much greed, as maybe hunger, once he got a taste it was hard not to take a bite. Maybe it was jealousy, desperation because someone else had made him feel this way. It could have ended fine, they could have walked away, more confident in their friendship, but Wyatt just had to kiss him.

It wasn't soft or taste like strawberries or anything of that sort, if was mushy, and a little uncoordinated. He mostly just smooched his mouth against his own, hoping for the best, for hormones to kick in and conceal the clumsiness.

And they did, Kai's gut felt as though it was tumbling and turning as though he was riding front seat on a roller coaster. He had to gasp, not for air, but for a break from the swarm of motions.

"Wyatt." he croaked.

It was more of a question than an expression of pleasure. Wyatt, why did you do this?

He knew the overarching answer, but what had compelled him to choose this very moment? When Kai was at the peak of emotional turmoil. When he couldn't handle any more inversions.

His inquiry would have been futile, Wyatt hadn't chosen any of this, not consciously, driven more on instinct than intent. He just was and their paths bound to be intertwined.

And for their own private moment, Kai let them be. Taking in the smell of spring, blossoming flowers, pollenated air, as they snuggled up in each others comfort.