Go Fish

"Kai" a guy's calm voice calls his name from his left as soon as he steps out the door. Obi leans on the wall just outside the gaming room, observing him. "Your hair" he says when he sees he has his attention.

Kai lifts a hand to his head and runs his fingers through the messy locks, brushing them back into something more presentable. He's pretty sure Obi doesn't suspect anything close to the truth and even if he does he wouldn't blab to anyone. Not if he had any sense of self preservation.

"Are you alright?" he asks carefully, head purple where it was green last month.

"Just peachy" says Kai, distantly noting the faint taste of Tyson's lips lingering in his mouth. He walks past Obi without any further exchange and into the hall where his cousin waits.

Tyson lies on the bleachers watching the starry sky.

"Do your worst!" he hears Michael calling out to Emily.

"Do you want me to do my best or my worst?" asks Emily. "You're being very confusing right now."

"I want you to try and destroy me, baby!"

"That I can do," she says gleefully.

They're playing baseball on the field under the illumination provided by a couple of floodlights. Rei, Michael, Eddie, Emily, Hilary and Rick are all present. It's extra practice for Michael and Eddie as well as a fun way to hangout for the others.

Mike's working on a new signature move. He swings his bat, wiggling his butt. Emily throws a perfect pitch for him, impressing him and Hilary who is squatting behind him assuming the role of the catcher. "Nice one, Em!"

"Perfect pitch, baby!" His bat collides with the ball and it flies off to his right.

Mike runs. There's calls and shouts across the stadium as the fielders dive into motion and chase after the ball. Tyson sits up to watch the play that had suddenly turned intense and cheers everyone on. Michael hits a home run.

"Ah fuck" curses Rick, panting.

Emily hops over to hug her boyfriend proudly. And they celebrate together.

"You guys are so shit at this game," he says, hoisting Emily into the air.

"Michael, put me down before I make you regret touching me."

"Oh I love it when you talk dirty, baby."

"Can you guys not?" pleads Hilary. "It's so gross."

Tyson lies back down with a smile and puts his hands under his head as a pillow, resuming his stargazing. It's hard not to think about the kisses (the first and the second). The feel of his muscles under his hands. The brush of his lips against his mouth. The way he'd looked at him after… It's hard, but he manages to spend most of his time without thinking about those things.

Because Kai's a dick. And being attractive is not going to change that huge fact about him.

And Kai had only kissed him the second time to prove the first didn't matter. That kissing Tyson meant nothing to him at all. That it was just a result of horniness. So if Kai doesn't want to talk about it any further then neither does Tyson. He got the acknowledgement he'd wanted from him anyway.

A thought appears in his head then. Out of the blue. If Kai is carrying the tape on his person, then the next time they kiss (if they ever do) Tyson can use the opportunity to feel around his pockets for the thumb drive. Because making out with him gives him a chance to put his hands on his body unsuspected.

It's a crazy idea. And there's no guarantee that Kai won't figure out what he's up to.

But it's still worth a shot.

06:48 pm Dick is calling…

Tyson sits up with a start and answers his phone, rubbing the crust out of his eyes. "Yeah?"

A deep, cool voice answers through the speaker. "Come over"

Tyson blinks wordlessly as tingles pass down his arms at the sound of his voice. Waking up to shit like that doesn't help. Kai hangs up before he replies.

He's been summoned to the gaming room. The lights in there are dim and smoke hangs in the air behind him as Kai opens the door to let him in.

Tyson meets his gaze. It settles on him silently with a hint of mirth and doesn't slide off of him as he moves aside to make way for him.

Tyson takes a breath and walks in, through the narrow space between the doorjamb and Kai's body because he hasn't opened the door much wide. The heat of him grazes against Tyson's side as he passes him. His breath grows shallow and his heartbeat quickens in response to the proximity and the feel of Kai's heated eyes on him. He clamps down on his senses that were beginning to go haywire and continues into the room.

Tala, Sergei, Bryan, and Ian sit around a table, cards in their hands. A deck and chips in the center.

"Play a game of Go Fish with us, Granger," says Tala, grinning like a shark.

"Why do you want me to play with you?" asks Tyson, wary and genuinely curious.

"Because we're bored and could use new company," he answers coolly.

Right. He's pretty sure he can't say no, especially as Kai closes the door and walks around him to take one of the empty seats, again brushing a little too close to Tyson and making the back of his neck turn warm. What is he trying to do? Intimidate him? Make Tyson feel awkward and embarrassed in front of the other Blitzkriegs by turning him on?

Tyson goes on guard and eyes the other guys in the room. They're definitely all in the mood to fuck with him tonight, planning to use him to entertain themselves. That much is obvious.

He shoots a look towards Kai for a hint of where this evening might go but his attention is on the deck of cards in his hand as he shuffles them adeptly, the cards flowing through his expert fingers. Exhaling and steeling his nerves, he sits down in the last empty chair and asks Tala, "Just one game?"

"A game is three rounds," speaks Ian, then he smiles at him, teeth glinting menacingly.

"Okay" he agrees, narrowing his eyes. They're laying it on too thick. Obviously trying to spook him. They got the wrong guy because Tyson's not one to get easily scared, nor back down from any challenge. "One game."

He knows how to play Go Fish. It's an easy game and three rounds don't sound too bad. He's aware of the very real possibility that they won't play regular Go Fish. There's got to be something to make it more worth their time after all, so he braces himself for any nasty surprises as the game starts.

He looks at his hand and figures it's not a bad one. But it isn't a good one either.

The round passes quick. The guys don't waste time with bullshit, a few laughs here and there, but the game flows smoothly. Tyson has to think fast to keep up, memorize who has what and strategize and change plans within seconds.

But try as he might, he's not magically going to be good at cards. He never was. And the other guys around him seem to be exceptional at it. Naturally, he loses the first round.

Kai's corner of the table boasts the highest number of stacks. Then Tala, Bryan, Sergei and Ian. Tyson with the least. He worries the inside of his bottom lip as he waits to see what happens next.

Because he knows something is coming.

"The loser plays a game of truth or dare," says Tala. "So Granger, Truth or Dare?"

Of course. They're playing truth or dare. Expected choice from a crowd like this one actually.

"You can only choose two Truths in a row by the way," says Bryan.

Ian snickers.

Tyson casts a glance at Kai whose eyes are once again on the deck in his hands, before he lifts them to Tyson's. Quiet embers burn in them.

Tyson inhales. "Truth" he says, looking at Kai. The safest option. He doesn't want to choose Dare among the Blitzkriegs. They might just ask him to jump off the cliff near the house.

Kai seems to have been expecting him to say that. Tala lets out a loud thoughtful hum. But Kai beats him to the question and asks Tyson first, "What exactly are you hoping to find out from Julia?"

He wasn't prepared for that. Tyson colours lightly. He was aware that Kai knew he was spending more time with Julia and he didn't approve of it but he didn't realize Kai was suspecting him of getting close to her with an ulterior motive.

"N-" he starts to say 'nothing' but Kai interrupts.

"Don't lie" he warns.

Tyson chews on his bottom lip, keeping his gaze on the table. Panic spreads through him. What is he supposed to say? He can't say the truth especially not in front of the others. But what if they already know that Tyson's been looking for the tape? How much does Kai share with them? But if Julia doesn't know about his search for the tape why would the others?

And Kai doesn't seem like the type to share everything with his friends.

He gulps. Kai's gaze feels palpable on his skin. On the side of his face. "I was trying to get dirt on you," he blurts. It's true. He was doing that as well.

"Whoa" exclaims Bryan.

"Someone's been planning his escape," says Sergei.

"What kind of dirt?" presses Kai, his tone taking on a menacing edge.

"Just" Tyson musters enough courage to meet his gaze and say without fretting. "Anything you wouldn't want people to know."

The corner of his mouth ticks up slightly. There's a card he's balancing upright on the table with a finger. Tyson sees the card bend under the pressure he applies before he lets it drop. He sits back in his chair, observing Tyson with a locked jaw. The sneer persistent.

"You're an insufferable pain in the ass," he says in a voice he can hardly hear, shredding Tyson to pieces with his gaze.

Tala whistles, breaking the silence in the room, and urges them to start the next round. Tyson pointedly avoids Kai's eyes as they resume playing but he can feel his agitation with him increasing. By the time the second round ends (Tyson loses that one too), Kai has the question ready before the word "Truth" has even slipped past his lips.

"You wanna fuck her?"

It's shocking enough to make Tyson swivel his head to look at him. Offended. "No"

"You don't want to fuck Julia?" Tala asks emphatically. "Man, everyone wants to fuck Julia. What's wrong with you?"

"I-" He stutters. "I mean yes"

"Oh?" says Kai.

"No! I- I'm not trying to get into her pants. I just-"

"Want to find dirt on me. No other reason."

"I'd like to be friends with her too," fires back Tyson, glaring at Kai, who holds it with just as much force in it. He has his arms crossed tight over his chest and Tyson can see his shirt moving with his heavier breaths.

"Didn't you have a crush on her in your freshman year?" asks Tala, with a sly smile.

Tyson ends the staring match with Kai with an exhale, and considers Valkov. "Yes" he admits, and he doesn't feel nearly as embarrassed as he did just a few seconds ago. His anger towards Kai making him stop caring about things like that.

His smile turns into a full grin. "I knew it. You used to act like a ten year old with a crush whenever she was around."

Tyson watches Sergei shuffle the cards, arms folded in front of him, wondering why he was so worked up all of a sudden. Sure, they had no business asking him if he found her attractive, but it shouldn't have pissed him off so much. Kai asking him that shouldn't have made him lose his cool.

The third round begins. This one goes on for far longer than the last two. Tyson actually feels like he has a shot at making top four this time. Ian having terrible luck or just plain distracted by something. Kai is third as well, his head not appearing to be in the game either. But the tides turn toward the end, Kai scores enough books to move up to second place and Ian gets his shit together and takes Tyson's cards, beating him to fourth place with just one extra stack.

Tyson groans as he loses again, for the third time. The frustration has him standing up and dragging his hands through his hair. "No fucking way," he laments looking at the books on the table.

"Well!" Tala grins wide.

"I need a glass of water," Tyson turns towards the jug on the pool table but doesn't find any glasses. He's about to raise it to his lips when a hand pushes a glass before his face.

Tyson takes the tumbler from Kai and pours himself some water, downing it in quick gulps. When he's finished drinking he notes the room is silent. Tense and silent.

He turns around.

Kai is standing before him, his dark gaze burning into his soul.

"Truth or dare" he asks, his voice a caress against his ears. "And you can't choose Truth again."

"Dare" answers Tyson, lifting his chin. His heart hammering in his chest.

Kai holds his eyes. "Unbutton my shirt," he says. Tyson's breath catches in his chest.

What?

He wonders if he heard him right, then Kai continues, speaking words that have his mind blanking out: "Memorize the dragon tattoo you find," he says, uttering each word slow and purposeful, "and draw it."

Tyson's eyes flick between Kai's, searching their depths for answers to the questions hurtling through his head. He can't be serious? The other guys are right there, right behind them. And he wants him to undress him?

Kai seems to read his mind. He says, in an almost whisper, "They don't give a flying fuck."

Right. He realizes. Because to them it looks like Kai is toying with Tyson. Trying to embarrass him. And that might be exactly what's happening as well.

He's toying with him. Playing with the attraction he feels towards Kai.

Fucking bastard.

Tyson steels his nerves and sets his jaw, making up his mind to do just as he'd dared. He raises his hand towards Kai's second button from the top, because the first is already undone. He reaches with the aim to fluster Kai, but just as his finger brushes his button, and the reality of what he's doing dawns on him, his breath catches and his heart stutters in his chest.

And he seems not to be the only one affected because Kai gulps. His throat bobbing once. Involuntarily. Helplessly.

The only indication that he's not nonchalant about this.

The rest of the room around him fades away as Tyson slips the first button out of its hole. He can feel his pulse in his throat, pounding in his ears as he undoes each one, slowly making his way down the shirt. Smooth skin comes into sight with every button. Every inch as enticing as the last.

When he frees the last button and the flaps of his shirt fall open to the sides, Tyson stops breathing entirely. His gaze taking in Kai's torso. The ripples of muscles in his abdomen, the curves of his chest, the rise and fall of it as his breathing grows visibly shallow.

Tyson, feeling as though he's wading through a sea of electricity, goosebumps scattering up his arms, reaches for the sides of his shirt and slightly parts them wider. He swears he sees the movement of Kai's chest halt as his breath falters for a second.

His eyes slide over further expanse of flawless, tempting skin before they fall upon the dark intricate pattern curling around the side of his body. Dipping and swirling along the curves of his waist, chest, ribs, spreading along his heart, making him impossibly more beautiful. He's breathtaking. So very gorgeous it hurts to look at him.

Tyson swallows hard, but it does nothing to help his dry throat. Kai watches him trace the lines of the dragon etched into his side with his eyes. Tyson stares at him, lungs barely moving, for two heart-stopping minutes before prising his gaze away and saying, "I got it."

"You sure?" prompts Kai.

He nods, unable to speak as words fail him. His voice fails him. He tries to take a step back but the pool table is already at his hip.

"Button me back up," says Kai. Tyson glares at him, feeling irritation spike in his veins at the lilting in Kai's tone.

He buttons him back up roughly, carelessly, wanting to be done with it already. And then he moves away him, sliding out from between the pool table and Kai's frame.

Kai eyes him, an amused edge to one brow. "Get him some papers and pencils," he tosses over his shoulder and a few moments later, Bryan brings him the items. Tyson sits on the floor, out of habit, the image of Kai's torso burned into his retinas.

Drawing on the floor suddenly takes him back to the days he used to sit on the wooden boards of the Dojo and sketch stuff for his Grampa. What a complete contrast that memory is to his current situation. He transfers what's seared into his brain to the papers, the second sketch coming out better than the first as the adrenaline in his blood ebbs allowing his hand to become steady.

Footsteps sound as Kai walks to his side, his boots coming into Tyson's peripheral vision as he stands next to him and looks at what he's drawn. It's a sketch of his torso basically, in black and white. The picture on the paper is pretty, an accurate depiction, but it's still nothing compared to the real thing.

Tyson looks up, lifting his gaze to meet Kai's from where he's sitting on the floor with his legs folded under him. Their eyes lock, feeling like a physical touch. "Satisfied?" asks Tyson. And he thinks he sees his gaze darken further, as if it was even possible.

"Plenty" he answers.