Hey girlie pops ;) Somehow, I made it through the horror show that is moving is, altho my back and wallet may never recover lol :') Thank you for your feedback, I might write that separate collection of drabbles soon, but for now I'll stick to this story :D I'm also incredibly flattered (and relieved) to hear my English is almost at a native-speaker level! My multilingual brain (English, German, Spanish, Bulgarian, a whole circus in here) glitches now and then, which is partly why I take longer to update.

P.S. This chapter will make me change the tag from slow-burn to medium-burn *cranks up the heat on the stove* Enjoy! ;)

Today's playlist:

Bad Omens - Nowhere To Go

Halsey & G-Eazy - Him & I

Nirvana - Something in the Way

Chapter 14 - I've Got You

26th June

Hikaru's alarm ripped through the air at 1 p.m., yanking her from sleep's fragile grip. She fumbled to shut it off, groaning. Sitting up was a battle against gravity, it felt like her limbs were made out of lead. Cramming secret training into her already jam-packed schedule had slashed her sleep to ribbons, and now she felt less like a person and more like roadkill baking in the sun.

Staggering to the kitchen, the bluenette's foremost thought was survival. Only a triple espresso had the power to drag her through the chaos of a day filled with back-to-back training and tutoring sessions. She brewed it with mechanical precision, her motions slow but steady, before slumping over the dining table. Her head rested on folded arms as she waited for the beverage to cool. Fatigue weighed her down, and before she realized it, she was drifting back into the haze of sleep.

The sound of the door opening barely registered. Hikaru didn't bother lifting her head, even as she caught the pause in Kyoya's footsteps on his way to the kitchen counter. She already knew what was coming, cutting him off with a mumbled, "Don't ask."

The greenhead didn't hesitate, grunting, "Wasn't gonna," as he swung the fridge open and fished out an energy drink with ease. The hiss of the can opening broke the silence, and though her eyes stayed buried in her arms, Hikaru didn't need to look to know exactly what came next. She knew his mannerism like the back of her hand by now. Kyoya leaned against the counter, radiating his usual air of calm superiority, and stared. Whether it was judgment or curiosity, she couldn't say, but either one was annoying enough to make her skin prickle.

"You look like death warmed over," he finally said, his tone toeing the line between observation and mockery.

Hikaru scoffed, the sound muffled by the table. Did he think she didn't know that? Without lifting her head, she muttered a clipped, "Bite me."

Kyoya let out a short, amused snort. "Tempting," he said dryly, taking a long sip from his drink. But he didn't drop it. She could feel his eyes on her, could almost hear the gears turning in his head. He was curious, too curious, about why the secretary looked worse off than him after the same gruelling night shift.

But, of course, this was Kyoya. He wasn't about to admit he cared enough to ask outright. Instead, he opted for his trademark pettiness. "You better get your ass in gear before we start training," the blader warned with a playful edge to his voice. "Wouldn't want me running circles around you again, would you?"

Hikaru lifted her head just enough to glare at him through bleary eyes. "Keep talking," she hissed, her voice hoarse but defiant. "See where it gets you."

Kyoya's grin widened, as smug and unshakable as ever. "Sure thing, Sleeping Beauty. Just don't forget to bring your A-game, or at least whatever's left of it."

With an eye-roll so dramatic it was a miracle she didn't see the back of her skull, Hikaru tried to reconcile the Kyoya she thought she knew with this annoying doppelgänger. Whatever happened to the brooding Kyoya, the one who communicated in curt nods and death stares? Now she was dealing with this grinning pest who seemed hell-bent on turning banter into an art form. And while she couldn't deny that their verbal sparring matches were sometimes fun, she could at least handle the grumpy Kyoya. But this one? He threw Hikaru off balance like it was a competitive sport, and she hated how much harder it was to guard herself against him now.

Hikaru sighed and reached for her coffee, downing the triple espresso in one go. It was still scalding, burning her throat on the way down. But that didn't faze her; it was fuel she desperately needed. If she had any hope of keeping pace with Kyoya Tategami, the human embodiment of a hurricane, she'd need another cup. Hell, maybe two.

As Hikaru moved to the counter to make another, she cast a quick glance at Kyoya, frowning. How could that guy, the one leaning so casually against the counter, acting like he owned the place and everyone in it, be the same person who had helped reignite her love for beyblading? It was a puzzle that left her equal parts grateful and frustrated, and her partner seemed perfectly content to keep her on that emotional rollercoaster.

As they approached the training grounds near the river an hour later, Hikaru's heart pounded in her chest like a war drum. The silence seemed deafening, broken only by the whisper of wind through the trees and the steady rush of water. Hikaru inhaled deeply, the caffeine kicking just enough to make her feel more like herself. Her steps felt lighter, her head clearer, but she knew the energy would last only so long. That triple espresso had bought her time, nothing more so she had to make it count.

The secretary turned to her partner, who was already setting his bag on the ground and getting ready. His readiness seemed innate, like he'd been born ready for a fight. He was the one who usually determined with what they would start, but Hikaru took the initiative today. "We should start with beyblade," she uttered quickly, pulling her launcher out like she'd been thinking about this all day. In truth, she had. "Might as well hit it hard while we're fresh."

The blader turned to face her, one brow arching. "Fresh? Speak for yourself, princess. You're the one who looked like a zombie an hour ago."

Hikaru barely ignored the jab. His unnecessary sass did irk her, but she was more focused on the fact that Kyoya, who always wanted to play the boss man, actually let her take charge. "Are you afraid you'll lose if we start with beyblade?" she teased, her grin an armour for the unease churning inside her.

Kyoya let out a short, low laugh, the kind that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Afraid?" he echoed mockingly, pulling out his launcher. "Don't come crying to me when you're flat on your back."

Right, Hikaru thought, gripping her own launcher tighter. Let's see who ends up flat on their back.

They found their usual spot, a clearing with just enough space for their beyblades to clash and careen off each other. Kyoya's Leone gleamed in the sunlight, spinning on his fingertips with the kind of effortless control she envied.

Hikaru exhaled slowly, focusing on the weight of her Aquario in her hand. Solo training had its merits, but nothing compared to sparring. She needed this - the chaos, the unpredictability of facing someone like the King of Beasts. But she also had to be careful. She wasn't ready to show her hand just yet. Her new move was a game-changer, but revealing it now would be reckless.

"Ready?" Kyoya's voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and commanding. His sapphire eyes gleamed, daring her to step up.

"Always," Hikaru said, aiming her launcher.

The countdown began, their voices blending in sync. "Three… two… one… Let it rip!"

Confidence was a strange beast, the bluenette thought as she flexed her hands to relieve her nerves. If you didn't believe you could win, even for a second, you were already done for. She couldn't let herself think about Kyoya being one of the best bladers in the world, not when she was here to learn how to beat him, step by step.

As Aquario zipped across the ground, dodging Leone's ferocious lunges, Hikaru saw the progress in every movement. Her instincts had sharpened, like a knife honed on Kyoya's unrelenting pressure. She wasn't just reacting anymore; she was anticipating. When Leone barrelled forward with a brutal uppercut, Aquario was already veering left, slipping away just in time. Hikaru's lips curled into a grin.

"Not bad," Kyoya called out, his tone half-dismissive, half-impressed. "But dodging's not enough. Hit me for a change."

Hikaru scoffed and accepted the challenge. Aquario surged forward, slamming into Leone with a force that made even Kyoya raise an eyebrow. The impact was like a sledgehammer meeting steel, intense but not enough to break him. Yet enough to prove she was no pushover.

Hikaru's confidence swelled as Aquario struck again, harder this time. She could feel it, the power in her beyblade growing with each match. Her heart pounded as she watched Leone stagger for a fraction of a second. It was nothing to him, of course, but it was everything to her. Five years ago, she wouldn't have dreamed of landing a blow like that. Five months ago, she'd barely been able to launch without shaking. And now?

Now, Hikaru was holding her own against a legend.

"Looks like you're waking up," Kyoya muttered with a Cheshire cat grin. He leaned into his stance, the intensity in his eyes increasing tenfold. "But don't think for a second I'm going easy on you."

"Good," Hikaru shot back, smirking despite the adrenaline racing through her veins. "I wouldn't want you to."

For the next two excruciating hours, Hikaru poured every ounce of her strength and focus into outdoing Kyoya, dead set to emerge victorious or at least uncover a chink in his armour. But he wasn't one of the best for no reason - he was a tireless force, his Leone delivering precise, punishing blows to her Aquario. His instincts were honed to a razor's edge, his strategies impeccable and clever. Kyoya wasn't just powerful, he was a master of adaptation, able to anticipate and counter his opponents' moves before they even had a chance to react. Facing him was like stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson himself, every move Hikaru made easily read and countered by Kyoya. Though Aquario put up a valiant fight, it was clear that Kyoya was the true titan of this battle.

When they were finally done and taking a breather, Hikaru was worn to a frazzle, but there was a flicker of pride in her chest. She still had a long way to go, she knew that. Her chances of actually beating Kyoya were slimmer than a thread in a needle's eye. But every dodge, every counterattack, every hit that made Kyoya take her just a little more seriously? That was victory in its own right. And for the first time in years, she felt like a true blader again.

Beyblade training might've been over but the fighting? Definitely not. The sun hung like a blazing torch in the June sky, its relentless heat pressing down on them as if challenging their endurance to continue. Hikaru wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand as they rested, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that betrayed how spent she already felt. The caffeine-fuelled energy from earlier had dwindled to embers, and her legs felt like jelly under her. Every breath carried the faint tang of river water and summer heat, and every step felt heavier than the last.

But Kyoya wouldn't accept excuses, and Hikaru wouldn't let herself offer any.

Hikaru hated how years of self-defence classes felt utterly useless against someone like him. Kyoya wasn't just an elite blader, or studying at the country's top university, no, he had to be a paragon of physicality too. Fit, fast, and frighteningly strong, Kyoya was the living embodiment of a natural disaster. Sparring with him was like trying to go toe-to-toe with a hurricane.

It wasn't just frustrating, it was infuriating. And it was precisely why Hikaru pushed herself past her limits. If she wanted to match him, even for a moment, she had to break past the ceiling of her own abilities. Every move he made pushed her higher, like a tyrannical mentor who didn't know the meaning of mercy.

When they started sparring, the tension between them sparked like flint against steel. Hikaru's focus wavered as her body screamed for reprieve, her movements slower, clumsier than they should've been. Dodging, something she normally excelled at, felt like trying to wade through quicksand. Kyoya's sharp eyes noticed immediately, his lips curling into that maddening smirk of his, making her want to wipe it off with a good punch.

"Lost your step, princess?" the blader quipped.

Hikaru grit her teeth, her frustration bubbling over. She hated how much his words got to her, but they also lit a strong fire. She squared her shoulders, determination burning brighter in her eyes.

"Less talking, more action," she countered, pushing her fatigue aside as best she could.

This time, Kyoya gave her the offensive, standing his ground as she lunged at him. But it was like chasing smoke, every punch, every kick sailed harmlessly past as he evaded her with ease. He moved like wind, flowing effortlessly around her strikes, his agility taunting her with every missed blow. Her frustration mounted, a roaring in her ears that matched the pounding of her heart.

The spinning in her head worsened with every movement, but Hikaru pushed through it. She had to. She couldn't falter now, not if she wanted to prove she could hold her own. If she couldn't match Kyoya here, she had no business thinking she could handle the mission.

Even as her vision blurred, and her limbs felt numb, Hikaru pressed on. Every fibre of her being screamed for rest, but she refused to give in.

She threw another punch, willing her body to keep going, even if it broke her.

And it did.

"Are you—?" Kyoya's voice cut through the haze, but she never heard the rest. Just as she extended her arm, the world tilted, the edges of her vision going black. Hikaru didn't feel herself hit the ground; she was out cold before she even realized what was happening.

The world swam back into focus slowly, sounds and sensations trickling in one by one. First, there was the faint repetition of her name, spoken in a tone sharper than usual but laced with something almost like concern. Then came the light patting on her cheek, firm enough to jostle her, but not harsh. Hikaru's lashes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw made her inhale sharply and her heart stutter to a halt.

Kyoya's face was mere inches from hers, his sharp features more striking up close, framed by the sunlight filtering through the trees. His sky-blue eyes, usually so cold and calculating, searched hers with a rare intensity that rendered her completely speechless.

An arm wrapped around her shoulders, steady and unyielding, was holding her upright. It was then Hikaru realized that Kyoya was supporting her, keeping her from crumpling back to the ground entirely. The realization sent her heart into overdrive, raising hell in her chest. She felt heat rush to her face, convincing herself it was from the scorching sun and not from the overwhelming proximity with her partner.

"Finally." The greenhead muttered, his voice low but unmistakably peeved off, though the tension in his brow suggested relief more than anger.

"I—" Hikaru started, but the words got stuck in her throat. Startled, she tried to sit up too fast, forgetting just how close he was. The sudden movement nearly sent her head straight into his, and Kyoya instinctively pushed her back down with a firm hand, his expression shifting to something halfway between exasperation and amusement.

"Don't move like that, dumbass," he snapped, his grip on her tightening and making Hikaru tense up. "You'll clock out again."

Hikaru's eyes widened, a weird feeling flickering through her chest. "I'm fine!" she blurted, her voice an octave higher than usual as her hands flailed in front of her face, as if that could somehow create the distance she desperately needed. If she stayed this close to Kyoya any longer, she was sure she'd combust. "I'm fine, seriously! I'm not gonna pass out again, I promise!"

Kyoya didn't budge, his sharp gaze boring into her and cutting through her frantic assurances with the precision of a scalpel. For a moment that felt like an eternity stretched thin, he didn't move, his scepticism weighing heavily in the air. But just when Hikaru was sure she was getting a heart attack, her partner finally let her go. The absence of his arm made Hikaru feel simultaneously relieved and oddly devoid. She pushed herself up more cautiously this time, leaning back on her palms to avoid looking at him too directly while she willed her stupid heart to calm down.

Kyoya stayed close, crouched next to her, arms resting on his knees as he watched her like a hawk. The scrutiny made her hyper-aware of every movement, every shallow breath she took.

"It's the sun," Hikaru said quickly, grasping at the first excuse that came to mind. "The heat and, uh—sleep deprivation. That's all." She let out a shaky laugh, brushing her damp bangs out of her face. "Guess it just caught up to me."

"Yeah, no kiddin'," Kyoya replied dryly, though it lacked the usual sharpness. "You looked like you were ready to keel over earlier. Why didn't you say anything?"

Because you'd think I'm weak, she thought but didn't say out loud. Instead, she forced a shrug. "Didn't want to ruin training. I thought I could handle it."

Kyoya gave her a long, hard look, his eyes narrowing like he was trying to decide if she was gutsy or just plain dumb. Finally, he exhaled, dragging a hand through his unruly hair before standing up. "You're a real piece of work, y'know that?" he muttered, the words hitting like an offhand insult. He turned away, but not before tossing a command over his shoulder, his tone as sharp as broken glass. "We're done. Pack it up."

Hikaru opened her mouth, her pride begging for her to fight back, but the lingering light-headedness told her the greenhead was right. Begrudgingly, she nodded, though she couldn't shake the embarrassment still lingering. The sun blazed overhead as they packed up and made their way back to the hotel. Hikaru kept stealing curious glances at Kyoya. His usual cool, composed demeanour seemed... off.

If she hadn't known better, she might've thought he was worried.

It seemed the universe had a cruel sense of humour. Hikaru's earlier curses at the blistering heat were coming back to bite her, as if the weather had decided to flip the script out of spite. Midway through their gruelling night shift, while she fought an uphill battle against exhaustion, a cold droplet kissed the back of her hand. Then another. And another, the rhythm like a mocking drumbeat in the silence. The rain came in soft at first, barely a whisper against the leaves, but it quickly escalated into a persistent drizzle that slithered down the bark of their tree. Hikaru sighed and glanced up at the heavens as if her annoyance alone could part the clouds. It didn't, of course, and soon enough, the droplets began to increase. She swore under her breath and turned her attention to Kyoya, who had the audacity to already be comfortably perched near the trunk, where the thickest canopy of leaves kept the worst of the rain at bay.

Hikaru glanced at her spot on the branch, now slick and uninviting. "Scoot over," she ordered, already inching toward him.

Kyoya turned to her, his signature frown in place like a predator that didn't want to be approached. "What, afraid of a little rain, princess?"

Hikaru's eyes hurt from so much rolling at this point. "Yeah, judge me for not wanting to get wet," Hikaru shot back, gripping the branch for balance as she shuffled closer.

The corners of Kyoya's mouth curved, a sly grin barely restrained, but her held his tongue, deciding that whatever comment he'd considered was better left unsaid. He wasn't feeling that bold tonight. Instead, he let out a heavy, overly dramatic sigh, the kind meant to announce just how much he was humouring her, and begrudgingly shifted an inch or two to the side, not nearly enough to satisfy her. The branch wasn't exactly spacious to begin with, and now, with the two of them squeezed together under the slim protection of the canopy, they were practically shoulder to shoulder.

"Happy now?" he grumbled, glaring off to the side.

"Ecstatic," Hikaru deadpanned, hugging her knees to her chest and trying not to think too hard about how their arms brushed every time one of them shifted.

The banter fizzled out after a few more petty jabs—something about how Kyoya took up way too much space for someone with "such skinny elbows," and his retaliatory jab about Hikaru's sharp knees being a "safety hazard." But soon, the words dried up, leaving only the soft patter of rain and the occasional rustle of leaves in their wake.

Hikaru couldn't help it, she felt jittery again, the same way she had earlier that day when Kyoya had been so close she could count his lashes. Her skin prickled where they touched, their bare arms brushing every time she shifted or adjusted her balance. Goosebumps trailed up her arm, and she clenched her fists, annoyed that she couldn't blame it on the weather.

Her eyes darted sideways, sneaking a glance at Kyoya. To her surprise, he wasn't looking at her with his usual smugness or cheeky grin. In fact, he wasn't looking at her at all. His gaze was fixed somewhere in the distance, his jaw tight, and…was that a hint of redness creeping up his neck?

A second passed, then a few. Why was Kyoya so quiet? Normally, he would've made some teasing comment by now, but instead, he just sat there, tense and uncharacteristically subdued. Weird. It seemed like he was back to being the grumpy and stoic Kyoya. Hikaru wanted to laugh at his absurd bipolarity, but she couldn't. Her heart had other plans, hammering away in her chest like it was trying to escape. She looked away quickly, her gaze dropping to her hands as if they held all the answers to the universe.

Kyoya shifted slightly, the movement brushing their arms together again, and Hikaru bit her lip. The rain continued its rhythmic dance around them, but neither of them spoke, the charged silence stretching like the calm before a storm. Hikaru tried to focus on the rain, the leaves, anything but the fact that her skin still tingled where it had touched his.

Needing a distraction, Hikaru cleared her throat. "You've travelled a lot, right?" she started, knowing full well Kyoya wasn't built for the type of small talk that just happened for the sake of filling up uncomfortable silence. "What was it like being on the African Representational Team? Or travelling to China and the U.S. with Gingka and the others?"

Kyoya's gaze flicked to her, one eyebrow arched as if to say, Seriously?

The secretary knew him well enough by now to spare him the trouble of voicing his thoughts. "I've only ever been abroad once," she explained, her tone light but curious. "I was very young, and I don't remember much. So I'm curious."

Kyoya shrugged, his voice low and indifferent. "It was okay. The heat in Africa's no joke, will give you sunstroke if you don't cover your head. But the people are friendly and laid-back. Very hospitable."

Hikaru blinked, momentarily stunned by the image of Kyoya Tategami being welcomed into the homes of strangers. It almost made her laugh, but there was something oddly heart-warming about the idea. "And China? The U.S.?"

"I wasn't there long enough to say much," he admitted, his tone nonchalant. "Just quick stops, really. Barely scratched the surface of either place."

Hikaru nodded, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Fair enough. Were there any culture shocks in Africa? I mean, it's so different from here."

Kyoya was silent for long enough to make Hikaru think he was ignoring her, unil a small smirk tugged at his lips. "Kinda. There was this one time when I was with Nile, Demure, and Benkei. I and Benkei stood out like sore thumbs everywhere we went. But in one very secluded village, they actually thought Benkei was a sumo wrestler."

Hikaru clapped a hand over her mouth, a laugh bubbling up despite her best efforts to stifle it. "Seriously?"

"They wouldn't stop asking him to show them sumo moves," Kyoya said, his voice laced with dry humour. "The guy didn't know what to do. So, he just went with it—started doing these ridiculous poses, pretending like he was about to wrestle someone. Nile and I couldn't stop laughing, but the villagers loved it."

Hikaru giggled, picturing Benkei's burly frame towering over an enthusiastic crowd. "And did Benkei win his 'sumo match'?"

Kyoya scoffed like it was obvious. "The guy he 'fought' was an old man who barely came up to his shoulder. He won in, like, two seconds."

Hikaru giggled again, the sound bright against the soft patter of rain. For a moment, the tension between them eased, replaced by a shared warmth, and she couldn't help smiling to herself, knowing she'd gotten just a little bit closer to him tonight. This glimpse into Kyoya's life, so different from the cold, battle-hardened front he usually presented just solidified her suspicion that he was starting to let her in, just as much as she was letting him in.

"Wow, I had no idea travelling with you guys could be so... eventful. Must've been nice," she mumbled after a pause, yawning. "To be part of something like that. To travel the world, make memories…" Her gaze grew distant, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "I'd love to visit Europe one day. Vienna, in particular. That city…" She sighed dreamily. "Magical, like straight out of a fairy tale."

Kyoya crossed his arms, his voice equal parts teasing and dismissive. "How original. Let me guess - you're dying to see the opera house and post pictures of the fancy buildings like every other tourist."

Hikaru blinked at him, her usual fire dimmed by the creeping heaviness in her eyelids. "It's not just about the opera house," she muttered, her voice tinged with drowsy defiance. "Though, it is stunning. It's… everything. The cobblestone streets, the palaces, the coffee houses." the bluenette paused, leaning back against the tree trunk. Her eyes fluttered closed, imagining the city unfold before her like a vivid dream. "The Schönbrunn Palace," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper and her words growing slower, "with its gardens that stretch out like something from another world. And the museums, the Belvedere, the Vienna art museum, they're full of masterpieces and the interior is so beautiful and–"

The grip of sleep closed in quickly, and before Hikaru could fight it, she was out, finding herself passing out on something strangely comforting for the second time today.

Did I just go on a totally biased promo spree for my favourite city in the world? You bet I did. Vienna is my first love and if any of y'all are planning a trip to Europe, I promise you, you won't be disappointed if you come here!

Now, onto Kyoya. This might be a bit controversial, but I don't see him as your typical tsundere when it comes to showing love or attraction, at least not initially. While rewatching the series (especially his fights with Hikaru), one thing stood out loud and clear - the man is smug as hell. There's a big difference between Fusion-era Kyoya and Fury-era Kyoya, and Fury!Kyoya, in particular, has that whole "I don't need anyone" energy dialled up to eleven.

I feel like Fury!Yoyo was carrying a ton of weight on his shoulders, whether academic, family-related, or both, and it hardened him into this grumpy, stoic figure. The only time we really see him let loose is during beyblade battles, when he's genuinely having fun. That's when glimpses of the old, more open Kyoya shine through. As the story progresses and he grows closer to Hikaru, I imagine more of that side will start resurfacing. Right now, though, he's deep in denial territory, which means tsundere-mode is in full effect. That said, a flirty line or two is bound to sneak out here and there

Next chapter will be in Kyoya's POV, so you'll get a front-row seat to just how much this guy is holding back (spoiler alert: it's a lot) heheheh.

But for now, merry Christmas everyone and happy holidays!