A/N: A lot of the scenes and dialogues in this chapter are taken from the original episode (Ep 5). As this story is kind of a back story, the actual storyline will not altered as much as possible. And due to that, some scenes have to be added like the ones below. I hope no one minds it.

Thank you to SoulmateOfMusic for following this one too!

Hope you enjoy!

Ch 14

(Unexpected)

The chair ahead of him scraped against the wooden floor as the boy occupying it stood up, accompanying his friends out the classroom.

He sighed, today was boring.

He had been sitting in his chair for the past two lectures listening to whatever laws the teacher was ranting about, something about electricity and its origin.

Did he give a fuck?

For all he cared, Oersted could go fuck himself. All he wanted was to be left alone, not awe over a freaking compass needle moving with the effect of a current carrying wire nearby.

If only he could touch one such wire and have the mere power of those moving electrons eradicate whatever resided in his body and kept him alive and-

He turned around, startled out of his reckless rambling as two boys, whom he had seen hanging out with Wyatt sometimes, rushed over to him with troubled looks.

The pale one spoke, "Hey Kai, have you seen Wyatt today? He seemed kinda freaked out."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Serious, first thing this morning, he just took off from the dorm and didn't say a word. We figured we'd ask you cause you might know what happened to him."

"You're kidding," he let out, though somehow already suspecting something fishy was occuring.

"He said he found a note under the bridge that was for you"

The fuck?!

The other one piped up, "That's right, Wyatt didn't say who it was from, but he left here in a rush, saying something about having a beyblade match with some big guy."

He knew it, the moment the kid had laid eyes on his blade, he knew something was gonna happen.

He gritted his teeth, why did everything have to be such a mess?

He stood up, rushing out the class and towards the grounds before successfully jumping a wall near a secluded area where no one could have seen him, and took off towards the direction of the bridge.

As he reached there, he pulled the tarpaulin away to reveal the box that he had put the blade in, empty.

His eyes narrowed.

He knew this was going to happen.

And that's why.

He took something out of his pocket and stared at it.

The bit was red, glowing, though there was a slight streak of black all around it.

Dranzer…

He looked at the empty box again.

Did the kid really think he was gonna put his real beyblade, something so precious and close to him, amongst some pieces of trash.

But Wyatt wasn't that clever, for all he knew, he would still be thinking that he had the real Dranzer.

What didn't sit right with him was, how could an innocent kid like Wyatt stoop so low so as to steal something.

First he had thought that maybe it was Black Dranzer after all this, alluring the poor boy towards herself, but a bigger question arose, why would she seek such a weak target?

Even to destroy, she needed something she could have some fun with, before throwing it right down the pit of destruction. And Wyatt didn't match that.

But then again, Wyatt did seem interested in his beyblade right from the beginning, maybe this was all along the moment he had been waiting for?

He had been, mostly likely, the first famous person Wyatt had met, and who didn't care about fame? People literally died for it.

He would have felt like the perfect target to Wyatt, befriend him, then slowly get to know more about him, and then, could come the plea of his acquaintance, which would, in Wyatt's eyes, lead him to join his team.

He had seen Wyatt's enthusiasm for Beyblading, and his constant pestering at the start of his arrival, over learning the sports' techniques. Though the enthusiasm didn't seem very healthy. Rather, the boy seemed to be merely obsessed with the idea of what it would like being of the top Beybladers.

He was a nice person, wasn't selfish or rude, and was the only person in the entire school who had made any attempt at getting to know him, not that he himself liked the company of others much, but still.

But at the end, there was a reason behind all that, wasn't there? He was being used.

He smirked darkly. Well, he was all too well used to this.

What, then, was all that concern about? All that stalking him and asking him numerous questions concerning his welfare that had nothing of the business to him.

Oh, of course, the pretense.

He scoffed bitterly.

He would have to keep himself away from the boy, but first-

His eyes fell on a crumpled piece of paper lying on the ground nearby, picking it up with an annoyed grunt, and opening it.

"It's time to settle this, Kai. Once and for all. I'll be waiting for you today on the roof of the Anko building at three, be there, or else."

His lips formed a grim line as he processed the words, before rushing towards the building where he was most likely to find his new found enemy and the little shit.

Running up the stairs – the elevator had an elderly couple entering it who were getting a little close to each other for his liking – he could feel the muscles in his legs burning.

It had been a while since he had run, and the wobbling of his legs was the obvious proof.

His breath caught in his throat as he stumbled over the last few steps, catching himself before pulling the metal door open.

And of course, just as he had expected, the giant guy was there all right, facing Wyatt, who had a launcher and the blade that he still hadn't realized wasn't Dranzer.

"How come you're here?," Wyatt had finally noticed him, and now both their attention was on him.

"Give me my blade," he said, giving him a hard look.

Even though the blade wasn't Dranzer, he didn't want Wyatt using it either, not after he had so stupidly stolen it.

"Sorry Kai, I can't."

His eyes narrowed, anger boiling up inside him.

How come this fucking kid get the nerve to talk back to him? Especially after what he had done. What the hell did he even think he was?

A loud rumbling laugh erupted from his side and he pointed his glare at Dunga.

"Okay kid, give back his blade," he growled, both amused and annoyed at the boy's actions.

"No way, I challenge you to a fight, now use it or lose it."

How this boy who was so shy and innocent the first time he saw him was getting that bold with someone double the size of him was something he didn't know.

"Knock it off," he let out, trying to keep himself calm.

"You think there's no one good enough to fight you, right? Well, I'm about to show you someone who is," Wyatt said to him.

Oh, his suspicions were right. The boy did seem to be trying to -impress- him, with what logic though? He hadn't even realized that the blade he was holding was a normal one.

"Okay, suit yourself. But when you lose, don't come crying to me, kid," he stated. If Wyatt really thought he was that capable, then let him do it, and break his own confidence afterwards.

"Make up your mind, I need a victim here," Dunga said before another laugh bubbled up his throat.

"Enough yapping, let it rip," with that, Wyatt launched the blade.

"You're way outta your league, kid, let it rip," Dunga did the same, his red blade landing perfectly in the dish, before the two blades circle around each other.

"Show him who's boss, DRANZER!!!" Wyatt yelled out at the blade.

The blue blade hit Dunga's before being thrown away and up from its compact with the other blade's power.

Kai smirked.

"What's the matter? A minute ago, you were trash talking me," Dunga let out in a fake sweet tone.

"You wait. DRANZER!!!!"

The blade wobbled, its speed going down by the second.

"No, something's wrong. Dranzer's not trying to attack him," Wyatt looked up at Kai in question, to which Kai just shook his head.

Dunga laughed.

"How come he's not listening to me? How come, Kai?" Wyatt's voice got more annoyed and desperate, turning his head to and from Kai to the dish.

"Playtime is over, kid. Spark Hammer Attack, NOW!!"

At Dunga's order, the red blade generated a current induced circle, filling up the entire ring by its intensity.

Kai's eyes widened, "What's that?"

The powerful wave of light sparked up, the impact of it knocking Wyatt off his feet and making him stagger backwards before his back made contact with the thin railing, and before he knew, he was on the other side of it, falling down.

Kai quickly rushed up to him and clutched his hand, before his eyes widened. Wyatt was heavier than him. He would surely pull them both down in that case.

A groan of pain left him as his entire arm trembled under the pressure. He stuck one foot in the wiring before willing his body to push backwards, his muscles screaming in the process.

"Hang on," he growled, while Wyatt whined pitifully, looking down fearfully.

Slowly, he pulled the other's body up, panting heavily now, before mustering up some more strength and finally, Wyatt knocked onto him, pulling them both down onto the terrace.

Kai groaned before lifting himself up enough to sit, locking onto Wyatt who seemed to have passed out from the rush.

He almost rolled his eyes. And the kid thought he was able to handle Dranzer.

Turning around, he glared at Dunga, "Why'd you do that?"

"Because I felt like it, besides, your Dranzer is as washed up as you are, Kai," he smirked, quite enjoying himself after nearly killing someone.

Kai's eyes hardened, this asshole was going to have it real bad, now if only his arm would stop throbbing.

Picking up the blade, he pocketed it before swiftly taking out Dranzer.

Apparently, the giant hadn't noticed either that the earlier blade had no bitbeast.

"You ready to take me on or what?" The other growled at him.

"It's time to show you the winner," he let out, before fitting Dranzer into her launcher. He could feel Dranzer wasn't ready for this. He hoped Black Dranzer would not appear out of nowhere, though he could feel his thigh burning where he had her in his pocket.

His mind clouded over as he tried to rid himself of the temptation that was Black Dranzer. His hands itched for him to replace Dranzer with her, while he could also hear Dranzer's faint cries in the back of his mind.

He felt hot all over, his brain getting dizzy, but the one facing him didn't notice.

"Hey, ready whenever you are."

He let out a shaky breath before composing himself, trying his hardest to focus only on Dranzer, who now seemed to recognize her master's agony and was trying to soothe him.

The burn on his thigh decreased somewhat and he looked up, finally aiming his launcher at the other.

"If I win, you split, got it?" he growled out.

"I don't plan on going anywhere," Dunga smirked menacingly.

"Game on, let it rip!!!"

The two launched their blades, making them land heavily into the dish before striking against each other with full force, causing them to strike back before colliding once again.

Kai felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his mind right after he launched Dranzer, his mind clearer now, Black Dranzer's words being forgotten for once.

Sensing her master's will, Dranzer hit the other blade fiercely, before it shooed out of sight and reappeared behind her, causing her to get confused.

"What?"

"Surprised?" Dunga smirked.

Meanwhile, Wyatt gained his consciousness and clumsily sat up, before his eyes widened as he witnessed the other two in a heated battle.

The two blades clashed and hit each other recurrently, bits and pieces flying out as the heavy hits crushed the blades' attack rings.

"Get on in, Kai. Show what Dranzer can do," Wyatt shouted from his place.

The blades collided once again before flying out, landing on the railings and regaining their momentum before chasing each other.

Dunga's blade hit a large tank above them while Kai's hit the railing before coming back with accelerating speed and knocking the other blade out of the dish and into the air.

"Is that it?" Kai let out flatly.

"You wish, I'm just getting warmed up for the grand finale, so you better get ready to hand over your useless blade, understand?"

Kai groaned as he started to feel his body weaken under the effect of the battle, whatever little energy he had left being spent already.

"ATTACK!!!!"

The flying blade came down, attacking Dranzer once again before she again caught it in a dog and cat chase.

The red blade's chip glowed once again, but this time, instead of the blinding light, a tornado shaped gust of wind encircled it.

"Look at that, where's his power coming from?" Wyatt spoke up, now standing beside him.

"Yeah, no kidding," he muttered.

It wasn't that the Dunga was that powerful, but his own weakness was creeping up on him, that accompanied with the fact that he hadn't used Dranzer even once after returning from Russia.

"Oh no, Kai. Your Dranzer's about to be dragged in."

Right, the twisting currents of the gushing wind were pulling Dranzer into themselves.

"It's only a matter of time," Dunga snickered.

"Your blade's being sucked in," Wyatt warned him, his eyes panicking.

"No, GO DRANZER!!!!" Kai shouted, transferring whatever little bit of energy he had left to her.

"SPARK HAMMER ATTACK!!!!"

The two bit beasts circled around in the air before a blinding light erupted, hitting the dish, the force of it knocking Wyatt away once again.

Kai gritted his teeth as his own feet slipped before he was roughly thrown into the wall behind.

"Victory is mine," the other let out, a dirty smirk on his face.

Kai stared wide eyed at him before Dranzer smashed against the wall above him, spinning a few seconds before coming to a rest and falling down.

The dust cleared up to show a totally wrecked beydish.

"Amazing, that was wicked. I guess we'd call it a draw, huh? See ya' around, chumps," with that Dunga collected his blade and flew out of sight.

His shock-filled eyes lowered and locked onto Dranzer before picking it up. She let out a piercing cry in his mind.

'I know, Dranzer, I know, but that's not your fault. It's me, I'm so weak'

She let out another cry.

'Alright, Dranzer, you needn't worry.'

He gripped the blade firmly before pocketing it.

'If only you had used me instead of that weakling,' a dark malicious sound whispered to him.

'Then I'd have shattered that filth into pieces.'

His hand reached over to his other pocket, through which a burnt hole was visible.

'If only you listen to me, no one would be able to stop you.'

He clutched the scorching metal, the flesh of his hand burning painfully.

'How could you forget, master? Only I can bring you that victory. Only me.'

His eyes darkened over as he stared down at the black phoenix.

Not winning this battle had only evoked her attempts at pulling him into her aura. He could feel how she was trying to null the other part of her, so that he could only focus on her.

'You don't know, master. You are only made for winning. Can't you see now? That weakling is nothing compared to me. And you only deserve the best.'

Unknown to him, Dranzer herself was glowing harshly in his other pocket, desperately willing to stop her master from falling into the other phoenix' trap, wanting to get out of the chip, but being unable to do so.

'Don't you remember, master? How addicting that power is? Only I can give you that.'

His mind succumbed to the fake whispers, his orbs turning completely black under her effect.

He remembered, he had never forgotten, that power-

"KAI!!!! Are you okay? Oh my God, say something!!!"

Two hands roughly shook his shoulder, a voice full of panic accompanying them.

He blinked his eyes several times, before jerking his head to the side.

Wyatt's eyes widened.

"Kai, your eyes…"

He hurriedly looked down, pulling himself back into the reality, breathing roughly while doing so.

"Are you alright? What's happening?"

He looked up again, his eyes back to their original color.

Wyatt calmed a little at that, before his eyes fell on the burnt part of the other's pants.

"What's that?!!"

Kai quickly put a hand over it.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Kai, that seems like it caught fire. Let me see."

Wyatt came forward to pull his hand away and have a look, but was shoved away.

Kai stood up, albeit a little shakily, before looking down at him coldly.

"The fuck did you think you were doing?"

Wyatt's eyes filled with fear at the harsh look he was receiving.

"I was just trying to help!!" he stuttered out.

"By stealing my blade?"

He shook his head frantically, "No, no Kai. I didn't mean to steal it. I-"

"You WHAT?!!"

"I just- I just wanted to show you…that- that I was good enough."

"And are you?"

Wyatt lowered his eyes.

"First, you fucking stick yourself to me like some fucking bandaid. I trust you with a secret, and you start to fucking think you're something special? Enough that you have the right to steal my things?"

Wyatt flinched at the words, but kept his head down.

He knew it was his fault. Kai hadn't been mad at him when he had barged into his secret room, and had not minded either that he had seen where he was hiding Dranzer.

And he had gone and broken that trust.

"I'm sorry," he whispered pitifully, on the verge of tears.

"YOU'RE SORRY?!! YOU'RE FUCKING SORRY?!!!"

Wyatt yelped out as he was roughly yanked to his feet by the other's hold on his collar, before being slammed into the nearest wall.

Tears fell down his cheeks as he stared at Kai with terrified eyes.

"You fucking dare nose around in my business?!!"

He kept shaking his head, more tears falling down accompanied with small sobs.

Kai glared at him hatefully before clenching his fingers and forming a fist.

His eyes darkened over again as he raised it, making Wyatt cower and slide down the wall, trying to cover his face with his trembling hands.

He let out a loud curse before aiming the fist right at the other's face.

Wyatt cried out tearfully as the fist came closer to his face, before a loud sob escaped him.

"No, Kai, PLEASE!!!"

The hit that he had braced himself for never came, he waited a few seconds, before raising his tear-filled eyes to look up.

Kai's fist was inches away from him, hanging in the air, while the bluenette himself was breathing heavily, clutching his chest with his other hand.

Wyatt's eyes widened as Kai fell down onto his knees, gripping his chest tightly.

"KAI!!!"

He scurried over to him, but was pushed away.

"Stay the fuck away from me!!"

Kai glared at him before clenching his eyes shut, willing his body to calm down.

Wyatt stared at him, his fear of the other forgotten for the moment before he rushed down to get someone.

By the time he came back with a middle aged man, whom he had found wandering in a corridor, Kai was sitting leaning on the railing.

He looked fine, except for the tiredness that could be excused from the fact that he had been in a beyblade match.

"Is that your friend?" the man asked him.

He nodded before running up to Kai.

"Are you okay?"

Kai gave him a questioning glance laced with annoyance.

"Why, what happened to me?"

The man looked accusingly at Wyatt.

"You said your friend wasn't feeling well? He seems fine."

Wyatt stuttered, not knowing what to answer to that.

"You were just wasting my time, stupid kid," the man said before walking back down.

As the man left, Wyatt looked back at Kai.

"But how? You were-"

"I am fine, Wyatt. Nothing's wrong with me."

Wyatt looked doubtful but left it at that.

Kai observed him from the corner of his eye.

He seemed to have stopped crying, but his eyes were quite red and puffy. He must have given the kid quite a scare. And yet he had rushed over to him when the attack had hit. Surprisingly, he felt guilt rising in his heart.

"Hey, Wyatt," he murmured softly, pulling the other's attention on him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, not meeting his eyes.

Now that he had broken out of his fit, he realized how aggressive he had become. What if he had really punched him? What if he had done something even more stupid? Black Dranzer's words had been circling his mind then, making the rational part of his mind go numb and only act as she was saying, accompanied with the fact that his temper was already at an unhealthy level. But thankfully, he had shaken himself out of it at the right time.

Wyatt put a hand on his own, giving him a small hesitant smile.

"It's okay, Kai. I know it was my fault for stealing. And besides, you saved my life back there."

Kai gave him a surprised look. He had completely forgotten about it.

"If it hadn't been for you, I'd have been dead by now."

He nodded.

"I was very scared when you got like that. I thought you would beat me to pulp. But you didn't even do anything."

He stayed quiet. Even though he had stopped right before doing something really stupid, he could still hear the fearful sobs Wyatt had let out, and that because he was scared of him.

He had shown the other what a fucking monster he was.

"Kai, you're overthinking again. Don't beat yourself up for it."

He looked back at him, the warm hazel eyes held no hatred towards him.

How?

How could he be so unbothered by the fact that he had almost hurt him?

How could someone be so innocent?

Wyatt stood up and gave him his hand, which he accepted hesitantly.

"Come on, we'd have to think of an excuse as to why we were not in school this whole time."

He nodded, still dumbfounded, as Wyatt dragged him along with himself.

Mr. Dickenson looked up from his stack of documents as the door to his office opened, letting the bluenette in, smiling warmly and rushing to meet him.

"My dear boy! How long it has been since I last saw you," the old man chuckled happily and patted his shoulder, taking a hold of his arm and leading him to a chair opposite his own, before sitting himself down too.

Kai's face was, as obvious, emotion free, but even he felt a little happy on the inside at having received such an enthusiastic welcome.

As if his grandfather would ever have stood up and rushed to him like this old man had.

Mr. Dickenson had called him earlier in the day to inform him about the mysterious bladers that had attacked the other three members of Bladebreakers, getting even more surprised when Kai told him about the one who had attacked him.

Mr. Dickenson informed him that a meeting was required as he had some things he needed to discuss with him urgently. And here he was.

"So, my boy, how is your school going?"

Kai shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's fine."

"Of course, what less can I expect from a boy as excellent as you," Mr. Dickenson stated, giving him another warm smile.

He let himself melt a little and a small, barely noticeable smile made itself known on his own face.

The polite chairman asked him a few more questions regarding his classes, exams and his life in general there, before his voice turned serious.

"So Kai, my boy, not that I didn't want to see you just for the sake of it, but that is not the only reason I called you. I am sure you already know that"

Kai nodded.

Mr. Dickenson fixed his specs, before letting out, "Then Kai, I want to leave it to you to decide what is to be done now."

Kai looked up at him quizzically.

"As I have already told you, those mysterious bladers didn't aim to attack you alone. They were after all of the bladebreakers, and still are, for all we know. And from what I have gathered from you all, they seem to be after your bit beasts."

Kai nodded, crossing his arms over his chest, eyes staring fixedly at the pen holder standing on the desk, listening attentively to the other.

"Now, my boy, is the real question. What is to be done?"

Kai looked up at him.

"I asked the others this same question. And all their answers were the same. They want you to decide the next move. After all, you are their captain."

"Not anymore"

Mr. Dickenson shook his head, "That, Kai, is only your thinking. For them, you are still the leader, and the team 'bladebreakers' still exists."

Kai didn't bother replying to that.

"Listen, Kai. I know that last year I did force you to become their leader, and that must have been a lot of unwanted responsibility on you, but I am sure that you are on better terms with your teammates than you were then."

Kai shrugged.

Mr. Dickenson let out another small chuckle, this kid.

"They all think of you as their friend, Kai. I am sure you don't need to worry about them much."

Kai scoffed, "Friends"

Mr. Dickenson sighed before standing up.

He had to get this done and over with. Hope he wouldn't be faced with Kai's moodiness in the process. The kid sure was feisty. Phew…

Kai looked up as he rounded the table and came to stand next to him, pulling him up.

A frown appeared on his face as he was led out of the room and towards the elevator, before Mr. Dickenson tapped the button for the ground floor, and the machine whirred into action.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To my home."

The frown deepened.

"Why?"

"You'll see, my boy."

The elevator doors opened and Mr. D led him to his car, indicating to the driver to start it.

Kai sat in the back while Mr. Dickenson sat in the passenger seat, calling someone as soon as the car started up, talking in a low voice before hanging up and smiling behind at him.

Kai raised an eyebrow at the old man's antics before shrugging it off and staring outside the window. It had been a while since he had sat in a car.

A few minutes later, the car slowed down and parked in front of a large building, which he recollected from his memory was the old man's house.

"Come, my boy."

He got out of the car and followed the old man into the house.

He remembered foggily once coming here, but couldn't for the life of him recollect anything else.

Mr. Dickenson led him into the living room before calling the maid for two cups of coffee, sitting down on the couch adjacent to the one Kai sat on.

Mr. Dickenson smiled as the boy's eyes roamed around, reminding him of the time a younger version of him had sat in the same room eyeing it with his innocent ruby eyes the same way as now.

The maid came a while later and set the two cups of coffee at the coffee table, along with a jar of cookies and some other snacks.

Kai nodded appreciatively at her and she gave him a sweet smile, before leaving the two alone.

Now that the woman had left the room, Kai turned to the old man.

"What did you bring me here for?"

Mr. Dickenson chuckled.

"Why, my boy, you suspect I am kidnapping you?"

"As if you'd be able to do that."

Rolling his eyes, he picked the piping hot mug and took a small sip.

Mr. Dickenson followed with the same, an amused smile lining his lips.

Sure, he wouldn't be able to, even if his life depended on it, harm the boy in any way. But he was sure Kai hadn't meant that when he had said so.

As the other mused over his new surroundings, Mr. Dickinson took a moment to observe him, see if the information he had received was true.

The bluenette didn't seem any different from his face, still the same don't-mess-with-me-or-you'll-regret-it- look, accompanied with eyes sharper than any knife, but if he looked carefully, he could see the flaws.

He seemed to have lost a lot of weight, though he had tried to make it less noticeable with the baggy clothes he was wearing, yet the outline of his skinny body could still be noticed.

Mr. Dickenson's eyes filled with worry at the bluenette's uncharacteristic appearance.

He had become extremely worried when he had gotten to know about the problems Kai was facing, his heart wanting nothing but to help the boy in any way he could, but he had been stopped.

Kai didn't know any of this, but he was aware of his mental conditions.

There hadn't been a single day that he hadn't prayed for everything in Kai's life to be settled, but he didn't know what else to do.

As he sat beside the boy now, watching him through his concerned gaze, one that was only reserved for the most loved ones, his heart went out for the boy.

He wanted to confront him and assure him that he was always there for him and would do anything for him, but he knew Kai would take it all as a sign of pity.

But not confronting him would leave everything unsolved, Kai wouldn't ever be able to get rid of his problems. And he couldn't possibly let that happen.

"Kai, my boy"

The other shook out of his gazing and looked at him questioningly.

Mr. Dickenson sighed, "Kai, is there something you'd want to tell me?"

Kai frowned again.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, Kai, why do I see such an able boy as you paving the road to a decayed health?"

"Huh?"

"Kai, how much do you weigh now?"

"I-

He stopped.

"Kai, my boy, you know you can tell me anything."

Kai's eyes widened.

"W-what do you mean?"

"About the reason you came here when you had wanted so much to live with your friends in Russia."

Kai stood abruptly, his breath quickening.

"What the fuck are you talking about?!!"

"You know what I'm talking about, Kai"

Kai shook his head, making for the door.

Mr. Dickenson hurried to stop him, grabbing the upper part of his arm.

"LEAVE ME!!"

Kai tried to shake himself out of the others hold, but found his body getting weaker and weaker by the second.

Was he gonna-

NO!

His legs wobbled and he fell to the floor on his knees, looking up at the other with panicked eyes.

Mr. Dickenson, though himself as terrified as the other, tried to mask it and gently took hold of the bluenette, rubbing his back in a soothing manner and whispering assuring words to him.

Kai seemed to calm down after a few minutes, looking up at Mr. Dickenson with almost teary eyes.

"You know"

It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

Mr. Dickenson nodded, almost shyly.

Kai hid his face in his hands, bringing his knees up to his chest.

"No, no, my dear, come on, stand up."

Mr. Dickenson, given his age, tried slowly yet successfully to get him up and over to the couch, sitting him down before bringing a glass of water and handing it to him.

Kai took the offered glass with shaky hands before taking a sip, trying to calm himself as best as he could.

Mr. Dickenson sat beside him and pulled him into a one sided embrace, which the other thankfully didn't resist, and gave an assuring squeeze to his shoulder.

A few seconds later, Kai seemed to gather himself and broke the embrace.

"It's not your fault, Kai. Don't beat yourself up for it"

Kai nodded, though kept his gaze on the floor.

Mr. Dickenson watched him with sympathetic eyes, his heart aching at having witnessed a glimpse of the pain the other was going through.

Kai looked up at him, his eyes slightly wet.

He smiled at him assuringly, trying to show that he didn't judge him for anything.

Kai broke his gaze and looked down again, fidgeting with his hands.

"I am sorry," his hoarse voice let out.

"You needn't be sorry for things you were not even a part of, my dear."

Kai sighed, before looking at him again.

"H-how did you know?"

He smiled, again, at the curious gaze and pointed towards the opposite side of the room, where a door, previously closed, now stood open, with a silhouette leaning on the door frame with crossed arms.

Kai's eyes widened and he stood up, the glass falling down and breaking from the impact.

The person smiled at him.

"Tala?!"

Woah! Ain't that a pleasant turn of events?!

I am sorry to anyone who may have been offended by me using such language for Oersted. It's just Kai's thoughts. We know he is not exactly known for being respectful.

Thanks for reading!