Beyblade Fic: "Centrepiece" ~ Chapter Three
Title: Centrepiece
Chapter: Three
Author: Jedi Princess Clarrisani
Fandom: Beyblade
Rating: M15+ Seriously people, this fic contains non-con/rape, violence, thoughts of suicide, language
Pairings: Ray/Tala/Kai, Mariah/Kevin, Ray/Bryan, Tala/Bryan, and a surprise other
Summary: Ray finds himself trapped in a relationship he can’t get out of.
Disclaimer: Contrary to what some people believe, I do not own Beyblade
| Introduction | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Epilogue |
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As the sun peeked around the edges of the curtain Ray awoke, realising that for once he did not feel sick. Rather, he felt somewhat cleansed, content, and… pleased? Finding that he was still curled up against Bryan, he closed his eyes again, pressing himself closer to the warmth of the other.
“There’s more to a relationship than sex you know.”
Ray stiffened, eyes shooting open. “What?”
“You heard.” Lavender eyes slitted open, taking in the younger. “Relationships are also about commitment, loyalty, trust and all that other crap.”
Ray shuddered, biting his lip. “They say they love me.”
“Oh?” Bryan’s eyes narrowed. “And exactly when do they say this?”
“Right after we have sex.”
“I see.” Bryan’s gaze hardened. “They’ve got you wrapped around their little finger, don’t they?”
Ray frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Words muttered in the aftermath of the moment are pointless. Words spoken in everyday situations, such as at dinner or while you’re out doing the groceries, mean everything. They’re tying you down, Ray.”
Ray sighed dejectedly, staring at a spot on the wall. “How long have you known?”
“Bout a month.” Bryan reached out, running his fingers through Ray’s hair, studying its texture. “They’re just playing a game. That’s all it is to them. For them it has no impact as they cannot sustain the emotional repercussions. You, on the other hand…”
Ray shuddered, golden eyes looking up to meet the lavender orbs of the other. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I grew up knowing what it was like to be trapped in a world with no escape. I don’t like seeing anyone, given the circumstances, in a similar situation.”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
“I don’t.”
“Doesn’t sound that way to me.” Ray reached up and let his fingertips lightly trace the contours of Bryan’s face, a face that was not accustomed to smiling or showing of any emotion at all. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you watching me. Tala’s seen it too, considering what he said last night after dinner.”
“So what if I have been?” Bryan scowled. “Ain’t no law against it.”
“No, there’s not, but I am curious as to what is going on.”
“There ain’t nothing going on, kid.” He shrugged, rolling onto his back and closing his eyes. “Just making sure you’re not gonna pass out on us, that’s all.”
“Mm-hm.” Ray frowned thoughtfully, sliding closer to Bryan. “You never did like what was going on between me, Tala and Kai, did you?”
“None of my business.”
Ray tilted his head slightly, and Bryan had to admit to himself that it looked cute. “You know, I always thought you were the kind to enjoy a relationship like that. I mean, you wouldn’t be able to suffer emotionally, right? You have no emotion.”
Bryan slitted his eyes open to look at him. “Don’t mean I couldn’t suffer. Relationships like that are pointless. I see no use for them. They’re sex, sex, and more sex. That’s all they are.”
“There’s more to it than that-”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
Ray opened his mouth to answer, then stopped, scouring his mind. Was it possible… that Bryan was right? Of late that was the only thing on their minds: sex. Even the whispered conversations were made up of who was going to be underneath next time they got the chance... which seemed like every minute of the day.
“You cannot answer, can you Raymond?” Bryan’s eyes softened slightly. “Perhaps in the beginning there was more, but I doubt there is now. And that’s why you’re getting sick: the emotional toll is catching up on you. You’re falling apart, Kitten.”
Ray sighed, slumping against the pillows. “I can’t leave them.”
“And why not?”
“Because I can’t.” Ray closed his eyes, letting out a long breath. “Kai and Tala are not ones to take no as an answer. Surely you know that.”
“I do. I did grow up with them, after all.” Bryan reached out and slid an arm around Ray’s shoulders. “At the moment you’ve worn down to the point everything seems hopeless. You’ve got to find a way to build yourself up again.” He paused. “That or we go to the hardware store and get a lock for your door.”
“Oh I’m sure the landlord would love that. Safety regulations, remember?”
“How about the good old fashioned method of a chair under the doorknob?”
“Tried it. They found a way around it.” Ray sighed, shaking his head. “There’s no escape.”
“There’s always an escape. It’s simply a matter of finding it.” Bryan pushed himself up, running a hand through his hair as he glanced at the clock. “Breakfast is a good thing right now. What do you say?”
“Yeah.” Ray began searching for his clothes. “Um, Bryan…”
“Yeah?”
“About last night…”
Bryan looked at him. “What about it?”
“Eh…” Ray averted his eyes. “I’m sorry…”
“Sorry for what?” Bryan shrugged. “Look, we can’t say it didn’t happen, but we had better keep it from Tal and Kai, as they will have us hung, drawn and quartered. And I recommend that we don’t do it again.”
“Yeah.” Ray shivered. “Just that I was lonely and I needed company and-”
“Ray.”
He looked up. “Yeah?”
“All I said was we shouldn’t ‘do it’ again. I didn’t say we couldn’t sleep together.”
Ray had to smile. “Well, now you put it that way…”
“Hn.” Bryan reached down and plucked up the shirt, tossing it toward Ray. “You go have your shower. I’ll take care of breakfast. God knows what time those losers will be home, but I’m guessin’ it will be late.”
“Yeah.” Pulling on his shirt Ray padded toward the door, pausing and looking back over his shoulder. “Bryan?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks.”
************
The day passed too quickly, Ray enjoying his time alone. He managed to finally finish reading a book he had started over a month ago, before he whipped up a large lunch, which he persuaded Bryan to eat with him. Afterwards, by mutual agreement, the two threw open the fridge and went about removing everything that had gone off or simply did not look right.
This, of course, was nearly three-quarters of the fridge’s contents.
“When did we last order Chinese?” Bryan asked, tugging the box from the back.
Ray frowned. “It would have to be nearly three-four months ago, wouldn’t it?”
Bryan tugged open the lid, pulling a face before handing it to Ray. “I doubt it’s meant to be that green.”
“Green?” Ray glanced inside. “Urgh. I swear there’s something alive in there.”
“Hn.” Bryan pushed aside another container before frowning, dragging it out. “Found another open margarine.”
“Is that one mouldy too?” Ray took it as Bryan handed it back, tugging off the lid. “Nope, it’s just plain black.” Dropping it into the rubbish bag, Ray shook his head. “We really need to do this more often.”
“Not like we ever get the time.” Bryan pulled a face as he spotted something growing at the back. “Hand me the bag.”
Ray did so, wincing as Bryan scooped the muck out and dumped it into the bag. Bryan himself was glad for his gloves, but made a mental note to take a nice long shower once they were done.
As Bryan was cleaning out the back, Ray turned his attention to the door, opening the cheese holder and glancing in. “I know you can get mouldy cheese, but this is ridiculous.”
“The health inspector would have our heads if he saw this.” Bryan glanced up as Ray began flipping the cheese down into the bag. “Shall I be game and check the crisper?”
Ray winced. “I remember buying some tomatoes a couple of months ago, but I don’t remember us ever using them.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Tugging it open, Bryan scowled. “Found them. They’re behind the shrivelled carrots and an onion that looks like it’s trying to root itself in what might have once been the pumpkin.”
Ray blinked. “Who on earth put an onion in there?”
“Money on Tala.” Bryan pulled the drawer out and tipped the contents into the bag before sliding the drawer back into place. “You do realise we still have to do the freezer.”
Ray snorted. “Good luck. I haven’t been able to get the door open for a couple of weeks now.”
“Well, I think that’s that last of it.” Bryan looked up at him. “You wanna finish this up or should I?”
“I’ll do it. You can start of the freezer.”
Bryan nodded as Ray moved to get the cleaning spray and a cloth. Standing, Bryan tugged off the gloves and dropped them into the bag before tying it closed and heaving it up. He made his way out through the side door and into the garage, opening the lid of the bin and dumping the bag inside. Replacing the bins lid, Bryan stepped back into the flat and made for the bathroom, washing his hands and cleaning off some of the goop that had made its way onto his bare arms before he returned to the kitchen.
Ray looked up as Bryan returned, having nearly finished what he was doing. The interior itself clean, Ray tugged the door right open so Bryan could reach the freezer. Reaching up Bryan tugged at the freezer door, finding that Ray had been indeed right. Widening his stance he pulled again, and when it still didn’t budge he planted his foot on the fridges side for leverage and pulled with everything he had.
With a crackling tearing sound the freezer door burst open, showering Ray in ice crystals as Bryan flew backward and onto the floor. Brushing the crystals from his hair, Ray tried not to laugh.
“You okay?”
Bryan growled, pushing himself to his feet. “Who was the moron who spilt something in there and didn’t bother to clean it up and therefore letting it freeze the door closed?”
Ray raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you three guesses.”
“Ivanov is going to die.” Pushing the door aside, Bryan took in the interior. “If there’s something in here, it’s well and truly frozen.”
“I think there’s a scraper in one of the drawers.” Setting the cleaning spray back on the sink with the cloth, Ray went along tugging at the drawers and peering inside, finding what he was looking for and tossing it to Bryan. “I’m going to go through the cupboards. I remember seeing the other day a half-empty box of crackers that I think got opened when we first moved in.”
Bryan glanced at him. “I do recall that one to be my fault.”
“Mm.” Ray sighed, shaking his head as he found another garbage bag. “You do realise that when the others get home they’re not even going to notice.”
“Of course not. Do they notice anything other than themselves?”
“Yeah. Me.”
“Charming.” Bryan chipped away at the ice. “You seem a lot better today.”
Ray smiled faintly. “I feel a lot better today. And I’ll have you know that I have not thrown up once.”
“Has to be a record. Usually it seems like every time I need to go to the toilet you’re in there throwing up.”
Ray blinked. “Is that how you knew I was sick?”
“Partly.” A large chunk of ice fell away, Bryan picking it up and tossing it into the sink. “I mainly read it in your body language.” Not to mention you once left an eyeshadow on the basin.”
Ray winced. “Eh…”
“I put it in your room. You were in Kai’s at the time.” Bryan glanced over his shoulder. “I see you’re not wearing any today.”
“You’re not the one I’m trying to hide my illness from.” Ray frowned, finding an empty box of cereal and tossing it into the bag. “I just wish I knew what was wrong.”
“Remember what I said this morning, Kitten.” Bryan grunted, a shape beginning to form where he was chipping. “You’re wearing down emotionally, which effects you mentally, which in turn has repercussions physically. You’re destroying yourself.”
“Great. Just great.” Ray tossed a half-empty container of fruit that looked to have been there for some time into the bag with a thud. “Like I told you, it’s not going to be that easy to get out from under them. Even if I told them no… they won’t let me go. Especially not Tala.”
“Tala is very possessive over what he considers his property. He’s always been like that.” Bryan reached in and got a grip on the object, yanking it out and growling. “And that son-of-a-bitch had the nerve to blame me.”
Ray looked up. “What?”
Bryan showed him the object. “That screwdriver Kai lost a while back, remember? He accused me of borrowing it and not returning it.”
“Yeah, I remember.” Ray chuckled as he returned his attention to the cupboards, finding an old jar of coffee that’s lid had gone missing. “What you said about Tala being possessive, it makes me wonder…”
“What?”
“Well, about the way Tala acts toward you.” Ray glanced over his shoulder. “He doesn’t like it when anyone goes near you, or haven’t you noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed, I just choose to ignore it.” Bryan narrowed his eyes as he stared into the freezer. He smirked as an idea occurred to him before he turned. “Back in a minute.”
Ray watched him go, wondering at Bryan’s words. Just why was Tala possessive of Bryan? It was something Ray had been wondering for a while but had never gotten around to asking, and it looked like he wasn’t going to get any more out of the lavender haired Russian. Unless, of course, he pushed the issue.
Looking up as Bryan re-entered the room, Ray fought to keep from laughing. “Cheat.”
“Come on. You’ve gotta say its original.” Bryan plugged it in, before fiddling with a couple of buttons.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re not the first person to take a hairdryer to a freezer.” Ray shook his head in amusement. “I’ve got to ask, why is Tala possessive of you?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, kid, I’m a member of his team. He’s very possessive of his team.” Bryan turned the heat up more, glancing over his shoulder. “And I would not be surprised if Kai were the same.”
“He is.” Ray blinked, eyes falling on the freezer. “Bryan, the ice is…”
Bryan frowned, turning back around before his eyes widened, swearing graphically in Russian as he switched off the hairdryer, putting it aside before he grabbed up a tea towel and began mopping up the water, Ray once again trying to keep from laughing.
Ray blinked as a thought occurred to him. It had been so long since Ray had actually had any fun, and this was exactly that: fun. And he was having it with Bryan, the cold-hearted Falcon of the Demolition Boys, the same guy who had almost killed him a couple of years beforehand. And not only that, Bryan was being… open.
“Need some help?”
Bryan glanced up. “I’m right. Just finish with the cupboards.”
“Right.” Closing one door Ray moved along, pulling open another and rummaging around, checking the contents and the used by dates. “Hey Bryan?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you ever actually been in a relationship?”
Bryan glanced over at him before shrugging it off. “A few. None worth talking about, though.”
Ray smiled faintly. “I’ve only been in the one.”
That got Bryan’s attention. His gaze hardened as he set his jaw, straightening as he looked toward the other. “You mean, before you were with Kai and Tala, you were a virgin? In every sense of the word?”
Ray shifted uncomfortably beneath his gaze. “Eh… yeah…”
Bryan muttered something under his breath, tossing the tea towel into the sink before he picked up the scraper, once more attacking the ice, channelling his cold anger. Those bastards. Those sick, cold-hearted bastards. Great work, guys. You’ve done a great job of screwing up the kid. Just couldn’t resist the fresh meat, could ya’s? Why I oughta-
“Bryan?”
He looked up. “Yeah, Ray?”
Ray leant back against the bench, watching him. “Did I say something wrong? You’ve closed yourself off again.”
“No, it was nothing you said.” Only what those arseholes did. Bryan forced himself to relax, smiling easily. “Freezers just starting to piss me off, that’s all.”
“Understandable.” Ray stifled a yawn. “Man, I’m getting tired. How long have we been at this?”
“Gotta be on a couple of hours.” The hairdryer had loosened the ice, his job now a lot easier as another large chunk fell away from the sides. “I say we finish this up then take some time out.”
“Works for me.”
************
Aw man, I must have fallen asleep. Ray stifled a yawn, rolling onto his back and stretching, casting his gaze around and smiling faintly to find himself in his own room on his bed. Bryan must have brought me in here. Last I remember is being curled up in the chair in the lounge.
Glancing at the clock Ray saw that the day was almost over, that it was almost time for dinner. Smiling to himself, Ray had to admit that the day had been one of the best he had had while living with the four, and it was still surprising to think it had been spent with Bryan.
Tala had always been the playful one, always needing someone to pick on or tease before widening his eyes in that puppylike innocence he had perfected so well. Kai was the sarcastic one, enjoying his own type of humour with the personal goal of outdoing Tala but able to appear innocent by simply looking at you as if to say ‘do you honestly believe I would do something as foolish as that’?
Bryan… well, Bryan was the quiet one. He was the mystery, the one you never knew what he was up too, and on many occasions not wanting to know what he was up too. Bryan was almost 20 times more sarcastic than Kai, and had an almost sadistic humour. While he mainly kept to himself, Ray had known Bryan to play his share of jokes and pranks, usually at Tala’s expense, that left both Ray and Kai chuckling to themselves as Tala proceeded to try and kill the oldest member of the group.
A pleasant scent caught his attention, causing Ray’s stomach to growl eagerly. Sliding from his bed Ray paused, something dawning on him. Had it been Tala who had found Ray asleep, he would have taken advantage of that fact, Ray waking just as he climaxed. Had it been Kai, the other would have sat and watched him, making his move as soon as Ray was awake enough to know what was going on. Had it been both of them… well, same deal.
But Bryan hadn’t taken advantage at all, instead simply letting Ray sleep. Even the night before Bryan had let Ray lead when he could have just as easily flipped Ray onto his back and had his own way. Bryan was almost… well, he was a gentleman. Despite being rough around the edges, Bryan was very well spoken, and knew his manners when he chose to use them. Of Ray’s three flatmates, Ray had to say he preferred Bryan over them all.
Opening the door the smell intensified, Ray feeling his mouth water as he followed it to the kitchen. Stepping inside he spotted Bryan, the other looking up and smirking, a rare twinkle glistening in his eye.
“Up for stir fry?”
“Am I ever.” Ray stepped toward where Bryan was pushing the food around the pan: the source of the smell. “How long?”
“Pretty much finished. Mind getting the plates?”
Ray didn’t need to be asked twice, retrieving the plates and bringing them over, holding them as Bryan dished out the food before dropping the pan into the sink and joining Ray at the table. Ray ate eagerly, making a mental note to ask Bryan just what the elders secret was when it came to cooking, Kai once teasing that his fellow Russian was almost as good as Ray was at the stove.
Ray was almost disappointed when he discovered every morsel of food had been eaten, despite the fact that he was beyond full. Feeling almost bloated, Ray picked up his plate and moved to the sink, beginning to go about washing the dishes.
Bryan smirked. “Eat a little too much there, Kon?”
Ray groaned in answer.
Chuckling, Bryan finished scrapping his plate clean before standing and picking it up, moving to give it to Ray. “You know, nothing pleases the cook more than to see his diners stuff themselves to the point of throwing up.”
Ray rolled his eyes. “If you’re looking for praise, Bryan, forget it. Your ego is big enough as it is.”
“Why thank you.” Bryan found a clean tea towel, picking up and drying a plate. “Not that I need praise. Watching you stuff your face was enough.”
“Do you ever lay off?”
“Heh, yeah right.” Bryan watched him out the corner of his eye. “You should know I go down fighting, Tiger. I do believe I proved that a few years back.”
“Not as long ago as you think, Falcon.” Ray smirked. “And you should know I fight until the battle is over and I have won.”
“So you got lucky.”
“Luck had nothing to do with it.”
“True, considering I wasn’t battling at full strength at the time.”
“What!?” Ray spun around, golden eyes flashing. “That had better have been a joke, Bryan.”
“No joke, Ray. In those final few moments of the battle I stopped fighting.” Bryan smirked. “If Boris knew, I’d be a dead man.”
“Who says you’re not already?” Ray glared at him as he finished the washing and pulled the plug. “You can be a real bastard sometimes.”
“Thank you.” Bryan raised an eyebrow. “But come on, Kon. Admit it. You think I’m not that bad.”
“Now you’re delusional.” Ray dried his hands on a cloth. “You’re a prick, an arsehole, and everything else that slots into that category.”
“Still, you think I’m all right.” Bryan finished the drying. “And I do believe you’ve got some notion running through that mind of yours that maybe, just maybe, we might actually be able to be friends.”
Ray had to snort. “With you? Bryan, I don’t know what planet you’re on, but its time you came back down to Earth.”
“Cliché.” Bryan folded the towel and hooked it onto the rack. “It’s so much better when there is just two of us, isn’t it.”
“Yeah. Less dishes, less cooking, less noise-”
“Less bonking.”
“Bryan!” Ray felt his cheeks warm, knowing that the other was referring to him. “You enjoy tormenting me, don’t you?”
“You said it.” Bryan smirked, leaning back against the counter as he watched the other. “So Ray, you heading to bed early, or you gonna stay up for a while? Send some more emails in the middle of the night.”
“We’ll see.” Ray crossed his arms over his chest as he moved toward the other. “Why do you ask?”
“Interested to see if I should get online or not. Last thing I need is you sitting up the entire night just waiting for me to reply.”
“As if I would.”
“You would, Tiger. I know you.”
“Oh really?” Ray’s golden eyes narrowed as he stopped before the other, looking up at him. “Well what if said email actually contained a virus?”
Bryan met his eye. “In that case, I will come to your room and kill you.”
“Well maybe that’s what I want.”
“Tis sad if it is.” Bryan’s own eyes narrowed as he studied the others face. “Besides, the easy way out is for losers, and last time I checked you weren’t one of those.”
“I’m not, no.” Ray felt himself drawn toward the other, leaning closer and tilting back his head invitingly. “And neither are you.”
“You got that right.” Bryan caught the movement, and though he knew he should turn and walk away he found himself drawn down, time slowing before lips touched. Ray stepped closer, sliding his hands over Bryan’s chest to clutch at his shirt as Bryan drew him against him, the kiss deepening, slow and deliberate.
| Introduction | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Epilogue |