Beyblade Fic: "Centrepiece" ~ Chapter Nine
Title: Centrepiece
Chapter: Nine
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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Bryan smiled faintly as Chung Hu dashed toward the doorway of his room and vanished inside, Bryan shaking his head in amusement. Damned cat. There are more rooms in this house, you know.
Four days now Ray had been gone, and in that time Chung Hu had become almost a permanent fixture in Bryan’s room. And when the cat wasn’t there he was stretched out on Bryan’s shoulders, purring contently. If anything, Bryan actually enjoyed the company of the gold and grey tabby, and had officially started to call himself a ‘cat person’, even admitting it to Ian when the midget had come to see the famous cat.
As he passed the door to Ray’s old room Bryan couldn’t help but sigh. He actually missed the neko-jin who had become his friend over the last week he had been there. Sitting with Ray cradled against him had felt… right. And when Ray had crept into his room and taken him in the darkness… Bryan had never felt so complete.
Pushing open the door to his room, Bryan frowned thoughtfully to himself. Was it possible that he lo-
A clenched fist caught him in the jaw, snapping his head around as he stumbled back, eyes searching for his attacker. He swore as he ducked the next blow, hearing the door close and swinging around, growling as he found those familiar aquamarine eyes with thin red strands of hair falling over them.
“What do you want?”
Tala smirked, blue eyes ice. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Since the confrontation after they had discovered Ray gone, both Kai and Tala had left Bryan alone, instead venting their frustration on each other and causing Bryan to spend most of his time with his music so loud he had blown up three sets of headphones so not to hear their cries of ecstasy.
But Bryan knew Tala. He had known that it would only be a matter of time, so he had kept his guard up. But like in the old days, Tala was set for that split second when Bryan’s guard was down.
“I thought I told you to stay out of my room.”
“Do I ever listen?” Tala smirked as Bryan wiped the blood from his lip. “Didn’t think I’d forgotten, did you Bry? You should know me better than that.”
“Oh, I know you.” Bryan glared at him, ready for the next blow. “Just as you should know me.”
“That I do.” Tala sniggered. “You’re ready for anything I throw at you, and even when I take you down you’ll continue to fight. But you know what, Bry? That’s what makes it so thrilling.”
Bryan clenched his teeth. “This isn’t the old days, Tala. We’re not teens anymore, we’re adults. Bout time you started acting like one.”
“Interesting words coming from someone who has never allowed himself to live.” Tala ran his gaze over him. “Someone who has allowed himself to lose conditioning.”
“I’m still perfectly fit. Maybe more than I was before. Just skip too many meals, that’s all.” Bryan smirked. “Least I don’t have the reputation of a slut.”
Tala lashed out again, Bryan blocking it and aiming to throw him off balance, but Tala was used to this, recovering easily. “Call me what you want, Bry. I don’t care.”
“Don’t act that way.” Bryan smirked. “You gave yourself your reputation, Tal. Back at the Abbey anyone could ride you. You were the resident bike.”
“Arsehole!” Tala lashed out again, only to once more miss his target. “You want to know why I wanted you, Bryan? Because you were the one I couldn’t get. I could have anyone in that Abbey, but you? You were different. You had to play hard to get. But you came with recommendation.”
“I was just another conquest. That’s all I was and will ever be to you.” Bryan glared at him, ducking another blow. “I may not have much in the way of emotion, but I’m still human, unlike some people.”
“Oh yes? And just what am I?”
“You’re just an animal. A dog who would hump his masters leg. You’d do it in public. No, wait, you have done it in public. You and Kai.”
Tala chuckled, grinning ferally. “You don’t know the thrill of it, being joined and wondering if anyone will notice, not caring if they do. Trying not to make it obvious. The tension, the care, the fear… it just adds to the sensation.”
Bryan glared at him. “You’re demented.”
Tala simply smirked.
Bryan ducked another punch, knowing Tala well enough to predict when and where each one would come. He spotted Chung Hu out of the corner of his eye, the kitten hissing at the redhead and causing Bryan to smirk.
Tala twisted, feigning a punch before sending in another, Bryan blocking it. Growling, Tala spun and grabbed a book from Bryan’s desk and threw it, Bryan raised a hand to block it only to have the next book catch him on the forehead, making him see stars.
He doubled over as a fist connected with his solar plexus, winding him. The blows kept coming, Bryan twisting out from under them only to have Tala trip him. Still dazed Bryan felt Tala bind his wrists before the younger threw him onto the bed.
“You never did know when to give up,” Tala mocked as he straddled him. “It would be so much less painful if you did.”
Bryan growled. “You sound just like Boris.”
Tala backhanded him before catching his jaw in his hand, leaning down and kissing Bryan hard, the elder trying to pull away as he felt Tala’s other hand work on loosening his belt. Tala growled, tightening his grip, fingertips leaving impressions as he set himself, forcing his way inside the still struggling Bryan.
“Ever heard the saying the bigger they are the harder they fall?” Tala smirked, thrusting himself hard inside Bryan. “You may be taller than me, stronger than me, but I can still bring you down. And I can still claim you as mine.”
Bryan glared at him. “You can screw me but I ain’t yours. Never will be.”
Tala sniggered. “Whatever you say, Bry.” His eyes narrowed, glowing with an inner demonic light. “You never did like being possessed, did you Bryan? You never did like it when one of your lovers forced you to the bottom and pierced your defences. It makes you feel weak, vulnerable. Especially for a man who trusts no one.”
“People like you who make me like that.”
Tala forced himself up hard, hearing the breath catch in Bryan’s throat though he made no other sound. “That may be so, but just remember: it was you who made it this way. Had you have not tried to break it off with me, I would have never been forced into this position. And now you’ve gone and taken my Ray away.”
“Ray wanted out.”
“Ah, so you admit it.” Tala smirked, fingers of one hand following the path of the trail of blood that began to thread its way from Bryan’s forehead where the book had caught him. “It was you who put the notion into Ray’s head that he could and should leave. And where, pray tell, did he go?”
Bryan gritted his teeth. “Go. To. Hell.”
“You first.” Tala sniggered, leaning down to kiss him again. “I’m not going to leave you alone, Bryan. However, if you help me get Ray back, I will let you go about your pathetic little antisocial life. Deal?”
Bryan jerked his head away from Tala’s touch. “I’d rather die.”
“You always have to do things the hard way, don’t you?” Tala settled his hands on Bryan’s shoulders, burying himself completely before pausing, cold aquamarine meeting burning lavender. “If it were my choice I’d have both you and Ray, but for now I’ll just have to settle with you.”
Bryan growled, forcing himself up, trying to throw Tala from him. “Get off me!”
Tala laughed. “Bryan, when are you going to realise all this fighting is just turning me on! And it was just starting to get good with Ray too.” He caught Bryan’s head in his hands, kissing him. “Now, come with me.”
Bryan hissed. “Make me.”
“Easily.”
Tala reached down, grasping Bryan’s erection before he resumed his assault on his teammate, losing himself in the lust. Bryan fought to resist him, but his body seemed to act on it’s own accord, responding to Tala’s touch and soon erupting along with his captain.
Tala smirked, leaning down to kiss him gently. “Good boy.”
Without another word Tala pushed himself up from his teammate, straightening his clothes before he left the room. For a long while Bryan lay panting, trying to regain his strength before struggling with his bonds, cursing Tala for being so good with knots. Eventually, after using his teeth, he freed himself, slowly drawing himself from his bed as dizziness swept through him, but he forced it back.
Struggling to his feet, he straightened his own clothes as he mentally came to a decision. Working his way to the door he found the flat silent, and after a quick check he was not amused to find that his peers were gone, along with Kai’s car. Probably out to buy lunch.
Finding the telephone, Bryan punched in a familiar number, counting the rings as he swallowed, tasting the blood as he forced himself to breathe easy. He blinked as he heard the familiar voice on the other end. “It’s me, Spence. Does the offer still stand for that room?”
************
“Yo Ray. Dude, you’re freaking me out here. Say something already.”
Ray blinked, looking up. “What?”
Tyson frowned. “Ray, I’ve been talking to you for the past 10 minutes with no answer. Dizzi even timed me.”
“She did,” Kenny confirmed. “Though it’s 9 minutes and 57 seconds to be precise.”
Max frowned, leaning forward over the cards. “Ray, are you okay? You look kinda pale.”
“I’m fine guys, it’s just…” Ray blinked, shuddering. “It’s just that… I feel like something’s not right. Like something’s happened.”
“Freaky.” Tyson exchanged a look with Max. “Any idea what?”
“No.” Ray looked down at the game before setting down his cards, standing. “I’m out guys. I need some fresh air.”
“You got it, Dude.”
Ray moved toward the back door that led out into the garden. He passed where Mariah was stretched out tanning herself and looked to have fallen asleep, before he moved by where Gary stood beneath a fruit tree with a basket, catching the fruit Kevin tossed down to him. He had to smile: the Blade Breakers were all indoors playing games, whereas the White Tigers, save Lee, were all outdoors enjoying the sunshine as the weather began to warm up.
Finding a spot down the back out of sight beneath the willow by the pond, Ray settled down on a rock, letting his mind wander. What was it that was uneasing him so much? What was it that caused him to be so distracted? What had happened? What had gone wrong?
He shuddered, feeling a sick feeling forming in the pit of his stomach, reminiscent of the feeling he had gotten after sleeping with Kai and Tala. Was it something to do with them then? Or something else entirely?
He rubbed his temples, wishing he could delve deeper into the recesses of his mind in order to discover what his subconscious was trying to tell him. He could almost hear it screaming the answer to him, but it was muffled, almost suppressed as if he were forcing it back at the same time he was trying to make it reveal itself to him.
He blinked as he heard the light step, smiling as he spotted Lee moving easily through the low branches of the willow toward him. “Finally come out of your room?”
“Yeah.” Lee nodded toward the house. “Phone rang.”
“Ah.” Ray smirked. “Michael asking for another date?”
“What do you mean ‘another’? I haven’t even agreed to a first date yet. Don’t plan to either.” Lee dropped down beside him. “No, it wasn’t Michael. It was far more interesting than that, which is why I came out to find you.”
Ray looked at him. “Lee?”
“It was Spencer.” Lee met his eye. “Apparently Bryan rang him before about an offer Spencer made him a while back that he’s changed his mind about. To cut it short, Bryan’s moving out of the flat and in with Spencer.”
“But… that’s great news!” Ray beamed before he spotted the expression on Lee’s face. “What is it?”
“I got the impression Spencer wasn’t telling me something.” Lee frowned. “I don’t know, I could be wrong, but the feeling I got tells me that something bad has happened to Bryan.”
~~~~*~~~~
Spencer’s eyebrows knitted on his otherwise smooth forehead as he finished cleaning the wound. “He raped you again.”
“Yeah.” Bryan looked up at him out the corner of his eye. “My own fault. Should have gotten out when you told me too.”
“You didn’t like Ian, and he was here.” Spencer moved to put the first aid kit away, smiling as spotted the kitten watched him. “Cat’s cute.”
“You said it.” Bryan patted his knee, Chung Hu jumping up onto it and curling up, purring brokenly. “Not much of a protector though.”
Spencer smiled faintly. “Get a dog.”
“Don’t like dogs. Besides, Chuny’s got the right idea.” Bryan scratched the kitten under the chin. “Soon as Tal walks into a room, straight under the desk, claws at the ready.”
Spencer nodded, glancing back. “Called Lee. Told him to tell Ray the cat was here.”
Bryan snorted. “Told him to tell Ray I was here.”
“You like Ray.”
“As a friend.”
“Heard that before.”
“Oh, for the love of…” Bryan ran a hand over his eyes, sighing. “Are you and Lee conspiring against me or somethin’?”
Spencer chuckled. “Might be.”
“Thanks for nothing.” Bryan sighed, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. “Sorry bout calling you up like that.”
“Been waiting for it.” Spencer nodded toward him. “You need to get cleaned up. Know where the bathroom is?”
“Yeah. Upstairs, down the hall, on the right.” Bryan eased himself up, still dizzy. Concussion, most likely. Damn you, Ivanov.
“You shouldn’t have been driving like that.”
“Done worse.” Bryan cradled the kitten in the crook of his arm, looking toward his friend. “Want me-”
“I’ll move you’re things.” Spencer smiled faintly. “I’ll find you some towels.”
“Thanks.”
Spencer frowned as he watched his old friend move toward the stairs. “Sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? I could drive-”
“Spence, I told you I hate it when people fuss over me.” Bryan cast his gaze back over his shoulder. “So stop it.”
Spencer nodded his understanding, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. Bryan had always been strong, and never had Spencer seen him break, but he knew it would only be a matter of time…
************
“Spencer lives here?”
“Yep.” Lee pulled up out the front, tugging on the handbrake before he turned off the engine. “Nice, eh?”
“Yeah.” Ray climbed out, taking in the old terrace with its ivy-covered walls and still blooming roses. “Never figured he’d be into this sort of thing.”
“Guys got no dress sense, but he’s got taste.” Lee moved to stand beside Ray, smirking. “He and Ian bought the place cheap a while back and did it up, though Ian sold Spencer his share of the place.”
Ray glanced at Lee as they moved up the front path. “You and Spencer are good friends, aren’t you?”
“Maybe not ‘good’ friends, but friends, yeah.” Lee gestured toward the house. “There’s a lane out the back, you know. Got a three car garage with remote. The fireplaces might look real but they’re imitation. Run on gas. Central heating, and fully environment friendly.”
“Why do I think you like this house?”
Lee smirked. “Maybe I saw it before they did all the work. That, and I might have helped do it up.”
“Ah.” Ray chuckled. “You always did jump at the chance to go on an ego trip.”
Lee shot him a glare as he rapped a knuckle against the door, not bothering with the doorbell. It wasn’t long before Spencer appeared, blond hair catching in the light breeze as the big man allowed them inside, Ray instantly feeling small standing next to the Russian. He hated to think how Lee must feel.
“So where’s the kitten?” Lee asked, looking around.
“Upstairs I think.” Spencer frowned, glancing at Ray then back at Lee. “Helped me move Falcon’s things upstairs.”
“Sounds about right.” Ray smiled, feeling safe and warm in the inside of the house, or rather, home. “Bryan left me a note saying that he helped him pack my things when I moved out.”
Spencer looked down at the younger man. “You look a lot better.”
“I feel a lot better.” Ray crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s good to feel a little bit safer and secure. Not to mention getting some sleep.”
Lee frowned. “Only a ‘little bit’ safer? Where will you feel ‘safe’?”
Ray blinked, feeling his cheeks warm faintly as he turned abruptly. “Lee told me about how you did the place up, Spencer. I must say I like it.”
Spencer and Lee exchanged a knowing smile before turning as they heard the door open, looking around to see Ian stepping into the foyer, crimson eyes filled with concern. He looked up at them, jaw set.
“Sorry for barging in Spence, but I just saw Tala and Kai down the street and it looked like Tala had blood or something on his shirt, and I was wondering-” Spencer raised a hand, cutting him off and nodding to the side. Ian followed his gaze, blinking. “Oh, hi there Ray. I didn’t see you there.”
“You said Tala had blood on his shirt.” The smile was gone from Ray’s lips, instead dread filling those golden eyes as he shot a look toward Spencer. “Where’s Bryan?”
“Right here, Kitten.”
Ray turned, spotting the elder man as he stopped at the bottom of the staircase, Chung Hu settled on his shoulders. Ray felt his stomach knot as he spotted the bruising on the elders face, particularly on his forehead where Ray could also see the wound despite the fact it was no longer bleeding.
“Oh Bryan.” Ray closed the space, throwing himself into his arms and pressing himself against Bryan’s chest. “You should have left.”
“I have, haven’t I?” Bryan cast his gaze up as he held the younger, glaring as he spotted the smirks on Lee’s and Spencer’s faces, while Ian simply raised an eyebrow. Casting his gaze downward, Bryan bit back a smile. “Heh. You’d think you’ve missed me.”
“I might’ve.” Ray looked up at him and smiled, eyes drifting to the side as he heard the faint mew. “And I’ve certainly missed you.”
The kitten purred, shifting on Bryan’s shoulder and edging down into Ray’s arms, Ray snuggling his chin into the gold and grey tabby’s fur. Lee had to shake his head as Ian hid his smile, Spencer moving away to find some drinks.
“Damn, Tala worked you over good.” Ian moved closer to Bryan, looking up at the taller, eyes narrowed. “He did it again, didn’t he?”
Bryan smacked him over the back of the head as Ray and Lee looked at Bryan curiously, the younger Russian glaring at him as he smoothed his long navy hair. Spencer returned with a pitcher and glasses, leading them into the main living area, Ray dropping onto a couch beside Bryan as Chung Hu curled up in the space between them.
Lee raised an eyebrow. “So what happened?”
“What’s it look like what happened.” Bryan narrowed his eyes. “I had a run in with my captain. Nothing more to add.”
Lee leant back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe you.”
“Not my problem.”
“Lee, just drop it.” Ian looked toward him, eyes flickering toward Bryan. “He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“What are you guys hiding?” Lee frowned, casting his gaze around the three members of the Demolition Boys. “Look, I know something’s up. Why not just tell us?”
“Because it’s none of your business.” Ian’s eyes flashed, ignoring Spencer’s look of warning. “It’s not your problem, Lee, and technically it’s not mine either, so just give it up, okay?”
“Well forgive me for making it my problem.” Lee’s pupils slitted as he growled, fangs barred. “So listen here, shrimp…”
Ray tuned out, eyes watching Bryan’s face, trying to read in what wasn’t being said. He took in the bruises, the almost empty look in the eye, the truth slowly coming to bear and the reality of it causing Ray’s stomach to turn sour.
“He raped you.” All conversation halted, Ian and Spencer looking up sharply as Lee’s eyes widened. Bryan didn’t flinch, lavender eyes sweeping around to take in the neko-jin calmly. Ray growled, his own eyes narrowing. “Didn’t he?”
Bryan held his gaze, Ray seeing the truth before Bryan looked away, breaking the spell between them.
“Shit,” Lee breathed. “Holy mother of… Damn.” He shot a look toward Spencer. “Not the first time, right?”
Spencer hesitated, then nodded, Ray feeling like water. God, not Bryan too…
“It’s really none of your business.” Bryan settled his gaze on Lee, eyes thin shards slicing into the younger. “Ray knows what Tala is like, and Spence and Ian have witnessed it. Saved my arse on a couple of occasions. You have no connection.”
“Not true. My connection is Ray.” Lee looked toward Ray, noting the paleness on the others skin. “He’s a brother. I need to know what’s going on here.”
“Tala’s a predator, Lee,” Ray said softly. “He doesn’t stop until his needs are met.”
“Which is never,” Bryan finished.
“Yeah.” Ray shivered. “Kai’s the same, only he has a bit more restraint. And Kai never attempted rape. He’d always look for consent in some form or the other, though he got really pissed off if you denied him and would guilt you into sleeping with him.”
Bryan shot a look to the side. “Deny Tala he comes after ya.”
“He does.” Ray met his eye. “He’ll even take you in your sleep. Nine times out of ten you don’t know what’s happening until it’s over. He doesn’t even care if you get hurt. If you allow him to claim you willingly, he’s gentle. But if you deny him…”
Bryan raised an eyebrow. “You should try fighting him.”
“Your face is evidence of what happens if you do.” Ray reached up, trailing his fingers over the bruises lightly. “Tala might seem like an angel… he’s not.”
“Far from it.”
For a long while there was no movement before Lee elbowed Spencer, smirking. Spencer looked down at him and returned it, Bryan and Ray catching it out of the corner of their eye and shooting glares at them, the moment broken.
“It’s getting late,” Ray observed, letting his hand drop from Bryan’s face. “We’d better be heading back.”
Bryan nodded down. “Want the cat?”
“No, he seems more content with you, but expect some more visits.” Ray stood, shooting a look to the side. “Let’s go Lee.”
Bryan stood, making his way toward the staircase, Chung Hu mewing as he realised his warmth had left him before dropping from the couch and moving toward the rug by the fire, curling up.
Ian turned toward the two remaining men as Bryan and Ray vanished. “Those two have a thing for each other, don’t they?”
Spencer nodded.
Lee sighed and shook his head, rolling his eyes. “But you should try convincing them that they do.”
| Introduction | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Epilogue |