Beyblade Fic: "Centrepiece" ~ Chapter Eleven
Title: Centrepiece
Chapter: Eleven
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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Ray followed his teammates and friends into the meeting room, finding an oval table around which most of the others were already gathered. He had to smile as Lee made b-line for the seat beside Spencer that the elder seemed to have saved, Ray spotting the almost smirk on Bryan’s lips as he saw it also.
Ray frowned as the others took their seats, Ray realising that the organisers had misjudged the seating though Johnny, Emily and Ian had not yet arrived. Thinking for a moment, a smile played across Ray’s lips as he stepped around the table and proceeded to drop into Bryan’s lap.
Bryan looked down at him. “Your manners are impeccable, Kitten.”
“You honestly think I’d sit on the floor?” Ray looked back at him, a sly grin on his lips. “Besides, you’re a friend, and friends are meant to be exploited.”
Lee snorted. “So that’s what I’ve been doing wrong.”
Ray gave him the finger, Spencer looking up. “You’re a bad influence on him, Falcon.”
Bryan shrugged, leaning back in seat and running a hand through his hair. “Gotta leave my mark on the world somehow.”
Enrique chuckled. “Hard to believe you two used to hate each other.”
“Who said we ever hated each other?” Ray shot a look over his shoulder. “Just that in the dish there are no friends.”
“I think he was referring to the fact I nearly killed you, Kon. And that you very near returned the favour.”
“So we have our moments.” Ray shrugged it off. “Gotta admit I whooped your arse bad.”
“One more comment like that and you will be on the floor.” Lavender eyes narrowed. “Polishing my shoes at that.”
“Yeah right.” Ray leant back against his chest, eyes wide and innocent. “You could never do that to me.”
Bryan raised an eyebrow. “Got news for ya, Ray. Cute routine don’t work on me.” He pointed toward Tala. “Blame him for that.”
“Heh.” Ray smiled easily. “We’ll see if it works or not. Though I bet you like it rough.” He wriggled, causing Bryan to growl.
“Do that again and you’ll find yourself out the window, Kon.” Bryan glared down at him, eyes narrowing further as he spotted Spencer and Lee hiding their smirks behind their hands. He chose to ignore it.
Again Ray shrugged it off, looking up as Ian and Emily entered together, deep in conversation and making Ray wonder if maybe there was something going on between the two. He was about to comment on this to Bryan when Johnny arrived, a dark look on his face as he made his way pointedly toward Robert.
It was not long afterward that the meeting began, Ray sighing as the host began explaining the rules that Ray knew back to front, hearing Bryan mutter something under his breath as they listed off the banned move list that included the ‘Stroblitz’.
As the meeting continued Ray slid further back against Bryan’s chest, settling himself in the elder’s lap and resting his head back against his shoulder. Bryan unconsciously slid an arm around Ray’s middle, resting his chin on the top of Ray’s head as he frowned toward the host. To anyone looking they could have been mistaken for a couple, and many were looking.
As the meeting ended and the host walked out, Kevin snorted. “Well if that ain’t the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard.”
“I’ll agree with you on that one.” Ian looked around the table. “Anyone else here get bored out of their skull?”
“I think we all did,” Tyson growled.
Ray smiled. “Well, at least they didn’t try and ban bit beasts.”
“They do that and they’ll be hearing from me.” Johnny growled, drumming his fingers on the top of the table. “I’m just glad they didn’t try and shove us in the Juvenile division.”
Ray glanced back. “Hope you weren’t thinking they’d un-ban the Stroblitz.”
“No.” Bryan scowled. “Woulda been nice, though.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t tried to ban you, Bryan.” Ian smirked. “You’re the one who causes all the trouble.”
Bryan gestured down the table. “If you want trouble, talk to Granger. He specialises in it.”
“He sure does.” Max tossed Tyson a grin as the other glared at him. “Come on, Ty. You’ve got to admit he as a point there.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever.”
Mariah yawned and stretched. “These meetings really take it out of you. As soon as I get home I’m going straight to bed.”
Kevin smirked.
“Ian.” Bryan looked toward his teammate. “What’s the deal with you and the geek girl?”
Emily pushed herself up. “Listen, arsehole, I have a good mind too-”
Steve reached out and grabbed her arm. “Easy, Em. Let’s try not to fight this time.”
“Emily and I have a date if you must know, Mr Nosy.” Ian glared at Bryan. “At least I can admit I like someone, unlike some people.”
Ray leant back against Bryan’s chest, lowering his voice so only the lavender haired Russian could hear. “Why do I feel as if that was directed at us?”
“Probably because it was.” Bryan narrowed his eyes. “Don’t worry. He’ll pay for it later.”
“Good.” Ray smiled. “I’ll have to come watch.”
Ray slid from Bryan’s lap and stood, stretching as the others began to go about leaving. Bryan rubbed his legs. “I think me legs are asleep.”
Ray glared down at him. “I’m not that heavy.”
“Wanna bet?”
Ray turned his back on him. “I’m not talking to you.”
“Fine.” Bryan smirked, eyes drifting downward. “I don’t mind. It’s a pretty good view when you don’t.”
Ray swung around and went to smack him over the head, Bryan laughing as he blocked it easily. Ray tried hard not to smile but lost the battle, shaking his head before turning and moving toward Lee as Bryan stood and made for Spencer, neither noticing that their little game had been observed.
************
Damn, could these things get more boring?
Bryan growled as he opened the back door to Spencer’s place, closing it behind him and rubbing his eyes. He had to smile as he heard the distant meow, remembering he had locked the kitten in his room before he had left.
Stepping into the hallway he slowed as he spotted the front door ajar, remembering that Spencer had told him that he was going to pick up some groceries on the way back, meaning that Bryan should have gotten home well before him.
“Ian? What have I told you about closing the door?”
“Ian’s not here.”
Bryan stiffened as he heard the voice, turning and spotting those clear blue eyes, icy cold as they bore into him. “What do you want?”
“Not much.” Bryan swung around as the other stepped into view, crimson eyes burning as he tapped the crowbar against the palm of a gloved hand. “Just a little chat.”
~~~~*~~~~
“Man that was boring.” Ray sighed, dropping onto Lee’s bed as his friend joined him. “I swear these meetings are getting worse.”
“I don’t think you minded that much.” Lee smirked. “You looked pretty comfortable from where I was sitting.”
Ray felt his face warm as he averted his eyes. “So tell me everything about you and Spencer.”
“What’s to tell?” Lee sighed, closing his eyes. “We’ve been going together ‘officially’ for about four months. Before that you could say we were going out, but we didn’t really class ourselves as a couple.”
“I see.” Ray raised an eyebrow. “You told me you two weren’t good friends.”
“We’re not ‘good’ friends.” Lee shrugged. “Like I said, we’re friends.”
“Boyfriends.”
“Still friends.”
“You can be so frustrating at times.” Ray sighed, shaking his head as a smile played across his lips. “Have you ever…”
Lee crossed his arms over his chest. “Have I ever what?”
“Have you and Spencer ever actually… you know, done it?”
“You mean gone all the way?” Lee shrugged. “Yeah, a few times. We try not to overdo it.”
Ray looked at him. “Not overdo it?”
“Like you overdid it with Kai and Tala. Keep screwing them and you eventually get sick of them.” He paused. “Not that I call what Spencer and I have done ‘screwing’.”
Ray had to smile. “You class it as making love.”
Lee shrugged it off, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Pretty much.”
“I’ve got to ask.” Ray leant forward. “Spencer’s a lot… taller than you are. I mean, standing next to him I feel like a midget and-”
“Just say it, Ray. How big is his dick?” Lee chuckled. “That’s always the thing, isn’t it?”
Ray felt his cheeks warm. “Sometimes.”
“Hn.” Lee bit back a grin. “It’s a bit bigger than what they consider average but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Does it hurt?”
“It always hurts, no matter how big it is.” Lee shrugged it off. “I have trouble swallowing him though I can make it if I try. That will probably give you a fair idea. Nevertheless we go easy.”
“Ah.” Ray rubbed the back of his neck. “Kai’s average. Tala, believe it or not, is smaller than average.”
Lee burst out laughing. “Bullshit!”
“I kid you not.” Ray grinned. “You’d think with all the testosterone he’d be huge, but he isn’t. He doesn’t seem to care, though. What he lacks in size he makes up for in ego. Not to mention both he and Kai were good in bed to begin with.” Ray glanced to the side. “God, I’m glad Mariah’s not in here, otherwise we’d be hearing all about Kevin.”
“Ugh, Ray!” Lee winced, shuddering at the thought before he looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Ever wondered about Bryan?”
“Eh…” Ray tried to keep his face impassive. “Not really.”
Lee blinked, seeing through the mask. “Waaait a minute. You know what Bryan is, don’t you?” Ray looked aside, a grin playing across Lee’s lips. “You have slept with him. When?”
Ray bit his lip, knowing he’d never hear the end of it but knowing Lee would badger him until he got an answer. “Remember that meeting of the team captains a while back?” Lee nodded. “Well, both Tala and Kai went and I… got lonely.”
Lee let out a disbelieving laugh. “This is just great. Damn you guys are good actors. Never would have guessed. Spencer is gonna love hearing this.” Leaning forward, Lee poked Ray in the chest. “Well? How big?”
“You’re obsessed.” Ray sighed, shaking his head before he smiled. “Bryan’s… perfect.”
“You may not realise it, my friend, but you have it bad.” Lee straightened, letting out a long breath. “Ray, admit it, you are head over heals for Bryan.”
“I am not!” Ray glared at him. “Didn’t see me drooling today, did you?”
“Maybe not, but I did see some flirting.” Lee smirked. “From both parties, I must add.”
“Bryan was not flirting.”
“Looked like he was to me.”
“Lee, you’re just an arrogant…” Ray’s voice trailed off as his eyes lost focus, Lee frowning.
“Ray?” No reply. “Ray? Ray, what is it?”
“It’s… cold.” Ray shivered. “Something’s wrong, Lee. Something is very wrong.”
************
“I swear you use me, Spence.” Ian shifted his hold on the bag, glancing over his shoulder. “Just because I happened to be walking passed didn’t mean I wanted to help you with the shopping.”
“’Twas convenient.” Spencer closed the door with his foot, arms more heavily loaded than his companions.
“Yeah, I’ll bet. I reckon you…” Ian frowned as he set the groceries down, taking in the mess, the bloodstains. “Spencer!”
Spencer set his own armful down, gazing around him as the blood drained from his face. Swallowing hard, he made for the stairway. “Bryan!”
“Spence, did you lock the door?” Ian’s gaze took in the open front doorway before he turned, frowning as he caught something out the corner of his eye. The phone receiver lay abandoned, the cord torn from the wall, Ian moving further into the lounge before his eyes widened, breaths becoming panicked. “Oh shit. Oh shit. Spencer. Spencer!”
~~~~*~~~~
“So you have no idea what’s wrong?”
Ray shook his head, shivering as he held himself. “I wish… I knew. All I know is I’m cold. And… I feel sick.”
“You did just lose your dinner.” Kevin leant forward from where he knelt before where Ray sat on the couch. “Maybe you should go to the doctors. I could take you-”
“No, I’m… it’s not that.” Ray frowned. “It’s not me. It’s… something else.”
They looked up as the phone rang, Lee sliding from his perch on the arm of a chair to get it, the others watching him go.
Max cocked his head to the side. “Maybe you’re just picking up some bad vibes or something. I remember reading somewhere that sometimes when something happens its possible for some people in-tune to vibes to sense it from the opposite side of the world.”
Tyson shot him a look. “Where did you read that?”
“One of Mum’s books. I think.” Max frowned. “Actually, I can’t really remember.”
Ray had to smile. “Thanks guys. You’re probably right, Max. It’s probably nothi-”
“Ray!” They looked up as Lee tore into the room, eyes wide. “Grab a jacket, we’re going.”
Ray blinked, panic rising up inside him. “Lee? What is it? Who was that?”
“Spencer.” Lee swallowed hard. “I told him we’d meet him at the hospital.”
“The hospital?” Ray straightened as dread settled into the pit of his stomach. “Bryan.”
Lee nodded. “They found him in the living room. Someone broke into their house. Spence says he’s in bad shape. We’ve got to go. Now.”
Ray was already running for the bedroom.
~~~~*~~~~
The drive to the hospital was painstakingly long, and when they arrived they made straight for the emergency ward. Ian looked up as they approached, the usual cocky smirk that had become a Demolition Boy trademark nowhere to be seen, instead replaced with a seriousness that added years to the young man’s features.
“He’s in surgery,” Ian told them, leading them along the corridor. “They almost lost him on the way over here. What they’ve told us so far is that he has multiple skull fractures, and that one of his ribs has pierced a lung. Most of his limbs are fractured though one leg is completely shattered. His face was such a mess I barely recognised him.”
Lee swore, rubbing his eyes. “And things were just starting to go right.”
“They were never going right.” Ray closed his eyes, fighting the tears and hating how he could get so emotional so easily. “Things haven’t been right for a long time. I doubt they will ever be right again.”
Lee and Ian looked at him, neither replying as they rounded another corner, Spencer looking up as they approached. The elder was sombre, nodding his greeting before turning his attention back to the police officer and answering a question.
The officer looked up as he finished recording Spencer’s answer. “Friends or family?”
“Friends.” Lee glanced quickly at Spencer before returning his attention to the officer. “Can you tell us anything?”
“I am not at liberty to say anything, but I can tell you he was struck several times with a blunt instrument. From what we see the attack was a deliberate act rather than the victim stumbling across a burglar.”
“There would have to have been two or more,” Ian told him. “Bryan’s a fighter. He can easily defend himself against a sole armed attacker. If there were more than two they would be able to get around his defences.”
Ray bit his lip. “Do you know if he was raped?”
The officer looked up sharply, frowning before checking his notes. “He was not, no. Why is that you ask?”
“Curiosity.”
“I see.” The officer looked up. “Does the victim have any enemies?”
“Several,” Ian answered. “Some from his childhood, some from recent times, and some are simply just obsessed fans of rival teams and competitors in our sport.”
“Can you narrow it down?”
Ian shook his head. “No.”
“Yes.” They turned toward Ray as he frowned thoughtfully. “You can narrow it to two.”
“Ray.” Lee frowned. “How can you be sure? Ian just said-”
“I know what Ian just said.” Ray squeezed his eyes closed, mind buzzing. “Think about it. They were already pissed at him and one of them has already attacked him. And just you remember what happened today at the meeting. They were there, Lee. There is no way they could not have seen.”
Ian looked up. “I’m with Ray on this one, guys. It makes perfect sense.”
“You say he has been attacked in the past?” The officer frowned. “Do you have names of the two suspects?”
Ray nodded. “Kai Hiwatari and Tala Ivanov.”
| Introduction | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Epilogue |