Beyblade Fic: "Centrepiece" ~ Chapter Four
Title: Centrepiece
Chapter: Four
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 moaned softly, one hand letting go of the shirt to run through Bryan’s hair, Ray trying to keep himself on his feet as his knees threatened to buckle. God, it’s almost as if he’s sweeping me off my feet!
Ray reached up with his other hand, Bryan sliding his arm fully around Ray’s waist as they battled, breaths catching in their throats, neither gaining the upper hand. They drank each other in, Bryan still leaning against the counter as Ray stepped closer and-
They pulled back quickly at the sound of the flat door opening, Ray crossing to the cupboard as Bryan made for the fridge, the two formulating the same plan without saying a word. They glanced up as the two entered, Ray forcing a grin onto his face.
“Hey guys. Thirsty?”
Kai grunted, Tala’s blue eyes falling on Kai’s dark expression before looking toward Ray. “We could go one, thanks.”
“You just missed dinner,” Ray told them as Bryan handed him the bottle before moving to lean against the wall. “But I could make something-”
“We’ve already eaten,” Tala assured him. “They fed us well at the meeting. In between all the crap of course, not to mention calling us old fashioned and out of date.”
Bryan looked up sharply. “They called us what?”
“You heard.” Tala dropped into a chair, pointing over his shoulder. “Kai gave them a bucket load, but I’m not sure how much penetrated their thick scientific skulls. Kai wasn’t the only one either. Parker really went to town once he got going.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. Michael was always one to jump at the opportunity to abuse someone.” Ray handed Tala a drink before moving to give one to Kai. “So what made them call you old fashioned?”
“A lot of things. Mainly our blades, though. Seems they think we’re a few models behind. The new teams have some high-tech thingy.”
“XP models, no doubt.”
Tala blinked, gaze shooting toward his teammate. “Wait… you know about them?”
“Mm. I’ve done my research, Captain.” Bryan shrugged it off. “The things have their flaws. They can’t handle the power of a bit beast for one, the other being they crack under pressure. Literally.”
Ray looked at him. “So you’re saying our blades are more durable?”
“Indeed.” Lavender eyes met blue as the two Russians connected. “Old fashioned though we may be, we still have the edge. That, and we have the experience. They can call us old fashioned if they want, but when it comes down to the tie-breaker, we’ll come out on top.”
Tala smirked. “Exactly what Kai said. And come next Championship, we’ll prove it.”
“Knowing our luck, they’re probably ban bit beasts.” Ray scowled, carefully sipping his drink. “Any word on when the next Championship is?”
“None.” Tala’s ice eyes narrowed. “We asked, of course, but they were unable to give us a date. Lee reminded them that it’s been a while since the last Championship, but they just shrugged it off and went back to calling us old fashioned. I think it might have something to do with all the trouble in the past.”
Kai chuckled softly, smirking.
“So.” Tala set his glass down, eyes flicking from Ray, to Bryan, and back again. “What have you two been up too while we’ve been away?”
Ray grinned, stepping over to the fridge and throwing open the door with a flourish. “I am proud to announce we no longer have a fungus plantation within this kitchen.”
“You cleaned out the fridge?” Kai stepped across the room, bending to gaze inside. “Not bad at all. Did you do the freezer?”
“Tis part of the fridge, is it not.” Bryan’s gaze moved from Kai to the redhead standing just behind. “And Tal, next time you spill something in there, clean it up so that it doesn’t take a chainsaw to open the god damned thing.”
“I only spilt a little bit of water, that’s all.” Tala stretched, scratching the back of his neck. “I don’t know about you, Kai, but all that scientific mumbo jumbo has really drained me. I used to think Boris came out with a lot of crap, but these guys are worse.”
Bryan looked up. “That bad, huh?”
“Mm.” Moving toward the door Tala scooped up his pack. “I’m heading for my room, then I’m going to bed, okay?”
“I won’t be long behind you.” Kai watched him go, crimson gaze sweeping back toward his other flatmates and narrowing slightly. “Cleaned out the fridge, hm? What else?”
“That took a long time to do, Kai, and we did the cupboards as well.” Ray shrugged. “I finished my book, cleaned my room up a bit, as well as a few other small chores that take up a lot of time.”
Kai’s eyes flicked to the other. “What about you?”
“Apart from the cleaning?” Bryan looked up, an almost disinterested look to his eye. “Same as always.”
“Being antisocial,” Ray said with a chuckle. “He locked himself in his room and only came out for meals save for the point where we cleaned.”
“Right.” Kai turned and moved away. “See you in the morning.”
As they listened to his footsteps retreat, Bryan cast his eyes toward the neko-jin. “I think your boyfriends are suspicious.”
Ray narrowed his eyes, not saying a word as his mind raced. I’ll say.
************
Ray towelled his hair dry, smiling faintly. Tala hadn’t lied in saying he was going to his own room and going to bed, cause that was exactly what he had done. Kai had been the same, leaving Ray alone to enjoy a night knowing they were nearby but not annoying him, meaning for once Ray was not sick upon awakening.
However, though, Ray had been lonely in the darkness, and had longed to tiptoe to the room beside his and curl up beside the lavender haired teen. Ray frowned. It was hard to believe he had once feared the Russian who was now becoming one of his closest friends, and, just maybe, lover?
Ray shook his head. No, not lover. Bryan had made it clear the morning before that though they could sleep together, they must not make love. Bryan was trying to help him, protect him, from the two Ray had told himself he loved but now wasn’t so sure if he did. And, more importantly, Bryan was protecting Ray from himself.
Stepping into his room and closing the door, Ray draped the towel around his shoulders before moving to the window and pulling back the blinds. He smiled as the sunshine poured in, warming him as he let out a long breath, feeling revitalised. Yes, he had enjoyed his time apart from the others, but maybe-
He stiffened at the light touch.
“Miss me?” The other breathed in his ear. “I missed you.”
Ray forced himself to relax. “Actually, Kai, I’ve quite enjoyed not having you attached to my neck.”
“It’s not the neck I’m planning to attach myself too.” Kai smirked, hands gliding down and beneath Ray’s waistband. “Admit it, Ray. You really did miss me.”
Ray gritted his teeth as he felt Kai trail his fingers over him, Ray groaning as he felt himself involuntarily respond. “Kai…”
“I take that as a yes.” Kai’s lips muzzled Ray’s neck as he smirked. “Weren’t lonely, were you Ray?”
No, I had Bryan. “I was so busy I didn’t even notice you were gone.”
“Liar.” Kai brought his head up, nibbling gently on the point of Ray’s ear. “How about Tala? Miss him? He never stopped talking about you. He kept saying he was worried about having left you all alone with the bitchy Bryan. Bryan didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
No, I did something to him. “Kai, Bryan was too busy in his own world to do anything to me. Besides, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself you know.”
“Mm.” Kai smirked, hearing the door crack open. “I know you can take care of yourself, Ray. Never said you couldn’t.”
Ray gritted his teeth as he felt his loins burn, wishing he could make it all go away. How long did Kai intend on playing this game? Why doesn’t he just… was that a footstep? It had sounded like one. But if that was a footstep, it could only mean…
“Tala…” Ray breathed the name, sensing the presence of the other. He heard Kai chuckle faintly, Ray knowing that his guess had been correct. At some point Tala had entered the room and had been slowly approaching them.
“Did I hear my name?” The redhead joined them, trailing his fingertips over Kai’s well-formed shoulders before crystal eyes fell onto the smallest occupant of the room, smirking. “I do believe I did. Does that mean you’re glad to see me?”
Ray’s golden eyes shot toward him, the feeling of entrapment once more descending upon him as he leant back heavier against Kai’s chest for support. He longed to tell them, to scream at them to get the hell out of his life… but he knew it would only cause them to laugh. It would only make them worse.
“I think he missed you,” Kai said with a smirk. “I think he missed us both.”
“Indeed.” Tala’s gaze drifted downward, a fine eyebrow raising ever so slightly. “Well I see you have your hands full here, Hiwatari. Shall I relieve you of your current occupation?”
“Knock yourself out, Ivanov.”
Ray whimpered faintly, knowing what was next. Sure enough, Kai pulled his hand back as Tala moved to the front, slowly sinking to his knees and further loosening Ray’s sash and tugging at the fabric. Ray inhaled sharply as he felt those lips close around him with expertise, Kai once more attaching himself to Ray’s neck, leaving love bites across the tender skin.
Ray moaned softly, a dull pleasure washing over him though a small sense of dread played through his emotions as he felt Kai’s own erection pressed against his back. He was vulnerable, and Ray knew that if Kai wanted, he could take him then and… oh no.
“Need assistance, Tala?”
The other straightened, glancing up. “Just not too rough. I want my neck to stay attached, and not to mention my teeth.”
They don’t even care what I think. Bryan’s right, this is nothing more than a game to them. I can’t keep doing this… Ray groaned as he felt the penetration, Kai gripping him around the waist to hold him in place before beginning his upward movements. Now Ray was truly in the middle, Kai boring into him from behind while Tala milked him from the front.
Ray’s mind flashed back over the previous times they had done this, even rotating the positions. Ray remembered another occasion when Kai had been in the middle, but the difference to that day was that Kai had been buried inside Tala while Ray lost himself inside Kai. They had been in the shower, if he recalled correctly… or was that time one of the ones they had done it on the bed? He couldn’t remember, and to be honest, he didn’t care.
Ray threw back his head and let out a strangled sob as he came, Tala drinking him as Ray felt Kai erupt having already been highly aroused before he had begun. Instantly tired, Ray longed to curl up and let it all go away, but he knew it wouldn’t. It didn’t help that the nausea had returned in earnest either.
Tala chuckled, sitting back and looking up at them. “My, you two look exhausted. Not losing your edge, are you?”
“Yeah right.” Kai smirked. “Just you remember that it’s been a long last couple of days, Ivanov. Give me another night and I’ll get over it.”
“I’m sure you will.” Tala pushed himself up, running his fingers through Ray’s hair as his eyes met Kai’s crimson gaze. “However, you’ll have to find that night some other time. Right now, I have plans for you both.”
Ray shuddered as those icy orbs fell onto him, sending a chill through his still trembling body. He had a feeling he knew what those plans were.
************
Bryan stepped back into the flat and dumped the last bag of groceries onto the table, gaze sweeping toward the hallway as lavender eyes narrowed. He scowled, turning his back on the noise and going about putting the items into their place. He had meant to shop the day before but had gotten so deeply involved with an element of his research and that he had lost track of the time.
He shook his head sadly, before growling. Those two bastards had no mercy, no sympathy, and were so wrapped up in their own little pornographic lives to notice that the third member of their so called ‘catching-up’ sessions was wearing down to the point that Bryan was surprised Ray hadn’t collapsed on them yet.
Three days ago they had come back, and since that time Bryan had only ever seen them at meals before they headed straight back to the bedroom, dragging Ray behind them like an obedient yet abused puppy on a chain. No one deserved to be treated like that. No one!
Slamming his fist down onto the table Bryan squeezed his eyes closed, memories of his days in the Abbey bubbling back to the surface. Boris had manipulated and used them like puppets on a string, and now Kai and Tala were doing exactly that to Ray, and Bryan couldn’t do a friggin thing about it!
Gritting his teeth he forced it all aside, the impassive and cold expression once more sliding onto his face as he grabbed up another couple of cans and moved to put them in the cupboard. It didn’t help that Bryan thought he might actually be falling for the neko-jin, and had thought so for some time. No, that only made things that much more complicated.
Something about Ray had always appealed to him. Maybe it was his natural innocence. Maybe it was his foolish pride. Maybe it was his iron gut determination, or even his reckless resolve. Whatever it was, it intrigued Bryan, and it didn’t help that Ray was too drop dead gorgeous for his own good.
That was the other thing, Ray’s almost feminine beauty. This was what had drawn Tala to Ray in the first place, as it was something that the redhead shared with his fellow peer. Ray’s catlike grace was yet another drawcard, and Bryan had a feeling that this was what had caught Kai’s eye, the crimson-eyed blader having always had some degree of fascination toward the neko-jin.
In Bryan’s eyes all of the things that made Ray Ray had brought about his downfall. All those unique qualities were killing Ray slowly in the unforgiving hands of the two Russian bladers. Bryan growled. And may they burn in hell.
Hearing the sound of a door opening, Bryan glanced back and spotted a blurry-eyed Tala stepping into the kitchen. He watched as the redhead pulled open the fridge and grinned as he spotted his favourite drink, freshly purchased, and picked it up as Kai joined them.
Bryan frowned. “So where’s the third point?”
“Ray?” Tala glanced at him quickly before looking for a glass. “Not sure. He left, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago.”
Bryan raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t know where he is?”
“Not really, no.” Kai ran a hand through his hair. “Why are you asking?”
“Not like you to not know where your plaything was last seen.” Bryan shrugged, putting away the last box before gathering up all the bags. “So he just up and left ya’s, did he?”
“Mm.” Tala took a sip of his drink. “Said something about needing some fresh air and walked out. Don’t think he even grabbed a jacket or anything.”
“I see.” Bryan’s eyes narrowed. Ray was known for walking around in his sleeveless shirt in normally unbearable conditions, but it was so cold outside that even Bryan had had to grab a jacket, and Bryan was born and raised in Moscow.
Sure enough, once they had finished their drink Kai and Tala headed back to the bedroom, leaving Bryan to his thoughts. Grunting, he made his way toward Ray’s bedroom and opened the door, stepping toward the desk and scooping up the jacket that hung on the back of the chair before he made his way back out into the corridor.
There was really no debate about it: he was going after Ray. And he had a fair idea where the Tiger had gone…
************
Ray shivered, but not from the cold that bit into the exposed skin of his arms, neck and face, but rather from the despair that ate away at him from deep within, working its way through him, breaking him apart bit by bit until soon there would be nothing left but the ruins of what had once been his soul.
A cool breeze threaded its way through the trees, a child laughing as she ran after her father, arms outstretched as love shone pure in her eyes. So naïve, so pure, so innocent… all things he had once been. All things that had been taken that could never be returned.
They were merciless, so cold and seemingly uncaring. He wanted nothing more then for them to simply go away, to find some other puppet for their games. He wanted to cut his strings, to be free once more. To be able to go through his days not having to continually look behind to make sure they were not there, to keep himself from placing himself in a position of which he would be vulnerable and so easily taken.
He couldn’t remember when it had all begun changing. He remembered the beginning, remembered what they had once been like. He had been amazed at how tender and compassionate they were, marvelling at the fact that these two that everyone called so cold-hearted could be so sweet and romantic.
Tala was fond of chocolate, so Kai had bought a large block of cooking chocolate and some moulds and the three of them had gathered around the kitchen. To begin with it had all been organised, melting the chocolate and pouring it into the moulds before setting them into the fridge, but it had not remained organised for long.
Unable to contain his fetish, Tala had checked to make sure they weren’t looking before dipping his finger in the melted chocolate and sucking it off. Kai, though, had predicted this and told Ray to watch out for it, so when Tala made his move they were ready, punishing him by blocking his access to the chocolate while they made a show of eating some of it.
Ray had been enjoying this little game when Kai had pulled him to him, kissing him hard before saying something about having left the rest of the moulds in his bedroom. When Ray had turned back to Tala he had found those icy blue depths wide and watery, causing Ray to liken him to a puppy. Reminding Tala that he must not touch the chocolate, Ray had placed a bit on his tongue before moving toward the taller, kissing him and sneaking the chocolate into his mouth just as Kai returned.
For the next while Ray and Tala had continued this little game behind Kai’s back, but as Ray had discovered in the short time after first meeting his team captain, it was impossible to keep something from Kai. Soon enough Kai put two-and-two together, confronting them before chasing them both from the kitchen with a wooden spoon.
Ray smirked. He had regretted not being able to finish making the moulds, but at least it meant he and Tala had gotten out of doing the dishes. Not to mention they had stolen several cubes of the unmelted chocolate with which they had gone and sat upon Tala’s bed and slowly fed each other.
That had been roughly a week before they had first all slept together in ‘that’ way.
Ray shuddered again, regretting not having grabbed his jacket on the way out. He knew they were probably so involved with each other that they hadn’t even bothered to notice just how long he had been gone. He wondered if they had heard him at all, considering that when he had informed them that he was leaving they had been busy shoving their tongues down each other’s throats.
Yes, they had changed. Long gone were the days of romantic meals and sensual sex by candlelight. No longer did roses appear upon his pillow or ice cubes would be left to melt upon his bare chest before the water would be gently lapped away. No, those days were gone, and now were the days of rough sex without commitment, contact without consent, love in words but not in reason. He doubted he could ever get the old ways back, for this was what they were now, and nothing could ever change t-
He jumped as he felt the weight of something falling around his shoulders. Tugging at it he discovered the item to be his jacket, and looking back he met those clear lavender eyes as the other moved to come around the park bench to sit beside him. Ray pulled the jacket on, not knowing what to say yet at the same time knowing that the other did not need words.
For a long while they simply sat, Ray’s eyes staring toward the ground. He remembered how when Kai had first invited Ray to move into the flat Ray had been reluctant, knowing that Tala and Bryan already lived there. Ray had never really had a problem with Tala, but Bryan had been another matter.
Bryan was the one who had almost killed him what seemed like so long ago. They had thrown threats back and forth as they battled, Bryan almost seeming to have complete control over the situation though Ray battled on to victory despite being injured. Bryan’s infamous Stroblitz attack had afterwards been banned from the sport, though Ray had since discovered that it was barely scratching the surface of what the Russian was capable of. Not to mention Bryan had received a mountain of hate mail and death threats from Ray’s fans, some of which he had kept as they had amused him so much.
Yet as time had passed Ray had come to realise that the Bryan that he had thought he had known wasn’t Bryan at all. Yeah, Bryan might be as cold and antisocial as he came across as, but deep down a fire still burned. Ray had heard some of the tales of the Abbey from Tala, of what the monster had done to them, but somehow they had survived and maintained a hold on their true selves. And Ray really wanted to get to know the real Bryan. He just wished Bryan would let him in.
But Ray knew something else stood in his way other than the barriers Bryan had put up around himself: Kai and Tala. The two were already questioning Ray’s relationship with Bryan though nothing had really happened yet. So yeah, maybe Ray had slept with Bryan the night they had been away, and yeah, Bryan was starting to be more forward and open, but that didn’t mean anything.
Yet somehow Kai and Tala had detected a change between the two. Ray had a feeling that these last couple of days were more than just simple ‘catching-up’ time, but rather a rather pointed way of telling the lavender-haired Russian ‘he is ours, and we aren’t giving him up for anything so forget about it’.
No one had even bothered to ask Ray what he thought about it all.
Tears welled in his eyes as the heavy blanket once more descended upon him, causing him to shiver. They were smothering him, suffocating him, killing him. No matter what he did they were always there and no one could help him, not even Bryan.
Ray didn’t dare tell Lee what was happening, or Tyson. He knew that both of his good friends would probably take up weapons and lead a headhunt for the two team captains, and Ray knew without a doubt that the rest of the White Tigers as well as Michael and Steve of the All Starz would join them. And should the Majestics ever get wind…
Ray smiled faintly. Yes, his friends would be there at his back should he ever turn to them, but he knew he couldn’t. This was a battle that he must fight on his own, but the problem was he didn’t know how to fight it. They were indestructible, merciless, unforgiving… how could you fight something like that?
Leaning against Bryan Ray sighed, squeezing his eyes closed. The arm that slid around his shoulders made him feel more secure, lifting some of the weight from around him but not depleting all of it. Fighting the tears, Ray swallowed hard, watery golden eyes filled with despair looking up toward the other. “I’m not sure how much longer I can last.”
| Introduction | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Epilogue |