"You have the bruises, 

then why do I feel the

 fury in my veins?"

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kai

His knuckles rapped the door twice before they were stuffed into the pocket of his jacket.

For a moment he let his eyes wander to the neon blue glow of the small screen situated just beside the door on which he had scanned the visiting card just a few moments ago.

This place was ridiculously protected.

Like the all three times security check before you reach the suites and then the mandatory visiting card that is unique for every room and can only be given by the person staying in that respective room.

Then again, its security is why it is also so expensive.

And also she seems to be at the most ease here only.

It wasn't some extravagant sign, but whenever they would have late night meetings here, she always seems to be less one edge. Her shoulders that most of the time are straight with alertness would slump just a bit, her eyes that in day always keep darting even at the slightest sound would allow themselves to be half lidded and closed here.

"Coming,"

The door clicked open and he had to look away for a bit due to the harsh fluorescent lights that suddenly lit the hall that was dull a moment ago, "Captain...?" her voice was lidded with barely restrained confusion and surprise. And so were her ocean eyes as soon as they met his carmine gaze.

Still beautiful and mysterious as ever...

He shook his head as soon as the thought materialized, remaining himself why he was here– the purpose of his visit rather than getting lost in those eyes, or the holder of them. She stood there, barefoot and beautiful, like the universe didn't dare touch her too harshly even at midnight. Her oversized shirt was knotted casually at the waist, joggers hung low on her hips, her hair pulled back into a high, effortless ponytail—messy in a way that looked intentional.

Focus Kai, damn it

"OH MY GOD, IS THAT THE GREEK GOD CAP OF YOU-"

What the-

His eyes flickered to the I-pad in her hand from where that overly enthusiastic voice had resonated before again flicking to her face which for now she had in her hand looking equally part exasperated and embarrassed, "Rehan, shut up,"

"But-"

A thump followed the interpretation with a faint 'oww'.

Another voice, of a boy still, but a bit deeper came, "You go Ahana, we will shut him up,"

"We will," a cherry female voice replied before the call was cut and the screen that was lively with colours went black.

"God, that was embarrassing, " she muttered looking exasperated but not a bit surprised, as if this was a daily occurrence. She nudged the door open with her elbow before holding the door open, "Come in, please,"

"Hmm,"

He made his way to the couch that was laid in the right corner of the hall, the one where they usually sit while discussing strategies and plans. It was almost a habit by now to be in this hall and on this couch. As soon as he sat, he noticed the guitar that sat at the dining table on the left, its strings still vibrating a little– signifying it's recent use.

I didn't know she was into music.

"Here," she said, as she kept a tray on the glass panel of the table, some water droplets splashing on the tray itself from the glass. Though while keeping it there, the sleeve of her hoodie rose a little and Kai noticed the bandages peeking beneath it.

She settled in the chair in front of him, a similar glass of water in her hand too while she sipped the liquid in it. And Kai let his gaze wander from where he have seen the bandages to her temple which had a bandage pasted and to the faint bruise under her cheekbone, "You didn't come today," he said, leaning back on the comfortable plush crossing his legs.

She looked up to him, her sapphire gaze flicking over him like she was trying to read his thoughts, and gather his intentions. Trying to know if he was really here for such a mundane topic or not. And Kai absolutely hated it– hated when she would do this– because somehow it felt like she really could do so, because when her gaze would flick over him with that much familiarity it only tightened the knot in his chest, the knot that whispers that something was wrong– that he was missing something.

Because when she would look at him attentively it really feels like his soul is bared in front of her, and she could read everything that passes by it.

"Well, as you can see," she faintly gestured to her face before dropping her hand back onto her lap, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of her joggers, "I was not in a state to function properly today without painkillers, so I took a day off, one day off in two months work, isn't bad now, is it?

"Who was it this time? A vending machine? A staircase? Yourself?" his voice was dry as ever as he huffed, running a hand through his face.

Ahana looked up at him and blinked. Once. Twice. "Do not act like I fight with people everyday, they were the ones who-" for a second hesitation flickered on her face, her jaw clenching in restrain, "they were the one's who were looking for a fight and started it, I simply responded back,"

"Yeah?"

"Yes,"

For a beat there was silence.

"So, now can we talk about the real reason you are here?"

He looked up at her, spinning the pen he had grabbed from the table in his hands while he gave her a tight smile– that basically screamed one part annoyance and one part amusement, "Why? Do there need to be a real reason for me to be here? Can't I come because as the team captain I wanted to know why our oh-so important, workaholic manager wasn't there today especially when the start of the championships is approaching fast,"

She leaned back on her chair, arms crossing and a tight smile similar to his crossing her face, the only difference being the fact that Kai can almost feel the threat in that smile– the 'I am already working on painkillers so don't bother me' threat, "Well," her voice was sardonic as she smiled sweetly, "I apologise if I accidentally mistook your intentions, your royal captainship, but I think my thoughts are valid considering I did sent you a message about me not coming today and let's be honest, you aren't the type of person to check on someone just because they didn't came for one day and especially when you have prior information about it,"

Well, she wasn't completely wrong about there being another reason.

But also, who is going to tell her that when the topic is about her... he feels his logic lacking most of the time.

Alright, I think I am actually going insane right now.

"Fine, you win," he muttered with a shrug, before he took out his phone, swiping it open and going through the messages before he found the one he was looking for. He put the phone on the table , forwarding it towards her, "You know about this?"

He watched as she grabbed his phone, her eyes going over the documents before she pursed her lips looking back at him while putting the phone down, "Soo, you got to know about it?"

"Yes," he said cooly, "Care to explain why we are going to a festival in the most important time of training?"

"Well," she started, "see, I also got to know about this today only and this is not my fault so don't even consider a murder or whatever. It was Tyson– or that's what Mr. Dickeson told me, he was dead set on going here because of some personal matters... and you know Mr. Dickenson adores Tyson, he agreed, and you know the final call is his,"

He let his head fall back on the couch headrest squinting up at the ceilings in annoyance. Of course, now a biased decision would cost them training time. Great. Absolutely splendid.

"Cap, come on, it's not that bad," she said, and though it was faint he could sense the undercurrent of tiredness in her voice, "The whole trip would be just five days, and while taking out the days we would be in flight, you all can train considering the festival is in night. And... it actually might be beneficial, considering that there are rumours that in this festival the american team is also coming. America would be the first place we have to win in for world championships, and that's why them being there and unofficial beyblade matches being held would give us a preview of what we are about to face,"

At that words, he let his eyes met hers, "So, it's about beyblade, after all,"

"What? You didn't think I would actually let you all go to a festival while the world championships are near, did you?" she said, with a genuine smile this time.

"Atleast, you didn't disappointed,"

"Is that a compliment? Did I lift up your mood?"

"Don't push your luck, Sidorov,"

"Sure, cap," she said with an eye roll, "I would send you the flight details and all, we leave day after tomorrow,"

"Hn,"

A festival.
Unofficial beyblade matches.
And their first trip with her.

This might be interesting.