Work Text:
1st try : Each one has priorities
Kyouya felt calm. Most people felt stressed or excited when they entered a competition. Not him. He knew his skills–he was significantly better than the average. What should he be afraid of? Despite the general delusion about the importance of this tournament for the world's fate–what nonsense–Kyouya didn't lose sight of his goal: it was a mere round of a tournament–in other words, he wouldn't face Ginga there–and crushing Ryuuga would allow him to achieve his goal–which was, as you guessed, to face Ginga.
Kyouya's heart pounded faster to the prospect of fighting his rival. That was a fight that deserved to be agitating. He was looking forward to it. He didn't know which of them would win–he had made incredible progress since their last duel, but Ginga didn't rest on his laurels–and it didn't matter much. The duel itself would be a reward. Especially since, for a moment, everything would revolve around Ginga and him.
Kyouya couldn't help but smile. Ginga was an exceptional blader, the best he'd ever met, but it wasn't only a Beyblade story. He enjoyed spending time with him, chatting with him–since when did he care about other people's ideas and opinions? He loved to listen and look at him. He loved when Ginga looked at him. When they were apart, he often found himself thinking of him.
Kyouya wasn't stupid. He knew what all this meant. Especially since Ginga was pleasant to look at with his eyes and their inflexible will–yet able of softness–, his hair of a flamboyant red and his skin that seemed so soft despite his eventful life. Kyouya found him beautiful, with his slender and agile silhouette, which did not prevent him from bringing down those who stood in his way–whether at Beyblade or not.
Kyouya was in love with Ginga, with his extraordinary principles and his optimistic attitude, despite his painful past–if Kyouya had been in his place, he would never have forgiven his father such a betrayal–Ginga with his strong character, his scathing thoughts behind his dazzling smile, his savagery that he only allowed to appear during intense Beyblade fights...
Kyouya did not intend to keep his feelings for himself. Why be in love and not tell the concerned? There was always the risk that the other didn't share his feelings, but what was life without risks?
He had a perfect plan. He would crush this insignificant Ryuuga and qualify for the final, where he and Ginga would fight in an epic duel. Kyouya would use all of Leone's skills. He would show Ginga the progress he had made since their meeting and his firm belief in the blader's spirit–this concept he had taught him. He would force Ginga to fight with all his strength, push him into his last strongholds. One of them would win–which one wasn't of major importance at the time. And after their duel–after the congratulations–Kyouya would drag Ginga aside to confess his feelings. And, hopefully, Ginga would return them.
(If not, Kyouya would react in a very dignified manner, saying he hoped to remain his rival and the whole thing, before going home at full speed and talking to his mother–or his father, if he were really sad: seeing the impressive Gaou Tategami liquefy from embarrassment because of a discussion about feelings would change his mind for sure.)
Kyouya thought it was a good sign when Ginga came to personally encourage him before her duel–his friends were also present, but Kyouya became a master at ignoring them. When Kyouya said once again he didn't care about the world's fate and he only wanted to face Ginga–how many times should he repeat himself? Ginga smiled and accepted, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He did not blame him for putting his interests ahead of the interests of many.
If he accepted his selfishness so easily, it would bode well for the future, wouldn't it? Kyouya didn't believe in all the imbecilities of the "love makes blind" style. When we loved someone, we saw him as he was.
He went off to his duel, with a light heart... and everything went wrong.
What an idiot that Ryuuga is.
2nd try : A little sensitivity
When Kyouya regained consciousness, his first thought was for Ginga's victory. He had a smile for Pegasus's blader, who had followed their advice and fought hard for victory.
His smile faded when he realized that all his carefully prepared projects had been ruined.
Pushed back, he corrected himself.
After all, he could still confess to Ginga... even if it would have far less panache than what he had planned.
Kyouya roared on the health care staff who had started harassing him as soon as he had left his room. Since this was not enough, he threatened them with his Leone and brandished his father's name, whom he would have no remorse to call. He was left alone with flat excuses and lowered glances. He didn't know what had worked and, to be honest, he didn't care.
When he was outside, he took a moment to breath the fresh air and then headed straight for Ginga, Hikaru and Tsubasa on his heels–they had just spent hours locked up in the same bey, didn't they have enough?
Ginga gave a very inspiring speech about the Beyblade's passion and the blader's spirit, to which Kyouya wholly adhered. Moreover, he let himself be carried away by the general enthusiasm and shouted with the others, keeping an eye on Ginga–always on Ginga. The blader of Pegasus, despite his sincere smile, seemed a little... off. As if he was not entirely present. Perhaps he regretted the outcome of the duel. After all, he had been forced to save Ryuuga to win. It must have been difficult to renounce this revenge he had pursued for months and months.
How does he take it so well? I would be devastating everything with Leone.
Kyouya could not help but cast a look at Ryuusei, whom he had ignored at best until now. He didn't deserve Ginga's forgiveness.
Let's forget about this loser. I need to talk to Ginga.
Kyouya got closer to his rival, sneaking between the bustling blader groups. Ginga was chatting with Kenta and Madoka. He raised his head when he saw him approaching and smiled at him. Kyouya smiled back–it was something Ginga made him want to do often, especially when he was only paying attention to himself despite the presence and closeness of his friends.
"Kyouya."
Leone's blader nodded. "Are you coming?"
Ginga seemed to light up–which Kyouya saw as an excellent sign. "Sure."
Kenta tapped his hand and Ginga lowered his head toward him. Kyouya couldn't hold back a disappointed pout. "I'm sure Pegasus will be fine."
"Thank you."
Ginga joined Kyouya and they departed from the gathering. Kyouya was unable to drive out of his mind the exchange that his rival had had with Kenta. Pegasus had waged a difficult battle. It was normal he needed repairs. But this deep sadness in Ginga's gaze... He hadn't dreamed it, had he?
"Is there a problem with Pegasus?"
Ginga looked at him with surprise and then his expression filled with sadness. He raised his head to the sky. "Pegasus. He gave a lot in this fight," he explained, his throat tight. "He went back to the stars to recharge his batteries. He'll come back when he's better... maybe."
Kyouya stared at his rival, who was looking for his teammate in the sky, without hoping to find him.
Finally, the information reached Kyouya's brain.
Eh!!!!
Ginga Hagane had just learned his father was alive–the bastard–that he was losing Pegasus? He had to grieve for the only one who had accompanied him through difficult times, the only one who knew him and accepted him completely? Couldn't he be spared two minutes?
Ginga bowed his head toward him.
"Did you want to tell me something?"
"... nothing."
He wasn't the kind of loser who took advantage of such a weakness. He loved the field perks, but for Beybattles. Not for real life. Ginga must have felt so alone–had he not told him a blader was not alone as long as he had his bey? Confessing his feelings now would be setting a trap for him.
When he gets Pegasus back, Kyouya promised himself.
Because he was certain Ginga would get his bey back. If anyone could, it was him.
3rd try : …or later?
"Are you serious?" shouted Kyouya.
"Yes," sighed Gaou, who seemed to regret having started the subject.
Kyouya didn't care. He was so enthusiastic he felt like he was vibrating. A Beyblade World Championship? He would never have dreamed of it.
He and his father were in their kitchen, around the dinner. The house seemed empty since Kakeru and their mother had gone to the United States–not definitively, despite Gaou's defeatist attitude.
"I learn it from the WBBA itself."
Who would have thought these incompetents could do something interesting? After all, the Battle Bladers–the most interesting tournament ever held–was Daidouji's idea.
Pff. What a shame this guy did more for Beyblade than the World Beyblade Association.
"That's great. That's just so great. I'm going to compete with bladers from all over the world. And Ginga!"
What would be more incredible than defeating his rival on the world stage? This was a challenge worthy of them! Except...
Kyouya frowned. How could he and Ginga battle? He didn't know the details yet, but a world tournament probably involved national divisions.
"And how will it go?"
"In teams. Each country represented will have between three and four bladers."
"I see."
Kyouya didn't like the idea of working in team. He would have to find competent and–above all–determined bladers. The only one who seemed up to him was Ginga–had he not been bored to death before meeting him?–but he was also the only one he wanted to fight. He didn't see the point of a tournament where he could not battle him.
Kyouya was going to do a lot of research. These World Championships required a whole organization. Above all, he had to find a country that would accept his candidacy despite his nationality. It wasn't going to be easy, but Kyouya was sure he"d find it.
"Do you have any other information?"
"I don't."
This somewhat dampened his enthusiasm. He pouted.
"But I can ask."
"Great!"
Kyouya resumed his meal with enthusiasm. This project was worthy of him. He was eager to start.
It would delay his plan to confess to Ginga. Well. It didn't matter. A Beyblade world tournament was a top priority and he knew Ginga would feel the same way. They were bladers of the same caliber. As long as there was such an issue, they would not worry about anything else. They would have plenty of time to think and talk about feelings later.
4th try: Where even beys conspire against him
The World Championships were endend, the Spiral Energy was destroyed and the Dr. Ziggurat was stopped. (The WBBA had acted more as an obstacle than a helper in this story, proving that the World Championships were the exception in the history of their mediocrity.) Anyway. Everything was going well, especially since Ginga was stuck in Bey-City by the time Pegasus got fixed. Kyouya would know where to find him. He intended to challenge him as soon as his bey was fixed. He still had a few details to work out, but it would be spectacular. Worthy of their rivalry's story.
And, inwardly, he admitted putting so much energy into their duel's planifications partly because of his feelings for Ginga.
…
Okay. Mostly. When he challenged other bladers, he just provoked them and battled them right away. He didn't declare fiery speeches and didn't follow an entire, carefully planned staging. He didn't devote one hundredth of his efforts to them for Ginga. He even dedicated a special blow to his rival: the King Lion Reverse Wind Strike. He only used this move against him, and the only time he broke that rule was to be able to join Ginga as soon as possible. As soon as he stopped fighting those other bladers, he forgot them, whereas Ginga...
Kyouya's heart jumped. Ginga was his rival, the only blader he wanted to defeat. He was also the boy he loved.
Kyouya intended to tell him. He planned everything–as for their future duel. He and Ginga fought an incredible battle, and Kyouya won. Since his friends would certainly be in the area–they didn't understand the notion of personal space any more than Benkei did–he would take him away and declare his feelings to him. And Ginga would return them to him. And they would go out together.
(Normally. If Ginga was really in love with him. Otherwise... Stop! Kyouya wouldn't think about that possibility. Nope. It was useless. He would see when the time came. To fear it in advance was completely stupid.)
(Besides, who else could Ginga have feelings for? He had too much common sense to romantically clutter up with one of his friends. Kyouya had no competition between the weak-minded, the cowards, the incompetent and the deluded.)
(What if he didn't love him anyway?)
(What if he was aromantic?)
"Stop it," he ordered himself.
He wasn't the type to worry and he wouldn't start now. He was Kyouya Tategami!
He had it all figured out.
Everything was going to go perfectly.
It turned out that Leone–his Leone, his lifelong teammate–and Pegasus chose this duel to evolve. A story of star fragments, selected bladers and the god of destruction resurrected. And of course Ginga had embarked on a quest to gather the "legendary bladers" and fight this god.
Kyouya was beginning to think he was cursed.
5th try : Almost
Kyouya was unable to fight–his dear Leone was far too damaged to even be launched–but his spirit was intact. And as long as he had it, he wasn't helpless.
He saw Ginga, still standing, ready to attack again despite his injuries. He was determined to fight Nemesis to the end. Kyouya's heart swelled with affection. Here was the Ginga Hagane he knew–and loved–ready to take on any challenge, without worrying about the odds.
Kyouya wouldn't let him fight alone.
"Wait Ginga!"
His rival immediately turned to him, as if he were not about to face a god. "Huh, Kyouya."
"Well, if you really are gonna go... Take the spirit of the Lion with you!"
"Ah, Kyouya?"
"You know, when I first ran into you, I learned all about the humiliation of defeat. Since then I've been honing my skills with the thought of defeating you as my one and only goal. I don't really want to admit it, but you are the reason I am who I am today."
"Kyouya..." Ginga's voice was overwhelmed by emotion. His eyes were shining, perhaps a little too bright given the darkness. They seemed filled with tears. He was keeping his eyes on Kyouya.
Kyouya opened his lips... and Kenta chimed in. Ginga turned to his friend. He seemed touched by his words, but less moved. Kyouya felt a hint of annoyance but he drove it away. If he had been free to continue his speech, he would certainly have confessed his feelings. It wasn't the time or the place. And, if being in the center of attention didn't bother him, he had no desire to declare himself in front of an entire audience.
Focus on what's important now.
His feelings could wait.
Kyouya stood up. "The truth is you've always been the center of this group Ginga, so then we will give them to you, our Face's spirits."
I love you, Ginga.
The confession
Ginga glanced at his rival. Kyouya was looking with interest at the items displayed in a window display. He was staying in town until Madoka would fix his bey–like all the legendary bladers. Ginga had been happy to hear it: they didn't spend enough time together to his liking.
He had took the opportunity to suggest to Kyouya to walk with him–with great nervousness, both dreading and hoping for his answer. Kyouya had agreed, and here they were walking the streets of Bey-City, just the two of them, as if it were a date.
(If Ginga had to be honest, that was sort of what he had in mind when he had invited Kyouya.)
They spent the afternoon wandering around, stopped at a restaurant for dinner–without having to spend a yen surprisingly–and resumed their walk. They barely spoke. It was magical.
Ginga eventually led Kyouya to the canal's banks. It was the only place in the city where the stars seemed so close. He loved it.
He and Kyouya sat in the grass under the starry sky. The calm waters of the canal reflected the stars and gave the impression they surrounded them. Ginga stole a glance at his rival. On one hand, he hoped this moment would never end, but on the other hand, he knew he had to end it himself.
His heart was racing. He was tempted to get up and disappear in the night. Except it would be unworthy of Kyouya's rival, the one who had so profoundly changed his life...
Ginga shook his hands against each other.
If what he said that day is true... he thought, remembering what Kyouya had told him, on the day of Nemesis's defeat, when the world was collapsing around them. His eyes so serene, so confident.
Ginga swept that thought away. Of course Kyouya had told the truth. He was not a liar.
It was up to him to do the last step.
"Kyouya?"
Kyouya bowed his head towards him. Despite the low light, his eyes were still bright and intense.
Ginga's bowels closed in on themselves. He was very nervous. Perhaps he could push back this moment...
No.
"I love you," he let go before he changed his mind.
He held his breath. Kyouya's eyes slightly rounded, betraying his surprise, then a smile drew with hesitation on his lips. Ginga sighed and began to breathe again. Reassured, his heart slowed down...
But Kyouya's expression suddenly closed. Ginga felt his heart slipped. He began to wave his hands. "It doesn't matter! We don't have to date or change anything! Everything can stay the same."
Please, let everything stays the same.
Please don't start hating me.
What was wrong with him? He should have kept it to himself. Shut up. He ruined everything and why? Because he had it all wrong.
"Don't you want to go out with me?" asked Kyouya, puzzled.
"I do," murmured Ginga, looking down, because he was unable to lie to him.
Kyouya took his hand and looked at the stars again. Ginga froze. He dared not move an eyelash. From Kyouya, that was like a love's confession, right?
He resumed to observe his profile. Kyouya seemed serene again. His annoyance had entirely disappeared.
Ginga risked putting his head on Kyouya's shoulder. His body relaxed when he wasn't pushed back.
"What bothered you if it wasn't my confession?"
Kyouya wrinkled his nose. "I've been trying to tell you how I feel for a while."
"A while?"
"More than three years," he clarified reluctantly.
Oh. Oh.
"What happened?"
Kyouya gave him an accusatory look. "You keep saving the world."
Ginga offered him an apology smile. "It ends well."
"If you say so," Kyouya grumbled.
Ginga hold back a laugh. He cuddled against Kyouya and savored his closeness.