Title: Thanks to the U.S. Open
Author: Enhael
Pairings: Thrill Pair
Disclaimer: I still don't own Prince of Tennis
Warnings: OOC, Shonen-Ai
Summary: Fuji has become a professional photographer. When he's hired to cover the U.S. Open, he runs into a few familiar faces... Thrill Pair
A/N: This is a rewrite of Return to the U.S. Open. It has the same basic plot and a lot of characters will return, but it will (hopefully) be an improvement.
KEY
"Talking"
Thoughts
Flashbacks (when centered)
Thanks to the U.S. Open:
We Were Reunited
Enhael
The second he saw his boss's smile, he knew he should have called in sick. Sure it was just a cold. Sure it wouldn't hinder his work whatsoever. Sure there was really no need to stay home. But that smile screamed "danger".
Fight or flight instincts kicked in. He turned on his heel and was about to make a run for it when his boss's voice – dangerously soft – stopped him in his tracks.
"Syusuke Fuji. Where do you think you're going?"
Fuji turned around slowly, almost nervous to face his boss. How far have I fallen? Didn't I used to be the one to strike fear into everyone's heart and mind by a mere look?
"...Home?" Even he had to admit that his attempt at faking a coughing fit was pitiful.
"Right." Her gaze was skeptical. "You'd better be healthy by tonight."
Realizing there was no way around whatever was happening tonight, Fuji scooted a pile of photographs to the side of his desk before settling himself in their former place. He may as well be comfortable while listening to tonight's activities. His boss raised an eyebrow at the empty office chair before waiting for Fuji's to prompt her.
"Why? What's going on tonight?" Fuji finally asked, pushing himself backwards a bit to make room for his crossed legs.
"Well, you know that the U.S. Open is coming up, right?" Fuji nodded slowly. "Well, you're being assigned as the official guide and photographer of a participant." She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the serenely smiling man. "I see the photography part – you're the best we have – but I don't know about the guide part. Do you even know enough about New York to show this guy around?"
"I'll be fine," Fuji assured her. "But what does that have to do with tonight?"
"We're picking the participant up from the airport at 7:30," was the curt answer. "Pick me up around 6:40, alright?"
"You're coming with?" Fuji was a bit surprised. He had been under the impression that it would be just him that night.
"Yup. I've heard he's handsome." Her devilish grin faded to a thoughtful expression. "Supposedly he has a bad attitude, though." She turned and strode to the door. She paused with her hand on the doorknob and glanced over her shoulder. "If you're late, I'll fire you."
Fuji waited until the door had closed behind her before he dropped the smile and let out a humorless chuckle. "Is that even legal?"
"So, Kathy," Fuji began.
"It's Ms. Freeweather to you, Fuji!" his boss interrupted, irritation obvious in her voice.
"Hai, hai. Sorry," Fuji apologized, accidentally slipping into his native tongue.
"English, Fuji!" she snapped, folding her arms. "And what is it?"
Fuji sighed and fiddled with some settings on his camera. Kathy had been even more irritable than usual on the drive to the airport. Apparently she wasn't about to calm down any time soon despite them arriving at the airport safe and sound. This would be a long night.
"I asked you what you wanted, Fuji," the uptight woman reminded him with a glare, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Ah, right. Who are we meeting? You never told me." He had asked the same question in the car only to receive a glare and a shaky-sounding "later" from his pale-faced boss. Apparently his "accidental" reckless driving had unsettled her. Or at least her stomach. Call it payback for the earlier threat, he thought wickedly.
"Echi-something."
Fuji froze, nearly dropping his new camera, eyes wide and smile nonexistent. No. This is bad. If it's him... I don't want to see him again. Not until I've forgotten!
"Was the name...Echizen?" Fuji knew his voice was shaking. He knew, but for once in his life, he didn't care that he was showing emotions he would rather keep hidden. "As in Ryoma Echizen?"
"Ah! That was it!" Kathy's eyes narrowed. "How did you know?"
Fuji said nothing, but began to make his way closer to the gate once more. It was an automatic action. His body was currently on autopilot as his brain was elsewhere.
He wasn't ready for this. He had spent the past six years trying to forget that day – trying to forget Echizen's reaction to those three simple words.
"I like you."
Those three simple words had earned him a single one in return. One word – only five letters – that had shattered his heart.
"Right..."
Echizen's sarcasm. The scathing look he gave him. That he had reminded him that they'd be late for practice if they didn't get a move on. That he had left immediately after the reminder.
Fuji hadn't showed up at practice for the rest of high school.
No. He refused to dwell on the past. There was no point in moping. He forced his fake smile to widen. What had happened was unfortunate but it wasn't the end of the world.
Just the end of my world.
"Fuji, get your camera ready! People are coming out of the plane!"
"R-right..." Fuji returned to fumbling with his camera, keeping one eye on the passengers emerging from the gate. He only looked up fully when Kathy squealed in a rather uncharacteristic way.
"He is handsome!"
And indeed he was.
Echizen's emerald hair was a couple of inches longer than he remembered it being in junior high. He now stood about eye level with Fuji – maybe even a centimeter or two taller. His tanned skin was unblemished and unburnt despite the many days Echizen must have practiced outside. His lips were delicate and pink and oh so desireables.
But his eyes.
There had always been a flame that burned deep inside those pools of liquid gold. Now it was more like a raging inferno of determination. And when those eyes swept regally across the terminal, Fuji couldn't help but be drawn to that fire.
Gone was the adorable middle school tennis star. Before Fuji stood a handsome young professional – one that he was sure he would fall in love with all over again.
And that scared Fuji Syusuke to no end.
Enhael's Comments:
I've decided that I'll do my best to get one chapter out every week. If that won't work out, I'll push back the time to a release every other week.
And wow, that had a businesslike tone to it ^^;;
Ja ne~!