Title: Getting There
Pairing: Tezuka/Fuji, microscopic Oishi/Eiji
Rating: PG 13
Genre: Romance/Angst/Friendship
Wordcount: 960
Warnings: Because they aren't together yet and they're already in university here, this is an AU. nods seriously (They got married in first year junior high, you see.)
Disclaimer: "Fuji Syusuke is a property of Tezuka Kunimitsu" says the mark on Fuji's back. Tezuka says Fuji was the one who stamped it. Fuji pouts at Tezuka for the harsh accusation. In fact, he asked Eiji to stamp it for him because he couldn't reach his lower back. (Byahahahaha.)
Premise: Fuji finds out from Eiji that Tezuka is in love with someone. As Tezuka's best friend, he demands his right to know. When he finally finds out, he is stunningly surprised. (University setting.)
A/N: This is the first part of my loooong fic gift to myself because I need a source of joy. I decided to post it in parts just because. It has sprinkles of Tezuka angst and Fuji angst.
Prologue
Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no control over. - Anonymous
Eiji was insistent, or so Fuji told Tezuka when the latter called and asked why Fuji hadn't gone home yet. Fuji smiled lightly as he answered Tezuka's questions patiently. Yes, he had already eaten dinner, no, he wasn't drunk, and yes, he was sure he could finish his project on time.
As Fuji ended the call, Eiji pouted, feigning hurt. "You didn't mention that you have to finish a project," Eiji pointed out. He did insist on going to Kawamura Sushi tonight, but Fuji did not oppose at all. He suspected that Fuji had conveniently forgotten about schoolwork. "Tezuka might make me run laps if you didn't finish your project on time!"
"I forgot that I need to design chairs," Fuji said flippantly. "And I don't see why Tezuka should make you run laps for that." He chuckled softly.
"Chairs?" Eiji's eyes grew large. "But aren't chairs supposed to look like…" He scanned around him and pointed to a stool in front of the sushi bar. "That?"
"Yes, but wouldn't it be fun to sit on a chair that looks like a cactus?" Fuji said, deliberately making his voice sound gentle and dreamy.
"And pricks like one?" Eiji said incredulously. "No way!"
"It was a thought." Fuji shrugged and reached for a roll of wasabi from the platter in front of him.
Eiji scrunched his nose up. "You're sure Tezuka won't make us run laps?"
Fuji swallowed the rest of his wasabi roll and pushed it down with a gulp of ricebeer. "He doesn't really make me run laps, you know."
"Really?" Eiji exclaimed. He was in disbelief, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets and his eyebrows nearly reached his forehead. "Not when you mess up your apartment? Not even when you put lots and lots and lots of wasabi on his dinner? NOT AT ALL?"
Letting out a short laugh, Fuji shook his head. "Not at all. I don't think he's as obsessive about laps as he used to be. Or maybe he thinks I'll make him pay full rent if he made me run laps." He chuckled.
"I think if I shared an apartment with Tezuka, I'd run a million laps a week." He visibly shuddered at the thought. "But I wouldn't want to share an apartment with him. It'd be too… quiet and boring." He dropped his voice and asked, "Don't you get bored?"
"He isn't really a boring person, Eiji," Fuji said cheerfully. "I always have a lot of fun teasing him."
"But he likes classical things and books and mountains and… you know, other boring things."
Fuji patted Eiji's shoulders affably. "I like those things too."
"But you're a fun person and he's not!" Eiji said matter-of-factly, making Fuji laugh. "I was really surprised when I heard that…" he raised his hand and motioned Fuji to come close.
Fuji leaned forward and listened to Eiji whisper. When Eiji was done, Fuji straightened up. A light frown marred his otherwise cheerful face. "He never mentioned."
Eiji's mouth fell open to a small 'o.' He blinked in surprise. "But he tells you everything. I thought you would know," his voice was low, apologetic.
Pausing to consider, Fuji smiled and said, "It might just be a rumor though."
"But I heard it from Oishi," Eiji went. He shrugged. "Well, not really. I overheard him – I didn't eavesdrop, okay? He was on the phone with Tezuka. I know Oishi won't tell me so I thought I'd ask you."
Quite thoughtful, Fuji pressed his lips. But he continued to smile. "I didn't notice anything like that."
"Maybe that's because you don't know the person?" Eiji suggested cautiously.
Fuji's frown deepened. "I'm sure I would know if Tezuka's – "
"Tezuka!" Eiji called, waving a hand to get Tezuka's attention. He raised his voice to drown the rest of Fuji's words.
Smile in place, cheeriness regained, Fuji turned to Tezuka and grinned. "What are you doing here, Tezuka? Want something?" He pushed the platter of assorted sushi towards Tezuka. "Ricebeer?"
"No, thank you," Tezuka said flatly as he joined Fuji and Eiji.
"What brought you here then?" Fuji asked casually. Eiji, however, noticed the deep, studying gaze that Fuji casted on Tezuka's face.
"You brought your car," Tezuka said flatly.
"Hm?" Fuji raised his brows in question. "Do you want to borrow it?" His eyes opened for a split second. A mischievous glint flashed at the corners of his eyes. "Are you going somewhere? On a bar? Like on a date?"
Tezuka glanced at Fuji as if the latter were on something. "Are you drunk?"
"No, I'm not," Fuji said quickly. His smile turned crooked with his disappointment. "So you're not going to borrow my car?"
"No. I thought you shouldn't drive when you've had alcohol," Tezuka said briefly.
"I'm not drunk. But," Fuji smiled at Tezuka, "I'm grateful of your concern. I really am glad to be your best friend." He patted Tezuka's hand.
Tezuka wrinkled his brows. He was sure he caught a bitter edge on Fuji's tone.
Fuji ignored the puzzled look Tezuka was throwing at him and finished the rest of his wasabi rolls. "Do you need a drive home, Eiji? We're going to have a guard and a driver tonight."
Eiji grinned, but he quickly averted his eyes from Tezuka. "I told Oishi that I'll wait for him here. Go ahead and finish your project."
"Good night then." Fuji waved Eiji a lighthearted goodbye and Tezuka gave Eiji a curt nod before they rose from their seats.
As he watched Tezuka and Fuji leave Kawamura Sushi, Eiji knew that Tezuka was going to have a hard time tonight. He sensed a fresh wave of determination in Fuji and Tezuka was going to be the receiving end of it.
-tbc-
A/N: Three more parts are to follow (not soon). Sake is different from ricebeer.