AN: hello. this is my second prince of tennis fic. And again, the star is Eiji. My first was "Gilded" and now this one is another eiji centric fiasco. This one I think is not as good so far. But whatever. This is also another rare pairing. As "Gilded" was Eiji/Inui this one is... ok I have it planned as Eiji/Atobe... ducks from tomatos

Warnings: This is boys love and strong language... oh and some OOC sadly. particularly this 1st chapter. i got review saying bad Tezuka. I know that already --

Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis. But I sure do love it!

Chapter 1

It wasn't as if he thought twice about it then. At the time it was just what normal boys his age, 13, did. It was normal for boys to engage in this activity. Wathching porn together. Comparing. "Racing". Sometimes helping. As long as they didn't make eye contact it was ok. He'd hung around with Oishi and Arai and many of the other tennis team members. And he'd often compete in their games and it was fun. Nothing was too awkward about the situation.

But then he grew up. Eiji Kikumaru was no longer 13, 14, or even 15 for that matter. He was 16 years old and awkward and aware. He looked back at his past and blushed. It wasn't like it wasn't normal what they did. In fact, it was just a part of growing up. But it was the very normalcy of it that made Eiji uneasy. He was different now. He was no longer a part of this boy society.

There was only one rule to the games. Don't make eye contact. But Eiji knew that if it were today, he would.

And that was the gist of it. Eiji Kikumaru was gay…

Kunimitsu Tezuka pinched the bridge of his nose as if trying to block out the words Eiji was telling him.

"And you're telling me this because…?" Tezuka asked.

"Because it's been bothering me and I had to tell someone—" Eiji proclaimed.

"You couldn't tell Oishi?"

"Err, I couldn't. Not after… he wouldn't look at me the same way," Eiji fumed.

Shuuichiro Oishi was Eiji's best friend for a long time. But that was part of what made him untrustworthy. Eiji had spent many nights at Oishi's and was really close to him. He didn't want to jeopardize that.

"Or Fuji?"

"No! no way! You don't know what he would do with THAT kind of information," Eiji paled.

Shuusuke Fuji was another of Eiji's closest friends. But he was also a known sadist. Tezuka could sympathize with Eiji's reluctance to tell the tensai.

"Then… then why me?"

Tezuka didn't really have to ask. He knew why before Eiji even said it.

"Because… you're gay too."

Which was obviously true. He and Ryoma Echizen had been dating steadily since the ex Seigaku Jr High captain had entered high school. When everyone found out nobody really made any big deal about it at all. So Tezuka didn't understand Eiji's alarm.

"Well, they've accepted me and Echizen. I'm sure they would definitely—"

"Tezuka! It's not the same! Arai and the others… well, we didn't do these things with you cos you were… well YOU but—"

Tezuka's eyes widened, well… as wide as tezuka eyes would get… "I'm me?"

"That's not the point!" Eiji blushed. "Arai and the others would flip. Not to mention they wouldn't feel comfortable… I mean—" Eiji paused and Tezuka raised his hand to urge him to stop.

"Ok, I get it. Well, Echizen and I are still treated the same. I'm sure no matter what things you and the other guys did won't bother them at all if they're your real friends. You act like me and Echizen are the only gay teenagers in high school tennis. I tell you, we're not."

"You're not?" Eiji asked, this time his eyes widened.

Tezuka shook his head. "Sure. You're surely dense for someone to claim to be so aware of his sexuality."

"Well you don't have to tease me. I never knew, that's all," Eiji retorted, ignoring the fact that Tezuka had actually teased him.

But Eiji was intrigued. Other tennis players who also were gay? Eiji's mind began to wander. Who could it be. Maybe Fudomine's Shinji Ibu. He was cute. Maybe he was gay too. Eiji chuckled to himself at the thought.

"Err, like who?" Eiji asked.

Tezuka shrugged, "Are we done yet? Cos It's my job to lock up the clubhouse now and you're holding me up."

Eiji nodded and stepped aside. But Tezuka's comment on other gay tennis players lingered in his mind.

When Eiji exited the club room after talking with Tezuka, he was greeted by Fuji's smiling face.

"Nya hey, Fuji," Eiji said, surprised to see him still there. "Did you wait up for me?"

Fuji nodded, "Yeah. Remember you promised to buy me a spicy bread since I helped you with you math studies."

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot," Eiji said waving his hand apologetically. "Where did you want to go?"

"The place on the corner is fine," Fuji assured his best friend.

Just then Tezuka exited and locked up the clubhouse. Since he was vice captain of the high school team, that was his duty.

"Hey Kunimitsu," Fuji called. "Want to get something to eat? Eiji's treating!"

"F,fuji!" Eiji gasped. "I don't have that much money, you know."

Tezuka looked at his classmates and shook his head. "No thank you. I have a previous engagement," he apologized before turning to walk in the opposite direction.

Eiji and Fuji began to walk to the bread shop on the corner near their school. It was a small family owned establishment but the Seigaku High School students really loved their treats. After school many of the students would stop by on their way home. Eiji and Fuji were no exception. Especially since Fuji had a slight addiction to the spicy bread they served.

As they walked to the establishment, shoulder to shoulder, the sun was already going down, as the practice had run a little long. And on top of that, Eiji had decided to pull Tezuka aside for a chat. Fuji, being who he was, was extremely curious as to the topic of that conference. He voiced his curiosity.

"Err… nothing really. I was just talking about not playing doubles, is all," Eiji replied with a small blush.

"Hmmm, that would be a real loss if you didn't," Fuji mused. But the tone of his voice hinted to Eiji that the genius didn't really believe the excuse.

"Oh and speaking of doubles, Oishi was looking for you!"

"He was?"

"Yeah, he said Arai had a new video he wanted to show you."

Eiji almost choked on the air. The nerve of those guys, talking about a thing like that in front of Fuji of all people.

"It's a shame," Fuji sighed. "You guys never invite me to your movie nights."

"Eheheh, I barely even go anymore either. It's just a few people from tennis club. Arai uhm… Satou. You know. Those guys."

"Ah, the shady type. Who thought you and Oishi would get so close to them," Fuji smiled.

"Eh, they're pretty cool once you get to know them," assured Eiji. "Oh uh here we are!"

They had reached the bakery and, apply to distract Fuji from the subject, Eiji held the door open for his shorter friend. He didn't want Fuji getting any funny ideas. And he especially didn't want to lead the other boy to know his secret. Well, on that he's gay, and two about the one who he had a crush on.

Maybe he wouldn't have minded hanging out with Oishi and them so much after all. He could keep the eye contact rule fine enough, he figured. But no… HE had to be there. He didn't know what it was about the other boy that attracted him so much. But it was there plain as day. Eiji was gay and he liked Arai Masashi.

"Which one are you getting?" Fuji asked, cutting through the acrobat's thoughts.

"Hm? Oh uh red bean," Eiji beamed.

The baker placed both of the boy's choices in the bag and then Eiji paid the total. Fuji picked up the bag and, reaching inside, pulled out his piece of spicy bread. He smiled as he took a nice bite

"Thanks Eiji," Fuji said as they left the shop.

"Hehe, no problem. I got an A on my test so I'm happy!" Eiji exclaimed. Eiji reached into the white paper bag and pulled out his own treat.

"Well, as I was saying before," Fuji continued, on the same conversation as before. "You don't have to be so secretive of me."

"What?" Eiji asked, mouth full of bread.

"Well, I know what you guys used to do there. Whatever. I have a little brother you know." Fuji beamed.

Eiji flushed and the brown haired Fuji continued.

"And I know you're been avoiding hanging out with them for a while now. Care to shed some light on that?"

Eiji just continued munching away on the bread so again Fuji continued,

"Ok well, I know about that too then. You. Like. Arai."

Eiji almost chocked on his bread but managed to stop himself from dying.

"fufufu," Eiji laughed. "Don't worry. I won't judge you. But you sure know how to pick em!"

"Nya! Don't tease me, Fujiko!" Eiji blushed. "That's supposed to be a secret!"

Eiji knew how well Fuji was at reading people, but he couldn't help but wonder if he were really that transparent.

to be continued...