Disclaimer: Not mine. Entertainment purposes only.

Author's notes: Well, this has been sitting around in my archives for over a year. Today I decided that it didn't suck THAT much, so I finished the chapter, and now I'm posting it. Meh. I haven't posted since forever, but I read regularly. As in Every Freaking Day. So if you're a published TeFu writer in here, chances are I'VE READ YOU, I just don't review (I'm sorry, I'll try to do it from now on..). Just letting you know, is all.

Warnings: I shouldn't, because if you clicked this you read the summary, but, here it goes. This is (will eventually be) Perfect Pair, meaning, smexy boy plus equally smexy boy love. Also, unannounced changes in PoV, but I think they're fairly obvious.

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"It's ok."

"No, it's not ok."

"But it will be."

"Don't lie to me."

"There's other things, you know."

"Like what?"

"A career."

"In tennis?"

"Not likely."

"..."

"It's ok."

"No, it's not ok."

Needless to say, the pattern for the conversation had already been established, from daily repetition. Fuji Syuusuke didn't find it particularly comforting, but his captain seemed to, so he complied. Tezuka Kunimitsu had always had a certain fondness towards charted territory. The unknown didn't sit well with the man-child. Syuusuke supposed that was the reason his current situation had him so upset. He wasn't surprised. Mainly, because he was never surprised, about anything. But if he ever were to be, it wouldn't be about this. Tezuka had made his whole life revolve around tennis, and now that the foundation was gone, what could the structure do, but fall apart? It was only logical. Which didn't actually make it easier to cope with.

After the injury in his left shoulder had gotten worse, Tezuka had been medically advised not to (meaning strictly forbidden) use his drop shot again. And he, who prided himself in following orders, respecting authority, and doing the sensible thing, paid no heed to said warnings.

Surgery was the result. And a rather early end of his promising tennis career.

Tezuka Kunimitsu had assured everyone that he would be fine, that he had know the day would come, and he had come to terms with it. But he hadn't expected the day to come so soon, and he hadn't really come to terms with it. Some people had cooking, basketball, acting, gardening, or the like. Some had ideals, professional goals, aspirations. Some had love and someone to share it with. He had tennis. And then, one day, he didn't. What was left?

He had no idea, and that on itself, was a scary thought.

He abandoned his musings in favor of looking at the owner of the bed he was currently occupying.

Fuji Syuusuke.

He was sitting on his desk, focusing intently on the paper he was trying to finish. It was a group project, and Fuji had decided to pair up with him only to leave him out of it when it came to the actual work. Tezuka thanked him inwardly. He was most definitely not in a productive mood. He hadn't been ever since he'd gotten out of the hospital. Fuji had certainly caught on, and had decided to spare him. But then again, if there was anyone capable of deciphering him, it was the tensai. That was the reason he hadn't even bothered hiding how he really felt about the predictable turn of events. Fuji had tried consoling, comforting, and even pitying. Tezuka just wanted to sulk. And sulk he did. In fact, he'd been doing so for the past month and a half.

At that point during his internal diatribe, Fuji sighed, pushed his chair back, and stretched his arms over his head.

"Well, all done. And, if I may say so, I think we've done a splendid job." He shifted his chair to face Tezuka and smiled at him.

"We?"

"Yes, you're collaboration was absolutely vital. I couldn't have done it without you."

"And what, exactly, did my collaboration consist in?" voiced the stoic captain, while pushing his glasses up his nose.

"You were a reminder, naturally." He said it in such a way that Tezuka was almost compelled to believe that sentence made any actual sense. Almost being the key word.

Tezuka was almost afraid to ask. Again, key word. "...Reminder?"

"Yes. That the sooner I finished, the sooner I could persuade you to accompany me do some shopping." The tensai's smile grew wider at this.

Tezuka found himself marveling at the fact that anyone would be able to guilt-trip someone into doing something, while making it seem like said someone had any choice in the matter. Such a talented boy, truly.

A throat was cleared. Tezuka registered that it hadn't been his. Common sense dictated that, "Yes, Fuji?"

"So could I?"

"Could you what?"

"Persuade you?"

Tezuka could see from Fuji's now opened eyes that he best be persuaded.

"Of course. I'll accompany you."

Fuji closed his eyes and smiled wider, if that was even humanly possible. Although Tezuka had already doubted Fuji's humanity in numerous occasions.

"Excellent!" beamed the brunette. "We should get going then. The mall's 35 minutes away walking distance."

"Will we be having lunch there as well? It's already past noon" Tezuka noted, as he took a quick glance at his wristwatch.

Fuji contemplated the proposition for a few seconds before nodding his assent, and telling Tezuka that he would quickly retrieve the money his mother had left for him, and then they could be on their way.

As Fuji disappeared through the bedroom door, Tezuka laid back on the bed to stare at the ceiling. While he was busy examining a little spider diligently construct her web on the darkest corner over the wall to wall closet, his stomach decided to make the loudest, longest growl of protest ever heard. As he inwardly thanked that Fuji wasn't presently in the room, the bespectacled boy wondered how could he have possibly gotten so hungry and not notice it, when all he had been doing all morning was brood, and occasionally (regularly), moodily stare at the back of Fuji's head as he scribbled away.

As he opened the top drawer on his mother's night table, Fuji smiled to himself, thanking whatever deity was listening that they'd made Tezuka compliant enough to go out with him and distract himself for a while, even if it was for this one afternoon. He deeply cared for his buchou, but lately, he'd almost been wanting to strangle the depression out of him. Enough was enough. He'd make sure of that, if his name wasn't Fuji Syusuke, Tensai.

A/N: That's it for now. I'll try to update soon, I promise. Reviews are more than welcomed. If you feel like dropping a line or two, do so. Also, off-topic, if anyone needs a beta, I'll offer my services.

(Hi vierblith!! You don't know me, but I know you're reading this! Just wanted to say I'm looking foward to the perfecttales posts!! I wish I'd found it sooner..)