I Know You
Written by: Skaey
Dedicated to:N.A and M.P.
A/N: Sorry for the really late update, it's been years, but I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive this lame author who has no other reason to give you readers but that, I've been lost and is still continuing to find myself.
Summary: Atobe made a mistake once. Ryoma has always forgiven him. But Ryoma is reminded what broke them before again.
Part Two: Figures of Reality
"There is a price to pay for every action done."
"Ryoma," Keigo calls sweetly, as he watches his lover drown in his king size bed half naked. "It's breakfast time, Ryoma," The older of two murmurs, brushing the younger one's bangs away from his eyes.
Beautiful, Atobe Keigo thinks, as Ryoma sleepily opens his eyes. It is like watching the sunrise, the latter compares.
"Keigooo," The dark shade of emerald green mop of hair ducks under the covers more, his whine being cut short. "Still early."
A chuckle emits from the older one, "it is not early for anything, love."
--
"Up so early?" Tezuka asks, although not really expecting an answer as he settles himself and readies a cup of tea.
Ryoma just nods, glad that it was his buchou who had awoken first and not the blue-eyed tensai.
I do not expect answers.
The brown haired man eyes his junior with sharp, wanting to perceive any hint of emotion, considering his badly state the night before.
"I am fine, buchou," Ryoma clarifies, wiping his sweaty face with a towel.
He had been running, Tezuka notes to himself.
Do not worry.
Warm chocolate orbs meet with golden poles.
"If you are sure."
It is five in the morning and the sun is about to rise.
Five in the morning and Echizen Ryoma is up, even with the knowledge that he was never really an early riser.
It is, once again, five in the morning, and Ryoma can only think of Atobe Keigo.
--
"Well, good morning to you too, neko-chan," Fuji greets as he pulls up a chair in the bistro Ryoma.
"Syuusuke," Ryoma says, taking another sip from his glass of Ponta. Across him, Tezuka takes in his tea, nodding to Fuji's appearance.
"My, my," The tensai hums, "you have an hour before your match, Ryoma-chan, don't you think you should be warming up by now?"
I refuse to see him.
"Do not hide, Ryoma," Tezuka comments, making Ryoma feel the need to leave more. In a minute, the younger professional player stands abruptly and takes his leave indeed.
"How direct, Kunimitsu," Fuji states quietly, as he gently holds his camera.
"It was needed."
I will lend you my strength once more if you need it.
--
"We're in finals, buchou," Ryoma scoffs at the typical scene unfolding upon them. It was no use to worry about it, they had faced this phase before again and again.
"Do not get careless," The bespectacled player reminds.
--
It is the night before the match and Ryoma is back again playing where they had all started, the courts in the street.
--
"I'll stay with until you get you sick of me," Keigo teases as he wraps his arms around Ryoma's waist.
They had just finished playing tennis and now lay on the courts, watching the stars above them.
"Then that would be a very long time," Ryoma tells his boyfriend, snuggling even closer.
--
Smash.
Another perfect serve.
Whack.
Beautiful toss.
He must get some rest, Ryoma thinks, but not bothering to stop himself.
He needed a distraction.
Seeing Keigo today wasn't as easy he wished it to be.
--
"Ryoma," Atobe smiles briefly as he bumps into him.
"Atobe-san," The reply is cold and his face is aloof, it made Keigo's heart sadden at the harsh treatment.
"How did your match go?" It was the only question he could think of at the moment.
He wanted to at least spend one more moment with his ex, who was his first and last love.
"Nothing worth watching," The smaller one says frankly, "I'm playing buchou in the finals."
He couldn't help himself, Keigo was his bestfriend. He knew everything about him.
"Tezuka? As expected." Atobe would still cringe at times hearing Ryoma call Tezuka, buchou. It meant a lot to him when they were still together, it sometimes made him think that his boyfriend was in love with his captain!
But what use was it know reminiscing all these?
"Mada mada, da ne."
And once again, Atobe watches Ryoma walks away, reminding himself again that he was the fault to their split.
--
Crack.
His strings broke.
The owner sighs and heads to his bag, grabbing another spare racket of his. He walks toward the base line and positions himself –
"Your form is off."
He drops his ball and turns to the intruding voice.
And underneath the shadows shows up Atobe Keigo, the man Ryoma had never expected to run into again.
He ignores him, like he has for the last several years.
Why now.
"Can we talk?"
It was a desperate call, but it was most needed.
Ryoma throws the ball up in the air.
"Please."
His elbows are bent on the right angle and readies him.
It will be a long night.
--
"Why the huge grin, Atobe?" Fuji questions with hidden amazement. The view from the top balcony was splendid, it gave them more privilege to watch the main court.
"Let me bet on Ryoma, Fuji."
Fuji's eyes snap open at what he was told, sharply turning head towards the other man.
"Let me take him again."
--
The game was another extraordinary one worth watching. All their matches were always highly exciting.
Smiling brightly, and genuine, Ryoma shakes Tezuka's hand.
"Congratulations, Ryoma."
I mean it both ways.
"Arigatou, Kunimitsu."
--
"You've given him up?"
Tezuka smiles softly.
"I already lost him a long time ago, his heart never left Atobe's."
--
Later that evening, Atobe fumbles as he patiently waits outside with his limo.
A figure walks to him and smirks.
"Stop fidgeting, monkey king."
Atobe at once stops and grins widely before he takes the younger man into his arms.
--
"If I lose my path, wait for me here, in this little park of ours.
If I lose my way, stay with me here, and take me back into the world of ours.
If I lose my eyes, -"
Ryoma looks up.
That was Keigo's promise to him long ago, his poem had even won an award during their high school days.
"I will be your eyes when you cannot see."
Instantly, he ran to Atobe Keigo's embracing arms, the place where he felt most safe at.
He never really lost his love for the man, he had just waited for him.
Because in the end, he knew.
He knew Keigo would come back to him.
End
A/N: I know it's a bit rushed, and really not like the other chapter. But do tell me what you guys think.
I just feel really depressed, my whole bag (which was my mother's and designer's) which consisted of my iPhone, my other Sony phone and wallet was stolen and so, you might be seeing a few more stories or new chapters from me.
Skaey
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