Atobe wasn't exactly sure how to go about this, so he gathered all his albeit fake confidence and approached Tezuka. "We should go out" he said bluntly. Tezuka didn't show any outward sign of surprise but Atobe could tell he was startled. The mask that Atobe himself wore almost allowed him to read Tezuka like an open book.

Tezuka cleared his throat slightly before he said "I agree." His lack of communication skills was probably going to make this difficult and slightly awkward, but he sensed something in Atobe that drew him to the other boy. Almost as if magnetized. He knew that if he stayed with him then he would somehow fill the void within himself. He knew instinctively that they were both like a jigsaw puzzle and that they needed each other to be complete.

So they went out. The first date was largely tennis related and so was the next. The third and fourth involved more traditional things that you would do on a date and they went on from there. Tezuka was surprised to learn that there was more to Atobe than the arrogant front he put up. Atobe was equally startled to learn that the reason Tezuka didn't speak much was because he simply didn't know what to say.

The closer they got the stronger the attraction between them grew. But they never took their relationship beyond the level of friendship. Both too afraid of what would happen if they tried, but also aware that they couldn't go on like this forever. So by unspoken mutual agreement they went back to Atobe's house.

They went up to his room for something that neither of them would remember later. Atobe walked in first but, Tezuka hesitated by the door. Then their eyes met, held. Both their masks were down and everything they were feeling was written on their faces. Tezuka unsure, Atobe insecure. As if rehearsed they both walked to the middle of the room. Hearts beating, wounds bleeding. There was no fighting this attraction they felt. They kissed. Both knowing that in the other they found the pieces missing from themselves. And together they were whole.

A/N When I finished writing this I gave a big sigh of relief. This story ended up being way different from what I had originally planned and way more difficult. Writing this has made me realize how much hard work goes into a multi chapter fic and I just don't think I have the skills if this fic is any indication. So I will probably stick to one shots from now on. It's where I'm most comfortable. And I don't want to torture anybody with my horrible writing skills. But thanks to everybody who stayed with me. It has been greatly appreciated.

EmoButterfly