DISCLAIMER; If I owned Prince of Tennis, a random cow would somehow show up during the match between Tezuka and Atobe.
SUMMARY; Because Tezuka couldn't love Fuji and wonder just exactly what the tensai was, at the same time.
PAIRINGS; TezukaFuji; possibly some OishiEiji (but maybe not).
GENRES; Romance; hints of Supernatural.

Hehe. Very late update, LOL. Like. Really late.

SUPERHUMAN;
finality;
x.lithiumx.lithiumx.lithium

four;

It was very rare that calm, collected Oishi lost his cool.

Yet Oishi had, and Tezuka had to admit that the vice-captain, in his own right, could be kind of scary. Not that Tezuka let any of this show on his stoic facade, of course. He had a reputation to keep up and they were amongst quite a few of their classmates in the crowded cafe.

Oishi had invited him to a cup of coffee, which wasn't unusual. Although admittedly, Tezuka had known what Oishi's intentions were from the moment he met the other boy's eyes.

They had sat across from one another and ordered. When their drinks came, Oishi quietly asked him whether he was still investigating the matter at hand. Tezuka had replied with a cold and simple yes. It was the truth, after all, and Tezuka always had prided himself on speaking the truth. Oishi had then very casually asked Tezuka whether he loved Fuji. The captain's response had been negative. After a slight pause, Tezuka had gone on to add that it didn't matter because Fuji did not love Tezuka, anway, and that Fuji was simply a creature.

That was when Oishi had slammed down the cup, startling Tezuka slightly and spilling scalding coffee on the table. With as much civilization as he could muster, the doubles player had hissed at Tezuka, "This is no creature, you're dealing with. They're not entirely human, but I'm sure you noticed the way the forest just... just hushed when they arrived at that last training session when the Regulars went camping. And the way the wind works perfectly with Fuji's counters, and the way air moulds itself around Eiji when he's playing with his acrobatics."

"They're much too intelligent to be a creature!" ranted Oishi, "They're... they're-"

"Forces of nature?" Tezuka raised an eyebrow. Oishi stared at his captain, listening without hearing the distance background chatter of the cafe. "Do I even have to tell you how stupid that idea is, Oish-"

When Eiji and Fuji suddenly appeared at their side, Oishi was quickly tugged away by Eiji as the red-head stared down at him with a sense of cold that Tezuka had enver experienced before from the normally bouncy boy.

Despite everything, Tezuka's senses delighted in Fuji's presence and he breathed in the essence of prodigy. Icy blue eyes that reminded Tezuka of the far and distant sky stared down at Tezuka as a small hand wrapped almost tenderly around the ceramic cup of Tezuka's coffee. Even the liquid in the cup seemed to delight in the prodigy's touch and Tezuka reminded himself that no one could ask nature to do his will. Not even Fuji.

"Don't forget to drink your coffee," whispered Fuji. And then he was gone, the air taking a few seconds too slow in filling the space where Fuji was, the lack of object in the area whirling in pure nothingness before air finally grasped its place.

Tezuka, despite himself, brought the cup of coffee to his lips and sipped it, only to gag on the liquid. His coffee, burning hot just a few moments ago, rushed cool as ice down his throat, choking and freezing and taking away the air in his lungs so that he couldn't breathe. Panic rushed through his veins as he struggled to breathe through the unworldly freeze of the liquid.

Just as dots of black appeared at the sides of his vision, Fuji was beside him again, one small hand placed on his chest and the warmth seeping in through his chest to allow the flow of air.

Tezuka gasped as he pressed harder against Fuji's hand, knowing very well that if he let go too soon, the freezing would come back. When it was safe enough and he could breathe properly again, Fuji removed his hand and his eyes glinted dangerously, bending down and whispering, "Don't let your guard down, Tezuka."

--

Playing tennis with Fuji in the rain was like fighting Fuji, the rain, the wind, and the ground all at once. Fuji's skills were uncompromised in the rain, while Tezuka fought the oncoming slaught of rain, wind and the slickness of the floor.

He could feel Ryuzaki-sensei's presence from the side of the court. They had started the match long after the rest of the tennis club, but their sensei always stayed behind to make sure no one snuck games on the courts without permission. Despite this, Ryuzaki did nothing to stop the match. Tezuka was sure the brilliance in Fuji had something to do with their sensei's decision.

By the time their coach left, Fuji was frowning dangerously, his blue eyes dullened. Tezuka didn't know what the score was, but he was sure Fuji was winning. When the sky was darkening and Tezuka still hadn't conceded, Fuji exploded.

Hitting the ball so hard it skid against the floor before catching Tezuka's racquet and tearing it out of the captain's hand hard enough to leave a burn, Fuji panted. The upset was easy to see in blue eyes and for the first time, Tezuka realized the puffiness in the prodigy's eyes and that the water running down Fuji's face might not be rain afterall.

"Why aren't I enough for you, Tezuka?" Fuji was trembling, and Tezuka knew it had nothing to do with the cold. "If it means so much to you, you can have it! Tear me apart and make me into everything you've ever wanted to find, Tezuka. Tell me I'm a freak and expose me to the world. Break me, Tezuka."

When Fuji had paced away and the rain had stopped, Tezuka picked up Fuji's racquet and revelled in the tingle that shot up his arm at the mere contact of something that had touched Fuji.

--

"No more. No more defining them."

Inui looked shocked and Oishi looked surprised and relieved, but it was the gratefulness in Eiji's eyes that settled Tezuka's heart the most. Fuji had stormed and raged at anyone who probed near him since their last tennis game, all the while keeping his signature smile and happy personality. How the prodigy managed to destroy people while keeping on his happy facade, Tezuka might never know.

Over the past few weeks, Tezuka couldn't help but admit that Fuji and Eiji still intrigued him. It was the text Fuji sent him that made him change his mind.

I am superhuman, so is Eiji.
Was I everything you wanted me to be, Tezuka?
Fuji.

--

Kissing Fuji in the rain was very different than the tennis game he had with Fuji in the rain. The rain was refreshingly cold and made his skin tingle pleasantly. Fuji's lips were soft and pliant and tasted like the rain. Fuji's eyes reflected the skies.

"I don't need to know what you are, just tell me who you are. Show me the real you, Fuji."

The shine in Fuji's eyes could have chased away every dark thing Tezuka had ever encountered, and it was with a gentle finality that the prodigy kissed him, his hands entwining around Tezuka's neck and his body brushing against Tezuka's own. Despite his natural curiosity as to what the energy that rushed through his skin when Fuji touched him was, Tezuka decided to focus more on Fuji's lips on his own.

"Find the real me, Tezuka."

--

Blah.

-- x.lithium;