Author's Notes: A big thank you to my POT beta-reader May Neuma-senpai. smirks. Written for all those TezuRyo/ZukaRyo fans who seemed to disappear without a trace from this site.Are you still here?
Warning:ummm... shounen-ai and OOC.
A love affair's stained glass
The look on his face was contemplative as Tezuka was staring blankly at the wall opposite of him while the rain continued pouring. Though it wasn't the rain that made him depressed, it was more because of his thoughts on his personality.
Even though his knowledge on three languages was more than sufficient, he was never eloquent. Especially with his feelings. It made him wonder, why Echizen who sometimes wanted to hear sweet nothings from him, chose him and decided to be with him.
Except the time when he confessed to Echizen, he never said 'I love you' or 'I like you' to the boy. Even when they were lost in passion. That wasn't all of it; he also never praised Echizen apart from the boy's tennis performance during some of his matches. Furthermore, he never spoke much about how and what he felt about their relationship with his close friends much less with Echizen.
It seemed that he always found it hard to express his feelings thus sweet nothings were foreign in their relationship. And for that matter, his silence would drive Echizen away sooner or later, ruining all chances for them being together and happy.
His line of thoughts was broken when warm lips softly pressed against his cheek. He found himself staring at those amber eyes with silent inquiry.
"You zoned out so I gave you a kiss," Echizen said after abandoning his computer game.
"I'm sorry."
"What was bothering you anyway?" the boy asked with concern in his eyes.
"Nothing."
Echizen stared at him for quite a long time before he sighed in resigned manner. Then he went to stand in front of his room's rain-splattered window only to look at his bleak surroundings.
A pregnant silence ensued between them before Tezuka stood up behind Echizen.
"Why did you choose me?" he asked quietly, looking at Echizen's reflection on the window glass.
"I can't answer that," Echizen replied, "I love you because I love you."
That statement just made Tezuka feel worse because the boy always had the eloquence at the right moments. Unlike him.
Unable to stop himself, Tezuka hugged the other from behind, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For always failing to put my feelings into words."
Echizen stared quite long at their reflection before smiling and turning to look at his captain.
"I love all of you - your strengths and weaknesses. Although your words aren't sufficient, your actions and the way your eyes convey what you really feel are more than enough… always."
"Echizen…" he murmured, feeling relieved. His eyes were brimming of love that he could never express.
"Don't worry Buchou… it will always be enough for me."
Feeling no need for words, Tezuka lowered his head and conveyed his love through a passionate kiss.
END