Prince of Tennis isn't mine (but I wish it were), so put those pitchforks away. They're better used on Konomi Takeshi :3
What had first brought them together was Fuji's longing for someone who was already unreachable, untouchable. He knew that his want would end with nothing gained, so he sought someone who was vulnerable and noticed the youngest regular member of the Seigaku tennis team. Echizen would keep him occupied, and that was all the reason that he needed.
Fuji had approached Echizen two days later and the young tennis star had felt inclined to say yes, so he did. They both knew that their relationship would be self-destructive, but Fuji needed a distraction, and Echizen didn't really know exactly what he needed, but he needed.
It had started innocently enough, with the two playing a few games of tennis when they both had free time and when Echizen was feeling particularly frustrated. There wasn't much touching involved in their relationship, as the younger boy proved that he wasn't much for displays of affection when he pushed Fuji away with a scowl every time the other got a shade too serious.
Their first kiss, if one could call it that, happened two weeks later, and Echizen hadn't been expecting it. Fuji had confronted him while he was changing, and it was all push and shove and retaliate, but the third-year had the advantage and the kiss was edgy and unyielding. Fuji finally let Echizen go when he was satisfied, and Echizen pushed away from Fuji hard. There was a cut on the inside of his bottom lip, and he finished changing into his clothes hastily, tasting blood all the while. Fuji apologized the next day, a bandage above his right eye, and Echizen attacked the boy's mouth with his own in order to return the favour from the day before. Fuji welcomed the new development in their relationship with open arms.
And so it went on, meeting each other outside of school and pretending that nothing was happening.
One week later, during a tennis practice, the captain of the Seigaku tennis team seemed to be in a bad mood, and when asked why, he had ordered everyone on the courts to run laps for speaking about trivial matters. Kikumaru protested, but Tezuka didn't relent and five more laps were added to his original count. Fuji conveniently arrived at the practice after the laps were mostly finished with, and he immediately went to the captain's side, all smiles and practically glowing. Tezuka seemed to be more awkward with Fuji that day than usual, and Echizen put two and two together.
This time, it was Echizen who confronted Fuji in the locker room. He walked in, closed and locked the door, and proceeded to start a rather violent make-out session with the tensai. Echizen went home that day with a feeling of triumph.
Four weeks later, Fuji was at Echizen's house. They were in his room, Fuji sitting in a chair and Echizen on the bed. Karupin was curled up against the latter, and the tea that had been brought in earlier was getting cold. They had planned to go out to eat that afternoon, but Fuji had caught sight of their buchou and the captain from Hyoutei Gakuen walking together across the street, and his smile had faltered. Echizen had seen this, and had led Fuji back to his house.
"Saa, Echizen-"
And suddenly, the chair was knocked over and Echizen was on top of Fuji, leaning his forehead against the other's.
"Look at me," he said.
"But I am, Echizen."
"Look at me," he reiterated, gripping Fuji's wrists even tighter for emphasis. Fuji opened his eyes, seriousness and ice.
"Do you really want me to, Ryoma?"
"Yes," he answered. Eyes shut again and the moment of tension passed.
"Then I already am, aren't I?"
Ah… I don't really like what I ended up with, but… review?