Title: Drift away
Pairings: FujiRyo (hints of TezuAto and SaeYuu)
Word Count: 839
Warning: ANGST. Major OUCH angst.
Notes: For Shaz, this is her angst bunny.
Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine.

Syuusuke loved the sea. He couldn't stop taking pictures of it. Every weekend he would make the trip to the sea taking about a million pictures of it. Others considered it boring, taking the same picture over and over, but Syuusuke would always argue that none of his pictures were identical.

Each looked different because each waves were different. One picture might seem similar to another, but only eyes that were trained to catch the tiniest details would be able to see the difference straight away.

Ryoma would always complain about it, especially on the weekends when he would be at home, not away for tournaments. He would mutter under his breath about psychotic boyfriends, but he wouldn't run away. Of course, if he did try, Syuusuke would have probably catch him and put a leash on him or something. So Ryoma never tried.

The weather was cold, perfectly acceptable for mid-October. His hands were frozen stiff and he longed for his gloves, but he couldn't hold his camera steady enough with them on. Despite the conditions, he was smiling. He loved the sea.

"You're so weird." A voice came from his right. Startled, he nearly dropped his camera. He lowered the camera, looking to the source. He smiled ruefully, seeing Ryoma sitting on the railing not too far away.

"Weird? How so?"

"This little ritual." Ryoma raised his hand, gesturing the whole area. "Coming here every weekend. It's too bad you don't show this much dedication to your work. Or tennis, for that matter." Syuusuke chuckled, shaking his head.

"It's my favorite place." He said lightly, letting the camera dangle from his neck as he clasped the cold railing. "My most favorite place in the world. And I share it with you."

"Duly noted." Ryoma said dryly, rolling his eyes. "If I weren't freezing my butt off right now, I might even feel honored."

"Would you like me to warm you up?"

"Tempting, but no."

"You're no fun, Ryoma."

"You just like seeing me freeze." Ryoma accused, petulantly.

"Hmm. Maybe I do."

"Sadist."

"Oh?"

"Psycho."

"You're starting with the name-calling already?" Syuusuke asked with amusement.

"Tsch. I'm cold, bastard." Muttered Ryoma.

"Alright, alright. I'm done." Syuusuke said, putting his camera equipments away. "Let's go home and stay in bed for the whole day, shall we?"

Silence.

Syuusuke looked up, puzzled by the lack of answer. Usually Ryoma would jump at the chance or maybe make some snippy remark about how Syuusuke had a one-track mind. Their banter would usually continue. It wouldn't stall like this.

"Ryoma?" He asked carefully, wondering what was wrong with the younger man. Ryoma was still sitting on the railing, his gaze on the ground. He simply refused to look at Syuusuke. So of course, Syuusuke moved closer, worried.

"Ryoma?" He tried again.

Finally, Ryoma looked up. But there was something in his gaze that shocked Syuusuke.

"Syuusuke." Ryoma whispered. Syuusuke noted that his boyfriend's eyes looked different somehow. They didn't have that cocky glow that the tennis world was familiar with, or the little glint of mischief that his friends and family knew so well or even the soft--sometimes exasperated--look that only Syuusuke knew. They were softer and infinitely sad.

"What's wrong, Ryoma?" He asked, reaching forward, nearly touching Ryoma's cheek. Ryoma smiled ruefully.

"I can't go home with you."

"Why not?"

"I'm not really here." As soon as the words left those lips, Syuusuke's hand reached Ryoma's cheek and then he realized he was touching air.

"Ryoma?" He whispered, eyes flying open with surprise.

"Fuji?" A different, deeper voice said softly.

"Tezuka." Syuusuke froze for a moment. "Why are you here?"

The former captain stood beside him but Tezuka wasn't looking at Syuusuke. Instead, he was looking at the railing where Ryoma had been sitting earlier. There was understanding in his gaze and then endless sorrow.

"Come on Fuji, I'll take you home." He said quietly. In all of his years knowing Tezuka, Syuusuke never heard his friend speak so softly.

"But Ryoma is-" A hand rested on his shoulder, ending his sentence prematurely.

"It's getting cold, Fuji." His friend said softly, leading Syuusuke gently away from the sea, from the railing and from the last place he saw Echizen Ryoma.

"Tezu...ka?"

"Your brother panicked when he came home and you weren't there. Saeki was rather upset too, they've been looking for you since noon." Tezuka said conversationally. "Keigo's waiting for us in the car." He sighed for a moment. "You know he doesn't like to wait."

Syuusuke chuckled with amusement. "Your own fault, you know." He teased his friend gently. Tezuka finally smiled, soft and fond with just a touch of sorrow. He sighed for his friend's benefit. When Syuusuke laughed, he kept on smiling.

Echizen Ryoma was forgotten, for the time being. And then Syuusuke would remember again and he would disappear and the cycle would continue. And they would always end up here, by the sea, the place where Syuusuke used to take Ryoma during happier times.

End

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