Disclaimer: Sadly, Tezuka, Ryoma, and Tenipuri are not mine...
Title: A Hashira One-Shots Collection
Piece #4: Choice
Summary: Echizen Nanjiroh sighed in resignation while witnessing his only son sealing the fate of the Echizens along with the Tezukas.
Note: Contains some inexplicit Nanjiroh's torture because he is Karupin's favorite yarn ball and Karupin is just too kawaii for his own good. Beta work by Susan (hugs for her).

.-.

One gaze from those steely hazel eyes nailed me solidly to the ground. One slight tug on the corner of those normally-drawn-into-a-straight-line lips was a compulsion that never failed to make me yearn for more. One low grunt of my name stirred me up in throbbing excitement. And one gentle touch on my shoulder was enough to set the course of my goal.

This is my choice: just to feel him a breath away.

.-.

Echizen Nanjiroh sighed in resignation while witnessing his only son sealing the fate of the Echizens along with the Tezukas.

Echizen Ryoma was a very hard child to begin with. He lived for and was only interested in a few things, which could pique his interest and yet at the same time could understand him in ease. The lack of intense rivalry and ability of recognition on who Echizen truly was from others, making him scoot away the first possible chance. As now, he had gotten the answer on the Brat's slightly unhealthy obsession towards someone who had ignited a brightly burning fire within him. Hence, he knew why Tezuka Kunimitsu could influence his son so much. Even more than a game called Tennis could. The brat himself might not even know how he had fallen hard for the same stoicism like his own.

The day Nanjiroh peaked from behind his newspapers, earning him a clear view of the tall brunette hovering over his son on the kitchen counter too close for the Brat's normal comfort, his stomach clenched. There was a mixture of indescribable feelings when there was only a loud clattering sound of a racquet before lying forgotten on the wooden floor. That was when they sprung apart as a discomforting realization dawned of where they where and what they had shared a moment ago.

Upon seeing the tacit acceptance flickered in both boys' eyes, Nanjiroh realized; it was already too late to remedy their mutual feelings.

There would not be sounds of children laughing jovially and snickering impishly as pranks were pulled. And, that was not an excuse to cover up his disappointment of this hollow dearth of sexy and young women under his roof. Well, perhaps it served as a part of it.

With a last puff of smoke from his burnt-out stick, the retired tennis pro averted his gaze away to another occupant on the back porch who was peacefully sleeping and curling his muzzle, hiding his true bestial wickedness which was shown mercilessly only to this poor old man.

At least this time the insolent Brat's 'choice' was clawless.

And then, there was the disturbing grin.

Ah, the prospects...

Author's Note:

For some of you who might be wondering about Nanjiroh's behaviour/thoughts, remember... even though he is a deranged pervert and not much an educating father, he's still a 'normal' parent who wishes his son's happiness above all (albeit he doesn't show it). I noticed this in him upon watching episode 25-26 in which he was relieved there was someone who could 'save' his son from Samurai Nanjiroh's shadow (wink... wink...).

Being a parent is really hard, even harder than being a brat (like me). However, no matter how hard it is, most parents always want the best for their children. That's what I want to point out in this fic. Thus, there goes the title 'Choice'. Ryoma's choice was to be with Tezuka and vice versa. Moreover, it was Nanjiroh's choice to accept Ryoma's choice. I'm happy that there was someone who could figure out 'my hidden meaning' on LJ even without my usual Author's rant (grins).

And lastly, comments and constructive critic as well as fangirling stuff about Tezuka and Ryoma are ♥ and thanks for reading..