Chapter 2

Fuji made it to the last three classes of school. He kept the phone next to him so he could feel it vibrate and answer it quickly. Outwardly, he didn't look any different, but inside he was ready to burst. He couldn't wait to get back to Tezuka. Of course, he still had to think up an appropriate 'reward'. This thought kept him occupied and his eyes from watching the clock.

Between his last class and practice, he had a chance to text Tezuka. "feeling ok? r u behaving? have reward XD"

It didn't take long to receive a reply. "ok. ready 4 reward. hurry"

Fuji chuckled. "Impatient, are we?" he thought. He texted back, "have practice. then errands. b there after." Fuji hoped that would make Tezuka groan a little. His blue eyes sparkled.

Eiji was seen running towards him, so the cell phone was put away. "Nya, Fuji, our buchou is still okay and will be back soon, right? I've told everyone what you said. Did anything else happen after we hung up?"

"He'll be just fine, Eiji. He promised he'd rest, behave, and take his medicine. Our buchou is tough. Germs can only have a hold on him for a short time."

Eiji laughed, an image in his mind of germs fleeing from the icy exterior of their captain.

With practice finally over, the tensai took a shower and headed into town. He checked his cell phone: one message. "any1 goof off? u done yet?"

Fuji's smile got bigger. "soon mitsu. 2 errands still." He went into a gift shop and purchased two small items and then into a grocery store to buy a pint of 'Prickly Pear' ice cream. Errands done and feeling playful, the tensai headed to the Tezuka residence.

"Konban wa, Tezuka-san. Is Kunimitsu feeling better? May I visit with him?" asked Fuji as the door was opened.

"Syuusuke, how sweet of you. Come in. He's upstairs in his room."

Removing his shoes and thanking Kunimitsu's mother, the tensai then walked to the bedroom. He opened the door quietly and poked his head in. "How is my favorite patient?" he said with a chuckle.

Tezuka, who was reading a book, looked up relieved. "Syuusuke, finally! It's been a dull afternoon, but I'm feeling better. How long can you stay?"

Fuji closed the door and went to sit on the bed facing Tezuka. He looked into the dark, brown eyes, noticing a few flecks of gold within the brown. As he explored deeper, he saw warmth and gentleness, the opposite of what everyone else accused him to be His heart melted. "For as long as you want. It was a long afternoon for me, too, and I couldn't wait to get back here to do this," he said tenderly as he leaned down and kissed soft, waiting lips. They moved to embrace each other and get comfortable. The kiss deepened, eliciting quiet moans from both.

"Mmm, This'll work as my reward. I'll take as much as you have," whispered Tezuka.

Fuji propped himself on his elbow and looked into his friend's eyes while tracing the outline of his pink lips. "Actually, I was going to tease you with ice cream while playing 'nurse' and pretend the cell phone danglers I bought were your reward. But, when I sat next to you, I just wanted to be in your arms. All other thoughts disappeared."

Tezuka ran his fingers through Fuji's hair and down his neck, as he said, "I'm game for anything you want to do. I need to make up for all the time you spent dropping hints and I was oblivious."

Fuji continued to gently trace the outline of Tezuka's face. "No games right now. I just want to lay here next to your warm body and taste your lips." Then with a twinkle in his eye, he continued, "Maybe later. We'll see." Bending down, he met his partner's mouth once again.

They finally separated and Fuji laid his head on his buchou's chest. Soon a short coughing fit jostled him. Before he could speak, Tezuka answered, "I'm really okay now, Syuusuke. Only the cough is left. I haven't had any more fevers or chills. Don't worry."

Fuji leaned his head back to look up and then rolled out of bed, mildly startling Tezuka. "Mitsu, I bet your throat is really sore from all that coughing. I bought you ice cream. It's a new flavor made from a cactus somewhere in the United States." He grabbed the bag and opened the carton. "Hmm, it's a little melted now, but..." he scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Tezuka's lips. "Try it."

Tezuka's eyes widened. "I'm not sure..." That was all he got out before the spoon was quickly put into his mouth.

"Like it? Ready for more?"

"It's actually pretty good. Very sweet. Did you bring another spoon?"

"Nope, just one. You're at my mercy today, remember? Open up, if you want more."

"You enjoy this kind of control, don't you?" Tezuka said mockingly, as he did as he was told. "Just wait, I'll think of some retaliation."

Fuji placed a swift kiss on the cold lips. "Looking forward to it, but don't take too long. I might have something else planned for you."

When most of the ice cream had been eaten, Fuji started shivering. He put the carton down. "The ice cream is m-making me c-cold."

Tezuka opened his arms. "Come here." The tensai snuggled in as strong arms wrapped around him. Lips nuzzled at his ear for a moment, then descended down his neck. Fuji moaned softly, "Mmm, Mitsu, I think I'm at your mercy now."

"See, revenge can be sweet," the buchou murmured, continuing to kiss the sensitive skin as he made his way back up to the tensai's now warm lips.

Both were flushed by the end of the kiss. They pulled apart slightly and looked deep into each other's eyes. "It's been a most wonderful day," Fuji said satisfyingly. "And it's ended up better than my imagination would allow."

"Does that mean my time is up?" Tezuka reluctantly asked.

The tensai looked at the clock. "I am going to have to leave soon. I left a message saying I'd be over at a friend's 'til late, but it's almost 10."

"Hmph... But you will be back?" Tezuka said hopefully.

Fuji grinned. "Most definitely. You're stuck with me for a long time. Just like a... Oh, hold on a sec," he said as he retrieved a small package from his bag. "These are the danglers I got for us. This is you, which I get to keep. And this is me. For you."

Fuji handed over a small animal on a nylon loop. Tezuka took it and looked at it quizzically. "A ferret?"

"Sure. Aren't I 'wily, innovative, tenacious, and not easily intimidated'?" he remarked as if reading a booklet. He then sat back down on the bed. "As well as very cute?"

Tezuka laughed. "I guess a ferret does suit you. I can't argue any of those points. Dare I ask what animal I am?"

"A polar bear!" exclaimed Fuji. "Cold and stern-looking, but really a cuddly ol' bear on the inside. Perfect, ne?"

"Perfect," he replied as he stroked the tensai's cheek. "And anyone who sees them won't have a clue they have a double meaning," he said wryly.

"You wound me, Mitsu. Are you trying to say you want to keep me a secret?" asked Fuji with a gleam in his eyes. "I suppose we should keep this low profile. If the regulars found out what a softy you really are, they might become too hard to control."

"Maybe. Or maybe I just want you all for myself. Sometimes, when you're involved, you look more interesting to others. And I don't want anyone else coming on to you."

"No need to worry at all, my dearest Mitsu. I'm yours and yours alone. However," Fuji sighed. "I really have to get going home. Kiss me good night?"

"With pleasure."

After the last embrace of the night, Fuji walked home slowly, feeling very content. Tezuka wrapped himself in the sheets and placed his cell phone with the ferret dangler next to his pillow, replaying the events of the day. He was amazed at how in less than twenty-four hours, an attraction that seemed so wrong, could really be right, once all masks and guards were down. His eyes focused on the dangler. "Good night Syuusuke. See you tomorrow."

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