Hi minna!

I'm updating today because I don't know if I will be able to do so this week. I'm jam-packed with quizzes for the next two weeks and the week after that is for final exams. I'm already crying at the thought DX

I'd like to thank Ryoma'sBiased for leaving words of encouragement every now and then :) I'm glad that you are liking my updates :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, just the plot of this fanfic and the crappy names of the restaurants and additional characters xD

Enjoy!

The younger man was more shocked at the sudden jolt which made him lean a little too far back, losing his balance. Atobe, being close behind him, was instantly ready to catch the lad but the fall didn't come. The king could only frown at the sight of an arm around Ryoma's waist. He glared at its owner who, uncharacteristically, had his eyes open.

Third POV

Tezuka clenched his outstretched hand as he realized that he's a second too late to be the one who stops the boy from falling. He knows that he should be thankful for Fuji that Ryoma wasn't hurt, but he couldn't control the unknown feelings which arose from the sight in front of him. It was one thing to use your arm to prevent this mishap, but to have that firm grip on his waist and the way he pulled the shocked man towards his chest, seemingly hugging him close, was a whole other thing. It was no wonder Atobe was killing him with his eyes. Why, then, did he caught himself doing the same thing?

He knows he's attracted to the boy, that much he could admit. But it couldn't have been in that way, right? He was drawn to this younger man initially because of his voice. Then he learned about his disability and missing parents and couldn't help but be amazed at his finesse in playing the guitar and, now also, the piano and be touched by the bursting emotions in his every note. Ryoma connected with him musically more than anyone he knew. This doesn't justify the negative emotions he's feeling though. But before he could ponder more about this, the anger laced voice of Atobe brought him out of his musings.

"I think it's time you remove that hand, Fuji." His expression only supported the emotions he's feeling.

The tensai, however, was shocked. He didn't know when he actually reached out and grabbed Ryoma that way. He only remembered the surprised expression of the boy upon shaking hands with Tezuka and his almost accident. Was it on reflex? He was beside him after all. The warmth on his chest caused by another person, however, registered the king's words. So he slowly retracted his arm from the boy's waist, missing the contact. 'Missing the contact? I... like him?' Fuji closed his eyes to hide the mixed emotions he was having. It wasn't as shocking as it should be, really. Maybe the fact that he knew he was attracted to the same sex played a role in easily acknowledging his feelings. But while accepting is easy, he knew better than to invest his emotions to someone already taken. And the fact that he felt two glares a while ago made things complicated. 'To compete with someone I like for someone I also like. What a concept.' While the thought is amusing, he could only pray to the heavens for these budding feelings to stop growing. But fate, as Fuji knows it, is deaf to his prayers.

"I-I'm sorry Fuji-san. I was surprised that Tezuka-san is here and then there was this spark and I was shocked then I was falling and and-" Ryoma started bursting into words the moment Fuji let go of his hold, the blush has become a permanent resident on his face. He was so embarrassed that all these is happening on their first meeting. And then he came into a halt, looking frozen in place. 'T-then… he heard me wanting to meet him? But, it's also possible that he came in late… or not.' The boy is now panicking inside, how could he make such a fool of himself? 'All these could have been avoided if only I could see- No! Don't think that. It's not the time to blame something you cannot change.' He scolded himself for even allowing such a negative thing in his mind.

The three men became worried when Ryoma stopped his movements altogether. Fuji was about to ask what was wrong when the boy turned his body to the left, directly facing the stoic man. "T-Tezuka-san…" He seems to be looking for the right words to use. Said man was surprised to be addressed to while the other two were puzzled.

"Yes?" Tezuka answered when Ryoma didn't continue after a few seconds.

"Were you here the whole time?" The shorter man finally asked. Tezuka swore he sounded hopeful but dismissed the idea when his mind offered no reason as to why.

"Yes, since the start of your performance." He replied. Since Ryoma thinks that he's not an amazing performer, by implying that he hadn't left while he was on stage, he wishes for him to realize how great his talent is. But out of all the possible replies he thought he'd get, it wasn't a paled up Ryoma.

"So you heard." It was barely passed a whisper which made Tezuka almost missed it.

"Heard wha-" The stoic man tried to ask but Atobe had enough of all that is happening and cut him off.

"Shall we all take a seat? I believe you are tired, Ryo. And the next performer will be announced soon." The king said as he led Ryoma to his seat, which is front of Fuji. Though his voice was calm, the two producers noticed how Atobe's face showed great displeasure. The other three immediately occupied their respective places.

"Are you hungry?" While they are already used to this Atobe which only exists in the presence of Ryoma, it's still a wonder how easily his expression changes when referring to the boy. "Not really, I ate before my turn on stage." Fuji noticed how Ryoma's eyes repeatedly swipes from left to right and how his mouth opens then closes.

"Ryoma-kun, is there something you'd like to ask?" Said boy lifted his head up, Tezuka looked curiously at Fuji while Atobe is more concerned about how he addressed him. "Ah. May I call you that?" The boy nodded his head and opened his mouth to speak.

"This might be a weird thing to ask but… Have we met before?" Atobe remembered the time when Tezuka called him and asked about Ryoma. He assumed that they didn't get to talk to him but what's the basis for that question then? Fuji thought the same.

"We visited the Ethereal Bar once, so maybe that time? But, I don't recall exchanging words. If I may ask, what made you think that we've met?" That made Tezuka remember that night, he looked to the side to hide the forming blush.

"Uh. Well.. Your scents, they smell familiar." Ryoma said, blushing by the end. But as he registered Fuji's reply, he became more confused. "But, if we didn't get to talk, how…?" Fuji must have known what Ryoma wanted to ask for he smiled an amused smile. He looked at Tezuka who was still looking to the side. 'Not in a second.'

"It's because this guy, Tezuka," Fuji pointed at the said man, forgetting that Ryoma could not appreciate the gesture. The stoic man whipped his head back up upon hearing his name, not not having followed the conversation. "-is Yuuta's friend."

Ryoma leaned his head to the side looking confused then abruptly sat up straight after remembering the first time Yuuta brought his friends at the bar. "That was Tezuka-san?!" It was an unbelievable turn of event for the blind teen since Atobe had ranted a lot about his producer, especially on how cold and expressionless, albeit talented, he is. The last thing he'd expect from those tales is to meet him with tears flowing from his eyes. But then again, he learned than to judge people from what they show to others.

Atobe did not appreciate that the man beside him seemingly understood what the tensai said. This means that there's something he didn't know, and he hates not knowing specially when it concerns his Ryoma. And the fact that Tezuka's cheeks looked lightly colored intrigued him even more.

"What is it about Fuji's younger brother?" Atobe asked, addressing it to Ryoma.

Thinking nothing of it, the younger man simply stated what happened. "When I was performing in Ethereal Bar the other week, Yuuta went up to me and told me that his friend was 'dearly affected by the song and couldn't stop his tears from flowing'." Tezuka expected the look which Atobe directed at him but his concern was torn with how Yuuta worded that scenario.

"And, Fuji, you're saying that, that friend is this Tezuka?" The mocking tone in his voice was very clear for anyone to hear. While he did asked the question to the tensai, his gaze still stayed on the stoic man.

"Yes, that is what I've just said, Atobe." Fuji said, smile widening.

Atobe felt a hand looking for his and eased Ryoma some trouble by grabbing it. "You don't have to sound like that, Kei. It was a very… emotional song for me. I understand how he could have had that reaction." The king felt the other squeezed his hand in reassurance, but he felt anything but that.

"You sang that song?" Atobe asked, bewildered. The two spectators were left confused.

"Yes." Was Ryoma's short reply.

"Were you okay?" His concern showed on his face.

Ryoma smiled a serene smile, finally reassuring Atobe, before he replied the same thing.

"I didn't cry. But, I guess it's because somebody did it for me." Ryoma said as he giggled. Atobe was relieved, albeit still questioning why the bespectacled man cried; Fuji laughed with the boy; and Tezuka finally blushed in embarrassment.

That's probably my lightest ending hahahaha

Is the pacing too slow? I have a feeling that it is hahahaha Hopefully they could talk about business soon and have Tezuka fall in love deeper each day. XD

I hope you enjoyed this update :)

Don't forget to fave, follow (because we've seen how unpredictable my update schedule is XD), and review your thoughts/reactions/suggestions! :D

Ja ne!