Disclaimer: The family name is derived from the genus Aster and refers to the star-shaped flower head of its members, epitomized well with the daisy.

Notes: What if I just change this to '100 flower challenge' revolving around TezuFuji stories? I seemed to be writing more about TezuFuji anyway. I thank Little Hana for the idea. I am borrowing her idea after all.

Everlasting Flower
Death of Hope

Tezuka ran after him, rushing down the halls. Fuji was several feet in front of him, but Tezuka noticed Fuji had started to slow down.

Tezuka could feel his body protesting each movement. His lungs felt like they had been dipped in wild fire. The muscles in his legs felt a lot like Jell-o, and it was all he could do to keep from falling over.

A small drop of sweat escaped his brow and spilled leisurely down his forehead. Just when he had all about given up, Tezuka saw Fuji stop. At the very end of the hallway, Fuji had faltered. He was leaning against the wall; hand on his chest, quickly trying to catch his breath.

Even from where Tezuka stood, Fuji looked too far away. Tezuka's eyes played tricks on him; making the hallway shift around him. But he refused to give up.

He was so close.

Against Tezuka's body's protests, he charged ahead—adding even more speed the legs that threatened to give out. Nothing mattered if he didn't catch Fuji.

For once in a very long time, Tezuka was in luck. He reached him before Fuji had regained his composure and Tezuka refused to let him get away. Placing his hands on his knees, Tezuka could barely stand up. His lungs were disintegrating. He had almost started hyperventilating in pursuit of him; but Tezuka caught him.

Fuji seemed to recognize his position, because even though Tezuka was in no state to continue the chase, Fuji didn't take advantage and run.

"Why are you chasing me?" He finally asked after taking several moments of watching Tezuka.

"Why?" Tezuka asked back demandingly. "It's because you were running away."

"You didn't have to chase me." Fuji looked away, his face still flushed.

"You didn't have to run." Tezuka retorted. Despite the situation, a small smile danced across Fuji's lips.

Just for a second.

Fuji had always found Tezuka's stubbornness entertaining. Tezuka glared at him, having finally regained the ability to breathe and stand upright. "Why were you running?" he asked again.

"Why were you chasing?" he asked back.

"Fuji," Tezuka said firmly. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Fuji; defying him to avoid the topic again. In response, Fuji sighed heavily and slipped against the wall.

"I don't want to face you."

"Why not?" he demanded his voice sounding harsher than he'd intended. Fuji flinched slightly in reaction—as if he had been slapped across the face. His eyes meeting the ground, he refused to look at Tezuka.

"Can we just forget about this?" He asked pitifully, hoping it was just that simple.

"No." Tezuka said firmly.

He finally looked at Tezuka; his sapphire eyes meeting Tezuka's amber orbs.

"Why not?" Fuji challenged.

"I want to know the truth," Tezuka insisted.

"Being...?" Fuji asked, repelling.

"You tell me."

Fuji stared. After a beat, he asked, "Tell you what?"

Tezuka restrained to roll his eyes and sighed in disgust.

It was never going to work.

They were both masters at hiding how they felt and avoiding conversations about their emotions.

Beating around the bush would get them nowhere.

Tezuka decided to cut to the chase.

"How long have you loved me?"

Fuji froze. Tezuka heart skipped a beat as he watched him. Fuji had no great poker face when it came to masking surprises.

He quickly attempted to recover, but he knew Tezuka had seen him slip. Sighing heavily, Fuji pushed against the wall with his hands to stand erect. Locking eyes with Tezuka, they both stood in a shroud of silence. When he finally replied, his voice was quiet.

"I don't remember." he responded.

It was a romantic move-like response. Tezuka almost felt as if he was on set of a feature film. Only there were no blaring lights; no decorative decor; no artificial noises coming from off-camera; everything was real.

Fuji took a step closer to Tezuka. He tried to react, but Tezuka's shoes were hot glue gunned to the floor. He couldn't move a single muscle; all he could do was stare at Fuji, vulnerable to his every motion.

Fuji eventually made a move. Reaching out his hand, he pressed his hand and caressed Tezuka's face. A small smile tugged at the edge of his lips, but Tezuka could tell it was forced.

He looked more heartbroken than anything. Without another word, Fuji stepped around Tezuka and continued back the way he'd chased him. Only this time, he wasn't running.

After Fuji had moved a few feet, Tezuka regained control of his motor skills. Spinning around quickly, he called after Fuji from down the hall.

"What if I love you, too?" he demanded. Fuji faltered in his step, but he didn't turn to face Tezuka. Blinking back tears to keep his vision clear, he pressed on. "What then?"

Finally Fuji turned. He replayed the same lost, forced smile. Pain reflected off his eyes as he watched Tezuka.

"Say that to me after you've broken up with him," He replied softly. He turned again and continued walking.

Tezuka knew then that this was definitely no movie set. The guy doesn't always get the other guy; the movie doesn't always end on a kiss; and love doesn't always conquer all.

Everlasting Flower
"At your wish I will go away, to forget you never."