One Year In Four
oOo
Disclaimer: me no richie therefore PoT me no ownie. Mou, I wish I could be adopted by Konomi-sensei or by the animators…
Warnings: yaoi, lemon… OOCness, presence of OCs…
Pairings: TeFu (I'm loyal and biased… they're the epitome of love)
Summary: Fuji and Tezuka had a rift. They both think they moved on. Then comes Fuji's twenty-fourth birthday (sixth, actually) and he invites the old team over. The past resurfaces, should they seize it or leave it? nya, this is a leap year gift to our favorite tensai from our favorite buchou. Enjoy:3 (third settlement based on Fallen Angel and A Fine Week.)
a/n: then, we get to the drama… But I think this chappie is rather different from what you would have expected… I hope it's not too sappy that you'd stick to your seats while reading. :3 This is where the plot finally takes a first turn! ENJOY:3 ur, you really scare me… you read really, really, really fast… Arigatou gozaimasu:3
Happy Birthday, Inui!!! (June 3)
One year in four calendar: Feb 15, 2008
damncritic – hoi! Hoi! Fuji wasn't tactless like sam milby and Fuji is a loooooot more beautiful. –fangirl high-pitched laugh-
yoshikochan – Yanada is going away… but because I'm so evil, he's not going to cause as much drama as you imagined.
PyroSyren – I don't enjoy fics with them having SMish scenes, because it just doesn't fit but, yes, I'll read it sometime. Oh, so true, Tezuka can't hurt a hair on Fuji's skin!!! –hugs Tezuka- and, thank you:3 Actually, naughty team, very nosy and Fuji won't mind, I'm sure. Actually, Fuji accidentally - ur… Fuji has a fragile heart. Will he let Tezuka mend it? Aww…
xoHakugei – uhm, that's fine if you have no sympathy to neither Honda nor Yanada. You share everyone's opinion there… as for Tezuka, I hope he grows on you again beginning from this chappie, ne?
Teh Little One – you make me happy, too:3 but I can't constantly update starting next week due to school stuff which sucks almost as much as Yanada. As for Tezuka equals love… I'd like to say, TeFu equals lots and lots of love! Ü and I hope you read the prequels of this fic –laughs, advertising mode-
Ketchup for Blood – oh, so sorry to have caused confusion. Haha. Now you hate Yanada… but I'll be more fair with him now. :3
Miji-Chuu – yeah, sneaking is all right. If you say so. Kidding! But you didn't answer my question, why you think this is like crack…
forbiddenstars – nyars, thank you… and here's the update, nya:3 thanks for reading this fic! Hope you read the prequels! –advertising mode-
luvcloud307 – so agree, WTF!!! But there's more on Yanada… now, if you read this chappie, you won't die…
Chrono Breaker – let's give each of the whole team a hug!!! –hug!- steel pipe is good, for Yanada, nya. But not anymore, not really… Yeps, Honda is still just annoying at the moment but she'll go beotchy, I swear… oh, I'd like to make this chappie even sweeter, ne?
Thin-K – woot, I hated Yanada as well. And I too wish Fuji could have said that. I just realized that it fitted after I typed the chappie. I KNOW, you really gotta love Tezuka, faults and all. :3 those two together is soooon, very soon. :3 very, very soon. :3
maldita08 – hoi! Hoi! That was sam milby's. I just realized that it fitted right after I typed. Tezuka punching Yanada square in the face… I dunno. Depends on what Fuji will say. :3 as for Yanada and Honda volting in, no, I don't think so… The world is already too evil as it is. Dense people, I soooo agree. But not for long. :3 As for Endless Dream, yeps, I've read it and it's really nice. The other two –searching, searching- Word Association is fun:3 but I didn't read the Last Shine. It's a deathfic, isn't it? I can't read deathfics. Not that I don't want to… I just CAN'T when it comes to Fuji and Tezuka. Read 'Forever and a Day?' just found it, it's really fluffy…
wirbelwind – yeah, whack Yanada in the head for the sixth chappie!!! Go! I'm glad that you think Tezuka is growing more on you every chapter. I really wanted to make it that way… for us to love Tezuka, faults and all. :3 just like Fuji does. :3
bLoodY vEngEfUl sOul - see? I knew you'd laugh. –lol- and, yes, it really fitted, ne? I could try to kill both Yanada and Honda with bazookas, but I guess I'll be more lenient with Yanada. :3
lammieee – I'm sure that you'll wither and die just as you said if you missed this chappie… so I know that you're reading this one, too! Yes, I love Tezuka particularly in this fic. I mean, he really wants to prove that he is worth Fuji's love, ne? –goes giddy- although, yes, I'm super biased as well. -.-" –hugs you for the flying kiss-
okinneko – Yanada is a real jerk, true –nod, nod- Fuji is, of course, capable of protecting himself. Tezuka is soooo aw, ne? Hmm, Tezuka will confess soon. Very, very soon. A lot of fire and affection – I like that:3 as for school, I do hope it won't kill me. But I'll try to survive, I need you, too! And my daily doses of TeFu!
sheyryoma – nya, no one beats Tezuka! NO ONE:3 After all, he is the perfect Tezuka Kunimitsu! Of course, nothing defeats chocolate on a Valentine's Day (belated even), ne? Woosh! I didn't realize that the Tezuka-Fuji scene was similar to Eli-Jackie scene… come to think of it, YEAH!!! And Tezuka was drunk, too. And they were both in denial, worrying about what each other felt. :3 you really make me happy… I mean, Maging Sino Ka Man is like one of the best dramas that the Philippines ever produced and I love it and I'm just sooooo happy! –hugs ate- and of course the line is jb's… :3
cassie – actually, I realized that it wasn't really short… The fifth chappie was just longer than normal or I had longer answer to reviews –sweatdrop- Yanada will go to hell in a moment, well not really... Yes, pictures!!! –hugs Fuji- you don't have to tell Tezuka to get Fuji back, though, because he will. –laughs- like now. Yes, NOW!!!
oOo
Chapter Seven
Watching his feet, Fuji took a key from his pocket and slipped it through the keyhole. He came to talk to Yanada, to make things clear and to return the key. No, he didn't come to prove his love; he didn't think it would be fair for both him and Yanada. He couldn't fake what he didn't feel and he didn't think he could fool himself anymore.
Wearing a faint smile, he entered the apartment and headed to the bedroom, where Yanada would usually be working on some article for the magazine. Fuji inhaled deeply, clearing his thoughts, and pushed the door ajar. "Rei – " Fuji's voice faded as the picture before him registered in his brain.
Clasping his hands together, Fuji stared. Under the sheets was Yanada crouched on the bed. A woman's arms were wrapped around Yanada's back. Fuji bit his lip, seeing Yanada and the woman stark naked and sharing an intense kiss. Shutting his eyes, Fuji pulled himself together. Cautiously, mutely, he shut the door.
Feeling lightheaded, Fuji left the key near the telephone and walked out of the dwelling, without taking a glance behind him.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu, two-year Wimbledon champion has now come back to visit Japan…" the late night news reporter's voice trailed on.
Yanada glanced at Fuji, who was busily shuffling the photos for the next issue of the magazine they worked for. "Why did you two break up?" he asked.
Fuji stopped neither his work nor his smile. "He fell in love with Honda-san."
"Do you still love him?" asked Yanada, who was wearing a genial smile.
The blue-eyed man didn't answer.
China clanked against the table as Yanada set down his coffee cup. "Fuji," started Yanada in a low, gentle voice, "You do know that I love you…" The other man said nothing. "I know that I can't be like Tezuka Kunimitsu… but maybe you can try loving me and forgetting him?"
Breathing heavily, Fuji fixed his gaze at the ground. He did try… because Yanada had been a nice person, Yanada had been a good friend and a reliable coworker, Yanada had been easy-going, light-hearted and amusing at times. But one couldn't dictate love. That emotion always came unbidden.
He could feel neither hate nor anger toward Yanada at all because he knew that he himself hadn't been exactly faithful. He couldn't blame Yanada for finding somebody else because he had been looking at Tezuka's way all along. In the first place, he came to see Yanada to end things between them.
Very early that morning, Fuji realized the truth about his feelings – just when Tezuka asked him why he wouldn't sleep with Yanada. Seeing the hazy brown eyes, Fuji knew that the answer was right in front of him. After six years, he was still waiting for Tezuka to come back. After six years, his heart still refused to settle for anyone less than Tezuka.
Digging his fingers deep into his pocket, Fuji sighed. He had been hurt immensely by Tezuka's leaving. But he still wanted to take the chance to tell Tezuka that he still loved the former buchou. He was aware of Honda, of course, but recently Fuji noted the clouds in the amber eyes. What his mind could decipher, his heart could understand: there was something terribly amiss between Tezuka and Honda. All Fuji wanted to do was fulfill his promise – to take Tezuka back if Honda caused sadness, if and only if Tezuka was willing to be taken away from Honda.
Fuji stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the dark and heavy clouds. A heavy drop of rain fell against his cheeks and he let the pouring come. If Tezuka refused to come back, Fuji would be fine. At least he tried.
oOo
"Me – Honda," said Tezuka in cold, abrupt voice. He gritted his teeth as he pressed his phone against his ears. "Why can't you just leave me be?"
"Iie," came the stubborn answer from the other end of the line. "I love you, you know that. And I am not giving you back to him."
Tezuka pursed his lips together. Talking to Honda had always been futile, she just never wanted to let go. She persistently held on to Tezuka, choking the man to the point of indifference. But she disregarded everything about the break-up and acted like they were still in love.
"I'll be arriving in Japan tomorrow. Meet me," came Honda's cheerful voice.
An ache was building in Tezuka's head. "No," he said sternly. He couldn't risk being seen near Honda anymore because that would mean letting Fuji slip away from him whereas his heart had been pining for Fuji all along…
"Kuni – "
The rest of Honda's words were drowned by the soft humming of the busy line. Tezuka wouldn't take anymore.
Worriedly, Tezuka looked out through the window. A torrid rain was pouring outside. He strolled to the living room where his old teammates were playing poker. "Fuji hasn't come back yet," he said pointedly.
"That's right," said Eiji, squinting at his cards. "Hoi! Hoi! I'm going to win this round!"
Scowling, Tezuka turned to his heels and headed for the door, grabbing an umbrella on his way.
Splattering against puddles of water, Tezuka wondered where Fuji had set off to. Fuji had left right after lunch, without sharing his whereabouts. But Tezuka had set his mind; he wasn't going to leave things in a clutter. He was going to find Fuji. He was going to tell Fuji everything, beginning from what he knew of Yanada to his love for Fuji. Whatever the consequences maybe, he couldn't turn his back on Fuji. Never again.
"Tezuka," came a surprised mellow voice.
Lifting his head, Tezuka nodded in acknowledgment of the blue-eyed man. He held out his umbrella in mute offering, but Fuji shook his head.
"Saa… I'm all soaked," said Fuji placidly, looking down at his drenched coat. "I don't think an umbrella would be helpful."
Ignoring the remark, Tezuka walked to Fuji and held the umbrella over their heads so that they trotted abreast each other, hearing only the thump-thump of their shoes against the wet ground.
The couple of blocks' walk had been short and silent as Tezuka looked ahead and did not say anything. The rain was making him feel cold inside and out. He wanted to hold the man beside him for warmth and yet he couldn't budge an inch.
As they set foot on the doorstep, Tezuka heard Fuji murmur to himself, "Saa… I really need a bath." Fuji tilted his head, wearing that unreadable smile. "Tezuka?"
"Hn?"
"Why did you look for me? Was there something you needed?" asked Fuji, still wearing his usual smile.
Watching Fuji's countenance, Tezuka nodded.
"Could it wait?" asked Fuji thoughtfully. He grinned, causing Tezuka's stomach to tighten. "I really should bathe first."
"Ahh," was the vague sound of agreement. Silently, Tezuka watched Fuji's back as the tensai dashed up the stairs. Fuji always tried to make things look easy. Slowly, Tezuka trailed behind. But to Tezuka, things were more difficult. Should he move back, stay away and stop himself before he could hurt Fuji again?
Hearing the splashes of running water from the bathroom, Tezuka settled himself on the edge of the bed. He took a leather-bound photo album - one of the three stacks on the bedside table - and scanned the pictures. Furrowing his brows, Tezuka pressed his lips. After such a long time, could Fuji still forgive him? Or had Fuji forgotten the things they shared six years ago? Tezuka's heart cringed at the thought. Surely, surely these pictures meant something?
"I see you've found my collection." Fuji's light voice streamed in to the bedroom. Fuji was smiling affably as he emerged from the bathroom, clad in a loose white shirt and a pair of shorts.
"I didn't see you in Wimbledon," said Tezuka pointedly. He could feel the warmth emanating from Fuji as the latter sat beside him.
"Would that have mattered?" asked Fuji quietly. He took the album from Tezuka and his smile broadened as he traced a finger down the page. "Of course you remember that you said I could take your pictures in Wimbledon?" He chuckled softly and continued, "You also gave me permission to take your pictures on your climb to Everest."
Tezuka's heart toppled over as he saw the sincere smile on Fuji's lips, but his eyes softened at the vestige of sadness in the teal eyes. Couldn't he touch Fuji for just a split second? Tezuka sighed. Not yet. Six years have caused things to be murky between the two of them. He didn't want to add to the damage…
"Tezuka," called Fuji, looking down on the former buchou's picture. "You had something to tell me?"
Looking intently on the floor, Tezuka didn't know where to start. He had to be cautious at the same time he had to be thorough and truthful. Knowing that Fuji was smiling right next to him caused his inner workings to weaken. "I – " Tezuka stopped to pick up the right words. "Fuji," he attempted again, "There's something you need to know about Yan – "
"A woman," said Fuji matter-of-factly. His smile was left unaltered. "I saw him – them together."
Brown eyes darkening, Tezuka did not say a word.
"But I'm not at all sorry," said Fuji, absentmindedly drawing lines along Tezuka's profile on the photos. "I don't feel hurt." He puffed out some air. "I guess I didn't truly love him and things are better now for him…" Fuji paused in thought, fixing his gaze on Tezuka's pictures. "Tezuka," he whispered softly, his voice was sweet yet ailing to Tezuka's ears. "Can I ask you something?" when Tezuka neither moved nor answered, Fuji took the silence for a yes. "Are you happy with Honda-san?"
The brown eyes were still upon the floor. But Tezuka was a little glad that Fuji asked and a little anxious as well. Without lifting his head, Tezuka admitted to the truth. "I broke up with her three years ago."
Astonishment and confusion was evident in the dilated cobalt eyes, which Tezuka couldn't have seen.
"I do think I loved her," Tezuka said in a deep, ringing voice. "She had been nice to me and caring as well. But I couldn't stop comparing her to you… I always ended up thinking that Syu – " he halted, almost as if he were afraid of uttering the name in Fuji's presence. "Fuji would do this and that…. I tried to make my relationship with her work partly because I thought of your sacrifices to allow me to be happy with her. But, in the end, I figured that I still love you." Tezuka stared at his shaking fingers and folded them together.
Knitting his brows together, Fuji clutched the photo album tightly in his hand.
"We still appear together in front of everyone because she refused to accept that we're over. Plus, our managers said that it would look bad on me if I broke her heart when she was a very devoted and impeccable woman," continued Tezuka, trying to keep his voice calm and pensive. He wrung his hands together, almost crushing them angrily. "I would have come back to tell you if I hadn't been too spineless to see you and ask. I didn't think I could accept the truth if ever you moved on without me and with someone else…"
Setting aside the photo album, Fuji got to his feet. His shoulder-length hair obscured his countenance and revealed none of his emotions. He raised his head, however, when a soft thud came from the floor.
"Gomen nasai, Fuji… Syusuke," said Tezuka whose voice was strained. He was on his knees, bowing before Fuji. "Please forgive me."
Fuji gaped down at the other man. His eyes were wide with disbelief. "Get up," he mumbled.
But Tezuka shook his head. He had done too many wrong things to Fuji. He broke his promises of love. And worst of all, he broke Fuji's heart. "Please," he said beseechingly, "forgive me."
"Saa…get – " Fuji halted abruptly. His azure eyes flew open. A glistening tear fell to the floor. Startled, with a heart that skipped madly, Fuji dropped to the floor. Biting his lower lip, he cupped Tezuka's face in his hands and lifted Tezuka's head. His heart ceased pumping at the sight he beheld.
Tezuka's tears rolled down his cheeks. But he couldn't be embarrassed of his tears… he was mortified by what he did to Fuji. "Please," he pleaded, his rich voice had cracked completely. "Please say you forgive me."
Aghast, Fuji wanted to let out a laugh to ease the storm that he was seeing in the amber eyes. Just a laugh of assurance, he thought, would be good. But instead of mirth, tears came. Smiling gently, Fuji brushed Tezuka's tears with a thumb. Keeping his hands steady, Fuji pulled Tezuka's head to his shoulders. Chastely, he kissed the brown hair, the tear-stained cheeks and the neck. "Shh…" he murmured gently. "Stop crying. Please."
But Tezuka didn't stop weeping. He just wrapped his arms around Fuji and buried his head against the smaller man's neck.
A genuine, heartfelt smile crossed Fuji's lips. Tezuka, his precious Tezuka was crying because of him. He stroked Tezuka's back. He didn't realize that Tezuka had been in pain as well, just as he had. The usual calm and strong demeanor was shattered because of him. How could he not forgive? "Kunimitsu… hush now, I forgive you. And I'm sorry I had to let you go…"
"I love you," said Tezuka holding Fuji tighter to him. His voice wasn't weeping anymore, but it was wholeheartedly sincere.
Fuji pulled gently away to search Tezuka's eyes. "I love you, too," he said gently. He grinned sheepishly and planted a swift kiss on Tezuka's lips. "I never stopped."
Wearing a slight smile, Tezuka rubbed Fuji's nape and continued the kiss. He guided Fuji's lips open and let his tongue explore inside Fuji's mouth. He shut his eyes and deepened the kiss, showing just how much fear, longing and love he had felt. Pausing for breath, Tezuka watched Fuji's cerulean eyes dance merrily. "I love you," he murmured, the words came out from deep within his soul.
"I know, I know," said Fuji softly. "I love you as well." Quickly, he tugged at Tezuka's collar and poured everything into one deep kiss. Tezuka held him tighter and fondled with his lips and his tongue causing heat and pleasure to shoot up his body. After six years of waiting, Tezuka was back, he thought happily. Yes, Tezuka was back to him.
Parting, they sat on the floor and leaned against the bed. Enjoying the warmth of Tezuka's well-toned arms around him, Fuji surveyed his beloved with adoring eyes.
Aware of Fuji's eyes on him, Tezuka looked down at the man beside him. "What's wrong?" he asked. His voice was back to its normal stoic ring.
"Nothing," said a brightly smiling Fuji. Then, he chuckled, tugging gently at Tezuka's sleeve. "Ne, Kunimitsu."
"Hn?"
"I didn't know you could cry that much," said Fuji, beaming childishly. "I wish I could have taken a picture of you…"
Scowling, Tezuka grunted, feeling slightly annoyed but mostly pleased that Fuji had to see him shed long-quelled tears.
oOo
Was there ever a time when you fell in love with a person, but had to let go? When you thought you moved on, Lady Fate toys with you and makes you meet with that one person again. Other people, other loves may have come and gone through your life and yet you never forget the way that your heart used to leap or how your body used to tremble at the presence of that one person. Then, you realize that your love for him had always been there. That person is your constant. Simply put: he is your soul-mate, your one true love.
oOo
a/n: Wait! Don't you dare hug Tezuka! –red eyes, flaring nostrils- No Tezuka huggie at the moment… leave all the hugging to Fuji, ok? They both need it. Sorry if it was too sappy… but I really wanted Tezuka to drop to his knees, cry and beg for Fuji's forgiveness... even if he's the seme, he really should cry as well. And Tezuka still has lots and lots to prove.
I just hope that it wasn't too abrupt… Well, I want them to be together ASAP… I don't like to exhaust everyone (including Tezuka, Fuji and myself) by protracting their torture when they really deserve to be together. But this fic isn't even close to the end… after all, I really like fun and evil plot twists…and where Yanada ends, Honda begins (but Yanada won't end here yet). Fwahahaha!
Nya, since they're back together, how about a little teaser, nya? –evil cackle- feedbacks will be used for improvement. Ja!
"Kunimitsu," started Fuji, continuing to unbutton Tezuka's shirt. He splayed his hands across Tezuka's lean chest and he smiled warmly upon hearing the sharp intake of Tezuka's breath. "I know you want me." He looked up and slipped off Tezuka's megane. He kissed Tezuka's amber eyes with such gentleness. "I can see it here." He pressed his ears in the middle of Tezuka's chest. "I can hear it here." His fingers ran below the buckle of Tezuka's belt. "I know it's down here." Listening to the faint lub-dup of Tezuka's heart, Fuji murmured, "I know you've been trying to control yourself every time you hold me… I know how difficult it is. But you know what? If there's one thing I've learned in the time that we've been apart, I learned that a tiny bit of selfishness would be good for us." He kissed a dark nipple quickly, almost teasing and he look up to meet the brown eyes of his love. "Kunimitsu… will you be selfish and take me now?"