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: sorry if you find too much fluff – I love fluff. Try to understand that six years of loneliness and pain passed between tefu as well a few days of UST (unresolved sexual tension) so please bear with the fluff and the slight OOCness… but I'm hoping I'm picking up well on their relationship now that they don't have much problems anymore (???). haha, I did realize that it did get too fluffy from 7 to the first part of 10… hehe.
aww, thanks all for reviewing… I was fearing that you won't review anymore since I took so long to update. Fuji's birthday is fast approaching… let's have a teensy peek at what buchou would give our tensai, shall we? And Fuji's fear will also start here… this chappie is short, though.
One Year in Four Calendar : February 19, 2008
Ai-Kusabana - yeps, i hope we can chat soon,but i'm also very busy myself. I didn't sleep on the third day of school... no fair. i did get a nosebleed from the lemon as well.well, that freak did hurt Yuuta a long time ago... but i happen to enjoy Misaki's character when he's being completely ignored by Syu-chan. it's really fun, fwahaha.well, yes, Yuichii and Natsume is brotherly love... I do enjoy Ruka with Hotaru, though, and Mikan for Natsume... but they can crossover anytime. :3
Enigma- wah, sorry if you think I had errors on that part. Well, I can't please everyone. Actually I wanted to swerve from the conventional lemon… I could have done an all-act lemon, but I chose not to. Although I agree that it lacked in upon reaching the climax. Thanks, though, that you think I'm the best yaoi writer. –ok, my best friend gets scared of that – Although, at the moment, I couldn't be the best yaoi writer. I mean, all I've done is tefu. And it would really make me happy if you said that I'm the best tefu writer you know… -laughs- and I appreciate your opinions so much.
sheyryoma – of course my kuya has a sharp memory – especially of everything that has to do with your kuya, nyaha… Yuuta and Fuji's brotherly love is so amazing and tefu is just truly a marvel of all marvels, ne? I hope I make it on time…
Shia Nosake – as I've told you, I don't really mind if you missed the earlier parts of this fic. I mean, well, I know you've been busy as I am now… and at least you're back. Hehe. Yes, let's make Ayame and Honda meet one day (reminds me of furuba… I don't like tohru but I like ayame)… they're both crazy. I like reading long reviews, nya. Probably the reason you didn't find this fic was because it used to be in M rating…
Potter's Wifey – hiya, thanks for liking this fic… and sorry that I couldn't update sooner. But, well, here it is. Sure hope you tried the prequels. :3
okinneko – saa, no, this fic isn't even close to the end. I always thought that Fuji belongs to an ever-smiling family – save for Yuuta. Hehe. Mizuki might like Fuji, we don't know. but I know one thing for sure: Tezuka and Fuji are perfect together. To add to what you said about Tezuka being for Fuji and Fuji alone, I'd say Fuji is for Tezuka and Tezuka alone. :3
Munoi – hoi! Hoi! I like Yuki very much, I mean she SHOULD be kawaii if she has Fuji blood, ne? I thought about that child thing as well while I was typing and it's a bit sad. My best friend actually told me: 'hey, since you really like Tezuka and Fuji so much, why don't you research on something that could make a child out of the genes from two sperms? Then, if you win the Nobel, and they asked you who inspired you to make such a study, you'd tell the world that it's Tezuka and Fuji from PoT.' –lol- we're both weird and crazy like that, so excuse me. I still haven't read seduction of Echizen Ryoma, but I might when I find the time. Hmm. I've read Wrath of Fuji, though. And thanks for helping:3
summerdie – oh, that's really fine. this fic still has more chappies, so don't be sad. And sankyuu for loving this. :3 yes, I'm trying livejournal, thanks.
xoHakugei – it was fluffy? Well, the first part was, hehe… Yumiko is fun like that, the Fuji family is… here's the chappie:3
dimonyo-anghel – teehee… yes, your name gave you away. Hm, nah, you can't call Tezuka Hachimitsu… Fuji's wrath may go fluttering away from Honda towards you… but, actually, you can call him that. Just don't let anyone else hear it. :3
Cryzzel – nya, thanks. I know, TeFu is just AWESOME:3 I don't have a sequel.. I do have prequels, though. But this fic still has more, so just read on, ne? hmm. Nakakatuwa means 'it's fun'… may katuwaan just doesn't fit, sorry… well, what did you want to say? I could translate it for you, hehe. You study Filipino? Why?
darknesswithinthebush – yeah, I KNOW!!! but come to think of it, being rolled over by a truck wouldn't be half as bad as taking biology for a lab class. Drr. I don't like frogs. I hate TADPOLES!!! Hmm, plotwise, the tenth chappie serves a purpose, as well as this one. I have to use it as a springboard for what's to come… maa, as much as I am sorry for you, I couldn't have updated sooner. –sniffs- I am a sad person who has school. Hmm, we still have ten days left to Fuji's birthday, don't we? That's still long, you know?
bLoodY vEngEfUl sOul – ooh, you remembered? Hehe, that's cute, thank you:3 TezuFuji is love – that's a fundamental truth. Nya, here's the update…
lammieee – sigh. You still have to wait a bit more for every chappie… -sighs again- I really like Yuki, hehe. So cute. Hm, what, it's true. They prefer each other over anyone else… that's not homosexuality… that's called monogamy. –lol-
cassie – how come you're in medschool and you have nothing hectic yet??? While I'm taking a BS degree and I'm dying? No fair!!! Yeah, Syusuke is definitely the uke in this fic, I just considered the idea of Tezuka being the uke… because it could fit so well if anyone is good enough to pull it off. Oh, skipping a tefu lemon? That's sad… but I would skip a tefu lemon if it were SMish.
taraentula – saa, you didn't hurt my feelings… I'm quite used to a certain teacher laughing at an entire creative writing class… I just had to see where it gets too fluffy and, yeah, 7-9 was really fluffy. But I like fluff, mush actually – the kind of mush that's like quicksand… I could always sink in a mush… what do you mean by move it? I would die if I discontinued this fic… hehe. But you didn't comment on the tenth chappie… mou. And thanks for complimenting my plot. I'm really a very plot-oriented writer… but I can't stop myself from writing fluff.
PyroSiren – teehee… I'm glad tefu holds a special place in your heart… it is LOVE!!! if tefu was the first fanfic you've read, well, it's the first BL pairing that I've ever truly shipped… so I'm really loyal. Hehe. I tried Tezuka-Fuji, tefu, tezufuji… and, yes, I tried mediaminer. –sweatdrop- I realize how much of an addict I am. Thanks, though. ;3
Thelchtereia – is it hot there? Well, it is hot here in my country… you know, it's rainy season but the heat still scalds your skin. Ah, pain. Hehe, I love Yuki and Yumiko… I missed the Fujis especially after rereading Fallen Angel… hmm, yes, Fuji and Yuuta's brotherly love is just adorable… although nothing beats the tefu love.
Thin-K – what did Yuuta give Tezuka? Nah, can't tell you yet… not in a while. This next chappie is cute as well… funny, you had to study and yet you did the challenge. Like me… I'm supposed to be labeling drawings of frog embryo but I'm typing replies to reviews instead, hehe…
SkySurf – hiya… sorry that I couldn't update sooner. But well, here's the chappie. :3
maldita08 – I heart Yuuta as well!!! Brotherly love is good. And how can I forget Mizaki? That was Yuuta's birthday, after all. :3 hm, as for the gift, na-ah!!!
alchemistgrl09 – nya, I love little Yuki as well… nya, well, I just had to be certain with the ojichan… but here's the update…
Ketchup for Blood –I think mush instead of fluff would really fit the context of the earlier chapters or maybe a sinkhole or quicksand. But I'm trying to pick up the way their relationship went in A Fine Week so I guess we'll be back to the old Tezuka and Fuji. Hehe. nya, I read your fic. cute!!! That line was said by Fuji, and Tezuka remembered it - that's what makes it sooo adorable…
Miji-Chuu – maa, I do believe I am psychic. My dreams (as in night dreams) do come true, really… mah, I wish I could take a Japanese class. Amf. Have you seen atobe's gift? How about the band of princes? Sullen, though, since there's no tefu on that… grr. But Tezuka is in purple. I agree that Tezuka just looks hot in purple and he always wears purple…
Ulat Bulu – what do you mean clover? I thought Hachimitsu meant honey…
I've a new opening quote.
oOo
Love scenes, if genuine, are indescribable, for to those who have enacted them, the most elaborate descriptions seem tame and to those who have not, the simplest seems overdone. So romancers have better let imagination paint for them that which is above all art and leave their lovers to themselves during the happiest minutes of their lives. – An Old-Fashioned Girl , Louisa May Alcott
a/n: maa, I can't do what Alcott said. So I'll have my imagination paint for us all… so in defense of all the fluff that I've been writing and I'm going to write I can't please everyone since we all have different opinions of what's too fluffy or not… and I'm going to write as I see fit. :3
oOo
Chapter Eleven
"Nya," said Eiji, munching on idly on his toast. "Ne, ne, Oishi, do you have anything to wear for Atobe's reunion? Mm… He said that it would be a cocktail dinner party, didn't he? Nya, I don't think I brought anything that fits. Do you think we can go shopping today? All we bought the other day were – "
"Eiji," called Inui calmly, "could you pass me the sausages?"
Narrowing his eyes, "I might need a new set of clothes as well," Tezuka said flatly as he chugged down a glass of milk.
"Mn," said Ryoma, a hint of surprise was in his tone. "I didn't know buchou cared about such things…"
Through a mouthful of bread, Eiji said, "Ah, that's right. Buchou still hasn't – "
"Eiji," said an ever polite Oishi, "will you pass the milk?"
Clearing his throat, Tezuka went, "Our clothes should be appropriate for the occasion."
"Nya, buchou – "
"Eiji, these sausages are good… could you please pass the plate?" asked Momoshiro, eyeing the sausages with relish.
Fuji chuckled in amusement as, for the third time that morning, the redhead across the table was stopped in mid-sentence. "Well," he turned to a busily eating Tezuka. "I supposed I could also do with a new set of clothes if only for – "
"You already have appropriate clothing," said Tezuka, looking up abruptly.
Arching a brow, Fuji went, "You check my closet?"
Tezuka blinked, suddenly all too aware that everyone's attention was on him. "I was looking for a spare towel," said Tezuka in a usual direct manner.
"Oh, right," said Fuji cheerfully, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "But I do want to see if there's something more… appropriate… at the mall."
"No," said Tezuka, the objection fell out more hastily than he would have liked.
At that, Fuji's head shot up. Suspiciously, he frowned at his boyfriend. "Would you prefer me to wait here all alone?"
Choking, Kaidoh had to cough at the cold look in Fuji's face.
Tezuka's brows twitched and he pressed his lips. He eyed Fuji warily. "It's not that."
"Fine," said Fuji, shrugging. His voice was higher than usual as he gulped down the rest of his milk and bolted on his toast, causing the others – save Tezuka – to gape at him.
Masking away the vexation in his face, Tezuka, too, continued eating. He wondered at the sudden change in Fuji's temperament, however. But he couldn't as well invite Fuji to go to the mall with him. There was something else he had to do beside buying clothes, which he cared least about…
Fuji hadn't spoken as his old teammates left that afternoon, let alone waved a goodbye at Tezuka. He merely hung his head and dashed up to his room.
"Strange," said Inui observantly as they entered the mall. "Fuji rarely ever displays impatience…"
"Nya, nya, buchou," said Eiji, whose eyes were round with enthusiasm. "You were going to buy presents for Fujiko, right? Isn't that why you didn't want him to come?"
"Ahh," said Tezuka curtly, unconsciously dipping a hand to his pocket and touching his phone as though anticipating a call.
"Do you need help, ne, buchou?" asked Momoshiro, grinning sheepishly.
Kaidoh hissed. "Baka! Of course buchou doesn't need help!"
"Well, at least I was offering… Buchou does want to give Fuji the best…" said Momoshiro, glaring at Kaidoh. "Of course, your help wouldn't be any good – "
"I'm sure Tezuka has a plan laid out," said Oishi, interrupting the squabble between the two younger men. He turned to their former buchou and went, "We'll just go ahead, then…"
"Nya, I want to see what buchou will give Fuji!" said Eiji in complaint as he was dragged away by a slightly concerned Oishi.
Agitated, Tezuka watched as the rest of his teammates filed away. He braced himself mentally as, one by one, heads turned to his direction. Lowering his head so that less people would notice him, he picked up his mobile phone and pressed Fuji's speed dial number. To his disappointment, however, Fuji's recording came.
"Syusuke," he said in a smooth, low voice. "Call me if you're not busy." Heaving a sigh, he flipped his phone shut and pushed it back to his pocket. He sighed yet again, wondering if Fuji was truly angry. But he didn't think that was right; Fuji had always understood and couldn't sulk if only for missing a trip to the mall…
Deferring curious glances shot by shoppers and salesperson alike, Tezuka wandered alone. Taking long, purposeful steps, Tezuka strolled toward a photography shop that he knew Fuji was quite fond of. He retained his usual stoic mask as several women trotted toward him.
"Tezuka-san!" a saleswoman had approached, holding out a pen and a piece of paper. "May I please get an autograph?" she bowed her head.
To Tezuka's annoyance, she was just first among a nearly dozen fans who took out pens and papers for him to sign on. To his immense relief, his phone rang. He excused himself and answered the call, gazing up at the wall of camera displays. "Syusuke," he said quietly.
"Why did you call?" asked Fuji in short, cutting words.
Tezuka knitted his brows together. "Are you angry?" he asked bluntly. There was a pause, eerie and painful to Tezuka's ears. "I'm sorry."
Chuckling, Fuji said, "Iie… I'm not angry. I was just joking, Kunimitsu." His voice softened. "Did I worry you?"
Tezuka sighed, slightly annoyed but more amused by Fuji's childish antics. "Ahh."
Fuji let out a laugh. "Sorry, then… Well, I didn't pick up the phone – "
"Tezuka-san!"
Wide-eyed, Tezuka turned his back to the woman.
"Fan day?" asked a cajoling Fuji.
Grunting, Tezuka said, "No."
"Well," said Fuji casually, "I was rearranging our room. Why did you call anyway? You need help in picking clothes? You should get something purple…"
Tezuka tried to hide away a smile as Fuji let out another laugh. "I just – "
"You missed me!" said Fuji, sounding accusatory. "You've gone for only a couple of hours… I thought you've had six years of practice. When Tezuka didn't answer, Fuji snickered. "Where are you?"
"At the mall."
"Sir," went a saleslady, smiling from ear to ear. "What can I do to help you?" Her eyes flicked upon Tezuka's lean chest before she flashed a grin.
Ignoring the blatant show of interest, Tezuka put out a small sheet of paper and handed it to the woman.
"Saa…" said Fuji from the other end of the line. "Where exactly are you, ne?"
As the saleslady gave the list a short scan, Tezuka said in a low voice, "Syusuke, I'll call you later."
Slightly disarmed, Fuji said, "Well, sure…"
In a passive manner, Tezuka discussed the specifics with the ogling saleswoman – shutter, speed… well, all he really wanted was a reflex camera, and preferably the one that didn't make much sound after a shot was taken. But if it were for Fuji, he had to be careful in choosing. As the woman bit her lower lip and spun around coquettishly to get what was needed, Tezuka called. "Could you also add a leather-bound photo album?"
Paper bags at hand, Tezuka checked his wristwatch. It was a few minutes past five. "Syusuke," he said, pressing the phone to his ears.
"Kunimitsu!" said Fuji in a very delighted voice. "Why? You miss me still?"
Shaking his head, but smiling thinly, Tezuka said, "Meet me at six thirty." The voice was commanding, yet the thoughtfulness of the tone didn't escape Fuji. He went on with the details of the location and asked, "Could you?"
There was a short silence as Fuji considered. "May I ask why?"
"Just say yes," was the straightforward answer.
"Yes, then," said a cheerful Fuji. "Ne, Kunimitsu, I only have an hour to prepare. I better get moving."
"Hn," agreed Tezuka.
"See you later, then."
Hanging up, Tezuka pressed his lips as he carried himself with the usual proud manner – all too aware of the eyes that followed his every step. In the meantime, he braced himself for yet another encounter with over-zealous sales personnel and entered a shop for silver.
oOo
Breezing through a magazine, Fuji waited patiently for Tezuka to arrive. He was admittedly surprised that his boyfriend called to ask for a meeting at a bookshop. He asked himself why. But knowing that Tezuka rarely ever did anything upon impulse he decided that there must be at least one plausible reason. He was enjoying anyway as he read the magazine and scanned the pictures.
Instinctively, Fuji's head shot up and his smile broadened while a distinct scent entered his nose. A few yards away was Tezuka, pacing toward him. Intriguing eyes followed the man whose regal bearing was undeterred. Fuji shut the magazine and stepped up to a comfortable distance from Tezuka. Fuji inclined his head in question as he looked into the amber eyes.
"Let's have dinner," said Tezuka in a quick, pointed manner.
The tensai raised his brows ever so slightly before nodding. He allowed Tezuka to lead by a step before setting out himself.
"Tezuka-sama! Will you marry me?"
Fuji craned his neck to see where the voice came from. A tall and slender woman had called and Fuji had to bite his lips to stifle a laugh as the woman's adamant attitude reminded him of a certain someone. Then, he too became painfully conscious of the gazes that drilled his skin as he ambled a few feet away behind Tezuka.
Not minding the almost rude stares, Fuji chuckled. "Do you always get a marriage proposal?"
"Hn," said Tezuka flatly as they walked across the mall corridor and stopped in front of a seafood restaurant.
"Good eve… ning," a waiter greeted, faltering at the sight of the taller of the two guests.
"I have a reservation for a private parlor," said Tezuka tonelessly, stepping in.
"Hai," said the waiter, still gaping. "If you and your girlfriend would – "
"He's not my girlfriend," said Tezuka tersely, irritated. "He's my b – "
"Best friend," said Fuji, smiling brightly as he lightly punched Tezuka's arm.
The waiter blinked in surprise. "Well, then, please follow me."
Tearing his eyes around him, Fuji nodded appreciatively at the crafty Zen air of the seafood house. He, however, received inquisitive glances from the other customers and some onlookers in the restaurant. Hence, he felt grateful as he was ushered inside the private parlor and the door slid shut.
"You shouldn't have lied," said Tezuka pointedly.
Fuji simply smiled. "Didn't you see the way that waiter was looking at you? If you admitted that you prefer men over women, you would have gotten a marriage proposal from him as well."
Lines formed on Tezuka's forehead. He could sense some bitterness in the tone, yet he didn't say a word.
Waving a hand, as though uncaring, Fuji asked, "Did you order our meal beforehand?"
"Ahh."
Smiling, Fuji nodded.
"That way no one could bother us," said Tezuka tonelessly.
Cerulean eyes were revealed immediately as Fuji beamed, appraised by Tezuka's note. "Is this like a date?" he inquired, laughing lightheartedly.
Tezuka jerked his head in assent.
Fuji's eyes glimmered merrily and the tensai did not bother shutting back into his usual contented smile. He did not need to hide his joy and gratitude of Tezuka's gesture. Even when they were together in high school, Tezuka hardly invited him to dates. That probably made him excited toward everything that Tezuka prepared. Now, he knew that Tezuka was quite determined to prove his self-worth and Fuji could only be willing to give Tezuka the boost in morale. Besides, it was always good to push back their worries and start anew – even for just an hour or two… Anyway, they had six years worth of catching up to do.
The door opened, giving way to the waiter who set the appetizer on top of the table. Eyes peeked in through the small gap and Fuji shifted in his seat, showing his back to the unwelcome eavesdroppers.
As soon as the door was closed, Tezuka watched Fuji's face intently. "Do you feel uncomfortable?" he asked while spooning some lobster chowder.
Not yet touching the food, Fuji allowed a gentle smile crawl to his lips. He slanted his head in contemplation.
"Not exactly," he said thoughtfully. "I'm just not accustomed to this."
The tight mask that Tezuka wore had drooped by a tiny fraction.
Fuji could only hold his smile. Yet, he felt his stomach tighten at the realization that Tezuka was an infamous figure now, that Tezuka had built a celebrated career in the six years that they have been apart. He hadn't been part of that life. Now, Tezuka was in everyone's high pedestal, Tezuka was everyone's hero. All those people were watching every little move Tezuka made. The world was ready to crush and point a finger should it find a flaw in the perfect Tezuka Kunimitsu.
Lowering his spoon, Fuji sighed. He happened to be that anomaly. The world might condemn Tezuka for simply being with him…
"What are you thinking of?" was Tezuka's abrupt question that brought Fuji's mind back in place.
"Do you enjoy this attention?" asked Fuji in loud wonder.
Tezuka frowned. "No," was the straight answer.
The question, of course, had been a wrong one, Fuji thought.
"But it comes with my dream," added Tezuka. "I have to bear with it if I want to reach my goal."
A pair of aquamarine orbs was struck with a ray of light. Yes, Tezuka always wanted to win the tennis grand slam – that was his dream and he was so close to reaching it. Fuji wouldn't forgive himself if he became the obstruction in attaining that dream. He didn't have the right to be.
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: yes, another cute chappie and it had a bit of angst/over analysis, too. The next one is cute as well… Atobe's Reunion, you know?
- Fuji film was the photography shop, duh, haha…
as for the challenge: nya, thanks for those who wrote. I feel sooo loved. I wish to write one of that kind as well, but I can't write anything at the moment except, perhaps, one year in four.
Here are the ones who wrote for the challenge so far:
Thin-K (Little Angel)
Ketchup for Blood (A Blush for You)
Any more of that kind? Please inform me…
I've another challenge/idea: Fuji finds Tezuka's megane/eyeglasses in the lockers while Tezuka is taking a shower. Fuji wears the glasses and the door clicks open. Tezuka stares. Fill it in. you don't have to start this way… I wanted to write a fic, seeing how Tezuka and an open-eyed Fuji resemble each other. Yeah. Look closely, they do look alike!!!
SEE??? SEE??? Don't you see how tefu deprived I am? I only have ideas, but I can't write them down yet because I have frigging tadpole pictures to label!!! Anyone kind enough to write? Please inform me…
AND, I'd like to add that this fic still has a long way to go… I might actually reach twenty chapters… so just keep on reading! And keep the reviews coming. :3
I hope to update next weekend… come and pray with me for that, please.