One Year In Four
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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: three weeks is up. I am still very much ALIVE and am now BURNING with LOVE for TezuFuji!!! –hearts genius354- TezuFuji is Burning Love! Burninggg!!! –this is an overreaction to genius354 page 4- and rainy days plus TezuFuji plus genius354 page four is a perfect reason to write this!
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Oyif Calendar: February 24, 2008 (I think it's Choutarou's birthday… but we don't really need to know that)
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to: Thin-K, ranncarlos76, Shia Nosake, faith lane, xoHakugei, Skip-Beat, verine, Light of an Angel, kunimitsu4shusuke, Thelchtereia, Soring Angel P.O.T., Munoi, okinekko, hitsugayasugar, alchemistgrl09, serenitatis417, Jingy5, Tensa Zangetsu .15, dimonyo-anghel, Animestar73, cassie, HellRaiserAlchemist, SkySurf, MiNKy307, Tora Macaw, forbiddenstars, maldita08, PyroSiren, Ketchup for Blood, wirbelwind, emily –phew- sorry for the cliffy and the long wait, and thanks for the reviews!
emily – eep. Sorry that it had to stop there… but I'm really flattered that you like my fics. –hugs you- And I've also read Trivial Pulse (woot, Shia Nosake will be very glad to hear that you like her fic, too.) And I hate Honda Tohru. Hate. Hate. Hate. –stabs evil Hondas to death-
ranncarlos76 – uhm… woot. Well Thanks! –hearts- uhm. But I think we can't call Tezuka 'Hachimitsu'. Only Fuji has the right/license to do so. Mou, I hope you won't hate me for being so humane to Honda here.
cassie – I sympathize with the school work and the tears. –bawls- wah! Well, I love Kuni-chan very much, so I'm sure he'll show his love for Fuji more and more each day, ne? I wrote this after the midterms… so I really don't know if it's any good. -.-"
Soring Angle P.O.T. – erm. I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner. I had my midterms and other exams and lab reports. Ack. School. As for Honda… I really can't kill her because she has the child. Just, well, wait and see what'll happen to her, ne? It's in here already. There will be nineteen chapters in this fic, plus the epilogue and the prologue… so I think you'll have to wait for five more?
okinneko – I have school too so I perfectly understand… yes, you're not the only one who hates Honda… But I'm also very glad that Tezuka is here to be so reassuring to Fuji. –sighs-
faith lane – yes, I'm definitely continuing this and writing new (I try to –pouts-) fics as I go. Yes, we definitely heart tezufuji together.
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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
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Chapter Fifteen
Sleep was being elusive. Cautiously, Fuji rolled to his side and pulled away from the bed. He had his phone at hand, staring at it, willing it to ring. He gripped it hard, wondering why time drifted slowly for someone who was waiting. The clock on the phone indicated half-past three; Akito promised to call at six.
Faint blue light glared, flashing Akito Yuri on the mobile's screen. Mildly frowning, surprised, Fuji picked up the call. "Akito, good morning."
"Fuji!" came an enthusiastic feminine voice. "I met an old friend at a party… and I can't wait to tell you!"
A chuckle escaped Fuji's throat. "I figured."
"Before I tell you, though… Could you answer one question?" asked Akito thoughtfully.
Ignoring the cold, Fuji crossed the room to the balcony and dropped to a chair. "That depends."
"Well, it's a very easy question, really," said Akito cheerfully. "What exactly is your relationship with Tezuka Kunimitsu?"
"Akito," said Fuji lightheartedly, "you sound very much like a journalist now."
"I'm a photographer, Fuji. A photographer who happens to have a lot of journalist friends," she said pointedly. "But I'm really curious… I mean, you called me at two o'clock in the morning for a favor to ask my friends what they know of Honda-san."
"We're very good friends," said Fuji calmly.
"Yes, and I believe you because you're giving me the classic and boring denial," said Akito, her voice dripped with sarcasm. "I promise not to tell anyone… Just tell me why you had to call me why you felt like you had to wake me up two mornings ago, at two o'clock in the morning, just so you could help Tezuka Kunimitsu," she added brightly.
"You seem to doubt my capacity for being a very good friend," marked Fuji, injecting a mock tone of hurt.
"Fuji, I told you. I won't tell anyone. Unless…" Akito paused, as if in thought. "Did Tezuka-san ask you to hide the truth?"
Fuji blinked, his eyes straying sleeping figure on the bed. "No, he did nothing of the sort," he said defensively.
"Ha!" said Akito, sounding victorious. "Got you there, didn't I? If that's the case, how come - ?"
"Akito, your news," said Fuji, trying to sound impatient despite his amusement. "You already had your one question."
"Fine, fine," was the unsatisfied reply. "So, yes, well… I suppose you already know that Honda-san spent some time in Singapore?"
Fuji made a soft sound of agreement.
"Well, that's where she spent a long time when Tezuka-san broke up with her…"
Hanging to Akito's every word, Fuji bit his lip and nodded in understanding. Her information fit Imai's speculation very well. Once Akito was done, he said, "Thank you very much, Akito."
"Aren't I a very good friend?" teased Akito, mimicking Fuji's tone. "But that information doesn't come for free."
The lids of Fuji's eyes flew open. "You promised not to tell anyone," he said darkly.
"Of course, I won't. I know you'd kill me and probably track me down with wild tigers," said Akito matter-of-factly. "I was thinking of a different payment… how about making me the official photographer for your wedding?"
"Wedding?" said Fuji, laughing a little.
"Yes! Unless, of course, you'll try to take the pictures yourself?" said Akito in disbelief. "I'm more experienced with people. All you've done recently are boring things, animals, mountains – no offense meant."
"That wasn't… no plans for a wedding," said Fuji cursorily.
"You mean he still hasn't proposed? Didn't he break up with Honda-san three years ago? He's bound to – "
"We've only been together for nine days, Akito. Just nine days," said Fuji, his lips curving to a tight-lipped smile.
"But, well… fine. Still, consider my offer," said Akito quietly.
"Yes, Akito, I will. And thank you very much," said Fuji.
"Yeah… and I hope you'll be able to settle this soon, too," said Akito before hanging up.
Flipping his phone shut, Fuji leaned his back against the chair. A wedding, he thought wryly. In all truth, he hadn't even considered it. Perhaps, he had been too caught up in the present that he hadn't even considered what lay ahead in the future? He and Tezuka didn't even talk about it. He bit his lower lip, realizing how arbitrary the past few days had been. Yet, he knew that he had been that way, that was in his nature – to let things fall into place. How long that would lead him, he didn't know.
Heaving a sigh, Fuji decided to wait for daybreak. Spending the entire time putting the pieces of the puzzle together, he didn't realize that the sun had already crept up when he finally came to a resolution.
Taking purposeful steps toward the bedroom, he took an address book from the bedside drawer. Quickly, he scribbled a note on a memo pad, ruffled Tezuka's hair and took off.
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Fuji pressed the doorbell a second time, his eyes planted on the plain ashen door of a condominium unit. He stood upright, waiting patiently for the door to open.
"Wait!" was the muffled reply.
The hinges of the door creaked and Fuji's eyes clashed against wide and gaping brown ones.
"What do you want, Fuji?"
"Good morning," Fuji said flatly, his eyes opened, his lips lacked the smile. He lifted a basket with his right hand, "I've heard that fruits are good for women who are in their first trimester."
There was a smirk. "Drop the act, Fuji. We aren't friends. What do you want?"
Fuji's lips broke into a dry smile. "Glad that you realized, but I haven't poisoned the fruits," he clipped. "And I'm sure that you won't want everyone in this wing to hear what I have to say."
Brown eyes glared, but Fuji merely held the gaze uncaringly. He wasn't one to be easily intimidated, especially not by Honda.
With much reluctance, Honda stepped aside and pointed Fuji to the couch. Fuji took a seat and watched as Honda bustled in the kitchen, perhaps making tea. His attention fell on the magazines that were sprawled on the coffee-table. Most of the covers featured Honda, some showed a man whom Fuji found familiar, and a few had both Honda and the man on the issues.
"You live alone?" asked Fuji as Honda came back, begrudgingly pouring his tea.
"Yes," was the irritated answer. Rather ungracefully, Honda dropped to the armchair right across Fuji. "What do you want?"
"What do you want from Kunimitsu?" asked Fuji without even pausing to think.
"You think you can buy me out of his life?" asked Honda, her thin brows were raised. "He is the father of my child."
Acting as though he hadn't heard Honda at all, Fuji reached out for a magazine, the one that displayed Honda and the male model on the same picture. "This is an interesting shot…" He noted the way the man's arm looped around Honda's waist. "And it's for an issue on wedding dresses and suits, too." He replaced the magazine back to the table and said, "Isn't he now married?"
Honda frowned, trying to read Fuji's expression. "Yes, but that concerns neither of us."
"He got married… when's that? Two weeks ago?" said Fuji rubbing his chin with a forefinger.
Pursing her lips, Honda said, "Yes, everyone knows that."
"He's married to a daughter of a Singaporean business tycoon, isn't he?"
A noticeable crease formed in Honda's forehead. "What do you want?"
"What do you want from Kunimitsu?"
"Stop being annoying," said Honda hastily. "You know what I want from him."
"A father for your child? A good reputation to be accepted back to your profession? Both?" asked Fuji in a low voice.
"Both," said Honda frankly. "But that's because I can give him a child and I can give him a clean name."
Fuji tilted his head to survey Honda, his eyes were unmarked by emotion. "I wonder how you'd do that. I know for one that the child in your womb isn't his and you can't even keep your own name clean."
Honda didn't look away from Fuji's piercing gaze, but she said nothing in turn.
"Your friend Imai Reica called this morning to tell Kunimitsu that you often called her about a certain man…. But she also said that you stopped talking about Kunimitsu two years ago. Then, a friend of mine called to confirm what Imai-san said – that you were often seen in Singapore with this man until he got married. She also added that you are now being heavily criticized for your tardiness, haughty attitude and utter lack of professionalism."
Gritting her teeth, Honda narrowed her eyes.
"And then you went out and announced to the world that you are with Kunimitsu's child." Fuji didn't yell but his voice was as cold as ice. "Did you think that destroying other people's relationship would be a good compensation for your broken heart? Just because you couldn't save yourself, you'd use Kunimitsu as leverage to pull yourself up?"
"Could you deny, though," started Honda, holding her head up arrogantly, "That between the two of us, I am the one who'll be able to give him a more comfortable life? I'm offering a good bargain and here I am being scoffed at."
"If your idea of a comfortable life consists primarily of fame and fortune, then, no, I can't deny," said Fuji in a dull tone. "But Kunimitsu's idea of a comfortable life is different from yours. And you should realize that he won't marry you whatever happens. He already told me so."
"Do you think you could carry on like that for the rest of your life? Just the two of you, different and with just… love?" asked Honda scornfully.
Fuji cast Honda a wary gaze, his blue eyes were glassy. "The fact that your love failed you doesn't mean that love will fail everyone else."
"Che. Fool."
Letting the remark pass, Fuji went in a business-like manner, "We don't intend to hurt you but you must realize that you've caused trouble to Kunimitsu. We have to tell the truth and drag your name in, if we must, while we're in the process of cleaning his name." He got to his feet, giving Honda a disdainful gaze. "And I hope you wouldn't even think of aborting the child just because his father won't recognize him." He prevented himself from heaving a sigh. "Consider yourself fortunate. There are plenty of people out there who badly want children and can't have one."
Staring away, Honda hissed, "It's none of your business."
"Fine," said Fuji succinctly. He pressed his lips and pulled a deep breath. "I know that even for a short time, you loved Kunimitsu. Thank you for that."
Without even turning back, Fuji walked out of the unit, holding his head down.
"Syusuke."
Fuji lifted his head. Frowning, he said, "Kunimitsu, what are you doing here."
"You left the address book open," Tezuka said briefly, straightening himself up from the wall that he had been leaning against. "Let's have some breakfast."
"It's daylight. I don't think – "
"We're not vampires," said Tezuka simply. "Daylight won't kill us nor will the people who would see us together."
A faint smile found its way to Fuji's lips. "Are you sure?"
"Hn."
"Breakfast it is, then."
Enveloped by a comfortable silence, they trudged down a few blocks from the building. Once settled and warm inside a café, Tezuka asked, "Who's the father of the child?"
"A male model… He got married recently…"
"Ah," said Tezuka, nodding slowly.
"You know him?" inquired Fuji as the waitress brought their meal. He noted how her eyes widened at the sight of Tezuka, but he was relieved as she made no queries and left them in peace.
"Yes," said Tezuka. "I suspected."
Inclining his head, Fuji eyed Tezuka inquiringly, "Doesn't it make you feel uncomfortable?"
Tezuka gave a perfunctory "No".
"Ahh," said Fuji, dragging the word in thought. Silently, without touching his repast, he averted his attention to the glass and out in the open street. Had he really been with Tezuka for only nine days? Did he truly believe that he and Tezuka could carry on beyond the promised three weeks? Foresight failed him; he knew that the answer was well out of his reach.
"You're not eating."
Blinking, Fuji glanced back at Tezuka.
"What's wrong?" asked Tezuka in a usual abrupt manner.
Hesitantly, Fuji said, "Kunimitsu, do you think I should start planning things, organizing my future instead of just… letting things fall into place?"
"Stop being negligent, you mean?"
Fuji smiled slightly at this directness and nodded.
"No, you shouldn't," said Tezuka, dropping his knife and fork. "It works for you. Besides…"
"Besides?" asked Fuji, raising his brows.
"There are things that you can't plan ahead, things that happen spontaneously," said Tezuka informatively, in a deep curt reply.
"But…" the question fell dead on Fuji's tongue. Did they, could they happen spontaneously? He wanted to ask.
"But what?" asked Tezuka, his stoic features etched with a trace of concern.
"Nothing," said Fuji quickly.
Tezuka peered at Fuji uncertainly. When the latter kept on smiling, Tezuka nodded. "Syusuke," he called, pushing a white envelope across the table. "This is from Yuuta and Mizuki."
"Miraki, too?" asked Fuji, taking the envelope and prying it open. "Ah," he said, beaming with delight. "I didn't know that Miruki could be thoughtful as well."
"Mizuki," corrected Tezuka, but he was smiling slightly.
Putting out a slip of paper from the envelope, Fuji scanned the short note with his eyes. "Ahh… Yuuta might be right. We can all make use of the time."
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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.
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a/n: Reality bites, doesn't it? And sorry if you think I treated Honda too humanely. Sorry for it being short (neurons died). But we're still not exactly 'bye-bye, Honda' yet. Neither are we saying 'bye-bye, angst' here. But we're down to the five chapters of OYIF so I'd very much appreciate your reviews. And, for those who don't like the idea of them getting married… er. Er. –mumbles- sorry. –clamps mouth with thesaurus- And please keep the picture ideas coming, I still need them! Thanks! And I hope to be able to update REAL soon with the promise of fluff(?)! (next week? –hopeful-)
By the way, HellRaiserAlchemist wrote Magic Hour (for the glasses challenge) and Rooftop (for the rooftop challenge).
I've also updated a new fic! -- Remembrance. The first two chapters have already been posted. I'd be very happy to know that you've read and reviewed that fic as well. I mean, it's my personal favorite among my fics and I really do hope that you'd give it a try. (Just, fine, not try to read it when you already have a headache because it does have the tendency to worsen headaches.)
Query: Was there ever a scene in PoT that showed Fuji returning the dictionary that he borrowed from Tezuka? Was there? If not… that's great! –insert knowing grin and plot bunny's laughter-