Crash of Dreams: Chapter 2

Kunimitsu wasn't sure how it all came to this. He is staring into the azure, starling blue of his boyfriend's eyes as they widened with surprise. Fear surged through him and he can't find the right words to say but thankfully, between the two of them, words were never required as Fuji wrapped him arms around the captain.

"I am here"

"Fuji I..."

"We'll get there Kunimitsu. I understand you are scared but we will get there" he said with finality in his voice

Ever since they began dating when they were fourteen, they had promised to never pretend in front of each other. It was difficult as they were so used to being in their masks that reality scared them but one by one, together, they had torn the walls down around each other.

"I don't know what to do without tennis"

"Maybe you are not without tennis. It is inside of you and it always will be there but we need to find another way to bring it out"

Dark amber eyes meet blue and understanding passes between them. They would not tell others until nationals are over. They couldn't tell them when they had reached nationals and for them to know that their trump card had failed could kill the morale of the team.

"Are you staying for dinner Fuji?" I don't want to be alone tonight.

We will talk about it later "And what is for dinner?"

"Chilli soup with rice. My parents have gone out and will not be returning until tomorrow afternoon." We have the whole house to ourselves.

"Whose chilli?" Do we?

"Mine" I promise.

"Ah, so mild then. I don't suppose you have wasabi sauce at home do you?" I will hold you to it then.

"In the refrigerator" Deal.

Silently they sat in the kitchen, eating their dinner. They left the dishes in the wash basin for the maids to clean them and made their way to Tezuka's bedroom. It was considerably large, despite having been supposedly built for one but Tezuka and Fuji were comfortable with Fuji being so lithe.

Fuji rested his head against Tezuka's right shoulder and stroked the left one.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not when you touch it like that"

"What did the doctor say exactly?"

Tezuka thought back on the afternoon when he had gone to the doctor for a routine check-up when he had been experiencing some pain in his shoulder but in spite of it, he had played tennis with Hannah until the pain became unbearable.

Kunimitsu, you will no longer be able to play tennis. The tendons in your left shoulder have snapped again.

What about surgery?

I am sorry but surgery will not help either.

What are my options?

You will have to quit tennis.

What are options, doctor? Kunimitsu snapped

There are none.

Fuji did not know how to react or what to say. Tezuka was hurting and all he could do was be with him but he knew it wasn't enough, maybe for now, but in the days to come, it would not suffice.

"Fuji your message, how did you know?"

"I had an inclination, a feeling, a hunch but I wasn't sure what it was."

"Thank-you Fuji."

"Saa, it's been three years and you still won't call me by my given name."

"I am sorry...Syusuke"

"What are you going to do now?"

"I honestly have no idea but we can't tell the team, not now"

"They have a right to know. They have fought alongside you up till now and they will continue to. They deserve to know."

Tezuka remained silent. His team, he took so much pride in them as their captain and was truly honoured to play alongside them but he wasn't sure if it would be the best thing to tell them right now.

"Think about it Kunimitsu. There is no need to hurry. No matter what your decision is, I am sure they will understand."

"Hn." Tezuka replied neutrally.

"I have a plane to catch tomorrow morning to Tokyo. I'll let them know that you are doing well in Berlin."

"Good night" Tezuka brushed his lips lightly against the smaller boy's forehead, his ear and cheek. In turn he received a swift peck on the lips.

"We can work something about."

"Yeah...maybe"

"Good night. Mornings are the best times to think so don't trouble yourself tonight."

"Aa."