Writer's note: I'm sorry this took so long, but writing this chapter took ages and I have a feeling it sounds really awkward, but I can't seem to find exactly what is wrong. Do bear with me till I get the next chapter up. Thanks! Oh, and I'll really like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter, your comments really helped.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Atobe woke up to the sight of a grinning Fuji Syuuske standing at the foot of his bed, and the sunlight streaming into his eyes.
"Close the windows."
He grumbled in annoyance before reaching for a blanket to pull over his eyes. But of course, Fuji had not lost his excellent foresight despite losing his memory and had removed that in advance. The only solution for Atobe then was to turn around and buried his face in the pillow.
Nothing happened for a moment, and he drifted slowly off to sleep, thinking that the annoying source of disturbance had gone, or at least, until he felt an icy cold sensation moving down his back. Leaping into a sitting position, he felt something cold and wet fall onto his bed.
"That was NOT funny! It isn't exactly pleasant to have ice down your back while you are sleeping, or rather, trying to sleep"
He yelled indignantly at Fuji who took no notice except perhaps to laugh even harder. Struggling to catch his breath in between streams of laughter, he finally choked out.
"You are not supposed to be sleeping." before dissolving into giggles once more.
"But why? It's a … Sunday!"
Fuji who had finally managed to stop laughing, temporarily at least, while Atobe was trying to find a valid excuse to stay in bed, replied with the patience of one speaking to a three year old.
"Because, we need to unpack today, and besides, it's nearly 9am, and I'm starving."
"You woke me up because you were starving!" Atobe repeated incredulously, unable to believe how could anyone be so gluttonous, self-centred and mean, and he told Fuji just that.
"I am not being gluttonous, self-centred and mean, just sensible and mature." That was Fuji's reply, and looking at the doubting expression on Atobe's face, he proceeded to substantiate his claim, his tone infinitely gentle and patient.
"Keigo, we have to unpack by today, get groceries, eat, and so on. Anyway, we both slept loads yesterday. Isn't that right?"
Atobe had the unpleasant feeling that he was being patronised, but he did as he was told and slowly stood up to walk towards the bathroom.
"That's being a good child, Kei chan."
Fuji exited rapidly even as he spoke, as Atobe came to the stunning realisation that he was indeed being patronised.
Fuji was already there setting the table for breakfast as Atobe walked out of his room after washing and dressing, feeling more awake and refreshed than previously, but still feeling extremely irritated over the other's unceremonious way of waking him up.
Sitting down at the dining table, Atobe glared unappreciatively at the food that was clearly bought at the same eatery where they had dined the previous night, muttering something about how they could have gone out for breakfast instead. Yet, Fuji merely smiled as he spoke.
"Well, we are not going anywhere until we finish the unpacking."
They had breakfast in amiable silence with Atobe flipping through the newspaper while Fuji smiled to himself as he surveyed the comfortable silence between. It struck him how homely and domesticated this was, having breakfast together with Atobe and exchanging friendly remarks, as if neither had a care in the world.
Feeling Fuji's gaze upon him, Atobe looked up to meet the tensai's clear blue eyes with a brief smile before turning his attention back to the paper. He had felt it too, though he had not remarked upon it, and he wished it could always remain this way.
Of course, he knew that it was impossible, but he refused to allow his mind to be filled with any painful or unhappy thoughts. He knew deep down despite his reluctance to face it, that Fuji would eventually get his memory back and things will never be the same again.
Atobe understood that he had to face reality one day, and the least he could do, the only thing he truly wanted to do now, was to treasure every minute spent with the other man, to ensure that their time together was filled with nothing but joy. Making up his mind, he brushed aside his thoughts and looked up to face the man before him.
"Syusuke, what do you want to do today?"
"Today? We are supposed to do the packing, remember?"
"Right." Atobe leaned back, barely suppressing a groan, so much for having every moment together filled with joy. Clearing the table, he entered the kitchen to do the dishes while Fuji went to look at the numerous suitcases that they had carelessly discarded in the living room the previous night.
By the time Atobe stepped into the living room, the other had already efficiently classified the huge amount of luggage into three main piles, one comprise of Atobe's clothes, the other of Fuji clothes and the last one of everything else.
Having moved to England in a hurry those years ago, Atobe did not have many personal belongings other than his clothes and since they had left almost everything back in the London flat when they moved, the third pile contained only the small ornaments that Fuji had purchased when they went sight-seeing around London and some of Atobe's items that they had threw hurriedly into the suitcase
They started work immediately, each arranging his own wardrobe after arguing over who should get the room with the better view, a battle that Fuji won with ease, after flashing his most angelic smile at the other man.
Fuji was the faster of the two and soon found himself sitting idle in the living room after a short hour, examining the assorted objects lying on the ground.
Picking up a small crystal ball from the pile, the tensai smiled, as he examined the delicate object, remembering the time when they had discovered the tiny ancient shop on a lonely street in London.
The shop had been beautiful, and the lovely objects the stuffy little place held had enchanted them both. Yet, for some obscure reason, Fuji was particularly attracted by one thing, a small crystal ball that glowed a slight purplish-pink when placed in the palm.
It was lying unnoticed in a small corner of the shelf when he discovered it, covered with dust. It was highly special or even well crafted, but somehow, for some unknown reason, he had fell in love with it, and could do nothing but admire it again and again.
Yet, he didn't tell Atobe how he felt towards it, unwilling to make the other man feel any obligation to purchase the item. It was a pleasant surprise than, when Atobe had disappeared momentarily during lunch, to return with a tiny package in his hands, a package that he had handed to Fuji smilingly. Opening it slowly, Fuji had been stunned and touched when he realised what it contained.
"How did you know?"
The reply had been a gentle smile, accompanied with a question.
"Do you like it?"
Fuji could only nod mutely then, as he stared at the gift in his hands, struck by how well Atobe understood him and touched by how much the other man cared. He wanted to thank him, but a mere "thank you" seemed nearly ungrateful, for he knew that words could never express the extent of gratitude he felt towards the man that had given him so much.
Awaken from his reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps, Fuji turned around to see Atobe walking towards him. Seating himself beside Fuji, the taller man stared for a moment at the crystal orb before speaking, hiss voice gentle and teasing.
"I'll never understand why you love that thing so much."
"And I'll never understand how you knew I loved it." Fuji wanted to say. Yet, the words refused to leave his lips and he merely smiled in reply.
"It's nearly lunchtime." Atobe said briskly as he glanced at his watch, "Maybe we should get something to eat. "
Exiting the apartment, the two men explored the familiar yet foreign city for the first time since their return. Atobe had never thought he would one day have the opportunity to look at the city, where he had grew up and spent a large part of his life in, through the eyes of a stranger. For the very first time, he begun to appreciate the beauty of the city and realised how much it all meant to him.
It was not just the spotless streets and familiar landscape that he missed so much, not simply the comfortable feeling of everyone around him speaking the same language, it was the memories in the air that he longed for, the loved ones he had left behind in this city.
He felt suddenly, an overwhelming longing for home, a sudden strong desire to see his parents and closest friends, a need to pour out his feelings to someone who would understand.
"Yuushi."
The single word surfaced in his mind, as images of the tall dark-haired tensai immediately appeared in his head. Yuushi always understood, he never criticised or commented. He always listened, and he always cared, he was always there when no one else was.
For a moment, Atobe wanted to burst into tears like an enfant and cry out for his best friend, he wanted the other man to hold him and comfort him the way he used to. His face turned pale, his eyes prickled with unshed tears as he tried to keep his feelings under wraps.
Yet, Fuji had noticed and was staring intently at him, concern clouding the delicate features even while he sensitively remained silent. Atobe quickly pushed his thoughts away and smiled to show that he was fine, unwilling to let any dark thoughts mar the perfect afternoon, and they continued to stroll in companionable silence through the busy streets of Tokyo.
Hours passed rapidly and it was soon evening. The sun begun to make its slow descent from the sky, painting it a brilliant shade of blue and orange so beautiful that it seemed unreal. The busy streets of the city appeared lively yet cluttered at the same time under the orange glow of the setting sun.
Standing on a bridge that gave them a panoramic view of the city skyline, Atobe looked up wordlessly at the sky for a moment, recalling how it was his only comfort when alone in a foreign land, the thought had been so comforting to him then, the knowledge that he could see the same sky, the same sun, moon and stars as those he loved that he had left far behind. Slowly, he turned towards Fuji; an unreadable emotion clouded his dark eyes.
The sun slowly ended its journey across the sky.
Hmm, do give me your comments, you probably can guess what happens next though…. LOL