DISCLAIMER: NO, I DON'T OWN P.O.T OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who left their reviews, followed, and favorite-d this fic. Sending my warm smiles to everyone!
His hand strained from holding his racket too tightly. He had the greatest urge to smash someone's face with his tennis ball. Why? He had no clue. But one thing is for certain he has to release the tension on his shoulders or he'd be in a terrible mood for days.
He grumpily made his way out of the swimming facility without giving Ryuzaki another look. He knew his mood would only worsen if he caught another glimpse of her in her speedo.
Ryuzaki roamed her eyes around their audience to stop on the wall at the farthest side of the bleachers, expecting to meet a pair of cat like eyes but there was none. She once again surveyed the bleachers there was no sign of him.
Was it her overactive imagination doing the trick on her?
Her senses never failed her when it knew Ryoma was near. She could always spot him easily.
That was weird.
Did she miss Ryoma already?
Stop it Sakuno! Stop thinking such thoughts.
She sighed. It wasn't in her nature to delude herself. She knew her feelings for Ryoma resurfaced as he spent his nights with her. She silently laughed, thinking that her grandmother would have a fit when she found out that her granddaughter was allowing a boy to sleep in her room and that it was Ryoma no less. But she knew she was safe from Ryoma. His thoughts were full of tennis and nothing else and even if it wasn't, it was not in his character to force himself on to someone.
Her thought then teasingly drifted to a memory from last night.
Her body was tired from swimming practice but her mind tirelessly kept her awake. She shifted from her side of the bed to stare blankly at the white ceiling.
She really wanted to sleep now.
She forcefully closed her eyes and shifted back to her side.
Five minutes passed and she was still awake.
She moved again.
Ryoma groaned in protest from her incessant moving.
Her eyes shifted to him in surprise, 'Sorry…'
She let her gaze linger as his eyes were still closed.
He looked so peaceful when he slept. With little thought, she gingerly removed strays of hair that covered his face, careful not to wake him. She gasped when he suddenly took her hand away from his face. She bit her lips, finding no means of escape as his hand still held her outstretched arm. Her brain tried to form an acceptable excuse but it came up with none.
Oh no…
She panicked as she waited in dread for Ryoma to open his eyes but he instead pulled her near him causing her to fall on his chest. She could hear the steady beating of his heart.
She looked up, 'Ryoma-kun…'
But his eyes remained closed.
Is he dreaming?
Not wanting to disturb his sleep, she gently tried to extract herself from Ryoma's hold but his arm suddenly snaked its way to her back to hold her in place.
Blood rushed to her head. She looked up to check if he was already awake but his hand stopped her head from moving further up and softly nudged it to rest on his chest.
'Sleep.' He murmured.
She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes.
The following morning when she opened her eyes he was already gone.
Were they still in the same position when he woke up?
She did not know as Ryoma acted naturally at school unlike her who spaced out during their morning classes.
Ryuzaki suddenly felt her embarrassment creep up. She let out a couple of long steadying breaths before her raging heart came back to its normal pace. She then quickly picked up her towel from the chair and made her way to their shower room.
From the time he had been sleeping at Ryuzaki's room he had always slept well but today he strangely felt content. He slowly opened his eyes while it quickly adjusted to the darkness. The blinds hindered him from looking outside but he knew it was already dawn. It was time to get up. He usually leaves her room before the sun rises. He tried to move but he could not. Something was impeding him from moving. Could a pillow weigh too much? Surprise crossed his eyes as he looked down to see Ryuzaki snuggled close to him, her head lay comfortably on his chest.
His brows furrowed in confusion. How did she get to where she was and how was he holding her close… like he was embracing her… he was embracing her…Wait what?
He tried to recall everything that happened last night then he remembered he was sleeping when his keen senses woke him up as there was too much movement on the bed. The first thought process that came to his mind was to stop the continuous bouncing of the bed so he unconsciously pulled her closer. When he achieved the stillness he wanted he slept again.
His brain winning over his heart, he shrugged and slowly removed her head from his chest and got out of bed without making any noise.
There was nothing out of the ordinary with what he did. He just helped her sleep as she helped him sleep.
No big deal.
Ryoma's afternoon practice was finished when Fuji approached him.
'Problem?'
Fuji was wiping his sweat with his towel.
'Hn.'
'Your rallies were too strong that Momo's racket gave in. It was as if you were fighting with a demon.'
'Hn.'
'Distance.'
With that last word Fuji left Ryoma to gather his things.
What does he mean by that? He always talked in riddles.
He glared at his sempai's retreating back.
Know it all.
That night Ryoma decided to stay at his room to sleep. He hated following someone else's unsolicited advice but being dependent to someone was even worse. He can't live the rest of his life sleeping in Ryuzaki's room to sleep. Perhaps it was time to allow his body to reacquaint itself with his own bed again.
This was the first time in weeks that he tried to sleep his on own bed again. Within minutes, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Ryuzaki easily found him in the park at his usual spot.
She silently watched him rally with the wall as he efficiently returned the ball with ease.
She cleared her throat.
'Ryoma-kun.'
'Hn.'
'I was wondering why you didn't come last night.'
He continued rallying with the wall but he answered her nonetheless, 'I don't need to.'
It somehow felt like he said I don't need you.
'Oh. Right. Ok.'
He probably was able to gain back his normal sleeping habits. He did not need her help anymore or her.
How stupid of her to think that what happened the other night was something. That it had meant something. It was probably just reflex to steady her so he won't disturb him.
After all Ryoma was Ryoma.
Tennis will be his only life. For how long… she did not know and she wasn't willing to wait any longer to find out.
When Ryoma left for America she accepted it because he had dreams. He had goals. Everything revolved around tennis. So she let him leave without confessing about her feelings. She was afraid he would just throw it back at her face. But her heart waited for his return. It waited without her consent.
She sighed.
Perhaps it was time to teach her heart to stop waiting.
Days passed by quickly as though that one month did not even take place. Ryoma forgot about all other thoughts bothering him and focused solely on tennis. He never set foot in the swimming facility again. Ryuzaki caused him abnormalities he had no time dealing with and he had no business thinking of. He'd rather save all his energy on tennis and eliminate all the confusion she brought.
It was only in moments when he was at close proximity with her that his will disintegrated. In class, his eyes would suddenly have a mind of its own and forget he was its master as it chose to stare at her back than zero in on his teacher in front. During group activities or school projects, when heaven would be against him and he would end up being partnered with her, his mouth would open on its own encouraging small talks with her.
Damn it.
Those were moments where he himself wanted to pummel his self with tennis balls.
Stupid.
But still, he had enough brain to brag about so as much as he could he would avoid situations where he could be in close contact with her. The plan served him well. And tennis would help him be million of miles away from her.
A/N: As much as I hate breaking them apart especially since we all know they are meant to be together well a little drama never hurt, did it. Until the next chapter!