London Calling
By: Jyra
Disclaimer: Do not own Prince of Tennis. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this. Instead I'd be laughing about how I've created one of the best mangas in the world…
So I decided to not make this a one shot anymore but to write a new chapter for each major and minor tennis tournament as they happen. So this fic will follow the tennis world for a year recounting Tezuka and Ryoma's life as pros! As some of you may have guessed, this one is for the Artois Championship. As I write this, the quarter finals have only just finished but hopefully I'll publish this before the finals!
Slight pillar pair.
.X.
Ryoma would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the applause of the crowd as he stepped onto the court. However, all the fans in the world meant nothing if he couldn't find that one person in the sea of faces. Ryoma walked to the net, wishing his opponent a good game before taking his position at the base line, awaiting Roddick's serve.
It wouldn't be an easy game, Ryoma knew that. Roddick had won the Artois Championships four times, last year included. It was seen as the best warm up for Wimbledon and symbolised the end of the clay season and the start of the grass. It was true grass was Ryoma's preferred surface but it was also Roddick's.
It felt good to be playing singles again but as Ryoma returned the serve with a strong groundstroke, he couldn't help feeling a little lonely. He'd grown use to sharing his court with someone else, even if he supposed singles might be his first and true calling.
Of course Ryoma might have felt differently if he had been the one to make the decision to play in singles instead of doubles for this tournament. Instead it had been made for him. And somehow, Ryoma couldn't help but feel that his place in the finals of the Artois Championships, or at least his opponent's had not been fairly earned. How could it be when Tezuka wasn't playing? True, this tournament wasn't one that the top ten always entered but in Ryoma's mind, it was his fault Tezuka had not been able to take part.
The injury had happened in the French Opens final. They had won of course but it hadn't been easy and into the second set, Tezuka had stumbled covering for Ryoma. He'd brushed it off as nothing but Ryoma could see it was more than a bruise. Yet Tezuka's determination to win had pulled them through and it was only as they walked to collect the trophy that Tezuka's limp became obvious. He'd received medical attention straight away and it hadn't been anything career threatening, Ryoma had been glad to hear, but it had meant a short break for competitive tennis if Tezuka was to have any chance of playing in Wimbledon. Which was why Ryoma had registered as a singles player for the Artois Championships instead of the doubles as had originally been intended.
Although Tezuka had insisted that it wasn't his fault, Ryoma still felt guilty for his partner's injury. If only he hadn't needed Tezuka to cover for him, they could have been playing doubles. Or at least playing against each other in the final. Instead, Tezuka was sitting in the stands, watching Ryoma play. He'd been there every match, always waiting to offer congratulations, advice and improvements. Which, if anything, made Ryoma feel even worse about the whole deal.
'Game, set and match, Echizen'
It was over. Ryoma looked to the stands where he knew Tezuka would be sitting but his eyes only came to rest on an empty seat surrounded by member of the cheering crowd. Ryoma tried to mask the disappointment in his eyes as his shook first Roddick's hand and then the umpire's. Ryoma knew Tezuka would have a reason for not staying till the end but still…
After the compulsory signing of the camera and a quick word for the BBC, Ryoma headed off to the changing rooms, his mind only focussing on two things: a hot shower and Tezuka.
Of course, he wasn't expected to find both in the same place, but there was Tezuka, waiting patiently in the changing room, sitting next to Ryoma's kit. Ryoma couldn't help but smile, even if Tezuka's face stayed exactly the same. Though he did move to embrace the younger boy and, even if Ryoma couldn't see Tezuka's face at that point, he liked to imagine his former captain was smiling.
'Sorry I missed the last set. I had a doctor's appointment'
Tezuka stated, releasing Ryoma and sitting back down as Ryoma proceeded to peel off his tennis clothes.
'Oh?'
Ryoma didn't turn to face Tezuka, knowing if he did, his face would betray the hope that was swelling up in his stomach. A moment's silence elapsed before Tezuka continued.
'I've been given the all clear. We can play doubles again in time for Wimbledon. That's if, you still want to.'
Ryoma didn't think that question warranted a verbal answer. Instead, he bent down and placed a light kiss on Tezuka's lips, letting the elder know everything he needed too.
.X.
Well that's the Artois Championships written! Hope you liked it. I'm not sure if Roddick will be in the finals but it is most likely so I chose him!