Summary: Ryoma and Atobe were desperately in-love, just not with each other. It tore them to realize they could never have their heart's desire so they turned to the next best thing… an affair with one another. Devoid of feelings, succumbing to their needs… until it became something else. But what if their feelings were actually being returned?
Rating: T for adult contents, but nothing really that explicit yet. It might go up in the future if I decide to write lemons
Pairings: Royal Pair, Thrill Pair, Imperial Pair, Perfect Pair
Disclaimer: I DOn't own Prince of Tennis or any of its character. If I did it would officially become a yaoi anime and well… use your perverted imaginations!
Warning: This is a yaoi story. It has boy x boy love here so for those who can't appreciate such thing you are warned. There is no rating-affecting warning here. Just for some OOC'ness of some characters and some underage drinking.
AN: I a, really sorry for being a few days late for my update. It seems like taking masteral classes in chemistry is harder than I originally thought. But I really love it so I have no complaints. All those chemicals and their reactions to understand!
Anyways, I am seriously considering a possibility of an OT5. I really love that pairing. But initially I never even considered that pairing for this story because I find writing a beginning of their relationship in accordance with the anime really hard. But because many are asking for it I am coming up with ways I can somehow work out that pairing in this story. But still, everything is still not concrete.
Here are my replies to the reviewers:
keilovers: I find that there are too few royal pair stories out there too. Too bad because personally this pairing is so much fun to read and write. I do hope more people would write stories about these two.
hyperdude: Yeah, normally it's Fuji and Tezuka who are more perceptive when it comes to other people's feelings. But sometimes I wonder if maybe their perceptiveness could become their greatest flaw. I tried to do that in this story, to show that they are far from perfect characters. But I want their side of the story to be heard also, for the readers to understand the reason behind their actions. Chapter two is a means of balancing the whole love square.
ichi nichi: Wah!!! I know I promised an update in two weeks and now I'm a couple of days late! I'm really sorry. But thank you very much for the review. I do hope I live up to all you expectations.
alaine: Here's your wish! The third chapter. Thanks.
miliy: Please don't hate Fuji and Tezuka. But I'll make them suffer for a bit just the same. Thank you for reading my story!
Crooked Mile: I feel sorry for Fuji and Tezuka too, but I'm going to make them suffer just a little bit more. Huhuhu… I'm a huge thrill fan too, same way I'm a huge royal pair fan. So it's really hard to choose and that's why I'm looking for the readers to help me make up my mind. I'm so happy you like my story. Thanks for the review!
ASW x0x-TinnKiTn: Yes, Tezuka will be back soon. Really soon. I'm so happy you like this story. Not really the first one I worked on but the first one I posted.
tsub4ki: OT4 or OT5 are pairings that I find really hard to write specially if it is about the beginning of their relationship. I don't know why. But I have considered it all the same. We'll just wait and see. Thank you for reading!
1xmocha: Sorry to burst your bubble but it is not yet sure if I'll be making this an OT5. Gosh, I love that pairing. You need not look for more, they're all there! But I really find writing the beginning of their story in accordance with the anime or manga so difficult because they have such dynamic characters. That is one of the many reasons why I love your stories. You make it really look easy. But I have seriously considered it, and am actually thinking of ways to make it work. Hopefully it will turn out good and I can officially make this into an OT5
If it's any consolation Sanada is making his debut in the third chapter and he will be playing a very important roll that would really impact the other four. Thank you for reading and hope you like the new chapter.
wacklylou: Thank you that you find my story wonderful. And I'm glad you guys see the side of Fuji and Tezuka. I never intended them to become the antagonist of the story. Hope you like the new chapter.
Ginchou Kidan: Yeah, love is really very complicated. And I am happy you can sympathize with Fuji and Tezuka because I don't want people to see them as the bad guys of this story. It just happen that I want to show to the people that no one is perfect, and even the strongest can commit a mistake. Thanks.
kisskiss: Yeah, there are too few Royal Pair stories out there. Too bad…
kat: I'm glad you like the second chapter. And as a reward I present to you guys the latest chapter!
2-D-A-N-I-0: I really hope you were alone when you were reading or else you would have bothered a lot of people! ^^. I'm sorry if it took me some time to post the new chapter. It has been really busy lately.
Chapter Three: After the Finals
After the last ball was served and the last point was won Ryoma felt he was in cloud nine. He looked over to his opponent with admiration and respect. Sanada deserved it. He had beaten Ryoma before, and now that Ryoma had returned the favor he could not help but feel that it was no the end of the match. There will be more opportunities to face off again in the future, and he was certain the Rikkaidai fukubuchou would come out stronger than ever.
He looked up behind his side of the court where the Hyotei regulars stood in attendance and he could not help but send a smirk to Atobe, who acknowledge him with a smirk of his own. There was a silent exchange of congratulations, and Ryoma acknowledged them with a tilt of his head. Their eye contact was broken when his teammates descended upon him in utter joy and excitement for winning the Kantou Takai for Seigaku.
Fuji watched Ryoma's delighted face with light heart. The boy really acted too mature at times and these unguarded moments were proof of that fact. He wished he had his camera with him to capture forever the carefree smile that graced the normally withdrawn boy. The unguarded moment, however, did not last very long and soon Ryoma was back to his old cocky self.
In all honesty Fuji wanted to congratulate the younger boy himself, in manner more different in comparison to the congratulations he was receiving from their other teammates. He wanted to congratulate him in private, maybe he could pull out again those unguarded expressions on the petite boy. But Eiji was standing guard over their Ochibi, and he and Momo were alternately either glomping him to suffocation or putting him in the headlock of death. He would have intervened would it not attract too much attention and speculation from the others so he settled in bidding his time. They would have ample opportunity later in Taka-san's sushi bar.
He noted that Hyotei had departed after Ryoma's match against Sanada. He couldn't miss them because Akutagawa Jirou decided to shout himself hoarse watching his idols, which included him. At first Atobe and Kabaji were absent; he didn't think the diva would actually come, since the match would only add fire to the fuel that leaked since their absence in the Nationals was confirmed. Kabaji just followed Atobe around. He was surprised; however, that he showed up right in the middle of Ryoma's match and encouraged the younger boy as he found himself in the pinch.
Fuji had wanted to be the one to encourage their super rookie, and if he didn't know for a fact that the diva had the hots for Tezuka he would have allowed the green monster of jealousy to overcome him. Not that it didn't peek, but he hid it behind his smiles once again. As it turned out Ryoma only needed a gentle prodding to unleash the beginning of his potential as a tennis player.
He looked up to see Sanada approaching them sans his team; the regulars were already in the hospital where their captain was undergoing a major surgery. At first the Rikkaidai fukubuchou shook hand with their temporary captain. Then Fuji stiffened when Sanada approached Ryoma and shook his hands once again; like he didn't do that when their match ended. If Fuji was to be asked he would say Sanada was just trying to hit on his Ryoma once again.
Eiji jumped suddenly when he felt the murderous aura envelop their little group. He had always been extra sensitive, and he looked around for the most probable source of the scary aura. But Fuji was still smiling his forever innocent smile, although his body was more rigid than ever. And what could be the reason for the murderous aura? He looked at the only non-Seigaku person in the little group and he saw Sanada talking to Oishi, with their Ochibi nearby. Eh… I don't get it. Maybe it's just nothing.
Sanada bid them goodbye and Seigaku continued to clean up their belongings so that they could head off to Kawamura Sushi for their celebratory feast.
***************************
An hour later Ryoma could feel the euphoria of winning against Sanada dissipating. Even the fact that they were, at last, once again the Kantou Takai Champions could not keep his mood from degrading steadily to gloominess. This was supposed to be a night for celebration, a night where he could throw away all his worries and savor the aftertaste of the victory.
But then Fuji just had to call Tezuka. And the evening turned to 'Tease-Fuji-and-Tezuka's-obvious-relationship' event.
Eiji was still lounging beside the brown-haired teen, trying to pry more information from his secretive sempai. He didn't know why Fuji still insisted on not talking about his relationship with Tezuka; it was really pretty obvious to everyone's point of view. Maybe if they said it out aloud he would stop this painful hope from living in his heart and he could move on and find another person.
He shifted the sushi in his plate, trying to look like he was eating and having the best time of his life. Momo, he noted, had already eaten half of the sushi in his plate and he was thankful because it would look like he was actually eating. He tried valiantly to become cheerful again, as cheerful as he normally was, but Fuji just had to open his mouth again and answer Eiji's inquiries.
"Saa… I do love Tezuka," Fuji said with his smile. "And I love you and the rest of the team."
Eiji pouted. "That's not what I meant, nya! Do you or do you not love buchou more than you do us?"
Fuji chuckled and plopped a sushi in his mouth before answering. "Who knows?"
Ryoma put his chopsticks down and pulled his cell phone, pretending he had gotten a message from home. He looked like he was reading an annoying message to the world and he stuffed his cell phone back to his pants pocket and stood up.
"Mina, I need to go now. They're calling me back home," he lied with a straight face.
His announcement was met with loud protests, mostly coming from his equally loud regular teammates. But no matter how much Eiji whined or Momo threaten he wouldn't be dissuaded. He told them his parents had prepared something for him at home and they had requested his presence as soon as possible. After assuring his Oishi-sempai that it was really important and declining a very tempting offer of taking him home by Fuji Ryoma walked out of the sushi bar to the cool, Tokyo night and walked in the direction of the bus stop.
Not that he was actually taking the bus but just in case anyone tried to make sure he was really heading home he made his way towards it. When he reached the bus stop and he was sure no one followed him he made a left turn, walking aimlessly around the streets, weaving in and out of the busy shopping streets. He was trying to take of his mind from his worries by distracting himself with the noise and smell and lights of the busy district but it was all in vain. Sighing at his apparent hopelessness he let himself be immersed by his problems as he continued his walk. He was rattled out of his reverie when a hand clamped almost savagely at his arm. He looked up; ready to give his attacker a piece of his mind when he saw it was Atobe.
"Do watch where you're going brat," Atobe drawled in his infuriating tone. "The light is still red."
Ryoma returned his gaze to his surrounding and was surprised to find himself in at a crossing with the lights still red. He looked back at Atobe and graced him with a sheepish look.
"Sorry. I was deep in thought," he mumbled apologetically.
"Hmn…" Atobe trailed. "Aren't you suppose with you teammates celebrating? Or did they kick you out for being an insufferable brat?"
"Like it is any of your business monkey king," Ryoma huffed indignantly. "But I needed some fresh air and decided to leave early."
"Ahh… Fuji and Tezuka?" Atobe prodded.
Ryoma was getting irritated. "What are you doing here? Isn't this area too low for your egotistical self?"
"If you must know Ore-sama wanted new scenery," Atobe answered easily. "Sometimes you have to mingle with your subjects, even if it hurts you. And you are changing the subject."
"Oh, we're actually talking now?" Ryoma challenged.
"Well, if you call Ore-sama indulging in this childish chit-chat talking, then I guess we are," Atobe countered.
Ryoma threw a fierce glare at the general direction of the Hyotei captain and was rewarded with a condescending one. The intensity of their suddenly silent banter earned them quite a few audiences, especially since they were still blocking a good portion of the pedestrian.
Someone cleared their throat and both directed their ire at the intruding offender.
"Sorry to bother you but could you please move just a little bit? We would like to cross the street preferably today."
His face flushed a flattering red as Ryoma let out a short apology while Atobe tried to stare down the intruder, contemplating if drastic measures were needed to substantiate his authority anywhere he deemed to grace his presence. Ryoma, noticing the affronted look of his companion, decided to diffuse the situation and pulled the taller teen by the hand towards the lined shops.
"Of all the… I could sue him for slander!" Atobe exclaimed.
Ryoma made tsk sound before replying, "The world doesn't belong to you monkey king."
"Maybe not yet," Atobe agreed. "But soon…"
A snort was the response he got for the last statement. Atobe smirked and dragged the younger one to his wake, wheedling through the throngs of early evening shoppers with great accuracy.
"Where the hell are you taking me monkey king?" Ryoma asked rather irritably.
Atobe threw him a smirk and flipped his hair for effect. "I'm inviting you to my house and we'll get to the actual talking."
A nerve ticked dangerously. "And why would I want to come with you?"
Their progress in the street halted and Atobe turned to threw him a blank look before adding, "I want you to amuse me."
Ryoma was very tempted to argue, public or not, because it was totally irrational and so like the arrogant diva. He felt his image as the proud prince dictated him so. But after realizing that he actually forgot the reason why he was mopping in the streets with their banter he reconsidered and sighed in agreement, allowing himself to be half dragged.
Atobe heard the sign and his smirk widen. "Let's go to my limousine. It's waiting around the corner."
They walked the short distance where the conspicuous vehicle was parked. Ryoma felt self conscious when he got in the limo, feeling the eyes of many people in his back at such extravagance. Atobe followed him easily, apparently already used to the glances.
***************************
Ryoma felt the now familiar buzz in his head lull him in a state of contentment and relaxation. He cast his gaze to his companion sitting opposite of him and he gave a crooked smile. Atobe was smirking, totally amused at the turn of events. A bottle of brandy, almost empty, rest on the table between them; their glasses still half full.
They were inside Atobe's private quarters, settled comfortably on the verandah overlooking the spacious garden of the Atobe Estate. But he could not see the scenery anymore, nor could he appreciate the extravagance that ooze out of Atobe's room. He took no notice of the famous painting that hang on the wall, or the ornaments that seemed like they belong to a museum, or the comfortable and expensive looking four poster bed in the middle of the room. He was past beyond that stage.
It was already past midnight. Atobe had offered Ryoma to stay overnight, after they had spent a couple of hours just ranting and raving about their common miseries in life. Ryoma had called home, saying he was staying over s friend's house for the celebratory party of their win. Atobe raided his father's bar and had gotten a bottle of brandy. Nothing could beat problems more than a good talk and alcohol to numb the pain.
After a little coaxing from the diva Ryoma had given in and tasted his first sip of brandy while Atobe watched over with an air of superiority. Soon they were chugging down the alcohol, trying to out-do the other. A bottle of brandy was enough to down a grown man, let alone underage teenagers who still have bodies on maturing stage. It was no surprise then that they were getting intoxicated, Ryoma more so than Atobe.
"You're drunk, brat," Atobe declared as he took another sip of his alcohol.
"Am not," Ryoma disagreed, though it would have worked better if he wasn't smiling like an idiot. But he wasn't drunk, he argued to himself. He was slowly working his way to that stage but he was still not there.
"Ore-sama begs to differ. You. Are. Drunk" Atobe insisted.
"Whatever," Ryoma scoffed, emptying his glass. "You know, I'd never have thought you could be a great company, monkey king." Okay, maybe I am drunk if I started to think this narcissistic bastard is a good company.
"Oh well, what can Ore-sama says. Ore-sama is always a good company." Atobe raised his glass in a mock salute. "This is for you and I, for pinning after idiots who seems too oblivious with our tender feelings and take for granted our devotion."
Ryoma raised his glass and tried to drink, but found out his glass empty. He reached out for the bottle but Atobe beat him to it. Atobe poured a liberal amount on Ryoma's glass and poured the rest on his own. Ryoma raised his glass in mimicry of Atobe's earlier action.
"Well, this is for them… for being idiots or something." They both emptied their glasses.
They simultaneously placed their glasses at the table and looked at each other. There was no need for words as the end of their drinking spree was like a signal of the end of the short retreat they have taken. Once the clink of the glasses meeting the marble table reverberated through the musky night their misery returned and they were suddenly doused with cold water.
"This is really insane," Ryoma said under his breath. "How could we…"
"Make them the center of our world just like that?" Atobe finished for him. "Let me know when you get the answer. Then maybe we could think of something to counter it."
Ryoma stood up and wobbled a little bit. Atobe reached out for him to steady him. When he was settled and felt his focus returned he looked up to see Atobe towering over him, their bodies really close. He drew in a deep breath, feeling that the air suddenly was a notch warmer and that it was getting harder to breath, and noticed that Atobe was doing the same thing.
He stared at the deep blue eyes of his companion and he knew his own eyes mirrored those he saw in the endless blue orbs. Throwing caution in the wind he reached up and placed his right hand at Atobe's face, caressing the smooth flesh. He could always blame the alcohol later own.
"Echizen…"
"Ssh… maybe we could actually forget them this one night," Ryoma whispered. "Would you like to give ourselves that rare chance?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Atobe murmured.
Atobe lowered his head and placed his lips on Ryoma's for a kiss.
TBC…
I really have no idea how much alcohol could make a teen drunk. I've never been really drunk because the taste of hard alcohol never sits well with my stomach. Forgive for the inaccuracy.
Third chapter is finally up and I want to warn you that the next chapter will most probably contain a lemon! If you have any aversions to a lemon, tell me so that I can reconsider. But it really is a vital part of the whole plot.
Thank you for your continued patronage to Double Standards.
RxR!
nicki-gurl
