Valentine for two
Fic: Valentine for two(I)
Author: lyrasoren
Pair: Tezuka and Ryoma
Word count: 7000
Rating: PG-13
Note: Collection of short fics. Special thanks to nekoyoka who beta read this for me.
1. When you came to stay-Forest Au (I)
In this forest summer comes and settles all over, tangled in the bare feet of people, breathed by the few trees, in the dust that lingers between fingers, in the water so abundant, and sometimes so scarce, in the grumpier monkeys, in the simple life of humans who know how to be grateful of their lives.
Yes indeed, at the very beginning of the year summer is the name of the invisible soul that nurtures everything.
Tezuka has never known a day when he wished to see snow, or even crimson and auburn leaves floating inches above the earth. He has never wished to see his surroundings crave for a ray of sun. Yes, he has seen what dehydration could do, however it has already become part of their lives.
He has long found the rituals of nature and completely dedicated himself to them. Every leave has its specific aroma, every taint foot print particularities of the one who created. When he notices a print that matched his own, only smaller, he thinks it impossible. It had been years since a human passed his surroundings.
He trails it, deep into the forest, past the boundaries he had imposed upon himself.
What he finds is beyond his imagination: a human child, less than 5 feet tall, severely injured, and very pale. Tezuka carefully snuggles him in his arms, and is amazed at his lightness. He looks down at him; his eyes are shut, his hair the color of the rawest leaves, and his face almost perfect.
Summer smells like the smoke of incense, like the fragrance of the coffee, that it is there only to be relished. When it comes or goes, no one is certain, however when it comes it stays.
Ryoma, as Tezuka decides to call the boy, doesn’t remember anything. Tezuka doesn’t want to think about it. If summer decided to give him this gift, he is willing to take care of the boy.
Ryoma becomes what the water is to the roots of a tree. He becomes everything and nothing at all. He is in every shade and every grove. He is in every puddle, and in every part of Tezuka’s life.
Ryoma brings him flowers and fruits and asks like a child “What is this?” with a smile at the corners of his lips, until Tezuka takes his hand and teaches him everything from the beginning. He cups his palms and stares at the water for minutes, and Tezuka sometimes wonders if he would look at him like that, but as soon as the thought enters his mind he sends it away.
One morning Ryoma wakes him up just to show him a nest with little birds in it. Tezuka smiles, and lifts the boy up to see. When the boy is put down on again he gives Tezuka a kiss on his cheek, and mouths Thank you. Tezuka blushes imperceptibly.
One night Ryoma is too cold and comes and nestles into Tezuka. The older boy watches him with a questioning look, but indulges him anyway. As soon as he is asleep, Tezuka runs his fingers through his hair, thinking of summer and their encounter.
One time Tezuka cuts himself deeply trying to hunt a monkey, Ryoma takes care of him, but after he finds out where Tezuka cut himself, he sulks and doesn’t speak with him for two days.
Tezuka has forgotten how it feels to be alone, so when he doesn’t find Ryoma anywhere he tries to remember the days where no laughter was heard, when ‘Che’ or ‘Come with me, Tezuka?’ were just words without meaning to him. He can’t.
Ryoma comes back one week later, and Tezuka has never been happier. He drags Ryoma closer to him and hugs him. Ryoma stumbles back and pushes Tezuka into a tree and kisses him slowly and passionately. “You missed me?” He chokes though ragged breaths.
When rain comes, Ryoma disappears, his existence is washed away, his presence erased like he has never been there before. The only thing that remains is his smell: cinnamon and acacia, the freshness of water and the taste of grapes.
Tezuka realizes that Ryoma has never been his. He has always belonged to summer and it took its token back.
2. Renewal
Ryoma leans his racket near the bell of the temple. He never has and never will understand why people bothered with such a holiday. He would much rather appreciate it if there was a whole day dedicated to tennis only. Love, is like another language to him. One he will not strain to brush up on.
“Echizen.” there is a nuance in that voice that calms him, despite his racing heart.
“Buchou…” He carefully turns in fear it is only his imagination.
He was supposed to be at practice. So how, or maybe why?
“You skipped practice today, why?”
Ryoma shifts, the reason unknowingly staring into his eyes. The tip of a ribbon is visible out of Tezuka’s bag.
“Nandemonai, just forget about me.” So he has received them…
After moments of tense silence, Tezuka sighs and utters, “Suite koi.”
They walk in silence, the captain a few steps ahead, his strides long and elegant, confident his kohai is following suit.
The courts under the rail way? He hasn’t brought his racket!
Clouds smile morosely from high above, and there is a malaise feeling in the air. Their hair is blown in the wind, and chills run down their spine.
“Do you remember what I told you a year ago?” Tezuka’s voice sounds sparse in the garrulous weather.
“Hai.”
“I believe it is my turn to promise you something.”
“Buchou?”
Tezuka entwines their fingers together. Ryoma looks up at him dumbfounded.
“I will always play tennis with you. Is that fine by you?”
Ryoma tugs his cap down and smirks.
“Aa.”
It’s not such a bad day, after all.
3. Appropriate?
Tezuka is preparing his lunch for school. It is barely dawn, yet here he is, awake and already dressed in his uniform. At five am it is too early for him to be out of bed; usually it is only after 6 am that he drowsily goes to brush his teeth. So what changed?
Only a glance at his calendar that is posted in his room was enough to give him a head ache.
February 14th is the worst day for a male student to even think of attending school in the first place.
Being in his shoes has been a total damnation, a true test for his self control and patience; not to mention a lot of useless information to load his memory with for White Day. He never asked to be noticed. He hardly enjoyed being the object of fantasy for his zealous fan club.
At least tennis practice will be held as usual. One stern look from him will deter all the gawking.
However, the worst part will be when he will not be able to avoid a certain freshman. How he can’t wait to let his willpower go at the door of the club room and kiss passionately, deeply, without reserve until no other sounds are heard, other than their moans.
He knows it is not appropriate, as well as he knows he has long ago given up the notion of resisting. Valentine Day or not.
4. Juxtapose
He is not sure how they arrived at this point.
A moment ago they were celebrating Valentine Day like a normal couple and the next they were yelling at each other.
“We are not going to let Fuji choose the place where we will spend our evening!” Ryoma stubbornly pouts and sulks and yells. “It’s our damned first time together and I am not going to let him ruin it!”His voice breaks with finality.
“It’s not like I agreed to it.” Tezuka is still composed despite the heavy atmosphere. “Besides we don’t know if it is a bad idea.” He pauses realizing what he just said as Ryoma gives him an incredulous stare.”I take that back.” Ryoma gives him another pointed look, his golden eyes flare with determination. “I still believe we should at least consider his offer.”
“Is that your final answer?” The younger of them holds his gaze, gratifying him with his best of glares.
Tezuka accepts his challenge. “Aa”
“Very well, you can go on the date with him instead.”
“Do you expect me to believe that?” Tezuka frowns; this game is going too far.
“Che.” Ryoma throws him an infuriating smirk and walks out of their apartment.
He stares for a long time at the door, as if it held all the answers. He should have followed him, should have dragged him back, pressed him against the wall and never let go of that night.
He calls Fuji half an hour later and tells him they can choose it themselves.
“Is that so Tezuka? I already had in mind one of the greatest plac-“
“WE are fine Fuji.” Tezuka lies, swearing under his breath.
“You’re sure? You don’t sound too happy to me?”Trust Fuji and his insight to ruin everything.
“Aa, thanks for your help” Tezuka ends the call.
After waiting for what felt like forever, Tezuka finally falls asleep, feeling guiltier than ever.
Ryoma finds him deep in sleep, his brown locks messed, and his face hidden by his arms. He kisses the crown of his head, whispering, “I am sorry,” into his ear.
Tezuka wakes, his glasses barely hanging on the tip of his nose and his sharp eyes full with sleep.
“Ryoma?” He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.
Ryoma cups his face and places butterfly kisses all over, on his eyes, his brows, his forehead, his jaw, until they land on his lips where they belong.
“We don’t need a special place.” Ryoma mutters, tangling his fingers in velvet chestnut tresses. He drops himself unceremoniously into Tezuka’s lap, bending to kiss the nape of his neck. “I already found my place and I am not willing to leave so soon. It is right here” His finger points just where Tezuka’s heart is. “And you know what; I want to keep it all to myself”
Tezuka can do nothing but agree.
5. Nothings
The door to your bookshop is forced open and a mop of black-green hair pops inside, the middle school uniform fitting him so well. He looks at the shelves aligned methodically in rows upon rows of written word. You see him scowl and yawn; and you wonder if he really belongs there. Certainly not.
“How can I help you?” You utter out of courtesy.
He stares at you with his golden eyes and you can’t help but feel a little self-aware that you must look like a relic to him.
“Do you have this by Sugiyama Ai?” He seems to really search though his memory for that name.
“Are you interested in mysteries?”
“Not me, a friend of mine is.” This really stirs your interest.
“So you want to give it as a gift, I can wrap it for you.”
He measures you from head to toe, as if it is none of your business, and maybe it isn’t.
Still he answers. “I want to read it, do you have it or not?”
“Impatient are we?” He glares at you, but you want to know more.
“This friend of yours is older than you?” You know that if he answers this there is only one possibility.
“Yes he is 2 years older.” Your guess is correct. Only one person came and asked for that same author: Kunimitsu. And your second guess is that their relationship is more than meets the eye.
“If you don’t like mystery why read it?” This is as far you can go.
You see him flush, there it is the proof.
At that moment the door imperceptibly opens, and the tall and bespectacled teenager in question enters the bookshop.He nods in your direction.
“Echizen?”
The boy turns and you can’t see his expression anymore. But if it mirrors the one on Tezuka’s face it is worth thousands words. “Buchou, what are you doing here?”
Tezuka just inclines his head forward suggesting some place more secluded. You follow them with the corner of your eyes as they go to the back rows of book. To the romance session if you are not mistaken.
You tip toe, you haven’t seen this junior before, but if he can put such an expression on Tezuka’s face, then you have a mystery before you.
“Ryoma, would you like to accompany me to dinner?”
You can’t see their faces too well; still there is a smile on Tezuka’s face for certain.
“I thought you had forgotten. Che. I hope it will be worth the embarrassment I went through.”
You smile to yourself, teenage love. But maybe there is more to it, as you see them kiss. No one knows.
6. Peace of mind
Hypothetically speaking Tezuka shouldn’t feel like this whenever he closes his eyes. His shoulders drop in relaxation and his pose is not so strained, as it was two hours ago. His nerves aren’t burning , and his mouth isn’t so thin. He escaped. All those girls and his fan club, gone somewhere far in the distance, while he is soaking wet and fully clothed in the pool of the school 2nd floor.
And besides he is not totally freezing in the chilly water, and it’s not like it’s below freezing outside. Best of all, the one who pulled him into the pool definitely isn’t his kohai, whom, by the way, he hadn’t corrupted a middle school to stay put with him and hide for dear life.
“Echizen are you cold?”
“…”
When he hears no sound coming from the freshmen he fears for the worst. He swims quietly to where Ryoma is floating near the base of the giant pool. He turns Echizen over, however the young boy is flushed and his eyes are shut. Tezuka reprimands himself mentally for being so careless.
“Echizen, you need to wake up.” He shakes the other as much as he can without splashing the water.
“Buchou? “ A weak voice tells him he has reached Ryoma. Tezuka hugs him tight, caught in the moment, and not thinking.
“Don’t ever do that to me!”
“Hn, buchou you’re suffocating me.” Tezuka lets go and suggest they get out of the water.
Later, the warmth of Ryoma’s skin still lingers on his shirt and his smell calms Tezuka all over again.
7. Keepsake
Ryoma telepathically communicates with Karupin, who is sitting in the middle of his bed, and like his master he is supporting his head in his palms, his tail swinging. Karupin is more attentive than ever, his blue eyes locked with the cat-like ones of his owner.
“You know Karu, tomorrow I am returning to America.”
“Mew and you’ll take me with you, won’t you?”
“No.” Ryoma pouts and scratches his cat behind the ears. “I can’t take you with me.”
“Why not? Aren’t I always traveling with you?” Karupin jumps out of the bed and drags his tail wanting to make tracks for the kitchen.
“Wait. I won’t leave you alone.” At this Karupin turns his head towards Ryoma. “Honestly, you tell me you will leave and then that you won’t leave me alone?” Karupin shakes its head.
“I can’t tell you until tomorrow; can you at least wait until then?” The cat wrinkles its nose and takes its leave. Ryoma is left wondering if his cat spends too much time with his stupid Oiaji.
Fifteen minutes later Ryoma dials a number and a deep voice answers him.
“Echizen?”
“Buchou, can you come over now?” Ryoma sighs; unfortunately he is the only person to trust such a delicate matter to.
“Has something happened to you?” Tezuka seems a little worried from the other end of the line.
“Ilie, I just want to ask you something.”
“You can ask over the phone Echizen, there is no need for me to come over.” Tezuka is being oblivious on purpose.
“You must come. It’s something personal.” Ryoma can already see the expression on Tezuka’s face.
“It’s not what you think. Just come.” Ryoma ends the call.
Ten minutes later a heavily breathing Tezuka is waiting at his door step. “Come in.” Ryoma shoves him inside.
He takes advantage of the fact that no one is currently home and leads Tezuka straight to his bedroom.
“Want something to drink?” After all he is the host.
“Tea would be great.” He comes back swift with the refreshments, Ponta for his own.
“Echizen, why am I here?” Tezuka is standing not knowing what to do.
“You should sit down.” Ryoma throws him an impish smile.
“I think you know by now that in two days I am leaving for America?” Ryoma starts off.
“Aa.” Tezuka’s reply sounds half heartedly and this doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I will be staying at Kevin’s and since his mother is allergic to cats…”
Tezuka eyes the cat for a second, it tiptoes and wrings between his legs, purring adorably. He doesn’t resist the notion and unconsciously he fondles it on the head.
“And since you apparently get along with Karu, please buchou.” Tezuka considers it for a while and nods.
Ryoma goes and sits next to Tezuka, rests his head on his shoulder and takes Karupin in his lap. ”You really are a lifesaver.” The captain fondly ruffles his hair.
Part 2