Log: Shishido Ryou and Atobe Keigo
Who: Atobe Keigo and Shishido Ryou
What: Atobe comes to visit Shishido
When: before summer break. about three months backdated
Where: Shishido’s dorm room
Rating: PG
Comments: way way backdated
It was rare when Atobe went to the dorms. Usually, he met Shishido elsewhere. Especially since the other had a roommate. Atobe didn’t want to share his Shishido time with some flirty red head. He wanted that time to himself. However, he had been on campus, on the courts, trying to rearrange his thoughts. Because tennis had always been a bit of a release for him. He could just focus on that and nothing else. He wasn’t as skilled as he used to be. He’d lost a lot of it due to his work and school schedule. And he missed it. He missed it more than anything else. Anything else but the person he was about visit.
He didn’t know if Shishido was busy or not. He knew their schedules weren’t the same. They didn’t share any classes. Soon, if he didn’t do anything, he wouldn’t be sharing a summer with him either. That, he didn’t want at all. He wanted time with his lover. Time that his father and the business couldn’t take from him.
He knocked at the door to the dorm room and called out, “Ryou, are you home?”
There were some laughter coming from the dorm, which made it obvious that he wasn't alone. Nonetheless, it only took the brunette a few seconds to open the door. "Keigo..." he said surprised and looked onto his room, where 3 of his classmates looked pretty comfortable, munching on crackers with his notebook opened. They all went quiet when they saw Atobe by the door. "We were studying. Come in."
He held the door open and his friends began to get themselves ready to leave. They knew who that blond was and what he was to Shishido, so they had no interest on getting in the way.
He could hear the laughter though the door. A part of him was envious of his lover. He didn’t really study with anyone.He could count the number of true friend he had on one hand. It was depressing but something he refused to let get to him. Instead, when the door opened and the others went silent upon his appearance, he sighed. It seemed that Shishido’s friends didn’t want anything to do with the heir. He wasn’t surprised that they were quickly finding their things to vacate.
He frowned at that. “No. No. It’s quite all right. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” Yet, they were still leaving. leaving Keigo standing in the door with his boyfriend and an empty room behind them, where there had just been laughter. He stood silently while they passed him by towards what he supposed would be other areas of study and then sighed. “I should have called ahead and warned you I was coming. If you need to study, Ore-sama is rather skilled at most any subject.”
Shishido didn’t tell them to stay, even though he could have. His friends were okay with Atobe. They studied in that school, so obviously, they knew about about the good tennis players from junior and senior high years, and that included Atobe too. But Shishido would often look spaced in class and his friends knew that it was because he hasn’t seen his other half for a while. He was more opened than his boyfriend, so he complained to them sometimes, that they could never see each other. So, obviously, when they saw the other by the door, they knew that Shishido would have wanted them gone.
“Bye guys. Email me that paper tonight!” he called out in the corridor as they walked away, then looked at Atobe. “Nah, it’s alright, it’s a group project thing. But...” he closed the door, “...I’m surprised, it’s been a while since you came over.”
He remained just inside the room. Once the door was closed he smiled just a little more. ““I’ve got...” he checked his watch a moment, “A few hours to myself. And I realize that. I’ve been remiss as a boyfriend lately. I was in the neighborhood,” The fact that he was in tennis clothing was proof of that. “And I wanted to see you.” He missed his lover. “To surprise you.” He stepped closer and gave him a small kiss, “Surprise.” He then pulled away and smiled at his lover.
He went to where the group had been studying and looked down to the chips and reached down to take one and bite into it. He was not one for junk food at all. He didn’t eat such common things and potato chips and it showed by the small frown on his face.
Shishido could all but smile. He missed Atobe just the same, if not more. He was sure it was more sometimes, especially when he wasn’t too busy and had too much time to think how nice it would be to have his boyfriend’s attention. Atobe wasn’t the only one who liked those things, which was one of the reason Shishido used to ‘hate’ him back when they were younger.
“Wha? Not to your taste, are they?,” the brunette joked with a smile, noticing the expression of his boyfriend’s face, then came up to him, leaning onto Atobe’s back and resting the chin on his shoulder as his hands held him at the hips. “Well, I guess I am surprised cos first, you are here, and second, you’re playing tennis.”
“Horrific.” He groused and attempted not to ruin his image by making a face. But since it was just the two of him, he let himself go, just a tiny bit and did so. But only for a moment before he was serious again. “Those are bad for you, you know. They’re all salt and fat.” He felt the presence behind him and leaned just a little smiling at the closeness. “You should eat better than that. I have gourmet crackers and cheese from Switzerland. I will send them to you for your next study session.” He would do it too. Festoon Shishido with such opulent gifts as a mere study time snack.
He sighed a bit more at the comment and shook his head. “I wouldn’t call that playing tennis.” He was still so hard on himself for letting himself go as much as he had in the sport he so loved. It had been the hardest thing he had ever had to sacrifice to the altar that was his father’s business. “I’m afraid that in my grueling match against the wall, the wall is still winning. I’ve yet to sufficiently awe it with my prowess.” If only because he didn’t wish to embarrass himself and play against an opponent other than Choutarou.
Shishido was sort of used to Atobe spoiling him with foreign food that were definitely overpriced and unnecessary, but his friends would certainly be surprised and thankful for the fancy snacks. Yet, the brunette did like junk food. He needed the fat or he would lose weight and in no way he wanted to be skinny like Atobe. "It's not like I eat this all the time," he pressed a kiss to his boyfriend's neck, nuzzling a little. Even though he had been playing, he smelt pretty good, like he hadn't been doing exercises at all.
"The wall always wins, even you can't beat it. You should play with me though," chance to win if Atobe wasn't playing well. He wasn't about to say that though.
“I would never allow it,” He stated. If he found that Shishido suddenly subsisted on something as debase as twinkies and cup noodle, Atobe would act. There would be a mini-fridge full of delicacies before Shishido could blink. He might still do that, as a little gift, once the fall semester started. “I’d take you out to dinners instead.” Dinners where five forks were the norm. Though that was also something he hoped to do more of...if he got the time.
He smirked a little and turned his head to look at Shishido out of the corner of his eye. “Only because the wall cheats. Ore-sama would have defeated it long ago if not for that. As for you, playing with you...” Could he? Could he let anyone other that Choutarou know just how far the King had fallen? He loved Shishido, but he also loved the image he had left on the court. To show Shishido anything else...it felt like a betrayal to Atobe. “Perhaps later. You certainly aren’t dressed for it.”
Atobe didn't have to say more, Shishido had already figured out. Neither would he say no to beating the brunette on court, just to show him who was the boss. So, the decline made the other smirk, and even chuckle a little. "Tsc, worried I might actually win, are you. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you." he had to mock, it was a rare moment after all. He always mocked his boyfriend, but the other was immune to it. Having the chance to actually poke where it hurt was so so rare.
It did hurt. It was a painful stab deep in his heart. It reopened still bleeding wounds he would never be free of so long as he could look out a window and see other playing tennis. He was sure his scowl was enough to show just how terribly it hurt him. There was no hiding it. How much losing tennis had killed him. “You wouldn’t dare.” He hissed, narrowing cold eyes at Shishido. “You wouldn’t dare be so disrespectful to me as that.” No matter how badly he played, Keigo would never allow anyone to go easy on him. He would rather die.
He pulled away and headed towards the window. “Nor would you win. I haven’t yet fallen so low as to allow anyone to defeat me.” Not without a spectacular fight on Keigo’s part. “I’ll take you on any time.” He would pray that his lover didn’t think any less of him for it.
Shishido was proud, but not that proud he would think less of Atobe if he lost. Years before, in junior high, he was humiliated by the same man standing in his bedroom. It hurt him, but since then Shishido believed that he changed for the better. Being too proud gained him nothing but arrogance. In the end, he had to throw away his pride to get what was important, what he really wanted. Arrogance and pride meant fighting alone and the brunette preferred fighting together to overcome weaknesses, depend on another, accept help and give support when it was needed. Atobe didn't understand that concept. He was always alone, it seemed.
"No, I wouldn't dare," he said, making his way to the bed and taking the bag of crisps with him. "But not out of respect but because if I can beat you, I wanna crush you. " It wasn't the nicest thing to say to the boyfriend you love, but Shishido was too honest to hold things back, and not very tactful.
The fact was that Atobe was used to being alone. Taking care of things alone. He had Kabaji but when his friend hasn’t been there anymore, he had been all on his own. Even with the servants, he was very much alone. The long king on his lofty throne. He had fought alone for so long that it was hard to let anyone else fight with him. Perhaps it was because, regardless of how many times he had done it, he wasn’t a doubles player. It was different for doubles players, who understood how to rely on another.
He stopped next to the window and turned to look at Shishido. “I am afraid that any ideals of crushing me will have to wait until I’ve stopped playing tennis all together.” But to make sure, he would have to get more time on the courts. “Perhaps I should return from my retirement.” It would piss his father off...but he missed tennis badly. “I’d have to alter my schedule...” It might mean less time to sleep but at least he’d be a little more happy. “Perhaps I can pencil a match with you in, a week or so from now.” That might just give him enough time to get his skill back.
“A week from now?” The brunette smirked and shoved another couple of crisps into his mouth. “Fine with me, but just so you know, I’m better than I was.” People took him for granted because he was a doubles player in his final year at junior high, but he has always played singles, he was was an excellent singles player too, he was just a much better doubles player. Atobe was indeed another level, but if the other will take a week to get ready, Shishido wouldn’t slack off either.
“Keigo...” he started, however, “.. you don’t need to be like that, you know?” He could show weaknesses, he could stop being alone and proud, at least while they were together, at least with him.
He nodded. A week from now. And he wasn’t sure that would be enough. He’d have to get into touch with personal trainers as soon as he left Shishido. Hopefully, if he pushed himself really really hard; harder than ever before, he would come back without issue. And no one would be the wiser as to his bad showing. However, those words...he turned and leaned against the window frame and just looked at the brunette. Looked at him and frowned a little.
He didn’t have to be like that? But he had to. He was sure that his lover knew that. Atobes worked alone. They fought alone. They stood atop of a pyramid where only one could stand. But Atobe wanted to share the pinnacle. It was just hard. It was just hard to go against everything he had ever been told. Every thing he had ever seen or been raised to believe.
“I know.” He finally answered with a small sigh. “I know I don’t. I’m with you and I’m not Atobe.” He was Keigo. And he could share. He turned his back on Shishido, as if to look out the window. “I’ve...just been away from it too long. I just can’t seem to think about how much of a betrayal it is to all of Hyoutei.” He wrapped his arms around himself a little. “Even though we all knew my time was going to be sort; that I would never go pro, I still feel as if how I am now on the court is a slap in the face of all of you who stood with me back then.”
Shishido just watched him quietly as he spoke. It wasn’t like that at all. They were kids back then who just took themselves and everything far too seriously. No one would think badly of Atobe for not being a professional tennis player, or being just as good as he was or better. Most of them continued to play tennis, but it was for fun, even more than before. “It would only be a betrayal if you had forgotten about us. Whether you like it or not, Hyoutei has a new captain and you, me and everyone else are just people in a picture taken four years old that is now hanging on the club wall.”
Maybe his boyfriend was still taking it all too seriously. People would admire him even if his tennis wasn’t the best, for other reasons. Sometimes, Atobe himself, didn’t seem able to see his other qualities. Maybe he wasn’t as confident as he tried to look.
“If it’s any consolation,” he said lightheartedly, “dating me is more of a betrayal to your fans than your not as good tennis.”
He had taken it far too seriously. His insanely long matches and some of the ridiculous things he had done was more proof than anything else that he had. It had been his one escape and he had fun, in his own stubborn ways. He still did take it all too seriously for what was supposed to be a fun game. He always had though. He nodded at the other, back still turned. “I know that. And I’m sure our picture is still the most good looking team there is.”
He turned his head slightly and his corner of his lips lifted in a small smile. “Doubtful of that. I’m sure quite a few of my fangirls were convinced I was dating half the team in secret. I think the going theme was with Oshitari or our coach with a slight SM relationship with Kabaji on the side.” Just not Shishido, because the fangirls had paired him with Ootori.
Shishido burst out in laughter. Girls were indeed weird like that, he knew it because he has seen drawings of him and Choutarou before. “You and Yuushi, tsc...” he shook his head before resting down on his bed, arms behind his head. “You would be the most boring couple ever.” He wasn’t boring though. There was a lot more excitement with him, at least that he was sure of. “But maybe that’s what they wanted from you, in which case, they would be disappointed that you didn’t end up with someone just as lame and almost as full of themselves as you.”
He raised an eyebrow at the reaction. He didn’t see how himself and Yuushi would have been such a funny combination. He was positive that if such a thing had been, it would have worked spectacularly well, even if the Osakan would have annoyed the hell out of him with his overly dramatic and romantic ways. He didn’t want to think about the other two pairings he had listed and instead made sure to point out that Shishido was just as lame, if not more so. “Oh? Is that so? I’m sure if they knew they’d be thinking all sorts of thoughts about how I would refine you and polish you into my perfect mate. Such a romantic notion. Turning a rough little pebble into a fine shining gemstone.” However, he was sure Shishido already knew this. He didn’t want a gemstone. He liked the pebble far far better.
“As if Ore-sama would have a lover that would outshine himself.” He teased and turned once more to look out the window, leaning to see something in the distance only to slightly knock his forehead against the glass.
"I'm afraid this," he said referring to himself, "is all you deserve, Keigo. Call it a punishment for being an arrogant ass for most of you live." it was a joke with a hint of truth. It was actually quite ironic, Atobe was a lot of what Shishido despised in a person, and vice versa probably. Yet, he had fallen deeply for him.
The brunette was about to say something else when he saw, and heard, Atobe ungracefully knocking his head into the glass window. He sat up on the bed, "did you just headbutt the window?!" he knew the answer and as much as he wanted to hold the laughter, again, he couldn't. "Haha how lame, Kei."
He scowled. Of course Shishido would have noticed such a thing. Of course he would. It was ungraceful and embarrassing, it stood out like a sore thumb and honestly, he couldn’t even believe he had done something like that. But he had thought the window had been open. Really really thought that. He was mortified that he had done it and though he could blame lack of sleep and a million other things, he knew that wouldn’t save him from the mockery of his boyfriend. He could only do one of two things. Admit it and take the mocking...or deny it ever happened. Atobe was very very skilled at the second option.
“I did no such thing, Ryou. Why would Ore-sama ever knock his head against the...wait...Did you just call me Kei?” He turned to stare at him a little, not quite used to such nicknames as that. He’d been called a lot of things over the years from the likes of Shishido, but that wasn’t one of them. He started towards the other, unconsciously brushing his hair a little into his face to hide any evidence that might have lingered from his brush with the window. “Ryou...you called me Kei...didn’t you?” He didn’t know whether to like it or hate it or both. And he was certain that he’d be mocked for losing his hearing as well as his stellar vision but he needed to know.
He was still laughing as Atobe shamelessly denied that priceless moment. Moment his boyfriend would most definitely remember forever. Those things made Atobe more human, and the fact that he was blushing made it all even more unforgettable.
"Uhn?" Shishido had to think for a moment there. "Did I? I guess I did," in his mind, sometimes he thought of his boyfriend as Kei; whenever he wrote in his diary, it was always 'Kei'. To say it out loud wasn't in his plans, but... It happened.
He was still scowling at the other man, frown deepening as the other kept right on laughing at his expense. Shishido had a nice laugh but Atobe didn’t like it aimed at him. He stopped before the brunette, trying to look every inch the King he was and glower. Blond hair in his face didn’t really help matters in making him seem too cold or fierce. It was hard to freeze the blood when one was hiding a little red welt on one’s forehead.
“You did. I distinctly heard you.” But the more he thought about it, the more he decided it wasn’t that bad. Just not in public. Definitely not in public. Atobe Keigo didn’t have nicknames in public unless they were based upon royalty. “I suppose I’ll forgive you for it, Ryou. But if you insist on laughing, I will leave.” Yet he made no motion to go to the door. It was an empty threat and he knew it.
It was rare even to call him Keigo in public, let alone Kei. Even if Atobe thought that was embarrassing for him, it was even more embarrassing to Shishido. Displaying such affection in front of others was not something the brunette enjoyed, and at least one thing they shared.
The laughter stopped, but he still smiled amused. "Fine fine. It happens all the time, after all, it's Hokkaido, always hot so the windows are never shut," okay, maybe he could make fun a little bit more. "By the way, there's a red mark on your forehead."
Eyes narrowed more at the barb. Once upon a time, he would have taken the bait. They were always arguing. Always bumping heads and clashing because of something. It was something that he found strange but a bit nice. He knew normal couples weren’t suppose to fight like that, but they weren’t anything remotely normal and he wasn’t going to pretend they were. They’d probably still go at it like cats and dogs well after they’d graduated school and moved on to their chosen careers.
He didn’t dignify the remark with a response, until the other commented about his looks. Vanity was one of his main downfalls and immediately he reached up to touch, to feel if there was really a mark. He couldn’t feel one, but that didn’t mean much. He’d need to find a mirror to see what sort of damage he had done. “There is no such thing, Ryou.” He hissed, still feeling around before dropping his hand. “You are seeing things.”
The fights, if you could call it that, were still there and would probably be forever, however, how Shishido felt about them was completely different. There was a time that he hated Atobe, out of envy sometimes, but mostly because they were so different. Now, they meant little, he didn't feel the same way.
"There is," he stood up from the bed and brushed his boyfriend's hair back. "Right here,... Your forehead look like the Japanese flag, very patriotic."
He let the other mess with his hair but pulled away a moment later to poke at him lightly and state rather coolly, “I’m British.” Or at least half and he had grown up there. “If anything it should be the Union Jack...which...there’s nothing there! And I can prove it.” He looked around for a mirror. There wasn’t one that he could readily see. Why would Shishido need one. The other man had long ago mastered looking like he’d just fallen out of bed. That effortless not caring was a bit of a turn on really.
He moved away towards the door. The bathroom would be the best place for a mirror and if there really was something, than he would have access to cold water to put on it. Not that there was anything there.
The brunette followed right behind him, but not before he grabbed another couple or crisps. Right, Atobe wasn't just Japanese. Despite the obvious, Shishido would forget sometimes. He had gotten used to those blue eyes and blond hair.
"Where are you going?" he said, mildly worried the other had enough and decided to leave. But as he went for the bathroom door, Shishido realized he was probably looking for a mirror. "Don't you trust me? It's there."
He stopped at the door to the bathroom and turned his head to look at Shishido. “It’s not there and I’ll prove it to you.” He huffed and pushed...and then pushed again. The door...didn’t budge. He pushed a little harder, turning back to look at the door. Perhaps someone was in there barricading it. That had to be.
Shishido watched, then snorted, again, trying to hold a laugh and come behind him to hold the door knob. He turned, staring at Atobe as if he was going to burst out laughing and pulled the door open.
"Are you just that blond or was it the crisps?" he mocked, laughter beginning to escape him. However, it was strangely cute to see his boyfriend like that.
Once more, he glared, even harder than before. It wasn’t like he lived in the dorms. Who had ever heard of a bathroom door that was pulled open. What was worse was that Shishido was picking him him for it. And calling him a blond. Well...he was a blond but Atobe Keigo did not have blond moments. It just didn’t happen. “It must be the crisps. They’ve obviously already affected your intelligence.” He huffed and stormed past his boyfriend into the bathroom wanting nothing more than to find a hole to die in. “It’s a wonder I love you at all.” Without the fake juice, it was harder to say the L word, but sometimes, he managed to get it out.
He was laughing. He was laughing even when Atobe said the crisps had made him stupid. He laughed until the L word came out of Atobe's lips. He said it before, because of the potion in the water, of course. There was no water now though.
Shishido's heart skip a beat, his face went a little red and he almost hid, resting his back on the wall next to the bathroom door. He couldn't see him now but he wanted to say it, so much. Maybe it was his one chance... he had to...
"I love you," he let out bluntly, quickly, out of context and suddenly, but at least it was out. He finally managed it.
Atobe had heard the laughter stop as he made his way in front of a mirror to lift his hair and check his forehead. He didn’t take that long because he heard it. In the bathroom, the words were very loud and very clear. Shishido had said....he had said....Atobe let his hand drop and he rested them, leaning against the skink and felt the smallest smile forming. Getting larger. Shishido had said it. Shishido...loved him. Atobe didn’t care about his forehead anymore. Instead, he stood there and let the words really sink in before murmuring softly. “I’m glad...”
He admitted, but that didn't make things less embarrassing. But he too smiled, where he was, staring into the bedroom. It would be easier from now on, he was sure of it. Finally, he had accepted, finally his boyfriend knew. It was a good strange scary feeling, but it made him feel complete.
"I told you it was red," he poked his head into the bathroom, still a little pink on the face.
He turned to lean against the sink, nonchalant. Because now he knew for certain. That and Shishido looked adorable all embarrassed like that. He would have to find more ways to get him to say those words, because Atobe decided he liked hearing them. And if this was the only time he ever heard them, that was fine too, because he had heard them. “It is not. That is just my natural coloring.” Later, he’d put concealer on the mark and pretend it never happened. “The only thing patriotic about me is that I’m dating a Japanese man.” He stated and pushed off the sink to approach Shishido.
Approach and pass him, back into his room to snatch the bag of crisps. “One that will be safe once I confiscate these.”
"Oi!" the brunette frowned, "leave my dinner alone!"
They understood each other, despite their differences. They both knew those words were important, that, even though strange, it was a special moment right there. Yet, they continued as if nothing happened because for both of them it wasn’t an easy thing to say or hear.
He raised an elegant eyebrow at the protest. “Your dinner?” He asked. “This is your dinner?” He carried the bag of chips over to the trashcan and looked like he was going to dump them right in. “This is not going to be your dinner if I have anything to say about it. I still have some time before my next meeting. I’ll take you out and you can eat real healthy food and not just junk.” He meant it too. He wanted to take Shishido to dinner. He didn’t care who saw them either. If anyone dared say anything or report anything back to his father, he would just explain that they were friends and having a meeting towards some group project at school.
Shishido could have protested against it. He did like junk food, and those were cheesy crisps! Atobe was right though, since he moved into school his diet went downhill and that wasn’t good. But the brunette wasn’t really worried about that, he just wanted more time if his boyfriend had it to offer. “I wasn’t planning on going out. I have a lot to do for this project... and exams, but...” he approached him and snatched the bag before it went in the bin, “if you are treating I’m unlikely to say no.”
He stared into his boyfriend’s blue eyes. How could he, after all this time, look more and more attractive each passing day. Surely, Shishido thought, he was supposed to be getting used to it all! But Atobe wouldn’t let that happen, would he? He would always look more handsome, more attractive, more fun... and more annoying. Always. It would be very difficult to keep the L word in in the future, the brunette was sure of that then.
Excuses. Atobe tried not to feel a bit saddened by it. He had offered one of his few open moments in his life. It was difficult to get time together and he understood that Shishido might not have time. But still, was this what it was like? Was this what it was like to hear that? The excuses why there wasn’t any time. As to why they couldn’t do something together because of school or work or so many other things. He tried not to look like it bothered him, because he would be a hypocrite if it did. He couldn’t expect Shishido not to feel the same way whenever Atobe told him that they couldn’t because of one of Atobe’s many many meetings.
He scowled when the chips were saved. He crossed his arms and scoffed a little. “Of course I’m treating.” He said it like it should have been obvious. “And since you aren’t exactly dressed for my usual dining places, I’ll let you choose.” He would suffer though whatever lowbrow place his boyfriend chose. “Just get your shoes.” He shifted to the door and pulled out his keys.
But Shishido was more then used to his boyfriend by then. “I can change,” he said quickly, jumping over Sengoku’s bed towards the wardrobe. “It will only take a couple of minutes.” He waited for no answer and began to undress. Of course Shishido liked his own places, with cheaper and more food rather than tiny overpriced portions of whatever cuisine with a foreign name he couldn’t pronounce well enough to order. Atobe was treating though, and he hardly had time to eat, so if they were eating together, might as well be something his boyfriend enjoyed. Shishido was fine with whatever, as long as it was a lot of it. “We can go somewhere you like,” besides, it was a special occasion. He said the L word, it was special, even if Atobe was pretending it hadn’t happened.
“Somewhere I like normally requires a jacket and tie.” He observed. Neither of which he personally had on. In his tennis clothing, he was more suited to going to a less fancy place. But he was sure they could find some middle ground. Some place they both could be comfortable in and have a good decent meal that wasn’t crips that turned one’s fingers orange with fake cheese.
He contemplated a moment. “Just dress comfortably. I know at least one place that might work and you won’t have to show me how badly you tie your ties.” Not that Atobe wouldn’t help. He’d be more than happy to help his boyfriend with such a thing. He didn’t think Shishido would be against going to a small restaurant that served a variety of steaks and fish.
“Shut up...” he looked at Atobe with a grumpy frown, “I have tied ties all ready to put on.” And he really thought that was acceptable. It was at least practical. He had chosen a field he didn’t have to wear stuff like that very often because he wasn’t that interested. Those ties were for job interview, conferences and fancy dates with Atobe only. Shishido finished changing, brushed his hair with his fingers and looked at his boyfriend. “So? Better than you right?” he teased, and yet looked charming because whenever he made a little effort he did look good.
He looked his lover over a moment, hand going up on it’s own accord to rest between his eyes in his old insight pose. He stared for a long moment before his hand dropped. “You’ll pass.” He decreed. But honestly, Shishido did clean up very well when he wanted to. “You won’t make a mockery of the Porsche.” He turned back to the door and opened it to head out. As he did, he muttered, “You look good.” Because the man did deserve some credit now and again.
Shishido heard and a small smile formed on his lips. He hoped his boyfriend didn’t see it. It annoyed him to know that such comments made him happy and the last thing he wanted was to show Atobe’s compliments had that effect on him. Grabbing his dorm keys and putting his wallet in his back pocket, he followed his boyfriend out. Unconsciously, he leaned against him and wrapped both arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss on the back of his neck. He wanted to say it one more time.
Arms went about him. He felt lips against his neck. He accepted the kiss and the small closeness. He then pulled away a moment to pull out his phone. He needed to check to see how much time he did have. How many hours he could spend before he had to rush off again to work. Frowning, he put the phone back and then glanced to the brunette. They’d have an hour. An hour wasn’t remotely long enough but it was all he could do. It would be enough for a dinner and then he’d have to drive Shishido back to the dorms before rushing off to his next scheduled event. Sighing a little, he refused to let this bother him. It was too nice a day, since that word had been used, so he wasn’t going to ruin it with a bad mood caused by work.
“Let’s be off then, Ryou.” He doubted he had to tell him that time was short.
Shishido gave him a nod. He knew when Atobe checked his phone that he was looking for the time, there was no need to explain. It was always like that anyway, the brunette didn’t like it but it was their reality and something he was getting used to. Sharing Atobe with work and board meetings would hardly ever change. In a way, it was good, he constantly missed him and looked forward to when they would be together and they were less likely to be horrible to each other like they always were if they had little time to spend with one another.
“Hey, you have a meeting right? Hold on..” Shishido said, opening the dorm door again and running quickly inside to get his books. “Just drop me at yours after,” he could study there and at least sleep in the same bed for a few hours before coming back to school in the morning.
He nodded glumly. He doubted he’d be sleeping in his bed tonight. He might once again end up slumped over at his desk catching what few short hours of sleep he did get, head pillowed on whatever company files were there at the time. But he knew his boyfriend was aware of that habit of his as well. And if Shishido wished to stay over, then he would allow him to do so. Just so long as he didn’t try to interrupt while the meeting was in progress.
“Do you have everything you need then?” He asked, eyeing the books. He was probably a bit more abrupt than he usually was. But he was on a time crunch and he wanted at least whatever remained of his free time to be spent eating good food with his boyfriend. “If so, let’s go.” He even started towards the elevator that would take them downstairs and out of the dorm.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Shishido pushed him a little and he dashed past him, for no reason but to be a little annoying. He couldn’t allow Atobe to have it all his way all the time. He would sleep over, and watch him as he passed out on his desk. If he was still awake then, he would take his boyfriend to bed, and save him from a bad night of sleep. Atobe was independent and he never seemed to need anybody, but Shishido saw it differently and would do what he had to to show they worked better together than by themselves.
What: Atobe comes to visit Shishido
When: before summer break. about three months backdated
Where: Shishido’s dorm room
Rating: PG
Comments: way way backdated
It was rare when Atobe went to the dorms. Usually, he met Shishido elsewhere. Especially since the other had a roommate. Atobe didn’t want to share his Shishido time with some flirty red head. He wanted that time to himself. However, he had been on campus, on the courts, trying to rearrange his thoughts. Because tennis had always been a bit of a release for him. He could just focus on that and nothing else. He wasn’t as skilled as he used to be. He’d lost a lot of it due to his work and school schedule. And he missed it. He missed it more than anything else. Anything else but the person he was about visit.
He didn’t know if Shishido was busy or not. He knew their schedules weren’t the same. They didn’t share any classes. Soon, if he didn’t do anything, he wouldn’t be sharing a summer with him either. That, he didn’t want at all. He wanted time with his lover. Time that his father and the business couldn’t take from him.
He knocked at the door to the dorm room and called out, “Ryou, are you home?”
There were some laughter coming from the dorm, which made it obvious that he wasn't alone. Nonetheless, it only took the brunette a few seconds to open the door. "Keigo..." he said surprised and looked onto his room, where 3 of his classmates looked pretty comfortable, munching on crackers with his notebook opened. They all went quiet when they saw Atobe by the door. "We were studying. Come in."
He held the door open and his friends began to get themselves ready to leave. They knew who that blond was and what he was to Shishido, so they had no interest on getting in the way.
He could hear the laughter though the door. A part of him was envious of his lover. He didn’t really study with anyone.He could count the number of true friend he had on one hand. It was depressing but something he refused to let get to him. Instead, when the door opened and the others went silent upon his appearance, he sighed. It seemed that Shishido’s friends didn’t want anything to do with the heir. He wasn’t surprised that they were quickly finding their things to vacate.
He frowned at that. “No. No. It’s quite all right. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” Yet, they were still leaving. leaving Keigo standing in the door with his boyfriend and an empty room behind them, where there had just been laughter. He stood silently while they passed him by towards what he supposed would be other areas of study and then sighed. “I should have called ahead and warned you I was coming. If you need to study, Ore-sama is rather skilled at most any subject.”
Shishido didn’t tell them to stay, even though he could have. His friends were okay with Atobe. They studied in that school, so obviously, they knew about about the good tennis players from junior and senior high years, and that included Atobe too. But Shishido would often look spaced in class and his friends knew that it was because he hasn’t seen his other half for a while. He was more opened than his boyfriend, so he complained to them sometimes, that they could never see each other. So, obviously, when they saw the other by the door, they knew that Shishido would have wanted them gone.
“Bye guys. Email me that paper tonight!” he called out in the corridor as they walked away, then looked at Atobe. “Nah, it’s alright, it’s a group project thing. But...” he closed the door, “...I’m surprised, it’s been a while since you came over.”
He remained just inside the room. Once the door was closed he smiled just a little more. ““I’ve got...” he checked his watch a moment, “A few hours to myself. And I realize that. I’ve been remiss as a boyfriend lately. I was in the neighborhood,” The fact that he was in tennis clothing was proof of that. “And I wanted to see you.” He missed his lover. “To surprise you.” He stepped closer and gave him a small kiss, “Surprise.” He then pulled away and smiled at his lover.
He went to where the group had been studying and looked down to the chips and reached down to take one and bite into it. He was not one for junk food at all. He didn’t eat such common things and potato chips and it showed by the small frown on his face.
Shishido could all but smile. He missed Atobe just the same, if not more. He was sure it was more sometimes, especially when he wasn’t too busy and had too much time to think how nice it would be to have his boyfriend’s attention. Atobe wasn’t the only one who liked those things, which was one of the reason Shishido used to ‘hate’ him back when they were younger.
“Wha? Not to your taste, are they?,” the brunette joked with a smile, noticing the expression of his boyfriend’s face, then came up to him, leaning onto Atobe’s back and resting the chin on his shoulder as his hands held him at the hips. “Well, I guess I am surprised cos first, you are here, and second, you’re playing tennis.”
“Horrific.” He groused and attempted not to ruin his image by making a face. But since it was just the two of him, he let himself go, just a tiny bit and did so. But only for a moment before he was serious again. “Those are bad for you, you know. They’re all salt and fat.” He felt the presence behind him and leaned just a little smiling at the closeness. “You should eat better than that. I have gourmet crackers and cheese from Switzerland. I will send them to you for your next study session.” He would do it too. Festoon Shishido with such opulent gifts as a mere study time snack.
He sighed a bit more at the comment and shook his head. “I wouldn’t call that playing tennis.” He was still so hard on himself for letting himself go as much as he had in the sport he so loved. It had been the hardest thing he had ever had to sacrifice to the altar that was his father’s business. “I’m afraid that in my grueling match against the wall, the wall is still winning. I’ve yet to sufficiently awe it with my prowess.” If only because he didn’t wish to embarrass himself and play against an opponent other than Choutarou.
Shishido was sort of used to Atobe spoiling him with foreign food that were definitely overpriced and unnecessary, but his friends would certainly be surprised and thankful for the fancy snacks. Yet, the brunette did like junk food. He needed the fat or he would lose weight and in no way he wanted to be skinny like Atobe. "It's not like I eat this all the time," he pressed a kiss to his boyfriend's neck, nuzzling a little. Even though he had been playing, he smelt pretty good, like he hadn't been doing exercises at all.
"The wall always wins, even you can't beat it. You should play with me though," chance to win if Atobe wasn't playing well. He wasn't about to say that though.
“I would never allow it,” He stated. If he found that Shishido suddenly subsisted on something as debase as twinkies and cup noodle, Atobe would act. There would be a mini-fridge full of delicacies before Shishido could blink. He might still do that, as a little gift, once the fall semester started. “I’d take you out to dinners instead.” Dinners where five forks were the norm. Though that was also something he hoped to do more of...if he got the time.
He smirked a little and turned his head to look at Shishido out of the corner of his eye. “Only because the wall cheats. Ore-sama would have defeated it long ago if not for that. As for you, playing with you...” Could he? Could he let anyone other that Choutarou know just how far the King had fallen? He loved Shishido, but he also loved the image he had left on the court. To show Shishido anything else...it felt like a betrayal to Atobe. “Perhaps later. You certainly aren’t dressed for it.”
Atobe didn't have to say more, Shishido had already figured out. Neither would he say no to beating the brunette on court, just to show him who was the boss. So, the decline made the other smirk, and even chuckle a little. "Tsc, worried I might actually win, are you. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you." he had to mock, it was a rare moment after all. He always mocked his boyfriend, but the other was immune to it. Having the chance to actually poke where it hurt was so so rare.
It did hurt. It was a painful stab deep in his heart. It reopened still bleeding wounds he would never be free of so long as he could look out a window and see other playing tennis. He was sure his scowl was enough to show just how terribly it hurt him. There was no hiding it. How much losing tennis had killed him. “You wouldn’t dare.” He hissed, narrowing cold eyes at Shishido. “You wouldn’t dare be so disrespectful to me as that.” No matter how badly he played, Keigo would never allow anyone to go easy on him. He would rather die.
He pulled away and headed towards the window. “Nor would you win. I haven’t yet fallen so low as to allow anyone to defeat me.” Not without a spectacular fight on Keigo’s part. “I’ll take you on any time.” He would pray that his lover didn’t think any less of him for it.
Shishido was proud, but not that proud he would think less of Atobe if he lost. Years before, in junior high, he was humiliated by the same man standing in his bedroom. It hurt him, but since then Shishido believed that he changed for the better. Being too proud gained him nothing but arrogance. In the end, he had to throw away his pride to get what was important, what he really wanted. Arrogance and pride meant fighting alone and the brunette preferred fighting together to overcome weaknesses, depend on another, accept help and give support when it was needed. Atobe didn't understand that concept. He was always alone, it seemed.
"No, I wouldn't dare," he said, making his way to the bed and taking the bag of crisps with him. "But not out of respect but because if I can beat you, I wanna crush you. " It wasn't the nicest thing to say to the boyfriend you love, but Shishido was too honest to hold things back, and not very tactful.
The fact was that Atobe was used to being alone. Taking care of things alone. He had Kabaji but when his friend hasn’t been there anymore, he had been all on his own. Even with the servants, he was very much alone. The long king on his lofty throne. He had fought alone for so long that it was hard to let anyone else fight with him. Perhaps it was because, regardless of how many times he had done it, he wasn’t a doubles player. It was different for doubles players, who understood how to rely on another.
He stopped next to the window and turned to look at Shishido. “I am afraid that any ideals of crushing me will have to wait until I’ve stopped playing tennis all together.” But to make sure, he would have to get more time on the courts. “Perhaps I should return from my retirement.” It would piss his father off...but he missed tennis badly. “I’d have to alter my schedule...” It might mean less time to sleep but at least he’d be a little more happy. “Perhaps I can pencil a match with you in, a week or so from now.” That might just give him enough time to get his skill back.
“A week from now?” The brunette smirked and shoved another couple of crisps into his mouth. “Fine with me, but just so you know, I’m better than I was.” People took him for granted because he was a doubles player in his final year at junior high, but he has always played singles, he was was an excellent singles player too, he was just a much better doubles player. Atobe was indeed another level, but if the other will take a week to get ready, Shishido wouldn’t slack off either.
“Keigo...” he started, however, “.. you don’t need to be like that, you know?” He could show weaknesses, he could stop being alone and proud, at least while they were together, at least with him.
He nodded. A week from now. And he wasn’t sure that would be enough. He’d have to get into touch with personal trainers as soon as he left Shishido. Hopefully, if he pushed himself really really hard; harder than ever before, he would come back without issue. And no one would be the wiser as to his bad showing. However, those words...he turned and leaned against the window frame and just looked at the brunette. Looked at him and frowned a little.
He didn’t have to be like that? But he had to. He was sure that his lover knew that. Atobes worked alone. They fought alone. They stood atop of a pyramid where only one could stand. But Atobe wanted to share the pinnacle. It was just hard. It was just hard to go against everything he had ever been told. Every thing he had ever seen or been raised to believe.
“I know.” He finally answered with a small sigh. “I know I don’t. I’m with you and I’m not Atobe.” He was Keigo. And he could share. He turned his back on Shishido, as if to look out the window. “I’ve...just been away from it too long. I just can’t seem to think about how much of a betrayal it is to all of Hyoutei.” He wrapped his arms around himself a little. “Even though we all knew my time was going to be sort; that I would never go pro, I still feel as if how I am now on the court is a slap in the face of all of you who stood with me back then.”
Shishido just watched him quietly as he spoke. It wasn’t like that at all. They were kids back then who just took themselves and everything far too seriously. No one would think badly of Atobe for not being a professional tennis player, or being just as good as he was or better. Most of them continued to play tennis, but it was for fun, even more than before. “It would only be a betrayal if you had forgotten about us. Whether you like it or not, Hyoutei has a new captain and you, me and everyone else are just people in a picture taken four years old that is now hanging on the club wall.”
Maybe his boyfriend was still taking it all too seriously. People would admire him even if his tennis wasn’t the best, for other reasons. Sometimes, Atobe himself, didn’t seem able to see his other qualities. Maybe he wasn’t as confident as he tried to look.
“If it’s any consolation,” he said lightheartedly, “dating me is more of a betrayal to your fans than your not as good tennis.”
He had taken it far too seriously. His insanely long matches and some of the ridiculous things he had done was more proof than anything else that he had. It had been his one escape and he had fun, in his own stubborn ways. He still did take it all too seriously for what was supposed to be a fun game. He always had though. He nodded at the other, back still turned. “I know that. And I’m sure our picture is still the most good looking team there is.”
He turned his head slightly and his corner of his lips lifted in a small smile. “Doubtful of that. I’m sure quite a few of my fangirls were convinced I was dating half the team in secret. I think the going theme was with Oshitari or our coach with a slight SM relationship with Kabaji on the side.” Just not Shishido, because the fangirls had paired him with Ootori.
Shishido burst out in laughter. Girls were indeed weird like that, he knew it because he has seen drawings of him and Choutarou before. “You and Yuushi, tsc...” he shook his head before resting down on his bed, arms behind his head. “You would be the most boring couple ever.” He wasn’t boring though. There was a lot more excitement with him, at least that he was sure of. “But maybe that’s what they wanted from you, in which case, they would be disappointed that you didn’t end up with someone just as lame and almost as full of themselves as you.”
He raised an eyebrow at the reaction. He didn’t see how himself and Yuushi would have been such a funny combination. He was positive that if such a thing had been, it would have worked spectacularly well, even if the Osakan would have annoyed the hell out of him with his overly dramatic and romantic ways. He didn’t want to think about the other two pairings he had listed and instead made sure to point out that Shishido was just as lame, if not more so. “Oh? Is that so? I’m sure if they knew they’d be thinking all sorts of thoughts about how I would refine you and polish you into my perfect mate. Such a romantic notion. Turning a rough little pebble into a fine shining gemstone.” However, he was sure Shishido already knew this. He didn’t want a gemstone. He liked the pebble far far better.
“As if Ore-sama would have a lover that would outshine himself.” He teased and turned once more to look out the window, leaning to see something in the distance only to slightly knock his forehead against the glass.
"I'm afraid this," he said referring to himself, "is all you deserve, Keigo. Call it a punishment for being an arrogant ass for most of you live." it was a joke with a hint of truth. It was actually quite ironic, Atobe was a lot of what Shishido despised in a person, and vice versa probably. Yet, he had fallen deeply for him.
The brunette was about to say something else when he saw, and heard, Atobe ungracefully knocking his head into the glass window. He sat up on the bed, "did you just headbutt the window?!" he knew the answer and as much as he wanted to hold the laughter, again, he couldn't. "Haha how lame, Kei."
He scowled. Of course Shishido would have noticed such a thing. Of course he would. It was ungraceful and embarrassing, it stood out like a sore thumb and honestly, he couldn’t even believe he had done something like that. But he had thought the window had been open. Really really thought that. He was mortified that he had done it and though he could blame lack of sleep and a million other things, he knew that wouldn’t save him from the mockery of his boyfriend. He could only do one of two things. Admit it and take the mocking...or deny it ever happened. Atobe was very very skilled at the second option.
“I did no such thing, Ryou. Why would Ore-sama ever knock his head against the...wait...Did you just call me Kei?” He turned to stare at him a little, not quite used to such nicknames as that. He’d been called a lot of things over the years from the likes of Shishido, but that wasn’t one of them. He started towards the other, unconsciously brushing his hair a little into his face to hide any evidence that might have lingered from his brush with the window. “Ryou...you called me Kei...didn’t you?” He didn’t know whether to like it or hate it or both. And he was certain that he’d be mocked for losing his hearing as well as his stellar vision but he needed to know.
He was still laughing as Atobe shamelessly denied that priceless moment. Moment his boyfriend would most definitely remember forever. Those things made Atobe more human, and the fact that he was blushing made it all even more unforgettable.
"Uhn?" Shishido had to think for a moment there. "Did I? I guess I did," in his mind, sometimes he thought of his boyfriend as Kei; whenever he wrote in his diary, it was always 'Kei'. To say it out loud wasn't in his plans, but... It happened.
He was still scowling at the other man, frown deepening as the other kept right on laughing at his expense. Shishido had a nice laugh but Atobe didn’t like it aimed at him. He stopped before the brunette, trying to look every inch the King he was and glower. Blond hair in his face didn’t really help matters in making him seem too cold or fierce. It was hard to freeze the blood when one was hiding a little red welt on one’s forehead.
“You did. I distinctly heard you.” But the more he thought about it, the more he decided it wasn’t that bad. Just not in public. Definitely not in public. Atobe Keigo didn’t have nicknames in public unless they were based upon royalty. “I suppose I’ll forgive you for it, Ryou. But if you insist on laughing, I will leave.” Yet he made no motion to go to the door. It was an empty threat and he knew it.
It was rare even to call him Keigo in public, let alone Kei. Even if Atobe thought that was embarrassing for him, it was even more embarrassing to Shishido. Displaying such affection in front of others was not something the brunette enjoyed, and at least one thing they shared.
The laughter stopped, but he still smiled amused. "Fine fine. It happens all the time, after all, it's Hokkaido, always hot so the windows are never shut," okay, maybe he could make fun a little bit more. "By the way, there's a red mark on your forehead."
Eyes narrowed more at the barb. Once upon a time, he would have taken the bait. They were always arguing. Always bumping heads and clashing because of something. It was something that he found strange but a bit nice. He knew normal couples weren’t suppose to fight like that, but they weren’t anything remotely normal and he wasn’t going to pretend they were. They’d probably still go at it like cats and dogs well after they’d graduated school and moved on to their chosen careers.
He didn’t dignify the remark with a response, until the other commented about his looks. Vanity was one of his main downfalls and immediately he reached up to touch, to feel if there was really a mark. He couldn’t feel one, but that didn’t mean much. He’d need to find a mirror to see what sort of damage he had done. “There is no such thing, Ryou.” He hissed, still feeling around before dropping his hand. “You are seeing things.”
The fights, if you could call it that, were still there and would probably be forever, however, how Shishido felt about them was completely different. There was a time that he hated Atobe, out of envy sometimes, but mostly because they were so different. Now, they meant little, he didn't feel the same way.
"There is," he stood up from the bed and brushed his boyfriend's hair back. "Right here,... Your forehead look like the Japanese flag, very patriotic."
He let the other mess with his hair but pulled away a moment later to poke at him lightly and state rather coolly, “I’m British.” Or at least half and he had grown up there. “If anything it should be the Union Jack...which...there’s nothing there! And I can prove it.” He looked around for a mirror. There wasn’t one that he could readily see. Why would Shishido need one. The other man had long ago mastered looking like he’d just fallen out of bed. That effortless not caring was a bit of a turn on really.
He moved away towards the door. The bathroom would be the best place for a mirror and if there really was something, than he would have access to cold water to put on it. Not that there was anything there.
The brunette followed right behind him, but not before he grabbed another couple or crisps. Right, Atobe wasn't just Japanese. Despite the obvious, Shishido would forget sometimes. He had gotten used to those blue eyes and blond hair.
"Where are you going?" he said, mildly worried the other had enough and decided to leave. But as he went for the bathroom door, Shishido realized he was probably looking for a mirror. "Don't you trust me? It's there."
He stopped at the door to the bathroom and turned his head to look at Shishido. “It’s not there and I’ll prove it to you.” He huffed and pushed...and then pushed again. The door...didn’t budge. He pushed a little harder, turning back to look at the door. Perhaps someone was in there barricading it. That had to be.
Shishido watched, then snorted, again, trying to hold a laugh and come behind him to hold the door knob. He turned, staring at Atobe as if he was going to burst out laughing and pulled the door open.
"Are you just that blond or was it the crisps?" he mocked, laughter beginning to escape him. However, it was strangely cute to see his boyfriend like that.
Once more, he glared, even harder than before. It wasn’t like he lived in the dorms. Who had ever heard of a bathroom door that was pulled open. What was worse was that Shishido was picking him him for it. And calling him a blond. Well...he was a blond but Atobe Keigo did not have blond moments. It just didn’t happen. “It must be the crisps. They’ve obviously already affected your intelligence.” He huffed and stormed past his boyfriend into the bathroom wanting nothing more than to find a hole to die in. “It’s a wonder I love you at all.” Without the fake juice, it was harder to say the L word, but sometimes, he managed to get it out.
He was laughing. He was laughing even when Atobe said the crisps had made him stupid. He laughed until the L word came out of Atobe's lips. He said it before, because of the potion in the water, of course. There was no water now though.
Shishido's heart skip a beat, his face went a little red and he almost hid, resting his back on the wall next to the bathroom door. He couldn't see him now but he wanted to say it, so much. Maybe it was his one chance... he had to...
"I love you," he let out bluntly, quickly, out of context and suddenly, but at least it was out. He finally managed it.
Atobe had heard the laughter stop as he made his way in front of a mirror to lift his hair and check his forehead. He didn’t take that long because he heard it. In the bathroom, the words were very loud and very clear. Shishido had said....he had said....Atobe let his hand drop and he rested them, leaning against the skink and felt the smallest smile forming. Getting larger. Shishido had said it. Shishido...loved him. Atobe didn’t care about his forehead anymore. Instead, he stood there and let the words really sink in before murmuring softly. “I’m glad...”
He admitted, but that didn't make things less embarrassing. But he too smiled, where he was, staring into the bedroom. It would be easier from now on, he was sure of it. Finally, he had accepted, finally his boyfriend knew. It was a good strange scary feeling, but it made him feel complete.
"I told you it was red," he poked his head into the bathroom, still a little pink on the face.
He turned to lean against the sink, nonchalant. Because now he knew for certain. That and Shishido looked adorable all embarrassed like that. He would have to find more ways to get him to say those words, because Atobe decided he liked hearing them. And if this was the only time he ever heard them, that was fine too, because he had heard them. “It is not. That is just my natural coloring.” Later, he’d put concealer on the mark and pretend it never happened. “The only thing patriotic about me is that I’m dating a Japanese man.” He stated and pushed off the sink to approach Shishido.
Approach and pass him, back into his room to snatch the bag of crisps. “One that will be safe once I confiscate these.”
"Oi!" the brunette frowned, "leave my dinner alone!"
They understood each other, despite their differences. They both knew those words were important, that, even though strange, it was a special moment right there. Yet, they continued as if nothing happened because for both of them it wasn’t an easy thing to say or hear.
He raised an elegant eyebrow at the protest. “Your dinner?” He asked. “This is your dinner?” He carried the bag of chips over to the trashcan and looked like he was going to dump them right in. “This is not going to be your dinner if I have anything to say about it. I still have some time before my next meeting. I’ll take you out and you can eat real healthy food and not just junk.” He meant it too. He wanted to take Shishido to dinner. He didn’t care who saw them either. If anyone dared say anything or report anything back to his father, he would just explain that they were friends and having a meeting towards some group project at school.
Shishido could have protested against it. He did like junk food, and those were cheesy crisps! Atobe was right though, since he moved into school his diet went downhill and that wasn’t good. But the brunette wasn’t really worried about that, he just wanted more time if his boyfriend had it to offer. “I wasn’t planning on going out. I have a lot to do for this project... and exams, but...” he approached him and snatched the bag before it went in the bin, “if you are treating I’m unlikely to say no.”
He stared into his boyfriend’s blue eyes. How could he, after all this time, look more and more attractive each passing day. Surely, Shishido thought, he was supposed to be getting used to it all! But Atobe wouldn’t let that happen, would he? He would always look more handsome, more attractive, more fun... and more annoying. Always. It would be very difficult to keep the L word in in the future, the brunette was sure of that then.
Excuses. Atobe tried not to feel a bit saddened by it. He had offered one of his few open moments in his life. It was difficult to get time together and he understood that Shishido might not have time. But still, was this what it was like? Was this what it was like to hear that? The excuses why there wasn’t any time. As to why they couldn’t do something together because of school or work or so many other things. He tried not to look like it bothered him, because he would be a hypocrite if it did. He couldn’t expect Shishido not to feel the same way whenever Atobe told him that they couldn’t because of one of Atobe’s many many meetings.
He scowled when the chips were saved. He crossed his arms and scoffed a little. “Of course I’m treating.” He said it like it should have been obvious. “And since you aren’t exactly dressed for my usual dining places, I’ll let you choose.” He would suffer though whatever lowbrow place his boyfriend chose. “Just get your shoes.” He shifted to the door and pulled out his keys.
But Shishido was more then used to his boyfriend by then. “I can change,” he said quickly, jumping over Sengoku’s bed towards the wardrobe. “It will only take a couple of minutes.” He waited for no answer and began to undress. Of course Shishido liked his own places, with cheaper and more food rather than tiny overpriced portions of whatever cuisine with a foreign name he couldn’t pronounce well enough to order. Atobe was treating though, and he hardly had time to eat, so if they were eating together, might as well be something his boyfriend enjoyed. Shishido was fine with whatever, as long as it was a lot of it. “We can go somewhere you like,” besides, it was a special occasion. He said the L word, it was special, even if Atobe was pretending it hadn’t happened.
“Somewhere I like normally requires a jacket and tie.” He observed. Neither of which he personally had on. In his tennis clothing, he was more suited to going to a less fancy place. But he was sure they could find some middle ground. Some place they both could be comfortable in and have a good decent meal that wasn’t crips that turned one’s fingers orange with fake cheese.
He contemplated a moment. “Just dress comfortably. I know at least one place that might work and you won’t have to show me how badly you tie your ties.” Not that Atobe wouldn’t help. He’d be more than happy to help his boyfriend with such a thing. He didn’t think Shishido would be against going to a small restaurant that served a variety of steaks and fish.
“Shut up...” he looked at Atobe with a grumpy frown, “I have tied ties all ready to put on.” And he really thought that was acceptable. It was at least practical. He had chosen a field he didn’t have to wear stuff like that very often because he wasn’t that interested. Those ties were for job interview, conferences and fancy dates with Atobe only. Shishido finished changing, brushed his hair with his fingers and looked at his boyfriend. “So? Better than you right?” he teased, and yet looked charming because whenever he made a little effort he did look good.
He looked his lover over a moment, hand going up on it’s own accord to rest between his eyes in his old insight pose. He stared for a long moment before his hand dropped. “You’ll pass.” He decreed. But honestly, Shishido did clean up very well when he wanted to. “You won’t make a mockery of the Porsche.” He turned back to the door and opened it to head out. As he did, he muttered, “You look good.” Because the man did deserve some credit now and again.
Shishido heard and a small smile formed on his lips. He hoped his boyfriend didn’t see it. It annoyed him to know that such comments made him happy and the last thing he wanted was to show Atobe’s compliments had that effect on him. Grabbing his dorm keys and putting his wallet in his back pocket, he followed his boyfriend out. Unconsciously, he leaned against him and wrapped both arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss on the back of his neck. He wanted to say it one more time.
Arms went about him. He felt lips against his neck. He accepted the kiss and the small closeness. He then pulled away a moment to pull out his phone. He needed to check to see how much time he did have. How many hours he could spend before he had to rush off again to work. Frowning, he put the phone back and then glanced to the brunette. They’d have an hour. An hour wasn’t remotely long enough but it was all he could do. It would be enough for a dinner and then he’d have to drive Shishido back to the dorms before rushing off to his next scheduled event. Sighing a little, he refused to let this bother him. It was too nice a day, since that word had been used, so he wasn’t going to ruin it with a bad mood caused by work.
“Let’s be off then, Ryou.” He doubted he had to tell him that time was short.
Shishido gave him a nod. He knew when Atobe checked his phone that he was looking for the time, there was no need to explain. It was always like that anyway, the brunette didn’t like it but it was their reality and something he was getting used to. Sharing Atobe with work and board meetings would hardly ever change. In a way, it was good, he constantly missed him and looked forward to when they would be together and they were less likely to be horrible to each other like they always were if they had little time to spend with one another.
“Hey, you have a meeting right? Hold on..” Shishido said, opening the dorm door again and running quickly inside to get his books. “Just drop me at yours after,” he could study there and at least sleep in the same bed for a few hours before coming back to school in the morning.
He nodded glumly. He doubted he’d be sleeping in his bed tonight. He might once again end up slumped over at his desk catching what few short hours of sleep he did get, head pillowed on whatever company files were there at the time. But he knew his boyfriend was aware of that habit of his as well. And if Shishido wished to stay over, then he would allow him to do so. Just so long as he didn’t try to interrupt while the meeting was in progress.
“Do you have everything you need then?” He asked, eyeing the books. He was probably a bit more abrupt than he usually was. But he was on a time crunch and he wanted at least whatever remained of his free time to be spent eating good food with his boyfriend. “If so, let’s go.” He even started towards the elevator that would take them downstairs and out of the dorm.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Shishido pushed him a little and he dashed past him, for no reason but to be a little annoying. He couldn’t allow Atobe to have it all his way all the time. He would sleep over, and watch him as he passed out on his desk. If he was still awake then, he would take his boyfriend to bed, and save him from a bad night of sleep. Atobe was independent and he never seemed to need anybody, but Shishido saw it differently and would do what he had to to show they worked better together than by themselves.