(fic) Unforgettable - PoT

[katikat]

Title: Unforgettable
Author: KatiKat
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply here.
Pairings: Oishi/Eiji, past Tezuka/Oishi
Warnings: None
Summary: Eiji asks, Oishi answers.
Notes: PoT totally won me over. I fell in love with it, completely and totally. My favorite guys are Tezuka and Oishi. I think their friendship is simply wow! :)
Notes2: A big thank you to my lovely yami_tai for her great beta skills!

Unforgettable

by Katikat


The sunshine streamed in through the open window, touching lightly the brown teddy bear that even now was leaning slightly to the left. A gentle breeze was playing with the curtains, warmth entering the room, making the relaxed atmosphere even more comfortable.

There, on the bed, two figures lay cuddled together. With his eyes shut, Eiji rested his head on his partner's chest, holding him close with one arm thrown over the other's midsection, while Oishi lay on his back, eyes directed on the ceiling, one hand behind his head while the other played with his friend's red-brown hair. It was their day off and they decided to use it to the fullest, relax and rest... and enjoy each other.

But then, Eiji wriggled nervously, which indicated he had something on his mind.

"What's wrong, Eiji?" Oishi asked still looking at the ceiling. "You are fidgeting."

The red-head opened his eyes and rubbing his cheek against his partner's chest he sighed. "Uhm... Oishi? Can I ask you something?" he inquired tentatively.

Oishi raised his eyebrows at this uncharacteristic behavior. Eiji usually blurted his questions out, not even considering if they were tactful or not. So... there could be only one thing... or rather one person he wanted to ask about - Tezuka. And the relationship that he and Tezuka shared. "Go ahead."

Drawing circles on Oishi's chest with his forefinger, Eiji spoke. "It wasn't until this tournament that I realized... how close you are... you and Tezuka... and..." Suddenly, he propped himself up on one elbow and looking down at Oishi, he blurted out. "Were you two lovers or not?"

Oishi turned his head to look into the anxious eyes of his friend and considered the question for a moment. Finally, he answered in a soft voice, smiling gently. "Yes, we were. For a while. Before we two paired off for the doubles."

Eiji released his breath in a long whoosh and blinked in surprise; never before had Oishi answered any of his questions regarding the bond between him and Tezuka. Kikumaru always suspected something like this but hearing it out in the open... "Oh," he answered, his voice full of uncertainty. "And... who left whom?" He needed to know.

The black-haired boy laughed silently, then shook his head. "It wasn't like that. From the very beginning we both knew that it wouldn't last. It was just for a moment. We needed each other and found comfort in each other. And when it was over, there were no regrets. On either side. And our friendship grew stronger because of it."

Eiji scrunched his face slightly, not really understanding. "But why? Why did it end?"

Oishi turned his eyes back to the ceiling, pondering the question for a moment. "Tezuka needed something else. No matter what I do, I will never be his equal. I will be always hanging a step back, never reaching his level. Tezuka... Tezuka needs someone truly strong, a man or a woman, but someone who would take him head on and be as cruel or as gentle as he would need. I could never do that since it goes against all I am."

Eiji tapped his lower lip with his finger, turning his eyes heavenwards. "Hm? But is there even anybody like that for him?"

His partner thought about it for a second. "Maybe Atobe... if they could overcome their rivalry. He is made of the same stuff. He is fierce and always goes all the way... Or," he laughed, "Echizen."

Eiji's eyes grew wide. "The kid? Oishi, you pervert!" he exclaimed, obviously scandalized, smacking his partner in the chest with the back of his hand.

Laughing some more, Oishi pinched his friend's nose gently. "Not now. Maybe in a couple of years, when Ryouma reaches his full potential. I'm sure that the thing they have between them won't end with Tezuka leaving for university. They are both exceptional. They will meet again and again in the future and maybe..." He shrugged. "Who knows?"

Eiji tossed the thought over and over in his mind, resting his head back on Oishi's chest again. "Hm... Maybe..." Then he grinned. "Tezuka and our kid, huh? Could be interesting."

Oishi smiled at the thought too. Why not?

Unexpectedly, Eiji's usually so exuberant voice grew soft and almost child-like when he spoke again, as if not really wanting to hear the answer to his question. "Did you... did you love him?"

The black-haired vice-captain grew serious and laying an arm around his partner's shoulders, he hugged him. "Yes," he answered just as softly. "I did. And I still do." Before Eiji could protest he continued gently. "That doesn't change anything at my feelings for you. You know well enough how I feel about you, right?" He waited until Eiji gave him a small, unhappy nod. "But Tezuka... Tezuka will always have a special place in my heart. I can't change it and I don't want to change it either. I can only hope that you will accept that."

They both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

It was a couple of minutes later that Eiji spoke again sounding almost sulky. "And? Was he good?"

Oishi burst out in laughter and looked down at the boy cuddled to his side. "What? Who?"

"Tezuka," Eiji explained, blushing slightly and returning his attention to drawing circles on his friend's chest. "He seems like a cold fish to me so..."

Oishi couldn't stop laughing. He just couldn't believe how insecure his audacious partner could be sometimes. Deciding to tease him a bit, he drawled. "Well... You know, looks can be deceiving."

Eiji shot up and with eyes wide open he looked down at his friend. "Really?!" he exclaimed. "Tell me more!"

The vice-captain laughed harder and hugged the other boy tightly to his chest. "Eiji! You gossip, you. And who is the pervert now?"

The End

Comments

[moonraven-croft.livejournal.com]

FUJI!!! Tezuka needs Fuji!!!! OMG, wait until you get to episode 173! Um...I think it was 173... *sighs*

But you know. Tezuka and Atobe do have this sex appeal. The pairing works sexually. And Atobe is obsessed, I tell you. Tezuka and Ryoma...*shudders* Sorry, I can't see it though it's pretty popular as well. You know where my heart is. *sighs*

I do like the friendship between Tezuka and Oishi...it's very special...but Oishi and Eiji is the kawaiiest!!

^___^ Good fic!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Tezuka and Fuji? I don't think they had much interaction so far and I'm on the 88 or so. Okay, tell me more about 173! And don't tease! X)

Atobe obsessed? Whywhywhy? Tell me! Will there be more about Atobe and Tezuka in the future?

And I can't see Echizen and Tezuka together either. Not yet. Ryouma is still too much of a kid. But I can see the two of them going to the same college where two years won't be so much of a difference anymore and then... who knows?

I love Eiji's "Nya" comments!

Happy you liked the ficcie!

[moonraven-croft.livejournal.com]

About TezuFuji... it's not the interactions...not yet anyway...well, not really. *laughs* But if you look at them, they seem to always be next to each other. Seigaku's number one and number two. ^__^

They have a connection that's not seen. ^^; You get glimpses of it in the OVA (Training in the Mountain or something like that) and the chibi episodes. *laughs* I love the chibi episodes!! They have Fuji dressed up like a girl in the wild west looking for Tezuka, gets kidnaps by Atobe...and gets rescued by the buchou! *swoons*

Another chibi episode (2 or 3) had Tezuka and Fuji as a married couple! *giggles* If you've seen the Prince of Bowling... I think you've seen these! It seems that the creator knows how to appease TezuFuji fangirls.

Now Episode 173... I think it that one, any way, there are 3 episodes in that arc. It's the long awaited match between Tezuka and Fuji. You've noticed that they've never played each other seriously... And these three episode tell you why. OMG! If you weren't a TezuFuji fangirl by now, you will be.

Sakura petals falling, walking together in the snow under one umbrella, studying together - just the two of them, Tezuka smiling!!! yes, he smiled at Fuji and Fuji grabbed his hands...and Tezuka BLUSHED!!!

Okay....so if I REALLY, REALLY didn't want to read too much into it, I could just say they were friends... but I wouldn't be a slash fangirl then, ne? Besides, you don't see Tezuka in that level of intimacy with anyone...not even Oishi.

Still...most of the TezuFuji mush is behind the scene. ^^; They have that gentle, quiet acceptance of each other that I find very romantic. Sorry...now I'm gushing my TezuFuji love on you.

But you did ask. ^____^

After those three episodes, Tezuka had a match with Ryoma too but it wasn't as pretty or full of romantic hints as his match with Fuji.

I'll give you one guess as to who won those matches.

Tezuka is all that...and a bag of chips. *giggles*

[moonraven-croft.livejournal.com]

Oops, I forgot your question about Atobe. No, not much interactions with Tezuka but he keeps talking about him. ^__^ And he did help Seigaku train for their match with Reikaku because Tezuka asked him to. ^____^

Those two do have an understanding, I think they make very good rivals. I'm writing a TezuFuji fic where Tezuka and Atobe are currently lovers. ^^; I just don't know when I'll get to finish it. My WIP list is very long. *sighs*

And I love Eiji's 'Nya!' noises too!!! It's so fitting that they made him cats in the chibi episodes! *ROLF*

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I'm kinda curious about the Hyotei guys. Sharon seems to love them a lot, especially Shishido and Ohtori. Is Ohtori the same as Choutarou? O.o Kinda confused by all the various transcription of their names >.<

In PoT, there are so many possibilities for pairings. You can write about their past, their future, theri present situation...

For example Fuji - I could see him having an affair with Saeki, then moving on and falling in love with Tezuka. Having a one-night-stand with him after which they decided they are not ready for it and giving themselves some time to cool off. They see other people - I could see something between Fuji and Tachibana on the one side and Tezuka and Oishi on the other side. Then getting back together after Tezuka returns back to Japan! Yay, I feel the muses singing :D

[moonraven-croft.livejournal.com]

*feeds you muses* I haven't seen too many good TezuFuji in a while. aishuu had some really good ones she wrote - and is writing for 30_kisses. I would love to see you write one.

I don't mind Tachibana/Fuji at all! At least while Tezuka is away. But they are SOOOOOO young! That's why your idea of having them find their way back to each other when they are older is just perfect! ^__^ That's the premise for Over the Rainbow, the fic that's been in my hard drive for about a year now. *sighs*

And Choutarou is his first name. ^___^ I believe that Shishido is the only one to call him that. *squeeeee*

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I loved the scene where Choutarou and Kawamura were playing and Taka used his Dash Hadokyou. He almost hit Ootori in the face and broke his neklace. Shishido screamed his name in such a pretty way... :D I love h/c and Shishido seems to be so protective of Ootori... *sighs*

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

That was nicely done! That's exactly how I'd see a relationship between those three characters. ^_~

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :) Shishido and Ootori... There wasn't much about them yet so I can't tell if I like them or not. I do like the guys from Fudomine though. The guy who always talks to himself is cute :D Shinji, isn't it? I love how the others sweatdrop when he goes on and on and on :D

[matimate.livejournal.com]

Nice story. I think I should watch that anime:)

[katikat.livejournal.com]

You should at least give it a try. There is so much stuff to this series so you should at least take a peek at it to know what it is about :)

[michalyn.livejournal.com]

Aww you really captured their personalities. I love how patient and gentle Oishi is with Eiji. I think only he could pull off confessing his love for someone else and still come across as even more devoted to Eiji. Eiji of course is his mischievous self but I liked how you showed his insecurity. Really nice. Sweetness for a very sweet couple. ♥

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! :) I love this pairing very much. Although I feel that Oishi is mostly the one who is hurt by Eiji's reckless behavior. Oops! And that gave me another plot bunny -_-;;