(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