Across the Round Table. Chapter 4 - Trials of Tezuka Kunimitsu

“So how did a retro lamp from your sister make you sick?” Tezuka questioned.

“I don't know.” Fuji replied without a thought. He pulled Tezuka closer so that they could continue where they left off.

The end of Tezuka’s lip managed to curl because he let his guard down, but guard matters not when he is with Fuji. Gentle lips met and parted, heated breaths exchanged in the comfort of proximity.

He kissed Fuji’s lips. He kissed Fuji’s chin. He kissed Fuji’s neck. He kissed Fuji’s chest, and all the way down to Fuji’s navel.

“I like your pants,” he growled.

“Really? Shall I keep them on then?”

“No way.”

Tezuka could feel Fuji's wicked smile creep to the corners of the room. It was scary, actually, for someone to exude such an aura. Then again, it could just all be in his head. He brushed his chin over a hardened bulge on Fuji's crotch, which caused the guy to shiver. Tezuka cleared his head for a second. He shouldn't have done that though, because when he did so, he realized he would fail as a captain if he allowed himself to continue. He looked up to Fuji, whose face was sinister and seductive.

"Don't-You-Dare-Stop-Now" Fuji's velvet voice threaded the words.

"You're sick. You have to rest." Tezuka said. Unlike his companion's velvet-wrapping voice, his version of voice was like throwing pebbles at a person.

Swaying Tezuka to fall under full control was a very difficult thing to do. While Fuji could get others to buckle and slave under him without so much as two words, Tezuka was a challenge. He had to know when to resign, or it was game over and he wouldn't have won anything. They had been playing the same game for quite a while, and Fuji at least by now knew how to end each game without completely losing.

"If you don't do it, I'll have to do it myself. How am I supposed to rest if you make me work?"

Tezuka's mind was fooled by the logic even though there was a gaping hole in it. "Just to make it clear, victory goes to no one."

"Understood. That's not what we're playing for. Now, you were about to do something?"

Tezuka caught the zipper between his teeth and tugged it down. He mentally shook his head as he saw no underwear. With a little help, Fuji's erection sprang free. Tezuka caressed Fuji's navel area and down his thighs, avoiding the most precious places. It felt good to Fuji, and he patiently savoured the touch, anticipating more. It was a long while before Tezuka traced his finger around the base, never moving up.

"Tezuka!! What are you doing??" Fuji's flushed face was of frustration. He brought his hands that were clutching the sheets down to his erection, but Tezuka stopped him. The captain crawled over his subordinate, and that was when Fuji realized his friend was still fully clothed. Mouths met, and Fuji started unbuttoning Tezuka's shirt. He rolled them both over so they were on their sides.

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Merlin: The Sorcerer's Shadow

I must have fallen asleep pressing the delete button because a whole paragraph is missing -_-
So I had to rewrite it, which is less satisfactory than original T_T oh well. This is a scene from episode 11 of the 3rd season.

Arthur was in his chambers, sitting down with his chin rested upon his folded arms on the table. His eyes followed the movement of his servant's hand as it brought the sharpening stone to the hilt of the sword and ran it down the length of the blade repeatedly.

"What should I do, Merlin?" Arthur did not fully realize that he was actually asking for advice from his servant. Of course, his servant at this point in time looked completely in control and confident of himself, unlike the Prince. He'd easily let his guard down from his Princely mode in front of his servant from time to time like this.

Merlin stopped his motion and looked at Arthur.

"If I fight my father tomorrow -the way I can, I'll show him up. I'll humiliate him. In front of his people!" Arthur continued.

Slowly, but surely, Merlin was changing at a pace Arthur was blind to. It was comforting to realize how talking can help him cope with a situation, and boy did Merlin have some interesting things to say sometimes. Unconsciously, he had begun to seek the wisdom that his servant hid. It was unknown to the Prince, that today's Merlin does not only shine in the prescence of darkness, but also amongst equals. Merlin listened to Arthur's worries, contemplating the situation.

"Or worst, I could wound him, even kill him!" Arthur sat up as he said it.

"He isn't going to back down, is he?" Merlin half-sighed in return. "He's... Determined to prove himself. You have to let him win." He grinned in grimace as he concluded Arthur's thoughts.

Arthur sighed. "You don't have to put up with the bloating!" He got out of his chair, agitated by the thought of what would come from his father. "Do you have any idea what it's like living with a man who constantly think he's the best?"

"Mmm... Must be irritating," said Merlin. He nodded to himself and picked up the sword again, determined to sharpen it to his content. He had been noticing a lot lately, that there really isn't an escape from being human and feeling humanly things like irritation, or angst, even though you're way up the social ladder like Prince Arthur. There's always someone else capable of inducing those feelings into you, and Arthur would get a taste of what he usually puts his servant through. Merlin grinned for real at the thought. Arthur, who had walked around the table and behind Merlin, looked back at his servant and tried to bore a hole into the back of the man's skull. The servant-master line blurred again when he chose to let Merlin off, perhaps partly agreeing with him as well.

Across the Round Table. Chapter 3- Trials of Fuji Syuusuke

“Eiji… It is true that you’re the only bisexual out of all the regulars. That much, I can vouch for.”

Eiji looked up, tears starting to singe his eyes.

“But Eiji…” Fuji kept his sincere smile and his steely eyes hidden as he tried to comfort his friend. “That’s only because every one else is gay.”

Eiji froze and blinked his tears out. Then his eyes turned so dry he wished he were still crying. He stared blankly at Fuji, who kept his smile all too genuine and his eyes perpetually hidden. Something clicked in the red-head’s mind.

“Oh! That explains your pants!”

Fuji’s farce broke at his friend’s response. Now he was just confused. “My… pants?” He looked down. There, he discovered his legs were wrapped in a pair of glossy material, bright scarlet with sequins and beads running down the sides in random patterns. Fuji sighed. That was careless of him. “Ah…. These….. My sister’s friend gave it to her. What’s it doing on me, I wonder.”

“I think it suits you!” Eiji laughed out.

“You think? It doesn’t make my legs look fat, does it?”

“No, no. It looks really good.”

Fuji laughed. “Don’t change the subject now… You do understand what I just said, right?”

“Not really. I know you, it’s definitely a joke.”

“I wouldn’t make this a joke. It would be like kicking you while you’re down, that’s just evil.”

“You ARE capable of evil, Fuji. Even if it’s true…. That’s just impossible!! I mean.. Everyone??”

“Yes Eiji. Everyone. We’ve been wai—” Fuji slurred his words as the swirling suddenly decided to make a comeback.

“Fuji!!”

The force in his head threatened to throw him on his back again, but he fought it by trying to oppose the direction, leaning forward as hard as he can. This didn’t end up being a good idea when you’re 10 feet off the ground. Luckily, Eiji had fast reflexes and caught his hand in time, or he would’ve fallen flat on the ground. His feet were dangling only a few feet off the ground, but Eiji still maintained his grip.

“That was dangerous!! Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?! Your hands are burning!” Eiji cried.

“Aahh.. You saved me…” Fuji said, looking up at his friend. “It’s ok now, you can let me down.” Eiji hesitated for a few seconds while examining Fuji’s face, but upon finding that smiling mask still intact, sighed and loosened his grip, allowing Fuji to land. The impact of the land felt like a jump out of a speeding train and having a brick in his head instead of a brain; yet he was on his feet, savoring the pain. Inui’s juice couldn’t possibly have done this all, he marveled.

Eiji easily jumped down, landing gracefully thanks to his acrobatic skills. “Come on, I’m walking you home.”

“I suppose… shouldn’t wait until it’s too late for me…” Fuji said, holding his hand to his head and turning his smile into a frown.

“Eh?” Eiji worried. He didn’t know what to do. Oishi was always the one who knew what to do in these situations!

“My pants. People are going to start coming out soon.”

“Fuuuujiiii,” Eiji whimpered. “Don’t scare me like that!” He wrapped his right arm around Fuji’s back and led him out of the park. “Really now, being a sadist and a masochist isn’t a good hobby, you know.” It was true that Fuji had a sadistic side to him that could reduce his opponents to sobbing puppies, but Eiji wasn’t thick enough to not notice that his friend had came out to search for him in this condition. He had suspected Fuji would one day try to find him on his morning musings, but it could have been any day, not on the one day Fuji was so ill. Eiji inwardly cursed himself for calling out louder that day. Screw the psychic vibes, even if they might not be at fault this time. Getting a cellphone might save a lot of potential misery after all. Fuji chuckled and said nothing more.

They walked in silence down the hill, and along the streets until they came a few blocks away from Fuji’s house. He stopped walking. Eiji was forced to stop as well; with a look of question on is face.

“Oh no… What’s he doing here?” Fuji said.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Eiji asked.

“It’s…. That,” said Fuji, pointing to the gates of his house. Two seconds later, an auburn-haired and bespectacled man -or rather, boy, according to his age- emerged. The captain of the Seigaku tennis team turned to see both Fuji and Eiji staring at him from far.

“TEZUKA!!!” Eiji yelled out waving, not caring if he might wake up any sleeping neighbors. They continued walking again, while Tezuka stayed at his spot. Fuji naturally had his smiling face on, Tezuka noticed, but something was amiss. It seemed like Eiji was supporting Fuji’s weight as they walked. Instinctively, he stepped forward to meet them.

“Fuji. I heard from Oishi. Are you alright?” Tezuka started.

“This won’t do…” said Fuji. “We haven’t even greeted each other yet. Good morning, Tezuka.”

“Good…. Good morning, Fuji. Eiji.” Tezuka said in a straight face. Just like Fuji who had his smiling face mask, the captain had is own brand of mask which he ever more rarely took off.

“Good-morning!” Eiji replied in a sing-song voice. He released his hand from Fuji’s shoulder when he felt his friend straighten up. “What brings you here, captain?”

Tezuka wasn’t counting on meeting Eiji like this at all. Fuji’s sister who answered the door went to call Fuji, but came back saying she couldn’t find him and maybe he had already left. Tezuka thought he was being rejected, yet there Fuji was standing before him. Just what was the genius doing out? He was at a loss for ideas to feed Eiji, so he went with the truth. “I came to check up on Fuji.”

“I’m fine… it’s nothing really…” Fuji had to say. Although Tezuka’s expression seemed to make no change, years of watching him had allowed Fuji to pick up subtle movements otherwise invisible to others. He knew Tezuka was worried, and Tezuka should never be allowed to worry, because he is far worst than Oishi when he does so, even though no one else had ever seen the captain worry. Fuji’s head was throbbing like a heartbeat, but he would somehow have to manage it until his bed is met. He took a step forward in attempt to move the group, but he was wobbling so bad he welcomed a fall.

It didn’t come though. Tezuka was holding him up, and he let his head get buried in the guy’s chest. Next thing he knew, he was being lifted up and cradled in Tezuka’s arms and they were moving again. He heard a door shut, and his sister’s voice, but other than that, he didn’t bother noting. He was in a comfortable place between conscious and sleep. They must have gone up the stairs and into his room, because he felt his bed under him. The swirling in his head, the throbbing, or any signs of wanting to throw up were gone. He just felt like lying there with his cactus watching over him. “Ah… I caused some trouble… Have to… Apologize…” he thought, but his breath refused to convert to voice.

“I’m so sorry…” He heard. Did he manage to say it afterall? Wait.. no… That was not his voice. Oh no. Tezuka.

Fuji forced himself to drive into consciousness. He opened his eyes for better judgment of the situation. Sure enough, Tezuka was at his side, with an expression that was painful to look at. “What are you sorry for?” Fuji asked.

“It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have made you drink that crap. You weren’t your normal self after that.”

“Ah… no… I don’t think this came from the drink… Sister said Ceres is in retrograde. It usually doesn’t do harm though…”

“Huh?”

Fuji laughed. Of all the things Tezuka could say, that was the weirdest coming from him, somehow. But he would like to think that it worked, that he distracted Tezuka from further blaming himself. “Come here, will you?” Fuji shifted further in his bed and patted the empty space beside him.

Tezuka hesitated, he looked to his side as if thinking. For one, he didn't want to disturb Fuji's rest, but gave in all too soon anyway when Fuji pulled his hand. He was in his uniform, on Fuji's bed, with the genius himself tucked in. He laid on his side with his head propped on his arm, while his other arm was free to touch Fuji. He felt Fuji's forehead, which was still hot from the fever. Then he moved his hand down the side of Fuji's face, caressing the skin and hair along the way.

Fuji shivered at the contact, and leaned in on the touch. It felt good that Tezuka's skin was cold against his. He slid his hand to the base of Tezuka's head and pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips gently touched, and gradually they moved closer into the contact. Tezuka's lips were tenser then usual, but eventually he relaxed and parted his lips a little. Fuji licked Tezuka's bottom lip, and then inserted his tongue into Tezuka's mouth, tasting his favourite flavour all around. The tips of their tongues would lightly touch and retreat as they teased each other, both not wanting to give in before the other. It was hard for Fuji to be in control in his position, but Tezuka would move so that they were playing on a level field, a bit like giving a handicap while playing tennis, but he would be a fool to give Fuji too much of an advantage. It wasn't like they weren't experienced. Before either of them could gain dominance, Fuji suddenly remembered something he'd forgotten. Regretfully, he had to break the kiss for a moment at least.

“Where's Eiji?” Fuji asked.

Tezuka had a mix of guilt and embarrassment tinted on his face, but he was clearly blushing. “He's right over there.” he answered, pointing at the direction of the foot of the bed.

There was Eiji, standing beside the room door, mouth gaping and eyes bewildered at the scene ahead. He'd been standing there from the start and Fuji didn't even notice. “I.... I... I BELIEVE YOU, FUJI!!!” He announced loudly and then made a run out of the room.

Fuji chuckled slowly. This might be more fun then he initially thought.

“So how did a retro lamp from your sister make you sick?” Tezuka questioned.

“I don't know.” Fuji replied without a thought. He pulled Tezuka closer so that they could continue where they left off.

Across the Round Table. Chapter 2 - Trials of Kikumaru Eiji

Fuji was dreaming of Tezuka walking a dog when his alarm went off the next morning. It sounded different today, like it was further away than usual, and instead of one alarm clock, maybe there was five. His head swirled as he tried to shut the noise. “Marie…. It seems that Aozu is still too strong for me…” he whispered to his bedside cactus as he gently clicked the alarm off. Last night, he had to drink a whole glass of Inui’s most horrible concoction to date, because he lost to Tezuka in a game they were playing. Fuji didn’t really regret loosing though; Tezuka was so, so very good. Why Tezuka even had that concoction with him in the first place was a mystery. Still, he would have to pay for this fever.

Fuji attempted to sit up, but the swirling in his head became more intense, and like a force it pushed him back into his pillow. “Impossible.. I really can’t get up today…”

He reached for his phone and scrolled down the phonebook to the name ‘Tezuka’, but hesitated to press the call button. "There’s no way I’m telling him", He thought. He scrolled to Oishi's name instead and made the call. It rang four times before Oishi picked up.

“Hello?” came a half-husky, half-groggy voice from the other line.

“Good morning, Oishi.” Damn, never knew he had such a sexy voice. “ Sorry to wake you so early.. It’s Fuji. I just want to tell you I’m taking the day off from school and practice..”

“Eh? Sure.. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I just ate something bad yesterday. I’ll come by after school if I can.”

“It’s ok, you don’t have to push yourself. I’ll inform Ryuzaki-sensei. You should rest well, Fuji.”

“Thanks, Oishi.”

“Are you sure you’re OK?”

“Yes Oishi, it isn’t anything to worry over. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

He hung up the phone, his eyes remaining close as new thoughts infested his mind; thoughts that involved Oishi’s morning voice and a certain red-headed friend of his.

Eiji! That’s right, he had to call Eiji too. He dialed Eiji’s home number and waited for someone to pick up.

“Hello, this is the Kikumaru household,” a voice at the end said, presumably one of Eiji’s sisters.

“Hello, may I speak to Eiji please?”

“Ah, sorry.. He just left. Who is this?”

“It’s Fuji. Ah… I was going to tell him not to wait for me. Does he always leave this early?”

“Oh, Fuji-kun! Yes, he usually takes a long route to school, that’s why he leaves so early..”

“I see.. Well ok then, thanks. Have a nice day.”

Fuji stayed lying on his side, wondering what the cheery red-head was up to every morning. Poor Eiji would be waiting for him. No way, I can’t just let him wait while I sit my ass in bed trying to get better over a stupid drink. Why doesn’t he have a cellphone? Just as he thought that, he realized his brain wasn’t doing the swirling thing as much. Slowly, he sat up and made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower. He pulled out some random trousers and put on a shirt with a sweater over, grabbed his cell and wallet and walked out of the house.

The fresh and cool morning air greeted him, as he stretched his arms above his head, taking a deep breath. He made his way to the street junction where Eiji would always be waiting for him, but found no one there. He drew a map in his mind, noting the possible places he could start searching. Down the street to the right was a playground. Further in was a path that he had never ventured. That would be a good place to start, he thought.

So with his light-headedness, he trudged along the street and finally found the playground. It was deserted, aside from a cat under the slide. He found the path, and followed it through sparse woodland. Further in he walked, the path curving though he could still see the start of the path through the trees. At the end of his walk, he came out to a familiar uphill path which he came to pass nearly every day on the way to school.

Thud. Thud.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Another familiarity in the form of sound came from ahead. He walked along the hill path, noting as the sound got louder and clearer, but he realized soon that it was coming from above. At some point where the sound was nearest, he looked up the side of the hill to where a landing formed, connected to Takadai Park. From where he was standing, he couldn’t see who was making the noise, so he climbed further uphill to make a cross to the said park. He felt like a stalker as he kept walking near the trees, coming closer to what looked like a big green container. Someone was hitting something at the other side of the container.

Suddenly, the thudding noises halted, and he heard a big sigh. Several moments later, a crimson mop of hair was visible at the top of the container. Surely enough, Fuji had found the person he was looking for. Eiji sat at the edge, looking out at the still-dark sky, where the light from the Sun had not yet bathed. It would be the ideal place to watch a sunset, but it was morning and the peeking sunrise behind him seemed to not interest him the slightest. They watched the last bright star disappear together, Fuji’s presence unknown to Eiji. He held out his right arm in front of him, palm outwards and whispered, “Oishi…”

That was the most Fuji could take, seeing his friend so unnecessarily beaten down. Apparently the red-head was as thick as ever, even after so many careless slip-ups from the rest, he had managed to take them all as jokes, mixed with his own. Fuji decided his friend needed a little blunt hammering. He walked over to the other side of the container and knocked on it, and with his angelic face, smiled up at the red-head.

Eiji noticed the intruder immediately, for a split second there was panic, until he identified the intruder as his perpetually smiling friend Fuji. In the several split seconds to come, he wondered whether he was dreaming, or if he had stayed there too long and Fuji had come to find him, but he quickly realized it was still too early. “Fuji?”

“Good morning. May I come up?”

Eiji gave him a hand and pulled him up to sit beside him. “What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you. I tried to call your home, but your sister said you’d left. I was going to tell you not to wait for me. So, is this where you always are every morning?” Fuji didn’t let Eiji cut in to question why he wasn’t to wait up, because he had something to tell Eiji and didn’t want any delays.

“Eh? Yeah… How did you find me?”

“Luck, I guess. And maybe the fact that you were calling out to someone helped my radar pick up something.”

“You really do have psychic blood!”

Fuji chuckled. “Psychic ability doesn’t run in blood, but gets passed around by proximity. ‘Catching the vibes,’ one would say.”

Eiji laughed at that, erasing the previous lost expression he had hanging on his eyes.

“But I don’t need psychic vibes to notice you’re troubled. Will you talk to me?”

“Can I really talk to you?” Eiji’s eyes fixed straight ahead on the starless sky, arranging his words in his mind. “I don’t want to weird you out or something…”

Mentally, Fuji rolled his eyes as he was physically unable to do so. Eiji really had no idea. “Yes Eiji, you can talk to me about anything at all.”

“Hmmm…” Eiji considered. “It’s about… me.”

Wow, okay maybe talking about Oishi straightaway isn’t his approach, Fuji thought. His friend was being really careful, even though it never came with his personality. “Yes, my friend?”

Eiji shifted his position to face Fuji and crossed his legs. “Well… do you think it’s weird? I mean… I like girls, right?”

“There is evidence that point to that, yes.”

“But what if I don’t only like girls? I mean, would that be weird?”

Fuji chuckled again. His friend could probably go on beating around the bush forever if he let him. “No, it wouldn’t be weird, Eiji. Likeness is universal.”

“You laughed! You already think I’m weird don’t you!!”

“Calm down Eiji, I don’t think that way. I just understand what you’re trying to say.”

Eiji looked hopefully at Fuji.

The genius spoke, “You’re worried that you’re bisexual, and you would weird the other members out if they knew?”

Eiji’s face flushed a pink hue as he cast his look down.

“Or rather, if a certain person found out, you think it would destroy your relationship?”

His face grew redder and he stared into a crack of paint.

“Eiji… It is true that you’re the only bisexual out of all the regulars. That much, I can vouch for.”

Eiji looked up, tears starting to singe his eyes.

“But Eiji…” Fuji kept his sincere smile and his steely eyes hidden as he tried to comfort his friend. “That’s only because every one else is gay.”

Across the Round Table. Chapter 1- Prologue ~Trials of Seigaku~

“FUUJIIII!!” the jumpy red-head started his antics early in the early morning. He waved his hands over his head, calling out to his classmate and friend, Fuji. The said friend was calmly walking by the road towards Eiji, who would wait for him every morning so that they could walk to school together.

“Ah.. Eiji, you beat me again, even though I tried to leave earlier.” Fuji said, as he joined his friend and they went on their way. “What time do you usually leave your house?”

“Eh? I don’t know.. I just leave after I have my breakfast.”

“Really? Then what’s that in your mouth?” Fuji asked, pointing to Eiji’s face which was half-buried in a bun he was holding.

“Second breakfast!”

Fuji chuckled, while a new determination to find out just how long Eiji waits for him everyday surfaces into his mind. That day, he had left his house half an hour earlier, yet Eiji was still there the same as ever, but this time with his second breakfast in hand.

They talked about the usual things as they walked; classes, new tennis gears, girls that were stalking them, and Fuji went on talking about boys that he thought were stalking the members. Eiji turned agitated at the topic shift, tearing his eyes away from Fuji and shuffling his bag unconsciously, but Fuji kept on his smiling mask which was hard to read, yet eerie to try reading. A genius mind considers so much, who knew what he would believe.

“Tezuka’s gotten a few more juniors on his tail. Do you know Yamashiro?” Fuji said.

“The bloke who tried to break into Ryuzaki-sensei’s office?”

“Yes, that’s him. I caught him trying to drop something into Tezuka’s locker, but he ran away with it when he saw me.”

“Did you see what it was?”

“No.. he hid it well. I sure hope his intentions were good.” Fuji broke his smiling mask and opened his eyes, “for his own good that is” he finished.

“Eeeehh… He’s so suspicious. We should stake out and see if he tries it again!

“We have after-school practice, Eiji.”

“Aww… and I thought it would be so cool. Oh well, we’re here! Morning practice, morning practice!” And Eiji went skipping ahead, through the school gates and towards the tennis courts.

Fuji watched as Eiji bounced into the courts and pounced on Oishi in greeting. Oishi, though he should have been used to surprises like these, still managed to jump and clutch his chest as Eiji dangled on his back. It was subtle, but Fuji could see Eiji’s cheeks turn pink while he hid his face behind Oishi’s view. He kept his knowing smile and walked into the courts to start the morning practice.