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.