tenipuri - MEMORIES OF YOU (oshiato) (15PAIRINGS: THEME 5)
Title: Memories of You
Author: bushy_haired
Beta(s): katiedistance
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Oshitari/Atobe
Theme: 05 - Flower(s)
Rating: PG-ish
Disclaimers: POT belongs to Takeshi Konomi. One Year, Six Months belongs to Yellowcard. The rest are just my imagination… Enjoy!
* * *
“Oshitari!” a male voice was heard in the silence of the street.
Oshitari stopped on his tracks and turned around to see who called him. It was dark and the few streetlamps didn’t help much. It wasn’t until the other man was close that Oshitari recognized him.
“Atobe!” Oshitari stared at his former tennis captain. “What are you doing here?”
Atobe looked at him amused.
“Honestly Oshitari, we haven’t met since you got into that college in the United States. Ore-sama finds this greeting rather cold…” he sighed and closed his eyes.
The blue haired man burst into laughter. “You haven’t changed one bit, have you?”
He calmed himself down and looked at him ready to properly say hello.
“It’s okay, Ore-sama knows how stunned you are. Can I spare some of your time to catch up, since we haven’t met in such a long time?” Oshitari was almost sure there was a bittersweet tone in Atobe’s voice.
“Sure.” He smiled. “There’s a small café nearby.” Atobe nodded in agreement and followed his lead.
“I hope your family business if going well,” Oshitari added not wanting the walk in awkward silence.
“Busy, actually. I’d have never thought being a CEO can be so hectic. It was only recently that my father decided to retire and leave everything to ore-sama, but I’ve had the time to adjust.” Atobe looked sideways as they crossed a street.
“I’m sure it’s busy. You’ve been on the cover of every business magazine by now.” Oshitari walked toward an only wooden door.
“My mind fails to remember at the moment. What is that you do for a living, Oshitari? Or maybe you haven’t settled yet…”
“I’m 27; of course I have a proper job.” Oshitari pushed the door open. “I’m an author, Atobe. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
As they entered the café Atobe couldn’t help but agree that the place was indeed small. Oshitari chuckled wondering how much luxury his former buchou could take. Then again he didn’t care than much. It was, after all, what made Atobe who he is.
“Good Evening, Oshitari-san,” a brown haired girl said; her eyes sparkling. “It’s unusual to see you here on a Thursday.” The young girl smiled enthusiastically at him as she handed some change to an old man.
“Good Evening, Aya-san.” Atobe watched Oshitari smile kindly at her. The girl blushed and showed them an empty table by the window. “I’m catching up with an old friend,” he continued as he walked to the table at the end. Atobe followed closely. He nodded a ‘hello’ when the girl stared at him curiously, but then smiled.
“So, what will you get?” she asked as she took her pad and pencil out of her pocket with slightly shaky, nervous movements. She laughed and turned the page on the notepad.
Atobe ordered a coffee, while Oshitari got tea for himself saying that he wouldn’t want to be up all night. The girl scribbled down the order as Oshitari opened his wallet and handed to her a credit card. The girl put the notepad in her pocket and left as a new song started playing. Atobe chuckled. It was strange seeing again a young girl have a crush on the blue haired man.
“What is it?” Oshitari asked. Atobe stopped and leaned forward.
“Girls still like you it seems…But it wasn’t what made he laugh.” he let out a sigh.
“You still have that in your wallet.” Oshitari opened his wallet to see a picture of the Hyoutei Tennis Team, all of them smiling back at him with such ambition that couldn’t possibly be explained at that time.
Sew this up with threads of reason and regret
So I will not forget
I will not forget
“Yeah… I guess I still do.”
“No need to look so gloomy. They were good times!” Oshitari smiled even though he looked ready to cry. It wasn’t just the memories of the tennis team. There was so much more behind that picture. Even now, so many years later he would still stare at it for hours.
“Good times…” he said bitterly. “There were so many times back then when I wished for time to stop,” he confessed.
“I know. I think everyone wished that.” Atobe said taking the photo from his hand to look at. Then he set the worn photograph on the table and reached for his bag, looking for something.
Aya came carrying their drinks, small plates with cookies and Oshitari’s card. Still blushing she smiled as Oshitari thanked her and sipped his tea. The girl left by bumping into a neighboring table and laughing softly.
Oshitari watched as Atobe retrieved his own wallet and opened it.
“I always wanted you to keep this… I don’t know why I kept it all these years, but here. You should have it since it was your idea in the first place.” Atobe reached in his wallet, took out a strip of paper and gave it to Oshitari.
I’m falling into memories of you
And things we used to do
Oshitari stared at the 4 small pictures of himself and the man before him taken at one of those machines found here and there. This particular one from that Amusement Park they went to once with the whole team. But these small pictures where just them alone.
Laughing.
Hugging.
Kissing…
His eyes were slowly watering behind his glasses, his mind wondering if he’d ever experience anything similar to that feeling again. Everything was going on full speed back then. They were living for the moment, craving to win the Nationals, which in the end didn’t matter when they lost. Oshitari looked at Atobe. The ambition was still there.
I can tell that you don’t know me anymore
It’s easy to forget
Sometimes we just forget
Atobe looked at him, wanting to see the same person. Oshitari set the picture down and sipped his tea instead.
“Maybe you didn’t want that picture after all this time…” Atobe said. Oshitari looked up feeling slightly disturbed.
“I’m not the same person any more, Atobe. But thank you, for the photos. It was a nice memory, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t believe that’s true. You say you’re not the same, yet your eyes are lying. You still keep a photograph of the team with you. It’s not just a photograph though, is it?”
Oshitari was taken aback. No, it wasn’t.
“I gave you that, because I wished the time had stopped then. Because I’d give anything to be living in that moment. Even today.” He sighed.
And being on this road is anything but sure
Maybe we’ll forget
I hope we don’t forget
“And now look… I’ve said too much.” He continued with a small blush on his cheeks. “I guess I don’t want to forget just yet…”
“I don’t ever want to forget, but sometimes it just happens.” He looked out the window at the cars, at the passers-by, at the Christmas lights lighting the busy street on the other side.
“Some day we might forget that match I had with Gakuto against Seigaku’s Kikumaru and Momoshiro, or your match against Tezuka, if that’s even possible.”
Atobe chuckled at the memory.
“And we might forget the practices with Sakaki-sensei, and all that chocolate received on Valentine’s Day… We might forget the dates when we went for dinner or to see a movie and the little notes we left in each others lockers, but when I see that photograph I remember everything clearly. And those memories are what help me go on.” Oshitari put his hand on Atobe’s. “It’s the memories of you that drive me crazy and make me keep that picture in my wallet after all these years.” Atobe smiled at him.
So many nights
Legs tangled tight
Wrap me in a dream with you
Close up these eyes
Try not to cry
“Those years were certainly unforgettable. Do people always wish this?” Atobe questioned. “Do they wish to re-live their school days? Junior High and High School… Ore-sama would definitely want to turn back time. And make up for all those years in-between then and now…” he looked at Oshitari’s unchanged expression and squeezed his hand slightly, almost begging for a small spot back in his life.
Oshitari sighed. “Perhaps we could make up for the lost time.” He finally said giving up on the questions of why Atobe showed up now after so long. They didn’t matter anymore.
“A movie? Like back then?” Atobe suggested.
”Let’s go.”
As they walked out the waitress called out Oshitari. “Good luck, Oshitari-san!”
“You don’t have to wish me luck every time, Aya-san, but thank you. I’m sure writing will be going much better from now on,” he said and followed Atobe out. He was feeling the warmth again; that funny warmth of the season. That silly excited feeling he used to have only in his memories.
* * *
They walked toward the movie theatre in the busy Square, their shoulders brushing against each other and holding hands. Who would mind in the cold December evening?
“Can I ask you something? If you’re an author, how is it possible that I haven’t heard your name?” Atobe asked curiously.
“Because I use a penname.” Oshitari put it so simply that Atobe was surprised he hadn’t thought about it.
“And that waitress…”
“She found out after she asked me a million questions. I spend a lot of time there. You’re really curious about it, aren’t you?” He looked at the man.
“Yes, in fact I am. Will you tell Ore-sama what sort of books who write then?”
“Mostly romance. Love stories. They’re all selling quite good too,” he said. Atobe should have known that he’d be writing romance books.
“Are you saying you have best-sellers?” Atobe just wanted to tease him now. He watched as the other man nodded looking amused.
“Have you heard of ‘Love Lies’, Atobe?” The surprised look on his face was priceless, Oshitari thought. “Ahhh, you know it then. I should thank you for being a reader then.” Atobe blushed as they continued walking through the crowd, toward the theatre.
“I hope you don’t have any preferences, Atobe.” Oshitari smiled and let go of the other’s hand.
“Are you trying to manipulate Ore-sama?” Atobe said through the crowd crossing between them now, as the blue haired man went somewhere. Atobe raised an eyebrow in question as Oshitari made his way back, his hands behind him.
“There’s this movie I’ve been eager to see.” Oshitari said and gave him the red rose he had been hiding a few moments ago.
* * *
Atobe leaned to rest his head on Oshitari’s shoulder and sighed as the movie went on. Oshitari tangled their finders and squeezed his hand lightly, leaning slightly toward Atobe.
“And there you were saying you’re not as you were…” he said and clutched the red rose in his other hand.
* * *
Author's Notes: At the end of the fic, but anyway...
Yes, that waitress girl… she has a crush on him. Poor thing... pats Reckon she likes yaoi? A mad fangirl.
The title Oshitari says for his best seller ‘Love Lies’ is actually a song by Bon Jovi. XD
I don’t even know where this fic came from. It wasn’t in my list of pairings to write, but the muse knocked on my door and I answered.
Hope you liked it. Constructive criticism is good. Questions, ideas, fangirlism… throw it all in. Thus ends my first OshiAto fic. Over and out.
Author: bushy_haired
Beta(s): katiedistance
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Oshitari/Atobe
Theme: 05 - Flower(s)
Rating: PG-ish
Disclaimers: POT belongs to Takeshi Konomi. One Year, Six Months belongs to Yellowcard. The rest are just my imagination… Enjoy!
* * *
“Oshitari!” a male voice was heard in the silence of the street.
Oshitari stopped on his tracks and turned around to see who called him. It was dark and the few streetlamps didn’t help much. It wasn’t until the other man was close that Oshitari recognized him.
“Atobe!” Oshitari stared at his former tennis captain. “What are you doing here?”
Atobe looked at him amused.
“Honestly Oshitari, we haven’t met since you got into that college in the United States. Ore-sama finds this greeting rather cold…” he sighed and closed his eyes.
The blue haired man burst into laughter. “You haven’t changed one bit, have you?”
He calmed himself down and looked at him ready to properly say hello.
“It’s okay, Ore-sama knows how stunned you are. Can I spare some of your time to catch up, since we haven’t met in such a long time?” Oshitari was almost sure there was a bittersweet tone in Atobe’s voice.
“Sure.” He smiled. “There’s a small café nearby.” Atobe nodded in agreement and followed his lead.
“I hope your family business if going well,” Oshitari added not wanting the walk in awkward silence.
“Busy, actually. I’d have never thought being a CEO can be so hectic. It was only recently that my father decided to retire and leave everything to ore-sama, but I’ve had the time to adjust.” Atobe looked sideways as they crossed a street.
“I’m sure it’s busy. You’ve been on the cover of every business magazine by now.” Oshitari walked toward an only wooden door.
“My mind fails to remember at the moment. What is that you do for a living, Oshitari? Or maybe you haven’t settled yet…”
“I’m 27; of course I have a proper job.” Oshitari pushed the door open. “I’m an author, Atobe. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
As they entered the café Atobe couldn’t help but agree that the place was indeed small. Oshitari chuckled wondering how much luxury his former buchou could take. Then again he didn’t care than much. It was, after all, what made Atobe who he is.
“Good Evening, Oshitari-san,” a brown haired girl said; her eyes sparkling. “It’s unusual to see you here on a Thursday.” The young girl smiled enthusiastically at him as she handed some change to an old man.
“Good Evening, Aya-san.” Atobe watched Oshitari smile kindly at her. The girl blushed and showed them an empty table by the window. “I’m catching up with an old friend,” he continued as he walked to the table at the end. Atobe followed closely. He nodded a ‘hello’ when the girl stared at him curiously, but then smiled.
“So, what will you get?” she asked as she took her pad and pencil out of her pocket with slightly shaky, nervous movements. She laughed and turned the page on the notepad.
Atobe ordered a coffee, while Oshitari got tea for himself saying that he wouldn’t want to be up all night. The girl scribbled down the order as Oshitari opened his wallet and handed to her a credit card. The girl put the notepad in her pocket and left as a new song started playing. Atobe chuckled. It was strange seeing again a young girl have a crush on the blue haired man.
“What is it?” Oshitari asked. Atobe stopped and leaned forward.
“Girls still like you it seems…But it wasn’t what made he laugh.” he let out a sigh.
“You still have that in your wallet.” Oshitari opened his wallet to see a picture of the Hyoutei Tennis Team, all of them smiling back at him with such ambition that couldn’t possibly be explained at that time.
Sew this up with threads of reason and regret
So I will not forget
I will not forget
“Yeah… I guess I still do.”
“No need to look so gloomy. They were good times!” Oshitari smiled even though he looked ready to cry. It wasn’t just the memories of the tennis team. There was so much more behind that picture. Even now, so many years later he would still stare at it for hours.
“Good times…” he said bitterly. “There were so many times back then when I wished for time to stop,” he confessed.
“I know. I think everyone wished that.” Atobe said taking the photo from his hand to look at. Then he set the worn photograph on the table and reached for his bag, looking for something.
Aya came carrying their drinks, small plates with cookies and Oshitari’s card. Still blushing she smiled as Oshitari thanked her and sipped his tea. The girl left by bumping into a neighboring table and laughing softly.
Oshitari watched as Atobe retrieved his own wallet and opened it.
“I always wanted you to keep this… I don’t know why I kept it all these years, but here. You should have it since it was your idea in the first place.” Atobe reached in his wallet, took out a strip of paper and gave it to Oshitari.
I’m falling into memories of you
And things we used to do
Oshitari stared at the 4 small pictures of himself and the man before him taken at one of those machines found here and there. This particular one from that Amusement Park they went to once with the whole team. But these small pictures where just them alone.
Laughing.
Hugging.
Kissing…
His eyes were slowly watering behind his glasses, his mind wondering if he’d ever experience anything similar to that feeling again. Everything was going on full speed back then. They were living for the moment, craving to win the Nationals, which in the end didn’t matter when they lost. Oshitari looked at Atobe. The ambition was still there.
I can tell that you don’t know me anymore
It’s easy to forget
Sometimes we just forget
Atobe looked at him, wanting to see the same person. Oshitari set the picture down and sipped his tea instead.
“Maybe you didn’t want that picture after all this time…” Atobe said. Oshitari looked up feeling slightly disturbed.
“I’m not the same person any more, Atobe. But thank you, for the photos. It was a nice memory, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t believe that’s true. You say you’re not the same, yet your eyes are lying. You still keep a photograph of the team with you. It’s not just a photograph though, is it?”
Oshitari was taken aback. No, it wasn’t.
“I gave you that, because I wished the time had stopped then. Because I’d give anything to be living in that moment. Even today.” He sighed.
And being on this road is anything but sure
Maybe we’ll forget
I hope we don’t forget
“And now look… I’ve said too much.” He continued with a small blush on his cheeks. “I guess I don’t want to forget just yet…”
“I don’t ever want to forget, but sometimes it just happens.” He looked out the window at the cars, at the passers-by, at the Christmas lights lighting the busy street on the other side.
“Some day we might forget that match I had with Gakuto against Seigaku’s Kikumaru and Momoshiro, or your match against Tezuka, if that’s even possible.”
Atobe chuckled at the memory.
“And we might forget the practices with Sakaki-sensei, and all that chocolate received on Valentine’s Day… We might forget the dates when we went for dinner or to see a movie and the little notes we left in each others lockers, but when I see that photograph I remember everything clearly. And those memories are what help me go on.” Oshitari put his hand on Atobe’s. “It’s the memories of you that drive me crazy and make me keep that picture in my wallet after all these years.” Atobe smiled at him.
So many nights
Legs tangled tight
Wrap me in a dream with you
Close up these eyes
Try not to cry
“Those years were certainly unforgettable. Do people always wish this?” Atobe questioned. “Do they wish to re-live their school days? Junior High and High School… Ore-sama would definitely want to turn back time. And make up for all those years in-between then and now…” he looked at Oshitari’s unchanged expression and squeezed his hand slightly, almost begging for a small spot back in his life.
Oshitari sighed. “Perhaps we could make up for the lost time.” He finally said giving up on the questions of why Atobe showed up now after so long. They didn’t matter anymore.
“A movie? Like back then?” Atobe suggested.
”Let’s go.”
As they walked out the waitress called out Oshitari. “Good luck, Oshitari-san!”
“You don’t have to wish me luck every time, Aya-san, but thank you. I’m sure writing will be going much better from now on,” he said and followed Atobe out. He was feeling the warmth again; that funny warmth of the season. That silly excited feeling he used to have only in his memories.
* * *
They walked toward the movie theatre in the busy Square, their shoulders brushing against each other and holding hands. Who would mind in the cold December evening?
“Can I ask you something? If you’re an author, how is it possible that I haven’t heard your name?” Atobe asked curiously.
“Because I use a penname.” Oshitari put it so simply that Atobe was surprised he hadn’t thought about it.
“And that waitress…”
“She found out after she asked me a million questions. I spend a lot of time there. You’re really curious about it, aren’t you?” He looked at the man.
“Yes, in fact I am. Will you tell Ore-sama what sort of books who write then?”
“Mostly romance. Love stories. They’re all selling quite good too,” he said. Atobe should have known that he’d be writing romance books.
“Are you saying you have best-sellers?” Atobe just wanted to tease him now. He watched as the other man nodded looking amused.
“Have you heard of ‘Love Lies’, Atobe?” The surprised look on his face was priceless, Oshitari thought. “Ahhh, you know it then. I should thank you for being a reader then.” Atobe blushed as they continued walking through the crowd, toward the theatre.
“I hope you don’t have any preferences, Atobe.” Oshitari smiled and let go of the other’s hand.
“Are you trying to manipulate Ore-sama?” Atobe said through the crowd crossing between them now, as the blue haired man went somewhere. Atobe raised an eyebrow in question as Oshitari made his way back, his hands behind him.
“There’s this movie I’ve been eager to see.” Oshitari said and gave him the red rose he had been hiding a few moments ago.
* * *
Atobe leaned to rest his head on Oshitari’s shoulder and sighed as the movie went on. Oshitari tangled their finders and squeezed his hand lightly, leaning slightly toward Atobe.
“And there you were saying you’re not as you were…” he said and clutched the red rose in his other hand.
* * *
Author's Notes: At the end of the fic, but anyway...
Yes, that waitress girl… she has a crush on him. Poor thing... pats Reckon she likes yaoi? A mad fangirl.
The title Oshitari says for his best seller ‘Love Lies’ is actually a song by Bon Jovi. XD
I don’t even know where this fic came from. It wasn’t in my list of pairings to write, but the muse knocked on my door and I answered.
Hope you liked it. Constructive criticism is good. Questions, ideas, fangirlism… throw it all in. Thus ends my first OshiAto fic. Over and out.