RP Log: Tezuka, Fuji Koudai, Saeki

[wasapy]

Date: September 27th, 2006
Rating: Gen
Summary: The opening night to Fuji's new exhibit, a few familiar faces showed up.

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He smiled and greeted everyone, making his rounds through the lobby and making small talk with the various critics and editors. It had been a long time coming, but tonight had finally arrived: the opening night of his new exhibit. Because of his other 'responsibilities,' the show had to be postponed not once but twice. But as they say, the third time is the charm.

Wearing light brown jacket over a hugging black turtleneck and matching brown slacks, Fuji wondered to himself if he should have thrown on something else in addition. It was early fall and the weather was starting to become chilly; the fact that the structure that the exhibition was held in had many various exits to open air courtyards and terraces did not help, and the drafts were already getting to him.

Spotting a flicker of silvery white among the crowd, Fuji smiled lightly to himself. There was only one person he knew that would be here who had such a hair color. "Looking for someone?" He asked helpfully as he came up from behind the man.

The figure turned around slowly, a warm smile on his lips. "Depends." Blue eyes took in his friend's appearance, from the light jacket to the (far better) haircut. He himself was comfortable in the cool fall weather in naught but light slacks and a dress shirt, but amongst Japanese that seemed to be a rarity. Still, he had managed to pry himself away from his suits long enough to find some formal casual wear in which to present himself at the gathering.

Yuuta had yet to make his appearance, but the analyst was hopeful that the two brothers would begin to re-knit the bonds that had been severed, (likely purposefully), by the elder brother. Not that Saeki would have any experience in those matters. No, not at all.

"Maybe I can help out?" Fuji offered politely. "We do have a lost and found booth in the back, towards the coat check."

"Hn. That might help. Although how am I supposed to find them there if they're not lost?" Saeki's hands clasped lightly behind his back, gloves still in hand as he had been too lazy to check in his coat.

"You never know, maybe they will go look for you there." Fuji chuckled lightly. "Glad you can make it, old friend. Just arrived?" He regarded Saeki.

"A while ago, yes." Saeki continued to smile politely, aware of the public surrounding them, but at the same time partially uncaring as his eyes softened. "There's quite the buffet table in the back. Although I must say those little plates will never do for some of the new arrivals."

As Saeki should be aware, Fuji was quite strict about the 'No Display of Affection in Public' rule, and any tiny violation, even if accidental, would lead to punishments that would make Saeki wish he could sleep on the couch. "I picked some of your favorites while I was setting up the menu." The photographer smiled. "Please leave some for everyone though, I'll pack it home tonight if there are any leftovers."

One hand moving to his stomach as if in pain, Saeki winked. "You wound me, Fuji! Not even I have a stomach that big. Although I'm sure you could give a few of those men a run for their money."

"I should." Fuji chuckled. "I'm the one paying the caterers after all."

"Well in that case, I should probably take advantage of it since I doubt there will be much after this hungry crowd gets there." Saeki laughed. "I think that picture you took of the banquet was very... inspirational."

"It was... Tezuka!" The smile on the younger man's face widened and shined brightly as he spotted another face among the crowd. Without another word, Fuji abandoned the conversation and began to work his way through the crowd.

The analyst turned at Fuji's words, spotting the Director himself just coming through the door. As his previous conversation partner darted in front of his field of vision, Saeki knew when to admit defeat. A small, undefined smile lingered on his lips as he watched the spy greet his idol.

Hearing Fuji's voice, Tezuka nodded, a small smile (enough to be polite?) on his lips. "Fuji," he said in greeting as the photographer/spy approached him. "A success as usual."

"I'm happy you could make it." Fuji continued to smile radiantly, even as he suddenly enveloped the director with his arms.

Saeki blinked once, twice at the greeting before it clicked. What in the world...?

Now THAT was unexpected. Stiffening, Tezuka didn't move as Fuji hugged him, though he didn't try to push Fuji away, (that would have been immensely rude). He did, however, clear his throat.

"I thought you would be too busy to come." The small man said as he finally let go. "Don't tell me you ditched work for once...?"

Saeki coughed to cover his laughter at the Director's reaction to Fuji's hug.

"You've spent too much time in America," Tezuka muttered under his breath as Fuji let go. "Hoshina and Tsukuda can handle the rest of the work. I promised I would come."

Nodding, Fuji hesitantly steps away from Tezuka as the light cough registered in his mind. "Oh, Tezuka, I trust you know Saeki? Saeki, you met Tezuka right?"

"We've met," Tezuka said, nodding politely at the white-haired man.

"We've met." Saeki echoed, smiling and nodding back.

"Good, I'm not that good at doing introductions." Fuji smiled as he turned back to the director, the aura of almost pure joy radiated off the man like warm sunrays. "So what do you think, Tezuka?" Fuji gestured around him.

Saeki wondered idly if he should have brought sunglasses for Fuji's smile, but kept quiet, content for the moment to watch the interaction with slightly guarded eyes.

"A great success," Tezuka said, the polite half-smile back on his face. It was good to see Fuji so happy, especially considering Fuji's mood at their last meeting. "You should be proud."

"I'm glad you think so." The photographer grinned. "Oh, the coat check is down that hallway on the right..." He paused suddenly, catching another familiar face within the congregate of people... No, it couldn’t be…

"Thank you," Tezuka said, and nodded to both Fuji (who seemed slightly distracted) and Saeki. "If you'll excuse me." He headed over to the coat check.

Saeki nodded to Tezuka, and blinked as once again he was left facing the crowd where Fuji had once been. Sigh. One day, perhaps.

Back from the coat check, Tezuka had originally headed for the white hair, but then paused, realizing Saeki was alone. "Where is Fuji?" he asked, approaching the other.

Saeki nodded towards the current glomping of the younger Fuji, a knowing smile on his face. "He saw someone he didn't invite."

Turning to follow Saeki's gaze, Tezuka nodded. "Aa." Hearing something in Saeki's voice, he turned back. "He didn't, but you did." It wasn't a question.

Saeki turned back to Tezuka, a mischievous smile on his face. "I had an extra ticket. It just 'happened' to slip onto his desk one day." His eyes returned to the Fujis. "Besides... it's not good for brothers to fight."

"Indeed it isn't," Tezuka said, quietly, watching the Fuji reunion. He had stayed out of Fuji's business, whatever he thought of it. It wasn't his place to meddle. He did approve of the reunion, though. "A fortuitous accident."

"I'm glad you think so." Saeki, on the other hand, was applying for 'Meddlesome' to become his middle name. "Although it's a close call as to whether he's happier to see you or Yuuta-kun here tonight."

"I always come," Tezuka said, though he wondered why Saeki felt it important to mention. "We go back a long way. I'm sure Yuuta is tonight's highlight. You may have made Fuji's year."

Saeki chuckled at that. "No, this was my way of apologizing." He did not elaborate on why, however. "I'm glad Fuji has you to keep him grounded. It's a tough job, being a photographer's friend. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I doubt all photographers are like Fuji," Tezuka said, dryly. He watched Saeki, and asked, "What did you do?"

Saeki blinked, as if he had not been listening to the conversation. "Ara? I did something?"

"Necessitating an apology," Tezuka reminded him.

The analyst looked blankly at Tezuka before his face spread into a slow, knowing smile. "Thank you for worrying, but I suspect things are sorted out."

"Hn." Tezuka was quiet a moment. Deciding to try his luck, he watched Saeki without seeming to watch, and said, "Don't do it again. He was very sad."

That brought a chuckle out of him. "I don't think that's possible, but I'll do my best anyway." Something nagged at him, as if forcing him to be polite. Again. "Ah... but I do apologize for missing so soon after the party. I trust Temp-san forwarded things appropriately?"

"Aa." They weren't exactly sent directly to Tezuka, since someone else would see it and route it properly. Tezuka presumed that since no report crossed his desk, it had been routed to the correct parties already.

Saeki was silent for a moment before glancing at Tezuka's shoulder. "No date tonight?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Saeki blinked innocently at Tezuka. "Date? A friend? Someone whom you gave your extra ticket to?"

"There was only one ticket," Tezuka said. There had always been only one ticket, and he had never asked for more.

Saeki's eyes widened slightly before he looked away, focusing back on the Fuji brothers, away from Tezuka. "Of course. How silly of me."

Silly? Tezuka's eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, though Saeki was looking away. Was that jealousy he detected? As far as he knew, Fuji and Saeki were close, and Tezuka didn't understand the reason for any jealousy.

Face already schooled into his typical lazy smile, Saeki paid no attention to the hairs raising on the back of his neck from the look Tezuka was surely giving him. He had no reason to be jealous, really. Just because Fuji brightened like a light bulb the moment the other man appeared... or the hug... or the- the analyst cut that thought off faster than he ever had with a katana.

---

If Fuji was keeping track, that would be the second time he had ditched Saeki that night, which was still far away from the record. Ignoring almost everything else, Fuji made his way through the crowd. A part of him wished to run away from what he thought he saw, yet another part of him wished...

"Yuuta?" He called breathlessly behind the familiar stranger as the spy caught up with the individual.

Yuuta inwardly cringed even whilst his facial features went rather stony. An inner debate started up quickly, two rapid voices telling him what to do - both of them saying different things. 'Turn around and yell at him', 'run away and pretend you were never here'. But he couldn't really do the last: after all, several people had already seen him. So that left the first. Squaring his shoulders and digging into his pocket, Yuuta produced his slightly crumpled ticket and, turning, shoved it right into Fuji's face.

"What is this?" He asked - no, demanded. "Why did you give it to me?" If he said it forcefully he might actually get straight answers for a chance.

Fuji looked blankly at the ticket, where had... then he saw it, the ticket number. If he remembered it correctly, that ticket was given to... Fuji wanted to shake his head and laugh.

"Yuuta..." The elder brother tried desperately to think of something to say. Maybe apologizing for leaving for the US without telling him? Or maybe just haven't gotten in touch since his departure? "... I'm glad you could make it." He smiled sincerely.

Yuuta snorted. Trying to hold back from laughing in Fuji's face. "I guess A-Fuji must have been desperate for more guests then." He couldn't be nice, even if he had wanted to. The words flowed from his mouth before he could stop them. And he couldn't say, 'Aniki'. It was as if some part of him was against it.

"It was nice of you to call and tell me you were back. In fact, it was nice of you to call altogether. I'm glad we're so close than you just pick up the phone and call my number at anytime." Fuji probably didn't even know his number now. Well...good. No unnecessary calls that he'd have to hang up on.

Fuji has never seen Yuuta this angry, well; he hasn't seen Yuuta in years actually. And the only thing he could do was smile and be there, like he always had when they were young. So he did. "You’ve grown, Yuuta." He mused.

Yuuta was not going to yell. They were in a crowded place that a-Fuji was...wait... Maybe yelling might actually embarrass the other for once in which case... Maybe not now though.

"I've grown? Well, I probably would have. Last time you saw me I was..." He couldn't even remember. Narrowing his gaze his shook his head. "Wait, I don't care about that." He didn't know what he cared about-definitely not Fuji.

"You are probably the tallest one in the family now." The elder brother continued carefully, keeping the smile pleasant. "But really, I'm glad you came today." I've missed you.

Yuuta did actually laugh this time-a bitter one. "Well... I... didn't even realize you were the photographer. So...I didn't even mean to come here!"

Granted Fuji's name was printed right on the ticket, but the elder one decided he could let that one slip, but Yuuta was going to have to pay back… And payback he shall as Fuji stepped forward and embraced him tenderly.

Yuuta went bright red in a matter of seconds, stuttering and flaying about in an attempt to get free of the unexpected contact. He forgot all about the fact that they were being watched, stepping on Fuji's toes in hopes of escape.

"G-get off me! ANIKI! You're not supposed to do that in public!"

But Fuji didn’t even show signs of pain as he was stepped on, holding a flustered Yuuta for a full moment before finally letting go. "It's nice to hear you call me aniki again." The spy smiled sweetly. "And you are still adorable when you flail like that."

Yuuta breathed a sigh of relief before panicking once more. He'd called him...damn! He'd promised himself he wouldn't do that. "I didn't mean to even call you that. It was-" Instinctive. But he wasn't going to tell Fuji that.

But Fuji only chuckled. "You haven't changed at all."

Haven't changed... "I've changed...a lot. You just haven't been around to see."

"Of course, of course." Fuji answered, casually waving aside the younger brother's argument. "Is this your first time to a show?"

Yuuta rolled his eyes before nodding, albeit reluctantly. "Ah...yeah...sort of. Not that I haven't been invited to shows before! I just didn't want to go!"

"I see." Fuji regarded Yuuta gently. Just because he has been out of touch didn’t mean he was totally clueless about what went on in the other's life. Suddenly he took Yuuta's hand like he used to when they were young. "Come with me, there are some people I want you to meet."

Yuuta regarded the hand dubiously, wondering just how strong a hold Fuji had on it. He was after all--as Fuji had said--now the tallest of the two so he'd probably be able to break free eventually.

"Wait--who? What if I don't want to meet them?"

Fuji continued to pull Yuuta along with him, his body language said he expect no objections what so ever about the handholding. "Nonsense, of course you want to meet some of my oldest friends." Not to mention your boss.

Yuuta made a show of looking at his watch, clearing his throat slightly and pulling back on the hand holding his. "Well...ah...oh! Look! It's already late so I'd better be going back to my apartment which I still need to clean and...ah...pack. So...I'll be going..."

"Yuuta." Fuji took his brother's hand again. "Come."

"But..." Yuuta twitched slightly before sighing and allowing himself to be tugged away. Great...this was...definitely not going to go that well.

The older brother pulled his long-separated sibling toward the two men, and introduced the spazzing younger Fuji with a smile that radiated how proud he was of his younger brother.

"Tezuka, this is Yuuta, my ototo." There was no need to inform the other why the spy was introducing the two men, Tezuka should have read the personnel files. Saeki and Yuuta had met each other before, not to mention the analyst had help kept an eye on the trainee while Fuji was away.

---

Watching the three men, Fuji momentarily flinched in his resolve. There was something he needed to do, and he, not having anticipated Yuuta’s appearance, was contemplating if he should go ahead with the plan.

With a determined sigh, Fuji made up his mind. It was now or never. "Excuse me, Tezuka?” Fuji cut in suddenly, grabbing the other by the right elbow. "Can I speak to you privately?" The elder Fuji gave an apologetic look to the other two. "We’ll be right back."

And without waiting for confirmation from anyone, he pulled Tezuka with him, heading for a nearby exit.

"Fuji--" Tezuka never got a chance, pulled along by Fuji. The director sighed internally, preferring to follow rather than make a scene. When they finally stopped, though, he waited for Fuji to explain. Feeling the hair on the back of his neck prickle, Tezuka realized they were being watched ... but by who? Fuji wouldn't have missed the signs--the spy was admittedly much better than Tezuka at detecting observers. So as Tezuka waited, he also watched Fuji, trying to figure out who the audience was.

But the spy paid no attention to the other’s concern. Finally letting go when they reached a terrace outside that was quite devoid of life because of the chilly night air, Fuji turned to Tezuka. "A beautiful night isn't it?"

"Aa," Tezuka said, wishing he'd brought his jacket. It wasn't that chilly, though, and he could do without, as long as Fuji didn't decide to spend all night here.

Facing Fuji, Tezuka watched the other for a moment. "Explain the public welcome, please." It was bad enough that rumors were spreading about his sexual preferences in secret. There really was no need to publicize it further, and Tezuka was not sure what Fuji's intentions were by drawing so much attention to it with the Western-style hug. Wasn't Fuji the one lecturing him about discretion that night?

"Two old friends greeting each other?" Fuji shrugged as he chuckled lightly. "I'm supposed to be an American, I can do stupid things."

"Saeki did not seem pleased," Tezuka observed, watching Fuji. "I had thought you two were together. Was I wrong?"

"Together?" Fuji blinked before he laughed. "Why, are you keeping a tab on me now Tezuka?"

"I have eyes," Tezuka said, slightly amused. "Saeki is easier to read than you are."

"He is." Fuji smiled. "Isn't it adorable though?"

Raising his eyebrows, Tezuka said, "If you say so. I'd much rather not need to watch my back in my own Agency, if you don't mind."

"Of course, Tezuka. Of course." Fuji strolled to the edge where he looked up distantly into the night sky. "Nee, Tezuka, how long have we known each other?"

"Years," Tezuka says. Fuji knew as well as he did how long it had been.

"Most of our adult life, right?" The spy mused lightly. "Yet, doesn't it seem strange that we barely know each other sometimes?"

"Neither of us is particularly forthcoming," Tezuka observed dryly. It was true that they knew surprisingly little about each other for such old friends. Fuji was getting somewhere with this, Tezuka was sure, and he joined Fuji, standing at the edge and looking out at the night sky, too.

At his side, the smaller man smiled serenely. "It isn't too bad though. We know what is needed to know." Fuji said casually before turning to Tezuka. "How about let us play a little game?"

That set alarm bells off in Tezuka's head. Fuji and games never tended to end very well for Tezuka. "Such as?"

"Nothing that serious." The photographer laughed lightly at the almost stern look. "Just something to help us along. Like... 50 questions; I'll ask you a question, you answer it and ask me a question, and I have to answer both and ask you another question." Fuji explained the game quickly, not waiting for Tezuka to answer him. "I'll go first, favorite candle scent?"

"Jasmine," Tezuka answered, wondering where this was going. "Why are you doing this?"

"Apple! Because it's fun." The spy volunteered easily. "Other colors of pajamas you own other than lavender."

Tezuka looked strangely at Fuji. "Blue," he answered. Light blue counted. "Why is this fun?"

"Floral and lace. Because it just is." The lithe man thought about it. "Do you own any stuffed animals?"

The thought of Fuji in floral and lace pajamas disturbed Tezuka. He shook his head. "No. Why floral and lace?" That really was a curiosity.

"It was a present and a brown bunny." The gift giver's name for both items did not need to be mentioned. "Satin or silk?"

Tezuka gave Fuji another look. "For what?"

"Anything~" The smile was innocent.

"Silk," Tezuka said, actually having to think about it, and settling for ties. He was tired of asking questions, and didn't follow the answer with another one.

Chuckling lightly at the other's annoyance, Fuji decided to give the other a break. "Me too, what is your favorite thing in the world?"

Sengoku was most certainly not a thing. "Sleep."

A hearty chuckle. "What do you think mine is?"

Tezuka thought for a moment. "Wasabi," he said.

"Good guess." Fuji laughed. "But you are off, there is something else that I like a lot more than wasabi. Something that I absolutely love and adore, actually."

"Your brother, perhaps," Tezuka said, wondering what was going on.

"It was a surprise to see him again." Fuji agreed. "But guess again? I'll tell you if you can't on the third try."

Something Fuji liked more than Yuuta? Tezuka was tired from a full day's work, and so he said, "Confusing me."

The answer induced a soft chuckle and a sudden small caress on Tezuka's arm. "So close, but again no cigar." Making sure that the duo that was observing them from afar could clearly see his face and read his lips despite him leaning into the director. "I like you the most." He whispered as he gently but firmly overlapped Tezuka's lips with his own.

Stunned by the confession as it sank in, Tezuka was too slow to pull away, and Fuji was kissing him before he realized it. He pulled away, trying not to be too abrupt, but definitely too surprised (and yet somehow, not surprised at all).

If Sengoku ever heard about this... Tezuka searched for something to say, but his mind was truly blank right now, except for one more important thing. "Our audience," he reminded Fuji, instead, trying to regain his composure. His next words were, "You're confusing me again."

Fuji slowly licked his lips as if to savor the remaining taste. "You are a better kisser than I thought, and definitely sweeter than I anticipated." The spy teased and stepped forward to close their distance again, an almost playful grin on his face. "I love you, Tezuka."

He had not even kissed back. Backing up a little while trying not to seem as if he was backing away, Tezuka closed his eyes. "You've had too much to drink tonight, Fuji."

"I haven't drunk anything the whole night." The spy chuckled lightly at the director's reaction, but did not try to approach the other anymore. "I wanted to tell you how I feel without influences from anything else."

Tezuka was silent, weighing the pros and cons of a direct response versus something more circumspect. He decided on the latter. "You know I'm not available."

"Does it actually matter?" Fuji asked pleasantly.

"Does it not?" Tezuka asked, more confused than ever, though trying valiantly not to show it. "Why tell me now?"

"Does it matter when I tell you?" Fuji shrugged. "You said it yourself; we've known each other for years. Didn't I give you enough time to figure this out on your own?"

Things clicked into place in Tezuka's head. He was quiet, but it was rather plain to see that the idea truly had never occurred to him before this. Tezuka didn't think Fuji would appreciate knowing that Tezuka had thought (and to be honest, continued to think) it would be hazardous to his mental health if it ever came to pass.

"I would do anything for you, Tezuka." The double spy smiled as he spoke the words slowly and carefully. "I would give you anything you want. I would cause a nuclear war and present it to you if that is what you desire."

Listening to Fuji, Tezuka was slowly realizing why he had never dared, for some subconscious reason, to ask Fuji for very much. He'd known all along, but for some reason, had chosen to blind himself to it.

He blinked, a thought occurring to him. "You didn't ... you didn't." Please tell me you didn't risk your life joining both the CIA and Japan's Agency for this.

"Didn't what?" The spy smiled politely and pleasantly. "Anything you want, Tezuka, even if it's my life. I love you."

Closing his eyes, Tezuka took a deep breath. "What do you want, now? What do you hope to gain by telling me this now?"’

"Nothing. You will continue to ignore my feelings, and I will continue to nurse this unrequited love. Just like how it will always be." Turning, the brunet began to walk away. "It is getting a bit too cold for me. See you inside. Remember, Tezuka, I love you." Fuji blew the director a small kiss over his shoulder as he waved.

Watching Fuji go, Tezuka stayed where he was for a moment more. Fuji did many things Tezuka would never understand, and he added this to the mental list, at the top. He wondered how much of that was real, and how much was staged for their ... audience. Perhaps all of it, Tezuka hoped, not realizing he wasn't specifying which way.

Almost the moment the spy was out of sight, the analyst appeared from the shadows behind Tezuka, walking up beside the apparently dumbfounded man and crossing his arms. His eyes followed the Director's past where Fuji had just made his exit. A strange smile on his lips, as if he was both happy and annoyed, was the only indication that he felt anything towards the recent events.

"Go easy on him, Tezuka-san, he doesn't always show his true fatigue - ah, but you know that already. Gomen. Oh, and don't let him cook when he's angry. At least if you want to keep your taste buds."

Instead of responding to that, Tezuka asked, quietly, "What have you done, Saeki?" Somehow, he felt that the white-haired man was responsible for triggering the confession, though he didn't have all the answers.

At that, the analyst laughed. "What makes you think I've done anything?" Saeki shook his head. "I had nearly as much of an idea as you did about what was going to happen." At least until I talked to you.

"Something happened recently," Tezuka said, still staring after Fuji. "He's not the same." I was happy the way we were, selfish as that may be.

Saeki shrugged, not showing his inclination one way or another. "People change, Tezuka-san. I suppose that's part of what makes life interesting."

Perhaps. Fuji never changed, though ... or at least, he'd never known Fuji to. This different Fuji unsettled him far too much. Tezuka remained silent. Saeki knew he knew Saeki had witnessed it all, at any rate.

"And yet, at the same time... I don't think Fuji's changed one bit." The analyst smiled across at the Director, his expression oddly fond. "He's always felt this way." It was useless to deny that he had heard, or that he had known. At least at this point in time.

That made Tezuka turn back towards Saeki. He was silent. Saeki had known all this time, and in fact didn't care. Or perhaps Saeki had merely known Fuji had felt this way, but hadn't known for whom. "All the same, that was a learning experience for you, too," Tezuka said, guessing.

It was not that he did not care, or that he had not known whom, but rather that there was nothing that he could possibly have done about it. Fuji did as Fuji wished, and woe betided anyone who attempts to say otherwise. "Indeed. I learned that our favorite things match." Saeki's eyes sparkled with mirth. Fuji was not a thing. He was a force of nature.

"Our?" Tezuka wondered what Saeki was trying to say, since he was very sure Saeki knew he was not interested in Fuji.

Unfortunately, that never seemed to stop the spy. If he so chose. ... Not that Saeki doubted him. He gave Tezuka a surprised look. "Aren't they? You did say sleep, did you not?"

Tezuka managed to keep his face impassive. Damn Saeki, he was as wily as Fuji was. The two were well suited for each other. "So I did."

He did not want to pry... really. "So now that everything and nothing has changed, I think the big question is can you really continue as you were?"

"I beg your pardon," Tezuka said.

Unlike the man who just left, the analyst was by far more willing to provide explanations. He was in no way close to his boss, but that had never stopped him yet. Truthfully, he wouldn't mind the director as a friend. He was... amusing company, as Fuji would likely put it. "When someone confesses, they've known for far longer than the confessed. Which means that the confessor’s been acting ‘normal’ for as long as this has been going on, leaving the confessed to find their own ‘normal’ now that the incident has passed?"

Tezuka would never confess to being confused, especially not to someone else. Besides, when one thought about it a few more times, it made sense ... perhaps. "Normal is what you wish it to be." He would go on as he always had.

Saeki studied the other for a long moment before nodding, looking back towards the doorway. "Or sometimes what one settles for anyway."

Did he wish to dispense advice to Saeki? Would Saeki take it? Tezuka thought that perhaps the other would, but one never knew anymore. "I don't settle." And neither should you.

Dark blue eyes grew sad for a moment before he covered it with his normal smile. "I don't think I have a choice."

For a moment, Tezuka's eyes mirrored Saeki's, but the director's were hidden behind his glasses. "We always do." And he had one to make, soon.

Those same eyes turned to look at the director. "Do we really?" If we want to keep them close to us?

"Of course." Tezuka refused to believe otherwise. Succumbing to fatalism was the first step to failing his country ... or everyone else, for that matter, including himself. "Even if you merely choose to settle." I can't decide for you.

"... And that's why he will always love you more."

The director cast the other a quick glance. He was not eager to rejoin the party, but Saeki was moving back into territory Tezuka would rather not follow. He kept silent. It was too late to pretend he hadn't heard, but one always had the prerogative of ignoring it. It wasn't a question, anyway.

"Sometimes, though... it doesn't feel like settling. Do you think it's my imagination?" Now Saeki knew he was losing it. He was asking for advice from his 'rival'.

"It's your feelings, Saeki-san," Tezuka said, impassively. He wasn't about to speculate on this sort of thing.

"Hm. That's true. Funny, they tend to feel like someone else's on nights like this." The grin was back. "Or maybe that's just my imagination as well."

"If you say so." Saeki's speech didn't sound inebriated, but some men were good at hiding their liquor. It was best not to antagonize them.

Saeki eyed the other man. He got the strange feeling that he was being talked down to, as if drunk. He should know; he had experience with that. Oddly enough, every time he was accused of drinking, he had not touched a drop. The analyst was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "... Tezuka-san?"

"Yes?"

"Take care of," his heart, "him for me, will you?" Giving a small bow, Saeki began walking back towards the party.

That seemed almost as if he was being held responsible for something Tezuka refused to be held responsible for. "That's your responsibility."

Saeki paused, turning slightly back towards Tezuka, for once letting his eyes show his emotions. Bluntness seemed to be needed frequently with this particular person. "I am... only responsible for the outside."

"Responsibility needs to be accepted. I do not accept." Tezuka ignored the look in Saeki's eyes. He could not change Fuji's mind for Saeki's sake. He wondered briefly if Saeki would enjoy it if he did, too. "Take care of yourself, Saeki-san."

With that, Tezuka walked away.

Had Tezuka chosen to look behind him, he would have seen a solitary figure bowing deeply in his direction before it too turned and walked away. Saeki heartily accepted the challenge.