Prince of Tennis: Tezuka/Ryoma; Hearing
Title: Where the Mountains Meet the Heavens (2/5)
Author: Ria
Theme: Hearing (Exploration of a Relationship Through The Five Senses)
Pairing: Tezuka/Ryoma
Rating: PG
Notes: Specific spoilers for Episodes 65 - 68 of the anime.
Where the Mountains Meet the Heavens 1 2 3
Where the Mountains Meet the Heavens
t w o
The sun burns overhead; Ryoma breathes and feels sweat sliding down his temples. He sits, slouched, hands in his pockets as he watches Tezuka stand by the net, his expression calm and indifferent.
The chanting of the Hyotei supporters drums in his ears: “Hyotei! Hyotei! Atobe! Atobe!”
He frowns when Atobe knocks their fists together, being far too familiar for someone who’s never played Buchou before, but he keeps on watching.
And watching.
And watching.
“Tezuka will be the loser!”
He frowns again as the game continues, his frown deepening as Atobe attempts to bait Tezuka and does that ridiculous thing with his hands on his face.
“Atobe will be the winner!”
The Hyotei chanting is really annoying.
And then it all goes wrong.
He watches, unable to move, as Buchou collapses to his knees, hand clutching his shoulder. He watches the sweat pour down Tezuka’s face, sees the pain at the corners of his eyes. Amid the gasps and cries of the team and supporters, all Ryoma can hear is his own breathing and the pounding of his heart.
When it’s finally over and Atobe holds Tezuka’s hand above the net, Ryoma watches Tezuka. His eyes are closed, head tilted back. His face is pale, clammy; his expression if that of relief. He’s beautiful, and Ryoma’s breath suddenly catches in his throat.
Buchou’s done what he’s set out to do.
“Become Seigaku’s pillar of support.”
Atobe frowns, almost pouts. Ryoma smirks to himself, even though Atobe’s just had the experience that many people, himself included, would do anything for.
He lifts up his racquet, “Yudan Sezu ni ikou,” echoing in his head.
Later, after the match and the Zero Shiki. Ryoma thinks about this for a long time. He thinks about Buchou, shoving aside the niggling worry about his arm and tennis. He thinks about Atobe, and his stupid showing off, and his dissatisfaction with his match.
Mostly, he thinks about Buchou.
He realises, when he’s in bed with Karupin curled up beside him making kitty-snores, that when he watches Tezuka fall, and saw his expression afterwards, he didn’t see Seigaku’s captain, or one of the most talented tennis players he’s ever seen.
Just for a moment, Ryoma knows as he closes his eyes, he saw Tezuka himself. He wonders if this is what Tezuka has been trying to show him all along.
Onto Part Three
Author: Ria
Theme: Hearing (Exploration of a Relationship Through The Five Senses)
Pairing: Tezuka/Ryoma
Rating: PG
Notes: Specific spoilers for Episodes 65 - 68 of the anime.
Where the Mountains Meet the Heavens 1 2 3
Where the Mountains Meet the Heavens
t w o
The sun burns overhead; Ryoma breathes and feels sweat sliding down his temples. He sits, slouched, hands in his pockets as he watches Tezuka stand by the net, his expression calm and indifferent.
The chanting of the Hyotei supporters drums in his ears: “Hyotei! Hyotei! Atobe! Atobe!”
He frowns when Atobe knocks their fists together, being far too familiar for someone who’s never played Buchou before, but he keeps on watching.
And watching.
And watching.
“Tezuka will be the loser!”
He frowns again as the game continues, his frown deepening as Atobe attempts to bait Tezuka and does that ridiculous thing with his hands on his face.
“Atobe will be the winner!”
The Hyotei chanting is really annoying.
And then it all goes wrong.
He watches, unable to move, as Buchou collapses to his knees, hand clutching his shoulder. He watches the sweat pour down Tezuka’s face, sees the pain at the corners of his eyes. Amid the gasps and cries of the team and supporters, all Ryoma can hear is his own breathing and the pounding of his heart.
When it’s finally over and Atobe holds Tezuka’s hand above the net, Ryoma watches Tezuka. His eyes are closed, head tilted back. His face is pale, clammy; his expression if that of relief. He’s beautiful, and Ryoma’s breath suddenly catches in his throat.
Buchou’s done what he’s set out to do.
“Become Seigaku’s pillar of support.”
Atobe frowns, almost pouts. Ryoma smirks to himself, even though Atobe’s just had the experience that many people, himself included, would do anything for.
He lifts up his racquet, “Yudan Sezu ni ikou,” echoing in his head.
Later, after the match and the Zero Shiki. Ryoma thinks about this for a long time. He thinks about Buchou, shoving aside the niggling worry about his arm and tennis. He thinks about Atobe, and his stupid showing off, and his dissatisfaction with his match.
Mostly, he thinks about Buchou.
He realises, when he’s in bed with Karupin curled up beside him making kitty-snores, that when he watches Tezuka fall, and saw his expression afterwards, he didn’t see Seigaku’s captain, or one of the most talented tennis players he’s ever seen.
Just for a moment, Ryoma knows as he closes his eyes, he saw Tezuka himself. He wonders if this is what Tezuka has been trying to show him all along.
Onto Part Three