It's Fuji loving time.
Here's something which caught me while watching episode 106. Might be right, might be wrong, but it was FUN and that's all that matters. :P

Drabble length prose- Ryoma and Fuji but not necessarily the pairing.

I'll start working on its companion piece now. Urm. Kinda companion piece. You shall see later. :D Meanwhile, enjoy.

And if anyone's to be blamed for this drabble... *pointspoints* :D *runs off*

The first time he met Fuji Syuusuke was on the tennis courts, the overwhelming personalities of his other team mates almost drowning out the prodigy's quiet presence and calm smile. It was strange, but as time progressed, Ryoma began to realise that Fuji was what he appeared to be. At least, part of him was what he appeared to be.

Calm, quiet, soothing and peaceful.

Before Tezuka went overseas, his captain was his constant source of inspiration. He looked forward to Tezuka-- in fact, he was constantly looking forward to where the older boy would be heading. It could be said that Tezuka was like a distant point in the future he set to reach as a target. Along the way, there might be stronger competitors who would challenge his determination and his skills, but Tezuka was always his destination.

Now that the older boy was gone... Ryoma found himself to be strangely lost.

He still knew where he was heading-- his eventual target was still Tezuka, but he could no longer see as clearly as before. The road before him now was muddled, uncertain and full of potholes. It was at times like this when he realised that the people around him- people who were usually more concerned about their own well-being, and people who had their own personal goals as well -were unable to give him the comfort he needed.

Momoshirou was a good companion, but he could only stay quiet for so long. Kikumaru was constantly full of so much energy that Ryoma felt tired just looking at him. Kaidou was forever thinking ahead, thinking about stronger opponents. Inui was someone he didn't dare to approach, because the older boy seemed to be full of only figures, statistics and certainty. Kawamura's tendency to swing between personalities was something he couldn't understand, and at times, it was more than a little scary. Oishi... their stand-in captain was forever looking to the horizon, trapped by his own responsibilities and fears.

And that left Fuji.

Quiet, unobtrusive and calm Fuji.

Everyone had a tendency to become exceptionally annoying around Ryoma when his temper was short. Even Fuji had his moments, but that was when Tezuka was still around. Ever since Tezuka left the country, Fuji appeared to have mellowed down somewhat, and stopped probing at where Ryoma didn't want him to.

It used to be simply competition. Between them... that space used to be wrought with nothing but excitement, fear and intense emotions, all fired up by their need to emerge as the better player on the courts. Ryoma had a competitive streak miles wide. Fuji's competitive streak appeared only when he wanted it to. Together, they were almost explosive and instantaneous.

But lately...

Fuji was like serenity to him.

Ryoma found himself drifting towards the prodigy at moments where he needed some peace and quiet to think. When Momoshirou, Kaidou or Kikumaru got too loud. When Inui was up to no good. When Oishi was fretting over his duties as the captain, and when Kawamura was in his burning mode.

Fuji was always calm. There were moments where he got angry, but they were rare and few. He could become incredibly intense on the courts, a situation which Ryoma wanted to be in when facing him constantly. But the prodigy was also evasive and almost shy at times, skirting away when Ryoma didn't expect him to.

Maybe, when his captain returned again, he would move back in gear and continue looking forward to the day he could match the older boy return for return like what Atobe did on the courts. Maybe, he would forget about Fuji's serenity and quiet, forget about his soothing voice and calm words. Maybe... Fuji wouldn't be important anymore then, but the future was always uncertain.

Yes, Tezuka was the target he aimed to reach and bypass.

But Fuji...

It was companionship, something Ryoma had difficulty finding. Of course-- he was on good terms with Momoshirou and they even hung out often but... it wasn't the same. The presence which made itself known but never pushed, never sought to become more than what it simply was...

Ryoma liked that.

And although Fuji could be the most annoying person alive at times, Ryoma thought he could cope. Mostly.

Because now, he was the pillar of Seigaku. Just like what Tezuka had been.

Fuji was currently doing what he always did, what he had been doing for Tezuka all along-- being quietly supportive and encouraging. Being calm, soothing and comfortable to be with. Simply being... there. Always there. An unchanging smiling presence at the edge of his awareness.

It was on days like this where Ryoma wondered if Tezuka did enjoy the prodigy's companionship too.

Days like this where he wanted to reach for Fuji and asked to be wrapped in peace and quiet, until the maelstrom raging around him had died down or moved on, and he was warm and secure in the arms of someone who sought to protect and comfort.

"Fuji-senpai..."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"Ahh."

It was on days like this where even his dreams were filled with nothing but kindness, and a certain prodigy's smiles.