Catch My Fall

Chapter 6: The world is a scary place now that you've woken up the demon in me.

Tezuka never knew the true meaning of self-restraint until he had lived those past twelve days. After Yuuta had left them at his house, Fuji had ran his things quickly upstairs before proceeding to drag him around the city on the longest shopping trip he'd ever been on before. That was saying something, considering his friendship with Atobe, the pain in the ass Prima Donna himself.

It wasn't just any shopping; it was clothes shopping. Along with some casual clothes, Fuji decided to add more to his stage wardrobe That, of course, translated into him having an uncomfortable erection because Fuji insisted he join him in the dressing room so he could give his approval or not. Tezuka was of the general opinion that he'd rather Fuji never wore these clothes in anyone else's company but his own.

When they got back, Fuji made a beautiful mess of his flat. He spread all of his clothes all over the living room. Yuuta, it seemed, had packed about five different, but equally gaudy, silk shirts which happened to be gifts from Mizuki. He then understood why Fuji wrinkled his nose at them, refusing to wear them. Atobe had worn a few of Mizuki's things but, for some reason, the shirts Atobe had were in far better taste. Fuji explained with a rather large grin on his face that Mizuki still bore a grudge over a contest they had both entered during their youths. Fuji told him, as he tried not to laugh, that he'd play badly whenever Mizuki visited Yuuta, and he was not expecting everything to be key perfect on the day of the contest.

Tezuka could picture Fuji doing that and he wished he could have seen it, because Fuji had a sense of humour that would amuse him even when he tried to remain annoyed. He cleared a place in his closet for Fuji's clothes as well as a space in his drawers. He hadn't forgotten Yuuta's request, but felt that bringing it up outright would only be uncomfortable for both of them. Plus, he wasn't really doing it solely for Yuuta's benefit. He wanted Fuji to know that Tezuka wanted him to stay.

Even with the general good mood Fuji was in, he couldn't help but notice that he was still quite a bit nervous about something. Fuji hadn't explained anything, but Tezuka could see the strain on his face, and the way he'd look over his shoulder whenever they were outside. Or the way he'd jump whenever the phone would ring. At night, Fuji would trail wordlessly after him to his room, and silently crawl into bed with him. Like the night Fuji had had the nightmare, he would wait until Tezuka was reclining on his side before sliding in behind him, holding him as they both slept.

However comfortable it may be in sleep, when he woke, his body was painfully aware of the close proximity. He could feel every bit of Fuji's body pressed against his. It was the first time in his life that he felt so tempted by something so innocuous. Fuji hadn't indicated he wanted anything more physical, despite the way they flirted with each other, and he didn't want to scare Fuji away. It was disarmingly easy for him to share his bed...no...life with Fuji. It felt natural like almost nothing else had. He was obviously crazy but, Tezuka mused as he watched Fuji tune his guitar, if Fuji was his delusion, he didn't want to be sane.


Tezuka was half-listening to Fuji sing as he served one drink after another to customer after customer. A few patrons had slipped over to the request box. No other performer had ever received so many requests for songs. It was rather nice. Since Fuji came, it had been busier than ever. Even on nights he didn't sing, people came because they said they liked the song choices he made. It wasn't as if they didn't convince him to sing on Thursday Karaoke night. He did everything for the crowds with a smile on his face and swing of his hips. Tezuka wondered if it was his voice, which was undisputedly lovely, or the fact that he always wore skin-tight clothing on stage and moved with the grace of a pole dancer that drew the crowds.

"Whisky sour, neat."

Tezuka looked up as he placed the drink and was surprised to see Tachibana. He had hoped it didn't mean there was trouble between Tachibana's sister and Momoshiro.

"Good to see you," Tezuka said loudly enough to be heard over the music.

"And you, Tezuka."

Tezuka poured three drinks as he watched Tachibana watch the stage. "Is it An-chan?"

With a grimace, Tachibana turned back to him. "Nothing gets by you."

"I've not seen her lately. She's usually here at least once a week. Two weeks ago was the last time Momoshiro mentioned her and he went back to calling her Tachibana's sister."

With a nod, Tachibana sighed. "It seems that she can't choose between Momoshiro and Kamio. She gave them an ultimatum and two weeks to decide. She wants both of them or neither."

Tezuka raised his eyebrow at that. "Hmm."

"Exactly. Kamio has consented, but Momoshiro hasn't. I was wanting to talk to him."

Tezuka sighed. "After work. If you talk to him now, he'll be useless for the rest of the night. The kitchen closes in an hour."

Tachibana nodded. "That's fine with me. The entertainment is very...entertaining."

He didn't like the tone, but ignored it as he completed Sakuno's latest order.

Things were a blur for the next forty minutes as he filled order after order. He then waved Tomoka behind the bar to fill orders while he brought Fuji a glass of water and that evening's song request. Fuji accepted both from him with a smile, and kissed him on the cheek before he went back to the bar. Normally he would have shied away from that level of openness in front of people, but it felt right and it let others know Fuji was taken.

When he got back, Tachibana looked over at the stage, and then back to him. "You are one lucky bastard, you know that?"

Tezuka looked up at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Gesturing with his head, Tachibana indicated Fuji. "Man, how an antisocial ass like you landed Fuji Syusuke is beyond me."

Ignoring the insult, Tezuka focused on the important part of the conversation. "You know Fuji."

Nodding, Tachibana explained further, "We went to the same college for a year. "

Tezuka glared at him until he continued speaking.

"Fine. We went to the same college for freshman year. I think he was asked out daily, but he deflected most of it. He was more focused on the music. He had a few friends, but not many. He was the star of the Music department. Excelled in everything. He's a genius, actually, an honest prodigy. If anyone could have gone pro, it was Fuji."

"What happened?"

Tachibana frowned as watched the stage. "I'm not entirely sure. One of his friends got sick and ended up in the hospital, I'm not sure from what, and the very next week, he had dropped out. I tried to find out what had happened, but had little luck. He had went abroad somewhere, but no one specified."

That was strange, Tezuka thought, but he couldn't do anything about it then. "You can go speak with Momoshiro now. He should be just cleaning up."

Tachibana got up, and inclined his head slightly. "How much?"

Waving his hand, Tezuka said, "On the house."

"Thanks. See you later, Tezuka."

It was time for the request, so he focused on the stage and Fuji.

"I hope everyone is having a good time," Fuji said with a smile. "Tonight's song is…" Fuji trailed off as he stared at the paper dumbly. He looked briefly over the crowd before locking eyes with Tezuka. Something was wrong.

Fuji plastered a grin on his face. "Sorry, I just had to remember how to play this one. You Belong To Me as requested by S-Saeki."

He wanted to go up there and tell Fuji that he didn't have to sing, if it bothered him so much, but it would only draw more attention to things.

With closed eyes, Fuji sang, "Why'd you tell me this? Were you looking for my reaction? What do you need to know? Don't you know I'll always be your boy? You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers. I've got loving eyes of my own."

Tezuka couldn't wait until the night was over and he had Fuji back in his arms, his bed, because they obviously needed to talk.

"You belong to me. Tell him you were fooling. You don't even know him. Tell him that I love you…"

And they needed to talk that night.


Tezuka could tell that Fuji was spooked as they walked home. He didn't speak, but unlike usual, it wasn't at all a comfortable silence. He glanced over his shoulder at least twenty times and any time they touched, Fuji moved away.

It was another block before his flat before Tezuka had had enough. He reached to stop Fuji from walking, wrapped both of his arms around Fuji, holding him close as he pressed him against the nearby wall. Every single word he intended to speak about comfort and protection was lost when he looked at Fuji's face and saw the naked fear there.

Instead, he claimed Fuji's lips with his own, and tried to convey everything he felt with that kiss. He didn't know how long they were there, but Fuji's fingers were twisted in his jacket and his were tangled in Fuji's hair. He placed another kiss onto Fuji's forehead, whispering things he still didn't dare speak aloud. Holding Fuji's hand, they walked the rest of the way home.


Once safely in his bed, Fuji's face buried against his back, their hands threaded together and resting against his tummy, Fuji spoke. He forced himself to listen, and not notice they way Fuji's lips moved against his skin.

"Saeki's been in a coma since I left Japan years ago. We were friends in college. One night, he asked me out on a date, and I said yes. We had fun. Went dancing. The next day, he didn't show up for class so I went to his dorm. I found him on the floor. He was still alive, but barely. It must be him. He found me. He must have."

Tezuka rolled over so Fuji could rest his head on Tezuka's chest. "Who found you?"

Fuji spoke very quietly, and he had to strain to hear the words. "We were in class together since we were young. We were friends, of a sort. It was fine until high school. Then it got uncomfortable. I never liked him the way he liked me, but he assumed it was because I wasn't ready. But, when he found out that I was interested in boys, just not him, things got creepy." Tezuka noticed that Fuji seemed lost in his memories, none good, he guessed. " I-I don't want him to hurt you."

He placed a kiss on Fuji's cheek. "I can take care of myself."

Fuji smiled wearily at him. "I hope so."

Turning slightly, Tezuka reached over and turned off the light, his other arm still holding Fuji close.

"Tezuka?" Fuji's voice seemed uncharacteristically timid.


"Yes?"

Fuji squirmed a little in his arms, letting his finger run imaginary lines all over Tezuka's chest. "Distract me a little?"

Tezuka was grateful for the darkness that hid what must have been a ridiculously surprised, yet happy, look on his face. "Distract you?"

He could feel Fuji nod against his skin before kissing his chest. "Give me good things to dream about."

The lust that had been building since he first laid eyes on Fuji became suddenly overwhelming. He allowed Fuji to crawl on top of him, rocking against him as they kissed. Neither made any move to remove their boxers, but they didn't care. They just kissed. Tezuka sucked on Fuji's mouth, his tongue, nibbling those lips, tasting every inch of that mouth as they slowly rubbed against each other. Fuji's hands were all over him. Rubbing his sides, his back, his chest, touching him, teasing him, until the scent, taste, and feel of Fuji became too much and he came. Fuji's fingers gripped his forearms tightly as he followed. Neither of them moved for a little while, and then they only shifted enough to remove their boxers, tossing them onto the floor before they fell asleep, Fuji holding him tight.


A/N: Song is "You Belong To Me" by Carly Simon. Since this is AU, in this world, Carly Simon is a boy. *winks*"