For Bunny
Jackal/Bunta
sunset | lollipops | hot chocolate

While chocolate was sinful, it was also the best of comfort foods and while it wasn't Jackal's comfort food, it most certainly was Bunta's and that was good enough for him. Which probably wasn't a good thing considering the fact the two boys were supposed to be handing out lollipops and steaming mugs of hot chocolate to the elementary school students that swarmed Rikkai's campus.

"I know I said I liked kids and all, but this is rediculous." Marui grumbled, attempting to unlatch his younger brother from his legs and giving a helpless look towards Jackal. Not being able to actually consume the sweets laid out in front of him was irritating on its own.

"It's not like we can just pack up and ride off into the sunset, Bunta." Jackal replied calmly, plucking the smaller Marui child off his brother and setting him aside. He was beginning to wonder if the sugar fiend thing ran in the family, as as soon as the small boy had his lollipop he was merrily bouncing on his way.

**

For Crystal
Tachibana/Fuji
Nighshade | Legendary | string game (ex, cats cradle)

The sound of tennis faded into the background as he focused on his newest target. Fuji was fully aware his opponant was almost legendary in his skill; having kept quite a close eye on Tachibana Kippei since Seigaku had first played Fudoumine back in the qualifying rounds. He'd grown interested enough in Fudoumine's captain to have Inui do some digging around for information and somewhere along the way had been able to procure video of a younger Tachibana playing back in Kyuushuu.

It was amazing how someone who'd once been even more dangerous on the courts than Kirihara could pull off his games just as well, if not better nowadays without the slightest hint of aggression towards whomever he was playing.

Just as well Kippei knew his opponant, the tensai Fuji Syusuke. To an untrained eye the teen seemed fragile; soft and gentle like nightshade -- and when one looked closer they'd quickly realize he wasn't exactly as he seemed, skills underlying almost murderous.

Fingers wound through strings, plucking and pulling here and there until their game was complete.

"Eiffel Tower." Kippei said with a satisfied smirk, showing off his work at the string game they'd been playing.

And of course Fuji was never one to take easily to being beaten, always having to make everything as flashy as he could. Cerulean eyes slitted open and he smiled, displaying his own work.

"Jacob's Ladder."

**

For Karen
Sengoku/Tomoka
ice |ceiling | exhibition

"You didn't tell me that we were going to be doing this today!" Tomoka huffed, arms crossed firmly across her chest. If she had known Sengoku was going to drag her to an ice arena to watch some stupid figure skating exhibition she would've put on some pants, at least. It was cold.

Sengoku let out a chuckle, an arm wrapping around the younger girl's shoulder and grinning like a moron. Honestly his intentions were slightly different from what Tomoka had expected from their date; it wasn't about watching fruits on blades dance around the ice but to get into the mood of the season and maybe get a little lucky.

"Look up." Tomoka blinked, eyes widening slightly as she peered up at the ceiling and spotted a small sprig of mistletoe hanging above their heads. The blush on her cheeks didn't exactly go unnoticed when Sengoku leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Merry Christmas, Tomoka-cha~n."

**

For Karen. Again.
Oshitari and Mizuki
sales | money| vision

"No, Mizuki-kun," Oshitari murmured, stroking his hand gently down the plush fabric. "I do believe that purple is much more your colour than mine." Though he spoke the words, Yuushi honestly didn't want to spend that much money on something he could easily through the sales in his mother's favourite mailorder catalogue.

"Nfufufu... your vision must be impaired, Oshitari-kun. Perhaps you really do need real lenses in those shabby frames of yours. It's quite obvious that this coat would be perfect on you." Mizuki purred, running his hands up and down the breast and sleeves of a particularly hideous purple housecoat.

It was right about then that Oshitari Yuushi wondered just how his family knew the Mizuki's, and just why their parents had decided it a good idea for the two boys to go shopping for new clothing together.

**

For Karen. AGAIN.
Shinji & Jirou
excitement | date | balloons

"Akutagawa-san, this isn't really a fun date if you're just going to sleep through it, though I don't know how you can sleep because I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about today, even though today isn't really turning out like I thought it would, but that's okay because things normally don't work out like that and I guess I should be used to it by now, but this is sort of nice anyway..." Shinji shifted on the train's bench again, scowling at the head of golden curls currently tucked in his lap. The original plan had been to go to the circus and see all of the animals; a prospect that had had Jirou bouncing in excitement when they'd first thought of the idea.

But now Shinji wasn't so sure they'd ever get there, Jirou kept falling asleep and now Shinji's leg was too, probably from the lack of blood flowing through it as one Hyoutei senior had clamped his arms firmly around it and snuggled like it was a stuffed animal or something.

But Jirou was Jirou, he'd wake up when something that could keep his attention for more than five minutes happened. And so Shinji let it be, gaze wandering out the window of the bullet train to watch the various colours, shapes and sizes of a group of hot air balloons float over the rural area.

**

Don't you have anything better to do, Karen?
Tachibana and Shishido
rising | blue | impact

(This has been archived on Brandnew Days)

Tachibana hadn't recognized Shishido at first, devoid as he was of those distinct characteristics. In his mind those traits had exaggerated and overwhelmed, the flip of long hair and the haughty tilt of the chin. This wasn't the same person that he had played against, not so long ago. Hair cropped short, a blue cap tugged over his head and a bandage over his eyebrow -- as well as things that weren't physical but more in mannerisms.

Shishido had been extremely vain and prideful, if not a bit too much for his skills. Not to say he was a bad player... he just hadn't been at Tachibana's level when they played. The loss had seemed to impact Shishido in only ways the Hyoutei boy could understand. That pride had been chipped away now, probably tossed right into the trash along with the hair he'd been so proud of.

But here he was again, Tachibana mused, rising above Hyoutei's strict law of 'You will not lose' and taking back the the glory he'd once gloated about; but now had realized that he didn't do it alone. Shishido had friends help him along the way, poke and prod along until he couldn't take it anymore. Choutarou was his partner, they'd gotten that far together and were willing to take chances. Tachibana supposed the biggest surprise in that whole fiasco was that it hadn't just beenOotori who felt no shame in risking his own regular spot, but Atobe who had humbled himself to get Shishido back on the team. His team.

And what would you know. Tachibana had just the slightest bit more respect for Hyoutei nowadays.

**

*Slams Karen into a wall 8D*
Gakuto and Oishi
differences | bruise | sympathy

"I'm not your redhead, you know," Gakuto said casually, eyes oddly intent. "No matter what you're thinking." He watched on as Oishi fussed over a fresh bruise on his arm, eyes rolling when the Seigaku vice-captain pressed a small bandage over it. "Ow! Watch it."

"Yes, yes, I know -- Although despite your differences you and Eiji are a lot alike." Oishi replied almost fondly, head snapping up slightly at Gakuto's outburst. "Sorry." Green eyes were lined with sympathy as he took a step back and admired his work. "All done."

Gakuto sulked at being compared to that Kikumaru brat, a frown apparent on his face. "Only I don't like headfangs." he snapped back as he darted off for parts unknown.

**

For Lana, who gets a pairing I refused to write for Karen 8D
Atobe/Shishido
Bubblegum | whipcrack | swimming.

(This has been archived on Brandnew Days)

It was a bright and sunny day. However that didn't particularly matter considering Atobe was currently striding around the grounds of a public swimming pool with Shishido in tow. Somewhat surprising to say Atobe didn't have the audacity to travel to such a place alone -- he wasn't scared, really, he just... felt better having someone he knew there. Someone, who while not nearly as awesome as he, at least went to the same school.

Shishido scowled, cap tugged over his brow and a growl emitting from his throat when he stepped in a big, fat pink wad of used bubblegum. "Don't you have a private pool at home?"

"Of course I do," Atobe replied, climbing rung by rung up the ladder to the diving board. "But sometimes it's good to mingle with the commoners." Shishido merely stood by as his nutjob captain took the stage (or diving board) and bounced once, twice, three times before taking a perfect swan dive. The recoil of the board was nearly as loud as a whipcrack but that wasn't at all what Shishido noticed -- it was Atobe misjudging and ending up bellyflopping against the water with a loud SLAP.

And the first thing Atobe would notice when he finished sputtering and climbed out of the pool was Shishido doubled over in a fit of laughter.

**

For Sharon
Taki/Ohtori
betrayal | revenge | retribution

(This has been archived on Brandnew Days)

Ohtori never saw it coming. He wouldn't have ever figured Taki to be one to betray his trust or take advantage of his kind-heartedness in order to exact revenge on Shishido of all people; somehow managing to con him into hurting someone who wasn't just a teammate but a dear friend as well. Taki had encouraged him to help Shishido, spend the many long hours after practice and into the dark training.

But perhaps it was Taki who'd been betrayed when Shishido had beaten him and Ohtori had gone to hisaid. Ohtori had been his doubles partner first, and that was the way he liked it -- he hadn't ever lost an official match and here was Shishido; pitifully scraping himself back from a disgusting loss and taking Taki's place on the regular lineup.

Taki hadn't seen a problem with it, really. It was like some word of God, a divine retribution when he'd heard the news Shishido had broken his ankle by way of a badly aimed Scud serve. And suffice to say, he was glad to have his doubles partner back.

**

For Tammie
Fuji/Eiji
chocolate | phone | ice

On a clear night, the light of the moon trickled in through the window, casting an enchanting glow to the room that seemed to make everything have a mystical aura to them. Eiji stared out his bedroom window, wide eyes focused on the scenery of ice and snow untouched by traffic, human or otherwise.

It was beautful, breathtaking even and Eiji thought it was a perfect time to be sharing mugs of hot chocolate with someone you cared about. Sliding his mobile phone out of his pocket a number was dialed, a grin curling over his lips when it was answered.

"Hoi, Fu~ji~." He drawled, voice light and airy like that of a small child. "Wanna come over? My mom just bought some marshmellows."

Several blocks away Fuji Syusuke was admiring the view from his own window, phone tucked between his ear and shoulder as he went about tending to his cacti.

"Sure, Eiji," he replied with a small chuckle. "I'll bring the chocolate, you provide the graham crackers."

**

For Ryoma-kun
Tezuka and Ryoma
match | friend | winner

I'll always be here waiting.

The written words made Tezuka's eyes sting as he read over Echizen's letter again. He felt alone sometimes, having travelled all the way to Germany after injuring himself in the match with Atobe; and there were times he wished he could just go back home.

He'd never really thought he'd think of Ryoma as a friend persay, but somehow the small freshman had wormed under his skin and made a nice little nest in there. He wasn't quite sure what it was about Ryoma -- maybe he just reminded Tezuka of his younger self and Tezuka had decided that this was the right person, this was the person who would become Seigaku's pillar of support.

I'm looking forward to coming home to a winner, Echizen. Tezuka had written back. Ryoma flopped back on his bed, rereading the letter over and over as Karupin curled up on his stomach. A tiny smile touched the edges of his lips as he folded the letter and stowed it away before bedding down for the night.

He'd be playing Rikkai in the morning, and he wasn't going to let Tezuka down if it killed him.

**

For Lexxie
Oishi/Eiji
wriggle | bounce | mothercock

It was an atypical day that started in a very typical way. Only not, because it was nearly midnight and the Seigaku regulars were gathered around a small campfire. It was part of the training Tezuka and Inui had put together for them -- days were spent hiking and doing various tests and nights were spent camping under the stars (or in the trees, if you were Kaidou.)

Eiji wiggled in his spot on the ground, scooting closer to Oishi as Inui continued to tell his campfire tale. "They say there's a place called Murder Rock around here somewhere..."

"Mothercock!?" Eiji shrieked, having obviously not been paying attention to the story, instead taking his sweet time curling closer to Oishi and latching on. Just about anything that came out of Inui's head was a scary thing in Eiji's mind, that was his reasoning.

"Murder Rock, Eiji." Oishi replied, a hand petting through red strands as Inui continued.

"They say that there was another group of kids our age who went to see if the legend was true, and never came back." His glasses glinted in the low firelight, the shadows dancing around contorting his face into nothing more than a pair of moving lips and shining lenses.

Eiji began to bounce nervously, his hold on Oishi's waist tightening again.

Somewhere off in the distance a loud, mournful howl pierced through the otherwise quiet air, and all hell broke loose. Kaidou scrambled up a tree, Momoshiro clung to a very annoyed Echizen and even Kawamura looked a bit freaked.

Oishi had somehow landed on his back, doubles partner straddling his waist and face buried against the vice-captain's chest.

"It's just the wind, Eiji." Came Fuji's voice from off to the side. Slowly Eiji peeked out from his cover, only to see his best friend had no face.

There was a scream and a struggle before a sharp voice rang through the air. Tezuka stood with his arms crossed, a frown and dark glare cast at Fuji.

"Take off the mask."

**

For Moffit
Hiyoshi/Niou
Shroomie | irredeemable | cornered

(This has been archived on Brandnew Days)

If there were one thing Hiyoshi was not fond of, it would be Niou Masaharu. A classic example of teenage rebellion, constantly testing the limits of authority and committing irredeemable acts left and right. A rebel without a cause, to quote a famous American movie. No reason for anything he did and no way to justify his means.

Hiyoshi didn't like those sorts of people, but he liked even less when said sorts of people had him cornered in the men's restroom; grinning like a hyena with a glint of uncertain intent in his eyes. Just one quick punch was all it would take, really, but Hiyoshi had his standards - he wouldn't lash out unless he actually felt threatened. This was more of a mere annoyance.

"Hey, Shroomie." Niou drawled slowly, grin never leaving his face. "Heard you lost to our kid." He hadn't heard it but rather seen it; and honestly it was rather amusing to watch players in the Newcomers tournament get throttled by Kirihara's tennis.

Hiyoshi didn't say a word, instead fixing a cold glare on Niou's face. He had lost but that just meant he had to work even harder to get to the top. His head shook slightly as he brushed passed the older teen, not even bothering to look back as he pushed out the door.

**

For Tracy
Tezuka & Fuji
sex | damn | uhm

(Dear sweet Lord I hate this pairing 8D;; )

So it begins... a short little tale about when sex goes wrong.

"Damn, Fuji..." Tezuka winced, fingers clenching tightly into Fuji's hips, struggling just a tad against a smaller body and taking in a deep breath.

"Ah, Tezuka!" Fuji cried out, head tossed back and hips jerking forward.

"Uhm.. Fuji..." He tried to pull back again, glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose as the other teen bucked against him, fingernails clawing and marking down the sweatslicked skin of his back.

"Nnn, harder!"

"Fuji, your mother is watching."

At least Tezuka had the decency to look embarrassed.