Invisible by Ouvalyrin

          So. They’re young, and Ryoma’s younger, and he’s always looking ahead. Running, Fuji thinks, Ryoma’s running forwards, so quickly if he trips even once it’ll all be over. And people, well, either they play tennis or they don’t, and if they play tennis they’re either a challenge or they’re not. That’s how Ryoma thinks, in straight, to-the-point lines.

 

            Ryoma’s not a hard person to like, but he’s a hard person to love. He’ll like you back, but love you back, as much as you love him--?

 

            There are few things Fuji doesn’t know, but this, this is one of them. And he hates taking second place but he’s willing to wait until Ryoma realizes he’s left everyone behind and it’s cold and lonely at the top. Fuji won’t wait forever but he knows he won’t have to, because Ryoma’s a smart kid. He’ll figure it out eventually, and forever’s a long time.

 

            But this is the now, and Fuji’s young. He’s patient for his age, patient for even a grown man, but he’s not this patient.

 

            Look at me, he wants to say. He wants Ryoma’s eyes on him and only him, so—

 

            He makes it easy for Ryoma. Makes sure to keep just a bit ahead of him, beat him but let him win a few matches or so off of him, push him harder, and Ryoma understands: to beat his father he’ll have to beat Tezuka, and to beat Tezuka he’ll have to beat Fuji.           

 

            Look at me, Fuji says and Ryoma obeys, but both of them know it’s only a matter of time.