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Learning to Land	By : Suteishichic Category: Prince of Tennis/Tennis no Ohjisama > General Views: 11419 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis (Tennis no Ohjisama), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 43
- 44
- 45
Learning to Land. Chapter Forty Four ~Shishido~

Warnings: Yaoi, Love, Angst, Fluff, and Lots of Sex. Some kink. You've been warned ;)

Disclaimer: Nope not mine. Still in my dreams. ;)

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Shishido was startled awake by a knock and then his door opening. "Shishido-san, it's your turn to show...wer..." Ohtori finished sounding very shocked.

Shishido heard Taki swear and then say, "Damn it Shishido put some clothes on!"

Shishido couldn't help but smile for a moment, but he wasn't going to let Taki see. He stretched and felt them both still watching him the entire time he moved. Shishido was lying on his stomach half naked, sprawled out on top of his sheets. He was wearing only a shirt since he used his pants to clean himself after coming the night before and had been too tired and lazy to bother to put anything else on. He had never expected Ohtori to open his door but thought it was funny. Very funny. He almost whipped off his shirt and walked past the two of them naked just to spite Taki, but remembered to keep his shirt on and his hickey covered only at the last moment. Damn. He would have laughed all morning about the look on Taki's face.

Sighing, he threw on his robe over his shirt before walking by them both still standing at his door staring at him. "You don't like it Taki, then don't look. I can wear whatever the hell I want in my own room." He snarled at Taki as he passed him and threw a half smile and a wink at a crimson blushing Ohtori to let him know he wasn't really mad at him at all. Shishido felt a little bad about how red Ohtori's face was.

He went in to shower and heard Taki saying something, probably something negative about him, and Ohtori saying something back, probably how it was Ohtori's fault and not Shishido's. Shishido showered fast and only showered before practice to let Atobe know he'd enjoyed what he had sent him. As he came out of the bathroom, he threw his robe back on around him, and grabbed the waiting hot cup of coffee as he passed by. He hoped it wasn't Taki making the coffee or it would be surely poisoned. He wondered which coffee it would be when he took a sip. He was pleased to note it was the better kind and not Atobe's. He drank it fast as he quickly put on his clothes in his room, threw his still wet hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of his way, and they all together left for practice.

Ohtori wouldn't look at him though. Wouldn't or couldn't. That made Shishido feel embarrassed which he was not used to at all. Before they went out to practice every day there was a morning meeting where the upcoming day's practice was discussed and any news was given. As everyone went to walk out from the locker room after the meeting Shishido blocked Ohtori's path with his arm. Ohtori stood there looking at his shoes. "What?" Shishido said firmly but gently. Ohtori slightly jumped and then blushed deeper when he finally looked at him.

"Shi...Shishido-san, please forgive me for what I did this morning it was inexcusable. I'm really sorry." He went to bow but Shishido stopped him by putting his other arm on Ohtori's shoulder.

"For...waking me? Why? I had to get up." Shishido shrugged. He watched as Ohtori blushed deeper and found it was rather cute. He was rather cute. "Look, I'm sorry, Ohtori. I sleep without clothes most of the time. You didn't know. I didn't mean to startle you."

"You...It's...But..." Ohtori tried while staring at Shishido's neck. He would not look him in the eye and he literally jumped when he heard another voice.

"Its true. Shishido knows he has a beautiful body and he loves to show it off whenever possible. Always naked. Even when sleeping. Not that he ever sleeps." Atobe confirmed, suddenly behind Shishido, and as per Atobe's usual style, he completely complicated the situation at utterly the wrong moment. Shishido half turned to Atobe who was centimeters from him. "Hello, don't you smell good?" Atobe purred as he stood closer to Shishido, now touching him, and breathed in the scent of Shishido's hair. Shishido mentally cursed himself for showering this morning and then did it again for sleeping naked last night. Ohtori looked dreadfully mortified for the second time that morning.

"Ohtori. Practice. Now." Atobe ordered without moving away from Shishido or looking at Ohtori. Instead he just kept purring in Shishido's hair and pressing his erection into Shishido's backside.

Ohtori was deep red, even his neck and scalp, and Shishido felt terrible. "Yes, Atobe-san!" Ohtori obediently said. Shishido fervently hoped Ohtori's wasn't upset or troubled by Atobe's meaningless antics. Shishido dropped his arm so Ohtori could pass by and felt Ohtori's skin lightly brush against his arm as he did. Shishido wondered for a moment if it was on purpose and felt the jolt of even that small light contact run completely through him. Atobe's body was completely up against him and Shishido felt nothing, yet a small touch from Ohtori had him tingling and wanting more. He was surprised to discover when Ohtori ran off, the absence he left was almost a tangible, painful thing made worse by Shishido's worries that he was upset. Shishido only wanted right then to run after him, comfort him, and make him laugh and smile again.

It was difficult to suppress the urge to go after him, but Shishido from long practice held back. He didn't want Atobe to so clearly see through him, and knew that the Vice Captain still probably would regardless. It was frustrating. And most likely calculated to be. Very Atobe.

Shishido hoped if nothing else, he could get Ohtori to warm up with him. Perhaps he could say a few words or roll his eyes at Atobe's antics enough to make it all right until they got home and they could really talk later. The more Shishido thought about it, the more he wanted to warm up with him. It would be a good excuse to touch him and be close without anyone noticing. Shishido only hoped he could pull it off and make it look completely innocent while he figured his thoughts would probably be anything but. For this to happen, Shishido knew, he had to turn his full attention back to Atobe fast so the Vice Captain was reassured and moved on.

Atobe was still standing there pressing into him and purring. He chuckled wickedly, "And how are things at home?" He leaned in closer to Shishido who turned to face him while rolling his eyes, "Mmm...you do smell good." Atobe growled, moved even closer, and without even looking around to see if anyone was watching them, boldly licked Shishido's lips. Shishido's heart sank a little, Atobe would only be like this if he was upset or required the attention. He wasn't going to release Shishido from his side for the rest of the day probably. Atobe continued, "And you taste good too." Shishido sighed and rolled his eyes again which made Atobe laugh. "I can only imagine how the boy found you this morning." Atobe growled then as if thinking about it himself, "Mmm...you liked my gifts? Then to thank me you can warm up with me."

Shishido smiled. He couldn't help himself. Atobe was so...Atobe. At first Shishido thought Atobe would have no idea why what he said and did would upset Ohtori. Then Shishido considered it further and realized Atobe felt better about himself because he knew it would upset Ohtori even though Ohtori was easy prey for this kind of teasing. Atobe doing that on purpose to upset Ohtori suddenly annoyed Shishido. He decided to give Atobe a little grief back. He cocked an eyebrow at Atobe and reminded him, "Won't Jiroh be upset?"

Atobe shrugged his shoulders elegantly, "At least he'll be awake for practice." Shishido ended up laughing. He realized Atobe had a plan and he couldn't win. Once again he wondered at Atobe trading in an insomniac for a narcoleptic. Shishido always liked playing tennis with Atobe, it was what drew him to the Vice Captain in the first place. He didn't even mind that Atobe usually always won. Practice began with Atobe sucking up all Shishido's time and attention and keeping Ohtori far away. So far he couldn't even watch Shishido as he usually did. It made Shishido miss him.

Shishido obeyed and wondered at this. Atobe really didn't do much without some ulterior motive. Even if it was a test or a tease or a game, Atobe always meant to do the things he did. He loved plans and used to regale Shishido for hours on his schemes to improve the tennis club. Shishido had been impressed and surprised because he had never put much time or thought in before to how a coach or a captain plans and builds a successful team. He respected the knowledge and insight Atobe had and all the work he had put in towards his lofty goal of their winning the nationals the next year when Atobe was Captain but Shishido felt he himself was just a tennis player. He preferred to simply play singles, be responsible only for himself and his own win, and to let people like Atobe and their coach handle the long term master plans. Shishido preferred to keep it simple but he knew Atobe liked complications and elaborate agendas.

If he was keeping Ohtori and Shishido separated now there was probably a reason. Shishido wondered at it while he went through the rigors of practice and tried to pretend he was as simple as he seemed. It was easier always acting simple like that with Atobe than actually getting involved. Shishido knew he was probably the only person who did not feel surprised when eventually Atobe ordered several seemingly spontaneous doubles matches. Taki and Ohtori against Shishido and Gakuto were one group who went off to play. Shishido loathed doubles. He preferred singles.

He didn't like relying on anyone else to win or watch his back. He didn't want the responsibility to watch someone else's. Atobe knew this so there must be a reason for this game on his mind. Shishido quickly tried to figure out what it could be. Was Atobe looking to see if Ohtori went easy on Shishido? If Shishido went easy on him? If Shishido would be jealous of Taki and Ohtori who had also warmed up together? Was Atobe concerned Ohtori might have said something to Taki? Shishido did not know but he trusted Ohtori completely. Even if he was upset over Atobe's games, Ohtori would wait until later to talk with Shishido instead of acting out or causing trouble. He was a good solid guy and would not make problems.

The only good things about this arrangement was first of all, Shishido would finally get a chance to return Ohtori's serve. The other good thing was for some reason Gakuto and Taki who used to be close friends, now detested each other. Vehemently. They couldn't be put within the same ten meters of each other without a cat-fight breaking out. Complete with hissing and scratching and even possibly spraying. Shishido had no idea why this happened but it always seemed to lately. They both were at the net glowering at each other. The potential for violence, bloodshed, and verbal abuse on a massive scale completely distracted anyone watching from noticing anything else. And instant after Shishido's first serve Gakuto started in. "Taki, get laid recently? I did. I'll send her your way when I'm done, after all, you should be used to getting my leftovers by now."

Taki said looking cold and enraged, "How nice for you, slut. You mean you finally got someone to spend the night and not just use you on the side?"

Gakuto grinned wickedly. Taki was playing right into his hands and Shishido was hoping Taki would get a clue and shut up. Gakuto smirked, "Now tell me who you're after this time Taki so I can steal him too. The boy?" He gestured at Ohtori who was blushing again. Basically the two were standing there trading insults, a step away from lashing out at each other while Shishido and Ohtori hit the ball back and forth to simply cover, neither one was even looking to score.

Gakuto started to jump up and down higher and higher like a super ball being bounced as he often did when he had something particularly cruel to say, "Wait! I know! You want Shishido! You think you can get him from Atobe!" Gakuto cackled with laughter and Shishido inwardly cringed as Ohtori glanced at Shishido looking for an instant shocked and stricken before he chased after the ball. "Even better, you probably figure that is the closest you'll ever get to having Atobe!" Gakuto laughed even harder and Shishido heard several other people on the sidelines snicker. "Taki you're such a moron! Even I know better than to try to steal from Atobe! Though, I seem to have no problem stealing anyone away from you."

Shishido looked over at Atobe. Surely he didn't intend this. What the hell could he hope to accomplish? Atobe was holding his hand to his face, he was clearly seeing a weakness. He was watching as Taki lunged across the net for Gakuto who back flipped away, still cackling with glee.

Taki went to run off the court. Shishido knew if Taki left the court before Atobe said he could he would be dropped. Shishido flew after him and grabbed him by the back of his shirt one step away from leaving. He was always faster than Taki though he wondered again what the point of all this was. "Taki stop it! It's what he wants! Use your head!" Shishido hissed at Taki and shook him a little. Shishido was annoyed at him for getting this upset over Gakuto's antics. Taki looked at him with an expression of terrible pain and rage like an animal that had been wounded and was too hurt to cry out. "Taki, he isn't worth getting dropped." Shishido said quietly. "Don't let him win."

Shishido saw the word dropped finally register in Taki's head. He roughly shook Shishido's hand off his shirt and walked back to where he was supposed to be standing. "Serve." He ordered Shishido.

"You sure you aren't gonna cry?" Gakuto said in a baby voice and several people laughed. Taki this time ignored him.

"Score?" Shishido asked Oshitari who was refereeing.

"Oh. Love fifteen. Would you like a time out?" He drawled at Taki in a voice that sounded so kind and sincere it surprised Shishido. Gakuto was Oshitari's roommate now. Shishido thought they must not be getting along well for Oshitari to take Taki's side so visibly.

"No. Serve." Taki insisted.

Shishido and Gakuto easily won the first game and Atobe finally put a stop to it before Ohtori could serve. Shishido was disappointed he missed another chance to return Ohtori's serve even if the game was a mess. Atobe separated them all into other groups for the rest of practice and the rest of the day, including afternoon practice passed fairly uneventfully. He was stuck with Atobe again in the afternoon and barely saw Ohtori until they were ready to leave for home. Shishido had kept his hickey well hidden as had Atobe apparently. Jiroh only glared at him slightly more than normal and then promptly fell asleep by the time Atobe was dressed. Atobe had Kabaji carry Jiroh out as was usual.

Shishido went to walk out with Taki and Ohtori. He could tell Taki wanted to talk to him and maybe Ohtori too but each seemed to be waiting for the other to leave so it was uncomfortable and tense. He hadn't had the chance to talk to Ohtori all day. A few steps outside the locker room, a freshman girl was waiting outside for Shishido and asked to speak with him. Shishido rolled his eyes knowing what was probably coming. He sent them on ahead although the other sub-regulars filing out behind him were giving him grief and catcalls. She confessed her supposed love for him and asked if he would be her boyfriend. He nicely told her no thanks, as nicely as he could after seeing the crushed look on Ohtori's face for just a moment before he went on ahead with Taki.

After he finally got rid of her, Shishido met his suite mates for dinner as they had been doing lately. Most of the tennis club regulars and sub-regulars ate together. That night the three of them sat a little down from everyone else and didn't talk much. It felt like there was some tension between the three of them. Shishido noted that Oshitari and Gakuto were not there. He wondered idly as he ate the bland food if Gakuto murdered Oshitari for his asking Taki if he needed a time out or just screeched at the tensai until his ears bled and his glasses shattered.

Taki asked Ohtori to refill their drinks. When Ohtori left, Taki said a quick and quiet thanks to Shishido for not letting him walk off and get dropped. Shishido shrugged still remembering Taki's comment in the morning about putting on clothes. When Taki left first soon after, Shishido thought Ohtori would say something to him but he didn't. He sort of dropped his eyes and wouldn't look at him though he did seem to be waiting for Shishido to finish so he could walk with him. They finished their drinks and went up to their suite. Shishido did his homework in his room to give Ohtori some space in case he needed it. When he was finished, he went over some things with Ohtori, and was relieved to find Ohtori seemed to respond more comfortably with him now. Ohtori smiled and seemed relaxed. Taki hovered close by so there was no way for them to talk but things felt better. When Ohtori withdrew earlier and wouldn't even look at him, Shishido was worried he wouldn't want to sit with him later that night, let alone touch him. Shishido was glad because all day he had been looking forward to sitting with him. He just wanted again to be close to him and hoped Ohtori would touch his hair again. As stupid as it seemed, Shishido really wanted it.

Shishido made sure to change into a t-shirt that you couldn't see down to the hickey on his chest and double checked that it was long enough in case he had to cover the front of his pants also. He decided that if Ohtori wanted to he would let him make the first move again. Shishido was more worried about scaring Ohtori away than being rejected because eventually, Shishido could always approach him. But still, Shishido found he was nervous as he laid on the couch and waited for Ohtori to come out of his room. He flipped through channels and was feeling disappointed that Ohtori wasn't going to come when he finally did. "Would you like to see the next episode with me, Shishido-san?"

Shishido nodded and Ohtori put the DVD in. But then Ohtori went to sit on one of the chairs this time so Shishido said quickly without thinking of the consequences, "I'll move down." He cursed himself worried that he would scare Ohtori away or maybe Ohtori no longer wanted to sit by him after Atobe and Gakuto said all that crap earlier. Or maybe he was totally turned off by seeing Shishido naked. He had no idea. Ohtori sat by him and Shishido seriously worried as the show started and Ohtori didn't touch him that he didn't want to. Something was wrong. Maybe something he wasn't even aware of. He tried to think of what he did wrong or what Ohtori might think he did wrong. "Are you tired?" Shishido tried asking him.

"I'm fine, Shishido-san." Ohtori said quietly. The first show was half way over. Shishido moved to his side and put his hair back knowing a little more of it would fall on Ohtori's lap in a large hint. Ohtori still didn't touch him. Shishido was getting annoyed because he really wanted this. He was feeling stupid now because Ohtori so obviously didn't.

Shishido decided to stop this and was even going to get up and walk away when Ohtori finally broke the silence. "She's pretty." Ohtori said quietly. Shishido looked at the screen. It was animated characters playing basketball.

He turned on his back to look up at Ohtori. "Who?" He was totally confused. Ohtori blushed slightly more and again would not meet his eyes. "Who is pretty?" Shishido said moving more so the top of his head touched Ohtori's leg.

"Kameko." Ohtori said in barely a whisper and his heart sounded broken, "Ohishi Kameko."

"Who in the hell is that?" Shishido was clueless and wondered if he should be jealous, because right then he really was. Maybe Ohtori was confessing his love for what's-her-name to him and that was why he no longer wanted to touch him. Instead Ohtori looked surprised down at him.

"She's in my homeroom," Ohtori said as if that cleared things up. Shishido felt acutely disappointed and he felt his heart sink. Maybe that was what Ohtori was trying to tell him and Shishido was simply too stupid to understand. "The girl who confessed to you today Shishido-san. After tennis." Ohtori tried to remind him and then Ohtori looked surprised as if he was just now finally grasping that Shishido had barely taken note of her. Really Shishido only had because he had seen Ohtori looking upset back then. "She's in love with you, Shishido-san," Ohtori whispered and looked even more upset now as he looked away.

Shishido thought he finally got it as painful as it was. He smiled bitterly and said annoyed, "Well, I don't feel that way about her so you have nothing to worry about. I don't even know her. If you're interested in her, I'll talk to her for you tomorrow. Just point her out to me again then." Shishido figured it was the least he could do, see to Ohtori's happiness, as his senpai and his friend. He couldn't remember her face, but he bitterly and jealously remembered the girl had short chin length hair. Not even nice hair. Damn it.

Ohtori looked surprised at him, "M...me? No...I...I'm not interested in her...its just...she...she confessed to you, Shishido-san." As if that explained anything and everything.

Shishido was hopelessly lost. "So? I'm not interested in her. You're upset because someone confessed to me?" He asked confused and wondered if that was what all this was over. Just some dumb girl he didn't even know. Ohtori turned away and wouldn't look at him.

Shishido moved up so he lay his head on Ohtori's leg without realizing it. He looked up at him now that he had Ohtori's attention again. "Look, I'm not being conceited okay, but people confess to me all the time. It's because I'm a sub-regular and because I'm friends with Atobe. Girls and even guys confess to me all the time. It's nothing. It doesn't mean anything. They don't even know me. Hell half the time I don't even know them. It doesn't mean anything to me because I could never have feelings for someone who doesn't really know me or who I don't even know." He held Ohtori's shocked gaze for a moment so that Ohtori could see he was telling him the truth. Shishido thought about Ohtori and how innocent about some things he was. He didn't want him to change so he said, "You're attractive so its going to happen to you too all the time when you're really a sub-regular. It doesn't mean anything so don't let it go to your head. All right?"

"O...okay, Shishido-san." Ohtori said sounding a little surprised. Shishido turned back on his side to face the screen annoyed and confused still, although he kept his head on Ohtori's leg without really realizing it. Then he did realize and he was too annoyed to move away, so he stayed there and sighed, aggravated. Ohtori was quiet for a few moments. The show played on and Shishido tried to pick up what they missed. Ohtori after a moment said, "Would you like me to rewind back to see what we missed, Shishido-san?"

"Yes, please," Shishido said still annoyed and flipped his hair back out of his way. Then he tucked one strand behind his ear. He wasn't nervous but it bothered him that Ohtori was so seemingly upset over nothing. It also upset him how much just the thought of Ohtori liking someone else, even a girl, had hurt. Ohtori went back through the chapters and must have hit play. Shishido soon felt him softly start touching his hair and stroking his scalp. Ohtori gently untucked the hair Shishido had put behind his ear and smoothed it in with the rest. His hands were warm and comforting and Shishido felt himself relax for what felt like the first time in days, weeks, or maybe even longer. Shishido closed his eyes for a moment and allowed the feelings of being soothed and trusting the person doing the comforting to wash over him.

He had not felt this way, this closeness and this trust with someone in a very, very long time. He never even knew that he could feel this way with someone else. It was similar to someone bandaging and caring for a deep wound you weren't even aware you had. Only after their care stopped the ache did you realize how much it had hurt and how bad it must have been. Shishido didn't think he could put into words how much Ohtori without even knowing it had given him. Simply because Ohtori had a big heart and really cared about Shishido. He found he was a little in awe of Ohtori and the emotions he stirred up in him. Although this time instead of wanting to get away, all Shishido wanted to do now was to be closer to him. And maybe give back even just a tiny fraction of what Ohtori had so naturally given him. Which was why Ohtori being upset and distant really bothered him.

Shishido realized more as he relaxed further that Ohtori had probably felt just as jealous because he liked Shishido. Which made Shishido feel good. Then he thought that perhaps it wasn't really Shishido that Ohtori liked but how much he looked like his lost love. Which made Shishido feel an odd mix of hurt and annoyed until he relaxed again under Ohtori's soft touch. He kept touching Shishido and it felt sweet, gentle, and loving. Maybe Ohtori really did like him, Shishido considered as he curled up a little closer to him and felt his entire self responding to Ohtori's touch.

It went on that way for the next few nights. It was really nice even though they had not even kissed again. Shishido really wanted to kiss him again. Even more than he had ever wanted to kiss Atobe, and he had wanted to kiss Atobe nearly obsessively at one point. This was even more intense and made back then feel like a mere child's crush.

As much as he wanted Ohtori to kiss him again, Shishido wanted to be the one to kiss him first and Shishido had never felt like that with anyone before. Shishido had to consciously force himself to not watch Ohtori's mouth as he talked or when they ate. He lay in bed at night now thinking about kissing him and woke up thinking about Ohtori too. Even before a short nap, at class, at practice, all the time, he was all Shishido could think of. Just one kiss and maybe holding Ohtori close. He wanted to feel his warmth and touch him with his hands.

They would hear the bedroom door open twice every night as Taki would come out to check up on them.

Shishido would move down each time the door opened, only to return the moment Taki retreated, satisfied nothing was going on. They never spoke a word about any of this but by Wednesday night, Shishido had barely touched his head to Ohtori's leg when he was running his hands though Shishido's hair as if he had held in wanting to do this all day too. Shishido enjoyed his touch so much he found he was curling his toes and sighing in pleasure. Ohtori gently caressed his hair, his neck, and his back through his shirt. He never touched his skin directly. Shishido by then even softly touched Ohtori's leg back through his clothes with his hand and was tempted to even stupidly kiss his leg or take his hand and kiss it, but he didn't. Ohtori that night finally, softly and boldly, as if it was a line not be crossed, traced his fingers softly across Shishido's cheek.

Shishido looked up at him because Ohtori's index finger was rough in an odd way and place. Odd for tennis. After wanting to feel his skin, Shishido was hyper-sensitive to finally being touched. He smiled slightly to let Ohtori know it was good that he touched him and that Shishido liked it, but he was worried Ohtori might be injured. "Oh. This?" Ohtori whispered and ran his thumb over his own index finger which Shishido saw was strangely...dented. Shishido nodded.

"Sorry, its from my bow." Shishido looked at him wondering what kind of bow. Maybe archery he considered. "Violin, even though I haven't played in a while, its still there, I'm sorry." Ohtori whispered and sounded embarrassed. Shishido was surprised and again remembered he and his friend used to play music together. He didn't want Ohtori feeling bad, or thinking about his friend, so Shishido took Ohtori's hand in his own and touched it to his face again.

Ohtori made a little noise, very tiny, and then smiled a little as if it both surprised and pleased him. He was looking at Shishido as if he was the most incredible thing Ohtori had ever seen. Shishido wanted to kiss him, very much, but he didn't want to push him or ruin the moment. So he smiled back, moved closer to him, held his hand, and turned back to face the screen as Ohtori kept touching his hair with his other hand.

Each night at around the end of the fifth show, they knew Taki would come out and insist, aggravated, that it was time for Ohtori to go to bed. It was funny in a way how they had slipped into this pattern without ever talking about any of it. Ohtori would go to his room and then go to the washroom about two minutes later. Shishido suspected what he was doing only but joined him from his own room just in case. Shishido would have gone crazy with wanting him if he didn't, as it was he was thinking about him constantly.

After a short time in the bathroom, Ohtori would brush against Shishido's closed door on his way back to his room as if saying goodnight. When Ohtori woke Shishido in the morning to tell him the shower was free he never opened his door anymore, although Shishido was always in sleep pants at least and a shirt covering the hickey that was taking forever to fade away so Ohtori wouldn't be upset, just in case. There would be coffee in his mug every morning. Ohtori had even bought Shishido new beans as the others ran low. It was almost as if he knew Shishido's were from Atobe and he wouldn't use them. When Ohtori's had run low Shishido put Atobe's on Ohtori's shelf only to find them put back on his own, towards the very back, and placed backwards and upside down. He didn't try it again.

If anyone had asked him, Shishido would have said right then he was happy, for the first time in a very long time. He wasn't fatalistic but knew better than to think things could never get worse or that good things would last because usually life had a way of proving people wrong. He tried to take each day as it came and enjoy good things while they lasted.

He had no way of knowing that things were about to get much better and then much worse than he could have pessimistically ever imagined.

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