Disclaimer : I do not own Prince of Tennis & the hot tennis princes inside, although like everyone else out there, I really wish I did.

Note to all : No, no, I haven't forgotten about my other stories, don't worry. I sometimes find myself getting random bits of ideas without being able to string them into something usable, and here's where they'll end up! This is a collection of one-shots/short stories/drabbles about the silver pair from Hyoutei, Prince of Tennis, with other pairs mentioned here and there. Rated T generally, with individual ratings inside each chapter/story. Stories may or may not be related to one another, so be sure to read the Summary!

Title : #1 - Stars

Summary : A random dedication to Shishido Ryou for his belated birthday, 29th September! Choutarou finds himself under a starry night sky one night as he waits for Shishido Senpai. Silver pair fluff I think? A little drabble, rated T to be safe.

Stars are pretty, even more so if you're gazing at them with the one you love.

Ootori Choutarou balanced his weight carefully on the wooden fence, rocking his body slowly to the light breeze blowing around him, sighing as he glanced away from the skies once again. A quick glance at his wristwatch told him that it was 10:50 p.m., hinting that the day would soon come to an end..

Shishido Senpai was still nowhere in sight. But that's okay.. Right?

Perhaps the stars had some sort of mystical powers over him, Choutarou concluded as he closed his eyes slowly, denying the slight dampness he felt clinging onto his lashes. Perhaps that was why he couldn't feel angry, or agitated at all. Perhaps, Choutarou decided as he opened his eyes again, he was really in love this time. There was no other explanation for this.

He would wait, and he was sure that Shishido Senpai would arrive anytime soon..

"There's no reason for you to go out in the middle of the ni-"

Shishido Ryou growled, a deep noise in his throat as he slammed the door to his room shut. He'd had just about enough of his older brother, just because the said boy wouldn't shut up. As though to confirm that point, a sudden loud and dull thumping sounded from the direction of his room door, just as Ryou launched himself at his own bed.

"Okaasan entrust you into my care, Ryou, there's no way I'm going to let you-"

He was almost sure that when his mother entrust him into his older brother's care, she didn't mean for his older brother to dress him up like a freak. Tossing his pillow at the door, satisfied to hear his brother's shocked pause before the older boy started yelling again. Ryou paced towards the window, and sighed as he glanced at the skies. He had made a promise to Choutarou, and there's no way he's going to let his older brother ruin his plans.

"Thanks to your clothes, I'm going to SLEEP. Now SHUT UP," Ryou yelled, silencing his older brother for a moment. A moment long enough for him to consider..

The branch near his window was a jump away, and if he missed that, it'll be a two-storeys fall for himself. Still, it's worth a try, right?

Taking in a deep, calming breath, Ryou tried his best to ignore his brother as the older boy started yelling again-

And leaped out of his window, towards freedom.. More specifically, towards Choutarou.

Not without a couple of scratches, gasps and curses, of course.

11:50, the hands on Choutarou's wristwatch announced. It's been an hour, but that's okay, there's another 10 minutes more..

Besides, it wouldn't exactly be pointless even if it was after midnight. Afterall, all he had to do is to add a 'belated' in the middle of his wishes..

Choutarou brought his arms to his chest as he tried to repress a shiver. It was starting to get a little chilly, and somehow Choutarou sudden recalled his Geography teacher going, "Temperature drops as altitude increases,". Not that he was ever going to know if that's true, anyway. Geography had always been once of Shishido Senpai's stronger subjects, but not his.

That thought brought a gentle smile to the face of the silver-haired boy, brightening his face in a way Choutarou would never know himself.

That's really okay. As long as Shishido Senpai turned up, everything will be fine- Ah. Speak of the angel..

Grinning in a sheepish, relieved way, Choutarou sneaked a glance at his wristwatch as Shishido Senpai rounded the corner. 11:57, it read. Shishido Senpai was barely on time, but that's okay. Afterall, Shishido Senpai is here, and he's..

"Ano, Shishido Senpai, why.. Why are you wearing-"

"Don't ask," Ryou replied, a faint flush of pink colouring the older boy's cheeks. Choutarou chuckled lightly, and reached out his hand towards his senior, an invitation for his doubles' partner to join him on the fence.

"Orange was never really your colour, Shishido Senpai.. Neither did spongebob-"

"Drop it, Choutarou, or I'm going back home to sleep."

"No- Don't.."

"I'm joking. Shift over."

"The slippers are kind of cute-"

"Choutarou."

"Hai~"

They sat like that in a moment of silence; Side by side, their heads almost touching, each of them leaning only slightly towards each other in an almost unnoticeableway. The keyword was 'unnoticeable'; Choutarou shivered again, partly because of the growing chill, partly because of Shishido Senpai being.. Here, with him.

Ryou seemed to have noticed Choutarou's shivering, though. Of course, he would never fail to notice something like that.

Shrugging, brows furrowed in worry, Ryou proceeded to unbutton his shirt, ignoring the sudden exclamation from his junior. Sure, he had worn a dark singlet underneath his pajamas, but that wouldn't be enough protection against the cold. Still, it was better if he was the only one who would fall sick because of tonight. Besides, he was stronger than that.

Choutarou fell silent after awhile, upon realising that Shishido Senpai wasn't going to listen to him complain, blushing furiously as he watched Shishido Senpai remove his pajama top. The blushing worsened, though, as Choutarou jumped when Shishido Senpai thrusted the top into his arms.

"Ano, Senpai.."

"Just wear it. No complaints."

"Thank you.."

"Just don't fall sick."

Slipping the long-sleeved orange pajama top on quietly, Choutarou shivered slightly at the remaining heat Shishido Senpai had left on the fabric, blushing as the skin of his bare hands rubbed against the warmth. Shishido Senpai shot him a quiet, amused smile, and Choutarou returned it with one of his own; A shy, eyelash battering smile, like how he always did.

"Thank you," he repeated quietly, pulling the top over his chest.

"Don't mention it- By the way, you better have a good explanation for this, Choutarou."

Choutarou blushed again, quietly, and sneaked another glance at his wristwatch. It read 00:15, which meant that he had missed the event completely, so their meeting was half-useless in a way. But Choutarou wasn't going to let this opportunity slip. Not after.. Not after he had finally made his decision.

The silver-haired boy flushed a healthy shade of crimson under Shishido Senpai's scrutinizing gaze..

And his lips found his senior's just as a shooting star raced past the night skies.

"Happy belated Birthday, Shishido Senpai.."

"Choutarou-"

"I like you, Senpai. I really do."

Their lips met again just as a second flash of brilliant light traced a line through the bright stars.

"I.. I like you too, Choutarou."