So why do we love this pairing so much? Here we'll explain our reasons and provide some support. Please bear in mind that there are our opinions, not everyone's. If you don't agree with them, tough luck.

sailorstarsun

Why?
Why do I love them so much? Possibly more than I've ever loved a couple before. What is it about those two?

The quick and easy, shallow answer is, they're simply HOT together. Both extremely attractive, perfectly manly (err...as manly as 15 year old boys get, anyway..), with hard, athletic [animated] bodies.... (::wipes drool::) It doesn't even have to be true love, them just pinning each other down, fighting for dominance in a one night stand makes me happy. And that's how it was at first; I liked them for purely aesthetic reasons. At first.

But it's become so much more.

Getting to know the characters better has helped me see...well...I guess just how perfectly matched they are, in every way. And I don't mean they're exactly the same, but neither are they completely different. They're in this perfect balance, in tune with each other like how a relationship should be. Like pieces to a puzzle.

The boys
Atobe is, and always will be, an egotistical little diva. He's used to people following him. And being a rich, spoiled, only-child, he's probably used to getting anything he wants. I imagine he'd quickly become bored with someone who was little more than just another fan. He's the type who would prefer a challenge. (like in the official guide 20.5, his 'type' is listed as 'someone headstrong') He would demand nothing less than someone as strong-willed as himself.

Tezuka is one who rarely shows emotion and never lets anything get to him. I don't think it's that he doesn't feel anything at all, he just doesn't particularly feel the need to make a big deal out of it. But Tezzie obviously has a fierce passion under that stoic face. (face - notice the lack of using the word "mask" - I don't think he's hiding at all; that's just the way he is) It just takes something important to bring that out in him, like tennis...or a good challenge. Only someone with great strength to light that fire.

Together
Atobe needs - wants really - someone who wouldn't fawn all over him. He deserves someone just as great as he is, nothing less. And the only person who fits that is Tezuka. Tezuka would never treat him as someone above, or below him. He respects him too much. It's become quite obvious to me, and I discover more each day even still, that Atobe has very strong feelings in regards to the person he calls his Eternal Rival ("Eien no RIVAL").

Tezuka, for all his quiet stoic-ness, could benefit from a partner who would never stop trying to get to him. Someone who would never fail to make him feel something. It would be good for him to be with someone who has enough spirit for the both of them. Someone like that, someone who shines as bright as Atobe does, won't soon be forgotten by Tezuka.

They fill in each other's gaps; where one is outgoing, the other is introverted. One demands attention, the other won't give it. But, like a yin-yang, where they are opposite, they are also the same. Both strong, skilled leaders who command respect. And also the simple stuff, like similar hobbies, intellect, and culture.

They'd drive each other crazy...

They're perfect for each other.

That game
The famed match between Tezuka and Atobe changed both of them (and everyone who watched, really) forever, one way or another.

......

And I guess I'm the only person in the world who doesn't really have a whole lot to say about that infamous match that can pretty much be metaphoric of their entire relationship. .^^* Let's just say, from that game on, they each became the most important thing to the other.

Tezube vs. Atozuka
Both being such strong-willed characters, it's easy to find reasons either one could be seme in their relationship. Atobe is selfish. Tezuka is stubborn. Atobe is older (by three days! whee! .^^* ). Tezuka is more stern. Really, either one could be seme and they probably would often fight for the top position (which is so much fun .^,~ ) and/or trade off.

Though I am, personally, fine with either one being seme, I tend to lean more toward Tezuka on top. Maybe because it's so easy to see Atobe leaning back and saying "worship me," or maybe because he shows emotion more readily than Tezuka does (which could subconsciously be interpreted as more feminine....). I guess I can't really explain why, that's just what I like. .^,^*

But, really, as long as they're together I'm happy. And I am considering Atobe seme more and more these days...as long as Tezzie isn't reduced to a sniveling wimp.

Others
I will say one thing first... I hate Tezuka x Fuji. HATE. With a driving, burning passion. There's absolutely nothing between them, they are never a constant in the other's mind, and they both have better things to do than each other. It's easy to see Fuji is far more interested in his own cute brother, whom he loves to tease to no end (take that as you will .^,^ ). Hell, he even seems to have more feelings for Taka-san, caring for his well-being on several occasions and even going so far as to use his bloodied racket in one match (then there's the cute nickname, "Fujiko-chan" =3 ). But, really, what annoys me most about TezuFuji is how freakin' popular it is. .-_- If it were just a few fics here and there I probably wouldn't care, but it's all over the fandom and that has left a VERY sour taste in my mouth.

I also have a dislike of Tezuka x Ryoma. It's different though, because I can see little things between them that indicate there could be something there...but I reeeeeeally think Ryoma is far too immature for Tezuka. Ryoma is small and playful in a way that would make it almost impossible to see him as too much more than a kid who's really, really good at tennis. He's better suited to someone he can be friends with as well as have a relationship with. He'd be happier with someone he could laugh and joke and be snarky with. .^^ I don't think Tezuka and Ryoma are especially comfortable around each other.

People have also lately been pairing Tezuka up with Oishi. That actually makes sense to me, as they have been good friends since at least their first year in Jr. High, and they like being around and trust each other. It's not a bad pairing...it's just not very exciting. Too quiet for my tastes. I think they work much better as friends who are always there for each other rather than lovers. ...And I love the Golden Pair, so nya! =P I think Oishi is better with Eiji, because he's "the only one who's able to support Kikumaru's style..." (as Ryuzaki-sensei has said many times). And Oishi would be so much happier with someone who can make him smile.

Atobe, on the other hand, I can see with just about anyone, but really just for sex. .^^* He seems to be the type who would screw someone just to get off. He's all about being pampered and pleasured, even if the one he's with isn't necessarily the one he wants. I think Tezuka is the only one he could ever actually fall for.

Oshitari x Atobe is seen a lot in the Japanese fandom.... That's just NO. Aside from the fact that Gakuto would claw the eyes out of anyone who dared touch his Yuushi, Atobe still considers Oshitari below him (and a careless fool .^^* ).

And Jiroh is another Atobe pairing that's just NO. How can he have intellectual conversation with someone who's either asleep or bouncing all over the place? It just wouldn't work.

I know recently a few people have been advocating Sanada x Atobe.  .....  Excuse me while I scratch my head in confusion.  Ok, so putting aside the fact that Sanada has spent an unknown amount of time standing on bridges, holding Yukimura's hand...I just don't see it.  Atobe obviously doesn't think about Sanada that much. He doesn't consider Sanada his rival, and isn't anxiously waiting to play another game with him. He just doesn't seem to be the one Atobe wants.  And Sanada thinks of Atobe as little more than a snob (who's good at tennis..).

But, as I mentioned before, I can see Atobe with just about anyone (yes, even Kabaji...... ::grin:: ) if it's purely sexual. He'd be all for pleasures of the body, but only one person could hold his attention and captivate his heart.

Music

'ENEPΓEIA'  .... 'Nuff said.  XD

In the stars
I found this...thing that does astrological reports...kind of. .^^* It's from here, and gives a free sample report; to get the whole report you have to pay. Bleh. I'm cheap, so I just did the sample, but instead of putting in my info, I did it on Atobe and Tezuka. ::grin:: So it gave me:

Keigo's Sun Conjunct Kunimitsu's Sun:
You strongly identify with each other and are very much alike in important ways. It is easy for you to be together because you do not have to explain yourselves to one another. An innate appreciation and understanding of one another's essence exists between you, and this is vitalizing and ego-affirming for both of you. However, you share the same flaws and weaknesses as well as the positive qualities, and you may find it difficult to be with someone who so clearly exhibits the very things you like least about yourself. The more you accept yourself, the more beneficial and delightful your relationship with one another is. (sailorstarsun's note: this is funny, since Atobe doesn't dislike anything about himself. .^^ )

Keigo's Sun Square Kunimitsu's Neptune:
You must guard against mutual deception and misunderstandings. Keigo tends to have an unrealistic view of Kunimitsu, and Kunimitsu has a tendency to unconsciously capitalize on Keigo's imaginative and often simply erroneous perceptions. The tendency to be dishonest, hide things from each other, exaggerate, and spur each other to unrealistic hopes and dreams is very strong. Both of you must be able to distinguish fantasy from fact, and utilize the increased sensitivity and heightened imagination that you inspire in each other, without letting it cloud your ability to clearly and realistically see other and understand each other. (....huh??? .o.o )

GokuMew2

....... What sailorstarsun said. .^^;; That pretty much sums it up, though there's only one thing I disagree with what she said: No on Oshitari x Atobe. (It's because she's an Oshitari x Gakuto fan.) I actually don't mind it. If Atobe were to be paired with someone else besides Tezuka, I would pick Oshitari. Not a fandom I truly support like Tezube, but it's okay and Oshitari is damn hot too. .^^ (Uh, not as much as Atobe, mind you.)

sailorstarsun

Oshitari x Gakuto is the purest love of all!!  ::attacks::  Rawr!!  ::chews on GM2's leg::

...... Well, ok...actually they're kinda...the furthest thing from 'pure'.....  But still!  =E