For all the MakoHaru fans!

Enjoy!

In His Own Time

Makoto blinked in surprise, he was sure they were making quite the scene. "Haru?" he asked uncertainly. They were on their way back to Haruka's house. Makoto always walked Haruka home. The idea of Haurka walking the streets alone made his skin prick up with goosebumps. It was It wasn't as if the raven haired teen was in any danger, but Makoto had an active imagination and would dream up scary thoughts about Haruka being kidnapped or walking into a manhole as he spaced out. It was more for his own peace of mind that he walked Haruka home.

It also had become his favorite part of the day.

So it was completely unexpected when Haruka shouldered him into the wall of the ramen shop up the street from his house. "Are you hungry?"

Haruka steady gaze bored into him. Makoto could see his blushing image reflected in Haruka's eyes. "Yeah," the shorter boy answered and before Makoto could ask a follow up question Haruka had leaned forward and placed his forehead on Makoto's chest.

"Haru?" Makoto asked failing to keep the surprise out of his voice.

"Hm." Haruka replied his voice muffled by Makoto's school jacket.

Makoto felt something slide down the side of his leg; he shivered as Haruka dropped his duffle bag onto the ground freeing his hand to wrap around to Makoto's back.

"Haru?" Makoto repeated unable to think of anything else. He assumed it was the right thing to say as Haru hummed and moved his head to look up at him.

"Mako."

"Yes?" He asked, his breathing coming in a small gasps as he was embraced by his short childhood friend.

"You smell nice." Haruka said, his cheeks red. "Like cholerine and salt water."

"Eh?" Makoto sighed all the tension fell out of him. He had forgotten to shower after practice. He figured he would when he got home after dropping Haru off.

So Haruka was only hugging him because he smelled like a pool. He should have known. The realization brought a smile to his face. His body shook as he tried to suppress his laughter. It didn't take long for his silent chuckling turned into him laughing out right while Haruka stared up at him with a soft grin.

"Thanks Haru, I needed a good laugh," Makoto thanked with a sigh. "We should get going. It's getting late."

"Okay," the raven haired swimmer agreed and stepped back, releasing Makoto.

Makoto leaned down and grabbed the strap of Haruka's duffle bag. "Here," he said holding it out for him to grab.

"Thank you." Haru said and shouldered the bag.

Makoto blinked at Haruka's words. Something about the way he said them made him sound like he was talking about something other than the bag. What is was Makoto couldn't say, but he figured if Haruka wanted him to know, he would tell him in his own time.

I am still learning how to write these guys, so it may be a while before anything I write for Free! is good. Thanks for reading.

Bramblerose4