A/N: So this is another Free! Story because I really am in love with that show. This time its a bit of a less-popular pairing. That's right! Nitori and Seijuuro. I don't know why but I find these two adorable. I actually like Rin x Nitori, but I feel that this would work better. And then of course Rin can be with Haru. And we all know how I feel about those two 3

This will be some guy x guy stuff. So if you don't like yaoi then leave.

Hope those of you who like this stuff enjoy!

Swimming For Senpai

Aiichiro Nitori liked to admire what he couldn't have.

Rin and Haru's relationship was just another one of those things.

It wasn't like it was a secret that he had a major crush on Rin. Ever since the two met he just really liked him. He was an amazing swimmer and immediately was someone that Nitori looked up to. Eventually, that admiration he felt for Rin grew into attraction. An attraction that killed him.

While Rin was happy to be a friend and mentor to Nitori, Rin didn't like him that way. He was dating Haru, and Nitori could see that Haru made him so amazingly happy. And if Rin was happy, then he could be happy for him.

Deep down though, Aiichiro Nitori longed to make someone feel that way. He wanted a boyfriend who would hold him close and whisper cute things in his ear. Someone to adore him. Someone to make him happy when he was sad. Someone to love him.

He figured that he could wait until he finally met that person. He was used to waiting anyway. But Aiichiro Nitori wouldn't be waiting much longer.

Seijuuro Mikoshiba was tall, good looking, and smart. He also happened to be the captain of the Samezuka Academy Swim Team. That in itself was usually enough to be able to get anyone he really wanted. But Seijuuro didn't want just 'anybody.' There was a very special and adorable gray haired first year he had his eyes set on. It was hard liking him though. The way Nitori seemed to drool over Rin upset him. 'Why can't he notice me instead of him?' He thought to himself.

However, being the captain came with it's perks. He got to study every movement of Nitori's toned body, even if it was from afar. And when you study something for a long period of time, you start to notice patterns. When those patterns are disrupted, you know somethings up. Recently, Seijuuro had noticed some time decreases in Nitori's races. He wondered if maybe the boys thoughts for Rin were taking a toll on his ability to perform in the pool. So one day after practice, he decided it was best to ask him about it.

Seijuuro waited until mostly everyone had left the pool after practice. Nitori usually stayed a bit longer than the others due to the fact he was a bit behind. Seij thought it also might be because he needed time to himself to think. Water was a very relaxing and calming thing when you really looked at it. Seij often found himself sitting in his shower at home for hours lost in thought.

Nitori was just about to dive into the lane closest to Seijuuro when the red haired teen called out, "Hey! Nitori!" The first year stopped his motion on the kickoff platform and turned around. He was slightly surprised to see that it was Seij who had called his name.

After hopping down off the pedestal and pulling his goggles from his face, Nitori walked back over to his captain.

"Yes Seij?" He asked, water still dripping from his chest and hair. Seijuuro silently made a note at how hot Nitori looked like that. But he pushed those thoughts aside for now.

"As captain of this swim team, it's my responsibility to keep track of out times and records. Your recent times have been less and less than your average. Is there a reason for that?" Seij questioned lightly. He didn't want to scare Nitori so bad that he refused to trust him, but he needed to get his information.

"I'm not really sure really. I've got a lot on my mind I guess." Came his reply. 'So that confirms that suspicion.' Seji thought silently.

"Is everything alright? Do you want to talk about it?" The captain asked. Nitori shrugged.

"I don't think you'd understand honestly. Not to be rude or anything!" He added quickly. 'How wrong you are.' Seji thought. Then he decided now was as good a time as ever to play the Rin card.

"Is it about Rin?"

Nitori froze slightly. His eyes darted to Seij and then down to the floor.

"W-What about Rin?" He stuttered nervously. Seij smirked slightly and gave Nitori a serious look.

"I think you know what I'm talking about. I've seen how you stare at him during practice. The way you admire him and everything he does. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has crushes." Seijuuro told him softly. 'Including me.' He thought silently.

Nitori decided that there was no point in faking it any longer. With a heavy sigh and a sad look up at Seij he said, "It's so hard though. Because he and that Haru kid are so in love now that it feels like I'll never have a chance with him. I've never liked anyone as much as I like Rin-Senpai."

Seijuuro decided it was best if they continued this conversation somewhere else. Looking around, there were still a few people left at the pool. He didn't want them happening to walk past the two and overhear something they shouldn't.

"Do you have a while? I've been wanting to talk to you about this. But not here." Seijuuro asked him. Nitori shrugged and nodded.

"Good, follow me then."

Nitori did as was asked and followed the taller teen, falling back a few feet. He wondered why Seij was being so nice to him. It made him...happy, and he wasn't complaining. Maybe this was just what captains do. Or maybe he really cared about him.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at a courtyard in the central area of the academy. It was late, and the sun was setting far off in the distance. Practice had been late that day, and that might have played a part in why Seijuuro chose that day specifically to talk to Nitori.

The red haired teen took a seat on one of the benches and sighed. Nitori silently sat down next to him. No one said anything for a few minutes. This was basically the time to confess his feelings, but Seijuuro was unsure of what to say. He didn't fear rejection though. If Nitori didn't like him, he didn't like him. But that didn't mean he wasn't hoping he did.

"I think I understand your problem Nitori." He said finally. The gray haired teen looked up in surprise.

"Is it about that girl you like? I think her name is Gou or something like that?" He asked. However, Seijuuro shook his head and smiled sadly.

"No, although that's what a lot of people think. I actually also happen to have a crush on a boy."

Now Nitori was really surprised. He didn't understand why Seij was telling him all this. It made no sense. Unless...

"Who is it Senpai?" He tilted his head curiously. But Seijuuro shook his head.

"Tell you what. If you can get your time back up to where it was, I'll tell you. We can meet back here in one week. If you haven't improved, then I can't tell you. Fair enough?" The idea had struck him while they had been walking. If Nitori really cared about finding out who his crush really was, he would show it in the pool this next week. There was a tournament coming up soon, and this was a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

"I think that's fair. I'll try keeping my mind off Rin-Senpai, okay?" He agreed. Seij smiled down at him and nodded. In that brief moment however, Nitori noticed how the sun reflected perfectly off Seijuuro's golden eyes. He couldn't help but thing how beautiful the older teen was.

"I'm heading back now. Be in your dorm before dark." The red haired captain said as he stood up and began walking off, leaving Nitori all by himself.

He sat alone and thought for a while after that. There was a lot to think about. First came the fact that he wasn't doing so well on the swim team. He needed to make improving his times the number one priority. In the back of his mind though was the opportunity to learn who Seijuuro's crush was. Now, while he never really considered them to be excellent friends, Seij had clearly noticed something had been wrong with him. For whatever reason, Seijuuro cared about him.

Nitori sighed, stood up, and began walking back. There really was too much going on right now. He was trying to focus on swimming but Rin and Seij kept keeping him from doing so. Rin was obviously never going to go out with him. But that wasn't really his fault. He couldn't help who people fell in love with. As for Seij, he wondered why the swim captain was telling him so much. Nitori briefly wondered if the person Seij liked was himself. It might explain why he was so concerned with Nitori improving his time. Of course, that also might have been because he was the captain. Once again, the first year sighed in frustration. There was so much to think about, and he needed a break. A good nights sleep would surely help.

When he opened the door to his room however, Rin wasn't there. There was note on the bottom bunk, however. He picked it up and began reading.

'Nitori! I'm out with Haru tonight. Please don't tell Seijuuro! I'll be back in the morning before school, I promise. Thanks! -Rin'

Nitori sighed in frustration and threw the note away. It was just another reminder that he couldn't be with Rin. Just another way for him to know that his affection wasn't returned. As he drifted off into sleep though, one more confusing thought drifted into his tired mind.

'Maybe I don't need Rin to like me back. Maybe Seijuuro is doing it for him.'

Well first chapter done. I actually wasn't planning to make this a multi-chaptered piece. But I haven't written an actual story in so long. So I think that's what this is going to be.

I'll skim for errors tomorrow. Just wanted to get this out there for now.

Please follow and review! They make me so happy!

-SSR