Pairing: MakoHaru

Warning: possible smut in future chapters

No empty Promises

[Prologue]

"I won't ever leave Haru-chan."

That was Makoto's promise when they were kids.

"I won't ever leave. I'll stay by your side. So please, don't look so sad."

Haru felt intense distaste at that statement. He wasn't stupid. There is no 'forever'.

That's nothing but an empty promise.

Besides, did Makoto think that he could replace Rin? Rin, who made his heart thump and ignited his spirit. Rin, who showed him that something he had never seen before. Rin, who left to study in Australia.

Haru clenched his fist, but loosened it soon after, when he felt warm arms wrap around him.

"I won't ever leave Haru-chan."

That did not reduce the pain from having Rin torn away from his life. You can't just replace someone important with another person and expect it to work out.

But Haru couldn't deny that Makoto's presence did provide an incredibly warm feeling to cover it up.

"...promise."

Haru didn't know why Makoto was so attached to him. It seemed quite natural for the brunette, but Haru could not see what was it about himself that was worth Makoto's admiration. He felt he was just a normal kid from a normal family.

Once, Makoto asked Haru to join the iwatobi swim club that was close to their neighbourhood.

"I don't want to." He replied with a straight face, without hesitation.

Makoto had seemed rather discouraged at that, and murmured something about not joining if Haru isn't going to.

Haru's eyebrows knitted together.

"Why?"

"It's meaningless without you."

Makoto was the only person Haru ever knew who had the audacity to say such things as if there was nothing strange about it.

Those words had made Haru quite embarrassed, even though Makoto tilted his head in confusion when Haru frowned at him, having no idea at all what was wrong.

Makoto was always around Haru. Hanging around him in school, after school, and on weekends. Haru didn't really mind it, since his company was always filled with warmth, it felt comfortable, so he did not oppose it.

Unknowingly, Haru had grown quite attached to Makoto as well as years passed by. With Makoto always by his side, it felt as if he was being made complete. A cheerful friend who'd make an effort to understand him, even when everyone else leaves him be.

If Makoto was serious about the promise he made about never leaving his side, then that'd be great.