"Hnn?" Makoto blinked his eyes a few times, as he woke up to the loud drums of distant thunder. "Haru-chan?" he mumbled, and looked around. Haru's room was covered in darkness, and he let his eyes adjust. A light tapping of rain could be heard in the distance. Not feeling fully awake, he laid back down and sighed.

Makoto couldn't believe he was leaving for Tokyo in two days. He already found an apartment and checked out the university, so he wanted to spend his last few days with his friends. I'm glad Haru was finally able to find his dream. I need him to be alright before I leave. Makoto wasn't naïve. He knew they couldn't always be together, and he couldn't always stay beside him to Although, Haru's declaration didn't surprise him at all. Makoto knew that Haru was destined for better things in the world of swimming, and when given the chance, he can take the world by storm.

Makoto closed his eyes and shifted slightly onto his side. His eyes popped open when he felt a warm resistance pushing against his chest. Haru was curled into Makoto, breathing softly.

Heart drumming lightly, he whispered, "Are you still asleep, Haru?" Haru shifted and sighed contently. Makoto froze and tried to remember why Haru ended up here.

He remembered lying on Haru's bed, and excitedly telling him about university, and the special coaching program he was going to join next month. At some point, he must have dozed off, and Haru probably joined him when he got tired. Makoto glanced down at Haru, his heart still beating quicker than usual.

"I don't know if this is something to be happy about or not. You're sleeping so peacefully, close to me, but this situation is so despairing, it's laughable," Makoto sighed.

Haru and Makoto had known each other ever since they were young. They were always together, and it was rare to see one without the other. Haru was a necessity to Makoto, just as Makoto was an undeniable presence for Haru. They shared everything. Makoto was always there for Haru when Haru's parents would leave him alone for long periods of time, while they went on their business trips.

Then one day, Makoto noticed that Haru's hand felt a lot more warmer when he hauled him out of his bathtub, felling like tendrils of warmth were flowing through him. Makoto, who is usually very astute about his feelings, wasn't able to see this for what it was. Every time Haru was near, every touch they shared, would feel as warm as the sun.

At first, Makoto couldn't understand why he was feeling this way. His heart beat like a hummingbird's wings in his chest, and he began to dream of Haru. Haru in his dreams was so gentle, smiling so much more, eyes twinkling as they swam together. One night, Makoto dreamed of that night during the training camp where he nearly drowned, Haru kneeling over him worriedly, and tilting his head up to give CPR, to give breath, to save Makoto. Except, Makoto felt soft lips press gently against his, moving deliberately, sensing electricity jolt through him. That morning, Makoto realized exactly what his feelings towards Haru were.

He tried to slam the brakes on them. It's not that he was against feeling something for a man. It didn't matter to him – falling in love with a man or woman. He wasn't having a sexual orientation crisis. But this was Haru, his best friend. Surely, it's unacceptable to have these kind of thoughts? He wanted to avoid Haru until he could get it under control, but Makoto couldn't stop thinking about wanting Haru as more than a friend.

So, he decided to just push his feelings down and act as normally as he could with Haru and the others, which was made a lot easier because they were training extra hard every day.

Haru mumbled something similarly close to "Mackerel", jolting Makoto out of his thoughts. The rain had finally stopped, and all he could hear was the sound of water dripping. There was something safe and reassuring about this sound, and it let Makoto relax further into the mattress. He gazed at Haru's sleeping face, and pressed the length of his body a little closer to the warmth.

"Just stay asleep a little bit longer. Just stay in your dreams a little bit longer. I don't want to... I don't want to let go of you yet," Makoto breathed.

Makoto was all too aware his face was heating up rapidly. He hoped Haru couldn't feel the constant rhythm of his heartbeat. Makoto had been so anxious the last few days, thinking that he would never get a chance to have his feelings reciprocated. He's fine with that. There's no more swimming to distract them, but he's moving to Tokyo soon, so he doesn't have to be slammed with these feelings any longer.

All he wanted was to make Haru his, but he couldn't even consider the possibility. Being best friends is enough. Makoto exhaled.

"Haru? I like you," whispered Makoto into the silence of the room, closing his eyes "I've liked you for such a long time. I didn't want it to end up like this. I'm crossing the line and I know it's impossible." I wish you would return my feelings. Until then, this is enough.

Makoto's breathing slowed down, relieved with the weight off his chest, when he heard a quiet voice mumble "You should say stuff like that to my face."

(AN: Sorry for this cliff hanger, but I'm writing more, to see what direction I want to take this story.)