Disclaimer: I do not own Free! nor any of the characters. I do not make any money from writing my stories.
A/N Hello everyone, this is my first Free! fanfiction. For now it's rated T, but I'm planning it to be rated M for next chapters (yup, I'm naughty). Chapters will be rather short, I usually picture something in my head as a particular scene and then write it down, that's why they just can't be too long. However, I'll try posting as often as I can. English isn't my mother tongue, so please don't kill me for possible grammar errors. :) Reviews are greatly appreciated!
Breaking the wall
Chapter 1 - Free
"Are you busy after training?"
Makoto turned his head to face his friend. He smiled warmly at him, pulling down his pants. They were going to practice, already changing into swimming trunks.
"Not really. What's going on?" - he asked, staring into deep blue eyes. Haru shrugged.
"I just wanted to talk. I think I need your advice. How about some coffee, then? So we can sit and talk in peace." - he asked quietly, uncertainly.
"Sure, Haru. You can always count on me." - Makoto replied, still smiling.
"Okay, then. I'll wait for you outside the changing room after we finish."
"Thanks" - Makoto nodded his head as waitress brought them their beverages, and smiled. As usual. He looked Haru in the eyes. - "You wanted to talk. It's Rin, isn't it?"
Haru's eyes went wide in surprise. - "How do you know?"
Makoto chuckled. - "Please, Haru. It couldn't be more obvious. The way your voice lowers when he's around, how you blush when your eyes meet his, and how you stare speechlessly at him swimming. We've been friends like, for ages, Haru, I'd be dumb as hell if I didn't noticed it."
Haruka averted his eyes, blushing. - "I never thought it was that obvious… Did anyone beside you noticed it, too?"
"Um, sort of… we all did?"
"…Damn." - Haru blushed even more, his face looking as if it would explode any second.
"Come on, Haru. It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I'm happy for you." - blonde patted his shoulder in a comforting gesture. With smile, obviously. Haru cursed under his breath.
"Well, I'm not. I've known Rin for half of my live, we've been friends, then rivals, then friends AND rivals… How do you imagine me to go to him and say what, 'Hey, Rin, you know what? I'm gay and I'm in love with you'? This is ridiculous…" - dark - haired boy hid his face in his hands - "…I'm just scared I'd lose him if I confessed my feelings…"
"You really care for him, don't you?" - Makoto asked, placing his hand over Haru's shoulder and rubbing it gently.
"Like for nothing in the world…" - Haruka admitted and sighed deeply.
"If you want something, just go and get it. It's the only way to be free, Haru."
"Free." - shorter swimmer repeated, deep in thoughts. - "Free…"
"Can I get you guys anything else?" - the waitress asked, making Haruka jump on his seat.
"Thanks, we'll be going anyway" - Makoto replied, nodding his head to Haru. He nodded back, then they stood up and headed to the exit. They were walking in complete silence as Haru suddenly stopped.
"Makoto… Thank you. I really needed it." - he spoke, his blue eyes locked on his friend's green ones.
"That's what friends are for, Haru. I'm here for you every time you need me." - Makoto smiled brightly, putting his arms around shorter friend and hugging him. Haru's eyes shot wide in shock, but he reciprocated the hug. - "And talk to Rin, the sooner the better."
"Yeah… Thanks once again. See you tomorrow."
"See you, Haru. Take care."
"Hey, onii-chan? What's wrong?" - Gou asked his older brother with concern visible on her face. Rin stood still, unable to make a move. It took him a while to snap out of it.
"Ugh… It's nothing. Let's go, we're already late." - he murmured, not wanting to talk about it at the moment.
"You sure? You look pale, Rin." - she stepped forward, watching him carefully.
"I said it's nothing. Let's go." - she didn't notice it, but Rin did. He's seen enough. He saw Haru and Makoto walking together, just two of them, and hugging. They hugged. Makoto encircled Haru with his arms and pulled him against himself, and Haru didn't fight back. He didn't mind it at all. Rin wasn't sure why, but the sight of them and memory of it itself caused something inside of him sting so badly he stopped breathing.
What is going on in my head…?
