Tears Don't Belong In The Ocean

by MillyRing

Makoto goes missing, and hasn't shown up in few weeks. Though the others believe he's dead, Haru cannot and will not let go. He goes to the one place where he always feels complete. Or can he, without Makoto? AU (Makoto never goes missing) and One Shot. General audiences may read, rated for non graphic yaoi boy x boy kiss at the end.

A short and sweet one shot for Haruka and Makoto.

Disclaimer: I don't own Free! or Haru or Makoto, though if I did, they would've kissed during that CPR scene. .

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"Makoto..." Haru said softly, clear blue eyes meeting the ocean, the ocean he'd loved so much. "Why?" Haruka choked with a sob, quickly looking around to make sure no one discovered he was here. The last thing he needed was sympathy. It would only remind him of Makoto.

Memories of the brunette filled his memory, and the navy blue haired teen found himself smiling fondly.

"Haru-chan!" Makoto said with mock accusation as he made to move his best friend from the bathtub. Haru rolled his eyes and held back a 'Drop the chan', standing up. "You keep bathing in your jammers!" Makoto said with actual frustration, though it was more cute than actual anger. Haru scoffed and walked into the kitchen.

"Haru?" Blank ocean eyes met surprised forest ones. "A-Aren't you going to change clothes first?" Haruka simply continued tying the white strings of his apron, restraining from smiling when he noticed Makoto blushing.

"Was it my fault?" Haru mumbled to himself, eyes wandering to the gorgeous sunset behind the ocean. "Could I have helped you?" He didn't even notice the way his voice cracked helplessly, the way his eyes began to water with unshed tears. He hadn't cried since 3rd grade. He hadn't cried since he met Makoto.

And for the first time since 3rd grade, tears flowed down Haruka Nanase's face as he stepped into the ocean. He threw off his clothes, glad he'd worn his jammers underneath his normal clothing as usual. The gladness faded when he remembered how Makoto would protest, saying he needed to wear normal underwear.

Haru jumped into the ocean, letting the cold and salty water envelope him, his own salty tears adding to the liquid. "I'm sorry Makoto..." He thought sadly as he swam around the ocean, free as a fish, yet tears still flowed. Popping out of the sea, Haruka still found tears glistening on his cheeks in the fading light.

"Haru..." Haruka's eyes lit up with hope, praying the one he was about to see was the one he needed most. Turning around, he saw Makoto standing there, also in his jammers. The taller boy lept in, swimming towards his best friend. Haru swam towards him as well. The two met 20 feet away from the beach, eyes meeting.

"Tears don't belong in the ocean, Haru." Makoto whispered before sealing Haru's with a kiss.