The idea first came up on the way to Rei's house for a "study session". That's what Rei had called it. The words made Nagisa laugh. Rei ran beside the shorter blonde, and Nagisa seemed to be enjoying himself. The two ran the last stretch to Rei's house often.
"Rei-chan, what do you think of the swimming club so far?" Nagisa pipes up, his voice soft and ragged from the slight chill cutting into his throat.
"It's alright, I enjoy watching Haruka-senpai swim."
"I told you his swimming was beautiful!"
"You did. Makoto-senpai's swimming is beautiful, too. He doesn't seem to move as gracefully as Haruka-senpai, though. He's stronger."
"Mako-chan helped me a lot with my swimming!" Nagisa smiles.
"You're a beautiful swimmer, too. Not as graceful or strong as Haruka-senpai and Makoto-senpai, but still beautiful, you know, in your own way." Rei looks straight ahead, his cheeks the slightest hint of red.
"Really?" Nagisa's eyes lighten up and he chuckles, breathless.
"Well, yes. You're free-spirited, it shows in your swimming." Rei says.
"Ah! Thank you, Rei-chan! Hey, maybe tomorrow we can practice late and I can help you learn to swim!"
"I'd like that, yes, thank you." Rei then goes silent for the rest of the run, the two boys' breathing synchronizing, chests rising and falling with each little tap of a foot against the ground. Nagisa peeks over through bright, blonde hair just in time to see Rei push up his glasses. He laughs. Rei raises an eyebrow and looks at the shorter male quizzically.
"I think you do that to hide!" Nagisa snickers.
"They feel weird when they slip!" Rei protests, face flushing. Nagisa slows to a walk when Rei does. They normally walked the last stretch.
"I bet you look nice without your glasses."
"You've seen me without my glasses."
"No! Having your goggles on doesn't count!" Nagisa complains. He swiftly reaches over and swipes Rei's glasses, the coos in admiration. "Rei-chan has beautiful eyes!"
"Hey!" He blushes brightly, hiding his face. "Stop that and give those back!"
"I'm satisfied, don't worry." He hands Rei the glasses, and the taller, blue-haired boy promptly slips them back on. They continue to walk in silence, Nagisa humming cheerfully and swinging his arms. Rei watches the first year, a gentle smile playing across his lips. When they near Rei's house, they pick up the pace again, and Nagisa cheers when he steps on the welcome mat.
"Rei-chan! I beat you!"
"Yes, yes. No need to rub it in." Rei unlocks the door, and Nagisa slips off his shoes, setting them aside before running upstairs and laying across Rei's bed. Rei calls after him, taking off his own shoes and shutting the door behind him. He runs up the stairs and sits down. "Are you ready to study?" He pushes up his glasses.
"Nooooo..." Nagisa whines, huffing
"You said you sucked at it. Let me help." He pulls a book off of one of his bookshelves, flipping it open.
"Ehhhh, fine." He sits up and looks over the book with Rei. After a while of explaining stupid theories and confusing equations, Nagisa groans. He pushes his book off of his lap, letting it hit the bed with a light thud.
"Rei-chan knows a lot! I should go home, though. It's getting late!" Rei nods.
"Right. I'll see you tomorrow, Nagisa-kun," the more logical of the two said, standing to lead him outside.
"Okay! Bye!" He gives the other boy a quick hug and then races off to catch the next train to his house.
