I feel the harsh tug of love, moving closer to him, feeling the way his hair moves softly through my fingers as I see the look in his eyes.

They don't say much; those blue eyes don't tell me to stop or to go on yet I lean closer anyway.

I move closer, feeling those old feelings like dust brushed away to be alive again as I lean in closer, wondering if it's too soon as I step closer or whether this will change how we've always been.

He leans closer towards me by just enough to light my heart up in my chest as I move even closer and hope that I don't ruin us by claiming a kiss here and now, feeling those hands on my waist that try to make sure that we're both steady.

I breathe him in, tasting chlorine and water that so easily clings to his tongue as I feel the slight pull that draws me in, makes me feel as if he is strong enough to take me in, and keep me safe.

Haruka leans in further, and I wonder if he misses the taste of water on his tongue or if he's too far apart from me yet I press closer, pretending to ignore those worries.

I feel safer here, and I don't know how to really explain that to my family or our friends; will they understand that Haru soothes a part of me that I'd never realized had spiraled nearly out of control.

I feel stronger in his arms as if I still hold an element of my manager status here though I know that I've given that power over to him so many times before as I know I've surrendered that for these moments together yet I feel stronger being able to do that much.

I breathe as he pulls away, and I don't open my eyes then; I can't as I already feel tears prick my eyes despite not being as prone to overemotional reactions like Rin is.

I still feel my heart respond in my chest and the way Haru's lips felt on mine; I've never imagined that a first kiss would feel like this: stolen, quiet, thoughts racing, and yet still place a longing somewhere in my chest.

I smile as I push my hair out of my eyes from where it fell as I open my eyes to see Haru still so close to me; I could reach out and touch his arms, feel the pulse that if it was like mine, jumping forward, fast.

Haru still looks as if it could be any other moment yet I can see that sparkle in his eyes as if he'd spotted water though I know enough to not look around for it. I'm here in front of him, and there isn't any water next to us.

I can't voice the feelings that push at my veins yet, knowing that it's still too soon as I smile up at him, and I know that he'll understand what I feel even before I find the courage to say it.

I step back and lace our fingers together, feeling brave enough to face our friends and tell them that we're together now.