Only water wore away at Haru's stony expression. In all weather, in all places, around all people, his face remained unmoved. His face and voice were equally blank whether confronted with a defeat or victory.
Nagisa had confidence that Haru was always smiling on the inside, but only water could reflect it.
He'd put together a swim club for Haru, then searched high and low for enough members that they could swim together. He'd snuck them into pools and encouraged him to swim even on chilly April days.
Because he wanted—needed—to make sure Haru got to be happy.
Waiting at the pool gate as Haru toweled off, he watched his unchanging expression, the unreadable eyes. Was he sad under there? Was there some small part of him that hurt—something that Nagisa couldn't make better?
"Hm?" Haru looked at him.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Nagisa mused. "Are you happy with me, Haru-chan? Are—are we okay?"
"Of course." Haru's face remained placid and untouched as the pool behind him.
"Okay…" Nagisa said, hesitating. He chewed on his lower lip and frowned. The words, I want to make you happy, didn't come out; they lodged in his chest.
Haru sighed, then fastened inscrutable eyes on him. "Why do you swim?"
"Huh?" Nagisa looked at the pool. "Well, it's fun. I get to spend time with the people I care about." And you're amazing to watch, he didn't add. I want you to always be as happy as you are in the water.
Haru walked up to him and gripped his shoulders. His eyes shone. "Then swim."
Before Nagisa could hold it in, laughter rose in his chest. "When you say it like that, it sounds almost like a proposal, Haru-chan!" Before he could pull back, Nagisa drew him into a hug. "That's what I love about you."
Haru patted Nagisa on the back. "You're always so energetic."
"I'm going interpret that as 'No one else appreciates water the way I do, and that's why I love you,' okay?" Nagisa twisted his head upward and grinned. Though Haru rolled his eyes, Nagisa could've sworn he caught a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Do as you like," Haru said. He stooped slightly to kiss the top of Nagisa's head. "Let's swim again tomorrow."
Nagisa beamed as relief and happiness flooded his chest. "It's a date!"