(Haru's POV)

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Haru stared at Makoto longingly from across the pool. The taller boy was discussing some sort of training regimen or something with Gou. Makoto's brows furrowed in concentration at whatever the two were talking about. Haru knew the expression well, but then again, Haru could easily picture all of Makoto's expressions in his mind, all matching a certain emotion or message. Haru's eyes wandered to Makoto's legs. When had he gotten so tall? When they were kids, they were almost the same size, but now it seemed that Makoto just kept growing and growing while Haru was quite sure that he was going to be stuck with his annoyingly short height forever. Not to mention that Makoto's swimsuit hugged his muscles way too well, emphasizing his sculpted calves.

Haru knew he was too far gone when he glanced to Makoto's broad shoulders, imagining the rippling back muscles being shrouded by his Iwatobi jacket. That messy olive-brown hair that complimented him so well, his beautiful, angelic laugh that Haru could listen to forever, that self sacrificial, kind heart, those emerald green eyes staring at him-

Haru almost jumped out of his skin when he finally realized Makoto was staring back at him. How long had Makoto been watching him?! Makoto tilted his head to the side with one of those heart melting, cavity inducing, signature smiles. His eyes just seemed to radiate love and affection and all things pure; Haru's brain couldn't handle it all at once and tried to pretend like it didn't happen, like it was just a figment of his imagination. He looked away to the side, trying hopelessly to act like he hadn't just been staring at his best friend. He avoided the green eyes that were surely watching the blush creeping down his neck and his mortified blue eyes. Almost on cue, Haru heard a tiny, muffled giggle matching the expression Haru imagined that Makoto wore right now, and it wasn't a mocking one, it was affectionate.

Haru huffed and moved to the edge of the pool, regretting letting himself indulge on watching Makoto like a stalker, and wishing he had just dived in as soon as they got there. He was just about to dive in when he felt a hand circle around his arm, stopping him from proceeding. He shot a glare at the red haired detainer. Rin wore such a smug, annoying grin that Haru rolled his eyes. He was already starting to regret these joint practices between Iwatobi and Samezuka.

"Let go." Haru said harshly. After such an embarrassment, all he wanted was to feel the calming water against skin and pretend this never happened.

Rin just chuckled and shook his head. "You thought you were so slick! You two are so clueless. Just get married already!"

Haru's eyes widened in shock and he felt his cheeks warm up. Rin saw that?! Was it that noticeable?! Haru groaned internally; If Rin had noticed his display of affection, then how many others had? He just hoped Nagisa hadn't seen him; He'd never hear the end of it.

Rin broke out into a loud guffaw. "You're blushing!"

"Shut up. I came here to swim." Haru tried to push Rin away, to no avail. Upper body strength wasn't really his strong suit.

"Are you sure? Seems like you came to check out your boyfriend." Rin was still grinning.

"I said be quiet, asshole! I think your mouth would be put to better use by your boyfriend." Haru spitefully shot back.

Rin's grip on his arm eased up a little and his face reddened, almost matching his fiery hair. "Son of a-"

Haru didn't let him finish. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to swim." He returned to a diving position before he felt Rin grip his arm again.

"Wait! Wait! That's not what I meant to talk to you about, I'll admit, I deserved that one." The red eyed boy was chuckling slightly.

"Then say it." Haru was growing very impatient. He was wasting precious time that could be better spent in the water.

"Seriously... When are you going to confess to Makoto? I can't stand watching you two, I mean, it's gotten annoyingly obvious! You just need to fucking make a move!"

Haru glared for what he felt like the millionth time today. "It's none of your business, Rin. And if it's so easy, then why haven't you done it with Sousuke?"

Rin used his free hand to scratch the back of his neck and dropped his voice a little lower, blush consuming his face. "I-I don't like him like that..."

It was an obvious lie.

Haru scoffed without humor. "Right. Now let go."

"Damn, Haru! Listen to me! If you don't make a move now, then what's gonna happen at the end of this year when he goes to college? What if he finds someone else-"

Haru already began to picture that stupid cotton candy haired idiot and couldn't bear to hear any more. "Makoto would never do that! If you don't plan to do anything with Sousuke, then don't put pressure on me! Now shut up and let me swim!"

Rin was quite sure he had struck Haru's final nerve, so he tried to be concise. "Can you just let me talk?! The point is that you need to get your shit together and do something! He's not going to sit around and wait for you forever!"

Both of them knew probably wasn't true. Makoto was the type that was just patient like that; And he didn't give up on things that were important to him, especially not friends, or... lovers?

"You have no idea what you're talking about! What about you? Quit telling me what to do when you don't even know what to do for yourself!"

Rin flashed a shark toothed grin. The kind he only used when he was fired up or thought of a devilish plan. "Is that so? Then let's have a pact. We both confess by the end of this year."

"I don't need your help! It'll happen whenever it happens, and I don't need you screwing things up!"

Rin shrugged. "Fine. Don't come crying to me when you find Makoto and Kisumi f-"

Haru did not care to find out what he would find Makoto and Kisumi doing, in fact it made him want to throw up. He would NOT let that happen. He just needed to swim and forget about it all, and something finally snapped inside of him. "Fine! Now let me go!"

Rin wore a smug expression at his triumph. "Alright, but I'm going to hold you to your promise." Rin released Haru's arm and the raven haired boy immediately jumped into the water.

Haru sighed in relief at the feeling of his entire body immersed in the soothing liquid. Everyday before he started training, he would leisurely let his fingers glide through the water for a while, admiring the calming sensation. It was such a relief from the stupid antics Rin spewed into his mind.

People always thought Haru was so strange, always hiding away in the water, but to him, it made perfect sense.

The water didn't judge him.

The water calmed him.

The water didn't leave him.

The water provided refuge.

The water was a constant in his life.

People came and went, but water was always there for him.

But more importantly, Makoto.

Makoto showed him the beauty of water.

Makoto always understood him, without him even having to say anything.

Makoto gave him unconditional love and support no matter what.

Makoto was a constant in his life.

And it was Makoto who he was desperately in love with.

Makoto was more important than water, without a doubt.

But Haru felt deeply disturbed at what Rin had just said. The thought had always been lurking in the back of his mind, but he always suppressed it. But then Rin came along and slapped it front and foremost in his face.

Makoto could leave.

He wasn't like the water.

He had a mind and dreams of his own.

Makoto might not love him that way.

Haru sighed. Damn Rin. He didn't want to think about that anymore. His late grandmother always said that fate is fate and whatever happens, happens. There is nothing anyone can do to change it. He sighed again. Surely it was he and Makoto's fate to be together. It was like they were made for each other; It was natural. Surely.

Haru quickly snuck a glance at Makoto out of the corner of his eye and was taken aback to see that Makoto was staring at him too.

But it wasn't the usual adoring Makoto stare that always watched Haru swimming, silently conveying a message of admiration. There was something else present... Haru racked his brain, trying to find an emotion that fit Makoto's expression, and realized that Makoto wore this face far too often last year, usually when he didn't think Haru was looking. It was something more like... Sadness? Worry? Exhaustion?... Jealousy?

Haru found this particularly infuriating. Was Makoto hiding something? And he wasn't telling Haru? But the part that bothered him the most was that he couldn't figure it out himself like he usually could, just from reading his face, or hearing his voice.

Something was horribly wrong here.

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Next chapter: Little Things