Author's note: Hey, guys! It's been a while since I wrote something and I finally have time to do so. I decided to write a new fanfiction, dedicated to Rei and Nagisa from Free! anime. I love them so much and I think they are perfect for each other. :D I initially planned to write it as a one shot, but then it will probably have two or three chapters. I sketched it long time ago and now I'm just developing it. :) I apologize if the title is a bit cheesy, but for some reason I always have hard time thinking of a title and this was the best I could think of that fits the story plot. :)

Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes and if the characters are a bit OOC.

Warning: This is yaoi, which means boyxboy. If you don't like it, please don't read!

Disclaimer: I do not own Free! Iwatobi swim club, nor any of the characters, they belong to Koji Oji.

'Inner thoughts'

I hope you'll enjoy reading and that you'll like it! :D

Love, Shiori

Their high school life was coming to an end. In two weeks, they will have their graduation ceremony and they will get their diplomas. But before that they have entering exams at the Universities they choose. Rei was packing his stuff, because he is leaving for Tokyo tomorrow to take exams. He didn't tell Nagisa or anyone from their swimming club. Once he gets the results, he will let them now. Once he was sure that he packed everything, he sat down at his desk and opened his book. He had to go over the lessons to make sure he knows it all. Even though he is sure that he does, there's no harm in reading it spent two hours repeating it and then decided to go to sleep. It was already late and he had to get up early, so he wanted to make sure he slept well.

The morning came and Rei got ready quickly, making sure he packed everything he needed. He went to the train station and soon his journey to the University begun. After a few hours he got there and he went in with all other applicants. He has finished his exercises before everyone else and he was certain that it was all right. Rei went through all of this lessons so many times that he knew them by heart, there was no way that he would fail. When they announced that the time's up, professor collected their papers and they were finally allowed to do leave. When he got on the train, he turned his phone on and saw that he had three missed calls from Nagisa and also five messages.

Nagisa wanted to know where he was and why he was not answering his calls or messages, he said he even went to his apartment, but he didn't open the door, so he was worried. It was so like Nagisa to worry so much. He texted Nagisa that he'll be home around six o'clock and that he will call him, once he arrives and tell him everything, also to not worry.

At six o'clock, there was a knock on Rei's door. He has just got back, maybe twenty minutes ago and still didn't unpack his books. He opened the door and wasn't surprised to see angry Nagisa standing there.

"Hey."

"Hey.", Nagisa said back.

"Come in, Nagisa.", Rei motioned for him to come in and Nagisa did as he was told. He went to Rei's room and sat on his bed.

"So, what's going on, Rei?", he asked him. "You were all mysterious lately."

"Alright. I wasn't really planning to tell you until I got a response, but I've applied for the University in Tokyo. Today, I had entering exams and that's why I wasn't at home when you came and why I didn't pick up my phone.", Rei answered.

Shock was evident on Nagisa's face. He knew that Rei was smart and intelligent, he also remember that Rei once mentioned how he would like to go to study in Tokyo, but now, all of that became reality. If he gets in, and Nagisa didn't doubt he will, he will go away, they won't be able to hang out as they used to, they won't be able to see each other as often as they to now and he didn't like it. He knew it was selfish, this way of thinking, he knew that it will be a shame for Rei not to use his smartness and intelligence, to not take this chance and try accomplish his dreams. Nagisa knew all of that, but he couldn't shake the feeling of not wanting to be apart from Rei for so long.

"Nagisa.", Rei called his name.

He was a bit baffled by his lack of response. He was expecting him to start yelling for keeping this from him, but there was nothing, he was just sitting there, staring at him, quiet.

"Why didn't you tell me, Rei?"

"Because I didn't know how the exams would go."

"Bullshit.", Nagisa's voice was harsh. "We both know there's no was that you'll fail, that's simply not like you. You will most certainly pass."

Nagisa was right. He knew that there's no way that he's not going to pass. Then why didn't he tell them, why didn't he tell him, since he was the one the closest to him?

"Do you not trust me that much?"

"Of course I trust you and you know that."

"Then why?", Nagisa asked again.

Rei was once again quiet. He actually had feeling for him. He loved him and he knew that Nagisa loved him, too. It was obvious, just none of them every said it clearly. Was it because he didn't want to hurt him? Rei was sure that Nagisa was hurt even more by this action and that was not what he wanted. There was a moment when he was having second thoughts about this, but he decided to still persue his dream, even if it meant being apart from the one he loved. Nagisa's laughing brought him back to from his thoughts.

"Rei, you really like to make this complicated, when there's no need for it. I will forgive you this time, but don't ever do something like this. At least, tell me if you don't want to tell others. Okay.", he was smiling.

"Okay.", Rei smiled, too.

"When will you get the results?"

"They said that we'll get them in a week."

"That's good, you don't have to wait for too long and we already know that you're in."

"I guess so. Did you apply for any college, or university?"

"Nope, I'm still not sure what I want to do, so I'll take a break for a year."

"Oh, well, I guess that's fine. You'll have time to think and you won't regret going somewhere you don't like."

"That's true."

They kept talking for hours, not only about their future, but all other things. It was around ten o'clock when Nagisa stood up from the bed and said he had to go home.

"I'll walk you to the station.", Rei said, putting his sneakers on.

"There's no need. I think you should rest, you've had a long and exhausting day.", Nagisa said, grinning.

"But I don't really mind, I'm not that tired."

"It's okay, Rei. I know you're a workaholic, but just rest."

"Haaa, alright, alright.", Rei gave up, there was no point in arguing over that. Nagisa opened the door and before stepping outside, he waved to Rei.

"Bye, see you."

"Bye."

As Nagisa closed the door, in that same moment his eyes welled up with tears. He was holding himself back all that time and now was safe to let it all show. He had to be strong and support Rei in his decision. It is not a bad one and it's the best for him, so he, as his best friend, had to be there for him and had to be wiped his tears away and walked to the station. He got home quickly, he didn't live to far away from Rei, so it didn't take him long. Once he was at his house, he took a shower and went straight to bed.

After Nagisa left, Rei took a bath and went to bed. He was trying to fall asleep, but he couldn't. Even though Nagisa was smiling, there was something off about it. He couldn't tell exactly what, but it was there. Rei didn't ask anything, because he knew that if Nagisa wanted him to know and if there really was something, he would tell him. That's why he decided to just let it go.

A week passed quickly and when Rei got home from school, there was a letter in his mail box. He took the letter, went inside, opening it. It was from the University. As he expected he got in, he is one step closer to achiving his dream. He took his phone and texted Nagisa, telling him that he's made it in. He replied in an instant, saying his congratulation, how happy he was for him. Rei smiled.

After their graduation ceremony, came summer holiday. Nagisa and Rei made a deal to spend as much time possible, because they won't see each other for so long. They usually went swimming together, that's what they liked to do the most, then went for runs in the morning and in the evening they would either go somewhere to eat, or they would stay indoors, watching a movie. That's how their days went and before they knew it, summer holiday was over. For them it happened in the blink of an eye, especially for Nagisa. He wanted more time, but knew it was impossible. Rei was supposed to leave in two day and he promised him that he will help him pack and see him off.

"Have you packed everything? You didn't forget something?"

Rei looked around. His apartment was completely bare, everything was in card boxes, it didn't feel like home anymore.

"Yes, I think I packed everything. Thanks for helping me out, Nagisa.", he gave his friend a soft smile, which Nagisa returned.

"You're welcome. It's so weird like this."

"You're right. I can't believe I'm leaving this place."

Nagisa noticed that Rei seemed sad. He still spent his high school life here, it was his home for years.

"Well, that's why you've been working so hard until now. To be able to go to Tokyo University. You should be proud of yourself.", Nagisa put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, trying to cheer him up.

"That's true.", smile was back on Rei's face and Nagisa felt his stomach twist.

He has always loved Rei's smile. He pushed the negative thoughts out of his head and decided to enjoy this little time he had. They chatted for a while longer and then Nagisa left.

Rei checked once more, to make sure he really had everything packed and then went to bed. He was exhausting. The entire day he was just putting things in the boxes, moved them around and so on. He really needed some sleep and rest. Tomorrow morning the people will come to take his boxes and in the evening he is leaving himself, so he wanted to make sure that he is well rested and not sleep deprived.

At 6:30 people from the moving company came to pick up his boxes. Once they were gone, he made breakfast for himself and for Nagisa, because he was supposed to come soon. Rei kept looking at his watch. It was unusual for his friend not to show up, when he said he would. He kept on waiting and then after a while he got a message. Nagisa was apologizing, saying that he won't be able to come to his place this morning, but he will definitely be there to see him off. That was a relief, he didn't want to leave before seeing him one more time. He changed from his pajamas into the clothes he'll be wearing for the trip and sat on his bed, taking a book, he left to have to read on the train and started reading it now. There was really nothing much he could do and this seemed like the best idea to pass time.

It was three in the afternoon when Nagisa came.

"Yo, Rei.", he let himself in and went to his friend, sitting down on the floor.

"Hey.", Rei greeted his friend.

"You're reading a book? If you read it all now, you won't have anything to read on the train."

"Actually, there's another book I also left, just in case.", he pulled it out of his backpack and waved it in front of Nagisa, who just pouted.

"I have something for you, Rei.", Nagisa put a hand in his pants pocket and pulled out a small wrapped box.

"What is this?", Rei took it from his hand and opened it. Inside was a dark blue bracelet, that had initials of all of the members of the swimming club. He was surprised to see it at first, but then smiled.

"Do you like it?"

"I do. You didn't have to do this, Nagisa.", Rei said, smiling.

"I know, but I wanted to. This way you won't forget us, while you're there."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome.", Nagisa grinned.

They sat down to eat lunch and then slowly, Rei picked his stuff, checking once again that he didn't forget anything. Before he closed the door of his apartment, he looked inside one more time.

'I'm really going to miss this place.'

They walked in silence to the station, getting there early. Nagisa was sitting next to him, on the bench and he was just looking somewhere in the distance. This was the first time Rei have seen him so deep in thought. In that time, Nagisa was debating if he should confess. Would it be weird to tell him now, of all times, that he loves him, that he's going to miss him like crazy, once he's gone. He wanted to tell him that he fell in love with him the moment he saw him. Wouldn't it just burden him if he said it now?

'I better keep that to myself. There no point in telling anything now.'

He turned around to look at his crush, seeing that he was looking at him worried. Noticing that, Nagisa smiled wildly.

"Are you excited, Rei?"

Rei nodded his head.

"Then act a bit more excited! Don't be so depressed. We are going to text each other and call each other, it's not like you're going to be on the other side of the world."

"You're right, Nagisa. You're right.", this was the first time, since they arrived at the station that Rei smiled, which made Nagisa feel a huge relief.

His eyes fell on the bracelet on his friends wrist.

'It looks good on him.'

"The train will be arriving in five minutes.", he said, standing up from the bench.

"Okay.", Nagisa stood up as well and went to stand next to Rei.

He looked up at him and could see that the tears started to gather once again, but he held them back. He is not going to cry now, he can't let Rei see him cry, it will upset him. As he heard the train at the distance, his chest tightened. Nagisa took in deep breaths, in order to calm himself down.

'It's alright, Nagisa. You can do it, he is not going away forever.'

The train stopped in front of them and opened the door. Rei turned around to face Nagisa and hugged him, tightly. Nagisa was taken by surprise, but he still hugged him back just as tightly, burring his face in Rei's shoulder. Something in his stomach was twisting and turning that he even thought that he's going to throw up. They let go and looked into each others eye.

"Have a safe trip and text me once you get there, okay?"

"Thanks, I will."

There was a small silence and then Rei walked inside the train.

"Goodbye, Nagisa.", he waved to him.

"Goodbye, Rei.", he waved back.

When the train doors finally closed, Nagisa allowed his tears to spill out. They were streaming down his face uncontrollably. He was wiping them away, but they just kept on coming.

Before Rei went to his seat and train started moving, he looked through the window and was shocked. Nagisa was standing there crying. His own chest felt heavy and he thought that he'll cry, too. He's never seen his friend like that and it was hard. He knew that it will be hard for him, but he could never imagine it will be that hard. And now it was harder for him as well. Rei has hurt the one he loves, he was leaving him, all his smiles and trials to cheer him up, were cover for what he really felt.

Suddenly, Nagisa looked at his direction. Seeing that Rei was looking at him, he put a smile on his face. Rei could take it no more and he turned his back to him.

"Nagisa...", he said quietly.

He brought his hand up to his cheeks and touched them. They were wet, he was also crying.

"What an idiot I am."

End note: Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! :D