Disclaimer: This is an M rated story, not meant for anyone under the age of 18- it will involve adult content. This is a fanfiction based off of the anime Free! and it is based around the main characters of the show, no original characters. The adult content featured here is male on male/homosexual, if that offends you, then please take note of that and don't read it.

Chapter 1: Surprise. . .?

Haru woke with a start, his body covered in a cold sweat. He was breathing hard, his heart was racing. That's the second nightmare this week... Haru thought to himself, stretching his arms above his head as he lay in bed. Thankfully it was a Saturday, and waking up and getting to school wouldn't be a problem today. He did, in fact, have plans though. Makoto wanted to meet up with him and swim for a while at their school's pool. Friday afternoon they had gotten permission to do so from Miss Ama-Chan.

The plans were all fine by him, but ever since the competition at nationals, Haru couldn't get his mind off Rin. He groaned and rolled over in bed. As if that was a surprise. He had yet to see or hear from him over the past couple weeks, but his friends had told him not to worry about it. Rin probably had a lot going on with the Samezuka swim team still. Even if nationals were over, swim season never was when they were graced with an indoor pool. A twinge of jealousy ran through Haru but he shook it off. He and his friends had put so much work into their own school's now redone pool, and Haru loved it-the instant access to the water to be... Free, swimming, one with the water around his body. Gliding.

Shoving back his blanket Haru swung his legs over the side of the bed, scratching his neck as he stood up. He trudged his way to the bathroom, pulling off his pajama bottoms in front of his tub, only to find that he wore his swimsuit to bed...Again. Shrugging, he ran the water for the tub to fill as he went about other morning routines, brushing his teeth, washing his face. Once the tub was full, Haru stepped in, still wearing his swim trunks. They felt more comfortable on his body than just bathing naked. It reminded him of swimming.

He sunk into the tub, ducking his head under the warm water, eyes closed, peaceful. He soaked himself for a few minutes, washing his hair slowly with shampoo, running his hand through his dark, damp, locks. Ages seemed to pass when Haru was in the water, yet whenever he thought about getting out, it felt like he had only been in for seconds.

Opening his eyes Haru was greeted by a not-so unusual sight. Unusual for the weekend, though. Staring down at him was a smiling Makoto. "Taking a bath, Haru? Why am I not surprised." His boyish smile always made Haru's heart skip a beat. They had been close friends for what felt like his entire life, he spent nearly every day being with Mako in some way. Whether in classes at school, swimming together, or just spending time together at Haru's house, Mako was there with him.

Haru just shrugged. "Anyway," Mako continued, "I know I'm here a little early... But, I thought maybe you'd be up and awake.. Which, you are, and that we could hang out for a bit before we head to the school's pool." He smiled, and offered Haru his hand. Pausing, Haru took his friends hand and stood up in the tub, water beading up on his skin.

"Haru! Your swimsuit? Honestly..." Mako grinned and shook his head. "Most people tend to bathe naked, you know," he said with a gleam in his eye. Haru looked at his smiling friend as he stepped out of the tub, "It's... More comfortable this way, Mako."

Now it was Mako's turn to shrug in response. He couldn't change his friend's odd ways, and frankly he wouldn't want it any other way. "C'mon, let's go eat some breakfast. Assuming you haven't eaten yet?" Mako cocked his head.

Haru shook the water out of his hair and walked out of the bathroom towards the kitchen. Well, there was Mako's answer. A few minutes later Haru had donned his usual apron-still wearing nothing but his swimsuit-and turned on his stove. Rice was cooking in the cooker and Haru was cooking his favorite food-mackerel.

All Mako could do was offer a weak smile. Sometimes he wondered if it was possible for one human being to eat too much fish... But, Haru almost always seemed healthy enough, and that was good enough for Mako. Brushing his bangs out of his eyes he sat down at the table in his living room, hearing the sounds of the sizzling fish in oil, the herbs wafting out of the kitchen towards his nose. With nothing but an apple in his stomach, a deep grumble reminded him just how hungry he was feeling. "Hey, Haru?" Mako yelled.

"Huh?" Came a muffled response. Mako hesitated. He wanted to bring up the real reason why he had shown up so early but.. Shaking his head he quickly decided against it.

"Ah.. Uhm, is.. Breakfast almost done?" He asked in lieu of his original idea. Haru answered him by standing in the doorway, holding two bowls of steaming rice topped with mackerel and pickled vegetables. The smells were overwhelming and as soon as the bowl was set down in front of Mako he instantly dug into the meal, silence enveloping the two friends as they ate.

"You know, Haru," Mako spoke up, his mouth mostly full, "You really are a good cook. I always feel so lucky when you cook for me," he added, looking down to hide the soft blush creeping over his cheeks. Haru met Mako's gaze for a moment before nodding.

"Thank you, Mako. I. . ." Haru's voice trailed off. He could admit that he always tried to cook a little something special when it was for Mako, or any of his friends, almost as a way to impress them. Most of the meals he made for himself weren't incredibly fancy, or even really cooked for that matter. "I like cooking for you." He finally added, mustering the faintest of smiles for his friend.

It wasn't often Haru smiled, but when he did, Mako's world would spin. They were special moments he shared with his friend, and he cherished them just as much as any. "Haru. . ." Mako said softly, looking down at his now empty dish. He opened his mouth in an attempt to speak but as Mako raised his head, Haru was now much, much closer to him, his face just inches from his own. "H-How..?" Mako whispered. Haru shook his head, leaning in even closer. Mako was trembling. They had had a few. . . Encounters such as this, where the tension between them was so thick it could be cut with a knife. . But nothing had ever happened. The moment would pass, they would pull apart, and life would go on.

Haru's eyes remained a steely complexure. Here he was yet again, rather close to caving, and kissing his close friend. Every one of his nerves were screaming, some holding him back, others urging him to move forward. Haru took a deep inhale, his chest wavering. As he was about to inch his lips forward, a thought flashed through his mind.

"C'mon, Haru! Follow me!" A young, grinning Rin was running down the now empty halls of their swim club, his hair still damp from their swimming practice.

"W-Wait for me!" Haru yelled after him. His legs carried him forward, but somehow he couldn't quite catch up to Rin. Rounding a corner, Haru stopped. Rin was no where to be seen. Where could he have gone? Looking around, Haru's head raced with the possibilities until his thoughts were suddenly halted. Out of no where Haru felt himself forcefully, but not painfully, pushed back against the hallway wall. Eyes wide, Haru saw it was Rin, holding his wrists to the wall, his red damp hair hanging over his forehead as he leaned in close.

"Gotcha," he said with a grin, all of his pointy teeth on display. Haru shivered, the cool hallway making him cold even though he was dried off now. "I want to tell you something, Haru," Rin said softly, suddenly breaking eye contact and looking down. He stayed like that for a few moments, before suddenly staring at Haru with his sharp eyes. "I like you Haru. And I know you like me too. But we can't tell anyone, or let anyone know."

Haru's breathing grew faster, more panicked, his heart racing. How did he..? Did Rin really..? There were too many thoughts for him to keep track of. If Rin knew, did the others know? Did Mako-his thoughts were abruptly cut short by Rin's lips upon his. They were soft, and his skin smelled faintly of chlorine. But as quickly as it had happened, it was over.

Rin pulled away and grabbed Haru's forearms. "Don't let anyone else kiss you, Haru. And don't tell anyone we kissed either." He let go and smiled. "Betcha you've never seen a sight like that before!" And he laughed. Nervous, Haru laughed with his friend, his body still trembling.

With a small gasp Haru pulled back, his heart pounding like mad. That had been years ago, so long ago. Did it even matter anymore? The fact that Haru even remembered it and cared enough to remember worried him. Rin probably didn't remember anymore, or care for that matter.

"Are you okay, Haru?" Mako asked him, his eyes wide and caring. Something had obviously upset him and kept him from... Continuing. But whatever it was, Mako had a feeling Haru wasn't going to tell him.

Haru nodded his head slowly. "Y-Yes.. I'm okay," he tried to say reassuringly as he ignored his pounding heart. Desperate for a distraction, wordlessly Haru gathered their dishes and brought them back to the kitchen, leaving them to soak in the sink. He looked over his shoulder at Mako, who had followed. "I'm.. Going to get dressed, and then we can leave for the school, okay?" Mako nodded, leaning against Haru's kitchen counter, a worried look still on his face.

A few minutes later Haru was dressed in his warm up suit, deciding it was easier to wear that over his swimsuit rather than bring any sort of change of clothes with him. Meeting Mako in the foyer of his home, he met his gaze.

"Ready?" Asked Mako. Haru nodded, and the two friends left to catch the train to their school.