The sun was hot against Makoto's skin as he and the rest of the swim club were enjoying a day off at the pool. Surprisingly enough, when they weren't swimming to train, they were swimming to have fun.
The hours went by and the sun was beginning to set, a sign that it was almost time to leave, but of course, Haruka was still swimming carelessly in the cool water.
"Haru-chan! It's time to go!" Nagisa ran out of the locker room with only a towel wrapped around his waist. He waved his hands in the air and shouted for Haruka to hurry up and get out.
"Five more minutes."
"No way, Haru-chan! That's what you said ten minutes ago!" Haruka playfully kicked water in his direction, and swam towards the center of the pool.
"Just give up, Nagisa-kun. There's no way to get him out." Rei placed his hand on Nagisa's shoulder as he slumped over, giving up his attempts to get Haruka out.
"Hey, Mako-chan, could you get him? Rei and I need to go."
"Ah, sure, it's no problem. See you later." Makoto smiled and waved as Nagisa and Rei left the pool, apologizing that they couldn't help separate Haruka from the water.
Makoto was usually always the first person out of the pool but somehow managed to always be the last one to change. He liked to wait until Haruka was ready to get out so he wouldn't have to change alone.
"Haru, you should get out now," Makoto sat on the edge of the pool, dipping his legs in the water. "You'll catch a cold if you stay in there, and I don't want to have to take care of you again."
"You'd take care of me anyway." Haruka lightly swam towards his friend as Makoto held out his hand and helped him out of the pool. Haruka shivered a little at the evening breeze and immediately began walking towards the locker room where it was hopefully warmer. He loved the water, but he hated getting out because it was always so cold.
Makoto was nearly all the way dressed while Haruka was just finished drying off. He always took a while to get dressed, and as a result, Makoto had learned to dress much slower than he used to, so as not to rush Haruka.
"You always look so happy when you're swimming, Haru."
"Mhm…" Haruka lightly placed his towel on his head to finish drying his hair as Makoto sat on the bench with his towel resting upon his shoulders. Haruka quietly began to strip out of his damp swimsuit. Not wanting to be caught staring, Makoto leaned back and stared at the ceiling instead. Although, he often times took notice of his friend's body, and he did really appreciate his slender figure, his perfectly pale skin that never seemed to tan no matter how long he was out in the sun. A small faint blush appeared on Makoto's face. Why am I thinking this…!
They had finally finished dressing and collected their swimsuits as they prepared to walk home together.
"Haru, you look really tired."
"It's your fault. You let me swim too long." Haruka looked to the side and scowled.
"It's your fault, you know," Makoto reached out and grabbed Haruka's bag from his hand. "But I'll carry your things anyway." Showing off his heartwarming smile, Makoto swung Haruka's bag over his left shoulder as his own bag was hanging off of his right.
The boys had been walking for a few minutes when Haruka suddenly stopped, causing Makoto to almost bump into him.
"Makoto."
"Hmm?"
"How… do you feel about me?" Not facing his friend, Haruka suddenly asked a random question and Makoto froze, not knowing what to say at the sudden inquiry.
"What do you mean, Haru?"
Haruka turned around and faced his friend. "You're always with me, you never leave me alone. You always smile at me when you think I'm not looking, and you always call me cute when you think I'm not listening. What are these feelings you have for me?"
"I… um…" Makoto blushed and kicked his feet around, trying to think of a good enough excuse. Does he know?!
"It's just… I… I really—you're my—"
"Makoto."
"I mean, it's not—well, I… I just—"
"Makoto." The taller boy went stiff and quiet, waiting for whatever it was his shorter friend might have to say.
"If you… have feelings for me, then… tell me,"
"Haru, I—"
"I won't be mad,"
"You… won't?"
"I won't." Makoto gently placed their bags on the floor and walked slowly up to Haruka as he wrapped his arms around him and buried his face in his neck—or as close as he could manage—because he knew he would start crying and he didn't want Haruka to see.
"Haru-chan, I…" Haruka didn't move, it didn't even seem like he was breathing. Perhaps he was too concentrated on what Makoto had to say.
"I don't like you… I love you. I always have. Everything about you is so, so precious to me and I…" He trailed off and hugged Haruka tighter, his face burning hot as tears stained his cheeks. He couldn't keep talking; he was only making a complete fool of himself.
"…Makoto…" Haruka slowly raised his arms and wrapped them around his friend, gently rubbing his back.
"I-I'm sorry, Haru. You must hate me." Makoto tried to separate himself, but Haruka pulled him back into his warm embrace.
"I don't hate you, Makoto."
"Haru… you don't?"
"No. Actually, I… I feel the same. About you."