Hello! This was written as another submission to the MakoHaru Festival on Tumblr. The challenge was "Jealous".

I finally got around to editing this story - it seems to, surprisingly, be one of my more popular stories and I couldn't leave it unedited for any longer. So, yeah. I made quite a few corrections and fixed many mistakes that I had made. I also fixed quite a few awkward word choices...I really need to learn to do all this BEFORE I post it. Sorrrrryyy :)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Free! Iwatobi Swim club, nor do I own any of the characters.


Jealousy.

One of the seven deadly sins. This emotion can range from fear of abandonment to rage to desire to humiliation. Insecurity is what makes you jealous, while envy is its partner in crime.

"It's a very human emotion," his grandmother used to say when she caught Haru glaring at the knitting needles stealing her attention. "Everyone will experience it at some point in their lives." Though he always shook his head and pouted, she would pat his head and gather him on her lap to rock him in her old chair.

He would consider himself spoiled. Selfish also came to mind when he would unconsciously count the things he loved as his. Like Water for example. Though it could be bottled and bought, Water was an ever free element. He had no right to claim possession over Water – though he often tried. The essence of Water could not be contained, could not be owned. Haru would admit that he was jealous of the Water's freedom and its boundless shapes. He envied the animals that made their home in its weightless depths. What made them so special? What gave them the privilege to breathe underwater and not him? As childish and impractical as those thoughts were, he found himself thinking them every once in a while.

Another thing, however, popped into his mind more often than that. Someone who he also happened to unconsciously label as his. It could just be because of the long history between the two – and no doubt that played a part – but Haru knew there was something bigger in the possession he felt towards his best friend.

That ownership is what brings Haru back to the present. He focuses his stare at the other four teens in the room. It's only 11:12 at night, but they were all sleeping; Rin off in the corner using his jacket as a makeshift pillow, Rei on his back across the floor in front of the television, Makoto curled up on his bed facing the wall, and Nagisa curled up next to him, nuzzling his head against his broad back. It's kind of ridiculous when he thinks about it, but something doesn't sit right with him. Not at all.

That's his spot. It's always been his spot – for way longer than it's been Nagisa's. What makes him think he can just swoop in and steal it? This may just be the accumulated exhaustion from swim practice and the rest of the day's events talking…but that should be him sleeping there. That should be him basking in the endless warmth that seems to just naturally radiate off of Makoto…

While Haru silently seethes at this unfavorable turn of events, his eyes travel from the blonde to the brunette. Despite how small Nagisa is, he certainly has extensive sleeping positions. From personal experience, Haru knows that Nagisa likes to spread himself out and occasionally grab onto something while asleep. Though he has kept his hands to himself (for the moment at least), Haru can see that Nagisa has pushed Makoto against the wall.

He wouldn't have done that. With years of practice, Makoto and Haru have sleeping in a single, cramped bed down to an art. Nagisa is being so inconsiderate, hogging all of the room and making Makoto uncomfortable. He thinks about pushing Nagisa off the bed and onto the floor (he probably wouldn't even wake up what with the sugar-induced crash he's most likely experiencing) and stealing the spot for himself (he would use it properly and keep to his side to give Makoto more room). He could just tell Nagisa that he fell off the bed – which wouldn't be all that unreasonable given his tendency to roll around during the night.

After weighing the semi-tempting thought for a moment, it is quickly denied (though not as soon as it should have been). He would almost certainly end up feeling guilty if he followed that course of action. Haru looks around the room to see if he could find anything that would spark some sort of solution. All he saw was a few empty bags of chips littering the floor, a pile of videogames scattered next to Rei, and Rin twitching in his sleep. Not much inspiration came to mind.

He was about to give up and dejectedly sleep at the foot of the bed on the cold, hard floor, when his eyes shifted back to the bed. Makoto was shifting, slowly lifting himself up on his elbows. Nagisa's frowned in his sleep and reached forward as if to find the warmth that he was pressed against. Makoto squinted his eyes as he looked behind him at the small blonde. Then he seemed to notice Haru, who was standing next to the bed, staring at him.

"Haru…?" he whispered sleepily. Now he was completely sat up, rubbing his eyes. Haru took this as his chance. "Come," he commanded softly, lifting his hand in a gesture for him to get off the bed. It's not like he could lay back down anyways; Nagisa had completely overtaken the bed as if he sensed Makoto's absence. Makoto got up without question and turned to look at his friend now spread-eagled friend. Haru noted the sleepy smile of affection he shot towards him before he shuffled over to his childhood friend.

"Makoto sleeps next to me." Haru said. It was a statement whose meaning wasn't lost on the bigger male. He gave Haru a drowsy version of his signature knowing look but chose not to comment. "Okay."

With only one pillow not currently being used, they both got on the floor and curled up in the only free spot left in the room, close enough so both of their heads would be supported. Makoto turned his back towards Haru and was still. It was hot enough in the room where not having a blanket wasn't such a big deal. Haru still wishes he could have one, if only out of habit. The warmth radiating off of Makoto was more than sufficient, however, and Haru was even more pleased at their proximity.

Shifting forward just a little, Haru's forehead came in contact with his friend's back. The heat was even more so when there was no space to disperse it. He could see why Nagisa looked unsatisfied when Makoto moved.

Makoto stayed still for a few moments, but then, as anticipated by the freestyle swimmer, his soft voice was heard. "Was Haru jealous?" Haru could feel the vibrations of his whisper through his back. He didn't have to ask of what. Haru said nothing and just pushed his head harder against Makoto. He snorted and sighed in content. "G'night Haru."

"Mmm."