Not Slash! Just friends! Pulling most of this shit out of my ass because I don't know jack shit about Olympics or lifeguards or whale trainers or water parks... or jobs in general. So forgive any mistakes or kiss my ass *shrugs* Oh! First post to AO3 or any fanfiction site so I'm a little rusty.

Also I do not own Free! Or anything relating to it this is just fanwork

"That smile, a smile that was once so innocent yet forgotten was now regained as my dear friend's dream as well as his fathers had come true. He won the gold Medal and held it up to flash brightly in our direction. It was a sight I have never seen before I felt so proud of him but I couldn't form any words. He was then surrounded by paparazzi and I thought I would get a chance to congratulate him later...But... that was 6 years ago". The clock flashed and the alarm beeped over and over in an annoying melody as Haru opened his eyes and a little too roughly pounded the off button of the alarm on his phone. He sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes. It had been a rough night he had the worst migraine and to make it even worse then that his brain just would not stop going all over the place, between having half asleep dreams, to having an annoying song from 2011 stuck in his head and the memories of when his life seemed to hold some meaning. Luckily he had passed out from the pain at some point and the problem was gone now. He had to get ready for his day luckily he did not have to work today but he was seeing an old friend at a coffee shop down town. It has been half a year now since he had spoken to Makoto and he missed his best friend dearly. But their schedules where so wonky especially since Makoto now works for Marineworld and Whales being animals like any other living creature need a lot of attention and careful nurturing he doesn't have as much time to be goofing off anymore. It was nice to catch a break to see him again. It has been a long time since they both had a day off at the same time. He got dressed and made it out the door only to find his friend standing there he was about to ring the doorbell. "Somethings never change even through all these years" he thought to himself.

"Hello Haru, how are you feeling today you look rather tired". Makoto sent a gentle smile Haruka's way and showed his classic concern over his childhood friend. He has always been able to see through Haru even if he tried to hide things like sadness and pain by always having a cool natural expression on his face Makoto seems to be able to tell most things right away through his friends subtle body language even after being away from him so long. It is only natural though since they have been friends all of their lives ever since they where little. "I am fine just had a little bit of a headache last night..." Haru lied through his teeth, he hasn't really been feeling like himself lately, he has been struggling with depression and migraines for awhile now but just thought it was due to stress (and severe loneliness but he would never let anyone know that). But he continues his monotonous days without a fuss and just goes with the flow of life. Makoto raised an eyebrow to his friend but didn't push any further. "Lets go Haru" Mako said with a smile as they continued to walk down the familiar rode from Haru's house to the coffee shop they used to hang out at all the time when they where still in high school. They sat down and Makoto ordered a caramel mocha and Haru just ordered iced tea, he was never really fond of the idea of coffee he had always heard that it dehydrates you and that is never a very comfortable feeling to Haru, Being dehydrated feels more like suffocation to him. Makoto was the first to speak. "So Haru, how have you been? Has work been good for you?" Haru looked down to the now very fascinating table. "Yes... I suppose so..." Haru works as a Lifeguard for the water park Splash City and has worked there every summer for most of his adult life. During the winter he mostly lives off of odd jobs and the money his parents continue to send him. Makoto knows fair to well that he isn't very happy with his current situation and frowns as he noticed Haruka's downward stare. "You don't seem to content with you're life Haru are you telling me everything..." Haru looks up at him and noticed the growing concern in Makoto's eyes. "Nothing to worry about Makoto, I am fine I can assure you." Makoto makes a saddened face. "Haru, you used to tell me everything... and you do know you still can right? I am here for you even if I am not around all the time I still am you can always just call me." Haru does know that but he does feel some guilt when he whines to Makoto because he knows his life isn't all that peachy either. "Yes I do know... Thank you Makoto..." Makoto takes a sip from his coffe and thinks to himself for awhile before speaking up again. "You know Haru... we have a job open at Marine world as a whale trainer. You can swim with the whales and work with me, its a tough job sometimes but at least you can do something you love and you wouldn't be alone." Haru thought about this idea for a few minutes then shook his head. "No, thank you, but no there is just to many people you have to deal with at least if you are a lifeguard you don't have to deal with people unless they are drowning or something." Makoto nods, "True but at least you will have me there to help you when you need me and I will even let you move in with me so you won't have to go so far to work... just think about it okay..?" Haru nodded silently and looked down again thinking to himself about the ups and downs of this idea.

He spent the rest of the day with Makoto just talking and wondering from store to store not really buying anything but just enjoying his company and at the end of the day he said goodbye once again and walked back home to his empty house and got in the bath for awhile. He had so many things on his mind. He started to consider Makoto's offer from that morning but really didn't think he was up to par for that lifestyle. He never really was much of a people person. He wondered for awhile what his other friends might be up to. Rei went to college and now works as a swimming coach and teacher for Iwatobi Elementary school. He isn't really far away but they haven't really spoken to each other in years. They would say their hello's if they run into each other or maybe even ask how life was treating them but they would both just answer fine and soon be on there merry little way. He wonders if he even considers him a friend anymore and if he thinks about all the good times they had together in high school. He has only seen Nagisa once since he became active in preserving rock hopper penguins always traveling around making Nature documentaries about them for his Youtube channel and he had a job to go to preserves to make sure the penguins where properly cared for and he often would fight if oil was spilled anywhere near their natural habitat. He is pretty famous now in his own little world and doesn't really have time for friends. Rin... He just hopes Rin is happy where ever he may be. He hasn't hear from his friend since the Olympics so many years ago... boy how he missed him... it felt like he just got him back then lost him again... but what are you going to do...

Comments, Kudos and Bookmarks are loved flames will be used to roast my mackerel.