This is my first time writing Free! so I am sorry if it's a little worse than my usual.
The group of boys came to a stop at the point in the road where they separated, where Nitori and Rin would break away from the other 4 and head to their dorm.
It was getting late and unusually cold for this time of year, Nitori could tell Rin was itching to go back in the warm but he stopped to discuss their plans for the next day regardless.
"What time is the film?" the taller boy asked, taking a step down the opposing road, away from the group.
Makoto hummed for a second as he remembered what he'd read on his phone a few hours before, "10:40, tomorrow morning, and then we'll go to the pool for practice after that."
Nitori swallowed hard, deciding now to voice himself, "I don't know if I can make the film, I might not be able to afford it."
He felt himself shrink as 5 sets of eyes fell on him, he should have said something sooner, it was only a film but he still felt like he was letting them down by not being able to go.
Rei huffed slightly, "We won't go then, we can find something else to do."
Nitori dipped his head slightly, hiding a smile, he had expect them to leave him out, not change their plans.
"No don't be silly," Nagisa chimed, pulling Nitori by his arm into a slight hug, "I'll pay for you Nitori."
Nitori lifted his head, frowning slightly, "No, I can't let you-"
Nagisa giggled, putting a finger to his lips and making a shushing noise, "Don't worry, let me pay for you. I won't let you miss this, I will hate it if you do, what if you see spoilers?"
Nitori let a smile fill his face, "Ok," he moaned slightly, "Ok, I'll let you."
Makoto spoke over them, the discomfort of the cold becoming obvious to all of them now. "We'll meet here at 10 tomorrow morning, ok? And then walk over."
There was a collective nod and noises of agreement between them, Makoto looked amongst them and nodded, "Ok, well, we'll see you guys tomorrow then," he gave Rin and Nitori a nod of goodbye and he and the others started to walk off.
Nitori watched them for a bit before looking toward where Rin had been only a few seconds ago, he jolted with the realisation that the taller boy had walked off already. He jogged for a moment to catch up with him, "Senpai wait," he called gently as he came to Rin's side.
"Hm?" Rin half grunted, turning his head towards him, "What?"
"You almost left me, that's all, sorry Senpai…" Nitori replied, still smiling from the exchange earlier.
"Ah," Rin nodded in understanding, "…Today has been nice," he added, "I'm glad that the others have taken so well to you."
Nitori grinned, "I'm glad too," he said quickly. "Do you think they actually like me?" he asked cautiously; he couldn't get the thought out of his head that they were pretending to like him in order to make Rin happy.
"How should I know?" Rin replied shortly, before thinking for a second and going back on himself, "…Makoto said he thinks you are interesting, and Nagisa obviously likes you; he paying for you tomorrow."
Rin stopped as he got to the door to their dorm, opening it to let the shorter boy through first, "They have been talking about this film for weeks and they were willing to change their plans because they didn't want to see it without you. If that doesn't prove they like you then I don't know what does. Stop doubting your self for gods sake Nitori…" he shook his head as he began to change for bed, not acknowledging Nitori or saying anything else after that.
Nitori hung his head, "Sorry Senpai," he said quietly as he changed for bed and climbed into his bunk.
He let a wide smile cover his face as Rin turned off the light, the room dimly lit now by the glow of their phones. "Goodnight Senpai," he said quietly as he pulled the covers tighter over himself.
"'Night Nitori," Rin slurred sleepily, the bunk-bed rocking slightly as he clambered into the lower bunk and made himself comfortable.
Nitori pulled his head under the covers, as if trying to hide the grin that covered his face as he replayed the day in his head, how perfect it had been, how much he had laughed, he couldn't remember a day he'd laughed more than today.
And how he'd been complimented on his breathing technique at the pool, and how Nagisa had cheered for him when he realised he'd beaten his best time.
He couldn't believe how good the day had been, he'd never been this happy, he'd never felt this accepted.
He felt so warm and happy, his smile quivered slightly as he felt tears well in his eyes. He couldn't stop himself, he'd never felt like this. He wiped his eyes and snivelled slightly as he smiled unevenly, tears falling from him.
He felt himself quiver slightly, he tried to stop himself from laughing and sobbing but small squeaks escaped him regardless.
He jolted as something prodded the underside of his bed, he pushed his head out, wiping his eyes as he did.
"Nitori?" Rin's voice came from the lower bunk, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Nitori squeaked, trying not to let his emotion show in his voice, "I'm fine S-Senpai. I'm just happy."
I hope you liked it, please review, and feel free to point out any mistakes I've made.