PART ONE

Nagisa winced as the bright morning sun flooded in through the window. With a whine, he grabbed the black comforter and pulled the fabric over his head, shutting out the light. His activity deprived Rei of his share, and a short game of tug of war ensued.

"Nagisa! You're hogging the blanket!" Rei complained, grabbing at one corner and tugging it over himself.

"Nooo!" Nagisa moaned pitifully as the light once again met his face. He rolled over, turning his body away from the light and burying his face into Rei's back. "Rei-chan… You need to get some curtains."

Rei shifted position as well, rolling so that he was facing Nagisa. It was difficult to maneuver on the narrow bed with both of them in it, but they were past worrying about respecting the other's personal space. Rei reached over Nagisa's head, now comfortably resting against his chest. He grabbed his alarm clock, brought it closer to his face, and stared at the blurry numbers.

He set the clock down with a sigh and let his head fall back to the pillow.

"It's already past 10. Maybe we should just get out of bed?"

"Never!" Nagisa said, this time with more energy. He slightly propped himself up on one elbow, reaching out to bring Rei's face to his own. Lips met in a kiss that began soft, but quickly became more passionate.

They indulged in each other's kisses for several minutes before Rei broke away with a light gasp.

"W-Wait… Nagisa…"

It was enough for now. Satisfied at the red flush spread across Rei's face, Nagisa collapsed again onto his own pillow, smiling happily.

"Why didn't we do this sooner?" he asked suddenly, throwing an arm across Rei's chest.

Rei laughed, "Because I was too embarrassed!"

"Yeah. It's your cutest quality."

"D-Don't say I'm cute…"

"EEEh? Why not, Rei-chan?" Nagisa exaggeratedly asked, knowing exactly how to cause Rei further embarrassment.
"Because…"

He still wasn't used to being with Nagisa, and it showed in his expression. Nagisa couldn't help himself. He showered Rei with more kisses and called him all sorts of pet names until Rei's face was as red as the metaphorically cherry he had given to Nagisa. Rei looked like he was at his limit and ready to bail out of bed to make his escape, but Nagisa was the first to pull away.

"You're cute, Rei-chan. Just accept it."

Though Rei turned his face away, Nagisa could tell he was smiling slightly.

"It would be nice if Haruka-sempai and Makoto-sempai could be this happy," he said suddenly.

"Rei-chan… You're thinking of other guys when you're with me? That's terrible."

"No, Nagisa-kun! It's not like that," he added, turning toward Nagisa and staring earnestly into his magenta eyes. "I just wish they could have what we have."

Nagisa smiled. "I'm only joking. I've actually been thinking the same thing. And about Rin-chan, too. He deserves someone who won't make him cry."

Rei laughed. "Nagisa-kun, you forget that Matsuoka-kun already has Haruka-sempai."

Nagisa was surprised. "What? Rin-chan and Haru-chan together? That's ridiculous!"

"Why would you say that?"

"Because anyone can see that Haru-chan already belongs with Mako-chan. Isn't that what you meant when you said it would be great if the two of them could be as happy as us?"

"Oh no! I meant that it would be great if the two of them could find someone else to love. Personally, I feel that Haruka-sempai and Matsuoka-kun are a better match."

"No way! It has to be Haru-chan and Mako-chan! They've clearly been in love since they were kids. It would be great if both of them could stop being idiots about it and just do it already!"

Rei appeared to consider this suggestion for only a fraction of a second before smiling patronizingly. He closed his eyes and turned his head slowly from side to side, saying with an air of condescension, "Oh, Nagisa… I'm afraid I disagree. Whatever Makoto-sempai's feelings for Haruka-senpai may be, Haru already belongs to Matsuoka-san."

"You can't be serious!"

"But I am! Haven't you noticed how obsessed Matsuoka-kun is with Haruka-sempai? And after that relay, it was obvious Haruka-sempai felt the same! I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't already secretly a couple!"

Nagisa sat bolt upright, the expression on his face one of mixed horror and indignation. "But that's awful! Mako-chan has been by Haru-chan's side this whole time! Haru would never abandon him for Rin-chan, even if they are fated rivals!"

Rei continued to smile at Nagisa the same way a parent may smile at a child who insists the sky is green. "Did you forget about that day, Nagisa-kun? It was so important that Haruka and Matsuoka swim together. That's why I stepped down from the relay. What would have been the point of my gesture if it didn't help Haru and Matsuoka discover how the really felt about each other?"

"That was for the team! It wasn't just Haru and Rin out there!"

"That may be so, but it was Haruka that found Rin and brought him back, wasn't it? Rin was swimming for Haru, and Haru for Rin. As far as Haru-sempai is concerned, that's an act of true love."

Nagisa looked down into Rei's smug face and for once he didn't feel like kissing him. "Rei-chan…" he said seriously, "I think you're just making up excuses so you feel better about not swimming the relay with us."

Rei couldn't have looked more shocked if Nagisa had slapped him, "What? That's… That's not it! I just know Haruka-senpai and Matsuoka…"

"Haru belongs with Mako-chan!"

"You're wrong!"

Nagisa shot out of bed and began pulling his clothes on, too angry to continue looking at Rei.

"I'm leaving!"

"What? Nagisa-kun, you don't have to leave!"

"Stupid Rei-chan! You don't know anything about Haru and Mako. I've known them way longer than you!"

"Nagisa… I don't think that's…"

"Enough! I'm not listening to this!" Nagisa grasped the doorknob and tossed a final glare at Rei over his shoulder. He felt a sharp pang in his chest to see that Rei was still seated in bed, glaring back at him and not showing any signs of attempting to stop Nagisa's progress. "Why don't you stay here and write yourself some HaruxRin fan-fiction since you love them so much?!" he shouted.

"Fine! Maybe I will!"

"Fine!"

But as the Iwatobi and Samezuka swim teams were about to find out, all was not fine.