Chapter 2: Change

The boys kept running towards the beautiful blue that outlined the horizon. Makoto was in front of Haru, mostly because Makoto was taller and his strides were longer than Haru. Then Haru passed Makoto which shocked him. "It must be the thought of water" he thought. Haru stopped when he got to the sand and Makoto followed. The both loosened their school ties out of breathe. Haru looked towards the ocean and started to edge towards it.

"Haru, don't do it" Makoto Raised an eyebrow

Haru looked back at Makoto then looked back at the sea then back at Makoto again. Mako put his hands on his hips like an impatient parent instructing a child.

"I'm only going to put my feet in" Haru called back as he rolled up his trousers

Haru walked towards the water and turned around to see Makoto follow him. Haru was most surprised since Makoto fears the ocean since he was little.

"What are you doing Makoto?" Haru asked somewhat worried

"I can handle myself Haru. The sea is calm today" Makoto smiled

The ocean's waves were small, shorter than Harus knee height but calm and soothing as it washed onto Haru's feet. When Makoto got to him, Haru grabbed his hand and said

"Stick with me, I don't want you getting scared or hurt"

Makoto looked into Haru's eyes and saw deep blue pools of care and concern for his friend. Next think Makoto knew he was being dragged out into the ocean by Haru, though the waves were some resistance Haru never let go. Haru stopped when it got wait deep.

"So much for 'just getting your feet wet' haha" Makoto laughed

"Swim with me Makoto?" Haru asked

"I will always swim with you Haru" Makoto replied harmoniously

The two began to swim with the ocean relaxed and free. Their strokes had such grace though they were in their school clothes. Underwater they felt at home, like a Dolphin and an Orca should be. They swan with each other in sync. They paused and stared into each other's eyes. It was a perfect moment for the two swimmers, like their souls were connected. But that moment of paradise had to end with that burning need for oxygen. They both rose up out of water to gasp for air. The sky had gotten darker, they could not believe how much time had passed but neither of them wanted this afternoon to end.

"It's getting late" Makoto added.

Haru sadly nodded and they both swam slowly to shore. The cold air came at them like tiny knives against their skin which made them both shiver. They ran through the sand and grabbed their shoes though dripping wet.

"Come get dry at mine, I don't want you to catch a cold" Haru comforted Mako

Makoto nodded and smiled. The boys fled to Haru's without haste to feel warmth again. The shivering boys reached Haru's house. Haru went straight to the laundry and grabbed blankets for Makoto. Makoto reached for one of the blankets but Haru stopped him and tugged his shirt. Makoto had a thought for a moment thinking Haru was being forward but dismissed it when he realised he wold be warmer without his drenched shirt. He slowly unbuttoned and removed his item of clothing. Haru turned around to hide his bright red face. Makoto couldn't stop thinking if Haru would catch a cold because he was shivering like crazy. Makoto grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around him holding him tight.

"Makoto..." Haru gasped

Haru placed his hands on the gentle giant's arms in comfort. Mako rested his head on Haru's soft damp hair. Haru slowly pulled away but turned back to Makoto and wrapped him in the warm blanket. Makoto wrapped his arms around his fragile friend. His body heat was warm and comforting, it was such a peaceful moment. Neither of them thought it was real. It was like a moment of fantasy, something of a dream that could not be true, but it felt real. It was Haru's heartbeat that defined it to be real to Makoto. Haru sighed in comfort. They stayed like this for a moment then Haru looked up at Makoto with his ocean blue eyes, their gaze met and they felt a pull towards each other, centimetre by centimetre-

"Haru-chan! Are you home?" shouted a high pitch hyperactive voice

Both of the boys sighed and slowly pulled away. Haru slowly walked towards the door. Makoto almost felt disappointed, how could he really know how Haru felt? Could that even be real? He grabbed a blanket and walked to the entrance to see Nagisa run to him

"Mako-chan you're here too" Nagisa bounded with energy "Did you have to try and separate Haru from water again?"

"Yeah" the cold boys said in sync

Nagisa laughed as Mako and Haru looked at each other. Haru broke the awkwardness by showing the way to the sitting area. While Nagisa and Makoto sat down, Haru went to the kitchen to make tea.

"So Nagisa" Mako asked "What you doing this side of town?"
"What?" he exclaimed "Do I need an excuse to see my friends?"

"Uhh no sorry, I didn't mean-" Mako apologised

Nagisa sighed and looked down. Haru walked in with hot tea. He titled his head at Nagisa in concern. Haru handed them the tea. Nagisa took it slowly but not breaking his gaze with the floor.

"What's wrong Nagisa?" Haru asked as he sat down

"Weird weather today, isn't it?" Nagisa raised his head and beamed

"Stop avoiding the question Nagisa" Makoto exclaimed

Nagisa sighed and looked down again "Ok I'll tell you"

Nagisa slowly told them about a fight between him and Rei on the train home. From what Makoto gathered it seemed a pretty big argument since he got off at the next stop and ran here. Nagisa didn't explain where the fight started which was somewhat puzzling but it mainly lead to where Rei was disappearing to after school. Nagisa continued to say that Rei was very defensive and showed less emotion that usual. Nagisa tried to hold back tears. Makoto put a gentle hand on Nagisa's back for comfort. Haru's facial expression didn't change from usual but his eyes were filled with concern and care for Nagisa.

"I'm sure Rei is fine" Haru added

"We can talk to Rei as well if you like" Makoto offered

"Thanks guys" Nagisa nodded as he wiped the tears away

Nagisa Started to smile again as he sipped his tea. Makoto glanced at Haru and noticed his gaze at Nagisa. 'Does Haru look at me like that?' Makoto asked himself. While trailed in though it was broken by Nagisa (as usual)

"One question Mako-chan" He asked

"Anything" Beamed Makoto

"Why don't you have a shirt on?" He suddenly pointed out

Makoto went silent and looked down to see he completely forgot to put one on when Nagisa came in. He shyly wrapped his blanket around him and sarcastically laughed before racing to the laundry. Makoto kept face palming yelling at himself 'idiot'. He couldn't believe he forgot something as simple as that, his mind went blank after that moment. He wrapped his arms around himself remembering Haru's warmth and feel. Then his shook his head trying to get it out of his head clouding his judgement. His school shirt was still damp on the floor. He couldn't borrow any of Haru's shirts because they wouldn't fit, and it would be awkward. He picked up his shirt and shook it out and put it. It made him shiver so he wrapped the blanket around him once again. He walked back in to the sitting room to find Nagisa laughing loudly with one arm around Haru's shoulder. Haru glanced up at Makoto as an almost 'Thank god you came back' and 'save me' kind of look. Makoto gave his signature smile to Haru.

"There you are Mako-chan" Nagisa ran to Makoto "Haru-chan had a great idea to talk to Rei-chan"

Makoto looked at him puzzled. Nagisa explained he plan that they would keep him back after swim practise and question him all together. Nagisa kept making the important point that they have to make sure that Rei is ok. Makoto agreed to the plan. Nagisa seemed to be his happy self again which made Makoto feel much better.

"Well we will make this happen with swim practise tomorrow" Nagisa beamed

"Hopefully the weather will be better and Gou-kan will be there" Makoto added

Haru's eyes widened at the idea of swim practise and nodded to Nagisa's plan.

Nagisa began to walk towards the front door and thanked Haru for the tea. Makoto and Haru waved Nagisa goodbye. Nagisa skipped along muttering to himself 'Going to help Rei-chan' happily.

"Do you think he and-" Makoto began to ask

"No" Haru said bluntly

They both turned around and went back inside. Makoto made his way to the laundry and picked up his things.

"You're going?" Haru asked sadly

"Yeah, I's pretty late and Mum maybe worried as well as trying to handle the twins, well you know what they are like" Makoto smiled as he put his hand through his brunette hair.

Haru took Makoto's blanket and walked him to the door. Makoto noticed an almost disappointed expression on Haru's face. Makoto shook his head thinking he was just seeing things again.

"Well thanks for the swim Haru" Makoto smiled as he walked out, "See you tomorrow yeah?"

Haru nodded and waved Makoto good bye. Before Mako walked out of sight he caught his attention

"Makoto" he turned and faced Haru. "Can we go for a jog again?"

"Of course Hara, as long as you don't go running into the ocean without our swim gear" Mako laughed.

Makoto noticed a curve on Haru's face. No that is not a smile, is it? It suddenly slipped away when Hara noticed Makoto was looking. They both yet again exchanged goodbyes and Makoto made his way home and the only thing he could think about was Haruka Nanase.