Introductions

Makoto placed the boy on the floor, apologizing about having no blankets out. He hurried to the closet with promise of finding him clothes that would fit. He dug through his drawers and pulled out sweatpants and a shirt that he knew would fit a little big. But they would have to do. He drew hot water in the tub and went back to the man who still sat on the floor, shivering.

Holding up the clothes, Makoto smiled. "Want to take a bath?" He tried to make his voice as calming as possible. He spoke as if he were speaking to his younger siblings.

The man opened his mouth only to fall into a coughing fit. He covered his face and coughed into his hands, groaning. At least he wasn't hyperventilating anymore, Makoto thought.

Makoto helped the man up and carried him to the tub. He stripped the shirt off of him and placed him into the tub. His face flushed from embarrassment even though the man seemed indifferent to his exposed body.

"I'll be back," Makoto handed the soap to him.

The man whined, but Makoto left anyway. He felt as though he had already overstepped his boundaries.

Makoto instantly dug around his closet for his laptop. He turned the television on to hide the noise of curious fingers clicking on the keyboard. He searched for missing persons in his area. Any that matched this man's description. He even texted his friend, Nagisa, about his current situation. Makoto asked him to check the news and papers for any missing people. He was about to invite the man to stay with him and he wasn't going to have a runaway with him. Or a wanted criminal.

Neither showed up in his search. And Makoto didn't know if that made him feel relieved or disappointed.

Nagisa texted back, with full use of almost every emoticon, that he needed to be safe. And to call if anything came up.

Makoto smiled at the message knowing full well that his friend would probably stop by once the rain cleared up. He looked up to the television to see a documentary about jellyfish was starting. It held his attention for a short time. But Makoto ended up closing his laptop and got up to check on the mystery man.

He knocked on the bathroom before opening the door. The man sat in the tub staring intently down at the water. Makoto watched with him in silence as water trickled down from in between his fingers. Slowly, Makoto approached and bent down.

The man gave him a sad look. He opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but ended up in another coughing fit. Makoto rubbed his back, surprised by how smooth his skin was. The sliminess from whatever grunge was on him had faded. Much to Makoto's relief. He waited until the man finished coughing before pulling his hand back.

"Let's get you out," Makoto helped the man stand and wrapped a towel around him.

Sitting him down on the edge of the tub, Makoto sighed. This man was incredibly beautiful. His damp skin looked as if it was shining. Vibrant colors changed against almost translucent skin. Makoto dreamily wiped away at the man's arms. Watching as the water dried and the colors lightly radiating off of his skin faded.

Realizing that he was staring, Makoto blushed. He stood up and looked around the bathroom awkwardly. It was a small bathroom to begin with. But with the two of them it felt too tight. Almost suffocating.

There was a tug at Makoto's shirt which he realized now was still wet from rain. Makoto looked down to see piercing blue eyes staring straight at him. He followed them as they glanced over to the clothes on the sink.

He dropped the towel over the man's lap and grabbed the shirt from the sink. The man lifted his arms and Makoto helped him into the shirt. Makoto couldn't hide the blush on his face. He felt it spread to the back of his neck and warmth rushed through his fingers as they brushed against the man's bare skin.

"Can you walk?" Makoto bent down to help the man into sweat pants.

The man stared blankly in response. Makoto sighed and slipped the pants onto the man's still damp legs. Closing his eyes as he helped the man stand to pull the pants over his hips. Arms draped over his shoulders and Makoto could feel his own heart race.

"Come on," He held the man close to him as they went back into the living room.

The man shakily sat down on the floor in front of the TV. Makoto was happy that he seemed to calm down. But now he was entranced by the documentary that was talking about the lives of jellyfish. Makoto laughed as the man reached out in awe. But let out a loud scream when a bright shock lit the man's fingertips and the TV. The man obliviously ignored his own hand. And only pouted at the now fuzzy television screen.

Hesitantly, Makoto sat down next to the man. He turned the TV off and checked the man over. "Are you okay?" Makoto asked.

The man turned to Makoto. Tears brimmed at the edge of his eyes. He looked amazing even as he was ready to cry. This man was a true beauty.

Shaking out of his thoughts, Makoto smiled. "You're fine. It's just an old TV," He said. Even though he kept glancing at it in the corner of his eye. What had caused it to shock the man like that?

Makoto shivered. His rain soaked shirt brushed against his skin. He excused himself to take a bath. Before entering the bathroom he turned back to the man, "I'm Makoto."

Makoto shut the door behind him and sighed to himself. He honestly didn't know what he was getting himself into. The man couldn't speak. He couldn't walk. He seemed to understand what Makoto was saying though, so that helped. And he was much smaller than Makoto. If he ended up having to fight the man, as unlikely as that sounded at the moment, he could easily overpower him.

Sinking into the freshly drawn warm water, Makoto tried to relax. It was a peaceful few minutes until he heard a loud crash from the other room.

Makoto jumped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around his waist. Rushing out, he found the man on the ground in front of the counter with an empty pot on the floor. Makoto walked over to his side as the man let out a frustrated growl. He repeatedly hit his thighs and Makoto had to grab his wrist in order for him to stop.

The man looked surprised to see Makoto next to him. His eyes swept over Makoto's body instantly making him feel self-conscious under the stare.

His brow creased together and the man opened his mouth. Makoto had to lean in closer to hear the mumbled, "Ma."

"Makoto," He slowly repeated his name. Looking down he saw he only had a towel on and he couldn't help the man up. "Let me put pants on then I'll help you up, okay?"

The man stared up at him. Mouth still trying to say his name.

Makoto hurried to the bathroom to pull on pajama pants and a shirt. He didn't want to keep his guest waiting long on the floor.

When he went back out the man was reaching for the counter. Attempting to pull himself up, but falling over his own feet.

"I got you," Makoto held the man up.

His legs were still shaky as they took slow steps to the table in front of the television. Makoto turned it back on and, though it was a little fuzzier now, it still worked. He smiled and offered water. The man's ears perked up at the word water, making Makoto believe that he must have been thirsty.

He poured water into two cups and brought it over to the man. He went back to the cabinets to look for ramen to heat up. He looked over his shoulder and smiled as the man yet again was amazed by the television.

"Do you have a name?" Makoto asked.

The man turned to him and opened his mouth. But all that came out was a soft, "Hah," before he fell into a coughing fit.

He reached for the water and chugged his and Makoto's cup. Makoto watched the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he drank the water. Some of it slid down his chin, drops falling onto the table. The soup over spilled next to him drawing his attention to their dinner.

Makoto brought it over to the table. He sat down and changed it to the news. It was mainly talking about the sunshine in days to come. Makoto yawned and looked over to the man who was staring at him.

"Ma ΜΆ ," The man could only get that part of his name out without coughing.

"Take your time. Though I'd like to know your name," Makoto brought his hand to his chin in thought. His face lit up with an idea. He excused himself and ran to his room.

He dug through various papers. He had just interned as a student-teacher the semester before. He still had all of the assignments he had done with the kids. Including the hiragana alphabet sheet.

Running excitedly back to the blue eyed man, Makoto showed off the paper. "I'm going to point and say each one and you let me know when I've hit a part of your name."

The man's eyes softened at Makoto's excitement. He smiled softly and Makoto knew he understood.

So they started. First stopping at the Ha, which explained what he was trying to say earlier. Makoto went slowly through the alphabet. And when the man heard a part of his name he would gasp and reach his hand out letting Makoto know.

"Haruka," Makoto practiced the name on his tongue.

Haruka looked up, bright eyed. A soft grin spread across his lips. His black hair messily swept across his forehead.

Makoto spoke the name again, "Haruka." It made his stomach flutter and his cheeks heat up. "Hello, Haruka. I'm Makoto."

"Ma..." Haruka didn't choke on the words. He only paused, snapping his mouth and eyes shut in annoyance. "Ma," He repeated.

And that was fine for Makoto.

Makoto smiled and looked back to the television. Choosing some late night drama. He paid little attention to it, but Haruka seemed to love it. The picture on the screen was still fuzzy but that didn't bother him.

There was a knock at the door and Makoto had to check the time. It was too late for anything to be delivered so he curiously opened the door. Standing on the front step was Nagisa, who looked too awake for it being close to eleven at night.

"Mako, I came to check if you were chopped into little pieces yet," His loud voice echoed through the empty hall.

Makoto pulled the short boy into his home. The blond kicked his shoes off and ran to the table where Haruka was now drowsing off. Nagisa stopped once he caught a glimpse of the stranger's face. He brought his hand over his mouth and let out a muffled squeal. Cautious to not wake the sleeping man. Nagisa turned back to Makoto and sighed dreamily. Makoto giggled and nodded in a silent agreement. The man Makoto found in the trash was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.

Nagisa ran into Makoto's bedroom and came back with a blanket to drape over Haruka.

"I'm sleeping in your room," He looked up to Makoto and smiled.

And even though Makoto protested that Haruka wasn't going to murder him, Nagisa insisted on staying. Makoto tried to explain that Haruka could barely walk or speak, but Nagisa just pushed him into the bedroom. Makoto tried to catch a last glimpse Haruka sleeping next to the forgotten bowl of ramen at the table. But Nagisa shut the door too fast. They settled in for the night without further protests.

Makoto let himself get comfortable despite Nagisa's complaints about his phone shutting down on him. He rolled over choosing to ignore whatever his friend was rambling about. Instead he let his mind drift to Haruka who was just outside the room.

Haruka.

He must have said the name out loud because Nagisa got silent.

He tested the name again, whispering it. The air around him felt light. His belly felt warm and full thinking of the mystery man. He only knew his name. He wanted to know everything about who Haruka was.

this will get really sad really fast if i want it to. i have an idea of where this is going. ratings may go up due to sexual content and/or violence

thank you for reading!