Thank you Zaabeth for always being so helpful :)

Haruka lay in the bath, listening to the muffled sounds of Makoto running around in the rest of the house. He knew exactly what he'd be doing, it was the same thing every day. He'd be packing his lunch and placing it by his school bag. He'd be laying out a clean uniform on his bed. He'd be preparing breakfast so Haruka wouldn't be late. No matter how much the other boy protested, he always mothered him. He insisted it was his job as his angel.

They both knew it to be a lie however, they knew the real reason he was here was to get Haruka out of his shell and functioning in the real world – he may not have said it in those exact words but the implications had been clear.

And in a way Makoto had already succeeded, he'd opened Haruka up, shown him how important friendship could be. But outside of Makoto he had nobody else. Makoto was supposed to be there to help him reach out to others, but unfortunately it seemed like the opposite was happening. Throughout his whole life Haruka was always that strange, cold boy who glared at everyone and refused to speak in lessons. It only worsened when it looked like he was talking to himself, seeing things that weren't really there. Children tended to avoid anyone they thought were strange and it just continued into his adolescence.

But at the end of the day it had never really bothered him. He had Makoto and that was all he really needed. If he refused to make other friends maybe he could trick the system, stop the boy from ever earning his wings and keep him forever.

He winced slightly at the thought, always feeling guilty when he wished for such things. Makoto had a purpose, a goal, and he surely didn't want to be stuck looking after an anti-social teenager his entire life. And what would happen if he never reached his goal by the time Haruka died? Would he just be destined to roam the earth for eternity?

Haruka could never do that to Makoto. He could never hold the angel back.

"Haru-chan?" A voice called from the other side of the door.

He tsked at the nickname but knew there was no point, he could never seem to make the other boy drop the habit. He didn't bother inviting Makoto in. He knew the calling of his name was just a courtesy and whatever response he gave – or lack of – the boy was going to come in anyway.

"Good morning." Makoto smiled as he walked in.

It was redundant really as they had already seen each other the moment they woke up, despite the fact there were plenty of spare rooms Makoto still curled down by Haruka's side every night. But he knew there was no point greeting Haruka before he had his morning soak otherwise he'd only receive a grunt in response, which is how they ended up with this daily charade.

"Morning." He replied, although it wasn't much it was better than a grunt.

Haruka looked up at his angel and couldn't help but marvel at how much he had changed in the past three years. Naively he'd believed he wouldn't grow, thought he'd always remain a small child, cherub like with eyes wide with innocence. But he aged alongside Haruka, shooting up and filling out as he went.

Haruka coveted Makoto's body - it was so strong, so beautiful. His muscles twitched and clenched with every movement, making him look powerful. He often found it hard to believe Makoto was a mere angel, he looked more like a god with his stunning beauty. His eyes sparkled as if they were made of jewels, his smile shone brighter than the sun, his voice soft and inviting like a sea breeze. The boy was absolutely perfect.

Maybe coveted wasn't the right word, lusted after may have been more appropriate. But it was hardly his fault, Makoto was very liberal with his bodily contact and as they grew so did Haruka's reaction to his touch. Now every stroke sent shivers down his spine, every gentle brush gave him sparks, every soft caress had his heart palpitating.

Although they were only friends the constant potential of more always floated around them, crackling in the air with every overly affectionate gesture, every whispered conversation, every loving embrace. But Haruka knew it was one sided. Makoto was an angel, he didn't have time for trivial things like love or romance. He was simply here to complete a deed and then move on. Forget about Haruka and all the unresolved feelings he'd leave behind.

"Time to get out." Makoto instructed, holding his hand out for Haruka to take.

"Alright." Haruka reluctantly agreed, slipping his hand out the water to grasp Makoto.

Slowly, the taller boy helped to manoeuvre him out the tub and into a standing position. They stood for a moment, still holding hands as Makoto smiled down at him – that proud smile he had when Haruka got out the water without any troubles.

As if he suddenly realised he was still grasping Haruka, Makoto jumped back and nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his now free hand. It was a reaction he often had when he lingered too long with Haruka.

It was almost as if Makoto had worked out how the other boy felt, but being the polite and somewhat awkward person he was, rather than outright reject him he was just avoiding contact. Hoping that Haruka would outgrow his crush and they could go back to what they were meant to be, just an angel and his human.

"I made breakfast." Makoto mumbled, looking down at his feet.

"Not burnt?" Haruka teased, he'd spent hours teaching Makoto how to cook without burning the house down – who knew one boy could cause such destruction... and worse, Haruka had got the blame from his parents.

"Nope, I tried extra hard." He poked his tongue out, leading Haruka towards the kitchen.

Haruka silently sat down to eat his breakfast, aware of Makoto's lingering gaze watching him. He didn't need to do human things like eat, drink or even sleep but sometimes he just did out of habit. Today was obviously not one of these mornings, Haruka thought to himself as he looked at the empty space on the other side of the table.

"Your uniform is on your bed." Makoto said softly.

"I'm not going." Haruka protested. He never learnt anything at school. He just ended up staring out the window with Makoto hovering over his shoulder. If he could he didn't doubt Makoto would make notes for him.

"Come on Haru, you didn't go in at all last week." He whined.

"Then another week won't hurt me." He shrugged, slipping another piece of mackerel into his mouth smugly – he'd trained Makoto well.

"Please Haru! This is for your own good." He begged, pouting with wide eyes.

He was foolish to think that the look would convince Haruka to leave the house, if anything it just made him more inclined to curl back up in bed and spend the day at home with the adorable boy.

"Nope." Haruka stated, after pretending to think for a moment.

"Nanase Haruka you are going to school today!" He told him, pointing his finger and fully turning on his mothering mode. "I was put here to look after you and so help me I will do, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming out the door all the way to school."

"But I'm not dressed." He weakly protested.

"If you think I am above taking you to school in pyjamas then you are sorely mistaken." He shot him a look.

"Fine." He sighed, realising he was fighting a losing battle. "I'll go in."

"Good." Makoto smiled, all anger gone in an instant from his face. "It will be good for you, you'll see."

At his words he leant forward and pressed a soft kiss into Haruka's crown, just to show how proud he was of his mature decision.

"Whatever." Haruka grumbled, looking away as his cheeks flushed.

It was always those small gestures that threw Haruka off, he could never quite work out what they truly meant. Sometimes he thought they meant everything he dreamed, but other times he just thought it was a friendly gesture, meant for nothing more than comfort.

Haruka was so used to being in control that his feelings for Makoto terrified him. It was something he'd never felt before, and he wasn't even sure he could fully put it into words. It could be nothing, just an attachment to his only source of companionship, but god was he willing to push past that boundary and give it a try.

But he couldn't do that to Makoto, couldn't force him out of his comfort zone for his own selfish desires. His angel would do anything to make him happy but he'd never take advantage of that. Not as long as he lived.

Haruka sighed as he sat down for lunch, it had been a completely dull morning and he didn't doubt it would be an even duller afternoon. The only highlight had been the sparks he'd felt when Makoto had gently wrapped his hand around his own to force him to make notes in his history lesson.

"Aren't you glad you came?" Makoto asked with a wide smile.

"Not really." He replied honestly.

"Haru." He whined, dropping his head forward onto his chest. "You have to at least make an effort."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because, one day I won't be here and I need to know you'll be alright on your own." He said in a small voice.

"Don't talk like that." Haruka practically hissed. He hated it when Makoto talked about the future, all he wanted to do was hold the boy tight and never let go. Never surrender the only thing that made his life worthwhile. He didn't want to be here anymore if Makoto wasn't with him.

"You know it's true." He whispered, glancing up at the other boy.

Instead of responding he stubbornly shook his head, he knew that day would come but for now he wanted to make the most of their time together.

"You have rice on your cheek." Makoto smiled, changing the subject quickly.

"Where?" Haruka asked, uselessly grabbing at his cheeks to find the offending food.

"Here." He laughed, reaching forward to pluck the rice from the corner of his lips before popping it into his mouth. "So ridiculous Haru-chan."

"Thanks." He blushed, trying not to dwell on the indirect kiss they'd shared. It wasn't exactly the first time Makoto's lips had almost touched his skin.

He just wanted a sign, a definitive yes or no. Yes I want to be more than friends or no I want to carry on pretending I don't notice your blatant attraction to me. Either response was acceptable, he just wanted to put an end to his suffering.

Please give me something. He begged, but the message was never received.

"I guess you deserve a treat." Makoto pondered, placing his hand on his chin.

"I do?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Yeah, after being such a good boy for going to school." He teased, but Haruka didn't care, he wanted his treat.

"What have you got in mind?" He questioned coolly.

"Well, swim club doesn't meet on a Monday does it?" He smirked.

"No." He agreed, eagerly shaking his head.

"So I suppose we could go there instead and have a little swim. What do you say Haru-chan?"

"I suppose we could do." He said casually, but he knew it was pointless. Makoto would be able to feel the excitement seeping out his pours.

"I guess you have your swimming costume on underneath?" He teased, knowing the other boy often chose to forgo boxers in favour of tight jammers.

"Maybe." He grumbled, looking away.

At the moment a group of students walked past, giggling and whispering as Haruka appeared to be talking to himself. Not that it was unusual, at least once a day he'd get caught but his simple-minded peers always found it hysterical.

"I'm sorry." Makoto apologised, awkwardly folding in on himself.

He was here to help Haruka make friends but all he'd managed to do was isolate the poor boy further. If it weren't for him he'd probably be fine, have a handful of friends by now instead of being constantly pestered by a dead boy. He was the worst angel ever.

"I don't care." Haruka shrugged but Makoto was convinced it was a lie.

A month, he decided. He gave himself one month to finally help Haruka or he'd return to Kisumi and beg him to let another angel help the boy. If he failed he would be okay but he couldn't fail Haruka like that. Besides, how great could wings really be?

"Haru, we should probably leave now." Makoto protested, watching as said boy effortlessly lapped the pool at speeds he didn't even realise was humanly possible.

He'd tried countless times to get Haruka to join the swim club, it would have been a perfect way to meet people and he'd get to go in the pool whenever he'd like but he'd always declined. He'd always told Makoto it would be too much effort and beyond writing his name down himself there was little else he could do.

"But you haven't even come in yet." Haruka protested, propping himself up on the edge of the pool.

"I don't have a swimsuit." He declined.

"So?" He asked. It's not like you can get wet anyway, he added as a silent after thought.

Quickly, he reached out and grabbed Makoto's leg, yanking it until the boy tumbled forward and fell into the pool. But he didn't create a splash, not even a ripple, it was as if he didn't even exist.

Makoto stood tall again after having regained himself, completely dry despite the water up to his chest.

"I did not appreciate that." He commented with a small glare but Haruka couldn't reply.

What would Makoto look like wet? What would he look like sweating in the intense sun? What would he look like shivering in the winter's snow? What would he look like with the wind rippling through his hair? What would he look like if he were human again?

"Sorry." He mumbled.

"It's fine I guess." Makoto sighed dramatically. "One last lap then we're leaving."

"Okay." He agreed, slipping back into the water to swim.

After his lap he found Makoto was once again out of the water, hand held out to pull Haruka from the pool. He reached out for his hand and once again tightly grasped him as he exited the pool. It somehow felt easier to leave the sanctuary of the water if he knew Makoto was waiting for him.

"You better dry off properly or you'll get a cold." Makoto instructed as Haruka reached for his towel.

"Yes mother." He rolled his eyes.

"It's only because I care." He laughed, waiting for Haruka to dress so they could head home.

Unbeknownst to either boy for the past ten minutes a deep, red eyes had been watching. Silently marvelling at the grace and speed at which Haruka sailed through the water, forming a plan to get the boy on his team.

Sorry it took me so long to get a second chapter out, I think it's been about a month. But I recently had a bit of a negative response to one of my other stories – it wasn't overly terrible but I'm the kind of person who focuses too hard on the bad – so I lost a little motivation.

But I thought that it wasn't really worth dwelling on so I wrote this and I think I feel better for it because I enjoy writing and that's why I do it not to get approval from others :)

Anyway, rant over. Sorry!