CHAPTER 7


Haruka took a long bath, soaking in the water that gradually went cold, thinking about the events that occurred that day. He never imagined one could feel such emptiness in his heart.

So what if he doesn't love me? It's not like the world will fall apart just because I'm experiencing disappointment. It's not like this is the first time I'm being rejected and abandoned… I'm used to being alone in this world, taking care of myself, since my parents are never around. I can function fine by myself… There's only one person who's been here my whole life, a constant, a companion, my best friend… yet I failed to acknowledge his loyalty and looked for happiness in other places… I'm horrible.

He went under the surface, water covering his face completely, hoping that would make him feel better and forget this pain at least for a moment. He closed his eyes and tried to stay like that as long as he could. Being one with water was a remarkable feeling that always helped up his spirits.

Suddenly, he felt a strong grip around his upper arm, pulling him out in panic.

"Haru! Haru!"

First he heard a distressed voice and once he opened his eyes, he could see Makoto freaking out, still holding his arm tightly.

"I thought you drowned!" Makoto gasped.

"What's gotten into you? Like I could ever drown, Makoto." Haruka couldn't help but snort at the mere thought of drowning, yet alone in his own bathtub.

He leaped out of the water and reached for a towel, while Makoto was still shaking, sitting on the brink of the tub.

"I was so scared, I tried calling you the whole day, but you didn't pick up. I called the others and nobody knew where you were. That's when I decided to check on you. When I saw you lay in the water motionless, I instantly thought the worst has happened!" Makoto was explaining his trail of thought.

"So… where were you?"

He looked up at Haruka with his big green eyes, looking for an answer.

"I was… away." Haruka was very vague with his answer, not capable of telling a straight-out lie, but also not ready to tell the truth and hurt this big, yet fragile guy.

"I'm here now, right?"

"Thank God, Haru…"

Haruka reached out his hand and ran it through Makoto's messy hair. He moved closer, allowing Makoto to wrap his arms around his waist and bury his head into his naked chest. Haruka lowered his head a bit so he could indulge in the familiar smell, the one that has been there since the beginning. He couldn't help but smile a bit, thinking about how Makoto still used the same shampoo he did when he was a kid. The one made especially for babies that guaranteed their eyes wouldn't sting and tear up after using it.

"Why are you so good to me, Makoto?" Haruka said half loudly. It was more of an inner monologue, yet he uttered it out loud.

"Huh?" Makoto looked up at the person he was hugging. "What kind of question is that, Haru?"

"I was just wondering… How can you always be so good to me? Even when I'm acting out and my actions don't make sense, you're always by my side, full of understanding…"

"That's 'cause we're a team. And teams stick together." Makoto smiled in a way only he could, with his eyes shining brightly and a special glow in his cheeks. The fear he felt for Haruka after not knowing where he was suddenly disappeared once he felt the beating of his restless heart. Although he couldn't tell for sure if it was beating for him, but just hearing its rhythm was enough to make him fee better.

Haruka couldn't but curse himself once again for always chasing Rin when he had somebody like Makoto right before his eyes. Even after being rejected cruelly, discarded and ridiculed, deep inside he yearned for that redheaded bastard. It was like seeking out a storm, a typhoon, and abandoning the safety of a calm, unruffled ocean. What else could he expect than to drown in the end?

"I don't want to drown." Haruka murmured and confused Makoto with his ramblings.

"It's getting dark outside. You should probably go to sleep and get some rest." Makoto stood up and broke off the contact between him and Haruka.

"Oh, and you should dry your hair or you might get a cold."

"Yes, mother. I mean, Makoto." Haruka chuckled at his usual protectiveness.

Watching Makoto leave the bathroom with a sigh, digging his hands down his pockets and putting on a slouch, making his wide shoulders seem narrower, looking somehow depressed, made Haruka's chest tighten a little. There was definitely something bothering this happy-go-lucky person.

He reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his cardigan.

"Don't go…" He whispered loud enough for the brown haired boy to hear and turn around.

"Stay with me tonight."


A/N: Not sure when the next update will be, since I'm going away for 4 days and won't be able to bring my laptop with me, but I'll continue this as soon as I return, promise :D