They have to meet the Australian artist at a studio in Tokyo and Haruka is dreading it. Not so much the recording process itself - that seems easy, all he's been instructed to do is hover nearby and deflect Rin's phone calls. No, it's the coach trip that's eating him alive. A ten hour drive in a cramped metal box with Yamazaki Sousuke was never on his list of things to do. At least Rin let him have the window seat of the cushy booth they're sat in, though he doesn't even see why they have to share considering they have a whole tour bus for only six people.
Nitori and the younger Mikoshiba have tucked themselves away inside bunks at the back of the bus while Yamazaki hums and glares obnoxiously in his and Rin's direction from the couch opposite them, while Mikoshiba Seijurou grins at his laptop before typing violently in the other booth. Haru isn't sure what to think of that. He looks idly out of the tinted window, trying to ignore Rin's relentless foot tapping.
He's glad they don't have to sleep in the bus, as they're checked into a hotel for the three night stay. The sharp intake of Yamazaki's breath makes him tense more than the contact when Rin puts his arm around his neck, leaning on him. He takes a cautious glance sideways, glad that most of his face is now obscured by Rin's head as he takes a peek at Yamazaki. He shrinks back, deciding to just let Rin do his thing. He's pretty gone in his own world right about now anyway, he probably doesn't even realise he's trapped Haru into another hold.
But Haru's kind of getting used to that.
Rin's a bit of a limpet, he's starting to figure out. He's attached himself to Haruka's hip more so than Makoto did when they were kids. It's also becoming blatantly obvious – to the both of them, probably – that any attraction is absolutely mutual.
Why Rin hasn't done anything about that yet, Haru has no idea. But oh well. He's certainly not going to be the one to bring it up.
"You tired?" he asks Rin softly, turning into his hair, because Rin, he's learned, requires a gentle touch when he's on the edge of sleep. If one wants him to wake up in a good mood, that is.
"Mm," comes Rin's response after a few moments, dragging himself out of his head space.
Yamazaki coughs and Haru shoots him a look past Rin, feeling like a mother trying to prevent her dozing infant from being disturbed. "He won't sleep anyway," Yamazaki says confidently.
Mikoshiba looks up from his computer and smirks.
Rin gives Haru's shoulder a nuzzle, groaning. "Guys…"
Haru removes Rin's arm from around his neck and gives Rin a tug sideways against him, taking over the role with his arm now around Rin. There's an obvious chuckle, and he feels like being embarrassed, but he's more amused at just how offended Yamazaki looks when Rin yawns and wraps his arm across Haru's stomach.
He turns towards the window, trying not to look smug when Rin slides his other arm behind Haru's back and locks his nearest leg with both of his, essentially becoming a koala, clinging to him just like his pillow.
"I was just resting my eyes," Rin lies as they disembark the bus for a rest stop, because no one's really willing to clean out the bus's plumbing facilities any time soon.
Haruka holds back his snort, choosing to drift away slightly from the bickering bandmates. They're meeting back at the bus in ten, and he'd rather not get caught up with the fans this time.
And he'd rather the other guys didn't make jokes about his choice in juice as he pays for the beverage, walking lazily back towards the carpark.
There's already someone by the bus and, well, shit, Haruka thinks as the figure turns around and positions himself to block the door.
"Nanase," Yamazaki grunts, looming over Haru with a shadow to rival Makoto's.
"Y-yes?" he stammers.
And then all of a sudden, he's being backed against the bus, trapped by hands as he sips his drink, trying to act cool.
"What's your game?" he growls, met by silence.
Because what's Haru supposed to say with a mouthful of juice? It's not like he hasn't anticipated a confrontation with this gorilla, but that's not any phrasing he's prepared himself for. He swallows, hoping it doesn't look like a gulp, as he fiddles for the words.
"Sousuke!" Rin yells, marching over with the others in tow.
And it's probably the angriest Haru has ever seen him, teeth bared and hair practically spiking up. He takes the opportunity to duck out of Yamazaki's blockade, slipping inside the bus where he can't hear whatever's happening outside.
Whatever it is doesn't take very long, thankfully, with Rin joining him less than a minute later, arm instantly tight around him.
"Chill," Haru whispers, feeling Rin trembled slightly against him.
"Did he say anything to you?" Rin grunts, tone pitched.
Haru contemplates. "Not really," he decides. "He… uh… doesn't like me very much, does he?"
"That's no reason to act the way he did… Sei's pitching a fit at him."
As if on cue, the rest of the passengers board. The two youngest disappear to the bunks again and Yamazaki reclaims his seat, cool as a cucumber, narrowed eyes burning into the side of Haru's face.
Haru blinks once, aiming for unperturbed, and turns his head back to the window. It takes Rin ages to finally relax, but he doesn't look like he wants to go to sleep anymore. Not that that put's Haru off, leaning more against him and closing his eyes.
"[And all I can taste is this moment, and all I can breathe is your life, when sooner or later it's over, I just don't wanna miss you tonight,]" Rin sings, barely audibly, in a language Haru doesn't understand.
It's nice though. Haru hasn't really heard him sing before, despite it being his successful career choice. For someone who reeks of confidence, Rin could be awfully shy at times.
"[I just want you to know who I am]," Rin continues, resting his cheek against Haru's hair.
Haru feigns his sleep, hoping he'll carry on.
He's awoken in the dark by Rin blowing on his forehead.
"Rest stop, Haru," he mumbles. "Last one before we get to the hotel."
Rin is looking down at him, and Haru doesn't even have a word for that expression. He smiles softly, eyes weary but shining. He decides he likes it, whatever it is. His mood has recovered then, thank kami.
"Maybe stay awake, yeah?" Rin murmurs as they settle back down, beverages in hand. Rin's gone for a hot chocolate, which Haru had to refrain from making a "sap" comment on. "I don't want you not being able to sleep when we get there."
Haru nods his agreement lazily. Rin is obviously underestimating his ability to sleep just as effortlessly as he swims, but he chooses not to comment. Rin seems happy; relaxed, and Haru would rather not spoil that before Rin has to get a good night's sleep for work tomorrow.
How this little idiot is still tired when they get to the hotel, Rin will never know, he muses, linking his arm around Haru's neck as Seijurou and Sousuke do the honours of checking them in.
Sousuke approaches, holding keys. "Since he," he nods in Haru's direction, "was… unplanned, you two are sharing."
"It's not like it matters, I bet Rin-Rin hasn't brought Fuwa-sama with him anyway," Ai giggles, and if Rin's dominant arm wasn't already occupied, he'd be strangling him.
He catches Haru looking at him with a light smirk. "I didn't know it had a name," he mutters, mostly to himself, as if he's seriously questioning Rin's sanity.
"I've had hi- it since I was a kid," Rin tries to stress, but Haru seems far more interested in trying to approach the large fish tank standing in the reception area.
He promptly tightens his grip. Tachibana had warned him about this behaviour. But at least he's distracted from mocking Mr. Squishy.
Rin takes his own bag upstairs up to the room, because he can, thank you very much, and he hates waiting on porters who want tips and autographs. Haru follows behind with his backpack.
"Does this hotel have a pool, Rin?" he asks innocently.
Rin assumes so. It costs enough. "We'll find it tomorrow," he assures.
He follows the room numbers, looking for the one that matches his - fuck Sousuke. Fuck him. In the face. With an axe.
Honeymoon Suite
"Uh…" Haru stares, confused, probably terrified.
"Sousuke's idea of a bad joke," Rin grumbles, shoving open the door in the faint hope that bastard's had the decency to ask for two beds.
Who was he trying to kid?
But at least the cherry-blossoms are a nice touch.
"I'll fix it," he starts to say, turning back to the door where Haru still stands. There's a grinning ginger behind him.
"Can't, sorry. They're booked up. But hey, Sousuke forked out for the best room for you. That's kind of an apology, right?"
Rin falters, looking at Haru, who's slowly turning his head.
"It won't matter when you're asleep," he says simply, shrugging his bag down and going off to investigate the bathroom. He makes a pleased noise, sounding about as excited as Haru – especially sleepy Haru – can get.
"I never sleep well on these trips anyway," Rin declares.
"Yeah, yeah, you should probably work on that," Seijurou taunts. "Goodnight."
"Haru, what are you even doing in there? Come on, I need a shower."
There's a hurried splash and a sulky sounding "Fine," from the bathroom and Haru emerges, towel clad and almost beaming.
"Nice bath?" Rin asks.
"The best," Haru swoons, aiming for the bed.
Rin figures he should be more worried than endeared.
Haru has tucked himself in quite happily when Rin has washed up and changed into some loose cotton pants and a grey tank. He grabs his laptop and sits down on the loveseat. Haru rustles in the bed.
"You're not getting in?"
Rin cringes, but it's not like Haru hasn't shown up in his room enough times to not know his little habit by now. "I didn't bring my pillow, Haru… I'll keep the light low."
"Don't pretend you can't sleep without your pillow. Just how often do you fall asleep on me, hm?"
Rin feels himself blushing, noticeably, because he's definitely noticed how easy it is to fall asleep with Haru. He even demands to watch movies with his head in his lap if he's feeling particularly in need of a quick snooze. But he doesn't think – hopes – that Haru knows it's just him that makes him so sleepy. And how can he explain it without Haru realising just how good he makes Rin feel when he's around and how much, well, he'd actually like to sleep with him forever.
"At least come and lie down. It's better than forcing yourself awake… you'll still be rested, even if you don't sleep."
Rin relents, heading over. It's a large bed and he squeezes in on the end, but Haru's almost in the middle.
"Comfy?" he asks.
"Mm, little chilly," Haru responds.
The room is rather cold, Rin notes. The aircon's probably set high under the assumption that things will get rather steamy in here. He rolls over, turning his face away from the edge so the cool air isn't as much of a bother.
"Rin," Haru says, and it's almost like a demand, or a question. "You can, if you want to," he adds, not specifying. "I know."
Well, shit.
Haru flops onto his back and Rin shimmies closer, eventually finding Haru's shoulder for his head.
"Relax," Haru breathes, in his calm, silky voice as his fingers twirl in his hair.
Rin tries, honestly, he does, but he can't.
"Sing me something," Haru hums after too many moments of fidgeting. "Anything, I don't care."
"Why?!" Rin hisses.
"Because I like it."
Rin needs to learn to say no to this kid. He begins to sing softly, choosing English to hide from any embarrassing lyrics. This is embarrassing enough without accidentally declaring his infatuation.
"What does it mean?" Haru wonders, adjusting Rin comfortably against his chest.
Rin chuckles. "You're supposed to be sleeping, I'm not giving you an English lesson."
"Yeah, alright. Goodnight, Rin-Rin," he teases.
"You're a shit, Haru. Sleep tight," Rin squeezes him, settling an arm around his waist at last.