Another update, sooner than expected! There is quite a bit of speech in here, which I consider my biggest weakness, so I hope all flows well...

On another happy note! After getting quite the bit of feedback on the SouMako thing, I got really inspired and started writing it! The first chapter is up, and the title is The Rules of Life, so find it under that name on my profile! Thank you all for giving me your opinion on this! I will answer you as soon as possible!

Now enjoy!

...

Friday had come a lot sooner than anticipated. The mood had improved considerably after Rin had apologised and had shown his remorse, but as the day grew closer, the group got on edge again. Haru had burned the fish the night prior, ruining a perfect dish. This did mean they were getting take-out and Rin actually didn't mind the change of food. At least he could get some meat again. Sousuke had chipped his chin while shaving, turning the bathroom in a bloodbath. Not a pretty sight and not something Makoto could handle so early in the morning. The little white Band-Aid did make a cute accessory.

And Rin, well… he had forgotten his jammers, so had to borrow a badly fitting one from one of his teammates, it really not leaving much to the imagination. His mind was just all over the place, mostly making up scenarios for that evening, coming up with horrifying scenes along the way. One where Kisumi simply asked if Makoto wanted to leave them all and come home with him, which Makoto then eagerly agreed to. Not the best thing to think of while sliding across the water, performing a… questionable butterfly stroke. He sincerely hoped no one would notice the bump on his head, received by hitting the opposite wall of the pool.

The only one who seemed alright, was Makoto. He was fluttering through his days as usual, and had the right of mind to actually get stuff for dinner. Not that he would be cooking, because he was just not very good at it. So Rin hoped Haru would do better than the previous night, and not burn the pork Makoto had gotten. It would be such a waste and the pork seemed to be the only plus side to this evening so far. Rin was still not looking forward to this little get together with Kisumi.

But he would just need to get over it since the clock was already hitting six and Kisumi could be here any minute now. Awkwardly they were hanging around the living room. Sousuke was setting the table, taking out the good plates. Apparently they had good plates. Haru was hidden away in the kitchen, and so far nothing smelled burned. Makoto was comfortably seated on the couch, flipping through channels as he tried to find something to watch, clearly still not affected by the situation. And Rin was just standing beside the couch, fussing with the polo he was wearing, wondering when he had even gotten this.

Letting his eyes slide through the room, Rin tried to see if they seemed fake. As if they didn't look like a couple at all, but more like a bunch of guys living together who occasionally had sex. He tried to notice what Kisumi would notice as soon as he entered the door. To Rin it just looked like home…

And then the doorbell rang. Rin actually flinched, body going rigid as eyes widened, surprised by the sudden sound. Stupid. He knew it would happen any second and still he wasn't ready for it. His heart really started racing now, that one scenario moving through his brain again as an ugly reminder of what could happen.

"Rin, would you mind getting that?"

The soft timbre pulled Rin out of his thoughts as he slowly glanced down at the source. Makoto was staring up at him, this kind smile on his lips that made his heart settle just a little, it comforting his nerves slightly. But the request made his throat turn dry. Why did he need to open the door first and welcome Kisumi into their home? Makoto had invited him and was currently the only one that actually was looking forward to this dinner. Rin wanted to refuse. Tell Makoto he should do it himself and stalk of like some spoiled kid. But he wouldn't. Makoto deserved more than that, and Rin would grant him the benefit of the doubt. Would trust in Makoto's judgement. And so Rin nodded shortly, turning towards the hallway door.

Entering the hallway Rin could see the outline of Kisumi through the fogged glass of the front door. He was really here.

As he let the final hesitation slip away Rin opened the door, holding his breath as the person that is Kisumi appeared in front of him. This casual but flirty smile was on his lips. One Rin remembered from when they were younger. He really hadn't changed much over the years. Except for those fine worry lines in the corner of his eyes. Those were new. But those violet eyes still sparkled as his smile grew wider when he noticed Rin.

"Rin!" he greeted excitedly, stepping forward and instantly embracing Rin in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" He was so free in things like this, not caring how it would look if Kisumi hugged him like this. To him it was just normal. And no matter how hard Rin tried to see anything fake in how Kisumi acted, he didn't find any. Every word Kisumi said, was meant, genuine excitement tracing his tone.

A bit overwhelmed Rin didn't respond at first, only giving Kisumi a short tap on the back as reaction to the hug. "H-hey," he said, voice breaking along the way to show off his surprise. His upbringing taught him he needed to be polite, and there really was no reason for him not to be. But the following words were still tough to say. "I'm glad you could make it."

Parting Kisumi held on to Rin's hands just a little longer, a meaningful smile staining his lips. "Thank you for inviting me."

Rin decided not to continue on this, and he realised it was possibly weird that he had not once smiled yet, but he couldn't bring himself to. He was too nervous to. And so he simply led the way inside, opening the hallway door for Kisumi and really letting him in. Coats and shoes had been discarded of before, and Rin found Kisumi had dressed really nicely. A dress shirt with clean cut black pants. He was trying to impress someone and Rin could only imagine whom.

"Kisumi, glad you could come!" Makoto greeted, that familiar inviting smile on his lips that instantly made you feel at home. Rin expected another hug, Kisumi jumping Makoto the second he could. But instead they simply bumped fists and shot each other sweet smiles. And Rin appreciated it, because Makoto did it for them, all of them, making sure the evening wasn't off to a bad start. "I hope you found this place easily."

Violet eyes had already moved on from Makoto, trying to find everyone inside the apartment, but he replied nonetheless. "Yeah, no problem at all." And then his eyes landed on Sousuke, who had been hiding in shadows, trying to delay this moment for as long as he could. "Sousuke!" And the Beta got a fist bump too, and another happy smile, genuine as every single one had been. But Kisumi's eyes still weren't done searching, sliding through every crook of the room. "Is Haru not here?" he questioned, disappointment slightly visible in his tone.

"Ah, he's in the kitchen getting dinner ready. We should be able to start soon," Makoto replied. The look he had in his eyes was strange to Rin. Fondness with a trace of understanding, but what exactly did he understand? What exactly was going on here? "Haru!" he then called. "Come say hi."

Reluctantly Haru came shuffling around the corner, darkened look in his eyes. "Hey," he said shortly, and then lingered in the doorway a little longer.

Without warning Kisumi shot forward, gleeful smile on his lips as he wrapped Haru in a tight hug. And Haru had not been quick enough to deflect, unprepared for such a sudden act of kindness coming from their friend. "Haru! I'm so happy you are here too. I was afraid not everyone would be able to make it, but here everyone is!"

Prying himself away from Kisumi, Haru instantly averted his eyes, confused by the amount of bodily contact that had just happened. "Makoto told us all to be here, so we're all here," Haru answered honestly.

"Ah, that's not how it went!" Makoto tried to cover up, because it was rude, and we didn't want to insult the guest before dinner had even started. "I just told everyone we were having you over for dinner, and so we all planned to be here today. Of course we all were very excited to see you today!" The lie came so easily, and thankfully Kisumi bought it as well, smiling that half flirty smile of his as he nodded in response.

Silence settled between them and Rin could feel the awkward mood rising again, but he was not about to be the savoir. But Kisumi didn't seem to need one, his interest already moving somewhere else as his violet eyes slid through the apartment. They settled on a small cabinet they had to the side, picture frames adorning the top. With a skip in his step Kisumi made his way over there and glanced through them all, eyes unable the focus on only one. They were of memories the four had shared together, some with friends and family, others with just them. More and more had been added over time, and soon it would be too full to hold any new ones, but they'd figure something out by then.

Again that fond smile formed on Makoto's lips, though Rin saw a hint of sadness in those green eyes. Slowly the Alpha made his way over to Kisumi and looked at the pictures as well, pointing out some and giving them an explanation. "This was taken during our very first holiday together. We had gone to a lake a few towns over and had camped out there. Our budget wasn't very big and this seemed like a good solution. A kind couple had passed by as we swam in the lake and we asked them to take a picture. And right as they do, a fish swims by and slithers passed Sousuke foot. This is why he's pulling that face."

A soft chuckle made its way off Kisumi's lips as he takes in the picture. "That seems like it was really fun!"

"It was," Rin pitched in. Why he had joined them by the cabinet he wasn't sure of, but he was here now. "Though I could've lived without the bugs and the small forest fire Haru started."

"He did not start a small forest fire!" Makoto defended, though the blush on his cheeks said he was not telling the truth now. Haru had started a fire, claiming he could cook anywhere, and that the fire was not too big. Throwing more wood on it had definitely been one of the dumbest ideas Haru had had.

Raising an eyebrow Rin glanced up at Makoto, clacking his tongue to reprimand Makoto for his lie. "I think that scorched oak tree begs the differ. It was blackened completely when we left the campsite. It's a miracle we weren't called afterwards for it or that no one noticed the smoke."

"Or Makoto shrieking for someone to get water from the lake to put it out," Sousuke said from right behind them, watching the pictures now with crossed arms. "And I am still certain that fish had teeth."

Violet eyes were filled with amusement, watching them all interact with one another. He looked genuinely happy, smile so wide it seemed to burst right off his face. It was an endearing sight, but it also put Rin on edge. Because that look in his eyes, the one that seemed to follow them everywhere, was filled with longing. This is what Kisumi wanted and that was why he was here, wriggling their way in. Maybe they shouldn't have been so nice to him. Maybe he had the wrong idea now. He should be less friendly, should distance himself now. That would be better. Kisumi should not think that he actually had a shot here, just because they were nice to him.

"There were no fish with teeth in that lake. Otherwise we wouldn't have been allowed to swim there," Haru said plainly, having joined them as well. "And the fire was particularly small. Others had been there before us and had burned down that tree." The first thing was of course true. The latter… not as much, and Kisumi knew that as well of course, grinning widely at Haru, envisioning the whole situation. "And dinner is ready. Can someone carry everything out the kitchen?"

A hand wrapped around his wrist, and as Rin followed the source, he looked up in sweet green eyes. "Rin and I will get the food. You can all take your seats at the table and we'll be right there," Makoto announced and then pulled Rin towards the kitchen.

As soon as they were out of sight and hearing range from the others, Makoto dragged Rin forward and captured him in a sudden kiss. It wasn't the soft sweet kiss Rin usually got in situations like this, but passionate and hard, teeth clashing together. When it ended Rin was gasping for air, partially wondering what had just happened, partially not really caring at all. "Thank you for being so nice to Kisumi," Makoto muttered, making Rin crash down from this nice high instantly. "I was a little worried at first, thinking you'd all be rude to him and pretty much chase him out, but you didn't, and actually have been talking to him." With a pleased smile Makoto stepped away and grabbed a pan of the furnace.

"I still don't trust him, Makoto," Rin sputtered out, keeping his gaze on the floor. This was exactly not what Makoto wanted to hear, and this may receive more disappointment coming from the Alpha, but he also wanted to be honest.

The pan was placed back on the furnace and Makoto took an extra second to gather his thoughts. "I spoke too soon, didn't I?" Makoto replied, smile tugging at his lips, but not quite reaching his eyes. He shook his head and sighed, clearly tired of this all. "You know why Kisumi called me, Rin?" he asked, turning his head to look at the Omega over his shoulder. He didn't wait for a reply though, continuing right away. "Because I am the only one who actually invites him over and hangs out with him." Makoto wiped a hand over his face, rubbing away some worry lines.

Rin wasn't sure where this was going, but decided to keep quiet. If Makoto put it like that, they actually hadn't been very good friends. It's not like they hung out a lot during their teen years, but Kisumi was a good guy. He just showed that too. And hanging out without Makoto shouldn't be a problem at all. It would be fun. Working out with the guy, going to the movies, just something.

"You know he's here for you, Rin," Makoto suddenly said, surprising Rin completely. "He's here for you and for Haru, because he wants to talk. I can't tell you what about, but I know he needs his friends right now."

"But why?" Rin asked, it being the only intelligent thing he could think of. This was all very sudden and didn't make any sense at all. Why would Kisumi want to talk to Haru and Rin, and not wonderful listener Makoto, who would help wherever he could? This was not Rin's field of expertise. Hell, he usually made things worse.

Hands settled on his hips as Makoto steadied him, closing the distance between their bodies once more. He was smiling down at Rin, it filled with so much love it made Rin hold his breath. Questions still fluttered through his brain, bewildered at the thought of needing to talk to Kisumi. But no matter what Makoto would say next, he would listen. Not because he was the Alpha or because he felt a need to please, but because he trusted Makoto. And if Makoto thought it was necessary to talk, that it needed to be done, then he would. Whatever the reason may be.

"Sometimes you need to talk to someone who understands what you're going through."