Summary: Kisses and confessions.

A/N: Late update is better than no update, right? *laughs nervously*

In a daze Makoto feels something soft and warm on his lips… The warmth slowly spreads through his entire body and it feels so comfortable, so right that he can't bear letting it go, and so he does only the most natural thing that comes to him—hugs it tight and close. There's a sweetness in his mouth that is almost addictive and making him feel dizzy, and on instinct he delves deeper to savour more of it. All of a sudden he thinks of Haru—he really wants to share this with Haru.

"Haru…"

He struggles and barely manages to open his eyes. He thinks it's Haru he sees, but it isn't possible; the last thing he remembers he's having dinner with his university friends at some restaurant and Haru isn't here with him. So he concludes he must be dreaming—dreaming about kissing Haru. Vaguely he thinks this isn't right, but instead of willing himself to stop he lets himself indulge, just for once. It's only a dream anyway, right?

As they part Makoto sees Haru's eyes sparkle and lips curve up into a smile. He can't help but smile back, and for a moment he feels like he might really drown in the other's ocean blue eyes. There is some lingering warmth and sweetness on his lips, as well as Haru's hot breath hovering over them…

Makoto's eyes snap wide open immediately. He releases Haru and sits upright, instinctively feeling his own lips with his fingers. His heart is pounding as hard as his head right now, beating so loudly that he can't think coherently. It even feels like it might explode. There is so much running through his mind right now. What has he done?! He just made out with his best friend in his drunken state! How should he face Haru from now on? Is Haru going to hate him now? Has he ruined everything? In any case he has to apologise to Haru first. He can't lose Haru because of this, he can't, he can't, he can't—

"H-Haru I'm so sor—" His voice is quavering, his hands trembling.

But before he can finish apologising, Haru has taken his hand and kissed him again on the lips. The kiss manages to obliterate all the thoughts from his mind in an instant.

It's okay.

Haru's unyielding gaze and the firm but gentle grip of his hand are both telling him—telling Makoto that it's okay.

"It's okay, Makoto," Haru says.

Makoto feels himself go weak and his head falls to rest on Haru's shoulder. There's a whirl of emotions within him right now which he needs to consolidate. As if in understanding, Haru wordlessly strokes his hair in a soothing manner. Closing his eyes, he squeezes Haru's hand that is entwined with his own—conveying a 'thank you'—and Haru squeezes back.

They stay like this for a while, neither of them speaking another word. It is Makoto who breaks the comfortable silence.

"Haru-cha—"

"I told you to lay off the '-chan'," Haru interrupts, staring pointedly at him.

Makoto looks at Haru disbelievingly. He finally musters up his courage to talk about this, and Haru just breaks him off…

He doesn't realise he's pouting until Haru pinches his cheeks, pulling the sides of his face upwards. Makoto blinks and Haru breaks into a smile, amused and unable keep up with the serious façade any longer.

"Idiot Makoto," Haru says, not without endearment.

"That's so mean!" Makoto protests, breaking into a smile himself and eventually laughing.

"You're finally smiling," Haru says, and Makoto stops, relief and familiar warmth overwhelming him. Haru must have sensed Makoto's nervousness, and this is his way of cheering Makoto up, assuring him that nothing has to change between them at all, telling him to stop worrying so much—and he knows Makoto will understand.

"Haru-chan…"

"Drop the—"

He pulls Haru into a tight embrace, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I love you, Haru, I love you so much…"

"Ah," Haru's reply is simple as he returns the embrace. "Me too..."

Haru's stomach chooses the worst moment to growl, and Haru flushes bright red instantly. Makoto starts chuckling and immediately receives a deathly glare from Haru.

"No laughing!" Haru pouts, pinching Makoto's cheeks again. "It's your fault for getting drunk and making me rush over that I didn't get any dinner!"

"Sorry, Haru…" Makoto apologises, genuinely feeling guilty.

"No more alcohol for you." Haru crosses his arms in mock anger. "And you better have a good explanation for not seeing me this whole week."

"Well…" Makoto gulps. "Dinner first?" He offers. "I'll cook!"

"Just don't burn my mackerel…" Haru gives him a sceptical look.

Makoto immediately brightens and jumps up from the couch. He places a kiss on Haru's cheek before scooting off to the kitchen, unaware that he has just missed out on seeing Haru blush and shyly touch the spot where he has just kissed.

"It's really good." Haru's eyes widen in surprise when he tastes the mackerel that Makoto has prepared.

"Really? I'm glad," Makoto is currently sitting across from Haru at the table, resting his face on both hands and smiling while watching Haru have his dinner.

"…What?" Haru demands.

"Nothing," Makoto replies, which makes Haru frown.

"Have you been practicing?" Haru puts down his chopsticks and reaches across the table to take Makoto's bandaged fingers.

"I actually wanted to make this for Haru's birthday…" Makoto explains, scratching his cheek.

Haru looks at Makoto in surprise, before returning his gaze to Makoto's injured fingers, looking concerned.

"A-Ah, but I didn't get injured because of this! Don't worry!" Makoto hurries to clarify. "I remember what Haru taught me, look!" As he says this he curls his fingers such that it looks like a cat paw. "I didn't cut my fingers even once!" He's actually pretty proud of himself for that.

"Then it's because you were sewing the omamori…" Haru sighs.

Ah, Haru found out about the surprise gift…

"Un," Makoto admits, wilting in disappointment.

"Makoto," Haru is suddenly standing up, and Makoto is worried for a moment that he might have made Haru unhappy. But Haru just leans forward, lifts Makoto's hand and lowers his head to Makoto's eye level. Makoto is blushing to the tips of his ears now, because Haru is currently kissing his fingers and it doesn't help that he's directly gazing into Makoto's eyes.

"You're not allowed to abuse them like that from now on." Haru says simply, looking upset.

"O-Okay," Makoto stutters and lowers his gaze, thinking he may very well combust any moment now.

Haru sits back down and continues looking at Makoto, his gaze now softened.

"…Was that the reason you were avoiding me this whole week?"

Makoto's head snaps back up at that. "I wasn't! I would never—"

"I missed you."

"Haru…" Makoto can't count the number of times Haru has rendered him speechless today. Even though Makoto is supposed to be the one who is good with words…

"If it's going to take away the time I can spend with Makoto, then…" Haru looks away to the side, bites his lip.

"Haru, I'm sorry…"

"Don't apologise."

"I promise I'll make it up to you. Is there anything special you want for your birthday?"

Haru stares at Makoto in disbelief. You still don't get it?

Makoto shakes his head in confusion, gaze following Haru as the other walks over to his side. He feels Haru encircle his arms around him from behind and bury his face in his shoulder. And then a small but sure voice whispers into his ear—

"I don't want anything other than Makoto."

A/N: Headcanon that Haru really loves Makoto's hands.