Makoto slowly started to wake up after a good night's rest. He noticed that Haruka was no longer in the bed next to him. He lifted himself up and got out of bed. He slowly walked towards the bathroom and smiled when he saw his lover sitting in the bathtub.

"You look comfortable Haru."

"Do you want to come in and join me? The water says you can."

Makoto laughed a little. "I don't think we'll both be able to fit in there."

"I think we can."

Haruka shifted a little in the bathtub to make room for Makoto. He really wanted to share his beloved water with his beloved Makoto. Makoto blushed a little, but then quickly realized that Haruka was most likely wearing his swimming trunks and not sitting around naked. Still, he wasn't prepared to get into water since he didn't have his swimming trunks on like Haruka always did.

"Maybe some other time Haru. I don't have a change of clothes. I should also get back home to help with breakfast. Why don't you come with me? My parents and the twins would love to have you with us."

"What about Kisumi? He's still there."

"Ah, well I'm sure Kisumi won't mind. I'll talk to him once I get back."

"Alright then…I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Great! I'll see you there Haru!" Makoto said. He started to turn around and walk off.

"Wait, Makoto!"

Makoto stopped and turned to look at Haruka. "Hmm?" Makoto saw Haruka with his eyes closed and lips puckered. Makoto laughed a little and walked over to give his lover what he wanted. Gently, Makoto kissed Haruka and then leaned away with a smile. He turned around and left the room, leaving a blushing Haruka alone in the tub.

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Makoto arrived home and noticed that Kisumi's shoes were no longer at the entrance. He walked over to the kitchen where his mom was preparing breakfast. "Mom, Kisumi's shoes aren't near the front door?"

"Ah, he left a few minutes ago Mako. He called a taxi and said he'd be fine making it back home. Did something happen?"

"We…sort of had an argument."

"Eh? Really? But you're not one to argue so easily."

"It's really complicated mom, but don't worry, I'll make sure to apologize to him."

Mrs. Tachibana smiled and walked over to her eldest son. "You know Makoto, I don't mind you going to Haru's place in the middle of the night and staying over, but since you two are dating and I am your mother, I just want to be clear that if anything goes on between you, please make sure to wear protection."

"Mom!" Makoto blushed crimson red as Mrs. Tachibana giggled.

"I know Haru can't get pregnant, but it's better to be cautious. Those hickeys on your neck are very noticeable you know."

"Mom…Ah! The hickeys! I forgot about them! Don't look!"

"You're going to have to find a way to hide them sweetie. Although, I think it's adorable how much Haru loves you. I never thought he would be the possessive type."

"Mom…Can we please stop talking about this? I might die of embarrassment."

"But it's fun talking about you and Haru."

"Well speaking of Haru, is it okay if he joins us for breakfast?"

"Of course!"

"Thanks mom! I'm going to go change and come back down to help you." Makoto rushed off and up the stairs while Mrs. Tachibana watched him with a smile on her face. She was amazed at how quickly the years had gone by. Makoto was no longer an adorable little boy, but a tall and handsome young man that Mrs. Tachibana was proud to call her son.

Meanwhile, Makoto walked into his room and saw that Kisumi really had left without saying anything. He felt guilty for arguing with his friend. In the back of his mind he made a note to himself that he would go apologize as soon as he possibly could. Makoto stripped off his shirt and looked into his mirror. The hickeys were very noticeable. Makoto felt extremely embarrassed knowing that his mother was the one who pointed them out. He sighed and grabbed a towel, telling himself that he would think of a way to hide the hickeys while in the shower.

XXXX

In the end, Makoto decided to wear his Iwatobi jacket to cover the hickeys on his neck. Haruka gave him a quick grin when he arrived to the Tachibana house once he saw Makoto's brilliant idea on how to hide the love marks. Makoto nervously smiled in return as he let Haruka inside and closed the door. The two walked over to the dining room where the twins and Mr. Tachibana were already seated.

"Haru!" The twins yelled in unison.

"Welcome Haruka, please have a seat," Mr. Tachibana said as he put down his newspaper. Haruka nodded his head and sat down across from the twins. Makoto rushed over to the kitchen to help his mom with bringing the food to the table.

"Hey onii-chan, where's Kisumi?" Ran asked as she looked around.

"He left early to go eat breakfast at home."

"Are we going to be able to hang out with him and Hayato again before you go back to school?" Ren asked.

"Sure. I already told Kisumi we could all go to the park some time this week."

"That sounds great! Haru can come too!" Ren said with a cheerful smile. Haruka decided to smile even though inside he didn't want to be anywhere near Kisumi after he marked his Makoto.

"Haru! I'm so glad you could come join us," Mrs. Tachibana said as she made her way over to the table and sat down. Makoto took a seat next to Haruka and grabbed the pitcher of orange juice. He poured some in Haruka's cup too before he handed it over to his dad.

"So Haru, how is everything going with swimming? It's been a while since I've been able to talk to you," Mr. Tachibana said.

"It's been fine. Training is getting a bit tougher, but I've been keeping up with everything I have to do."

"You're definitely going to represent Japan when you make it to the Olympics one day. Of course you also have Rin as your competition for that spot."

The thought of Rin boiled Haruka's blood, but he tried his best not to show his irritation and just nodded in response. He didn't know how he was going to face Rin after what he did. Mrs. Tachibana noticed Haruka's unease and decided to change the topic. "So, Haruka, Makoto, is there anything you'd like to share with everyone?" She said with a smile and a wink. Makoto and Haruka blushed at the same time and looked at each other. They wondered if it was a good time to let everyone know about their relationship. Through their eyes they made an agreement that they'd tell Makoto's family.

"Umm, dad, Ren, Ran, there's something I'd like to tell you," Makoto started to say as everyone's attention went on him. "Uh, you see, Haru and I have always been good friends and he's almost like family. We all know how great Haru is and how important he is to me."

"Yes we know Makoto, now get to the point," Mrs. Tachibana replied with a smile.

"Ah, right. Umm, well, Haru and I are…going out."

The entire table grew silent. Mr. Tachibana, Ren and Ran were all shocked by the news. Makoto started to worry, thinking that they weren't going to accept him and Haruka being together. Mrs. Tachibana hit her mug with her fork to grab everyone's attention. "I think we should support them. Makoto and Haru are very happy together. It brings my heart joy knowing that they're a couple."

"You already knew about this?" Mr. Tachibana asked surprised.

"A mother figures things out quicker then everyone else honey."

"So then Haru's going to marry onii-chan! But I'm supposed to marry onii-chan!" Ran whined.

"Hey! I'm the one who's supposed to marry him!" Ren argued back.

"No one's marrying anyone right now," Mr. Tachibana replied. He looked over at Makoto and Haruka. "Is this really what the two of you want?"

"Yes…I really love Haru…" Makoto replied in almost a whisper. Haruka grabbed onto Makoto's hand under the table and squeezed it. He wanted to reassure his lover that everything was going to be okay. Mr. Tachibana thought for a moment but then smiled at the two.

"If it makes you happy, then I have no right to keep you from it. Just be careful."

"Really?! Thank you dad!"

"I promise I'll make him happy," Haruka said as he looked at the Tachibana couple. He was glad that they had been accepted as a couple. It was another step that they had taken together to deepen their relationship. If only Haruka could kiss Makoto in celebration, but he supposed it could wait until they were alone. A cold shiver ran down Makoto's spine. He looked over at Haruka's smiling face. He could see it in Haruka's eyes, there was no escaping Haruka's passion once they were out of sight. He didn't know whether he should be excited or terrified.

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^_^ Phew, I hope this chapter was okay. Sorry it took me a while to update, I've been busy and I haven't been in the mood to write. Still, thanks for reading! Your reviews are also appreciated! Until next time!