Heyooo another chapter! I think I should mention I'm on holidays so new chapters might not be out as early for a while. (sorry sorry sorry!) But right now there is a new chapter here right in front of you, so read and enjoy!

Oh, I should also say that there is a mention of High Speed in here. Basically High Speed is a novel from when Haruka and the others were all children, and then the anime was made after the novel was released (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). So in a way it's like Free!'s manga but they weren't originally high schoolers. Anyway, there is a part in it where Haruka is sick, but doesn't realise it, and passes out while trying to get a scarf out of a pond/river (kind of forgot) during winter. So he falls into freezing cold water and has to get pulled out by Makoto and Rin, then is sent off to the hospital. There was also absolutely no mention of his parents in all this which is why I kinda portrayed them the way I did. (I almost cried while reading that though ugh.)

So yeah! There is a mention of that in here and I just wanted to make sure you all know so it wouldn't sound confusing. I am sorry for this super long intro thing so please just read and enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: Free! and it's characters do not belong to me and belong to the respected owners. I only own/made this story.

"Haru's sick?!" Rin exclaimed into the phone, his eyes wide with concern.

"Yes," a voice on the other end responded "Makoto told me."

Rin began pacing around the room, a hand combing through his red hair. "M-Makoto told you? Well…Rei, do you know how bad it is?"

A sigh was heard "I have only been told, but apparently it seems to be really bad."

"How bad?" Rin asked, Gou and his mother watching with worry as he continued to move back and forth.

"I don't know, but Makoto mentioned a high fever and throwing up." Rei responded, making Rin bite his lip in concern. He stood still for a while, as if thinking about something. Gou looked at her mother with a raised eyebrow, the woman shrugging back.

Rin let out a deep sigh "Alright, thanks for telling me. I'll see you later, bye."

"Ah! Wait-" was heard on the other line, but was cut off as Rin hung up.

He turned to his mother and sister with a determined look and said "I'm going to Haru's, I don't know when I'll be back."

"H-Haruka's?" Gou questioned, watching her brother collect his shoes and jacket "Like, right now? Don't you think that's a bit soon?"

Rin shook his head "He's sick, I need to go check up on him! Rei told me Makoto's doing something with his family right now and couldn't stay. For all I know Haru could be lying on the floor dying with no one there!"

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?" His mother laughed half-heartedly.

"No, it's not!" he shot back, crimson eyes hard and serious. "You weren't there the time he fell into the river! Remember that? He went to the hospital!"

The room went silent, Gou thinking of what to say to break the tension in the room.

"Well…this and that are two different things." She stated, trying to reassure her brother.

He frowned and hurriedly put his jacket on "They're the same. I'm going now, be back sometime."

The redhead ran out the door before he could be stopped, Gou and Ms Matsuoka giving each other the same worried look. Both of them hoping this would turn out for the better rather than the worse.

Feet pounded on the ground as Rin ran at full speed towards Haruka's house, people watching him speed by with confused looks. He didn't once slow down, the bad thoughts corrupting his head only making him go faster.

He wanted to know if Haruka was alright, he needed to know. Rin wasn't too sure what to think of Makoto anymore, but the redhead couldn't believe he'd just leave Haruka on his own. Rin knew better than anyone else how the brunette cared for Haru, so leaving the teen's side didn't make any sense.

Finally reaching Haruka's house, Rin stopped at the front door and panted heavily. Although adrenaline still pumped through his blood, and he quickly slid the door open. There was something in the back of his mind telling him to wonder why the door was unlocked, but he ignored it and ran straight into the house.

"Haruka!" he yelled, running up the stairs and towards said teen's room.

The redhead almost ran into the door to Haruka's room, and quickly opened it without thinking what would be on the other side.

"Haruka, are you okay?!" he shouted worriedly.

Crimson eyes widened when seeing what was in front of him. There, sitting on Haruka's bed, was Haruka himself and a tall, green eyed teen giving him a dark smile.

"M-Makoto?" Rin stuttered in shock, his loud, exhausted breathing echoing throughout the room.

The atmosphere felt heavy, intimidating, and Rin almost wished he hadn't carelessly run into the room. He should've known Makoto would be there, Rin knew he would never leave Haruka in an ill state by himself.

"Rin, it's nice to see you here." Makoto lied, his smile looking creepier and creepier. It didn't help that all the blinds were closed and the lights were off.

The redhead teen stepped back slightly "Uh…yeah, you too I guess…and Haru is?"

"Asleep." Makoto finished for him, now standing up.

Rin flinched slightly as he watched Makoto move. The look the brunette was giving him and the way he was talking made it feel like anything could happen at any time, even though Haruka was in the room with them. Even so, Rin knew he couldn't let his guard drop.

Makoto tilted his head in mocking confusion "Hm? Why are you so timid? Are you afraid I'll do something to you?"

The two looked at each other from across the room, Rin's eyes wide as he wondered if Haruka was really asleep or not.

"Uh, no! I didn't think that…"

Makoto gave him that creepy smile once more and began walking forwards, Rin feeling his heart racing as the brunette moved closer to him.

"I really am glad you're here, Rin. I need to leave anyway." Makoto explained, making Rin give the teen a questioning look.

"Glad I'm here?...is Haru actually asleep?"

"Oh, he is." Makoto reassured, now only inches away from the redhead "Why? Do you find it strange for me to be talking so normally to you like this?"

Rin frowned, his eyes narrowed in suspicion "Well, considering the few incidents we've had, I do find it strange."

Makoto laughed lightly "Surely we can put that all in the past! But for now, you can stay here and look after Haru."

"Me?" Rin questioned, his eyes wide "But…why would you-"

"A little bird told me you were going to Australia," Makoto cut the redhead off, his voice toned down to a whisper "and the closer you get to him, the more devastated he's going to be when you leave."

Rin gave Makoto a dangerous look "That's not true, he'd want to spend time with me."

The brunette put his hands up in a defensive manner "I never said he didn't want to spend time with you. I'm saying the more time you spend with him, the more you'll hurt him. If you're going to Australia, the best thing to do is cut all ties now. Then when you leave, the same thing from years ago won't repeat itself."

Rin felt gears in his mind begin to turn as what Makoto said was finally getting through. The redhead didn't want to admit it, he really didn't, but Makoto was right. The closer he got to Haruka, the more pain he'd go through. And if Rin told Haruka he loved him before leaving, then…that would just be worse.

"Well, I'll leave you to it!" Makoto perked up, a bright smile on his face.

No response was heard as the brunette stepped out of the room, leaving Rin to stand there with glassy, lifeless eyes. The redhead began wondering if he should even be over in the first place, no doubt Haruka didn't want to see him. He was already sick, seeing Rin would just make him worse.

Why did he come here again? Why was he over at Haruka's? What made him run over? It was because he was sick, wasn't it? Or did he just want an excuse to see the teen?

No, he really was worried, but now that he was there he didn't know what to do. Should he just stay downstairs and watch T.V in case there was an emergency? Or should he just leave altogether?

Yeah, that second one sounded good. He would probably just make Haruka feel worse anyway.

The redhead begun slowly stepping back, trying not to wake up the sick teen. He put his foot down on the wooden floor to hear a loud creak, making Rin freeze as Haruka began groaning.

"Makoto…are you there?"

No response.

"…Makoto?"

"Uh…" Rin murmured unsurely "Not…exactly."

There was a heavy silence. Haruka didn't turn, didn't flinch, didn't even move. He just lay still while Rin was glued to the spot. The redhead felt sweat drip from his brow, wondering what Haruka was going to say. But he let out a thankful breath when Haruka said;

"I'm thirsty, get me some water."

"Uh, s-sure!" Rin responded, quickly rushing downstairs without a thought.

In no time flat he was back upstairs with a glass of water, eyes widening when seeing the sick teen sitting up.

Rin couldn't see his face, however, as hair was over it and the room was dark. So quietly, very quietly, he placed the glass of water on the teen's bedside table and turned to leave. Only to have his arm grabbed in a tight, sweaty hold.

"Sit down." Haruka commanded, Rin saying nothing back and doing as the teen said.

This was it, this was Haruka telling him that he didn't need him. This was Haruka telling him he could go to Australia and never come back. Rin clenched his hand into a tight fist as he prepared himself for the worst.

"Kiss me." Haruka demanded.

Rin nodded "I know, I'm sorry…wait, huh?"

"I said, kiss me." The teen repeated more slowly, his grip tightening.

Crimson eyes widened as Rin was taken aback "K-kiss you? What are you saying?!"

"I want you to kiss me! So kiss me!" Haruka frowned, now getting impatient.

Rin looked down at Haruka's face, seeing it was bright red. His eyes look dazed and clouded, like he was completely off earth. Rin had no doubt in his mind that the sick teen was losing his head because of his high temperature.

"…why do you want me to kiss you?" Rin asked, giving Haruka a questioning look.

Haruka pouted slightly "Because I feel bad, and I feel better when you kiss me…"

The redhead tilted his head slightly and put his hand on Haruka's forehead, being taken aback for the second time by how hot it was. "I don't think a kiss will make you feel better, Haru."

Haruka gave the teen an annoyed look and swatted Rin's hand off his forehead before lying back down, his back facing the redhead once more.

"O-oi!" Rin exclaimed, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder "You said you were thirsty but you haven't even touched your glass! How about drinking some before dehydrating from your fever?"

"Don't wanna." Haruka argued, sounding like a five year old and making Rin's eye twitch.

"But…it's water. And what's with that slang? You sound like an idiot."

"I don't need water," Haruka explained "Rin's here."

The redhead raised an eyebrow in confusion "What's that supposed to mean?"

"…it means," Haruka started, now sitting up on his arm "that you give me the same sensation as water." Rin was about to ask what nonsense he was spurting, until Haruka continued with "Which means when you leave, everything feels dry."

Crimson orbs widened, and Rin watched as Haruka sat up on his knees. His back was still facing the redhead, however, and Rin would give anything to be able to see his face.

"So, what are you trying to say?" Rin asked slowly "Are you saying…you want me to stay here…with you?"

Haruka clenched his fists and quietly muttered "Why do you have to go? Why again?"

The two sat in silence in the dark room, a heavy air between them as Rin thought of how to respond. He remembered the conversation him and Gou had the day before, and decided he needed to tell Haruka the truth. Even if the teen was sick and delusional, Rin had to say something to fix the holes he had made in their relationship.

"Haruka, I know you think what I'm doing is crazy-"

"Because it is," Haruka growled deeply, cutting the redhead off "we've had this conversation, Rin."

Said teen felt like backing off slightly. Haruka definitely wasn't himself, his emotions were completely out of control. One moment he wanted hugs and kisses and the next he was growling at the redhead.

"Almost like a girl on her period." Rin thought in disgust, making a queasy face.

"I know we've had this conversation, but I just wanted to say something else. So will you listen to me?" Rin explained slowly.

Haruka lifted his head and gave Rin a hate filled look "I don't know. I might if it's worth listening to."

Rin looked at Haruka with a questioning expression "Want me to get you a tampon, princess?" He thought in annoyance, clearing his throat to try and keep his head cool.

"Well…I'll say it anyway. When I went to Australia for the first time, I was losing every race. I was coming last in everything. I began to think that maybe you were having better luck than me, that you were winning more than I was. And that infuriated me because I knew you didn't care about swimming times. So I thought I was pathetic, and that led me to thinking that you thought I was pathetic…do you get what I'm saying?"

Rin looked up at Haruka to see if the teen was listening, and indeed he was. His blue eyes were hard and staring into his lap, his face was one of deep concentration and his expression changed slightly when Rin asked the question.

Slowly, Haruka gave the redhead a small nod, and Rin smiled before continuing.

"I have told you that before, I'm pretty sure. I know I've told you I thought you saw me as a pest and a pain. Someone who wasn't even worthy enough to be your rival." Haruka was about to intervene until Rin put his hand up "But, now I know you don't see me like that and never did. So what I'm trying to say is…the reason I ruined myself is because I had no idea how you thought of me. I had no idea what place I held in…in your heart." Rin blushed slightly, he didn't want this to sound mushy but it seemed to be coming out like that. "So basically, the reason this time will be different is because I know what you think of me. As long as I know you think of me as your respected rival, I won't turn out the way I did before."

Haruka was speechless, his mouth was opening and closing like a gaping fish. How was he supposed to respond to something like that? But right now his head was overloaded with different thoughts and words that anything could spill out of his mouth. And the one sentence that slipped out was;

"You're so much more than a rival to me."

Rin's eyes widened "…huh?"

Without saying a word, Haruka leaned forward in an attempt to kiss the redhead again. Rin quickly put a hand over the teen's mouth before he could, making blue eyes glare at him with annoyance.

"Haru, you're sick." Rin reasoned "No offence or anything, but I don't want to kiss someone dripping with snot and mucus."

Haruka's eyebrows furrowed in frustration and he still tried to lean forward, pushing Rin back as he did so. The redhead was about to push back until Haruka grabbed the hand that was on his mouth and pushed forward with the little strength he had, making Rin fall face up on the bed. Haruka casually landed on Rin's chest without a word.

Rin put a hand on Haruka's shoulder and nudged it slightly as a signal for him to get off "Could you get up? This is uncomfortable, you know."

Haruka's lips formed a small pout "This is what you get for not letting me kiss you…"

Rin felt his heart pound once before chuckling slightly and saying with a smile "You're going to be avoiding me once you're better, considering all these embarrassing things you're saying."

Haruka didn't say anything, making Rin smile.

"See? You're already embarrassed about this."

There was still no response.

"Haru?" Rin questioned with worry, raising his head slightly to see the teen sound asleep. His peaceful face and silent breathing caught Rin in a trance, as it was something he hadn't seen for a long time.

The redhead stared at the teen for a while longer before resting his head back on the bed, a small blush on his face.

"God, you're so light." He muttered quietly "That's what you get for eating mackerel every day, and getting this cold doesn't help one bit…"

Rin sighed and placed a hand in soft, raven hair, hearing a content sigh come from the teen on top of him. The redhead felt his eyes go droopy as he began to play with the small locks of hair.

"Some days, I find it hard to think of reasons for why I love you." Rin muttered more to himself than Haruka, all heavy thoughts now leaving his mind. "But other days, you give me a never ending list for why I do…"

Maybe one day he could say those words to Haruka when he was actually awake and listening, and he planned to. But right now it was too early, and he just didn't have the guts to. So just a bit longer…a bit longer and then he could finally confess. Makoto was right when saying it would just crush Haruka even more, but it would be his biggest regret if he didn't say it. And maybe Makoto was wrong, maybe it wouldn't crush Haruka at all. Maybe Haruka would feel nothing but happiness after hearing those three embarrassing words.

Rin closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, his hand still in Haruka's hair. The two teens slept together quietly, and it was the most peaceful sleep either of them had, had in a long while.

Eheheheh I ended up making a period joke, whoops. I am sorry for this shortish chapter and I hope you can all hold on for a while as I slowly and painfully write the next chapter.

Thanks for reading!