Rin thought he was being a genius, Haruka thought he was being stupid. The two couples: Rin and Haru and Rei and Nagisa, had taken over the couch, leaving Sousuke and Makoto to take the recliners.
"Are they always this gross?" Haru heard Sousuke ask.
Rin was occupied with kissing a line from his ear, down his jaw, down his neck and back up from his collar. Haru, not usually all that into public displays of affection, doesn't think they're being that gross. They're not making out or anything, just sat close with limbs lightly tangled. He's lost a hand to Rin's hair, learning that he likes to have it finger combed and played with. He wonders if he still knows how to braid, from all those years ago when Makoto's little sister Ran had insisting on teaching both her biological brothers and her adopted Haru how to do her hair.
Makoto paused and looked over, and Haru knew by his face he knew Haru was listening, and broke out into a smile. "Pretty much," he nods. "They're cute though, right?"
"Pfft, if you say so. I've not really… dealt with them… much, since this all started."
"I think they're good together," Makoto continues, smiling right at Haru, who's pretending not to eavesdrop by putting most of his concentration into the tiny braids he's decorating the side of Rin's head with. "Haru's been a lot happier since meeting him in general."
Sousuke grunts, and Haru figures he doesn't want to say anything more with the subjects of their conversation sitting not ten feet away, so he decides to give Rin his full attention, admitting to himself he feels a little bit guilty for being in a bad mood all day. He weaves the braids into a star shape, just above and behind Rin's right ear, and pulls his hands away, satisfied with his work.
"You look pleased," Rin comments, giving his neck a click from holding his head still for so long.
"It looks good," Haru shrugs, and it does. It brings the darker undertones of Rin's wine red hair to the top layer, so it stands out just enough, but isn't overbearing or gaudy.
"Haru-chaaan! Do mine too!" Nagisa whines, reaching over himself to grab Haru's arm with both hands.
"No," he replies, bluntly, because Nagisa's hair is an untameable shambles, and it's too much effort to even pull a comb through it. A fact he knows because of the innumerable amount of times it's just been the two of them at home and he'd been somehow coerced into reliving Nagisa's childhood torment of having three older sisters with hair play and dress up. Given the blonde's particular kinks, it's probably had a lasting effect.
"Are you going to Tokyo early too?" Haru turns his attention back to Makoto and Sousuke, where Makoto's just asked the question.
Sousuke shakes his head. "It's Rin's vision, not mine. Besides, I guess he'll have higher standards for the swimmers than I do. They'll all have Nanase to out-shine," and he rolls his eyes.
"No one can beat Haru in the water," Makoto praises, but Haru's used to this enough that he doesn't blush. The squeeze of the arm around his shoulders tells him Rin is also listening in.
"Haru-chan is the best in the water," Nagisa interjects enthusiastically.
"His abilities were no doubt proven with how he won all his races on our high school swim team," Rei agrees.
He can feel Rin giving him a contemplative look. "How come you never took up swimming professionally, if you were so good?"
And there it is. Haru knew this question was on its way. The one he's been trying to answer to himself for the last five years. He shrugs lamely and looks to Makoto for help.
"Haru's never really cared about winning," Makoto explains, diligent best friend that he is.
Rin frowns at him. "Such a waste," he scolds.
He was waiting for an answer, searching Haru's face and staring intently, just waiting. Haru panics. "I only swim free," he says softly.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever that means," Nagisa laughs, and swipes a light kick across the couch.
Rin just hums with a frown and flops his head on his shoulder, obviously not satisfied but deciding to drop it.
Rin likes silences with Haru, usually, but this was… this was wrong. The tension in the air must be obvious to everyone, as all eyes drift mindlessly to the TV, where he doubts the obnoxious auction show holds any interest to anyone. Haru's shoulders are hunched so he lifts his head off, met with an affronted sidelong glance, and Haru leans his weight into Rin's side.
He forces down his chuckle. It's probably wrong to like Haru being so needy, but it's so often him who has to initiate any contact, and he likes knowing he's not the only one who longs so much to hold the other close. He brings both arms around him into a hug, and Haru responds by holding onto one forearm. It's not much, but it's enough. It's very Haru.
"I'll place the order, shall I?" Tachibana pipes up, and Rin supposes as Haru's nearest and dearest, he'll easily be reading whatever Haru is thinking and trying to ease the situation. "What would you like?" he turns to Sousuke.
"Chicken and sweetcorn," Rin isn't surprised by the answer, but then realises that this is usually Tachibana's order too and gives Haru a nudge with his knee.
"Oh, really? Do you mind sharing, then? That's what I usually get," Sousuke just nods. "Did you guys still want a Hawaiian?"
The question is directed at the other couple, who both nod.
"We should share too," he mumbles at Haru.
"Why?" his boyfriend shrugs, twisting slightly to look up at him.
"It's romantic."
"Pizza isn't romantic," Haru deadpans.
"Come on. Let's just get a large meat –"
"Seafood," he interrupts.
Ah. This is why they don't share. And he's certainly not having pineapple with his pepperoni.
Other conversation lulls as they wait for the delivery, and they naturally choose to eat in silence – young adult males have their priorities, you know.
Comfortable, full, and with Haru right there, Rin can feel his eyes getting heavy.
"Don't even dare," Haru scolds, reading his mind.
"I guess this is our cue to get going?" Tachibana cuts in, ever the mediator. Rin can't help but be grateful. "You two have a long trip tomorrow night."
"Sorry," Rin says lamely, met with a smirk from his friend. "You can all stay, if you want… I know you all have early starts… but…"
"Oh my god, yes!" Hazuki squeals, and Rin should really have expected it. He still hasn't spoken to him about their announcement, but it can wait till they get back next week, when he's more sure of what Haru wants to do.
He yawns. He can't help it. And Haru gives him a futile nudge but then stands up with a sigh, holding out his hand, which Rin takes on instinct, being pulled to his feet.
"Can you sort –" he waves a hand to Haru's friends, his friends too, now, he guesses, "out?" he asks Sousuke, who looks like he's trying too hard to scowl at his hand linked with Haru's, but nods a "sure."
He begins to leave the room, towing Haru, but is met with resistance. "What are you doing? I need to make out with you," he whines, turning to his boyfriend who seems to be deep into a silent conversation with Tachibana, and catches Sousuke's eye who is also watching the spectacle. "Hasn't anyone ever told you two telepathy is rude?" he critiques.
"All the time," Hazuki and Ruygazaki grumble in unison.
Tachibana shakes his head, still smiling, like he has been all night. "Sorry, it's nothing."
Haru hums in agreement, and Rin takes a second to called over his shoulder before they head upstairs. "Don't you make a mess of my sheets!" he demands to Hazuki, because if either one of those two would put any plan like that into action, it's not going to be the blunette. "Goodnight."
Haru gives a short wave before falling into step with him, and he'd really love for them to get the chance to talk but…
They're barely in his bedroom… their bedroom?... when he brings Haru as close as possible and slides their open lips together. He staggers back a few feet, waiting for his knees to collide with the end of the bed, and falls back, Haru tight to his chest, and gives his bottom lip a little nibble.
"Why am I so tired?" Rin complains. "It's not even late."
"It's late enough," Haru reminds him. "And it's not like you've not been busy this week."
"But I feel like I haven't done anything," he continues to mutter, aware of how difficult he's making it for Haru to help undress him by holding him so type, but not caring enough to do anything about it.
His jeans finally pool around his knees and Haru uses his feet to tug them off. "Shower with me," he says, giving him a shove and pulling himself up.
"Be gentle," Rin pouts.
"Don't be a baby."
Rin is vaguely aware he shouldn't have made the petulant noise that he had in response, but Haru just gives him a mild raise of one eyebrow and pulls him up, before stepping behind and steering him to the bathroom, where he gets rid of his t-shirt and shorts.
"Are you going to return the favour?" he asks, quietly, breathing the words into his ear.
"I'm sure you could do it much faster," but he does like undressing Haru. "Come here, then."
He pulls the tight t-shirt over his head, and greets him with a kiss when his face is revealed again. Haru's comfortable jogging bottoms are easy to push down, along with his boxers, in one movement. If he was feeling more alive, he'd probably pick him up to step him out of them, but he isn't, so he just takes in the view while Haru moves around him to step behind the glass partition and start the shower.
"Come on," he calls from under the water, which is probably only tepid, but he can't resist the sight of the water flowing over his nude body, and joins him despite the chill. It's always nice feeling it warm up, anyway.
Haru washes the both of them, and gives his back a relaxing scrub. "You like that?"
"Mm," Rin purrs, and Haru carries on, then replaces the sponge with his fingers and nails. "Ahhh."
"I'll put your star back in tomorrow," Haru assures as he unwinds the braids with his dextrous fingers.
"Mm… might make it my new look."
"You expect me to come over and do it for you every day?"
"Oh, only after you've visited the pool. I'm not pushy."
Haru scoffs a little, and Rin quirks a tired smile.
"Or you could just move in with me," he continues, head clouded with drowsiness, but finds himself snapping back to attention when he realises what he's said.
Haru is just staring at him.
"…Um."
"You say stupid things when you're tired," Haru scolds, taking the nozzle and rinsing Rin's hair out, carding his fingers through.
Rin doesn't let his mouth open again while they're showering, but is more than glad to accept Haru's tongue into his mouth when he wraps them into a large towel together.
"Mm," Haru moans. "Are we sleeping naked?"
"I don't think I'm tired anymore," Rin whispers, reaching down to cup Haru's ass with both hands, pulling him flush to rub their groins together. "Maybe you should wear me out?"
"They'll hear."
Rin just shrugs. "It's my house."
"Fine," Haru groans, as if he actually resents it when Rin moves them onto the bed and they begin to rub against each other. "You're such a pain."
Their love making is sweet and sensual, both making the best use of hands and fingers. Haru yelps a little when Rin sticks a pre-cum slicked finger into his hole, but otherwise seems to settle into the invasion. They don't drag it out, because Rin is tried, but help each other to finish as close together as possible, with lots of kisses. Haru cleans them up and they snuggle close.
"Hey, Haru," Rin says, voice thick, and he finds Haru's still alert eyes. "Think about it."
"Hn."