Makoto stopped outside the second secret location of the day. Nagisa woke with a start and looked around confused, he was almost as confused as Haru, despite being able to see where they were.

"Take off the blindfold Haru." Rei said

Haru slid of his face and shook his hair out. He looked around. "Why are we at school?" He asked.

"Just wait till you see the pool," Gou said

"We all decorated it last night." Nagisa said

"Pool?" Haru asked

Everyone nodded at him and he got out of the car and ran to the pool, which he felt so at home. He stared at the transformation. Blue dolphin bunting hung everywhere and the pool had been filled with inflatables and different bath toys. At one end a grill had been set up so that they could have a barbeque. Haru stared tears beginning to form in his eyes. He was so glad he'd asked Makoto to be his best man.

The dark haired groom-to-be turned around and saw his friends smiling at him, Makoto seemed slightly anxious. Haru went up and hugged him.

"It's perfect." Haru said

"Can I get changed now?" Nagisa asked

"Yes go on then." Makoto said with a sigh. He was often reminded of dealing with child when he spent time with the strawberry blonde.

Nagisa dragged Rei into the changing rooms.

Haru began to strip down to his swimming trunks. "Wait Haru!" Makoto said. He grabbed the shorter boy's hands, preventing him from undressing. Haru looked up confused and irritated. "We have a special outfit for you." Makoto explained. Haru nodded.

"It's waiting in the changing room." Gou said

Haru walked to the changing room and was followed by Makoto and Gou.

"You did really good." Gou said leaning on Makoto's arm, her fingers slightly interlacing his.

Makoto smiled and looked at her. "I couldn't have done it without you." He said. He kissed her forehead and walked into the changing room, dropping hands with Gou as he did.

A few minutes later everyone came out in their costumes. They had given Haru a mini blue frilly swim skirt and shell bikini top. Gou wore a similar outfit in red and white. Makoto stared at the both of them, unsure of which one he wanted to fuck more.

Rei came out a minute later closely followed by Nagisa. Both had swimming briefs with little fish fins, Nagisa's that of a Clown Fish, and Rei had Blue Tang Fish fins.

Makoto wore a pair of black and white killer whale briefs with little teeth details on the waistband and little fins on the side and back.

"Okay Haru, we also got you this, you can keep this." Makoto said. He handed Haru a blue dolphin apron and Haru put it on with a smile. "We knew that you would want to cook so we thought you could be chef." Makoto said.

Haru smiled and nodded, Makoto knew him to well.

"The mackerel is in the bag by the grill." Gou said

"We got only the best cuts," Rei said

Haru walked over and began to cook the food while Gou played some music through her portable speaker and IPod. They ate the snacks that Nagisa and Rei had bought with them, mainly sweets and soda but Rei had ensured there were salty snacks as well. They ate thanking Haru.

Once eating Nagisa stood up and pulled out two things, a bottle of Jägermeister and a six pack of Red Bull. "Let's liven up this party!" He yelled. Everyone stared at the smaller boy. How had he managed to sneak these in? And how did he know how to make a jaeger bomb, or even know what one was!?

"Nagisa I'm not sure Haru would . . ." Makoto went to say.

Haru stood up and took the Red Bull from Nagisa. "How do you make one?" he asked. He wanted to surprise Rin with his knowledge of alcoholic drinks.

Nagisa took the bottle of Jägermeister and drank some of it and handed it round everyone till it was half empty. The blond then took two cans of Red Bull and dropped them in the bottle. He shook it and did a little dance, he was already slightly tipsy. "Who wants to go first?" he asked holding out in front of all of his friends.

Haru took it and drank some before handing round the rest of his friends.

"We also have a bottle of Bacardi Breezer and a bottle of Smirnoff Ice." Nagisa said

"First of all Nagisa. Where did you get all this?" She asked

"My older sister, she said it wasn't a party without alcohol and showed me how to make drinks." He said with a shrug

"And secondly, isn't this illegal?" Gou pointed out

"Technically yes." Rei said

"But, hey. If Haru doesn't mind, where's the harm?" Makoto asked

Everyone looked to Haru who nodded and smiled "It's a nice treat." He said. They all agreed and Nagisa kept the drinks coming.

They played in the pool with the inflatables; there was a ride on inflatable of a dolphin, a killer whale, a shark and a penguin. There was also a butterfly and a penguin lounger float. They swam around having a splashing competition till someone pulled out loads of water pistols and they had a water fight.

Haru was running, being chased by Nagisa, who was always the most competitive of the group. He suddenly slipped and fell hitting his head against the side of the pool. He was out.

Makoto stared and felt time stop. His brain went into action mode; he had to save Haru.

"HARU!" Makoto yelled and carefully ran over to where the dark haired boy lay.

He turned Haru over and checked if he was awake; he wasn't. Fear began to creep into Makoto's mind, what if he lost him? He checked his pulse and breathe; nothing.

"I'm going to perform CPR." Makoto said.

Gou, Rei and Nagisa had all gone deathly pale. Nagisa feeling so guilty.

Makoto pinched Haru's nose and breathed into his lungs. Suddenly Haru responded, kissing Makoto.

Makoto pulled away in shock. Haru had kissed him.

Haru coughed and looked at Makoto, this Blond haired, green eyed friend wasn't Rin. "You kissed me?" He asked. He wasn't sure if it had actually happened or not.

"I . . . I . . . I didn't . . . you hit your head, you were unconscious Haru." Makoto stuttered, still in shock himself

"You weren't breathing Haru Chan. I'm so sorry, this is all my fault." Nagisa said hugging Haru.

"Oh." Haru said. He pushed Nagisa off and they both stood up.

"Are you okay Haru?" Gou asked, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.

Haru nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I feel fine," he said

"But you might a concussion," Makoto said

"If you get any headaches, tell us." Rei said, adjusting his glasses

Haru nodded and pushed Gou's hand off his shoulder. "I'm fine, I'll tell you if I get a headache or anything . . ." he said

He jumped into the pool and began swimming. Makoto smiled at them. "I'm sure he'll be okay." he said, although he wasn't convinced himself.

They played in the pool for a few hours longer till Haru looked up and realised that the stars were shinning. He pointed and everyone followed his gaze. They all lay staring at them. Rei and Nagisa were curled up together on the butterfly inflatable. Gou lay on the other one.

Haru lay on his back in the pool, near to Makoto, who did the same.

"I like looking at the stars." Haru said "It reminds me that there is always a dream to follow." He said

Makoto looked at him and smiled, but in his heart he was sad, he knew that Haru's dream would never be him.

"I love the stars." Nagisa said

"You want to be an astronaut, don't you?" Gou asked

"Not anymore." Nagisa said with I sigh. "I used. I used to want to explore the stars but I found out how much training it involved and . . ." Nagisa shrugged

"You could still do it if you chose to." Makoto said

"My grades aren't high enough, my maths would need to be better." Nagisa explained "Anyway, since the work experience I got the summer, I wanted to become a Marine Biologist. That's become my new dream." He said

Rei pulled him closer and kissed his lips softly, sometimes Nagisa could be so wise.

"What about you Makoto? What do you want to do?" Nagisa asked

"I'll probably become a professional swimmer, and maybe then a swimming coach, but I'm not really sure. My dream is to compete at the Olympics . . . but I'm not sure that will happen." Makoto responded

"Why not?" Gou asked

"Well I'm not that good." Makoto said

"Shut up, Makoto." Gou said sitting up. She couldn't believe that this sweet, sexy guy doubted himself so much. "Makoto you're amazing at swimming, if that's your dream then go for it!"

"You really think so?" Makoto asked, unsure of his own ability.

"Defiantly." Gou said, relaxing again

"She's right Makoto, I'm sure one of the scouts will talk to you at regionals." Rei said

"Thanks." Makoto said with a smile, he couldn't believe how much they cared.

"Do you know when the wedding will be Haru?" Makoto asked suddenly changing the subject, he wasn't used getting the attention.

"No. Me and Rin are deciding after his Stag Do." Haru said

"That's next weekend isn't it?" Gou asked

Haru nodded, "Sousuke's his best man." He said

"I think he has something special planned from what Momotarou was telling me." Gou said

Haru didn't respond, it wasn't any of his business.

Suddenly Gou burst out laughting. "Sorry, I was just." She paused "I was just thinking you'll be my brother-in-law soon." She said

"Yes." Haru said

"Not that it matters, I always thought of you as family, even when you and Rin were kids" Gou said

"You choose your family." Haru said

They stared at the stars for a while longer, taking in the silence of the world.

Suddenly Rei looked down and realised that Nagisa had fallen asleep. He smiled and decided to help his boyfriend get home. Rei jumped in the water and Gou, Makoto and Haru turned to watch. Rei picked up Nagisa and put on his back.

"I'm going to take Nagi home, thank you for a great day. I hope you enjoyed it Haru." Rei said

Haru smiled and nodded.

"Wait for me." Gou said through a yawn. "I'm going to head home too. You don't mind do you?" Gou asked Makoto

"It's fine I'll see you tomorrow." Makoto said. Him and Gou were tidying up, taking the floats and toys back.

Haru and Makoto said goodbye to their friends. Makoto began to tidy away things, knowing that he would leave soon himself. Haru began to help him.

"Oh you don't have to." Makoto said

"I want to." Haru said continuing in the task.

Once the pool was clean and the floats, deflated, the two young men sat at the edge of the pool, their feet dangling in the water.

"Makoto." Haru said. Makoto turned to look at his friend. "Did I really stop breathing earlier?"

Makoto thought, that moment suddenly feeling an age ago. "Yes, I thought I'd lost you." He said in a small voice. He was pushing back tears.

"So you didn't kiss me?" Haru asked

"It was CPR." Makoto said "But you kissed me."

Haru looked down, guiltily. "I thought you were Rin, but when I realise you weren't I stopped." He said

"What made you realise?" Makoto asked

"You kiss was more gentle than Rin's." Haru said "Also no shark teeth." Haru said, waking a teeth gesture.

Both boys' laughed and there was a silence between them that felt like an eternity. Makoto wanted to taste Haru's lips again, but resisted, knowing that was wrong.

Makoto put a hand on Haru's and said "I've always loved you Haru. Since the days we met, I always have" tears began to fall down his face.

"I know." Haru said

"Have you ever had feeling for me? . . . Please tell me . . . I just have to know." Makoto said

"Yes," Haru said. Makoto stared at him, he hadn't expected that answer. "When we were younger, I used to think you were the one. You made me realise I was gay. But I never chose you because . . ." Haru smiled happily "I fell so deeply in love with Rin, He makes me feel so alive and he showed a future I never thought I'd see." Haru turned to Makoto "You deserve so much better than me Makoto and when I realised I didn't love you . . . I do love you. I love you, as my best friend, you're like a brother to me Makoto and I want you to be happy, but I know that, that will never be with me." Haru said

Makoto stared at his bestfirend in silence. It was the longest he'd ever heard Haru speak for. He smiled; Haru did love him after all, just not in the way he wanted. Somehow his hearts still felt restless, the urge to kiss back. He knew he would not rest till he kissed Haru again and he didn't know when he would next get the chance.

"Can I ask one last thing Haru?" Makoto asked

"Anything." Haru said

"Can I kiss you, just to know what it's like." Makoto said

"But earlier we . . ." Haru went to say

"I know, but . . . Just one kiss, please Haru, I need to put these feelings to rest once and for all, or I will never get over you." Makoto admitted

Haru knew he was right, he sighed. "Okay." he said with a nod.

The two boys looked into each other's eyes. Haru opened his lips slightly, ready for the kiss. Makoto put a hand against Haru's cheek, stroking the soft skin. He kissed Haru's lips, sweetly at first, but he wanted more and soon his tongue was fighting with Haru's.

Makoto pulled away while he was still in control and hugged into the dark haired boy's shoulder. "Thank you Haru." He said. He knew the risk that Haru had taken and smiled happily. His heart felt oddly calm, like the storm was finally over.

"You're a very good kisser Makoto." Haru said "But . . . I will always choose Rin, I'm sorry."

Makoto looked up at him "Haru, you don't need to apologise for being in love, I'm just happy you're here." he said

"I'm going nowhere Makoto," Haru said and both boys knew that they would always be best friends.