Tremor

Rose found herself lying down on a hospital bed once again. She was used to it by now, it had been going on for a year by now. The dialysis-machine beeped loudly to announce the end of the treatment. She had to go to the hospital three times a week. She also had a machine at home but that was for daily use and that treatment didn't take nearly as long as the one in the hospital. Normally, her mother would tag along but she had some important things to do for work so she was all alone today. She did receive a scolding from the doctor because she hadn't completed the treatment from home yesterday. She'd been so busy with school and preparing Haruka for his date that she simply didn't have the time to sit still for two hours while on the dialysis. She pressed the bell for the doctor to come and release her from the machine. She looked outside and thought back of Haruka and Makoto. She hoped that they would have a good day at least.

Haruka pressed his head against the cool window of the train. He could idly see the trees flashing by and he smiled a little. He could feel Makoto's head leaning on his shoulder, the touch burned and he secretly craved for more. However, they were never that affectionate in public. Haruka's thoughts lingered back on their date yesterday and he couldn't help but feel happy and relieved.

The two boys stopped at the station and they hopped on the bus that would bring them to the aquarium. Half an hour later they reached their destination and Makoto was glad that the weather was being nice to them. A warm breeze blew his hair in front of his eyes and he swept his bangs away. Haruka grabbed his hand and together they got in line to purchase a ticket.

The aquarium had always been very fascinating to Haruka. He even imagined working here later on, as a trainer or just as a care-taker for the many animals. It was a gloomy place but the lighting was always in just the right place, shining brightly to show off the many sea creatures.

"Look at the sea turtles," Makoto said while dragging Haruka behind him. The raven-haired male would always take things slow, he could roam around this place and entire day but Makoto was so different. Whenever he saw something interesting, he would abandon all the rest to check it out.

"They're so cool," Makoto said while smiling brightly and Haruka couldn't help but stare at their reflection since the tank was so neatly polished.

"Yeah," he agreed and Haruka squeezed Makoto's hand. Normally he knew he should let go but he simply couldn't. For once, he didn't care about what other people would think, for all he cared, they could go fuck themselves.

The two continued their walk, stopping occasionally when Makoto saw something interesting again. To Haruka, everything was interesting but the dolphin exhibition was his favourite. Haruka felt a sharp tug at his hand as he was being dragged behind Makoto again. This time, Makoto walked as fast as he could, not that it was that fast considering his leg was in a cast.

"Where are you going?" Haruka asked while stumbling over his feet slightly.

"Didn't you hear, they're going to feed the sea lions next, they're so cool!" Makoto exclaimed while pushing open the door to go to the outer area. Of course Haruka hadn't heard the announcement because to Haruka, sound didn't always take priority. When he could simply gaze at something, he would drown out all the sounds surrounding him. That's why Haruka never takes a train on his own because he simply knows he's going to miss all the important announcements.

Haruka smiled when he saw Makoto's cheery face when the sea lion grabbed yet another fish. The animal gulped it down like it hadn't been fed in weeks. A soft voice called out to the both of them and they looked up. A girl that must've been only a few years older waved at them while smiling broadly.

"Would you like to try and feed the sea lions?" She asked and Makoto's grin almost split his face in two.

"Why don't you do that, I'll take a few pictures while you're busy," Haruka suggested and Makoto followed the girl. The way that Makoto followed made him think of a puppy and Haruka could imagine Makoto sporting cute dog ears and a waggling tail. A few moments later, Makoto was standing next to the girl with a bucket of fish in his hands. Haruka could faintly see his hands were shaking, probably shivering with anticipation. The girl gave him a few instructions and soon enough, Makoto was engrossed in his task of feeding the three sea lions sitting in front of him. Haruka had never seen anything so cute and he pulled out his phone to snap a few pictures.

"That was so cool!" Makoto exclaimed when he was standing next to Haruka again. The raven-haired smiled and showed Makoto the pictures. The olive-haired male pulled Haruka into a warm embrace and Haruka closed his eyes to enjoy the touch.

"You're the best," Makoto whispered into Haruka's ear before pressing a very small kiss right under Haruka's ear. The raven-haired male hummed in appreciation and they pulled apart again.

"Shall we go to the dolphin exhibit next? I know you're looking forward to it," Makoto suggested and Haruka nodded in agreement. Makoto grabbed hold of Haruka's hand and they walked away. Haruka knew the way to the exhibit like the back of his hand so it didn't take them long. It seemed like the trainers were checking the last things before the show would start. Haruka had seen the show countless times when he was a child but he never got tired of it. His favourite part was when they would ask someone from the audience to take a swim with one of the dolphins. He always wanted to but since he was still a child, he wasn't allowed. The pair sat down on the front row and waited patiently for the show to start. The dolphins were already swimming happily in the giant tank and a smile tugged at Haruka's lips.

"You're just like them when you swim," Makoto whispered and Haruka looked up questioningly. He wouldn't know because he couldn't exactly watch himself swim.

"You're so beautiful when you swim, you're my favourite thing to look at," Makoto pressed a small kiss on Haruka's cheek and the raven-haired male felt his whole body burn. He loved it when Makoto was being this cute and he couldn't help but shake his head a little when Makoto chuckled.

They watched the show with wide eyes of amazement even though the shouts and gasps of the other people were annoying Haruka greatly. He tried to ignore the other people but it was rather hard considering they were so loud. When a dolphin jumped up from the water and jumped through a loop, Haruka's eyes widened. He knew that the moment would be close when they'd ask a volunteer but he decided to stay seated anyway. He didn't want to leave Makoto and he said nothing to indicate his true desire. However, Makoto did know that Haruka had always wanted to take a swim with the dolphins, he could never forget the sad expression on his friend's face when they were younger.

A loud voice called out over the audience and Makoto grabbed Haruka's hand forcefully to drag him up. Haruka was surprised because he was suddenly standing while all the other people were still sitting.

"How about you young man? Do you feel like a swim?"

Haruka looked around and he could see the people around him cheering him on. He peeked down at Makoto and the olive-haired male gave him a thumbs up. Haruka left his seat and he was being taken away by two trainers. While walking him to the dress room to put on a suit, he was given all the instructions he needed.

Makoto nervously fidgeted with his fingers as he awaited Haruka's arrival. Whenever he looked at the dolphins now, he couldn't help but shake the feeling that something might go wrong. What if the dolphin would hit him with that large tail? What if a dolphin tried to eat him? Makoto shook his head at his silly thoughts, none of the shows had ever gone wrong and all Haruka had to do was hold the fin of the dolphin so what could possibly go wrong. The olive-haired male looked up and saw Haruka standing on the platform with the trainers. Makoto sat on the tip of his chair in anticipation. Haruka crouched down to get acquainted with the dolphin. Makoto could faintly see the smile on the raven-haired male's face and he relaxed instantly. Haruka would finally get his swim with a dolphin. Haruka was being lowered into the water together with a trainer. The raven-haired male grabbed the fin like he was instructed to and then the dolphin took off. At first, the pace was rather slow but it picked up gradually. Makoto held his breath but his heart clenched as he felt the ground shake. He wondered what was happening but then it hit him. An earthquake was gently shaking the ground and it became worse with every second that ticked by. People were starting to get nervous around him and some jumped up from their seats screaming. Makoto couldn't help but stare with horror at Haruka who was still swimming with the dolphin like nothing was wrong. However, the dolphin picked up on the tremors that were visibly increasing and the animal dove under water. Makoto's heart stopped when he saw Haruka get hit by the tail.

Screaming people surrounded Makoto as everyone made his way inside the aquarium again, but Makoto couldn't move even if he wanted to. His eyes followed the raven-haired male until he reached the bottom of the dolphin tank.

He was shown his greatest nightmare…