A/N: Word count: 1,369
Tags: Canonverse, Developing Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, First Kiss, Love Confession

Orange and pink hues intermingled in the evening sky. Leaned against the railing of the balcony, Makoto was surrounded by the light of the setting sun, making his brown locks and tanned skin appear golden. Ethereal, almost. Haruka's stomach fluttered at the sight.

"Here," he said as he held out one of the glasses of tea to him, startling him from his trance.

"Thanks." Makoto offered him a sweet smile, took a sip of his drink, then resumed staring into the distance. Before Haruka had a chance to ask him what was up, he said, "Summer's flown by, hasn't it?"

"Yeah."

Their first summer vacation in Tokyo was drawing to a close and the second term would begin next week. They had a break from their classes, but Makoto's work and Haruka's swim practice continued and therefore, they hadn't been able to go back to Iwatobi. They did have a lot more free time to spend together than usual and Haruka was going to miss being with him so often when they went back to their regularly packed schedules. Not that he would ever admit that.

"These past five months have gone by in the blink of an eye," Makoto said as he put his glass on the railing, "Back in April, everything was so new and frightening, but now I've started to feel at home here."

"Me too."

At first, it was a bit difficult to adjust to the new lifestyle that came with being a university student and an athlete, and being thrown into an unfamiliar environment didn't help either. But throughout every little shift in his universe, Makoto had been there for him. Perhaps not as much in person recently as he would've liked, but always in spirit, a mere phone call away if he needed him. Without that constant support, he probably wouldn't have even tried to think of a dream, let alone follow it.

"So many things have changed," Makoto said, looking back at Haruka with fondness shimmering in his eyes. "But I'm glad we're still the same. Without you, I never would've dared to take such a big, scary step, and I'm grateful you've stuck with me all this time. Thank you, Haru."

Haruka turned his head away and tightened his fingers around the cold glass, condensation droplets clinging to his palms. "We're not the same."

Makoto tilted his head in confusion. "What?"

"We're not the same."

Along with everything else in their lives, their relationship had changed.

Instead of walking to school together every day, they were lucky if their schedules aligned and they could swim together in the morning. During class, Makoto wasn't there to ask the questions he knew Haruka had about the material, to pass him an eraser or to tell him to stop daydreaming and pay attention to the lecture, but he was left to his own devices. And at the end of his laps at practice, he wasn't greeted by a smile and a reached-out hand and Makoto wasn't there to tell him how much his time improved, but he had to pull himself out of the pool.

The air around him was not filled with meaningless chattering about anything that came to Makoto's mind, but solely with beeps of his phone, information Makoto deemed important enough to share with him. During their time apart, their interactions were filtered and although they talked about a lot of things when they were together, it wasn't the same as living each other's experiences.

But most of all, Haruka's feelings weren't the same. In Iwatobi, he never had to look forward to seeing Makoto, because Makoto was always by his side. Never had to be somber when they parted ways at night because they would meet up again the following morning. Never had to long for his presence and now the longing started, it didn't stop. It dug deeper and deeper, spreading through his mind and body until it became ever-present. It opened his eyes to desires he'd been nourishing in his heart for his whole life but hadn't had to face before.

They were still Makoto and Haruka, but they were different. Because Haruka had always loved Makoto, but he hadn't realised what that meant until their worlds were flipped upside down.

Makoto seemed surprised by his statement. Maybe even a bit shocked. That puzzled Haruka. Surely he wasn't the only one who noticed the positive electricity that would buzz through the room when they were alone. The way their bodies were naturally drawn to each other, even if only to brush their shoulders together or put their feet in each other's lap. The palpable tension between them when saying good night at the doorstep, a lingering moment that could be filled by a hug or perhaps something more.

Then, Makoto smiled. There was a knowing glint in his pupils and Haruka was relieved one glance remained enough to understand the other.

"Maybe we aren't the same, but I wouldn't say we have changed either," Makoto said as he straightened his back, "Rather, we've grown? Or evolved?" He paused as he tried to find the right words. "At first, I had no idea what was going on, but not once did I find it strange or uncomfortable. In some way, it felt familiar. Like we're heading somewhere we were always meant to go?"

"Yeah," Haruka said with a small smile. Makoto was usually a pro at putting his feelings into words, but this time even he struggled. That wasn't odd though, because Haruka couldn't begin to voice all the emotions he harboured for Makoto, not with cohesion or finesse.

"Either way, all that matters to me is that we're here together, because I love you so much, Haruka."

The usage of his first name made his cheeks blossom with heat and he averted his eyes. "Me too."

When he was brave enough to look back, Makoto's sweet smile graced his handsome features. Now Makoto had broached the topic, all the hesitation that resided inside Haruka's bones evaporated. The time had come for their relationship to flourish.

Haruka left his glass on the railing and closed the distance between their bodies. Makoto wrapped his arms around his back, pulling him tightly against his chest. This wasn't their first hug in the two decades of their friendship, but it was unlike any other they shared before. It was warm and affectionate and secure, and Haruka felt like he could drown in Makoto's arms and float on this feeling forever. He buried his face in Makoto's neck and because he hadn't properly responded to Makoto's feelings yet, he whispered, "I love you."

Craving more, their gazes met and the air between them was charged like it had been so many times prior, but now, there was only one possible way to dissolve the tension. Haruka could read the yearning he felt in Makoto's eyes, so he let his own slip shut and leaned up to do what he'd been wanting to for months.

Their lips met in a clumsy kiss and it flooded Haruka's heart with joy. Makoto had been right, there was no doubt about it: although he had no idea what he was doing, this was always meant to happen. Makoto's lips were soft and gentle as they pressed against his, but the unsuppressible smile that fought its way to Haruka's mouth made it impossible to explore this amazing sensation further.

With no choice but to give in, Haruka pulled away and allowed himself to smile wholeheartedly. Makoto opened his eyes and mirrored his expression. Although he was already breathtakingly beautiful, there was something about the way the last rays of sunlight showered over him that made him look even more gorgeous than usual. Perhaps it was just the final barrier inside Haruka's heart having been broken down by their kiss, unleashing all his thoughts and feelings for Makoto, uncontainable.

Not a word was spoken, but not a word was necessary. Makoto rested his forehead on his and the contents of Haruka's mind were reflected on his face: nothing could stifle their immense happiness and they were excited to discover everything that came with this new stage in their relationship.

A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope to see you again tomorrow!