A/N: Word count: 1,052
Tags: Canonverse, Established Relationship, Fluff

In a loaded rental car, Haruka and Makoto left their Tokyo apartment behind to spend their break in Iwatobi. They had packed their bags the night before and after a hearty breakfast, they crammed everything in the trunk and took off at the brink of dawn. With a couple of pit-stops and possible traffic jams in mind, they hoped to arrive in Iwatobi in the evening.

On any other day, having to get up this early would result in Makoto being drowsy and perhaps a bit cranky. But now, instead of a yawn, he had to suppress a wide grin.

They frequently called and skyped with their family and friends, but he was excited to finally see them again in person. Although Haruka and he had settled in Tokyo and felt at home there, Iwatobi would always remain their home as well and Makoto would keep missing the presence of their loved ones whenever they were apart. Therefore, he couldn't wait until they were in Iwatobi and this part of their trip couldn't be over soon enough.

Alas, not his entire body agreed with him.

"Haru…" Makoto said carefully, afraid of Haruka's reaction.

"What?" Haruka said, not taking his eyes off the road.

"I… have to go to the bathroom."

As expected, an exasperated sigh left Haruka's lips. "Already? We left twenty minutes ago. Didn't you go at home?"

"I did! I just have to go again. I think it's because I can't go whenever I want, my bladder is nervous."

"I'll pull over at the next gas station, but at this rate we'll have to turn around the instant we're in Iwatobi if we want to get back before the end of our break."

"Sorry. I'll be quick and that's the last stop for the next few hours, I promise. We can stock up on snacks while we're there. I'll treat you to whatever you want to make up for it."

"I made us lunch back at home, so I don't need any snacks," Haruka said, glancing over at him from the corner of his eye. "If you really want to make it up to me, get your license so we can switch next time."

Feeling called out, Makoto twiddled with his thumbs and said, "I'm planning to, but I've been so busy lately-"

"Stop with the excuses," Haruka cut in, "You're scared, aren't you?"

As always, Haruka saw right through him. Guilt shot through his veins and dwelled in the pit of his stomach. "Sorry, Haru. I want to get my license, I really do, but I am scared. Just thinking of all the accidents I could cause…"

"You worry too much," Haruka said, "I could cause an accident too, yet you're sitting in the car with me now."

"Yeah, but do you remember how long it took me to sit back without gripping at my seatbelt for dear life?"

"Fair enough," Haruka gave in as he let go of the stick to put his hand on Makoto's instead. "It is scary at first, but you'll get used to it. Accidents can happen at any time, but I know you'd be very careful and would never drive recklessly."

"I wouldn't, but other people do. Someone else can cause an accident I'm involved in."

"But that can happen at any time, even if you're walking on the pavement or crossing the street. That's not something you're constantly worried about when you're not in a car."

"You're right," Makoto admitted, "I can't keep postponing it forever just because I'm scared. I'll have to do it eventually, so better sooner than later. I don't want to put all the pressure on you to drive us whenever we go somewhere."

"I don't mind driving us, but it's good to have your license in case something happens," Haruka said, squeezing his fingers lightly, "I'll be with you the entire time, and if you're still too scared to drive afterwards, then I'll be your chauffeur."

A smile curled Makoto's lips. Haruka was so considerate of him and even if he complained about it, he complied with all Makoto's wishes. Whenever he set his mind to conquering his fears, Haruka was there to hold his hand and guide him through the darkness. And even if that wouldn't completely eradicate the anxiety that would clutch at his throat and make his limbs quiver, it did give him the courage to face them again and again. It was like that with the water and the ocean, so Makoto was confident it would be like that when it came to driving too.

"Thank you, Haru," Makoto murmured, and he leaned over to press a kiss against Haruka's cheek. "I know I can always count on you."

The skin underneath his lips rapidly flushed an adorable pink, and Makoto had to bite back a giggle at the sight of it. After all this time, even the slightest tokens of appreciation could catch Haruka off guard. It was pretty cute.

"There's a gas station over there," Haruka said as he pointed at a sign in the distance, probably grateful for the opportunity to change the subject. "We can stop there."

"Why?"

Haruka whipped his head around and shot him the biggest frown. "Don't you have to pee?"

That was right. All this talk about driving and accidents distracted him, but his bladder was about to burst. "I do."

"If you forgot then you probably don't need to go that badly, so I'm not pulling over."

"No, Haru, I do need to go!" Makoto said, but then he saw the hint of a smirk at the corner of Haruka's mouth. "Don't tease me and just go."

Haruka didn't say a word, but did flip the turn signal and took the exit towards the gas station. The scent of gasoline had never smelled so much like relief before.

It would be hours before they reached Iwatobi, but maybe the journey wouldn't be as tedious as Makoto expected. Their destination was the pot of gold, but perhaps the way there could be a rainbow: the view of Mount Fuji and the ocean was amazing and the company was even better. Out of anyone in the world, there was no one Makoto would rather be stuck in a car with for this long than with Haruka.

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