"He's taking his time." Rin moaned, tapping his foot impatiently, as he leaned against the tree, arms crossed.
"He's probably still soaking in the tub." Nagisa reasoned, crossed legged on the grounds, fiddling with some leaves.
"I'm sure Haru-senpai will be here soon." Rei reassured, standing behind Nagisa, watching the blonde boy entertain himself.
"I checked on him before I left." Makoto announced. "He told me to just leave without him, saying he'll be right behind me."
Rin clicked his tongue in annoyance. "It's been half an hour!"
"Maybe we should meet him halfway?" Makoto asked, eyeing the teal eyed teen who was silently listening to the conversation.
"Yes! Lets!" Rin exclaimed, removing himself from the tree, beginning his walk to Haru's house. "I've had enough."
They all made their way to Haru's house, talking to one another, Rin complaining about Haruka. They were about half way there when they noticed part of the road was cut off, several lines of police tape blocking their path. A car front was slightly dented, it's driver was talking to police, horror stricken eyes as he stared at his car. Rin walked over to the tape, the others behind him.
"Hey Ashia, what happened?" Rin called to his workmate. The tall tanned police lady made her way over, greeting Rin and Sousuke.
"A pedestrian got hit, they're in a pretty bad state. They've taken him to the local hopsital."
"Oh jeez, was it an accident?" RIn asked.
"Yeah." Ashia pointed over to the driver. "He's devastated, he feels terrible. I don't think he'll ever forgive himself. I have to call the man's emergency contact. Excuse me"
Ashia moved away, taking out a small green cell phone.
" Do you think that's why Haru-senpai is late?" Rei inquired. "He got blocked by this accident."
"Hey doesn't that look like Haru-chan's phone?" Nagisa casually voiced. They watched as Ashia dialled a number and placed the phone to her ear. A noise emitted from Makoto's pocket, the green eyes man hitched a breathe as he took out his phone. Feeling relived that the number was Haru, Makoto pressed accept and waited for the raven haired swimmer to apologise.
"Hello is this Mr Tachibana?"
Makoto's eyes snapped up to meet Ashia's who was staring right back at him. Makoto shook his head in denial, he couldn't breathe, couldn't think.
"No, no please no." Makoto whispered. "Not Haru."
His phone slipped from his hand, smashing onto the floor as Makoto was swallowed into a black hole. He took several steps back, before turning and running.
"Haru!" Makoto yelled as he ran towards the hospital, the other boys close behind.
Makoto was bawling at the hospital staff, demanding them to take him to Haru. Sousuke with the help from Rei dragged the distressed Makoto away from the frightened staff and let Rin handle it.
"Sorry." Rin apologised on Makoto's behalf. "Our friend was in a accident. Haruka Nanase. We were wondering if you could take us to him."
The lady nodded relaxing herself before she checked her computer. "He's still in surgery, but you can wait in the waiting room. It's just down the hall to your right."
"Thank you." Rin thanked politely, motioning his friends to follow him. Makoto was slowly calming down but was over taken with tears. The crying seemed contagious as Nagisa was the next to break down along with a teary Rei.
"Oh come on guys he'll be fine." Rin shakily assured them, sniffing slightly. Sousuke was silent, arms crossed as he watched the doors of the surgery room.
"It's Haru, everything will be okay? right Sousuke?" Makoto whispered, holding his head. Sousuke didn't reply, trying to keep his emotions in check he blocked them out, thinking only of Haru. He'll make it, he'll make it.
A nurse emerged from the room and was slightly startled by the sudden appearance of the boys. Nagisa and Makoto rushed up to her begging her for the news.
"We've completed the surgery." She smiled slightly at the worried faces. "He'll make it."
Everyone released a breath they were all holding in, thanking the stars. Nagisa was jumping up and down, cheering Haru's name.
"When can we see him?" Sousuke finally spoke, his eyes watering.
"You can go in now but he's still under the anaesthesia." The nurse explained. "He won't wake till the morning."
The boys nodded and the nurse led them to the raven haired mans temporary room. Makoto was the first in, rushing to the boys bed side, grabbing his hand and began crying again. Rin and Nagisa quickly joined him, whispering to the sleeping boy. Rei and Sousuke hung back slightly but still joining in with the conversation. Night had fallen and Nagisa and Rei had already headed home, promising Haruka they would visit first thing in the morning. Makoto started nodding off, snorting himself awake. Rin sniggered at him and received a tired look.
"Come on Makoto, I'll take you home."
"No, I need to stay with him."
"He'll still be here in the morning." Rin pointed at Sousuke who was gently running circles on Haru's hand with his finger, gazing at Haru's bruised jaw. " Plus Sousuke will stay with him."
Sousuke grunted in return not taking his eyes of the sleep induced boy. Makoto sighed in defeat, knowing his best friend was in good hands and company he unwilling removed himself from the room not before bidding Haru goodnight. Now Sousuke was alone with Haru a single tear escaped and slid down his face. Sousuke gently outlined the free style swimmers jaw, then his black eye. He placed a tender kiss on the young mans head and sat back in the chair sighing.
"Why did you tell us to leave?" Sousuke whispered, turning to face the window. "First me then Makoto."
The butterfly swimmer yawned, his eyes drowsy. He grabbed Haruka's hand before slowly closing his eyes.
Sousuke woke up to a hand squeezing his own. He groggily looked up see Haruka smiling gently at him. Sousuke eyes widen, he jumped from his chair and grabbed Haru's head in his hands.
"You're okay!" Sousuke grinned, pecking Haruka on his nose, eyes and forehead. Haru giggled, cringing slightly in pain as he did so.
"Are you okay?" Sousuke moved away, eyeing the boy worriedly. Haruka nodded, gently rubbing his stomach.
"It just hurts all over."
"Do you want me to call a nurse?"
"No, it's okay." Haruka stopped him by grabbing his wrist. "Just don't make me laugh."
Sousuke sat back down, grasping Haru's hand with his own and frowned at him.
"What?" Haru asked.
"Don't ever ask me to leave you again." Sousuke ordered.
"Sousuke-"
"-Never, understand?"
Haru rolled his eyes. "Okay, I won't."
"Good." Sousuke nodded once. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Haru-chan?!" The two boys turned their heads to the door to see a smiling Nagisa and a relieved Rei making their ways towards them. Rei greeted the boys as Haru was being overwhelmed by the blonde swimmer. "You're okay."
"I'm fine Nagisa." Haru assured, letting the small boy inspect him. The door opened slowly, revealing Makoto and Rin who were whispering to one another, not noticing the others. Makoto's eyes slowly moved over to the bed and he burst out crying and ran over to the bed.
"Haru. Oh thank god!" Makoto cried. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Makoto." He sighed as he reassured his best friend. "Stop crying."
"I'm trying, but I can't stop." Makoto sniffed. Rin slapped the back stroke swimmer on the back, chuckling at the boys antics. He's eyes met Haru's and he smiled.
"Good to see you're okay."
"Thanks." Haruka replied, letting a huge yawn escape his lips. Rin watched as Haruka's eyes flitted close before forcing them open.
"Alright guys lets give Haruka some space." Rin ushered to the smothering Makoto and Nagisa. Rei followed Rin and the unwilling Makoto and Nagisa. Sousuke stayed behind for a moment to say goodbye.
"I'll come visit tonight." Sousuke promised.
"I look forward to it." Haruka smiled slightly at him as Sousuke planted a kiss on Haru's head.
"I love you Haru."
"Love you too." Haruka whispered, frowning as Sousuke left the room not before turning and waving goodbye. Haru sighed, glancing up at the ceiling. He took a deep breath, wincing in pain. He closed his eyes and after the pain subsided his breath evened out and he fell into a peaceful sleep, looking forward to seeing Sousuke later.