Been a while guys, like far too long. Sorry about that, but hey! I got a chapter done! Yay! The second part of the Summer holiday fic!
Hooray!
Haruka found himself absentmindedly gazing at Sousuke whenever he wasn't looking. After the teen had found out he had a younger sister and embraced it with, surprisingly, no resistance, Haru was grateful to Sousuke for letting him use his ear. It was a weight off his shoulders and the tension that had been a constant in the butterfly swimmer's presence melted away instantaneously. There was something about the way Sousuke crinkled his brow and his eyes narrowed when his parents said something untoward to each other that Haru found amusing. He would swiftly snap his head away when the brunette looked his way and let a small bout of colour stain his cheekbones at being caught. His once dreaded summer holiday was actually turning into one of the best he had ever had. In the two weeks, they spent together with their families Haru and Sousuke had bonded much further than either of them had ever expected or anticipated. From Sousuke's comfort hugs after Haru's parents ridiculed their son, to their nightly talks on the roof as Violet slept. As the ravenette unloaded his worries and thoughts he knew he didn't need to worry about repeating himself. Sousuke was listening. Always. Sometimes they just sat there watching the sunset and the stars beginning to wake in the darkened night sky. Their fingers sometimes laid against the roof tiles and intertwined lazily, neither of them moving away as they turned to gaze at one another.
They had gone to the beach on one of the last couple of days of their stay, the sunshine raining down on their skin and the cool breeze grazing their hair. Violet was happily playing in the sand, spade in hand, while Haruka was itching to sprint to the ocean that was calling his name. He found himself distracted as the sunbathing Sousuke rose from beside him and crouched down beside Violet. The ravenette tilted his head slightly as he watched a rare quip of a genuine smile grace Sousuke's lips. His teal eyes that usually glared at him dully were sparkling in the sunshine and Haru had to avert his gaze for a moment.
"Haru!" Sousuke called to him and waved him over as the freestyle swimmer turned back to him. Haruka rose and trudged through the sand towards them, kneeling next to Sousuke and gave him a questioning look. "Violet wants our help with the sandcastle, right?"
Violet nodded eagerly and offered her brother the bright red bucket. Haruka smiled at his sister and gladly took it. The three of them began to construct the rather elaborate sandcastle Sousuke had mentally designed, and Haruka hummed and smirked a little as the butterfly swimmer looked at him in self-admiration.
"Onii-chan, who do you like?" Violet suddenly asked her brother who faltered, and the bucket slipped from his grasp.
"Violet, why are you asking that?" Haru questioned in shock and glanced at Sousuke to gauge his reaction. The smirk on his lips caused Haruka to glare at him.
"I don't want onii-chan to be lonely when we leave," Violet explained and Haruka softened his expression and Sousuke ruffled the girl's hair.
"You don't need to worry about your brother, he has loads of friends," Sousuke assured her and smiled at the free-style swimmer and motioned to the little girl.
"Right." Haruka nodded in agreement.
"Sou-chan will look after you, right Sou-chan?" Violet pulled at Sousuke's arm.
"Well, I-" Sousuke smiled softly as the girl gave him the biggest pout she could muster and he nodded. "Of course, anything for onii-chan."
Haruka flushed red as the butterfly swimmer looked at him with his intimidating eyes. He noticed the look of the devil in his eye and he waited for the sand to swallow him up whole.
"But, who do you like Haru?" Sousuke asked. Yup, anytime now sand. Haruka clenched his jaw and looked away.
"I'm not saying a word."
"Why don't you write it in the sand onii-chan?" Violet suggested and Sousuke silently thanked the girl for her support.
"What? No." Haruka shook his head and watched as Violet began to tear up. "Violet, that's not gonna work."
The sniffles began and Haru could already feel himself waning. He bit the inside of his cheek and made the mistake of looking at his sister. The girl was purposely letting the tears trickle down her cheeks and her big blue eyes stared at her brother in sadness. What had Haruka faltering was the quiver of her lips and the nudge from Sousuke.
"Fine. But, not now." Haru wiped the tears from Violet's cheek as the girl sniffled and began to smile in triumph.
"When onii-chan? When?" She exclaimed. The ravenette quickly glanced at Sousuke who was expectantly awaiting an answer and patted the bucket, lifting to reveal a perfect sand mound.
"On the last day, I'll write it in the sand before we leave." The ravenette stated and hoped that his offer would appease the two of them. He was a little startled when Violet and Sousuke shared a look and simultaneously turned their heads back to Haruka.
"Deal." Sousuke nodded once and suddenly bristled as Violet unexpectedly turned on him.
"You to Sou-chan."
"Deal." Haruka quickly cut in before the butterfly swimmer could retort. Sousuke scowled at him and he couldn't help the smug look that smeared across his features. The butterfly swimmer sighed heavily in defeat but nodded.
"Haven't we got a sandcastle to make?" Sousuke questioned Violet with a stupid grin that Haru couldn't help but linger on. Violet began to boss them around after Sousuke accidentally patted the bucket too hard and the sand crumbled, and Haruka knocked Sousuke's castle after he grabbed the spade. The two teens shared a common expression before the butterfly swimmer picked Violet up and threw her over his shoulder.
"That's it!" Sousuke stated and crinkled his nose as the girl screamed happily.
"Onii-chan! Help!" She giggled and was gazing at her brother upside down. Haruka blinked and looked up at Sousuke who was offering him his hand. "You've been itching to get to the water. Come on."
Haruka looked to the ocean and could already feel the serenity seeping into his bones. He unconsciously placed his hand in Sousuke's and was suddenly on his feet and being dragged to the water. Haru was no longer focusing on the water, the tranquillity feeling lost to the sudden erratic beat of his heart as he stared at their linked fingers. Sousuke pulled them to a stop and placed Violet on her feet. She didn't stray far from them as she began to slap her feet in the ocean. Sousuke leaned over and Haruka jumped in surprise when he felt the butterfly swimmer's breath on his ear.
"She can swim, right?"
Haru took a moment to process what Sousuke asked and gave him an incredulous grimace.
"Who's her brother?" Haru retorted and the butterfly swimmer huffed and smirked at him in enjoyment.
"Right, stupid question." Sousuke apologised before he swiftly picked the ravenette up in his arms.
Sousuke wasn't sure why he did what he did, picking up Haruka was one thing, but running into the ocean and flinging him into the water was something else. It could have been the look Haruka presented him with after he caught him unaware, or the feeling he felt as they strolled through the sand, a tint of red on the freestyle swimmer's cheeks. But, when the ravenette spluttered and resurfaced, Sousuke couldn't stop the bubble of laughter at the horrified shock on his face. Sousuke suddenly found himself choking on the salty water as Haruka leaped at him and pushed him under. As soon as felt Haru's weight lift he burst from beneath and tried to get air into his lungs. As he coughed, he turned his attention to the freestyle swimmer, who was laughing freely. Sousuke scowled at him before he started laughing too, running his hand through his own hair. A wave unexpectedly hit them and Haruka was pushed into Sousuke's chest. The freestyle swimmer's fingers clawed at his biceps as they struggled to find their balance. They found themselves captivated with each other, Sousuke with the stinging but wanting feeling of Haru's nails in his arm and the lingering breath to his chest. He felt Haruka move forward slightly as he hesitantly lowered his hands from the free-style swimmer's torso to his hips.
"Are you okay?" Sousuke managed to ask and Haru nodded in reply. "G-good." His reply was a little breathless finding himself regarding the ravenette's lips a little too closely.
"Onii-chan!" Violet's voice despite being from the shoreline, sounded as if she was right beside them. They pushed away from each other and Sousuke watched as Haruka glanced at him before swimming back towards his sibling.
By the time they had gotten back to the summer house, the sun was setting. Sousuke found Haruka sat on the roof once again. He climbed out after the ravenette and sat himself down beside him. They stayed silent for some time before Haru tilted his head to Sousuke and hummed. The noise caught the butterfly swimmer's attention and he looked over at Haruka and rose a brow in question.
"Thank you."
"What for?" Sousuke asked in confusion and slouched over a little.
"For today, for this week, for last week." Haruka huffed slightly before he jumped at Sousuke and hugged him. "For everything."
Sousuke was taken aback by Haru's sudden display of affection and was unsure on how to respond. He did place his hand on the small of the ravenette's back and let his other hand hold their weight as Haruka leaned against him.
"You're welcome, Haru." Sousuke smiled to himself as the free-style swimmer leaned his head on his shoulder in embarrassment. "I'm glad you got to spend time with your sister."
Haruka rose his head and looked at Sousuke in surprise. The butterfly swimmer wasn't entirely sure what he was doing, but he easily leaned forward and pressed his lips to the ravenette's. He felt the ravenette flinch at the contact and Sousuke was about to pull away when Haru gripped at the nape of his neck and kissed him back. After what felt like an eternity, they pulled away from each other slightly and gazed into each other's half-lidded eyes.
"What was that for?" Haruka asked and seemed tempted to lean in for another.
"I don't know. Do you regret it?" Sousuke questioned cautiously. Haru shook his head and leaned their cheeks together.
"Thank you." He whispered in Sousuke's cheek before he rose and headed inside. Sousuke watched him leave and snapped his head forwards fully aware of what he just did. He flushed in embarrassment and desire and buried his head in his hands.
"YOU KISSED?!" Rin gasped in shock and beamed at Sousuke. "No way!"
"It was spur of the moment." Sousuke groaned in embarrassment and looked away. "He was so close and after the time I spent with him, I just couldn't help myself."
"What happened afterward?" Rin asked now invested in every word that sprouted from Sousuke's mouth.
The next morning Sousuke was unable to get Haruka alone no matter how hard he tried. Their parents were determined to spend the entire day with their sons, not daring to let them out their sights. He barely got in word in with Haru and found himself getting frustrated. It wasn't often he snapped at his parents but when he managed to find the ravenette in the kitchen alone grabbing himself a glass of water, Sousuke's chance was taken when his father walked in the room and requested the butterfly swimmer's assistance.
"Leave me alone!" Sousuke vented and tensed his curled fingers. "I just want one minute, for Christ's sake!"
Haruka and Sousuke's father blinked in surprise at the angered teen and watched as Sousuke stormed away upstairs. They shared a glance and Haruka shuffled over to the father.
"I'll go talk to him. I'm sure he didn't mean to snap." Haru tried to apologise on the butterfly swimmer's behalf and placed his glass down on the island. He moved past Sousuke's father and headed up the stairs. The butterfly swimmer was sitting on the roof, windows wide open, letting the breeze in. He was watching Violet and her parents sit on the picnic blanket with his own mother. The door clattered from below and Sousuke's father approached them and sat beside his wife and spoke to her.
"Sousuke?" Haru called to him. Sousuke jumped in surprise and snapped his head to Haruka who was sitting down beside him. When did he get there? "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. I've just been trying to talk to you all day." Sousuke confessed and pinched his brow and sighed. Haruka let out a small huff and Sousuke pouted slightly.
"Is Sou-chan lonely?" The ravenette teased. Sousuke's eyes widened in shock at how out of character the freestyle swimmer was being and was unable to respond. Haru blushed and swiftly turned and concentrated on the cloud-free sky. "Sorry. I don't know why I said that."
"No, it's okay." Sousuke found himself saying and let a small smile grace his lips. "I didn't know you could joke."
"There's a lot you don't know about me." Haruka rose a brow at Sousuke and simply gazed at him. The butterfly swimmer leaned closer to the freestyle swimmer and hummed in interest.
"I'd like to."
"Sousuke," Haru whispered with pink-tinted cheeks. "Your parents are down there."
"URGH!" The butterfly swimmer groaned again and pushed Haruka's face away. He yelped as he fell back and scowled at Sousuke in annoyance.
"OI!" Haruka jumped at him in retaliation and they fell back through the window. Sousuke fell against the carpet floor with an 'oof' and found himself pinned down by the ravenette. They blinked at each other in shock before they started to laugh. The laughter died down and the two just contemplated one another before they were kissing again. Their lips stayed together longer this time, taking their time to memorise each other's lips before they were disturbed - which, Sousuke knew was inevitable.
"Onii-chan." Violet's voice sounded from the stairs. The two teens swiftly separated and looked at each other in longing. "Onii-chan? Are you okay?"
They turned to the door to see the girl holding the frame in concern. Haru rose and crouched down beside his sister.
"I'm okay, we just took a tumble." Haruka smiled at her.
"Did Sou-chan save you?" Violet asked innocently. Haru pushed Violet's hair behind her ear and nodded.
"Yeah, he broke my fall."
"All in a day's work as a giant." Sousuke saluted to them from his spot on the floor. Violet laughed happily and clapped excitedly. She hugged Haruka and the freestyle swimmer turned them around so he could thank Sousuke with an appreciated smile.
The last day came too soon for Sousuke. His heart felt like it was sinking as he watched Haruka's parents began to pack their bags in the back of their car. Violet was holding onto Sousuke's hand, sniffling in sadness.
"Alright, all packed. Thank you for having us. We are grateful for your company." Haru's father thanked Sousuke and his parents. They began to talk for the last time and Sousuke tilted his head suddenly in confusion.
"Hey, Violet? Where's your brother?" He queried the young girl who wiped her cheek.
"He's over there." Violet pointed and Sousuke looked up to see Haruka approaching them from the beach.
"What's he doing?"
"Haruka, come along!" Haru's mother called to him as she took Violet before the girl could answer. Sousuke nodded at Haruka who came to stand before him.
"I'll see you at practice." The ravenette bowed a little and gave him a small smile.
"Yeah," Sousuke replied like an idiot and internally slapped himself. He watched Haruka disappeared into the car, his heart plummeting as the door closed and the car began to drive away. He found himself waving unaware if Haru was even looking. Sousuke looked over to where he saw Haruka and excused himself from his parents' company. He trudged in misery into the sand and didn't have to walk very far when he noticed someone had written something in the sand. Sousuke furrowed his brow in confusion before he recalled the deal they had made with Violet. He drew closer to the name in the sand and he felt his heart leap to his throat when he saw his own name. It was written rather neatly, almost cursive. Sousuke had to admit it was rather pleasing to see his name in Haruka's handwriting. He quickly looked around for a stick and wrote Haruka's own name beneath his own with a content smile.