Chapter three was the halfway mark… You guys ever think about how saying "it's all downhill from here" could mean two opposite things? (It's reeeeaaal late as I'm sitting down to type this up. ^^')

Anyway… .mename! Thank you so much for taking the time to review the first three chapters! I'm glad you're enjoying it! (And thanks for the ego boost as well. ^^' It's been quite a few years since I've taken a French lesson, but my mind translated 'trop mignon' without even taking a second to have to think about it and… it was just a nice feeling.)

Chapter Four: Lines to Cross

The end of Haru's first week as someone's boyfriend arrived quite uneventfully. They were not yet at a point where they were holding hands in public or kissing between classes. He wasn't sure if they were supposed to be. Were the rules different because they were both boys? Not that he knew what the rules were to start with.

Nagisa kept shooting them mischievous looks and raised eyebrows. Sometimes Rei would glance between the two of them and blush. Nagisa got an earful from Kou about not coming straight to her with the news. (Apparently, she'd had stakes in the bet too.) So at first, their lunches had been a bit weird. But those were already evening out. They'd begun to return to talking about the regular things.

…Which were tests, mostly. Either Nagisa's progress on his own grades or the ones Haru and Makoto were preparing for. Rei seemed to find both equally engrossing. They were the exact topics that had gradually driven Kou to spend more time with the friends she'd had before she'd gotten swept up in all their swim club craziness. Haru wished he could just take off too sometimes. (He'd finally accepted that his life was moving ahead to a new stage; did they really have to talk about it every second of every day?) If they all knew this particular silence was him tuning it all out, no one called him on it.

But he couldn't contain his sigh when Makoto followed him in that afternoon and set down his books like any other day. He was sick of review prep and practice essays. It was Friday. Couldn't they get a head start on the weekend, just this once?

Makoto sat down as usual and searched his folders until he found the paper he was looking for. But Haru reached over and covered his hand with his own—pinned it down, really—when he picked up his pen. Makoto blinked up at him in surprise, and Haru held his gaze.

"Not today."

"O-Okay…"

They were silent for a moment. Haru didn't remove his hand, but he hadn't planned farther than this. At last, he decided to be blunt. "Should we be doing more?"

"M-More?" Makoto's eyes were still on the hand covering his—as if they hadn't been connected by those very hands on their walks to and from school almost every day this week—so Haru knew he got the gist. But it was Makoto. So he clarified anyway.

"As a couple. I don't know how this is supposed to work, exactly. But I've barely even kissed you."

There was a balance here he still hadn't found. He'd begun this venture to make Makoto happy. He still wanted that. If anything, it had become even more important to him. But the boy was still walking on tiptoes around him in a way he hated. Wasn't this supposed to be their honeymoon stage? It didn't feel like much of a celebration.

Haru removed his hand and moved around to the other side of the table. He scooted closer, waiting for some sort of signal or direction. But Makoto was still, watching him. The jitters seemed to have left him. If he was looking for something specific in Haru's eyes, he wasn't sure what it was. He wasn't used to Makoto being the silent one.

He set down one hand to brace himself beside Makoto's knee, leaning in to match up their lips. They'd gotten a little better at this the past few nights—he'd at least hit the right target every attempt past the first. But this was the first time it wasn't meant to be brief.

Makoto's mouth was… squishy. (Soft, was the word he was pretty sure he was supposed to use.) And it always was… He just didn't usually have so much time to focus on it. He tried not to. And then told himself he probably shouldn't be trying to distance himself from the experience—Makoto knew him inside-out and was sure to pick up on it.

Gradually, they slid down until Haru was resting entirely on Makoto's chest. It was reminiscent of their cuddling—which he'd decided he liked—and he tried to keep that in mind. They were just very… close. He could feel every breath Makoto took—it moved his stomach, his chest, exhaled as a little puff of air against Haru's cheek—and it made him hyperconscious of each of his own breaths.

He was pretty sure he was the one to break it off. He slumped down to press his face against Makoto's shoulder… if only to stave off the urge to wipe the back of his hand across his mouth, which was decidedly… wetter than it had been before. With that distraction gone, he could feel Makoto's heart beating, a bit faster than usual. It was entirely welcome when he eased them back up into a sitting position, resting up against the couch for support.

Haru… tried not to linger too much on his own reaction. He hoped it had been what Makoto wanted. He hadn't been the one to initiate it, but… Well, Makoto wasn't good at taking things for himself. Not when someone else's feelings or desires were at stake. They all knew that. He thought it was a good sign when those strong arms encircled him a little more tightly, in a more proper hug.

"You didn't have to do that," he said at last, very softly.

Haru shrugged, knowing Makoto would be able to feel every muscle in his back and shoulders moving as he did so. When they were like this, the closeness did feel nice. What was the word…? Intimate. For the first time, he sort of understood why people got all goofy and poetic about romance… about this kind of connection with another person.

"I wanted to," was ultimately his answer. And he had. At first. He would also kind of like to never do it again, but he supposed he'd cross that bridge if the time came when he couldn't just convince Makoto to swim across instead.

It was moments like this where he was reminded that Makoto had been his best friend long before he ever became his boyfriend. Because they couldn't currently look each other in the eyes, not in this position, but he seemed to know exactly what was going unsaid. Makoto squeezed him a little tighter, just for a second, before loosening that grip until those arms were just resting against Haru's back. Giving him the chance to pull away, if he wanted, he knew. "…And? What did you think?"

Haru held on tighter to mend that loss. Part of him hoped that would convey everything he wanted Makoto to hear. But he knew he couldn't lie. "…Mouths are gross."

To his relief, Makoto started to laugh. He felt those chuckles reverberating through his chest before they began shaking them both. And he melted a little into the sensation. Makoto buried his nose into Haru's hair and… yes. So the whole making out thing was a little questionable. (He honestly thought starting with roaming hands instead couldn't have been worse.) But this. This was nice.

…

Saturday was a big day. They were meeting Rin and Sousuke at a little café (apparently highly recommended by Kou) in the afternoon. Their only outing after a week of diligent (…) studying. And the first thing Haru figured could count as an actual date, double or otherwise.

He had pretty much given up on trying to figure out the proper order these things were supposed to follow. He was counting it a success as long as they happened at all.

He took a deep breath as he stepped outside. He'd considered waiting in the tub until Makoto inevitably came to get him—as was their routine—but he was actually itching to get out. The freedom of getting to go somewhere without his bookbag was intoxicating. Were the upcoming finals getting to him? Whatever. He was being a responsible adult, getting places on time. Makoto would be proud.

Speaking of. The other boy was just leaving his own house as Haru started down the hill. Their eyes caught, and they both smiled. Makoto waited until Haru was at his level, and then they walked the rest of the way down together. On reflex, Haru reached for his hand, but Makoto had always been more perceptive than people gave him credit for. He linked their pinkies together and left it at that.

"It'll be good to see them again. Rin's leaving for Australia as soon as Samezuka's finals are through, so I'm glad they were able to make the time. I can't imagine how Sousuke must feel right now."

Haru hummed in response. Makoto was long used to upholding the entire conversation himself and not expecting much more. The café was a cozy little place on the corner of a street filled with shops. It was a rather sharp curve around the corner. There was just a sliver of sidewalk. They found their friends seated at a window booth, and from inside, it looked almost like they were literally sitting on the street.

"Hey, guys. Wondered what was taking you so long." Rin's greeting was casual enough, but his gaze was intense. Haru saw the way those eyes snagged on their pinkies—still locked together—and remembered the way his own stare had lingered on their hands the first time he'd seen Rin and Sousuke out as a couple.

Makoto laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, are we late?"

"No," Sousuke answered, freeing them from Rin's scrutiny. "We were early."

Rin shrugged away the details, and Haru finally slipped his finger out of Makoto's to slide into the booth across from Sousuke. They exchanged a quick glance before politely averting their eyes—Sousuke smiling up at Rin, Haru observing the passersby out the window. He thought he heard one of the two standing boys sigh—probably Makoto—but he considered this progress. They weren't at each other's throats, glaring the whole time.

"Whatever," Rin answered. "Kou wouldn't let me leave the house without a list of recommendations, and she's expecting a full report when I get back, so I went ahead and ordered for everyone. One of you, come help me carry it all."

"Of course," Makoto offered, a little too readily. Haru shot him a sharp look, suspicious that this was a ploy to give him time to bond with Sousuke, but the two were already walking away.

"So…" Sousuke spoke up after a moment. "How's life as a claimed man?"

Why couldn't he have just kept his mouth shut? Their others weren't going to be gone for that long. He fixed him with a hard look for an extra second, trying to suss out if there was a challenge there or some rude implication. But Sousuke held his gaze very neutrally, so Haru considered the question.

"It's very… warm."

Sousuke gave a soft little chuckle, but it sounded distinctly fond. "Yeah… I guess that's a word for it."

They settled into a comfortable sort of silence he'd never really experienced with Sousuke before. There was always some underlying tension between them. And honestly, he wasn't even completely sure why. He'd started to ask Makoto once, but all he'd gotten was this secretive smile, like Makoto understood something about Sousuke that Haru would never be able to understand even if he did try to explain—ohhh…

Huh. He glanced across the room at the other two. They weren't even at the counter yet but seemed to be chatting amiably. Perhaps he would have to reappraise Sousuke. Another gentle giant pining after a childhood friend he thought could never possibly return his feelings? Perhaps redirecting that frustration at the boy he thought that crush favored instead?

He considered saying something. About how he'd never thought of Rin that way. Or how he didn't think Rin had ever shown that sort of interest in him.

But the moment dragged on and he realized… that there was really no need anymore. Which was comforting in its own way.

…

The café hadn't seemed half this crowded until they'd joined the line waiting for their turn at the counter. Makoto felt bad for the two girls struggling to keep track of and gather all the orders. They were clearly understaffed and didn't look like they could've been out of high school for more than a year or two themselves.

He'd been planning to press Rin about this bet his friends had apparently all been in on behind their backs—because really? What a cliché reaction. He knew he'd never exactly been subtle, but was it too much to ask for a little originality? In any case, it turned out Rin had something else to say as well.

"So… You and Haru, huh?" It was the worst attempt at sounding casual he'd ever heard from anyone. But then, Rin had never been much better at hiding what he was thinking than Makoto was.

"Yeah. It's been an interesting month for both of us." He hoped his smile wasn't as strained as it felt. Rin may have been out of their lives for some big years, but he still knew his friend well. He could tell something was coming. Some criticism or question he wouldn't want to answer.

Rin blew out a deep breath as this little scoffing exhale. "You're telling me. I mean, Sousuke was always there, you know? We still hung out, even after he got weird about the rivalry thing. I figured I knew him better than anyone. Who woulda thought there might be another reason for it?"

Makoto cut his eyes away, briefly taking in the little cakes another customer was setting down at their table, perhaps a little too quickly. He saw Rin draw himself up in surprise out of the corner of his eye and didn't know whether he wanted to laugh… or roll his eyes while he was still turned away and could get away with it. Could Rin really have been that blind? He was pretty sure Haru at least knew, even if he'd chosen not to question it. Until recently…

"Wait, seriously? What tipped you off?" Well, that answered that question.

"I guess I was just in a better position to recognize it," was ultimately his response, letting Rin off the hook. Because of course he did. And maybe Sousuke's crush really wouldn't have been as obvious to someone else. Whatever. It was in the past now.

They were getting close to the front now. Makoto swallowed, his hand twitching at his side… like his thoughts were an itch demanding to be scratched. Knowing Rin was in no position to judge him for being caught off-guard, there was something else he'd wanted to ask…

"Hey, Rin… How are things now that you and Sousuke are together? I mean, you were already living together, but is that… different now?"

He was glad Rin seemed to get what he was trying to say, because he wasn't sure he could articulate it any better than that. His friend rolled his shoulders, contemplating.

"Yeah, kind of. It's more… trying to figure out what's supposed to change, you know? Like… you've never shared a room with anyone, so let me tell you: the lines dictating personal space can get kinda blurry anyway. Assuming you and your room mate get along. (And it makes for a long year when you don't.) I guess there's just… a time and a place for it?" Rin scratched the back of his head, suddenly aware Makoto was hanging onto his every word. "We tried to leave most of those lines where they were, to be honest. Like, if you or Haru cross a line, you can always take a step back and readdress it whenever you're ready. Sousuke and I are going back to the same room at night no matter what happens during the day."

Makoto nodded. "Sounds complicated. I didn't really think about it like that."

Rin grinned. "Well, take notes. You and Haru are going apartment hunting next weekend, right? It'll be here sooner than you think." Rin shrugged. "There haven't been any major issues. It's something you can feel, you know? Sometimes Sousuke sits down on my bed and he just wants to talk about homework or whatever. Sometimes it means our clothes are coming off. It's usually not too hard to figure out which."

"Uh, yeah…" Makoto could feel his face heating up. He tried to cool the blush, but Rin caught it and smirked. Damn it.

"Well, maybe you and Haru aren't quite there yet." As if he'd been anyone's boyfriend for more than a few weeks. "Gotta be honest, though, I can't really picture Haru trying to be sexy."

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to?"

Rin shuddered with a little laugh. "Hell no! How'd you finally ask him out anyway?"

He smiled, though it was a little clouded. "I didn't. Kisumi made some comment while we were walking home together, and Haru told him we were already together."

"Haru did? Wow…" Their conversation broke off as they finally reached the counter, and one of the girls started piling two large serving trays full of miniature desserts. Makoto could only stare. Rin sighed, looking over the receipt. They moved over a bit, trying to restack their order in a way that would make it a little more manageable. (Completely in vain.) Rin picked right back up, "I was going to ask how Haru was adapting, but if he asked you…"

Makoto failed to stifle a sigh. "I wonder that myself some days… Sometimes I have no idea why he did it. I'm not always sure it's what he really wants."

"Hmm." Rin seemed to consider this for all of two seconds before shrugging. "I don't know, man. I could never get in his head like you could. Maybe you should just ask him."

They finally gave up trying to re-pile their desserts. (They'd made quite a mess of it as it was and truly deserved the judgmental side-eye their server was giving them for messing up her work.) The two headed back over to their table at a perilous crawl, balancing the overloaded trays as best they could.

Though Makoto had wanted to have this discussion with Rin, he hadn't expected to feel so settled afterwards. He was right. There were times when Haru was practically allergic to facing his problems head-on, but usually, the simplest solution was his preferred one. He would just ask him.

But not right now. Haru looked up as they finally reached their destination and smiled in a way that made Makoto's limbs feel like jelly. He was thankful that Rin's attention was on his own date and didn't notice the way he always lost his grip on the tray at the last second.

No. Right now, he was going to sit in this booth beside his boyfriend, appreciate his newfound tolerance for having his personal bubble invaded, and overload his system with sugar. And that was all.