It had been about year since they returned from that holiday, everything returned to normal, with the exception of Haru becoming a bigger part of Makoto's life. They had started meeting regularly, even going on a couple dates, which was awkward at first. To Makoto it felt like a dream come true, nothing in the past mattered anymore, he was just going to enjoy his time with Haru. He was going to make sure Haru stayed a permanent part of his life.
Makoto gathered his things from his locker, nervous and excited for the night to come. He stared at the last item in the locker for a few minutes before softly placing it in his pocket. The last year had been great, sure there was the everyday stresses but having Haru by his side had help him through everything. Makoto bid goodbye to his colleagues, and left with shouts of good luck after him.
Celebrations for New Year's eve were happening all over town, boasterious people littered the streets. Makoto idly wondered if Rin and Sousuke were on duty tonight, if they were they were going to have a lot of drunk people to deal with. Since the holiday everyone had managed to stay in contact so far, Nagisa and Rei had their "wedding" in July in Iwatobi, Nagisa claiming he wanted a summer wedding. It got so hot they all ended going to the swim club and swimming.
Makoto reached the restaurant he had booked their dinner at, he paused momentarily smiling softly to himself. A couple years ago Makoto had never even let himself dream about Haru coming back into his life, and then last year Haru re-appeared. Thanks to Nagisa everyone was able to reconnect with each other, and somehow Haru had become Makoto's boyfriend. The amount of times he had fantasized about something like this happening between Haru and himself, and now it had become a reality.
Taking a breath Makoto walked into the restaurant, He was shown to his table where Haru was already sitting and waiting, Makoto sat down and smiled. "Sorry I'm a little late" Makoto apologised.
Haru shook his head "it's ok I haven't been here long"
Makoto could feel the nerves setting in "u-uh should we get some drinks?" he said while pulling at his collar suddenly feeling hot.
Haru raised an eyebrow at him "Everything ok?"
Makoto nodded waving the waitress over to order them some water, He could feel Haru's eyes on him, he needed to calm down before Haru figured out something was wrong. He wanted everything to be a surprise.
Haru watched Makoto as he ordered them some water, he was acting weird Haru could tell he seemed nervous about something, it was only the first year anniversary of being together. Maybe stuff like this made Makoto nervous? Haru was going to get to the bottom of this either way. Makoto seemed to calm down as the night went on, they idly chatted about work, well Makoto talked the most. They finished their dinner, Makoto persisting that he would pay, they walked out into the cold hand in hand. Makoto leading the way, Haru had no idea where he was taking him.
They wound their way around the streets until stopping outside the aquarium, Haru looked up at Makoto "It's nine at night, I don't think its open"
Makoto smiled "Normally yes, but I know some people"
Haru was about to question who these people where, when Makoto pulled him gently inside. "Tachibana-kun" came a voice Haru hadnt heard in a long time
"Nitori-kun, thank you for doing this" Makoto said bowing his thanks
"No need to be so formal" Nitiori smiled "You helped us out all those years ago this is just re-paying a bet" he looked around Makoto at Haru "Hello Nanase-kun, it's been awhile"
Haru just nodded his reply unsure of what to say, Nitori escorted them in "Momo has set up everything you asked" he heard him whisper to Makoto. Set up what? He wondered as they walked through the underwater tunnels, he looked up to see a shark swimming over the top of them, must be one of Rin's cousin, Haru thought to himself smirking at his own joke.
They exited the tunnels and walked into a dark room, Haru could make out a tank but couldn't see anything in it, he heard Makoto whispering to someone then footsteps walking away quickly. Makoto grabbed his hand and led him outside to the top of the tank, above them was the night sky where Haru could make out a couple stars, thanks to the city lights blocking most of them, Makoto stopped beside the tank and turned to him. His green eyes connecting with Haru's blue ones.
"Haru" he started, Haru could hear the nerves in his voice "You were once a big part of my life, we were inseparable, we had our disagreements but you were always there. When you left with Rin I lost a part of myself and I never dreamed I would get it back, I spent the first couple of years feeling guilty for not trying harder to stop you, I turned to alcohol to try and numb the pain" he stopped taking a shaky breath "But that just caused a different kind of pain to come into my life" Haru reached out grabbing Makoto's hand, hoping to convey his guilt for having not been here for him, Makoto smiled at him and continued "Then you resurfaced in my life, when I saw you at the café that day part of me wanted to wrap my arms around and now let go the other part was scared that if I so much as made one wrong move you would disappear again" Haru opened his mouth to say something but Makoto held up a hand silencing him "Then Nagisa planned that holiday, which I'm sure he planned only having one bed in the rooms to" he laughed at that, that would be Nagisa's style "Everything changed a year ago" a soft smile played on his lips "this past year has been one of the best years I have had in a long time" there was a splashing sound in the tank but Haru didn't dare look away from Makoto "What I'm trying to say is, I want more years like this, with you"
Makoto moved closer "Haru" He said softly "I want to spend the rest of my life with you" he turned to the tank where a dolphin had swum up to them with a small box in its mouth, Haru's brain realising what was happening, Makoto grabbed the box then crouched down on one knee his face completely red "Haruka Nanase, will you marry me"
Haru let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding "Y-yes" he said softly
Makoto broke out into a huge smile and placed the ring on Haru's finger then stood up wrapping his arms around him and kissing him deeply. "I was so nervous" he said chuckling into Haru's hair
"I could tell you were babbling" he muttered into Makoto's chest
Makoto chuckled "I'm actually surprised you haven't tried to get into the water yet"
Haru frowned "I did that at an aquarium in Australia and got banned"
Makoto pulled back looked down at Haru "You know I don't know anything of what you did in Australia, you will have to tell me" he smiled before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on his lips
"It wasn't that interesting" Haru said
Makoto opened his mouth to say something but stopped and looked down at his watch "Want to go to the shrine for the count down?" he asked
Haru shook his head "No I have a better idea"
