Ayyyyy

Just a heads up, Rin and Gou will be appearing NEXT chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Free! but I do, in fact, own Rin's lower half. I purchased it on the Deep Web. Please PM if you would like your own piece of him.

...

The next day, Haru awoke early as usual, and when Mako found him, he was writhing around gracefully in his purpose-built bath tub. He blinked and lifted his hand from the water, for Mako to pull him out of it, which he did so immediately, handing his prince a fluffy white towel as he did.

"You're here early," noted Haru.

"How often do I get this much free time?" reminded Mako, "Since Princess Gou is arriving tomorrow, they have everyone here, preparing for it."

"And yet you're here talking to me," said Haru moodily.

"You father said I was to keep you happy," said Mako sheepishly, "Looks like I'm not doing a very good job so far."

Haru regarded this fairly – his father was right of course, if anyone would keep Haru's mood lifted, it would probably be Mako. He had an unusual personality, one not many knew how to handle, or even wanted to, but Mako had never found Haru to be difficult or an annoyance at all. As a Knight, unlike most of the royal court, Mako had no obligation to be a kiss ass, or be his friend. But their friendship long predated the days when Mako held a sword in his hands. Haru had been glad when Mako had told him he was going to train as a Knight – Knighthoods were made for people as chivalrous as Makoto.

"But this might cheer you up," offered Mako, "Prince Rin is going to be the envoy!"

Haru's heart dropped. Oh how he wished it was not so – that was one thing Mako wouldn't understand. When Rin arrived Mako would expect him to hug Haru, to tell him he'd missed him, but that wouldn't be how it worked. Rin would glare, would be insulting, rude, because he had burned the bridge between them long ago. As though the situation were not bad enough as it was, Haru would have to see the person who loathed him more than anything else in the world.

"Mako," said Haru quietly, "I've decided what I want to do today."

"Yes?"

"I want to go swimming."

Flashback

"Our families hate each other," pointed Haru, "If they knew we were friends they'd kill us."

"R-Really?" yelped Mako, "But we're children! We're... We won't really get in trouble will we?"

"Of course we will!" exclaimed Rin excitedly, pulling a branch from the ground and holding it in two hands like a sword, "I expect they'll hunt us down, so we'll have to fight them off. We'll teach those royal losers that we're in charge now. They'll not separate us, you hear?"

Mako brightened at the prospect. As usual, Rin's illogical yet charismatic rants worked their magic over him.

Haru leaned back against the tree contentedly, listening to Rin rant nonsense and Mako blindly believe they were going to end up in some sort of death match between the soldiers. Of course, what they were doing was not safe, but then chance had brought them across each other. Haru and Mako had wandered into the woods, too far in, and Rin had wandered away from his army's camp, and before they knew it they had met, and become the best of friends.

Haru looked out at the river, marvelling at how the sun reflected off the water. Such was the magnificence of water; an element he believed was much too underrated. He tuned out the other two, watching it with quiet appreciation. Then he saw it.

"Rin, Mako."

"Yeah?" called Rin.

"There is a dead body floating in the water," he said gravely, getting to his feet, his face uncharacteristically expressive.

He felt Mako grab his upper arm. "Oh no! Who do you suppose did this?"

"We did," said Haru quietly, "Because that is not one of our soldiers, Mako."

"No," agreed Rin, "It's one of mine."

They all looked at each other, for once understanding the gravity of the situation. Their families were at war, and they were playing together in the woods. One day Rin and Haru would be kings...

"We'll never fight," decided Rin, "When we're kings, this... This war is over, you hear?"

"Haru we need to go," insisted Mako, "It's not safe here."

"Rin won't hurt us," argued Haru.

"Not Rin," said Mako with a shake of his head, "We're in the midst of a battle."

"We can't leave him here," said Haru.

"Don't worry about me," laughed Rin, "I'm a ninja, I can't be seen, yeah? I don't think we'll be able to play for a while, but you're still my very best friend Haru."

"Haru," called Mako urgently.

Rin grabbed Haru around the back of his head, and touched their forehead together.

"You're my best friend, Haru."

Despite the smile, there was a seriousness in his eyes that caused Haru's expression to soften, he said nothing, merely looking at Rin as though he was truly as wonderful as water. Then Rin released him.

"You'll get Mako in trouble if you don't go back now," he warned, "I'll see you two again."

He turned and disappeared into the trees and the bushes. Haru had allowed Mako to drag him back to the palace, where upon arrival; they were informed that King Matsuoka had fallen in battle. That night, Haru had snuck out into the woods to find Rin, and he had, and he would always remember it because that was the first and last time anyone had ever struck him, and that was the night he lost his friend.

Haru surfaced and rolled onto his back, floating in the river quietly, the cool water trickling down his face. Mako was swimming about beside him, content to just let Haru swim in peace, as the prince always looked happiest when he was in the water. He landed vertically and began to tread water when he felt Haru jump onto his back, wrapping his arms round his chest and resting his chin on Mako's shoulder. The action didn't startle Mako; he was used to it.

"The wedding will be huge," complained Haru, "Do you think they'll let me leave the wedding early?"

"Early?" laughed Mako, "You're marrying a Matsuoka; they have their own conventions they'll bring with them."

"Like what?" demanded Haru.

"You'll have to stay up for the entire duration, and then the men will pick Gou up and carry her to your bed."

"Excuse me?"

"And the woman drag you after her," confirmed Mako, "Personally, I think it's a little derogatory and crude, especially given she's a princess, but marriage consummation is very important to their family, so I suppose..."

"Never mind her," said Haru moodily, "What about me? I don't want to have sex, it doesn't interest me."

"There isn't really a way for you to get around it," sighed Mako, "They will check the next morning. Whatever relationship you'll have with the girl, it's best if you at least play it safe for now. She might not want to have sex with you either, but it's the duty of both of you. You can apologize later."

"Apologize?" asked Haru.

"It will hurt her far more than it will hurt you," said Mako, "Just be gentle with her."

They were silent for another moment, and then Haru released his hold on Mako, floating once more in the water.

"Do you think Rin made this deal with Father?" asked Haru.

"Of course not," laughed Mako, "It was only between the King and Queen Matsuoka. Though I wouldn't put it past him to do it so you two could be brothers."

Because that's exactly why he would have done it. Would Rin exact some sort of revenge? Or would he wait until Haru himself was king?

"We should go back," said Mako, "What if the envoy arrived early, we don't want to receive them dripping wet, now, do we?"

Haru said nothing, simply swimming over to the bank and pulling his clothes on. They stuck to him, his hair dripping onto his face, and he shook his head, water droplets flying everywhere.

"Haru," complained Mako, "I brought towels with us."

"The water gives me strength," he said with perfect seriousness.

He waited whilst Mako himself dried off before they headed back to the palace together. The envoy were not early, but it was just as well. Tomorrow marked the end of Haru's pleasant life, before the Matsuoka people plagued his very walls.

Mako was just about to leave Haru for the night, when he reached out and grabbed his arm. Mako looked back at him with such concern it hardened his resolve.

"Mako."

"Are you okay?"

"Kiss me."

He stared unblinkingly as a dark blush spread across Mako's face. When the man made no attempt to do anything, seemingly frozen in shock, Haru stepped forward and kissed him. It was sweet, and nice and it made Haru feel warm, as though someone was wrapping him up in fur. He did not particularly want to end the kiss, but he had to remember he hadn't Mako's permission in the first place.

"I'm sorry," he said, breaking away, "I just wanted to kiss someone who loved me before tomorrow."

Mako gave him a sad smile. "I'll never leave you, my prince... Goodnight."

Haru turned and, still soaking wet, threw himself into bed. There was really no point worrying over the coming days – they were going to happen whether he wanted them to or not. Mako was right, he had a duty to fulfil. It was war that had cost him his friendship with Rin, and if marrying Gou stopped others from being torn apart, then he was willing to make that sacrifice.

Drifting off to sleep, he silently prayed that Gou Matsuoka was a fan of water.

...

We know why Haru kissed Mako, but what are Mako's feelings on the subject? Stay tuned, bitches.