Author Note: I am not worthy of all of you *bows* I must apologize for being absent for a while, I can assure you it was not because I wanted to stay away. Now this chapter may be disappointing to some of you, but it was necessary. Remember, this story is fairly slow paced.
One last thing: This story is also being posted on my Ao3 account under the username: XxFleetingEmbracexX and of course being promoted on my tumblr: dontlookdirectly
Makoto was beyond terrified. He paced in front of the curled up, red-faced boy, his mind going a million miles per second. He felt like crying, but was determined to keep calm. He jumped when there was a knock at his front door. Not wanting to leave the boy's side, but knowing he had to answer the door, he sped down the hallway and swung the door open.
"How's he doing?" The smiling face of his mother ebbed away some of his restlessness.
"He still has a fever, I already gave him the medicine you told me to buy, but it has only gone down a little, and he won't eat anything, and-" He was beginning to panic again. His mother put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and handed him a plastic container. Makoto blinked down at her, confused and nearly hyperventilating.
"Heat this up while I go look at him, and, honey, calm down." She patted his shoulder before making her way to Haruka's bedroom. Makoto watched her go, gripping the plastic container in his hands. Once she disappeared into the boy's room, he took the container to his kitchen and poured the contents into a saucepan. He instantly recognized the smell of a very familiar soup. The very same one his mother would feed him whenever he got sick. For some reason, a few stray tears slipped out this time. Brushing them away, Makoto poured a small serving of the rice concoction into a bowl. He padded his way to Haruka's room, pausing at the door when he heard the boy's soft voice.
"…was funny."
"Really, then I'll be sure to watch it next time."
"Makoto said he'll buy me the DVD."
"Wow, then you'll watch it whenever you want, Haru-chan."
"Uh-huh." Makoto smiled, Haruka sounded much better than last night. He composed his face, hoping his red eyes would go unnoticed by the boy, and let himself in.
"Look who's finally awake." Makoto smiled when blue eyes turned to meet him. "Feeling better, Haru?" He asked, placing the bowl of soup on the bedside table. His heart swelled in happiness when the boy nodded. He reached over and touched the boy's forehead, it was much cooler, the boy's fever had finally gone down.
"Here, eat this up and you'll be out swimming in no time." Makoto handed the boy the bowl of soup. Haru's eyes twinkled in delight and he dug into the bowl at lightening speed.
"Don't choke now, dear." Makoto chuckled at his mother's comment, gently brushing away Haru's sweaty bangs. It was at that moment that he realized just how important Haru was to him. It was also at that moment that he learned what the meaning of unconditional love was.
…
"So, are you sure you are okay with this, Haru?" Makoto asked carefully as he sat down next to Haru. Rin had left ten minutes ago, and Makoto wanted to go over everything with Haruka. The little boy looked up at him, as if contemplating what he wanted to say, before inclining his head forward.
"Yes. Rin picks me up from school and teaches me English. He knows about swimming and likes to talk to me, and if he has a sister than she must be just as interesting as him." Makoto was divided between crushing Haru to his chest and laughing at the way he described Rin. He did neither.
"Alright, just remember to tell me if at any time you feel uncomfortable with having them here. Anything at all, Haru, understand?" Makoto stared at Haru with serious eyes, leaving no room for confusion. The boy agreed.
Although, Makoto felt more at ease with having someone he already knew, if even barely, living with them as opposed to a complete stranger, he still needed Haru to be all right above all else. His first priority is for the boy to feel comfortable and safe in his own home. When they first began discussing the possibility of renting out their empty room, what worried Makoto the most was the fear of some stranger intimidating Haruka. With Rin and his sister, he had a strong hunch that they would never hurt or cause Haru any discomfort.
"Makoto." The boy's soft voice grabbed his attention.
"What is it?"
"When can we go to Iwatobi?" The question hung in the air for a while.
"You miss it?" Makoto countered with a question of his own. The boy nodded, a small frown tugging his lips down. Makoto felt it tug at his heartstrings painfully.
"I miss it too." He paused, "As for when we can go, hmm…." Makoto closed his eyes, thinking.
"Unfortunately, I have a lot of work right now, but summer break is coming up. How about then?" Makoto opened his eyes and met excited blue ones. With a surprised grunt, Makoto huffed out a laugh as Haru wrapped his arms around his neck, giving him a tight embrace. In that hug, Makoto was able to feel the boy's need to visit his home, to visit those they left behind, but most of all, to visit the vast, clear blue ocean he so loved.
…
"So, you're really quitting?" Rin nodded, placing a final strip of tape to the box at his feet. He adjusted his phone, which had began to slip down his jaw.
"Yes, I don't want to go into details, but I just wanted to let you know. I'm also switching phones and will change my number, so I'll call you when I have that set up."
"Eh? You won't mind if we still keep in touch?" Nitori's surprise caused Rin to roll his eyes.
"We're still friends, Ai." Rin side-stepped through all of the packed boxes in order to reach the kitchen. They spent a few more minutes conversing about Rin's future plans, and Nitori's current obsession with some TV show Rin had only seen two episodes of. By the time Rin put away his phone it was nearly time for him to pick up Haruka from school. He finished what he could in the kitchen and then took off toward the elementary school. On his way toward the school his phone buzzed several times, Rin ignored each call. The impulse to answer was still there, making his fingers twitch toward the phone in his back pocket. Rin could not wait until he finally got rid of his current phone, effectively breaking the final link to his old job.
It surprised him just how much he was changing the course of his life. Well, not entirely, of course, he was only changing jobs and moving and becoming attached to a strange little family….
Perhaps, he was changing more than he thought, but then again, wasn't that what life was about? Changing and growing in order to achieve ones goals. Rin didn't exactly know what his goals were. He knew that he wanted Gou to succeed in whatever she chose to do, but that was her. He, on the other hand, drew a blank when he thought about what he wanted to achieve. What did he want out of life? What could he possibly achieve? Rin locked those thoughts away for further pondering once he grew closer to Haruka's school.
Arriving at the boy's school, Rin took his place under the shade of a large tree and waited for the bell to ring. Standing there, Rin recalled his own childhood days. His early schooldays had been fun, as was expected from the first years of school. It wasn't until he joined his school's swim team that he found something that captured his interest. His father had of course told him hundreds of stories from the time he had competed, and had expressed to Rin the enormous affection he had for the sport. Rin, however, had never really understood him until the day he experienced it for himself. The thrill of competitive swimming drove him to want to reach further and further. He often missed it, that rush, that high he got when he won first place, either solo or with his old team. He sighed, leaning against the soon-to-be blooming tree.
Rin started when the shrill sound of the school bell blared. In mere seconds, countless of squealing voices poured through the school's gates. Another minute or so passed before the quiet figure of the boy walked out.
"Makoto says you and your sister are moving in tomorrow." Haru said as soon as he reached Rin's side. The voice was leveled, the same as always, but Rin could see underlying emotion swirl in the boy's eyes. The more time he spent with little Haruka, the more he came to understand the boy.
"That's right. Actually, Tachibana-san even asked me to invite my sister over for dinner tonight, sort of as a get-to-know before we move in." Rin explained, falling into step next to the boy. They walked in silence for a while, before Haru spoke again.
"I think you are the only person who calls Makoto 'Tachibana-san.'" Haru said, peering up at the redhead. Rin squinted down at the boy.
"Oh?" Half-amused, half-curious, Rin decided to prod the raven.
"Mmhm, usually that's what they call Makoto's dad." Rin listened, grabbing the boy's hand as they crossed a busy street.
"Well, it's just the proper way to address someone when one isn't in familiar terms with them." Rin tried to explain. Surely they'd taught the boy this in school, or at the very least his parents.
Oh. There it was again. That bubbling curiosity that always came when his mind drifted. That gnawing curiosity that wanted to uncover what had happened to the boy's parents. That wanted to know who Makoto really was, and how he and Haruka came together.
"But, now that you'll live with us, doesn't that make you closer to Makoto?" That snapped Rin to attention. He nearly tripped over the steps that led to Makoto's apartment.
"Well," Rin began, holding out his hand as Haru gave him the key to open the door.
"Yeah, I guess that's true, but we don't know each other that much." Rin said as he and Haru took their shoes off. The boy nodded slowly, taking it all in. With a few soft-spoken words, Haru settled down in front of the center table, taking out his school books from his black backpack. Rin decided to leave the boy be while he worked on his homework, only helping when Haruka requested it. He paced briefly around the living and for the first time noticed the sparsely located picture frames on the wooden cabinet set against the wall. In one picture Makoto was holding a sopping wet Haru, who was wrapped in a large towel, they both looked like they were laughing. There was another one of them surrounded by people Rin didn't know, but they looked oddly familiar. There was a boy and a girl who looked strikingly similar to each other, and an older couple that was smiling brightly. All of them, except for the tiny Haru, had the same shade of hair. It had to be Makoto's family. Rin was about to turn away when one final picture caught his eye. It was a man and a woman, both with black hair, and holding a tiny baby with striking blue eyes. The man, whose eyes were the same color of blue as the baby's, had his arms around the woman. They were smiling, pure joy reflecting on their faces.
It was them. There was no doubt about it. Rin couldn't stop staring at the picture that featured a baby Haruka together with his parents. His focus finally waned when his phone began to vibrate in his back pocket. He reached for it, and only answered after seeing it was his sister calling. Rin turned away from the picture frames, more intrigued than ever before.
…
"He misses all of you." Makoto breathed into the phone, suppressing a yawn.
"We all miss you. Mom and dad are going crazy without Haru-chan." The young female voice replied, giggling.
"How's dad doing?" Makoto frowned when his sister didn't reply right away.
"He's doing better, well, he's pretty much the same, but he hasn't gotten worse." Ran finally replied. Makoto supposed it was the best they could hope for.
"I'm fairly certain we'll visit during the summer break." Makoto smiled at the excited squeal his sister produced. In the background he could here his little brother asking what had happened, complaining about wanting a turn on the phone.
"Stop pushing, Ren! Mom, I'm not done talking yet." Makoto closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the other half of his family. His younger siblings bickering, his mother's warm voice scolding them, and his father chuckling at the old routine. With his eyes closed it almost felt like they were here with him. All that was missing was Haru resting against his chest, eyes peering from Makoto to the others, amusement dancing across his face.
"Sorry, honey, these two are just in a foul mood today." His mother's voice was as soothing as ever.
"It's good to here things haven't changed there."
"Not in the slightest, love. Your father still refuses to discipline anything that bats their eyes at him, and his children continue to fight as if they have nothing better to do." Her voice clearly reflected the smile Makoto couldn't see, but knew was there.
"I was just telling Ran that we might be dropping by during summer break. Haru misses everyone."
"My little angel," His mother sighed. "Tell me, dear, is that person you mentioned last time still looking after Haru-chan?"
"He is. Haru has really taken a liking to Matsuoka-san. As Haru says, Matsuoka Rin is very interesting and very smart." Makoto grinned.
"Oh my, that is great news. I'm glad you have someone to help you out. You are capable of many things, dear, but remember that you alone cannot do everything. There will be times when you will need to ask for help, especially now that it is just you and Haru-chan out there. I just thank God that you found someone that has helped you so much." Makoto nodded along with his mother's words. Slowly, realizing how right she was. Rin had appeared out of nowhere and had lifted a heavy burden off his shoulders. He had given him peace of mind and had, not only taken care of Haru, but had befriended him as well. Makoto was then left wondering how he would ever repay the red-haired man.
The conversation with his mother ended after a few more minutes. Makoto quickly gathered his belonging and left his empty class room. He checked the time on his phone and frowned when he realized he was leaving the school later in the evening. Today's meeting had been unnecessary long and tedious. Discussions about curriculum changes, possible projects for the students, and a plethora of other things that Makoto was sure could be easily dealt with if some professors could simply yield to other ideas.
Makoto hastened his step, wanting nothing more than to finally arrive home.
…
"You are a so cute." Gou slapped her hands to her pink cheeks, coming to kneel in front of the little boy.
"Gou, you're scaring the boy." Rin smirked, winking at Haru behind Gou's back. Gou composed herself and stood up, her eyes glued to the adorable raven.
"Haru, this is my little sister, Gou. Don't worry she'll stop fawning over you eventually." Rin barely avoided his sister's annoyed swat.
"Nice to meet you, Gou." Haru inclined his head slightly as he greeted the flustered girl. Gou beamed down at him and copied his movement.
"Is Sensei here?" Gou asked after her little introduction with Haru.
"He's usually already here by this time," Rin began, a bit of worry slipping into his voice. He changed his tone with one look at Haru's face, "I'm sure he's just running a little late, his job likes to keep him busy." As if on cue, the front door opened and Makoto threw a sheepish smile to the group waiting for him. In a matter of minutes, after brief introductions, they gathered around the dining room table and ate the hearty meal Rin had, with the help of Haru, prepared. There was pleasant conversation all through out the dinner. Gou was now not only fawning over little Haruka, but Professor Tachibana as well. During their meal, Makoto easily spilled information that Rin connected to the picture frames he'd seen. For instance, the fact that he had twin younger siblings named Ren and Ran.
"Ah, how cute, Ren, Ran, and my brother Rin." Gou giggled.
Makoto also reveled the name of his hometown which caused Rin to stop mid-chew and gawk up at the brunette.
"Nii-chan, you didn't tell me they were from Iwatobi too." Gou's words barely registered once green eyes bore into his.
"Their from there too, Makoto." Haru murmured, gently tugging at the brunette's arm.
All too quickly their time ran out, at least that's how it felt like to Rin. Ignoring Makoto's flustered words, Rin followed him into the kitchen and insisted on helping him clean the dishes. As they cleaned up, Rin could hear his sister's and Haru's voice from the living room, laughter ringing every so often.
"They seem to be getting along. I'm glad." Makoto said as he toweled off the plate Rin had just handed him.
"Gou melts at the sight of adorable kids." And handsome men. Rin sighed internally.
"May I ask you something, Matsuoka-san?" Makoto asked, turning to face Rin, leaning against the counter. Rin nodded, peering over at the brunette.
"What made you decide to leave Iwatobi?" Rin was thankful that he had not been holding a plate when that question reached his ears. He stared down at the dirty dishes still needing to be cleaned, his gut starting to feel as if it was carrying boulders.
"Privacy." It was the closest to the truth as he could get. "You know what shocks me, though?" Rin quickly changed the course of their conversation. Makoto took the bait.
"What?"
"How we're both from Iwatobi, and have lived there for years, and we just now ran into each other. In a different city." Rin grinned, continuing to wash the remaining plates.
"It's odd how life makes things work, how, for some reason, people come to meet at a specific point in time. Not sooner nor later, just that predetermined time." Makoto's cheeks earned a bit of color at the look Rin threw him, a mix of amusement and awe.
"It's just," Makoto began uneasily, "You've been such a big help to me, to us. First, with Haru, I can't thank you enough for that, and now because you and your sister are moving here you are lightening a heavy burden I was carrying." Rin swallowed thickly, feeling nervous and strangely giddy all at once. What was this man doing to him?
"It, uh, it is odd, isn't it?" Rin spoke softly, "I can assure you that you've helped me a great deal as well, yet we aren't very familiar with each other." Rin raised his gaze, taking in the surprised expression of the brunette.
"Haru so expertly pointed out this morning that I refer to you in an uncommon way, one usually reserved for your father." Rin said, eyebrows shooting up in question when the brunette chuckled lightheartedly.
"He's been asking me relentlessly why I call you by your surname as well." Makoto explained, after composing himself.
"He's quite…friendly." Rin said, cocking his head to the side.
"Haru's used to calling everyone by their given name, it was indulgence on my part actually. Where we lived before there was not much need for such formalities, he spent most of his time inside my parents' home. He grew accustomed to speaking directly, I encouraged him to speak with as much honesty as possible. That's why he has little tolerance for honorifics, and often comes off as rude to others." Makoto finished with a small smile hanging off his lips. Rin took in all of the information shared with him, honored that the man was sharing things with him.
"My mother was quite the opposite." Rin revealed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"She would harp all day long about showing respect to others, punishing either of us for speaking out of turn, or for fighting with each other." Rin shrugged his shoulders, memories flashing in his mind. There was a moment of silence after that, the only sound was the laughter coming from the living room.
"Since both you and your sister will be living here, would it be alright if I called you Rin-san?" Rin blinked, repeating the question twice in his head before nodding. The smile he received was infectious.
"Then please call me Makoto." The brunette smiled widely.
"Okay." Was all Rin could get out as a pleasant warmth spread throughout his body.
They finished their forgotten task of cleaning the dishes in comfortable silence, and far too quickly they were saying their goodbyes. At least until tomorrow. Rin noted, as he waved at the small child and the happy brunette, that he could hardly wait for the morning to arrive. He was anxious and nervous and excited.
"I think I am going to really enjoy living there." His sister's cheery voice caught his attention. "If only for a while." That last bit hit him like ice water. That's right, he'd told his sister the day they agreed on moving in with Makoto and Haru that it would only be for a short amount of time. Only enough time to settle things down and save what little money they could. Rin thought it dangerous to continue living in the city where he had once offered his nightly services, no matter how big it was. He'd made Gou understand that sooner or later he would have to leave in order to not compromise either her or the people that had taken them in. After all, he couldn't start on a clean slate here. Rin shook his head, willing those somber thoughts to leave him be.
For now, he was just going to look forward to moving into the Tachibana household, for what little time he could.
...
To be continued.