Disclaimer: I do not own Free! or any of its characters.

3 days later - Thursday 8 am:

Makoto was walking up the road towards the school. His face looked like it was the definition of death. There were dark circles under his eyes from staying up late with Haru. He had been going to the boy's house every day after practice. Makoto made it a priority. He was afraid of what the boy wasn't doing more than what he actually was. Haru hadn't been in school since last week. After he found out the news, he didn't want to do anything. He didn't even want to get out of the tub. Even the team was getting worried. It was getting closer and closer to the prelims. If Haru wasn't okay in enough time to prepare for them then what were they going to do? Makoto kept this in mind when he visited Haru but the dolphin wouldn't respond. He'd sit in the tub and stare at the water. Haru's symptoms were also getting worse. Makoto could tell just by the expressions on the other boy's face, but no matter how many times Makoto tried to help, he was pushed away. There was no getting through to him; at least, not right now there wasn't. Makoto closed his eyes. Haru...Haru-chan...I'm sorry for putting you through this. This is all my fault. I want to tell my parents, I really do. They'll probably understand but I can't... I can't do anything until I know what you want to do. I just hope that... No, I can't do that. You're the one with strict parents. You're the one who has to endure this. You're the one who's...pregnant. He bowed his head and whispered, "Haru-chan... I'm sorry." Just then, a girl with maroon coloured hair appeared next to him. She leaned forward to get a look at the orca's face,

"Makoto-senpai?"

The boy almost jumped out of his skin, "Ah!...Oh, ohayo Gou." He rubbed the back of his head nervously.

She blinked and tilted her head, "Is something wrong?"

"N-no, it's nothing."

"Then why were you apologizing to Haruka-senpai?"

"A-ah um..." Crap, I didn't mean to say that out loud. "It's nothing. No reason."

"Makoto-senpai?"

"H-hai?"

"You looked like you're about to cry. What's wrong?"

He shook his head and put on his usual gentle smile, "Nothing. I'm fine. I'll see you at lunch!" He picked up his pace and rushed ahead before Gou could get another question in. He took a deep breath when he got into the school. Haru, it's getting harder just to hide our relationship. Is this how you felt all those years you protected me?

After school:

Makoto decided, for the first time ever, to skip swim practice and go straight to Haru's place. When he reached the house, he didn't bother ringing to doorbell. He knew the boy wouldn't answer it so he let himself in. He walked directly towards the bathroom but when he got there, the tub was empty. There was no body laying in the freezing water that Haru liked so much. He should be here. Where is he? Suddenly, he heard something hard hit the floor. A bolt ran up Makoto's back as he dashed into the dolphin's bedroom. There, he saw a boy doubled over on his knees, holding his stomach. "Haru!" Makoto's chest constricted. He bent over the boy and touched his shoulder, "Haru what's wrong?" He didn't answer. Haru's face was turning red. His body was shaking. "Haru? Haru?" This only made the orca more nervous. I know he gets cramps but are they really that bad? Haru finally let out a sound. He groaned over the pain resonating in his abdomen. That's it; I've had it. Makoto furrowed his brows with a sorrowful look, "Haru, I'm sorry. You don't have to-"

He was interrupted by a strained voice, "I'm keeping it."

Makoto's eyes grew huge, "But Haru! It's clearly causing you pain! A-and...what about your parents?"

Haru closed his eyes as another cramp hit him. He trembled a bit then collected himself enough to look at his lover in the eyes, "It'll be fine...even if it isn't."

"Haru-chan..."

That night:

Makoto got permission to stay over Haru's house. He was sitting on the floor on Haru's bedroom floor with the boy sitting between his legs. The dolphin had his back leaning against the other boy's chest. The sound of the orca's heartbeat was all Haru needed to hear. It calmed him down a little for what he was about to do. He didn't have a choice. If he meant what he said then he was going to have to do something about it as well. Though, he still didn't know how his parents would react. It wasn't his mother he was particularly worried about; it was his father. He knew very well that his father was homophobic and now this...this was on an entirely different scale.

Makoto wrapped his arms around Haru's waist and nuzzled his face into the black hair, "I can talk to them for you if you want."

Haru glared at the phone in his hand, "No. I have to tell them." He went through his contact list until he got to "Mother" and pressed the call button. His heart began racing while he waited for someone to answer. Each ring turned into a pound in his chest. Just as he was ready to hang up, he heard a woman's voice on the other line, "Moshi moshi." When he went to reply, his words got caught in his throat. Makoto heard the little choke and gently tightened his embrace on his lover. The woman spoke again, "Haruka?"

"I'm here mother." He took a pause, "Mother?"

"Yes?"

His throat was starting to burn, "I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Can you get father? I need to tell him too."

The suspicion rose in his mother's voice, "Okay." Haru could hear his mother calling for his father's attention. When he came over to the phone, his mother put it on speaker. A deep voice came from the phone, "I'm here. What is it Haruka?" The sound of his father's voice chilled Haru. The man was usually understanding and compassionate but he did have a limit. He held strong opinions on certain subjects and this happened to fall into one of them.

Haru heard a soft whisper come from behind, "I'm here for you Haru-chan."

Haru took a deep breath and started speaking, "I'm pregnant." The word still felt like it stabbed him in the chest. He accepted it but he was nowhere close to being used to it.

His parents spoke simultaneously, "What?" His mother continued on, "Haruka this isn't funny. What are you talking about?"

Haru closed his eyes and waited a moment before he began to explain what happened, including his relationship with Makoto. The orca could hear yelling coming from the phone. It wasn't Haru's mother. That much for sure. It was his father. The deep husky voice rang in Haru's ear. Eventually Haru hung up, knowing that the man was going to do so soon anyway. Makoto leaned forward to get a glance at the boy's face. Haru held his phone tightly then dropped it on the floor.

"Haru?"

"I'm keeping it, no matter what he says."

"And your mother?"

"She's okay with it, I think."

"Haru-chan~"

Haru turned his face and looked at his lover in his eyes, "I told you it'll be fine."

"But-"

Haru leaned all the way back on his boyfriend's chest and laid his head on Makoto's shoulder, "It's fine."

There was no fighting it. Makoto knew that Haru was upset over it but he would cover it up for the sake of others around him. All he could do was accept it and move on. Now it was his turn to tell his parents. He was aware that his parents probably won't be comfortable with it at first but they were always open-minded about everything, even if the matter caused hardship for some.

Monday - at practice:

When Haru came out of the locker room, he almost yelped in shock. There stood Rin next to Gou. He stood there in his uniform with his messenger bag hanging across his body. They were standing in front of the pool, deep in conversation. At least, that was until Rin's red eyes fell upon his blue ones. "Yo."

Makoto and Haru told the team the news a few days ago. Nagisa already concluded that he was going to be the uncle. It didn't take him long to accept it. Rei went on a rant about how illogical it was until they further explained it. And Gou, she blushed extremely hard. She thought it was the cutest thing in the world. When she calmed down, she suddenly became anxious. She reminded the couple about Rin's feelings towards Haru. They eventually had to make her promise that she wouldn't tell Rin anything. Haru was scared of how he'd take it.

"R-rin, what are you doing here?"

The maroon haired boy walked over to the dolphin, "Practice got canceled. Samezuka's doing maintenance on the pool so I decided to come over." He came closer to Haru's face. He looked the boy up and down. Yup, he still had feelings for him. Haru stayed silent and Rin smirked, "You still as cold as ever." He paused, "Hey, I'm racing you in the 100m free right?"

The question caught Haru off guard. He wasn't sure if he wanted to do it yet. He hesitated, "I don't know."

Rin raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean you don't know? C'mon race me!"

Gou overheard where this conversation was heading and budded in between them. She looked at her brother, "O-onii-chan, why don't you get changed? You came to swim right?" I can't have you finding out about this. Haru obviously isn't ready yet. Rin looked down at her and blinked, "Ah, right." He turned for the changing room. While he was going in, Makoto was coming out. They both stopped for a brief moment to chat then continued on their way. When Makoto came over to his lover, all he got was a glare form the boy.

Makoto's face formed into sadness as he whispered to the boy, "I didn't say anything. Don't worry. But Haru-"

"No." That's all Haru said before he faced the pool and jumped in. Makoto sighed. Haru, he's going to find out eventually. I don't think he'll react badly. He might resent me but that's all right. He's going to figure out what's going on. I don't understand why we can't tell him. He's more understanding than he used to be, at least I think he his.

Two hours into practice:

Rin got out of the pool and took his goggles off. As he was catching his breath, he looked back at the pool. His eyes glazed over each line then he noticed, Haru wasn't in the water. What the heck? Where'd he go? He went into the locker room and peaked around. Where is he? It isn't like him to just disap- He heard the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. He turned the corner to see a boy with jet black hair leaning over the toilet. His body was trembling a bit while sweat dripped down his back. Rin stood behind him and placed his hand on his hip. "Haru?" Just as he was about to lift his head, he vomited once more. Rin came closer to the boy. "Hey, you okay?" Haru rose his head and met Rin's eyes. Haru's face was pale. His eyes looked cloudy. Sweat glided down the side of his face. Rin jumped back a little. What the hell? He didn't look sick not to long ago! Haru's hoarse voice broke Rin's trance, "I'm fine."

"Like hell you are! Look at you!"

Haru narrowed his eyes, "I'm fine." He started to pull himself up. Rin rushed over and helped pull him up by his shoulder. Haru tried to pull away. "Rin, I told you-"

"No one looks this bad and isn't sick! Go sit down!" Although he told Haru what to do, he still led him to the bench in the locker room. Just then, Makoto walked in with a towel over his shoulders. Soon as he walked in, he saw Haru sitting on the bench hunched over with Rin standing in front of him. Makoto ran over and kneeled in front of his lover. He put his hands on Haru's shoulders, "Haru, what's wrong? Is there anything I can do? What do you need?" He had almost forgotten that Rin was still there. HE was completely distracted by Haru's expression. With each question, Makoto's face got closer to Haru's. A slight blush grew on the dolphin's cheeks.

Rin raised a brow. Why is his face red? He didn't feel like he had a fever when I touched him... Is it- Nah, that's not it. His face grew dark. He's not blushing because of Makoto. He's not.

To be continued...

A/N: Okay, I determined to have the same amount of chapters as my other story. My OCD wouldn't let me have it otherwise. So, I move at the end of the week which means both stories should be updated more frequently from now on. I know this isn't the best chapter and Rin is a little OOC but I need him like that. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed! See you in the next chapter! xx