Haru always had been a naturally possessive person.

Specifically for one person: Makoto.

He can remember as far back to elementary school when Rin came along.

He had his suspicions about the shady kid, especially when he started hanging around his best friend. Although he was a very intelligent child, he couldn't exactly pinpoint this strange emotion. All he knew was that every time Rin and Makoto talked, he felt... Tingly. But not in a good way. It gave him a sick feeling in his stomach, dizziness in his head. Being the bright child he was, he tried to rationally think this out.

Was it sadness? Yes.

Was it anger? Definitely.

Did he dislike Rin? Not particularly.

So what was it?

Things only got worse in middle school. What used to be a slight discomfort had evolved into an emotional crisis.

It seemed like every girl in their grade wanted to go out with Makoto.

He would often get several love confessions, which he politely declined each.

Of course Makoto kindly told each girl that it was nothing personal but he just wasn't interested in a relationship. With a gentle smile, he would insist that they could still be friends.

Haru was seething with rage each time it happened.

Why couldn't they just leave him alone?! Couldn't they see he didn't want to be bothered with that nonsense?!

Couldn't they see he had someone else?

Haru scolded himself. He shouldn't think like that... Makoto could do whatever he wanted... But then why... Why did he turn down every love confession? Some of the girls who had asked him out were actually very nice and seemed to Makoto's type. What was he waiting for? Was there someone specific he was waiting for?

Haru felt a sharp stab in his chest.

What if Makoto was in love with someone?

But... Why would that bother him so much?

Again he tried to rationalize himself. He would just be worried for his friend is all. He wouldn't want him to get hurt.

Well, that was part of it at least.

But then came the worst of them all.

Kisumi Shigino.

It had all been child's play before that pink candy floss haired bimbo came around.

It started out as a normal friendship. Kisumi seemed to be a pretty decent kid, maybe a little annoying and whiney, but nothing Haru couldn't handle.

That was, until he saw Kisumi's true colors.

After a while, Kisumi talked to Haru less and less. He now felt like a third wheel around the two. Makoto always tried to include Haru, but the strawberry haired tormentor always found a sly way to butt Haru out. He had never felt anything more than annoyance towards Rin or any girl that asked Makoto out, but this was something different. He despised that little manipulative twit.

One particular day stuck out.

"Hey, Makoto! Wanna come shoot some hoops with me?" Kisumi asked.

Makoto smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but no thanks. Haru doesn't really like basketball." Haru felt an indescribable satisfaction that Makoto's first instinct was to consider his opinion and he didn't even have to say anything; Makoto just knew. "Maybe we can do something else?" He offered.

Kisumi pouted. "Aww, come on! We have a really big game coming up! We really need to practice, right?"

Haru's satisfaction was short-lived. Damn that Kisumi. That little devil always knew how to get his way. And of course it would work; Makoto wasn't going to let his team lose because of him.

"I guess you're right..." Makoto wore a sad expression. "You can come too if you want, Haru." He said hopefully.

Haru shook his head. He might wring that conniving brat's neck if he had to be around him anymore. It... hurt to see Makoto and him together.

"Are you sure you won't get lonely?" Makoto asked like a doting mother.

Haru nodded distantly. Of course he would be alone. It's not like he had any other friends.

"Sorry, Haru. This game is really important. I'll be back soon, okay?" Haru gave another absent nod, tears pooling in his eyes. He couldn't let them show. He was not about to make Makoto miss his practice and he sure as hell was not about to cry in front of Kisumi.

"Well, bye!" Makoto gave a weak smile, as if he didn't exactly like the this situation either.

Kisumi playfully put his arm around Makoto's neck and the two laughed.

Haru bit his tongue to distract himself from the tears threatening to spill over.

Kisumi turned around while Makoto wasn't paying attention and stuck his tongue out at the abandoned boy.

Haru soon discovered the answer to what he was feeling:

Jealousy.

The first year of high school rolled around, and thank goodness them and that despicable cotton candy haired poser finally went separate ways. It was back to the normal routine of lovestruck girls swooning over Makoto, which was annoying, but at least none of them successfully invaded their bubble.

But the threat still loomed over him.

What if one day the right girl asked? Or even worse... what if Makoto asks the girl? What would he even do if Makoto did go out with someone?

He would get left behind.

The thought made his stomach turn. Did any of those girls even appreciate how kind and selfless he was? Know how to soothe Makoto when he had a nightmare? Know what his favorite food is when he has a stressful day? Know how to tell his real smiles from his fake ones? Know his siblings' favorite game?

But then again, he was the only one who knew all that.

The second year of high school came soon enough.

And what a year that was.

Makoto only got more attention than ever when he joined the swim team.

It seemed like everywhere he went he drew a crowd.

And as Haru grew older, he identified his feelings more clearly.

He was in love with Makoto.

Desperately.

The third year of high school was probably one of the worst years of Haru's life.

And in some ways, the best.

The year he felt more frustrated and conflicted than ever before.

The year he had his first fight with Makoto.

But also the year that him and Makoto confessed their love for each other.

It was after Haru had returned from Australia.

"Haru..." Makoto cleared his throat. "I-I need to tell you something." The poor boy was trembling. Haru wondered what could possibly be so nerve-wracking. "Please don't hate me, I just need to tell you... " Makoto was blushing deeply. "I've always loved you, Haru." Makoto closed his eyes and prepared for the worst. Haru's eyes went as wide as dinner plates. "I know you don't feel the same just please don't hate me!" Before Haru's brain could process what was happening, he reached up and pulled Makoto's face down to his and pressed their lips together. Haru could feel Makoto's erratic pulse under his hands. Haru finally broke the kiss gently, (scared Makoto was going to pass out.) And he wrapped his arms around Makoto's waist and pulled him closer.

"W-what?" Makoto was stuttering and blinking rapidly. Haru silenced him.

He finally got to say the words that he had been aching to say his entire life.

"I love you, Makoto."

And that was probably the best night of Haru's life.

And now, a couple years later, Haru felt so relieved to have their feelings out in the open; He didn't have to be so jealous all the time.

Well, sort of.

"Ne, Haru, what are you thinking about?" Makoto wrapped his arms around the smaller boy from behind.

"Mm. Nothing."

He would still have to watch out for that Kisumi though.