Booming thunder shook Haru and Makoto's apartment, making Makoto flinch harshly and squeeze the pillow he was holding tighter. It was obvious that he was trying his best to conceal the terror that threatened to wrack his body, but Haru could see the taller boy's slight trembling and a glimpse of fear in his emerald eyes.

Haru knew this was coming, though, he had seen the weather report and prepared. He turned on a lamp in their room, made Makoto some warm tea, and suggested that they go to bed early.

Not early enough, though.

As soon as Makoto had gotten into the bed, thunder started to roar and heavy rain hammered against the window, and his eyes widened in dread. Haru groaned internally. He had hoped that Makoto would fall asleep before the storm started.

Makoto didn't get so frightened at every thunderstorm; It was usually only loud, destructive storms like the one tonight that disturbed him so much. Normal storms were only moderately unsettling.

Another clap of thunder sounded along with a flash of lightning. Makoto gulped and gripped the pillow so hard that his knuckles were turning white.

Haru looked at him with sympathy and joined him on the bed, immediately touching his face. "Makoto."

Makoto's expression eased ever so slightly at Haru's gentle touch. "I'm fine." He said softly, although his voice was clearly shaking. He even tried to conjure up a small smile, but it came across as forced and painful.

Haru felt so sickened at Makoto's fake smiles. The idiot was always so worried about being an inconvenience; Haru could would never fathom how Makoto would in any way or circumstance be a burden. He shook his head. "Stop, Makoto. You're not fine."

Makoto protested weakly. "I-I'm okay, Haru-"

"Come here." It wasn't an offer, it was an order. Haru scooted up against the headboard of the bed and opened up his legs and arms, urging Makoto to let him hold him.

"H-Haru... It's okay, you don't have to-"

A particularly powerful boom echoed through the small room and Makoto softly yelped and practically flung himself onto Haru. It was an awkward position, as Makoto was much larger and taller than the other, but neither minded. Haru was fine if it made Makoto feel safer, more comfortable.

Makoto hid his head into Haru's smaller chest, now trembling violently.

"I-I'm s-so sorry, H-Haru... I'm such a-"

Haru cut him off, not wanting to hear what Makoto thought himself to be. "Stop, Makoto! Don't be sorry, I want to." Haru rubbed Makoto's back soothingly in a steady rhythm and kissed the top of his fluffy, olive hair.

"I s-shouldn't be s-so scared, I-I'm pathetic." Makoto whimpered.

"That's enough, Makoto! Look at me." Haru would never allow anyone in the universe to talk about Makoto like that, let alone Makoto himself. Haru tilted up the taller boy's face and his blue eyes met Makoto's teary green ones.

"You are not pathetic Makoto. You are a normal person who has normal fears. But you know how you're different?" Haru cupped Makoto's face, forcing him to look into his eyes. "You're brave."

Makoto scoffed humorlessly.

"You don't believe me? Who is it that still swims even though he's terrified of drowning? Who is it that jumped into the ocean to save his friend in the middle of a giant storm? Who is it that would run outside right now into this torrential storm if it meant helping someone?"

Makoto blushed deeply and tried to look away, but he already knew he lost this battle. "Anyone would..."

"You're wrong, Makoto. Not many would." Haru's sapphire eyes bore into Makoto.

The taller boy suddenly felt very shy and tucked his head back into Haru's safe chest. He wrapped his arms around the raven haired boy's waist.

Haru responded by planting several tiny kisses on the top of Makoto's head and he dropped his voice to a whisper. "Bravery isn't about how many fears you have... It's about how many you overcome." Haru looked away and blushed furiously, mortified at the cheesy statement he just let slip, so he added, "Or... something like that."

Makoto slowly looked up. After a short silence, he let out a tiny giggle.

Haru huffed and his blush deepened. "Shut up." He said without a single trace of menace, he was happy that Makoto seemed a little less frightened.

Makoto just giggled once more, making Haru's heart do little flips in his chest.

"Heh, it's just- Haru is blushing!" The taller boy said just before continuing to chuckle adorably. "So cute!"

Haru's cheeks burned and he was sure Makoto could feel his pounding heart. Damn it. Makoto knew what it did to him when he called him cute. "I-Idiot."

Makoto just smiled like a saint. "Mhm. But your idiot, remember?"

Haru couldn't help but smile and lightly hit Makoto with a pillow. "Go to sleep, Makoto."

Makoto laughed warmly and leaned forward into Haru's chest. After a short silence of Haru stroking the taller boy's hair, Makoto softly murmured, "Thank you, Haru... For being here for me..." The heartfelt words were muffled against Haru's shirt.

"I told you... I want to." Haru kissed Makoto's forehead. "I love you, Makoto."

Makoto smiled one of Haru's favorite smiles. The smiles that just seemed to radiate sunshine and all things pure and gentle, that just captured Makoto's entire nature in one small curving of his lips, and crinkles next to those innocent green eyes. The smiles that made Haru know for certain that Makoto was an angel; An angel who loved him more than life itself.

And Haru loved Makoto the same.

Makoto raised his head to kiss Haru's chest, right where his heart was.

"I love you, Haruka."

If Makoto hadn't felt Haru's pounding heart before, he definitely did now. Haru nudged Makoto's chin up and softly pressed their lips together. Makoto held him closer, deepening the kiss. When they finally broke apart, Makoto leaned his head back down on Haru's chest.

Another lightning bolt illuminated the small bedroom followed by the most blaring, resonating explosion of thunder. Makoto whimpered and held onto Haru like his life depended on it, like if he let go he might lose Haru forever and be swept away into complete isolation and darkness.

Haru held him with the same force, nuzzling his neck in a calming way.

"It's, okay, Makoto, it's okay." He soothed, his voice slowly lulling Makoto to sleep. "I'm here."