A tumble in the Dark

Haruka blinked a few times before he finally recognized his surroundings. His mind was heavily clouded with sleep and the basement provided very poor lighting. Haruka looked to his left and was met with a blank spot in the bed. He could see that Makoto had been here because the sheets were crumpled and clearly slept on. Haruka worried at his bottom lip as he drew his knees closer. He vaguely remember Makoto pulling him out of the tub but his memories were blurred and foggy beyond that point. He couldn't remember if Makoto had tried to talk to him or not. He couldn't remember the look on Makoto's face, he couldn't remember if Makoto maybe looked like he was in love… with Rin. Haruka groaned as he buried his face in his hands. He knew absolutely nothing about Rin's and Makoto's date and it was killing him slowly but surely. Haruka didn't have the guts to call either Makoto or Rin to ask how things went. They would probably think he was some kind of small child that clung too much.

Haruka strained his ears to try and figure out if Makoto was still in the house, but everything was drowned out by the sound of his heart pounding a few miles per hour too fast. Haruka reluctantly crawled out of the bed, afraid of how lonely his house would feel without Makoto's presence. Haruka would never admit it but he missed Makoto's lovely face that used to greet him in the morning. No matter how much Haruka's mind mulled over it, he just didn't understand why Makoto wasn't with him right now. He came over last night and then he seemed to have left without saying anything.

When Haruka reached his kitchen, a green sticky-note stuck to his fridge and Haruka eyed it with suspicion. When he moved closer, he gulped when he recognized the hand-writing. He was afraid to read what makoto had to say.

Hey Haru, sorry for leaving you but I'm off doing fun things with Rin.

Hey Hary, sorry but I'm never coming back to you because Rin is the one that holds my heart…

Haruka could feel his own heart shatter a little as his mind tricked him into thinking about the worst-case scenario. He took a deep breath as his eyes scanned the little note.

Hey Haru, I'll pick you up at seven tonight for our date. Sorry I had to leave you alone but the twins needed me.

Love,

Makoto.

Haruka tilted his head as he re-read the small scrap of paper over and over again. Makoto still wanted to go on a date with him so that was good news right? Haruka was so insecure and he wasn't used to do. He was used to feeling good about himself because one way or the other, Makoto always loved him no matter what. Without Makoto's love, Haruka felt as if a part of him was ripped away and that part effectively took his self-confidence with it. Haruka tapped his finger against the sticky-note and tried to pump up his confidence by thinking that everything would be all right.

I've been thinking that you haven't been happy in a while. I'll try to think of things to make you smile…

Haruka nibbled on his fingers as he sat on his couch. It was a quarter to seven and his body was pulsing with a feeling that he hated. He was feeling nervous and jittery and no matter how much he willed his nerves to go away, they never disappeared and it sickened Haruka.

Haruka was desperate to see Makoto but as the moment crept closer, Haruka wished that Makoto wouldn't come over. He wouldn't be able to look Makoto in the eyes without picturing Rin as well. He hated not knowing what happened but at the same time, he didn't want to know. He didn't want to remember how Makoto kissed Rin or how lovely they looked when they were together. Haruka was jealous if he had to be completely honest, he was jealous of the fact that Rin seemed to spark an uncontrollable fire in Makoto when they were together. Haruka had seen it before but he chose to ignore it as best as he could. Now, it seemed like the only thing he could vidily remember. He couldn't remember all the wonderful moments he had shared with Makoto, all he could really see was Makoto and Rin locked together in a passionate embrace.

Haruka stood up and ran towards his door, he didn't want to be here. He wanted to be alone, somewhere where he could try and shake the shadow of Rin's looming ghost. Haruka wasn't necessarily angry at Rin even if the redhead had brought an almost incurable imbalance to their relationship. No, Haruka was mad at himself for letting things get so out of hand. He hadn't been able to control his own desires when it came to Rin and that's when everything tumbled down. Just when Haruka ran up the steps towards the small shrine where Makoto and he used to play when they were little, Makoto rounded the corner to pick up Haruka. He had dressed up for this special occasion because tonight would be the night that Makoto finally confessed his true feelings for Haruka again. Makoto had berated himself all day because he had taken so long to figure out his feelings but now that he had, he was determined to let Haruka know that he was the one that held Makoto's heart, soul and body.

When Makoto knocked on the front door, he wasn't surprised that Haruka didn't open the door. Makoto chuckled and let himself in through the backdoor, ready to call out for his best friend. When Makoto stepped into the house, he expected Haruka to be waiting for him but Makoto already knew that Haruka wasn't here. Still, Makoto searched the entire house and he felt slightly dejected when he didn't fine Haruka anywhere. He tried calling but of course, as usual, Haruka didn't pick up his phone. Makoto sat down with a heavy sigh, waiting for the minutes to tick by.

Worry crept up Makoto's spine as the clock pointed to half past seven. Haruka still hadn't returned and Makoto wondered what was wrong. He left the house again and when he looked up, he saw dark and ominous clouds pack the sky. Makoto crinkled his nose because he knew that another thunderstorm was going to his Iwatobi in a span of minutes. The weather didn't exactly help Makoto ease down his worries. He glanced towards the steps and started his trek upwards, hoping that Haruka would have gone to the shrine. The chance was slim but Makoto thought that was a good place to start looking. It seemed that Haruka had taken a liking to hiding but no matter how much Makoto had to look, he would go on until he found the object of his true desires.

When Makoto reached the shrine, he could already feel small droplets of rain fall on his face. He shook his head a little and looked around, hoping to find the person he was looking for. He took a few tentative steps before he heard a soft sobbing sound. Makoto tilted his head and strained his ears to find the source of the sobbing. It was hard because the rain was steadily pouring down now, making clattering sounds against the shrine as it fell down. Just when Makoto was about to give up, he spotted Haruka sitting in a small crook of the shrine, trying to hide from the rain. Makoto picked up his steps and crouched next to Haruka, immediately wrapping Haruka into his arms. Haruka shook and trembled in Makoto's arms and even tried to wriggle out of Makoto's hold but Makoto held on, pressing Haruka firmly against his chest. When Makoto finally pulled back a little, streams of rain and tears were flowing over Haruka's cheeks. Makoto couldn't quite distinguish the drops of rain from the tears and he felt bad for making Haruka feel this way. Makoto knew that Haruka was feeling this way and it had been his fault. He had been the one that needed time to sort out his feelings and he heavily neglected Haruka's feelings on the matter. Makoto had been nothing but selfish and he tried to think of a way to make it up to Haruka.

Makoto's lips parted when he tried to say something as a loud booming sound roared through the sky followed by a dazzling display of bright lightning. Haruka shook a little and Makoto stood up and pulled Haruka along, leading the raven-haired male towards a small hut that was situated next to the shrine. When Makoto pushed open the door, he quickly pulled Haruka behind him. With a deep sigh, Makoto searched around for some candles and a lighter that he and Haruka had once hidden when they were smaller. Makoto was both surprised and relieved when he found the candles. The hut was softly illuminated by the bright and flickering lights of the two white candles. When Makoto looked for Haruka, he noticed that Haruka sat down on a heap of blankets, no doubt left-overs from children that used them to build forts.

"So, why weren't you home?" Makoto asked softly as he leaned against the wall, his eyes still roaming over Haruka. Haruka's eyes were cast down and when he didn't answer, Makoto wondered just how damaged Haruka really was.

"Haru, why won't you talk to me," Makoto inquired softly as he walked over towards Haruka. When Makoto sat down, Haruka turned away a little, embarrassment etched across his face. He didn't want to be found especially not by Makoto but it seems that by some twist of fate, Makoto always found him. It was like they were meant to be together, always and forever…

Haruka looked up at Makoto and crawled closer, burying his face in Makoto's chest as he inhaled sharply, as if he tried to remember Makoto's scent. Makoto lay back a little and Haruka moved around a little until he was half-sprawled on top of Makoto. They didn't say anything and with the steady pounding of raindrops against the windows of the hut, they were both lulled to sleep.

Makoto realised he must have dozed off because the next thing he was aware of was a soft touch, Haruka's gentle fingers brushing through strands of his olive-coloured hair. Makoto turned his head and found Haruka sitting up a little, a small smile adorned Haruka's features as soft moonlight illuminated Haruka. Makoto had to catch his breath at the sight. He relaxed and brought his hand up to Haruka's, weaving their fingers together. Haruka spoke first, his voice a soft but beautiful murmur.

"I'm sorry…"

Makoto swallowed hard as his eyes were still pinned to Haruka's face. He just looked so lovely in the moonlight. The tension from before had dissipated a little and Makoto was glad that they were alone right now.

"Don't be sorry," Makoto murmured back as one of his hands reached up to caress Haruka's cheek. Haruka leaned into the touch and let his eyes flutter shut as Makoto's sweet touch sent a blazing hot fire through his body. He hadn't want to be carried away but looking at Makoto while he dozed had set Haruka's heart on fire and he wanted to let Makoto know.

"Do you want to talk now?" Makoto asked as he brushed his fingers over Haruka's forehead to wipe away a few sticky strands of Haruka's bangs. Haruka shook his head and leaned down until his lips were a few inches apart from Makoto's.

"I want you to show me you love me…" Haruka's whisper was so soft that Makoto almost missed it but even if he did miss it, it wouldn't have matter because there was no way Makoto could miss that lovely sparkle that shone brightly in Haruka's eyes. Makoto brushed his nose against Haruka's before his own sweet and lovely whisper tumbled over his lips.

"Let me love you…"

If it's you and me forever, if it's you and me right now, Then I'll be all right.

A/N: Thank you so much for the support on my illness! All those lovely e-hugs really warmed my heart! I do hope you enjoyed this and I think I'll be wrapping this story up in a few more chapters so yeah :) Next up of course, the wonderful and ever-present love between Haruka and Makoto

Thank you for reading and I hope you liked this chapter!

Lots of love!