This chapter is basically a filler. Like most fillers it's boring. And for those who were happy with Ch 5 as the end, this chapter is probably not for you. Please note the Back button is above to your left. Remember: Back button a day keeps sanity at bay! Orz.

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Chapter 6

Strictly in hindsight, Rin should have known better than to accept when Haru invited him to use the shower. Because Rin was right, Haru was totally a latent sex maniac and by shower Haru apparently meant a shower together. For all three of them. And did Rin mention Haru's bathroom wasn't that big? While he didn't object to rubbing up against wet and naked Makoto and Haru, hell, he really wasn't up for another round in the bathroom what with the dubious footing. Then of course Haru wanted Makoto to make good on his word to blow Rin. Which Makoto did. With surprising skill, no less. Haru just commented something about popsicles practice, to which Makoto went red but didn't refute the point. If Rin were feeling less lethargic he might have been more curious about just what the other two have been doing with themselves in Rin's absence. But even Haru must have been tired, because after that Haru just got Makoto and himself off with a simple handjob while Rin watched.

To his credit Haru did offer to let them stay over, but Rin really needed to get back to Samezuka. Besides which, he wanted some time to think. Makoto still insisted on walking him to the train station despite protest, but Makoto also surprised him with a quick kiss before letting Rin go, so that was all right.

Once the train left the station, leaving behind a waving Makoto, Rin sat down. And promptly winced. Damn. He'd known he would regret it later, but now he was rethinking the whole swimming practice thing for tomorrow. They really were going to have to coordinate their trysts better. Or at least take turns missing practice next time.

Next time. He was already assuming there would be a next time.

True, neither Makoto nor Haru had looked panicked afterward. That wasn't to say there weren't so very many ways all this could go wrong. Not to mention it surprised Rin, his own willingness to accept both Makoto and Haru that way. His crush on Makoto was relatively recent, dated after his reconciliation with the group. Or possibly a little earlier, dated sometime after noticing Makoto's incredible back. His obsession with Haru wasn't new, but he hadn't thought it was anything but rivalry. The only thing that kept Rin from suspecting there was something in the water was the fact he still didn't feel that way about Nagisa. In fact, when he tried to consider Nagisa that way, his mind's reaction could be summed up as a squicked Eew like if he'd tried to have thoughts about Gou, maybe. Which, and this point warranted a virulently emphatic repetition, EEW. So no, it really was just Makoto and Haru.

Haru said he wanted this. Haru wasn't the most expressive person in the world and when he did get verbal it could be kind of rude or exasperating, but Haru never said anything he didn't mean. Plus Haru did care about Rin and Makoto, that much Rin was sure. And Makoto was pretty good at keeping his word and he said no matter what, he would still be involved with Haru and Rin, right? Even if he still had some doubts (and Rin was definitely still convinced all this was doomed to failure), that much he could trust.

If there was a little bit of time before everything crashed and burned, he could enjoy himself until then. Right?

Just then, his phone chimed, alerting him of an incoming message. Rin took out his phone and saw a new text message from Makoto.

Hope you have a safe trip home.

A smile curved his lips before he could stop himself, and Rin had to look around to make sure nobody caught him grinning like an idiot. But since he hadn't actually turned into a teenage girl yet, Rin made sure to wait until after he was in the dorm lobby to send his suitably manly reply.

I did, thanks.

Makoto replied immediately. You're welcome. Good night Rin!

Rin hesitated, then texted back simply: Good night.

Alright. While he wasn't willing to hold out hope that the three of them would work out in the end, maybe he could give them a few weeks.

With the thought in his mind, Rin whistled as he walked back to his room.

"Hang out?" Rin switched the phone to his other hand, trying to balance it between his shoulder and his ear while he continued to go through his drawer. "This Saturday? Sure. Where – no, I can come over, you and Haru live closer to the mall than I do anyway."

Makoto's voice, when it came, was a little too cheerful. Like he was nervous and trying to cover it up, maybe. "It's going to be just the two of us, Rin. Haru can't make it."

That sounded unlikely. For one, all of Haru's free time was split between the pool at school and the bathtub at home. Makoto was the one who had to split his time for family, friends, club, school and gazillion other things he did for other people on a routine basis. Also it was a Saturday. What could Haru possibly be doing on a Saturday that didn't involve Makoto?

"Haru said that?" Rin asked, suspicion creasing his brows.

"It was Haru's idea," Makoto said, just evasive enough to deepen Rin's suspicion.

Rin dropped what he was doing and sat down in his chair, taking the phone in his hand again. He'd said before that Haru would wake up and realize everything was a huge mistake. Haru hadn't ever been in a relationship before, let alone a three-way relationship. And they hadn't seen each other even once since the last time. Did Haru regret it? Was that why Makoto was left making excuses for him?

"Makoto."

"Yes?"

"You said you'll be there for us no matter what, yes? In whatever capacity?"

There was a short pause at the other end. "Yes. Of course."

Rin narrowed his eyes. "So. When you tell me Haru doesn't want to hang out with us—"

"Oh, no! It's not that. It's just—"

"—You'll tell me if it's because he regrets—"

"Rin, no. Really." Makoto's voice grew firm, and Rin stopped. "It's not that. It's just... Haru suggested that you and I go on a date. Just – just to see what it's like."

Rin considered this. "Just the two of us."

"Yes."

"But he's okay with the rest?"

Makoto actually laughed softly in his ear. "Yes, he's perfectly okay with the rest. I told you, it was Haru's idea. He really cares about you, and you said you..." Makoto's voice became softer and more hesitant again. "You said you like me, so Haru wanted us to have a date together."

From what Rin had seen, Haru had an unexpectedly strong streak of jealousy. Haru hadn't been happy at all to hear about Makoto's ex-girlfriend, and even questioned Rin's relationship with Nitori. The same Haru was arranging a date for just the two of them. Because Haru wanted to make him happy.

Rin was very glad they were on the phone. He was probably pulling a really stupid face just now. "So...am I going on a date with Haru next?"

"I suggested that. He said he'd like to, if you agree." Makoto let out a fond laugh. "Of course he immediately asked where he should take you for the date, but I thought maybe you two could figure it out together."

"We'll figure it out later." With Haru they could always have a date at a pool, he supposed, but Rin really didn't want their every date to be at a pool. There had to be some other place they could hang out that didn't involve water. "What about you and Haru? Where are you two going?" Just so he could make sure he and Haru went somewhere else. He could start there and brainstorm later.

"We're not?" Makoto...well, Rin had known Makoto since they were children. Makoto had liked Haru forever. They were finally together. Sort of. And Makoto wasn't taking Haru out for a date? "I mean, Haru and I hang out all the time and we spend way more time with each other than with you, so I didn't think he'd want to."

Rin raised an eyebrow. Like he was going to buy that. "Ask him out anyway. Haru's the one who's big on being even."

Makoto's voice, when it finally came, was soft, with something underneath that made Rin swallow to hear it. "Okay. Thank you, Rin."

Self-consciously, Rin dragged his free hand through his hair. "No prob. So: Saturday?"

"Yes. I'll come pick you up at ten." Then, Makoto hesitated for a second. "And if you want to go somewhere else, just tell me and we can change our plans, okay?"

Yeah, no. He was still not a teenage girl, thank you. "Meet you at the mall at ten," Rin corrected him, but didn't quite manage to sound stern. "There's no reason for you to waste a trip out here. I know my way around."

"Um. Right." Sheepish. "Sorry. D-did you have any place you want to visit?"

Rin shook his head, but couldn't help feeling fond. Stupid Makoto and his stupid old-fashioned boyfriend ethics. Makoto was probably going to show up half an hour early like a good date and pretend he just got there and then spend the rest of the day trying to make Rin happy. If Rin wasn't so idiotically head over heels over the boy, he might have felt annoyed at the presumption. "Tell you what. You pick a couple, and I'll pick a couple. We can figure out the rest as we go."

"Deal," Makoto agreed immediately. "I'll see you on Saturday."

"Yeah. See you."

After he hung up, Rin stretched in his chair. Now what did he have to wear that might be good for a date? Not that he was going to agonize over it unduly long, but he refused to look anything less than his best for this date. Because if Makoto's trend in boyfriend ethics held, Makoto was likely to dress up for the occasion. And if Rin had anything to say about it, they were going to be the best dressed pair at the mall come Saturday.

On Saturday, Makoto was waiting for him at the mall entrance all dressed up and early as expected. Rin tried not to feel too smug at the way Makoto stared at him speechlessly for a full minute.

"Hi. Um. You look really nice." Makoto cleared his throat, and there was a faint dusting of red high on his cheeks. "I mean, you always look nice but you look really nice today, and..."

"Thanks. You look pretty good yourself." He was not a girl, Rin reminded himself. He was not going to glow at what was a perfectly justified comment regarding his appearance. Much. "Ready to go?"

After an entire morning together at the mall, Rin made a mental note to never visit the swimwear section with Makoto again. And the ice cream parlor. And the pet shop. Especially the pet shop. Makoto and kittens together really should come with a warning label. Honestly, it was a relief to sit down for lunch.

Makoto was getting their food while Rin staked out their table. The latter was no simple task on a Saturday afternoon, and Rin was quite proud to successfully claim a window-side table for them. Makoto smiled at him when he finally returned, and set down the tray. "Oh wait, napkins. I'll be right back."

"Sit down. I'll go get them."

"No, it's okay. You go ahead and start. I'll be back in a second."

And Makoto was gone before Rin could reply. When Makoto returned, Rin gave him a withering look. "You know, I'm not a girl. It's okay to let me get things myself."

"Oh. Um." Makoto gave an embarrassed chuckle. "It's not that. I guess I'm just used to doing it for Haru when we're out together. Sorry. I didn't mean to, er..."

"Make me feel emasculated?" Rin offered dryly. "Don't sweat it. Just..." So this was not a case of Makoto with a girlfriend, but a case of Makoto with Haru. "...You don't need to, with me." The next part was a little harder to get out, and Rin unconsciously took in a quick breath. "I'm not Haru."

"Oh, but—" Makoto stopped, then visibly reconsidered what he was going to say. Then, with a sheepish smile, Makoto leaned back in his seat. "Okay. I'll remember."

"Where do you want to go after lunch?" Yeah, that wasn't a blatant change of topic or anything. Rin pressed a knuckle on his forehead. Why was it his thoughts sounded sarcastic even inside his own head? He was beginning to annoy himself.

"...I thought maybe you'd like to pick?" Makoto's easy smile wasn't quite at ease as usual. "I picked before, after all."

"Did you always go along with whatever your date wanted before?"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to accommodate the other person." There was an edge underlying Makoto's tone that made Rin wonder if he'd stepped on a landmine. "I mean, when I don't have a particular preference and I don't mind either way. And Rin, it's been years since we hung out properly and I don't know what you enjoy these days. I'd like to find out what you like."

That was a fair point. Actually, even before, Rin had been a transfer student and so much of their free time together had been at the pool back then. He didn't know what grown-up Makoto (or Haru, for that matter) enjoyed, either. "I like listening to music," Rin offered. "Look, I want to find out what you like, too. It's not like I've had time to develop that many hobbies outside swimming."

Makoto gave him a rueful smile. "Good point. We could visit a music store later, maybe? As for me, it's not exactly something I do often, but..."

"Spit it out, then."

Makoto's smile turned mischievous. Somewhere in the back of Rin's brain an alarm went off.

Belatedly, Rin wondered if he should have asked before committing.

"You just wanted to see me trip over my own feet," Rin accused as they exited the arcade.

"You said you like listening to music."

"DDR music is not music."

Makoto grinned at him, unrepentant. "And I could never get Haru to do that with me. He told me it's lame the last time I mentioned it. Sometimes I like it, though." Then, his expression turned sweeter, gentler. "Thanks, Rin. I had fun."

"Yeah, yeah." Rin thrust his hands in his pockets, then blinked to feel something stiff and slippery. He pulled out his hands, remembering he'd put the carefully cut strip of sticker pictures in his pocket before. Makoto had already put one on his cell phone. Rin's refusal to do the same prompted a sad drooping look of disappointment, and Rin had compromised by putting it on his wallet. Seriously, spending time with Makoto was hazardous to his mental health. Maybe that was why Haru turned out so weird? The stray thought made Rin snicker softly.

"Would you like pick our next stop?" Makoto asked, and Rin shrugged, trying to think of a place that didn't involve pool or swimming or aquatic sport of any sort but wouldn't bore either one out of their minds.

"Rin," Makoto said, and Rin raised his eyes to look at him. "Don't feel like you have to choose the right place? I told you I used to go along with what my girlfriend wanted, but that wasn't only because I was trying to accommodate her. The point is that we spend time together and enjoy each other's company. What we actually do isn't as important."

And there was that look again. One that made Rin's heart skip a beat, then redouble its pace.

"No matter where we go, it'll be fun," Makoto promised, lips curving just a little bit in a hint of a smile. "Because we're together."

Actually, Makoto alone should probably come with a warning label period. Rin had to look away for a moment, to try and regain some resemblance of coherence. "Okay," Rin said when he was sure his voice would come out steady. But something snagged his attention, like a caught thread. When Makoto talked about his ex-girlfriend, he'd sounded a bit...tense, Rin decided tentatively, when the issue of being accommodating came up. Haru might not want to know, and maybe Rin didn't really want details. But still.

"Was that an issue with your girlfriend?"

Well. That was specific. But Makoto seemed to understand him with the same uncanny instinct he had for Haru. "You mean, being too accommodating?" Rin nodded. Makoto shrugged, but it was clear this wasn't a topic he was entirely comfortable with. "Yes."

The whole supportive thing was never Rin's forte. But they were dating, sort of, and he should at least make an effort. There was no harm in asking if Makoto was willing to talk about it.

"D'you wanna to talk about it?"

Makoto looked a little bit startled, then considering.

"We don't have to," Rin hastily reassured him. "I mean. I know Haru said he doesn't want to hear about it. But I don't mind. Hearing about it."

Oh God, his brain had turned to mush. It was probably the aftereffect of Makoto and the kittens. Definitely a warning label warranted. Warning: toxic level of cuteness may permanently impair your brain functions.

Before Rin could continue his mental flailing, however, Makoto smiled at him. "If you're sure you won't mind."

"I don't," Rin said, perhaps a little more emphatic than necessary, but given the state of his mind, he thought he was doing commendably well.

"She said she could never be sure what I wanted. That I was too accommodating." A self-conscious laugh. "I think that was the girls' code word for boring. I'm not exactly the most exciting person to be around."

Were you hurt? The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Rin held them back. If the answer was yes, he wasn't sure what he'd have done. In either case, Rin knew Makoto would deny it. "Did you like her?" was what escaped him instead. Rin could have banged his head against a wall if there had been one handy nearby. Foot, meet mouth.

Makoto looked...not exactly taken aback, but more like he didn't expect that question. After mulling over the question for a few minutes, Makoto answered slowly. "I thought I did. I wanted it to work out." Makoto's lips took on a slight downturn. "I wanted her to be happy."

There was a sick, twisting sensation in his gut that Rin couldn't name. Haru, he could have accepted. And Makoto had always had a big heart and cared about everyone and their kittens. But the thought of Makoto actually liking someone that way, someone outside them, was... He couldn't put his feelings to words. Like he could hate a person for existing, even when he didn't even know her. Unpleasant. Sickening.

"If she wasn't, she didn't deserve you." He tried to keep his voice light, but it came out flat, almost hostile.

Fortunately, Makoto didn't seem offended. "It wasn't a matter of deserving, really. I just came to a conclusion. That if we weren't happy together, maybe we weren't supposed to be together, you know? I never have to be – something I'm not with Haru because he knows me. He understands it when I go along with him, it's because I want to, not because I'm hiding myself or – or –"

"...I'm going to regret asking," Rin said slowly, "but did you happen to talk about Haru when you were with her?"

"Um. Yeah. I mean. It slipped out a few times. Haru's always been my best friend."

Makoto hadn't denied it when Rin asked if he broke up with his girlfriend because of Haru. Rin had been teasing, mostly, but hadn't thought he might have hit upon the truth, albeit in an entirely different way than he'd thought. Count on Nanase Haruka to sabotage someone's relationship while not even being there. Or aware of it. "And she didn't like that, I'm guessing."

"No. She—"

After a moment of silence, Rin leaned closer to Makoto, bumping shoulders. "Look. You can tell me. I'm not Haru and I'm not going to tell anyone if you want."

Makoto gave him an affectionate glance. "I know." A second later, Makoto continued. "She said I spent more time with Haru than I ever did with her. On the day we broke up, she – we were both upset and said some things. But I thought about them later and she might have been right."

"What did she say?"

"That it wasn't natural to think more about a friend than about a girlfriend. And that I went along with her because I didn't care."

The second part wasn't true, and if the said ex-girlfriend knew Makoto at all, she should have known that. Rin allowed himself another surge of uncharitable thoughts toward the unknown ex, with a side of vindication she wasn't in the picture anymore. "And you thought she was right, about you and Haru?"

"Maybe? I know friends and girlfriends are different. But with her, I was never sure what she expected from me. Like I could never just be myself. And that became exhausting. I never felt that way with Haru." Then, with a shy smile, Makoto offered, "Or with you."

Rin could feel the heat spreading on his neck. Makoto darted furtive glances around them, then before Rin could ask what was going on, leaned closer and kissed Rin lightly on the lips.

"You're blushing," Makoto informed him, voice warm and pleased.

"Am not," Rin countered automatically. He could feel his face turn warmer now that Makoto chose to bring it up. Damn. "Trick of the lights."

Makoto tactfully didn't pursue, though the amused smile said he wasn't buying Rin's excuse. "Thanks for listening, Rin."

"Welcome," Rin said, a bit gruff.

Rin would never know exactly what set Makoto off. The next moment, Makoto's fingers were curling around the back of his neck tenderly, almost protectively. Then Makoto kissed him.

It was hardly the first time Makoto kissed him. But Makoto hadn't kissed him quite like this before, like he was trying to weave reassurance and affection with every breath. The protectiveness of Makoto's touch, instead of making him irritated, made him embarrassingly happy. Rin was abruptly reminded of the time Haru kissed Makoto in the pool, all but wrapped around Makoto who held him up so lovingly. He was not Haru, and couldn't ever bring himself to do that. Haru was pretty straightforward about some things, but more importantly, Haru never had a reason to feel insecure where Makoto was concerned. Never had a reason to wonder if he'd be unwelcome, or if Makoto didn't prefer someone else's company.

Rin didn't grudge them their bond. Never had. But it was hard not to feel excluded, sometimes. Added to the problem was the undeniable fact he'd been away for four years. Hadn't kept in touch with them through no one else's fault but his own, which would be why he couldn't even figure out where to go next with Makoto.

"Rin," Makoto whispered, and drew back just enough to smile at him. "I'm so glad to have you back."

Only Tachibana Makoto was able to render him speechless like this. Rin swallowed dryly, and had to clear his throat before he could speak again. "I'm glad to be back, too." He really didn't want to bring this up now, but he hadn't actually apologized for the first time they met after he returned to Japan. Makoto would probably tell him it wasn't necessary. But then again, Makoto would say a lot of things weren't necessary with him, and Rin didn't want that. Didn't ever want Makoto to receive less than what he gave.

"And I'm sorry about the time we ran into each other. That night at the old club," Rin specified. "I shouldn't have ignored you and Nagisa. And. All the times after."

Makoto blinked, like he was surprised Rin bothered. "Oh, that's okay. I understand."

"And for not contacting you. I—"

"Really," Makoto interrupted, gently as only he knew how. "I do understand, Rin." Then, he added, "Haru didn't tell me about the time he ran into you back in junior high, either. I'm not expecting you and Haru to tell me everything." Wry humor quirked Makoto's lips. "Just the important things. And yes, if you cut off contact this time, I will be mad."

"I won't," Rin promised before thinking twice about the potential train-wreck in the making that was their current relationship. When he realized, clearly Makoto had realized the same, because Makoto's grin grew too wide to be quite innocent.

"I'll hold you to that. No matter what, you promised."

Rin had walked right into that one. Seriously. Being in Makoto's vicinity impaired all his higher brain functions. "Fine," he capitulated, resigned.

Makoto beamed at him. "Great! So, where do you want to go next?"

Somewhere Makoto wasn't going to have a chance to be so cute. Rin didn't think he could take any more of that today. They did the DDR already, so maybe they could go for a session at the karaoke next? Rin was secretly rather proud of his singing voice and liked visiting karaoke. Not that he was trying to impress Makoto or anything. It was just a good, relaxing place to go on a date.

Decision made, Rin smirked at him. "Tell you what. My turn to surprise you this time."

Makoto looked intrigued. "Okay. Lead on."

Note: Their karaoke session may or may not have been much like Chapter 2 of Ad_Astra's fic, Denial is Not Just a River In Egypt (on AO3). Drinking game: take a sip every time a Denial reference is made in this chapter. :D

No smut yet, sorry. No, not even off-screen. But yes, Makoto DID give Rin a chaste and loving kiss before they parted. Well. Maybe not THAT chaste.

Next up: Rin's date with Haru! And other stuff. Leading to the smut...er, good stuff. Unfortunately next update will take some time. Sorry. :/

Last but not least, before I forget again: inspiration for the Free! threesome is credited to the delicious fics by caffeinekitty (AO3). Particularly about Makoto kissing Rin, because I likely unconsciously borrowed from caffeinekitty's Language Arts. Probably also Action! and Relaxation Technique.