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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 034: Makoto Tachibana

Anime: Free! Iwatobi Swim Club

Prompt: Beach/Summer

Chapter Warning(s):

Author's Note: Takes place after the series ended

KH*MT*KH*MT

Contemplating his life was new for one Makoto Tachibana. He didn't usually question his decisions; he just did what felt natural. His easygoing personality helped with that, but he liked to believe that he also knew what he was doing. In high school, he had wanted to swim with his friends more than anything so, of course, that's what he had done. He worked hard, had revived the Iwatobi Swim Club, and had fun.

Now, years later, a college graduate and current swim teacher to cute elementary students, Makoto sat in his living room as he thought about the path he'd taken to get there. It had been admittedly long but worth it. He still stayed in contact with his friends from school. The twins, Ren and Ran, were growing fast. His career was solid and fulfilling. He lived in a wonderful apartment.

Most importantly, he was engaged to a beautiful woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Kagome Higurashi had majored in veterinary medicine, and was currently employed at one of the biggest pet hospitals in the area. They had met in college and, Makoto wasn't ashamed to admit, it had been love at first sight for him. She was smart, gorgeous, and kind. She was even cute when she was angry. He was still surprised she had agreed to go on a date with him, let alone agreed to marry him in the near future.

Overall, Makoto had nothing to complain about. And yet…

The front door opened and closed, snapping the green-eyed male out of his thoughts. In the next second, Kagome walked into view. She smiled once their eyes met, her entire face glowing with happiness.

"Welcome home," he greeted, his own warm, sweet smile curving his lips. He stood from the couch, his leanly muscled frame easily towering over her petite height to enfold her within his arms.

Kagome hummed in contentment. "I missed you," she replied.

He chuckled. "I missed you, too. How was your day?" He released her long enough to lead her to the couch. He retook his spot while gently coaxing her down beside him.

"It was okay. There were a few surgeries but everything went smoothly." Her amethyst orbs trailed over the papers scattered across the coffee table. "How was yours?"

Following the direction of her gaze, he sheepishly laughed. "I'm still working on the class syllabus for next year. I know I only teach swimming, but there's a lot to cover, especially the rules on safety in-and-out of the water. They're only children, after all."

"Yes, it's definitely important that they learn all of that," she agreed. She shot him a worried glance. "Summer will be over in a month, and you still have teacher meetings to attend before that. Will you be able to finish it in time?"

Makoto lifted one of her hands, pressing a tender kiss against her palm. "It'll be fine, Kagome. Don't worry." His green eyes turned serious. "But… there is something I would like to do before summer ends…"

"What's that?"

The smile that appeared on his face was serene. "I want to go to the beach."

Kagome's eyes widened, shocked. "But Mako-kun—" She knew of his fear of the ocean. He'd told her of his childhood, how he would visit a small fishing harbor and how an old fisherman would sometimes play with him. The same fisherman who gave Makoto two goldfish, but later drowned in a typhoon that same summer.

"I know," he gently cut her off. "But I've been thinking about my life, about everything. I am very lucky to have the things I do, and for the people who I get to share it with." Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. "Meeting you especially has brought me a lot of happiness, Kagome. I think I'm ready to face my greatest fear because of it."

When said like that, there was no way she could protest even if she wanted to. As it stood, pride swelled within her chest for the man in front of her. Makoto Tachibana was an admirable individual, and she was glad to call him hers. She would support him no matter what.

"You know I won't stop you. When are you going?"

"We," he replied, grinning, "When are we going. If you're not there, it's meaningless without you."

Kagome laughed, eyes shining with the love she felt for him. "Fine. When are we going?" she asked.

"Does next weekend work for you?"

KH*MT*KH*MT

Dressed casually in a strapless white summer dress with matching slippers on her delicate feet, Kagome shaded her eyes from the bright sunlight with a hand as she watched Makoto face his greatest fear: the ocean. Her sweet-natured fiancé was dressed similarly, wearing khaki shorts, a striped tank top, a casually unbuttoned dress shirt, and orange slippers on his feet. The sunglasses blocked his expression, but she knew he wore a pensive look. Not many could see what she could, like the way his broad shoulders were stiff or how his hands would twitch or clench at odd intervals. Perhaps he wasn't ready? Maybe coming to the beach had been a bad idea after all?

Kagome quietly approached him, stopping just behind his shoulder so that her voice would carry directly to his ears. "Mako-kun…?"

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Without looking, he reached behind himself until his hand grasped hers, their fingers interlocking instinctively. She could see the way his expression shifted, became softer and more at peace.

"Mako-kun?"

He smiled. "I'm glad I came here… with you, Kagome. I don't think I would've had enough courage to do this on my own."

She softly shook her head, disagreeing. "You have always been brave. You would have come here sooner or later, whether or not I was with you." She squeezed his hand. "Don't sell yourself short."

Makoto chuckled. "You always know just what to say." It was part of her charm, part of the reason he had fallen so deeply in love with the raven haired beauty. She was the light that guided him out of his darkest moments with a single smile.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Not… yet. There's one more thing I need to do."

Kagome cocked her head to the side, curious. "What's that?" she asked.

He finally turned to face her fully, his smile spreading boyishly across his features even though she couldn't see his eyes through the dark lenses.

"When it gets dark… I want to go for a swim," he answered.

KH*MT*KH*MT

That Night

Trepidation shined within amethyst orbs as they gazed upon the tall, leanly muscled young man that stretched and generally got ready for a swim. In the ocean. At night. The sun had only set approximately twenty-minutes ago but it was practically pitch black. Their only source of light came from the street lamps or randomly passing cars with their headlights on.

"This feels risky. I don't like it," she commented. It wasn't the first time she'd voiced her anxiety, and she doubted it would be her last.

Makoto gave his lovely fiancée a tender, reassuring smile. "Everything will be fine, Kagome. You worry too much."

She sighed, crossing her arms under her breasts. "Do you really need to do this, Mako-kun?"

"Yes. I do."

She grumbled, "You better be able to say that in a few months on our wedding day, you lunatic."

He chuckled, finding her grouchiness adorable. "I love you, too," he replied. To tease her further, he leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her pouty lips. He smirked when she scrunched her nose cutely in response to his affection. "Don't be like this, Kagome. I'll just be in the water for a few minutes. You won't even have time to miss me."

"Then let me go in with you," she argued. She was a strong swimmer, especially after being with Makoto for several years. She knew how to handle herself in the water. "Isn't it safer to have two people going in? We could watch out for each other."

Makoto was shaking his head before she even finished speaking. "I'm not risking you. I'd rather have you on land than out in the water, especially this late." He held his hand up when her mouth opened to argue. "If anything happens – which I doubt – you'll be my first response. You'll be able to get help a lot faster from here."

She hated when he used logic. "I wish you had asked the guys to come too…" Then, at least, she could rest a little easier. All of his friends were extremely strong swimmers; two had even competed in the Olympics.

"But I wanted to have a small vacation with just you." His smile was back to being charming and boyish. She hated when he used that look, too. Makoto managed to get away with a lot of things by using that look.

Kagome huffed. "Just get in the water already, and get this over with," she said. Her eyes sharpened however as she pierced him with her gaze. "You better be careful out there, Mako-kun, I'm warning you."

"Yes, Ma'am," he responded promptly, knowing better than to disobey her when she used that tone. He remembered the last time she'd used it on Rin Matsuoka and the shark hadn't listened. Makoto shuddered. Needless to say, Rin had developed a very healthy fear for the petite young woman.

Makoto lightly jogged into the cool water, letting the waves ripple around his legs and the rest of his body the further out he went. He slipped his goggles over his eyes, took a deep breath then plunged into the ocean he had feared for so long.

As soon as the water enveloped his head, his heart gave a heavy thump, but he continued with his mission. It was too important to give up now, not when he had come so far. He'd been surrounded by water his whole life, and he knew all of the risks and dangers. If he panicked now, his ability to hold his breath underwater would be compromised. Staying calm was integral.

He started slow but steady, gaining speed as time passed. His arms cut through the waves like butter, his limbs moving instinctively as muscle memory took over. Swimming in the ocean was definitely different than swimming in a pool but the principle was the same. The resistance the waves provided, sucking him in and out, added a depth of challenge. But he breathed through it, his mind clearing and his soul finding a bit of peace with his childhood trauma.

Makoto wasn't sure how long he'd been swimming for, but he sensed more than felt that it had been a significant amount of time. He paused, letting himself float for a second, then kicked off back to shore. Kagome was probably ready to skin him alive by now.

When he surfaced, he easily wiped his face clear of the water while pushing his goggles up to rest on his forehead. He was barely winded from the short swim but the cooler night air sent goosebumps up and down his spine.

And that was when Makoto spotted Kagome, thigh-deep in the water, swiftly making her way towards him. "Kagome," he exclaimed, slight panic seizing his lungs and squeezing his heart.

In a few long strides, he reached the raven haired beauty and easily lifted her into his arms and out of the salty water. He carried her onto shore, where he gently placed her back onto her feet. His hands gripped her shoulders, eyes frantically roving over her body to check for injuries.

"Are you okay, Kagome?" he asked.

She brushed his hands off. "I'm fine, Mako-kun," she reassured. "You were just taking so long, and I…" she trailed off, biting her bottom lip.

"I'm sorry," he quietly said, tenderly brushing his thumb against her cheek. "I didn't mean to be out there for so long."

Kagome shook her head, dismissing his apology. "It's fine." Her amethyst eyes gazed at him intently, like she was searching for something within his soul. "Are you okay, Mako-kun?" Her question had more than one meaning, and they both knew it.

Makoto smiled, his green eyes serene. "I'm perfect." And he was. He had faced his greatest fear, and conquered it. He would always miss the old fisherman who had played with him but now his memory was no longer tainted by tragedy. "Let's come back to the beach next weekend," he suggested, his smile widening boyishly.

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Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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~Celestial Law