Chapter Text
Rin shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at the Arrivals board for the zillionth time. Sapporo (CTS) JL592, it read, Arrived—even three minutes early. Honestly, how long did it take to walk through the fricking airport? Unless you got distracted by a water feature or something.
It was too easy to imagine—Haru following the signs to baggage claim only to stop dead in his tracks, hearing a tell-tale trickle of water. Airport security would find him sitting in the fountain, wearing his blissful I’m-in-water face. Confused, they’d talk amongst themselves and probably call for backup, because nothing in the manual said what to do about a passenger calmly sitting in the water fountain between Sanrio and Duty Free in skin-tight jammers.
Because you can’t tell me you didn’t wear those on the plane.
Tch. Rin thrust a hand through his hair, raking the chin-length strands back from his forehead. Come on, Haru. Keep your clothes on and get the hell out here. As passenger after passenger—notably not Haru— exited into the Arrival Lobby, Rin smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from his V-neck, navy-blue T-shirt, twisted the woven leather bracelet around his left wrist, and tried not to fidget (epic fail) in the outfit he’d picked out for coming to fetch Haru from the airport.
It hadn’t even been that long. Two weeks (at most?) since they’d all been together in Tokyo at high school Nationals. Sousuke’s Tokyo relay team had taken first place in the medley—to no one’s surprise—but Rin’s Yokohama team and Haru’s Sapporo team had been right behind, touching for second and third places, respectively. Even Makoto and Nagisa’s Iwatobi team had put up a good showing, especially considering their flyer had barely two summers of swimming under his belt. The free, though, belonged to Rin and Haru—the fifty all the way up to the fifteen hundred meter. Gou’s camera was full of pictures of them side-eyeing each other with smiles and mock-glares, depending on who ended up on top of the podium. …Not to mention all of the photos of the medalists posing together—with Rin’s arm permanently draped across Haru’s shoulders—and how embarrassing it was that he was gazing at Haru like a lovestruck schoolboy in at least half of the pictures.
Because he totally, absolutely, was not—
The frosted glass doors slid open and it only took a glimpse of familiar black hair for all of Rin’s musings to come to an abrupt halt, the giddiness surging up inside him while the excitement lodged firmly in his throat. If not for the crowded airport lobby and the watchful eyes of airport security, he would’ve tackled Haru to the floor.
Haru came out in a pale blue T-shirt with yet another ridiculous character on the front, black trousers, and red athletic shoes. The strap of his duffle bag was slung across his chest and he was holding it with his right hand. Rin’s heart leapt at the sight of the matching bracelet on Haru’s wrist—matching except that Rin’s had a shark on it and Haru’s had a dolphin. Every time his silly aquarium gift shop buy / impulse Christmas present made an appearance, it never failed to melt him inside. (Rin had been to—had dragged his family to—a lot of aquariums since leaving Iwatobi, definitely for no reason at all. And he certainly hadn’t wrapped the gift with excruciating care and fretted every hour, on the hour, after putting it in the mail to Hokkaido until Haru had received it.)
He’d been fifteen at the time. Now, at seventeen, he was much more cool and collected and adult.
“Yo, Haru.” Rin waved, wholly in control of himself like any respectable high school third year on the cusp of university (Coast Guard Academy, at that).
Blue eyes found him, Haru’s face lighting up with a smile—
Ah, hell. Rin managed to get there without breaking into a run or leaping over suitcases. The two-second hug he allowed himself was warm, tight, chlorine-scented, and far too brief, but they were already gaining the attention of those around them as they parted. He rubbed the back of his neck, the blush burning beneath his skin. “Let’s, uh, get out of here, huh?”
Haru’s eyes sparkled. “It’s good to see you too, Rin.”
“Shut up, Haru.” Rin slung his arm around Haru’s shoulders, turning his back on those who were watching. “Or I’ll princess-carry you to the train.” Even with an audience.
Haru, still smiling, hummed in amusement as they headed towards the escalator.
-x-
It took forty minutes by train, first on the Keikyu Line to Yokohama Station and then on the Sotetsu Line to Hoshikawa. They got seats on the first train and stood together in a packed car on the second. The whole time, whenever their arms brushed or a change in momentum had them bumping into each other, Rin had repeated pinch-me-I’m-dreaming moments. It didn’t seem real that Haru was here—with warmth in his eyes and his ever-present calm, catching Rin’s arm to steady him during a particularly good jolt.
There’d been school breaks before, in addition to the swim meets—their ski vacation in Hokkaido last Christmas came to mind, when Nagisa dressed up as Santa and chased everyone around the ski lodge with mistletoe. But it had always been the four of them, sometimes plus Gou, Sousuke, and Ryugazaki too. This was the first time it was just Haru—for two whole weeks in the height and heat of summer. Finally, they would have some time to themselves.
…Sort of.
“My old man filled the fridge with fresh saba.”
Haru’s eyes widened. “Have I mentioned how much I love your family?”
Rin broke into a smile. Haru’s saba eyes were almost as good as his pool eyes. And having them directed at him? Rin kind of lived for it.
-x-
The apartment building was a couple blocks from Hoshikawa Station—gray, L-shaped, fourteen stories surrounded by meticulously trimmed shrubs and trees spreading limbs laden with broad, green leaves over the walkways. Rin led the way in through the lobby to the elevators.
As they rode up to the tenth floor, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh…you can have the tatami room or my room and I’ll take the other.” He avoided meeting Haru’s gaze, heat creeping back into his cheeks.
“No bed-sharing, hm?” Haru’s words were warm with mirth. “Like when we were kids.”
Rin folded his arms, full-on blushing now. “My parents said I have to set a good example for Gou.”
Soft laughter hit his ears.
“What?” Rin glared at Haru. “Why’s that funny?”
“It’s not; it’s just…” Haru coughed into his hand, smiling at him. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.”
Damnit, Haru.
“I feel like you’d spontaneously combust if I even suggested we cuddle a little.”
Rin’s face caught fire at the thought, though he didn’t bother denying what Haru said. It wasn’t like he didn’t wonder about, er, that stuff—it was totally normal to think about it (sometimes a lot) at his age, right? But his bedroom shared a wall with Gou’s and a balcony with his parents’ and there was no way in hell he was doing anything within their earshot and certainly not for his first time. Plus, when he turned thirteen, his parents sat him down at the dinner table for the safe sex talk which included making him practice putting a condom on a banana (were they trying to scar him for life??). He could appreciate that his parents were a lot more open, forthright, and available for questions compared to other parents he knew, but he still hadn’t been able to look at a banana since.
Rin grunted and captured Haru’s hand, just to make a point (even if Haru was right).
Haru’s eyes went wide at the touch, his cheeks flushing pink. He pressed his lips, saying nothing as the elevator slowly came to a stop with a two-tone chime.
Rin savored every bit of his revenge.
-x-
“Tadaima.” Rin toed off his shoes in the entryway, holding the door for Haru.
“Okaeri!” His mom’s voice came from the left end of the hallway, from the direction of the living/dining room. She joined them a second later, a red pen tucked behind her ear—probably in the middle of grading summer school papers, clad in a white and yellow striped T-shirt and navy-blue capris. “Haruka!” Miyako captured Haru in a brief hug, smiling broadly as she lightly patted his cheeks. “You look well. How was your flight?”
“It was good,” Haru said. “Thanks for letting me stay here, Auntie Miya. I brought…” He produced two flat boxes from his bag—chocolates from his dad’s workplace; Miyako and Gou’s favorite kind.
“Oh, tell your parents they don’t have to keep doing this. You’re family, you know? Be sure to thank them for us.”
“Ah.” Haru nodded.
“Please come in. Make yourself at home.” She drew him down the hall into the sunny living room, Rin trailing behind. The six-mat tatami room was off to the left with windows out to the balcony. “Rin explained the sleeping arrangements, right? I hope you’ll excuse our presumptions on this, but Toraichi and I discussed it. At your age we really wouldn’t have concerns, but with Gou in the house, we felt it best to be proper.”
Ugh, Mom… Rin fought the urge to face palm, his cheeks growing hot.
“Soon enough, you’ll both be off to college, making your own decisions about things. We really only have a few months left to parent you, so.” She smiled, faintly misty-eyed.
“It’s OK, Auntie Miya,” Haru said, setting his duffle bag down in the tatami room. “Our relationship is completely pure and wholesome.”
A strangled noise slipped out of Rin’s throat, which was better than the string of expletives forming in his head. Oh God, can I melt into the floor and die now?
Miyako sighed happily, resting her hands on Haru’s shoulders. “Haruka, you are too precious.”
Haru looked pleased.
Of course. Rin just stood there, expecting his face to ignite at any moment.
“Are you boys hungry?” his mom asked, leaving them for the kitchen. “Toraichi won’t be back until late, so dinner will be a while from now.”
Rin glanced at Haru, who shook his head. “Mom, I think we’ll go swimming.”
Haru instantly perked up.
“OK.” Miyako poked her head out of the kitchen. “Make sure to check in periodically, alright?” She returned to the table and her various stacks of papers.
Rin edged farther into the tatami room as Haru knelt down and opened his bag. “Pool or beach? The beach is about an hour away, but—”
Haru already had sunglasses and a towel in hand. “Definitely beach.”
Rin smiled. “Do you need to change?”
“Nope.”
Didn’t think so. “OK, let me just—”
-x-
Yuigahama beach was hot, breezy, and crowded, though not as bad as Daiba would’ve been. The deep strip of coarse sand was bordered by beach clubs and cafés, with a few resorts and apartment buildings mixed in. The bay was hugged on either side by rolling emerald hills, with a marina to the east. Off in the distance, a cluster of sailboats trekked across the horizon. Blue and white umbrellas from various rental companies dotted the beach between sunbathers laid out on lounge chairs or blankets.
Rin and Haru stuffed their clothes and wallets into a locker, carrying their towels down to the water’s edge. The surf crashed rhythmically upon the shore in long, sun-gilded waves.
“It’s a little over a kilometer, from there to there.” Rin pointed out red buoys, bobbing in the sea beyond most of the swimmers.
Haru stretched his arms over his head, his traps and triceps flexing in the sunlight. “Sounds like a good warm up.”
Rin donned his goggles, flashing a grin as the excitement built inside him to a steady hum. My thoughts exactly. “Race you.”
Dropping their towels to the sand, they sprinted towards the waves…
Somehow, the water never felt as good as it did when Haru was beside him. They paced each other in the cool, turquoise sea, swimming side-by-side—occasionally knocking elbows and often locking eyes as they breathed. The buoys marked their laps as they fought to overtake one another during the turns, only to lose the lead on the straightaway as they chased each other down. The thrill of swimming with Haru was like nothing else; it was more than just the exercise that had Rin’s heart beating fast. The matching look in Haru’s gaze made it even better.
Rin was gloriously exhausted by the time they dragged themselves from the water, collapsing breathlessly onto their towels as the breeze cooled their heated bodies.
“Was that six or eight?” Haru asked, one arm flung over his head.
“Eight… I think.” He honestly couldn’t be sure he’d counted right in the end.
“Mm. No wonder I’m hungry.”
“We can grab a snack.” Rin tilted his head back, studying the shops up the beach.
“In a minute,” Haru murmured, closing his eyes. “Once I can move again.”
Rin hummed in agreement, letting his eyes drift shut.
-x-
It was evening before they headed back, pleasantly drowsy from the sun and time spent in the sea. Haru napped on his shoulder on the train ride home, using a folded towel for a pillow. Rin liked it more than he was embarrassed, ignoring the few looks they got as he pretended to be engrossed in his phone. He did, at least, message his mom with their ETA.
The day couldn’t have been more perfect, Rin resolutely ignoring the small voice inside that asked, But what about…? Yeah, it was a conversation they needed to have, but not now. Rin turned his head as Haru shifted, towel and black hair like silk brushing against his cheek. Not now.
-x-
Rin’s dad put them to work as soon as they stepped through the door—Rin slicing vegetables and whisking together a light shoyu-based dressing for a salad while Haru worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Toraichi, filleting fresh mackerel. Gou squeezed between them in the narrow kitchen, grabbing plates and glasses for the table.
“Haruka! You could teach Rin a thing or two. Look at those perfect fillets!”
Rin exaggerated a sigh at his father’s praise. I can fillet a fish just fine.
“Rin doesn’t like fish, so…”
Tch. He shot a glare over his shoulder, his cheeks warming as he met Haru’s smirk.
Toraichi laughed. “Well, we ate pretty much nothing else for the first decade of his life, so I can’t really blame him.”
Haru inhaled. “That sounds amazing.”
Rin rolled his eyes, turning back to the salad.
“Gou, did you remember to get the miso I asked for?” Miyako peeked into the shopping bag on the counter beside Rin, near the doorway to the kitchen.
“Oh, uh—” Gou flew back to the kitchen, her ponytail fanned out behind her. “I was going to—” Her face turned bright pink as their mom pulled not miso but a magazine out of the bag.
Rin caught a glimpse of muscles on the cover and not much in the way of clothes.
“Young lady, what is this?”
“It’s research for the swim team,” Gou said, her cheeks steadily growing redder.
Rin pressed his lips, trying not to laugh. It was true that, as one of the managers of their high school swim team, Gou had a variety of duties. Her self-proclaimed ‘muscle-caretaker’ title though…
Toraichi leaned over his wife’s shoulder. “Muscles Monthly: Beijing Edition, huh?”
“Olympic muscles are important! And they’re not naked!”
Rin’s parents exchanged a long glance, just to draw out Gou’s mortification most likely. In the end, Miyako handed over the magazine.
Flushed scarlet, Gou clutched the periodical in both hands and scampered from the room.
“This is your fault,” Miyako said, giving her husband a mild look as she unloaded the groceries from the bag. “Sydney…Athens… All of your ‘name that muscle group’ nonsense while watching.”
“I was trying to make it educational! Besides,” Rin’s dad lowered his voice, “I’m not sure I can take all the blame when back in college, you and the other girls—”
“Tora!” She smacked him in the arm and left the kitchen, Toraichi trailing after her, laughing.
“Miya…”
Rin grimaced appropriately for his age at the sound of his parents embracing out of view. But he treasured their happiness, their good-natured teasing, the lightness of their home. Even ten years later, it still hit him sometimes—how it almost wasn’t. How it all almost ended that day—in rain and gray and words fading into silence, words he couldn’t unhear.
The storm—the hours that his entire world lay in ruins—remained a persistent feature of his nightmares. It helped him never take the little things for granted—just like the next morning when the sun rose and he was pressed against his father’s side, his nose buried in fabric that still smelled like fish and the sea. –When he’d cried and thanked God through his tears that his father being alive wasn’t just a dream.
A warm body leaned against his, Haru resting his chin on Rin’s shoulder. “Your parents are cute,” he murmured.
Rin smiled, inhaling a little. “Yeah.”
-x-
Haru was still lazing about in the ofuro as Rin laid out the futon in the tatami room. As their guest, Haru should’ve taken the first bath, but of course he insisted on being last so no one would have to wait on him. No doubt Rin would find him there again in the morning before the rest of them woke up.
He finished arranging the blankets and pillow, the window cracked to let in the cool night breeze. Rin’s hair was almost dry by the time Haru came out—still in his jammers, rubbing his hair with a towel.
“Rin, thanks.”
“Sure.” Rin straightened, leaning against the wall as Haru rummaged around in his duffle bag, pulling out a T-shirt and a clean pair of underwear. “You hardly packed any clothes.” He politely averted his eyes as Haru changed—nothing he hadn’t seen in locker rooms before, but still.
“I packed the basics.” By that, Haru meant swimsuits. “I figured I can raid your closet if I need to.”
Rin smiled, liking the thought of Haru in his clothes—a lot. “Anytime.”
Dressed, Haru came over, laying one hand on Rin’s right hip, warm through the fabric of his tank top and sleep pants. “Let’s do 10k tomorrow. Twice.”
The anticipation lit inside him like a firework, Rin twisting his arms around Haru’s shoulders. “I love it when you talk swimming to me.” His heart started to pound as he pulled Haru close. “Kiss me goodnight?”
Haru’s eyes softened, Rin waiting without breathing as Haru leaned in, letting his eyelids fall.
The touch, when it came, was pliant and patient, matchlessly tender with the give of their lips and the gentle hint of the muscle and tension beneath. Honestly, he could live his life kissing Haru…swimming with Haru. Air was such a silly commodity, really.
They were stretching the definition of a goodnight kiss when they finally parted, Rin tasting Haru on his lips and not letting go just yet. His face was hot and probably the same shade of pink as Haru’s. He should go to bed—any minute now one of his parents or Gou might come down the hall, needing water or something. It was late enough that he was out of good excuses.
But just one more…
Haru’s eyes shimmered, as if reading Rin’s thoughts. Arms wrapped tight around Rin’s waist—
The second kiss was different—firm and insistent, Rin’s breath catching in his throat. It was only three heartbeats before Haru drew back, Rin left with his chest heaving, trying in vain to pull air into his lungs.
Haru looked sheepish but undeniably happy as he gave Rin a little push towards the doorway. “Go. Before we get in trouble.”
Rin managed a grunt, glaring at the mirth in Haru’s eyes as he gripped the towel at his neck and turned away. “‘Night,” he muttered.
Haru’s quiet, “Goodnight, Rin,” followed him through the living room and down the hallway.
At the end of the hall, Rin headed through the door on the right, closing it firmly behind him—knowing his parents would be listening for him to go to bed. Leaving the lights off, he stretched out on top of the covers of his twin bed—heart still racing, nerves tingling—and wondered how in the hell he was supposed to sleep when he was this in love with Nanase Haruka.