Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The only sound that could be heard was the hum of the washing machine.

Rin could even feel it in his own body, leaning against it.

“I like this life" he whispered, and although he intended not to be heard, he knew he always would be.

“Hm?”
Yes, because even if his response came as short guttural sounds, or just a tilt of his head, Haru would always be there to listen.

What they were doing was trivial. After procrastinating laundry for days, each blaming the other for whose turn it was, they had found a solution: doing it together.

And Rin truly appreciated it.

Since living together, their routines had clashed: Rin’s early morning walks against Haru’s endless baths, the dining table no longer only hosting the daily mackerel but also breakfasts packed with protein and vegetables, not to mention all the times Haru had to be dragged out of the bathroom because he had occupied it for too long.
It had been a long process full of arguments, but now, with his boyfriend hanging clothes on the lines while Rin waited for the next load to finish, he admired how little by little their routines had merged, so that neither was truly affected while still functioning smoothly.

“Nothing" he replied, not wanting to ruin the atmosphere with the possible teasing if Haru found out, though a warm smile betrayed him.

He liked the thrill of swimming with Haru, the adrenaline whenever they competed over silly things, the way Rin was the only one who could get under his skin making him feel special; but this calm, the silence that whispered eternal trust… Rin felt like a child again, surrounded by that domestic warmth that made him smile.

Rin felt at home. With family.

“Well, if it’s nothing, you’re worrying me. You’ve been staring at the underwear for ten minutes while smiling.”

The melody of the washing machine saved him from having to explain himself, and he immediately turned to finish his task.

“No matter how much you try to bother me, Haru. I won’t let you into the washing machine.”

“I told you I don’t want to!”

Chapter Text

During the day, Rin used to “invade” Haru’s personal space.

Calling it an invasion was actually an exaggeration: Haru never fully pushed him away, and in the grimace of annoyance there was always a slight blush. So Rin had gradually made a home for himself on Haru’s shoulder.

At night, things were different. When Haru was sleepy, his brow furrowed in a funny way, barely able to process what was being said to him, and if woken abruptly, he would continue the day in a… complicated mood.
So Rin always made sure to ask first before establishing contact, as he had learned over years.

When Haruka refused, Rin never took it personally.

In fact, he liked it when Haru said no.

“Psst,” Rin whispered in the middle of the night. “Hey, Haru.”

“Mmm,” came the sleepy response, Haru hugging the sheets tighter and turning his back.

“Do you want to cuddle?”

A sigh. Rin waited expectantly, looking in his direction for an answer.

“Mmmm… 's too hot.”

Rin smiled, turning over to sleep. “Alright, good night.”

Because this way, Rin knew…

“Haru.”

“Mghhh… what?” Seeing him on his back, brow furrowed as he tried to process what Rin was saying, was too funny.
Rin couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

“Cuddles?”

The half-closed blue eyes watched him for a few seconds, glancing at his arms and then his chest.
He looked tempted; that was all Rin could discern. He could compare his gaze to when a body of water is too small to dive into, yet the desire remains.
He closed his eyes again, and a few sleepy sounds later, Rin saw him softly refuse.

That when he says yes, it is because he truly means it.

“Haru.”

No need to finish the sentence; a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, a tuft of black hair resting on his chest.
Rin smiled in the dark, holding him tight.

Chapter Text

“You know, when I was a kid, Russell and Lori noticed that I would stare at the water for far too long” Red eyes softened, nostalgic at the memory. “They must have thought I was a weirdo about water, like Haru, but in reality it was because I saw the sea as the only connection between the people I loved most and myself. Of course, they didn’t know that; I tried to hide how much I missed everyone so I wouldn’t make them feel bad. Anyway, one day they prepared a surprise for me.”

» “Do you know the Great Barrier Reef? It’s a massive collection of reefs in Australia, literally hundreds of species in the water. It was so beautiful. You obviously need diving equipment, but it’s worth it.”

» “Why am I telling you this? Oh, I promise it makes sense. That day I saw so many things, an incredible mix of blues, animals I had only ever seen in documentaries, I felt so happy… but I realized something. Even after seeing all that, none of those blues were as beautiful as Haru’s. Nothing was more precious than him. That’s why I want to propose to him there, in the same place I realized I was in love.”

“Sounds good” Makoto smiled awkwardly, cheeks red at Rin’s cheesiness. “But… how are you planning to put a ring underwater?”

“Damn.”

Chapter Text

Haruka had never been someone capable of expressing his feelings.

But being in a relationship with Rin Matsuoka, taught him that he just had to find his own way of showing it.

“Did you make meat?” Rin said, surprised, expression full of delight as he inhaled the aroma. “What's the special occasion?”

"Just felt like it"

«I care about you.»

“Me?” The red eyes looked adoringly at the paper Haru handed him, seeing himself etched in graphite. “Woah, it’s incredible as always, thank you so much.”

«You’re attractive.»

“Do you really want to come with me to see my father?” His boyfriend smiled, eyes watery while holding his hand tightly. “I appreciate it so much, Haru.”

«I’ll support you in whatever you need.»

As they hugged, their medals clinked together, the sound resembling a toast. And for Haru, it was: a silent celebration. “I’m glad I could accompany you to fulfill your dream while fulfilling mine, Rin.”

“I love you.”

“I think it’s unfair that the decorations are so asymmetrical” Rin looked disapprovingly at their medals on the wall, one half for him, the other for Haru.
Since realizing his side had fewer, he suddenly became an interior designer.

“Get more medals and balance it, then.”

“Haru!”

«That too was because he loved him»

Chapter Text

Rain pounded against the windows, wind rattling the panes, and still Rin was tying his shoes.

“I won’t let a little rain stop me” he murmured, determined, as he searched for his jacket.

Haru watched from the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, eyes half-closed. He didn’t say anything at first, just waited. When Rin leaned down to grab his keys, arms shot out and caught him, dragging him onto the sofa.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Rin protested, struggling.

“The forecast said storm” Haru replied calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. And without letting go, he pinned Rin against the backrest and his own body, using the blanket as a trap to wrap him up.

“Let me out, Haru! It'll be only twenty minutes.”

“No.”

Short, firm. His arms held Rin tighter.

“You’ll have to take off your shoes, Rin.”

Rin sighed, exasperated.

“You won't let me go, won't you?” He realized, in the silence, that he had been held captive easily.

Little by little he gave in to the warmth surrounding him. Finally, he rested his head on Haru’s shoulder, pretending not to care.

A dolphin can hunt a shark after all.

Chapter Text

Haru was dragging his feet, eyes half-closed, yet still headed straight for the wardrobe to get one of his swimsuits. Rin watched from the table, arms crossed.

“Seriously? You can barely stand.”

“Training” Haru replied, searching through the clothes without even looking at him.

“Training my ass.”

Rin got up and, before he could react, locked the wardrobe.

“Rin.”

“If you want water,” he said with a mischievous smile “You’ll have to settle for the bath I prepared for you.”

Haru blinked, confused. Rin crossed his arms, triumphant.
“Yes, full tub, hot water, bubbles… sorry, but your swimsuits are under my custody.”

The silence stretched for a few seconds. Haru looked at him seriously, then sighed in defeat.
“Mmm… fine.”

And later, when Rin saw him submerged in the bathtub, eyes closed, expression relaxed, he felt the victory was double.