Free! x Reader [Oneshots]

The Water [Haru x Reader]

The water shimmered beneath the radiant sunlight, sparkling glitter atop the clear blue surface. Sitting on the benches near the pool, she stared at the gentle swooshing of the water. It was calming, almost hypnotising to watch the tiny ripples run through the surface of the pool.

"[Name]-chan!"

Gou's voice broke her reverie, and [Name] jumped in shock, looking at her maroon haired friend with a slight raise of her eyebrows. Settling herself down beside [Name], Gou said, "Thanks for accompanying me throughout all these swimming practices. It really saves me a lot of boredom."

"It's not a problem at all," [Name] smiled, "besides, I really enjoy watching the boys practice too!"

The smirk grew on Gou's face as she nudged her. "I knew you liked seeing their muscles too~"

"N-no! It's not just that!" [Name] stuttered, her face coated in a faint blush as the iwatobi boys started walking out of the changing room, in all their muscled glory.

Of course, one particular swimmer made it into the pool in record time.

Haru.

She was captivated by the way he dived into the pool. The water seemed to envelop him, accepting him into its embrace. And the way he swam made him look so free, like it was just him and the water around him, and nothing else in the world mattered.

A serene look appeared on her visage, and she murmured, "I really like the water too."


~~


The shrill ringing of the school bell resonated through the corridors, and [Name] let out a huff, stuffing her books into her bag before making her way out of the classroom from her last class.

Tugging on her ponytail a little, she stopped in her track, biting her lips in contemplation before she turned around, making her way to the pool.

Seated on her usual bench, she let her gaze fall back upon the water, letting the worries and stress of school float away.

Approaching footsteps perked her attention, and the same raven haired male she so admired appeared into view. His ocean blue eyes locked onto her own [e/c] orbs, his expression as passive as ever.

For a moment, [Name] was afraid that Haru would ask her to leave the pool, since she wasn't a member of the swim team. But when he nodded his head in a silent acknowledgement and started stripping off his clothes, her heart started fluttering in her chest.


~~


Both their love for water brought them together like a thousand blue threads interwining their fates. Each time she was stressed, she would go to the pool, and every time, Haru would be there, swimming like how she always wished she could.

They had never spoken directly to each other, their interaction consisting shared glances, nods and smiles on her part. So when he spoke to her one day, it came as a pretty big shock.

"Why do you like the water?" He voiced, floating on his back with his attention focused on her.

[Name]'s eyes widened as she tripped over her words. "H-Haruka senpai! Well... being in the presence of water always seem to calm me down, like it brings me some sort of... solace."

"You should swim."

She broke their locked gaze, looking down to her hands as she muttered meekly, "I can't swim..."

The silence that dragged on was filled with the sound of movements in the water and when his voice graced her ears once again, it was more hesitant, and closer than before.

"I'll teach you."

Her head snapped up, only to see Haru standing a small distance away from her, his hair dripping wet as a layer of moisture coated his toned body. The look she gave him must have been filled with confusion and surprise for he repeated himself, this time with a firm intent lacing his tone.

"I'll teach you how to swim."


~~


The next day, [Name] found herself standing in the waist deep water, the coolness of the water lapping aginst her skin feeling almost foreign to her. In front of her stood Haru, who looked as calm as ever not a bit affected by the nervousness pouring out of her.

"First you need to learn how to float," He instructed, helping her stay afloat to get her accustomed to the feeling of being in the water.

She could feel Haru's hands supporting her weight in the water, and she could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest. Whether it was from being afraid, with the sensation of water all around her; of if it was because of Haru's close proximity, she didn't know.

Relaxing her body, [Name]'s eyes fluttered shut, trying to concentrate on her breathing instead. But when Haru's hold on her loosened, she panicked, gripping onto him.

"The water is alive..." he muttered, supporting her once again. "But don't be afraid. Don't resist it."

His words did nothing to calm her down, and Haru sighed, "Close your eyes and relax."

Looking up at him with a tinge of incredulity, she listened to him and did as he said.

"Feel the water around you," Haru's voice was soothing, and she held on to every word he said. "Welcome it... and accept one another."

His words echoed in [Name]'s head, and as she evened out her breathing, she started to become more aware of the water. Soon enough, she started to tune out everything else. It was just her, and the water. She felt like a light feather, floating gently upon the surface of the water, feeling as if the water had accepted her. Welcomed her.


~~


There was never a time where Haru could get tired of being surrounded by water. Feeling the water around him was utter bliss. It made him feel alive.

His strides were long and quick. And when he reached the pool, he stopped when he saw [Name] floating on her back, a small smile present on her face.

At that sight, Haru's lips quirked upwards, a bright gleam in his sapphire orbs.