Free! Falling

Cry - Matsuoka Rin x Reader

Now that he thinks about it...

"...pfft, Rin."

Two small children sat together at the top of a small hill watching the soft pink flowers of a cherry tree float slowly down before being carried once more by the wind. A boy of blazing red hair and eyes glared at the little (h/c) haired girl.

"W-what? Why are you laughing?!"

"Bwahahahaha! I can't believe your dream is to swim in a pool of sakura blossoms! You're so cheesy that I could die! Ahahahahaha!"

"S-shut up!"

"A hopeless romantic, didn't think that the title fit you before."

"O-oi, I said to shut it!" Small angry tears formed in the male's eyes.

"Wow, are you crying, Rin? Such a crybaby."

"(Name)!" 

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...he had never seen you cry.

"Stop sniveling Rin." 

"N-no, I'm not crying!"

"Come on, it's so obvious!"

"Well, I'm going to Australia! I won't be able to see you or any other of my friends for a long time, or maybe even never again!"

"This is your dream right? You want to become an olympic swimmer for your dad?" Earning a nod from the boy, you continued, "Then go."

"Why aren't you crying?! Won't you miss me?" 

"Nope." Ignoring the indignant squeal from Rin, you explained, "It's because I know you will be back and I'll always be waiting here for you."

Your eyes widened slightly as the boy brought you into a tight hug, wrapping his thin arms around your shoulders. You could hear him sobbing, as you sighed and patted his back.

"Rin, why am I always the comforting one in this relationship?"

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But then again...

A slightly older teen with messy crimson hair stood on the familiar doorstep of your house. He'd come home for the holidays and was planning to see you before meeting with Haru for one last race.

The door opened and an unfamiliar woman peeked out. "Hello?"

"I-is (Name) here?"

"(Name)?" The lady seemed confused, before recognition flashed in her eyes. "Ah, that must be the name of the girl who lived here a few months ago. I'm sorry sir, but she moved away."

She closed the door without another word, as Rin collapsed utterly broken at the porch. His trails of tears were from an endless pool of sorrow.

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...the boy...

"Ah, Iwatobi. It's been a while." You smiled in slight remorse. "I wonder how he's doing..."

About three years ago you moved to Italy with your family due to your father's promotion which required that the group locate to a place closer to the company base. However, both fortunately and unfortunately, someone better suited for the job had replaced him. Losing his previous position, there was no longer a reason to stay in Italy, and your family, homesick and missing the old customs of Japan, decided to return.

You pulled out your phone and typed in a familiar number. "Ah hello, it's (Name). I'm in town and I'm not leaving." You winced at the excited scream that rang through the piece of technology. "Yes, nice to see you too. Now can you do me a favor?"

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...cried enough for the both of you.

"What the hell is with this?" A tall, muscular man commented while rubbing the back of his neck in irritation. "Gou says that someone wants me to meet them here, and yet they're the one who's damn late?"

His eyes roamed the area though in heavy nostalgia. This place never changed.

"Oh come on Rin. I just thought you'd like a little bit of time to admire the scenery." You called and he whipped his head around to find you standing on the other side of the hill that you both often frequented as kids.

"You... you..." The teen couldn't find the words.

You whistled low. "Well, damn. You've changed Rin." 

Yes, he was very tall now, towering over you, and his body was toned due to all the swimming and running he did. You had changed as well though. Your hair was longer than he remembered and you had matured in both looks and personality.

"I'd heard from Gou that you've grown into a grumpy sort of person." You drawled. "I have to say, I'm going to miss that dumb, childish side of yours."

Rin stalked towards you, stepping over with a very purposeful stride. You thought that he must have been angry because you never kept your promise. You weren't here for him when he returned.

Yet here you were now, and you blinked as you were brought into his arms. The embrace felt familiar, reminding you of the younger Rin. "Hey, Rin?" 

"Shut up."

You felt the tears, his tears, wetting your shoulder.

He hadn't changed at all.

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It wasn't until then...

"What is this?" You questioned, lifting up the object that Rin had thrown at you.

"What do you think it is?" He huffed, looking away.

You examined it closely. It was a ring, one made of white gold and with a pink jewel in the shape of a sakura blossom decorating the middle. "T-this thing-"

"Well?"

You had a feeling that he wouldn't say the question because he was too embarrassed to. You smiled. "Yes, of course." Your smile turned into a teasing smirk as you heard a sniffle. "Crying, again?"

"N-no!"

"Rin, you're such a baby... and this is so cheesy. A sakura blossom ring reminding us of the hill with the cherry tree and your childhood dream? You really haven't changed at all - not even a bit!"

You wouldn't change him for the world.

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...that he finally saw your tears.

"Ow, for all the freaking pain I went through, I call the right of naming her." You grumbled in annoyance. Even when in labor, you had never cried. However, you did scream. Yes you did, in terrible, terrible agony.

"Sheesh, fine. Don't name her something stupid though. I just know you'll-"

"Sakura."

"Heh?"

"Sakura, I want to name her Sakura."

Rin chuckled in amusement. "And you call me the cheesy one, crybaby."

Crystalline tears of happiness flowed down your face.