[Makoto x Haruka] Stay

Stay

"Makoto."

"..."

"Makoto."

The brunette's head droops slightly as he dozes off, but springs up at the sound of his name. "H-Hm? Wha? Did you call me?" he asks, absently rubbing the grogginess from his eyes, "Did you need something?"

No reply.

"Haru?"

Still no reply.

Before the former could speak once again, he heard a faint voice, "Sorry."

"It's okay," Makoto smiled sweetly, standing from his spot on the step, but not advancing forward any. "I won't be leaving until the afternoon."

"I know."

Silence filled the room, as emerald eyes watched Haru sitting in place. The ebony-haired boy hadn't moved a muscle all morning. He just stared into the same fishbowl, placed gently on his lap, and watched the fish swimming peacefully in their aquatic home. It was obvious how he longed to join them. How he wished to be submerged in the water, floating as if he was entranced. But he couldn't. Not with the bandaged stumps residing in place of his once slender legs that carried him through every day. He had no choice but to remain in this wheelchair, only catching sunlight when others decided, only seeing his friends when they visited. He couldn't move on his own. And that, every waking moment, continued to haunt him and his very existence. How could this have happened to him of all people? Why him? What had he ever done to deserve this torture?

Makoto's eyebrows knitted together, feeling a rush of sympathy. He knew how much Haru was suffering and it pained him to see his childhood friend in such a state. Makoto ambled his way beside him, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Will you be alright when I leave? I can stay if you'd prefer."

"Hn."

Makoto smiled softly, "...Alright, I'll stay then."

Makoto practically read his mind, taking note of his every response. He had grown accustomed to it, he depended on it. He depended on Makoto more now than he ever had.

"Makoto."

"Hm?"

"..."

Haru's eyes shifted from the fish, straight ahead now. He wished for Makoto to stay with him. He didn't want him to leave, ever. He needed him. He needed his kindness. He needed his gentleness. But still...Haru knew that his best friend would have to go eventually. Just after this school year, Makoto was going to college in Tokyo. And here Haru would be, eyes drained of their ocean blue shine of life, with no one left to depend on. No one in the world could make him happy anymore.

Not Rei.

Not Nagisa.

Not Rin.

Nobody.

He would be left alone, a useless vegetable in a wheelchair. Sure, his parents would be home by then, and they could tend to the common necessities. But he needed to swim. He needed to swim with Makoto.

"I understand, Haru." Raven locks were brushed tenderly from his face as Makoto crouched in front of him, meeting the ex-swimmer eye-to-eye. He smiled and took Haru's pale hands in his strong ones. "I told you I'd stay. I won't be going anywhere.

"I'll stay here with you."

I want you to stay