Fish Outta Water (Haru x Makoto)

Chapter Three

Makoto's POV:

"Nagisa, how could you break Haru?!" I heard Rei shout from behind Haru and I. "What if he can never swim as beautifully as he did again?!"

"Tch.. it's not my fault that he's fragile," Nagisa pouted and looked away from the intellectual. "It's probably just a faze anyways.. I mean, Haru-Chan is the best swimmer I know! He can't just forget how to swim!!"

"Guys..." I tried to interupt in the most polite voice possible. "Haru is a bit... unstable right now. I understand that you're both concerned, but I don't think it's helping him having you discuss this here." I glanced back at Haru. He was seated on the couch, eyes wide, clutching his knees close to his chest. It was the most expression I had ever seen on his face, and it was extremely unnerving. "Haru... it's okay.. I'm sure you'll be able to swim again soon."

"I sank," Haru stated.

"Yeah," I said. "But it's okay, you'll be able to again soon."

"I sank," Haru repeated. "I sank... Underwater. I didn't float. Why? Why?!"

"I... I don't know, Haru," I said. "Maybe you hit your head?"

"I didn't. He did," Haru said turning his head towards Nagisa. Nagisa immediately got down on his hands and knees.

"Gomennasai! Haru-Chan! It's all my fault that you're a swimming cripple!" Nagisa apologized whilst bowing his head down to the floor. Haru didn't seem to react to this -- His distressed look remained.

"H- how about you guys go home?" I suggested to Nagisa and Rei. "I'll stay here with Haru tonight and make sure he's okay, but it's getting late."

Nagisa refused, but luckily, Rei had a backup plan. Rei picked up Nagisa in his arms then slung him over his shoulder. With a curt bow, Rei said, "We will entrust Haru's well-being with you, Makoto San." And with that, he left the house holding onto Nagisa, kicking and screaming.

I looked back over to Haru. He seemed a bit more content now that it was only me and him here. "Are you alright?" I asked Haru, the worry clear on my face. Haru answered simply by shaking his head. "I figured as much..."

"Can we just go to bed?" Haru asked, sounding completely drained. I don't blame him for being so tired, it had been a stressful day for him.

"Yeah," I smiled. "I think that's a good idea. Let's go to bed." I stood up to go to Haru's bedroom, but Haru didn't budge. "Not gonna move?" No reaction... I sighed and lifted him off of the couch. I carried Haru into his room and laid him in bed.

"I'm still in my swim suit," Haru said, not really as a concern, but more of a statement.

"Yeah, it's fine," I said. "It's dry anyways, so it's not like you'll get water everywhere." Haru nodded and cuddled into his blankets. I casually climbed in beside him. We had slept together since we were little, so this was no big deal. "Goodnight, Haruka."

Haru made a weird grunting noise in response and shut his eyes. It made me sad that he was this upset, but I didn't know what to do about it. I could still hardly believe that he couldn't swim anymore, but I had to face reality that, that was what had happened. That was when I had an idea... a strange idea. Maybe, I could reteach Haru to swim!!