Relationship Text

Settled In

It'd had been just over a month since Haruka had left Iwatobi and started to attend Riendea High School. Haru was peacefully munching away at his home-made lunch; made with 'mothering love' when his missing companions strolled up to him. He noticed a twinkle of excitement in their eyes, and he rose a brow in confusion and question. He had wondered where the six boys had gone; leaving him by himself to suffer in the silence alone. They approached him, motioning for Haru to stand and smiled at one another as he did so suspiciously.

"What's going on?" Haruka watched Naren hand something over to Taekun secretly and narrowed his eye as the blonde turned to him.

"As you were formally accepted into our swim club last week by our coach, we got you a little something to make it official," Taekun informed him with a pathetic attempt at a straight face.

Haruka was about to retort when what was presented to him was something he was delaying to purchase. The Riendea's swimming club jacket hung from Taekun's grasp. Its royal blue colour and white trims had Haruka flinching away. If he accepts this, then all his ties to Iwatobi would be severed. His only connection to his friends would fade, and he'd make a new permanent relationship to the six boys standing in front of him. Did he want to give that up? Of course not, but they had replaced him as Sousuke had said, and perhaps it was time for him to move on. It was not as if he was cutting all his ties, he was still a phone call away from his old life.

Haru had insisted he just couldn't afford the jacket with his allowance, earning a frown from Taekun who knew instantly something was astray. He had hounded the boy like Rin would do, and Haruka had blurted out in annoyance about his parents. Taekun understood, Haru had been independent for far too long and refused to acknowledge the help of two people who were absent for most of the boy's life. Haruka hadn't expected the boys to lump together their change in order to buy the jacket for him. Haru knew the jacket was nauseatingly expensive, he had scoffed several times at the cost when his coach insisted, he'd purchase one.

Haruka reached for it, his hand stopping a breadth away from the material. He glanced up at Taekun who was smiling at him expectantly. He flickered to the others who were watching on, holding their breaths in anticipation. Haru supposed could get used to this: Naren's breath-taking hugs, Veriu's talkative nature, Rieran's bad jokes, Feriku's ridiculous theories, Aseranda's unusual interpretations and last, but not least, the annoyingly beautiful smile of Taekun Yagnima. Haruka grasped the jacket tightly and brought it to his chest.

"Well go on, put it on!" Naren peeked over Taekun's shoulder, urging their new teammate.

Haruka sighed, sliding his arms through the sleeves of the jacket and zipping it to where it sat comfortably on his body. A smile snuck up and graced his features as he felt a warmth run through his body. The boys suddenly surrounded him, hooking arms and throwing them over each other's shoulders in excitement. Taekun wrestled and grabbed Haru's phone and took a group selfie.

***

Haruka's phone buzzed beside him as he finished the essay, he had been planning for almost the whole afternoon. He placed his pen down rubbing his eyes and gazed at his mobile.

Yamazaki: You've settled in.

Haruka rose a brow, what did Sousuke mean by that? Haru flicked up to find the photo Taekun took earlier. Haru clenched his jaw, the sneak... He never actually had the chance to take a look at the photo after it was taken, and he couldn't help but hum in quiet content. Haru was squished in the middle, in shock as the others all laughed and grinned at each other. Taekun was next to him, a smile from ear to ear, staring into the camera. His chocolate brown eyes promptly melting any worries or anger Haruka had with the implication of the photo.