Relationship Text

Weak

The bus pulled to a stop and Haru's heart thudded in his chest. This was either the beginning of the end, or the happiest moments of his life. It was now or never. It was so many things and more; memories, emotions, friendship, unification. Haruka sat frozen in his seat, palms sweaty, wanting to scratch at his skin on his arm till it was red and raw. All the worries that Sousuke and Taekun had erased, swiftly flooded all back. What would they think? What would Makoto think? The green-eyed male meant everything to Haru and he was certain he meant everything to Makoto. The backstroke swimmer's opinion was the only one that mattered. The only one who'd been by his side through all his tribulations and successes. Makoto was his best friend. His brother.

Haru closed his eyes for a moment, taking a long deep breath to calm himself. Makoto would understand. That was his defining character, soft, considerate, and understanding. Haru felt a presence beside him and glanced to find Taekun smiling fondly.

"Come on, we got some swimming to do." The boy offered him his hand and the ravenette gracefully accepted. As he was being pulled to his feet, Haru knew that Makoto would forgive him.

When he exited the bus, his thoughts turned to the others. Nagisa, and Rei. Haruka knew without a doubt Nagisa would swallow him into a hug, an embrace that spoke so many words that Haru would find it pleasantly suffocating. Rei would adjust his glasses accordingly with the attempt to compel what he was feeling inside, and greet his senpai formally.

Rin. The redhead was frightfully unpredictable. He'd either be a crying mess, drowning Haru in a sobbing squeeze of limbs, or he'd be absolutely furious. There was no in-between.

Nitori, and Momo. Haruka didn't know the boys very well, but even knowing very little, Haruka could tell Nitori would smile sweetly, welcoming him back. Momo, the hyper teen, would greet him eagerly, happy that everyone was together again.

Sousuke. He had said he'd be happy. Haruka furrowed his brow in doubt. What if he wasn't? What if none of them were? What if he was playing the same scene over and over in his head wrong? What if they rejected him, or worse completely ignored his presence? Haru bit his lip in apprehension; his brain felt like it was on fire; the flames licking dangerously at his thoughts. He needed to calm down. He needed water. He wanted to float or drown in the peace of the waves, flooding out his worries.

Haru's phone buzzed in his pocket and he knew that it was Sousuke. He knew that they were all here, somewhere. He was aware he couldn't back out now. Haruka knew what he was about to face and for once, he didn't know how it was going to play out.

***

Haruka made it to the team lockers with not even a slither of a sign of any of the swimmers he was looking for. Taekun had dragged him away as soon as he was changed, wanting to practice and perfect their exchange. That seemed to distract Haruka, his mind focusing on the water before him, the thoughts of his friends slowly fading to the background.

After a few passes, Taekun noticed a boy watching Haru's every move from the door's opening. He was short, blonde, and very excitable. His magenta eyes refused to flicker away for even a second from the ravenette that was standing beside him. Haru's back was to the mysterious boy and Taekun nudged him for his attention.

"What?" Haruka asked as he wiped his hair.

"I think he wants your attention," Taekun said quietly and motioned over to the door. Haru glanced over his shoulder and his breath immediately hitched. As soon as their eyes connected Nagisa screamed.

"HARU-CHAN!"

He ran across the poolside and Haruka soon heard the voice he had missed for almost three months. The voice that could break him down in a single second and have him confessing everything that was on his mind.