Black and White (Rin Matsuoka x fem!OC)

19.

If I write a book of Free! one shots, would you read it?

On the fifth day in Iwatobi, I felt like I had seen everything in that little town. But the beauty of it wasn't in the touristic places, it was in the landscapes and the people. It was so peaceful that I wanted to move there.

On that day, I wanted mackerel for dinner so Rin took me to the fish market, but before that he suggested we go again to the Iwatobi Junior High. When we got there, he took my hand to guide me to the Sakura tree, where the two cherry blossoms were still together.
-I want you to see this- he said kneeling on the ground and pointing to the marks made with stones on the bricks.
-Is one of them yours?
-That one- he pointed to the left.
-'For the team', yeah it doesn't surprise me. It's so you.
-Yeah- he said chuckling,- that one's Haru's.
-'Free', really? He's so predictable.
-Wanna write something?
-No. I'm gonna ruin it.
-You won't. Come on, don't be a chicken- he said giving me a stone.
-I'm not a chicken, I just don't know what to write.
-Write what you desire, what you want to achieve or have. Or maybe something that defines you.
-'Australia' would define me- I chuckled.
-Think of something else- he said rolling his eyes.
In that moment I couldn't think of a personal goal, I was already in university, studying what I wanted, in the country that I wanted,... I also knew who I am but there were so many things that defined me...  And it hit me. I wrote one single word and yet it had a lot of meaning for me. But I hide it with my hand.
-You're not allowed to see, until we leave- I said.
-That's not fair.
-Life's not fair.
He sighed.
-Fine, then let's go.

After going to the fish market, we were walking to his house, freezing our butts off, but watching the beautiful sunset.
-So, you are going to Australia for the summer?- I asked.
-Yeah, if everything goes as planned.
-Don't wait until it happens, just do something to make it happen.
-It's not that simple.
-Nothing is simple.
-Yeah, but there are a lot of other factors.
-True, but do everything you can, the rest will be...faith, maybe.
-If I succeed, I'll stay in Australia for many years.
What?
-You're gonna get the nationality or what?- I asked confused.
-Maybe, but that'll be easier if I just marry you- he said with a smirk.
-Ugh, don't start- I rolled my eyes knowing that I just wanted to hear something like that from him again.
-I'm gonna do everything I can to go to the land of koalas and kangaroos. Believe me, I will- he said putting an arm around my shoulders.

When we got home I made dinner for the three of us, I cooked the mackerel exactly the way Haru did. I was so focused that I didn't feel someone watching me from the living room.

That very night Miyako was going to visit one of her sisters, who live pretty much across the country. She was going to be there for a week so we wouldn't see her when she came back. We took her to the train station.
-My train will arrive any minute now, so you should go already. I don't like goodbyes- Miyako said.
-Mom, I have the feeling that Noah will come back to visit before we know it. She's really obsessed with the country, so it's not really a goodbye- said Rin with a poker face.
-Hey, don't say it like it's a bad thing- I said rolling my eyes.
-You're so obsessed that it's getting creepy.
-Ugh, Rin.
-You two are so adorable- said Miyako, for a second I saw Gou in her. Well it made sense, they're related.
-Enjoy your trip Miyako, it was nice meeting you- I said bowing.
-Nice meeting you too. Have fun and use protection- she said winking.
I felt the color rising to my face.

We both stayed there all flustered for a couple of seconds. Then, I gave her a hug and she whispered in my ear: "Take care of him". I nodded slightly and then she kissed his son's cheek. We left the station after she got in the train. We walked back home watching a dark sky full of stars.

We went pretty much directly to bed, I layed down on it and turned my back on him. I felt how the bed shifted when Rin laid beside me.
-Can I hug you?- he asked.
-When have you asked for permission?
-True- he said touching my sides slowly until he reached my belly and pulled me closer to him. His arm was so close to my chest that I thought of how gentle would he be if he touched it.
-Noah?- he asked.
-Yeah?
He moved me in order to face him, lights were off but I could see his face with the light coming from the window. I touched his cheek with my hand and caressed it.
-I like you- I said.
-I like you- he said with a small smile on his lips.
We were close, it was the perfect opportunity. So I closed the gap between us and put my lips on his, closing my eyelids at the same time. I started to move my mouth and he did the same while pulling me closer to him, his hair tickling my face. The kiss was very slow, very tasteful,... He laid me down on my back without breaking the slow kiss and I felt it on my thigh. I didn't mind, we were kissing, it was a natural response. But he didn't seem to notice.