Cherry Blossoms (Free! Iwatobi Swim Club- Haru x Makoto)

Chapter Four: The Motherly Acts

Haruka woke up in his bed the next morning. The blankets had gone everywhere, few actually remained on his body. Many of them, however, were on the floor across his bedroom. Haruka's hair was a mess as well, worse than usual. His face was pale, and he started to get cold again.

Oh yes, dreadful. Haruka was getting sick. Probably because he jumped in the ocean at 12 o'clock at night, and the cool air had already set in. It was stupid of him to think he wouldn't get sick, but that made him think of..

"Makoto." He spoke quietly, as if his thoughts needed to enter his mouth. He got out of his jumbled bed as if he was at the door. Maybe he should just go back to bed.. But Haruka was stubborn and went to the door. He opened it and looked outside. No one. But it did seem really bright.

He went back inside and to his bed, falling into it. One of the first days of summer and he was already sick, great. He pulled the blankets from the floor and covered himself in them. One day of laying in bed would get h back to his normal health. It was possible he could even make some mackerel later on.

Haruka had fallen into a deep sleep, he didn't even hear the constant calling of his name. It had gotten louder and louder until it just stopped completely. But it didn't matter, because he was cuddled up in his bed, sleeping. Exhaling quietly, sniffling as he inhaled.

A friend stood at his door, watching the sleeping boy. Haruka was just one for free sleep. Something must have been wrong. Makoto silently traveled over to Haruka in his bed, setting a hand on his forehead. He was burning up. His face was all red.. Aw. Makoto left the room and traveled in to the kitchen.

He started to make what his mother would when he was sick. Green tea and chicken noodle soup always helped. About twenty minutes after Makoto had originally walked out, he walked back in with a tray of food. Since it was only around 11, it could count as lunch. Makoto looked at the sick boy, whispering quietly, "Haruka."

Haru groaned lightly in response. The sunlight coming into his room had woken him, plus Makoto feeling his forehead. "Yes?" He managed the response as he rolled onto his back, trying to look at the figure in front of him.

"Got sick, didn't you?" He grinned quietly to himself, setting the tray down on his nightstand. "I've always told you to resist the urge of the water when it's cold."

"I got flustered, alright?" He merely muttered, letting a pillow go on top of his face. That also hid the giant blush covering his cheeks. He was so flustered back then.. He didn't know whether Makoto was going to kiss him or not. If he did, that would have been quite a reality shock..

Makoto just nodded and hummed to himself. "Well, for being partially responsible for you being sick, I'll take care of you today. Starting with tea and soup." He gently took the pillow off Haruka's face, then dimmed the lights with the blades. "Eat."

"I'm not hungry." He whined slightly, reaching for the pillow. "I want to sleep." Haruka sat up in the bed, getting a bit light headed just from that simple action. Finally he gave up and reached over to the tea which had been steaming for awhile. He took a small sip, the warm liquid softening as it went down his throat. That tasted amazing.

Haruka took a few more sips of the tea, and he took a few bites of the soup before nuzzling back under the covers. He rested his head on the pillow that had been returned to him earlier, more than enough blankets covering his muscular body. He inhaled and exhaled calmly, the sound of his stuffy nose being heard as he inhaled. Finally he just... Fell... Asleep.

Makoto picked up the left over food and drink and disposed of it. He sighed peacefully, looking outside. It was wet and rainy. Though the sun could be seen behind the stormy clouds. He look a few moments to admire the scene before he was slightly interrupted.

"M-Makoto." The weak male mumbled, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, falling down onto the floor. "When can I take medicine again?" He asked, dragging himself over to his couch. Haruka should have really been back in his bed, but he want a taste of something different, besides, his room only looked like blotches of color to him.

"Mmm.." Makoto turned his head towards the clock on the wall, then walked over to him. "You still have about another hour. You should go back to sleep in that time." Makoto sat down next to him, gently smiling.

Haruka shook his head, a little in frustration. "I can't breathe, it's so hard to fall asleep. " He mumbled, pressing his forehead on Makoto's, surprisingly comfortable shoulder.  He decided that this would be the place he stayed, adopting Makoto's shoulder for the time being.

Makoto gently petted Haruka's soft head of hair, smiling to himself. "Go to sleep, alright? Just try." He mumbled under his breath, wrapping his free arm around the sick boy. Haruka didn't resist, he just came up closer to him, snuggling deeper into his shoulder. He let out a sigh, then a small cough.

Haruka eventually fell asleep against the male. His black hair a fluffed mess, his body limp. He'd toss and turn every once in awhile but he mainly stayed still. Makoto had shifted down to lay on the couch, his head resting against a pillow. Makoto had moved Haruka on top on him. His own hands keeping him there steadily.

Makoto eventually fell asleep himself, the two falling asleep in each others warmth.

Who knew small little acts your mother would do when you were little refect on someone else when you get older.

These Motherly Acts simply turned something terrible into something adorable. However, the sickness probably isn't as wonderful as the sprouting relationship. But time will come to when the sprout blooms into a flower. A cherry blossom?

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Okay okay I'm sorry. Its been a really long time. I've been really busy with school and everything and its been really stressful. I'm