Archive of Our Own ^beta

Rin opened the door to his apartment, threw the sports bag in the corner, and locked it. He took a deep breath and leaned his back against the door. Today's training was challenging. The Olympics were approaching and his coach decided to triple his training. He could feel every muscle in his body. His veins were pulling and he felt like there were monkeys jumping in his head. He was hungry, but he already felt lazy to prepare something. Carefully, so that his back didn’t hurt even more, he bent to the ground and took off his boots. He tossed them to the mirror and finally reached the main room, half of which served as the living room and the other as the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator, pulled out a sandwich he had bought yesterday, and he still hadn't finished eating, and lay down on the couch.

As he lay on his back, one hand under his head and the other holding a sandwich from which he was slowly biting, turned his head to the side and looked at his watch. It was only a few minutes after seven in the evening. He held out his hand in front of him. His laptop lay on a small table. He opened it, turned it on, and waited for it to load. He smiled as the main screen appeared in front of him. In the background he had a photo from last year when he decided to meet all his friends on Iwatobi beach. It was just before he decided to go back to Australia to be able to train for the Olympics, where, along with a few of the best students and swimmers, their coach signed them up. Back on the plane, he received a message from Sousuke that Haruka had received the same offer as him, only for the Japanese team. He was glad. A fire of competitiveness burned in his heart, which ignited every time he had the opportunity to compete against Haruk. Even after years, he wasn’t tired of the enthusiasm for their fights.

But now he was smiling at the photo for a different reason. Because he was on it with Makoto. Makoto wrapped his arms around his neck and held his shoulder with the other. He smiled, pressing his face against him, as did his hips and thighs. They were so close…

He sighed. He missed him. He looked at his watch again. Half past six. It was half past five in Japan. Makoto should be home from work. He quickly swallowed the last bite of the sandwich and pressed a small icon on the screen. Immediately several messages appeared in front of him. He didn’t read them, just clicked directly on Makoto's name and the small camera that shone beside his name.

He didn't have to wait long. Makoto was always ready to answer all of Rin's calls. “ Rin !” Came a happy cry that flooded not only the entire space of Rin's apartment, but his heart as well.

The redhead couldn't help but smile. “Hello Makoto,” he greeted him and rolled onto his stomach. He hugged the pillow he had placed under his chest and chin so he could rest, but he could see each other well in full screen.

After a moment, Makoto's face appeared on the screen. He looked tired, but he was still smiling. He had glasses on his nose, which he wore whenever his eyes ached after hours wearing a contact lens. He still had a little damp hair and was wearing a sweatshirt. He had headphones in his ears so that the surroundings wouldn’t hear what he was talking about. He walked down a street that was almost empty. “ How are you, Rin ?”

“Tired,” Rin breathed exhausted.

Makoto laughed again. “ You look so .”

“Are you telling me I look bad?”

“ Of course not! ” Makoto laughed, bringing his cell phone a little closer to his face. “ You just didn't even wash and style your hair after training before our call, and that's always a sign that you're too exhausted. ”

“You need to like me, even if I don't have my day. That's the rule.”

“ What rule? ”

“Boyfriend rule!”

“ Oh, in that case, I should follow it !”

“Of course!”

They both laughed, and for a moment Rin felt as if all the fatigue had subsided. As if they hadn't been apart from each other for hours. As if he could get out of his apartment, get on a bus, and drive to his hometown, where the brown-haired man would be waiting for him with open arms. “ I miss you ,” Makoto broke the silence between them, which wasn't burdensome, but they both made them think about how far they were.

Rin dug half his face into the pillow and muttered, red on his face, “Me too.”

Makoto smiled brightly at him again. Rin's heart pounded at that moment.

He didn't even understand how it happened that he began to perceive Makoto differently. He was always his friend. Just his friend. When he returned to Japan, he was the first person to try to reconnect with him. It wasn't until years later that he realized how unnecessarily stubborn and inaccessible he was. He knew he had changed, and he needed to find peace in himself before deciding to look the past in the face again and confront his friends. From the beginning, Makoto let him know that if anything happened, he would be there for him. He opened his arms, but Rin didn't return it. He didn't want anything to do with them. He felt weak every time he remembered their group. Again, as if he were the little boy who had lost all his dreams.

A slight change came to him at the summer camp. The day he met Gou at the store and she told him that the other boys were training on the beach in the ocean. Suddenly, only one thought flooded his brain. The idea of Makoto. To the boy who was afraid of the ocean. To the boy who was afraid to swim, but tried to fight it. To the boy who smiled in the water only when he had his friends around him and felt safe. He knew Makoto had always been good. Too good. He knew he would pay for it one day, and he couldn't think of anything else that day. His arms and legs were still itchy, trying to run to the beach and punch him in the face, realizing that he didn't always have to do everything for others, but he should also focus on himself.

But he didn't do it. His own fear was stronger. Only in the regional competion, when his captain decided not to add him to the relay and he lost his unique chance to beat Haruka with his entire team, something broke in him. As they swam and he felt his strong arms around his shoulder, he could do nothing but smile again. He felt happy. Again as a boy, but not after his dream ended, but after they won their first gold for the first time.

But then everything happened so fast. They all started meeting each other almost daily, swimming together, eating, talking, exchanging knowledge, but also gossiping and laughing. They laughed a lot. But most of all, Rin laughed with Makoto. Makoto was the one who kept giving him water so he wouldn't faint from the heat. Makoto was the one who gave him his jacket when he thought it was too cold, and Rin, who had suffered from a cold since childhood, should dress better. Makoto was the one who removed the cherry blossoms from his hair, remembering their childish promises. Makoto was the one who gave him his food when he felt that Rin needed more protein. Makoto was the one holding him as he cried and hid in a corner of the locker room so no one could see him. Makoto was the one who laughed the most and celebrated his victory when Rin stood on the podium.

And maybe that's why Rin was the first to fall in love. He didn't know the feeling, but he knew he felt the same way he had soaked his feet in the water for the first time that day. The shudder of ecstasy and the happy feeling that made him feel alone in this world for a while - just him and the water. A calm soul, thoughts wandering around him, a happy heart. All that he felt every time, just for a few seconds, but thanks to that he felt full of energy every day.

That's exactly what he felt every time he saw Makoto. Sometimes he didn't even need to see his beautiful green eyes, stand in the shadow of his tall figure, or feel his sweet cologne. Sometimes it was enough for him to see the message from him. He read the few words full of support and in a moment learned them as a poem. Sometimes it was enough to see something Makoto liked — sweet strawberry ice cream, for example — and immediately smiled when he imagined his eyes light up and put three scoops straight. Sometimes, but only when he was sure he was alone - he just thought of him. And all of a sudden it seemed that all his worries washed away.

It didn't take him long to understand what his feelings meant. He didn't want to give in to them or tame them. He let them flow freely, like a wave rippling through otherwise calm water. Soon, however, the wave hit. And right on Makoto. At first he was afraid of what it would mean for both of them, but the moment a beautiful pink blush melted on his face and he decided to kiss his big, slightly wet mouth - he forgot everything. All doubts, all worries, everything was gone. It was suddenly just the two of them, their lips, the sweet taste of their kisses, the setting sun, and the cold water that washed their feet. They said nothing on the day they kissed. They just held hands on the way home and walked to the stop that led to Rin's school. They pulled away until the train arrived. Rin wanted to kiss Makoto one more time, but he didn't dare. Maybe he was scared, maybe he was ashamed. But it was Makoto who decided to take the next step. He stroked his cheek, kissed his forehead, and left with a smile. Rin's forehead itched all night. He could still feel his lips, the warmth, and the wonderful scent.

They didn't talk about it for a long time. Sometimes they kissed, holded hands. But that was all. They only got their courage at the regional tournament, just before they finished high school. Makoto left to study in Tokyo while Rin returned to Sydney. To start dating would be a complication for both of them, which they weren’t prepared for. Or at least that's what Rin thought. His doubts, however, were silenced by Makoto's touches and kisses, which reassured him that he never wanted to lose anyone as special to him as he was. They called each other boyfriend for the first time.

Although Rin had been afraid of a long-distance relationship at the beginning, it worked strangely. They called, wrote messages, sometimes even Makoto mailed Rin. Sometimes Rin managed to make some time off from his otherwise very busy schedule, and at least for the weekend he looked home. Although everyone wanted to see him, especially his mother and younger sister, who could never leave him alone one evening; but he always found a chance to see Makoto. They always went out for food, walked through the park, bought some nonsense with the idea that they would remember themselves that way - last time Makoto gave him a plush lizard from the zoo, " They didn't have a shark, " he whispered sadly - and then they went to Makoto's apartment. It was small but cozy, and something in it breathed a strange family atmosphere. They ate fruit, sat on the balcony, watched the sunset, and then — they hugged each other in his bed, promising things that neither of them were old enough for, but they both believed in them at the time. They fell asleep in their arms like husband and wife, and at the thought of a gold ring squeezing on his finger, Rin blushed and his heart skipped a few beats.

Still, sometimes he felt something was wrong—

“ Rin ?” The redhead winced and looked back at the screen. He didn't even notice that he was gazing somewhere in the ground, where he watched a piece of his carpet for a long time. He made a puzzled sound that Makoto just laughed at. He was already in his apartment, taking off his shoes. How long has he been immersed in his thoughts? “ You didn't listen to me at all. ” Makoto didn't sound angry, but rather amused.

“I'm sorry, I thought of something,” he said truthfully, resting his hand on his face.

“ Did you dream about something ?"

“A little.”

“ About us ?”

Rin felt himself blush. “S-shut up,” he said, looking at the ground again. He always felt so strangely embarrassed to talk about them. He wasn’t ashamed. But he always blushed at everything his thoughts came to mind. Their dinner together either in restaurants or at stalls, their playing evenings at Makoto’s or Rin’s house, and then their kisses. Especially their kisses and touches. Makoto always knew how to kiss him to dispel all doubts, and how to touch him to feel the strange heat.

Makoto laughed again. Rin dreamed again. He blushed more and slammed his fist into the pillow. “I-it's because you're — because — grr ,” he growled.

“ What, Rin ?” Makoto asked innocently. But Rin noticed that there was something curious and slightly grating in his eyes.

“You know,” Rin muttered, digging his chin back into his pillow. “I miss you,” he repeated.

“ Me too, ” Makoto repeated. They stared at each other for a moment, until the brown hair smiled and added, “ Sousuke wanted me to send you some greetings, he misses you too, even though he would never say it .”

Oh, the strange feeling Rin suddenly had around his heart was back. What has been bothering him lately forcing him to think nonsense— “Yeah?”

“ We met in town, we went to lunch together, ” he replied, as if it were the most common thing he had ever done, “ I have to tell you what happened there. There was a lady with her little daughter, and… ” Rin no longer listened. All he could feel was the strange feeling around his heart.

It started inconspicuously. Four months ago. Rin had just returned to his apartment. He didn't have much to do, so he decided to call Makoto straight away. He needed to see his smile, hear his voice, and not think for a moment. However, for the first time since calling him, Makoto wasn’t alone in the apartment. Sousuke was there. Just Sousuke.

During the time he returned to Japan and finally the relationship between his best friend and his most loyal rival finally settled, Sousuke and Makoto got along pretty well. Sousuke, who was rude and sometimes quite sharp in his opinions and speech, respected, and even looked at, how someone, at first glance so big, was in fact a nice, willing, and loving person who wanted only the good for everyone. Their friendship was building slowly but growing strongly, and Rin was glad at first that the two men who were so important to him, each different; they liked each other.

But after he flew out of Japan, it seemed to him that the two had been too good friends. Sousuke often showed up at Makoto’s apartment, supposedly to help him with his aching shoulder. Rin immediately imagined him sitting together on the couch, Sousuke half-naked, Makoto sitting in front of him, reaching for his shoulder, which he was massaging. As they get close, their breaths mix into one and their warmth becomes unbearable, so Makoto takes off his shirt as well, so that he doesn't feel so hot. They were both guys, both swimmers, seeing each other naked in the showers, in training, even in the pool, when Nagisa decided it would be the most fun to start pulling their swimsuits down from under the water from all their friends was almost normal for them. Sousuke was never ashamed, and although Makoto still had reservations about his body, he had heard his black-haired friend praise him several times, giving the otherwise shy giant a little confidence.

But that wasn’t all. Sometimes he sent him a photo from the lunch where they were together. Just the two of them. Or photo of both of them after Makoto’s training with little kids, Sousuke standing beside him, a wet towel slung over his shoulders, his hair still dripping. They were probably in the water together. Sometimes it even happened that Makoto postponed their call by an hour just because he was somewhere. And Rin knew very well where. At Sousuke’s home.

It scared him, made him nervous. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew that the disgusting feeling in his mouth, which was sore, bitter, sweet, and smelly, meant only one thing - he was jealous. Of his best friend, of his boyfriend. He was jealous that they could be together.

But most of all, he was afraid. They were both smart, so they could talk about absolutely everything. They were both athletes, so they had a common hobby. They were both interested in physiotherapy, Sousuke's because he was a patient, and Makoto because as a future coach he wanted to give his athletes only the best feeling from swimming. That's why it often happened that Makoto tried a lot of things from school on Sousuke and carefully wrote down all the knowledge that the brunette had told him. They both loved video games, so they went to the arcade together from time to time. They both loved good food, but neither could cook, so they went to cheap, yet good restaurants.

They did everything Rin and Makoto wanted to do together. But they couldn't. Because they were divided by the whole ocean. He was always sorry, but over time it hurt. It hurt him to see how happy he was, even though they weren't together. It hurt to hear about all the stories where he didn't figure. They both had their lives, they met other people, they did a lot of things with other friends - but Rin suddenly felt unnecessary. Unnecessary in Makoto's life.

“ Rin ?” It was the second time he had to stop him from his daydreaming. “ You thinked about something again. What happened ?”

“Nothing,” he lied.

“ Rin ,” Makoto tried again. The redhead wasn’t a good liar. They both knew it.

“I'm just tired.” He scratched his hair, sat on the sofa, and sighed. “I won't be very good company today.”

“ Oh, I totally understand that! We'll call tomorrow, what do you say? ” Rin just muttered something in agreement. “ Good. Have something good for dinner, okay? You know you shouldn't eat so many sandwiches. You will gain weight.”

“You sound like my coach.”

Makoto laughed, but didn't comment anymore. “ Have a nice night, Rin .”

“You too, Makoto.”

“ Good night. ”

“Good." With that, Rin ended the call. He sighed. He laid his head on the pillow and stared at the ceiling. Maybe he was really just tired. He thought of stupidity. Sleep should help him.

He got up from the couch and went to his bedroom. He stripped naked and fell into the duvet. The sheets were still a little hot from the sunlight. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Tomorrow will certainly be better.

***

However, the next day was even worse for Rin than the previous one.

He woke up in the morning with a migraine. He had a headache, the world was spinning, and he had a strange fog in front of his eyes. Sometimes it happened to him, often before big races or tests at school. He struggled to his feet, went to the bathroom, opened the closet where he had the first aid kit, and put two pills in his mouth. He swallowed them without water. He found a few eggs in the fridge and went cooking. But during that time, his appetite passed. He could still taste the pills in his throat. He threw the finished eggs in the basket, packed a few things for training, and went to school. At school, the cooks decided to bake his unpopular food, which he couldn't even see, let alone eat. He wanted to buy an energy bar in the vending machine, but it got stuck just before it fell out. He kicked the machine several times before deciding to let it go and go out into the yard to breathe some fresh air. At that moment it started to pour. He got wet in a moment. His classmates, and even his English teacher, lent him some clothes, but he looked like a clown.

It stopped raining just before he went to training. He hoped to at least calm down a little in the water. However, when he went to the locker room and opened his backpack with things, he found that his favorite green swimsuit, which he had received from his mother, had shrunk in the washing machine and was now best suited for a ten-year-old boy before puberty. He didn't have a spare, so he had to take the universal ones. They didn’t fit him, strangely strangled him and slipped in the water, on the contrary. He kept concentrating on it, so he swam so badly. Each wheel had his coach's comments that didn't help Rin's mood. But he said nothing. He knew that an argument would be worthless in this case. After two hours, the coach threw him out of the pool and told him to go for a walk and come back after he got in a better mood. Rin listened. However, he went to the locker room, changed, and left the hall.

On the way home, he stopped at his favorite restaurant, where he went almost five times a week for dinner. But when he came to the door, there was only a written apology on the door. Someone from the upper floor forgot to stop the water and it flowed through the entire restaurant, so it will be closed for a month, including online orders. Rin couldn't stand it anymore and got a little angry with a lot of bad words. Unfortunately, the mother and her little daughter heard that they were walking around him. She opened her mouth in surprise and received a sermon from her mother that it was inappropriate to speak in public like this. Rin paid no attention to her.

He yawned loudly as he unlocked the door to his apartment. At that moment, a fly flew out of the apartment and landed right in his mouth. Before the redhead could register her, he swallowed. He almost threw up on the spot. He went to the bathroom, rinsed his mouth, brushed his teeth. If he ever thought he had a bad day, this one was one of the worst.

He walked to the main room. His stomach began to protest. He hadn't actually eaten anything today. However, he wasn’t in the mood to eat. He immediately sat down on the couch, turned on the laptop and didn’t suffer to look at the conversations. Makoto was online now. He had to call him. He wanted to see him. He needed to hear his friend and give him some energy and happiness.

Makoto didn’t disappoint. He picked up the call immediately. “ Rin !” Makoto shouted happily. This time he was sitting next to him in the apartment in the living room. He leaned his back against the green sofa and leaned forward a little to see the computer screen on the table in front of him. He was wearing his favorite orange T-shirt with a pocket and glasses on his nose. “ You finished training early today .”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Rin said impatiently, making himself comfortable on the couch. “Tell me more about what you did today, how were you?”

Makoto smiled brightly at him. “If you listened to me yesterday, you would know that I had the day off today. Both from school and work. I'm preparing for the exams. ” He raised his hands in evidence, holding a thick book in one hand and a highlighter in the other.

“I'm sorry,” Rin apologized.

“ You don’t need to, Rin, ” he said truthfully, setting the book beside him. “ What happened? ”

Makoto knew him all too well. He knew he wasn't feeling well. “Today sucks,” Rin said wearily, running a hand over his face. He was sweaty and his eyes were burning. He was tired. “You wouldn't even believe what happened to me today. It started in the morning when I—”

“ Hey, Makoto, I don't think it fits me well. ” Rin paused. He watched as Makoto suddenly turned to the side. He didn't look surprised or scared. On the contrary. He laughed until he had to put his mouth down with his hand. “ Don't laugh, motherfucker ,” the voice said.

“ It doesn't suit you, you right, ” Makoto laughed, turning back to the screen. As soon as he noticed Rin's surprised face, he waved his hands in front of his body. “ It's just Sousuke, Rin, don't worry .”

Don't worry? Why should he be afraid? Why should he be afraid that his perfect, beautiful, athletic, smart and single friend was with his boyfriend and - what did he say? That something didn't fit him? Was he naked? Dressed? What was he doing there? “What is he doing in your apartment?” His voice was cold, aggressive.

Makoto noticed right away. He got a little serious. “ Sousuke just came here to— ”

“You know what? I don't want to hear it. I'm not in the mood for this.” He ended the call. He didn't wait for Makoto's excuse, and the laptop slammed shut with too much force. He got up and made a few wheels around his couch. He did this every time he felt upset or nervous. The movement reassured him, but today, as if it had no effect on him.

He heard his cell phone beep. He looked at the display. As soon as Makoto's name with the killer whale icon shouted at him, he dropped the cell phone on the sofa and went to his bedroom. His stomach burned and ached from starving him all day. His head began to ache again. He didn't even take off his borrowed clothes and lay down. He needed to sleep. He didn't want to see or hear anyone now.

***

When Rin woke up in the morning, he felt bad. The migraine was bubbling all the organs in his body again, and he felt that he had suddenly gained a good fifty kilos. He couldn't even get out of bed. The sun was already shining outside, which didn’t add to his mood or pain. He went to the bathroom so he could take two more pills, which he had already drunk this time, and found older vegetables in the refrigerator that he needed to finish. He walked over to his couch, sat on it, and opened his phone when he bit into the cucumber salad. Two missed calls and ten new messages. All from Makoto.

[Makoto: Rin? What happened?]

[Makoto: Rin? Could you call me?]

[Makoto: Sousuke sends his greetings.]

[Makoto: Sousuke is gone. He said he wanted to call you too.]

[Makoto: Are you here?]

[Makoto: Are you sleeping?]

[Makoto: I hope you have a good rest, he looked tired. And a little upset. Did I do something?]

[Makoto: Good night, Rin.]

[Makoto: Good morning, Rin, I hope you slept well and thought of something beautiful. Is everything alright already? Could we call now?]

[Makoto: I hope you had something good for breakfast. Today I went to Mrs. Samazura to buy lemon biscuits. I remembered you right away. We used to come here quite often before, didn't we? She asked about you. I have to greet you and wish you good luck in Australia. The more people ask you, I know the more I miss you. Call me, okay?]

Instead of answering, Rin laid the phone back on the table and lay down on the sofa. He ignored him as his cell phone bounced strangely on the table. He got up with all his might, got dressed, and went to school. He left his cell phone unnoticed at home. When he returned home in the evening, he didn't even turn it on.

The same thing happened the next day. Fortunately, Rin's head didn't hurt so much, but he took pills to be sure. He looked at the phone, found that Makoto had written him another ten messages, and tried to call him twice. He only read a few. However, as soon as his eyes darted over his friend's name - Sousuke stopped by today and asked about you because he couldn't reach you - he trained much more seriously than in the previous days. In the evening, he noticed that Makoto had tried to call him three times, as had Sousuke. He hadn't called him once in his time in Australia. So he had a hunch that something was going on. It raised even more doubts.

On the third day, Makoto wrote a total of twenty messages, but didn’t call once. He asked not only how Rin was doing, but also what he was doing, whether he was training, whether he was eating well. He didn't answer a single question. He read only the last message that came to him just before midnight. He was already in bed, his eyelids heavy and he wanted to go to sleep.

[Makoto: Rin, I'm sorry if I did something. You know I love you, don't you?]

Rin took a deep breath. He wanted to answer him, but his sleep was stronger.

When he woke up in the morning, the message was still open. It was the first thing he read in the morning. His heart pounded. He preferred to take a shower to stop thinking about Makoto for a moment. But the more he tried to fight it, the more he thought about it. He was all the more nervous when Makoto didn’t message him until the evening.

If he could let it be, but it was repeated the next day. Like others and then more. It was the end of the week, and Rin hadn't heard of Makoto in almost four days. It was strange to wake up without his messages for good morning and fall asleep without wishing good night. It was strange not to hear his resonant voice, which was still quite high, even though he had already reached puberty. It was strange not to see his face, so beautifully cut, and yet soft-looking, which encouraged everyone to stroke it.

He missed him. More than ever before.

But Rin was stubborn. He couldn't admit mistakes, even though he knew he had made them. It was hard for him to accept that he had done something. All the more so if the injured person was someone like Makoto. He never wanted to hurt him, and perhaps more than his stubbornness, his cowardice spoke. It was suddenly strange to look into his eyes and smile as if nothing had happened. He knew that Makoto had never blamed him, and if he chose to ignore him like that, after a few sentences, Makoto would be as pleasant as ever and forgive him. And that bothered Rin strangely. He felt embarrassed and knew that Makoto's forgiveness would be worse for me than if he shouted at him and asked for an explanation. As Sousuke once told him - You need a partner as stubborn as you!

Sousuke .

He picked up his cell phone, dialed his best friend's number, and looked at the messages they had written last time. They were in contact occasionally, but always for only a few minutes. Sousuke wasn't the type of person to enjoy calling and texting. However, he made it up to him in reality every time they saw each other. He always filled his time so much that he didn't even know what to do before.

[Rin: Hi, do you have time now?]

The answer didn’t take long.

[Sousuke: Hi. I have, but I'm still working on something.]

He tapped his finger on the screen and sighed. He couldn't start asking Makot right away.

[Rin: How are you?]

[Sousuke: If you want to ask about Makoto, do it now idiot.]

Rin laughed. How could he think he could fool his friend so easily? After all, they had known each other for almost as long as they had been in the world.

[Rin: Haven't you seen him?]

[Sousuke: Yeah. This morning.]

[Rin: I can't call him…]

[Sousuke: That's pretty understandable.]

[Rin: Oh, I see, you've already chosen a side.]

[Sousuke: I don't think you understand me.]

[Rin: ? ]

[Sousuke: This could help you.]

[-Sousuke sent a photo-]

In the photo, Sousuke was in a one-piece, dark blue swimsuit, mostly worn by coaches. He had a sign on his chest, but it was a little blurry, so he couldn't tell which hall it was. He was wet from the water, with swimming goggles on his head. But he was more interested in the fact that several children stood behind him. Sousuke wasn’t one of those who would like children to be interested in him. He always tried to avoid them, and he was known not to long for children in his relationship.

Rin frowned. One of the boys - brown-haired with slightly red eyes, and tall for his age - was aware of him.

[Sousuke: Do you understand now?]

Rin stared at the photo for a moment before he realized it. Wasn't that Makoto's first charge? He didn't remember his name, but Makoto often talked about him. He even sent him a photo from the races where he won second place. But why was he with Sousuke now?

Before he could ask, a bell rang. He jumped. No one usually went to see him. Sometimes it happened that he came to check on him at home, or Mrs. Feyner knocked on the door, who always baked cookies for everyone in the complex once a month, but now he wasn't expecting anyone.

He set his cell phone on the table and walked to the door. He opened them and— “Makoto?”

“Hello,” Makoto greeted him, as if it were quite normal for him to suddenly stand in front of his door.

“W-what - how - w-why - what ?!”

Makoto just laughed out loud, shoved lightly into Rin, and entered his apartment. Rin turned, closing the door, but he was right in front of Makoto’s chest. Before he could say anything, the younger of them hugged him and pulled him tightly to his chest. Rin suddenly forgot all his questions. He could only feel its warmth and wonderful smell. They haven't seen each other in over half a year. Being in his arms again was euphoric.

Makoto pulled away from him slightly, grabbed him by the cheeks and kissed him. Rin groaned contentedly. He dipped into his lips like his favorite delicacy, which he wanted to enjoy to the last bit. The world around them ceased to exist for a moment. It was just Makoto, his big palms warming his cheeks and his laughter, which blended into their kisses.

They kissed for a moment before Rin pulled away and finally started thinking again. “W-what? How come that… What ?!”

Makoto laughed again. Rin's heart almost jumped when he finally heard the resounding laughter other than through the speakers at his computer. “It would need a little explanation, wouldn't it?” Makoto scratched his hair nervously. “Do you know how we talked last time about the fact that our school offers the best students stays abroad?”

“Yes?” Rin asked incomprehensibly. Makoto tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. Rin thought for a moment before taking a wheezy breath and almost shouting.”Y-you—!”

“Yes!” Makoto shouted enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around Rin's shoulders. He pressed it against his chest again. Maybe too hard, Rin feared for a moment that he would break his nose. “I did it, Rin. I got lost and got into the top ten of the year! When I went to ask the rector if I could apply, he enthusiastically agreed. I already had everything ready. Where I want to go, what school…” He kissed Rin in the hair.

“Y-you will…” He didn’t answer. He looked at Makoto's face.

The brunette nodded. “I'll be your classmate from next semester.” With that, Rin lunged at Makoto and began kissing him again. Makoto laughed into their kiss. “But it's just for a year,” Makoto said as he finally pulled away from him.

“Just? Just ?!” He shouted in disbelief. “That's more than I ever could have wished for!”

They hugged again. Makoto began to play with Rin's hair, and after a moment of silence, he asked quietly, “...What happened a week ago?” Rin drew closer to Makoto, but said nothing. Makoto was silent for a moment before asking again, “Was it because of Sousuke?” Rin buried his whole face in his shoulder and just grunted. Makoto pulled away from him, and before Rin could protest, he said, “You know Sousuke and I are just friends, don't you?”

“Of course,” Rin said, perhaps too quickly and honestly. But it was worth Makoto's bright smile. “You just were together so often that I…”

“Do you know why I've been with him so often?” Rin shook his head. “He decided to help me. He helped me with learning. And I'll get him used to my kids.”

Rin stared at him. “You left your students to him?”

Makoto nodded. “The manager agreed. He wasn't happy when I said I will leave after this year, but when I brought Sousuke with me as my replacement, it was immediately after remorse,” he laughed.

“When you return, you will not know the children at all. He’ll learn then how to be rebellious.”

Makoto laughed. “Maybe. But Sousuke promised to keep an eye on them, and I trust him. In addition, I decided to call my class every week and check on it a bit. After all, they have grown to my heart in those two years, and I want to know that Sousuke takes good care of them.”

“You'll miss them,” Rin said something they both knew was true.

“I will,” the brown haired man admitted. He looked into the red eyes in front of him and smiled. “But it's worth it.” He kissed Rin lightly. He immediately pulled away from him and said, “I'm only here for a week now, to sign a contract with the school, to get the keys to the apartment… But will you show me something in Sydney in your free time?”

“Sure, I'll take you on an excursion,” Rin said enthusiastically, hugging Makoto by the side, “and it starts in my bedroom.”

Instead of answering, Makoto just laughed and kissed Rin. He certainly wasn't complaining.