Notes: I am so, so, so sorry for such a late update! But I have now finished Uni for the year, so I should be able to get this story done soon, because there's not much left to go and I have it planned. Anyway, I'm sorry (omg on that cliffhanger too God I can't apologise enough) but I hope that this chapter somewhat lives up to expectations! Thanks for still sticking with this story, and your lovely reviews; they mean the world to me! So, yeah.. enjoy! =)

Chapter 9 - Eighth Hour

Haruka could clearly remember the day he met Makoto. This shy, little boy in a bright yellow t-shirt had wondered over to where Haruka had been drawing peacefully. Normally he would've just ignored him and carried on with his own business, but there had been something about the boy... an obvious gentleness and passion that had intrigued him even at such a young age. And of course, when Makoto had started to cry for some reason that Haruka still did not understand, he'd had little choice but to try and comfort the boy. Unfortunately (as he'd thought back then) that had cemented the two together for a long time.

It wasn't as terrible as he thought it might be, having a best friend. His own parents were often busy with work, and as his grandmother got older it became more difficult for her to watch over him, so the Tachibana's had quickly made their home open instead. Makoto's mother was warm and loved to fill him up with wonderful food - sometimes even giving in to Haruka's relentless requests for mackerel. Makoto's father told funny stories and taught the two sports, football and baseball (although Haruka had already become strongly enamoured with swimming by this point). It was a home away from home; in some ways, a better home.

But even better than all of that was Makoto himself. Eventually he began to grow out of his shyness - partially because of Haruka's blatant refusal to speak for himself most of the time - and he quickly began to show others himself as the kind and funny soul that Haruka adored. Of course, that led the overwhelming mothering aspect to present itself in full force too, but Haruka learnt to put up with it. They both joined Iwatobi Swim Club, where they fell in love with the sport, the club, and a lot of the people too. Due to Makoto's new found confidence he'd quickly made friends and made sure they would become Haruka's friends too, which Haruka was always grateful to even though he didn't voice it. Nagisa, Yazaki-chan, and even Rin, they all considered Haruka a friend despite his quieter ways. Even though he was never overtly kind to any of them, that he could see, they showered him with their own generosity.

Why had they wanted to be friends with him?

Why was Makoto friends with him?

He shook his head slightly. It wasn't the first time he'd had the thought. Likely it wouldn't be the last either but it wasn't helping anything. Not like he could just ask without making the other upset. Or cry. He didn't want that. He didn't want any of this. His head was swimming. It was hard to believe they'd been stuck in these changing rooms for over seven hours now. Seven hours! Usually by this time he'd be enjoying his nightly bath just before bed. Could he resent the others for taking that away from him? Yes, he sure as hell could. And would.

It was too much, he decided, the whole situation. Being kept from swimming, kept from his bath. Locked in a cramped room for an inhumane amount of time with only a little food and water to keep him going. Being in there with Makoto. Haruka shifted slightly so he could watch the other without being too obvious. Makoto was already watching him, his face a mixture of confused and uncomfortable. His jaw was set almost defiantly though. Haruka grimaced slightly, wrapping his arms around his chest loosely. When had Makoto gotten so tall anyway? During that stupid basketball game he'd been able to cross the entire room in two steps. Granted the room was relatively small, but it was still impressive.

He'd changed so much though, Makoto. Looking at him now, Haruka could barely believe it was the same little boy who stuttered when he tried to greet people, who hid behind Haruka when he was scared. Now he was confident, tall, and... well, he did still try to hide behind Haruka despite the annoyingly obvious size difference that now existed. But he was different. Popular with girls and boys alike, and always willing to lend a hand even at inconvenience to himself. He was likeable, and kind, and generous.

Looking at Makoto now, all Haruka could see were good things.

'I know you like Rin, Haru.'

The words echoed in Haruka's mind. The mere thought of it was preposterous. Sure, Rin was a friend, a good friend even (no matter how much Haruka tried to deny it to himself). But that was all he was, a friend. Surely Rin reciprocated that feeling too.

So where had that come from?

Was it possible that Rin had been right? Did Makoto like Haruka... romantically?

In some ways, it made sense. If he thought about it carefully, he could understand why the others thought those looks Makoto gave him were aimed in a different way than friendship. But he didn't want it to be true. If it was true it meant that he'd been blind to Makoto's real feelings for a long time, and that made him uncomfortable. It also meant that he'd been unknowingly ignoring Makoto when he would have been coming to terms with something confusing and difficult. It would mean Haruka hadn't been there for his friend in a time of need.

That thought made him angry.

Angry at himself mostly, obviously. He should have been more observant. Haruka had always secretly prided himself on his ability to observe and make correct judgements of situations. He was a good people reader, even if he didn't really care what he read. If he had missed something so important in his best friend of all people... well, he couldn't pride himself any longer. God, but what would Makoto have been feeling if that was the case? Makoto knew very well that Haruka could always see the ins and outs of things. Would he have thought that Haruka didn't care? Or that Haruka didn't want to see it? That he was disgusted with the thought?

No that couldn't be it. He wouldn't let that be it. Makoto knew him better than that. Yes, Haruka judged people easily for letting their emotions rule them... but, Makoto would know that Haruka would understand, right?

What if Makoto didn't? Would their friendship be ruined over this?

He was angry at Makoto too, he realised. The other should have told him if he liked him. Makoto's mother had always preached to the two of them that honesty was the key to any good friendship, or relationship in general. They'd taken it different ways: Makoto always broke the truth sweetly and apologetically, trying not to hurt anyone in the process. Haruka had been less caring - always less caring - blurting it out regardless of how anybody else would feel. Makoto should have told him!

Makoto would have told him.

Every thought he had was making him more confused and angry. He just had to figure out if Makoto really did like him, and then he could advance from there. Subconsciously he began to bite on his lip, something he hadn't done since he'd been very young. It would be an obvious sign to Makoto that he was worried. His thoughts were drifting from one point to another, never deciding fully on one train for too long, distracted and disoriented by other thoughts and emotions flitting themselves into the forefront of his mind. The only thought that seemed to make its way round and round frequently, which made Haruka bite hard down on his bottom lip, was that he wouldn't mind if Makoto did like him.

He wouldn't mind if Makoto liked him.

"What did you want to talk about, Haru?"

It had been such a long time since he'd heard a physical voice that Haruka jumped and bit down too hard, immediately tearing the skin, the metallic taste of blood flooding his mouth. He grimaced, annoyed at himself, and at the taste. It was never pleasant. More important though was the face of his friend watching him uncharacteristically passive. It set Haruka on edge. The look never lasted long on Makoto's face, and only appeared when he was really fed up. Usually when he was tired. He tried to smile and lessen the tension but it had no effect, only making the other don a small frown.

Haruka wracked his brain, his eyes travelling to the ceiling in an attempt to see the memory that Makoto was referring to. What did Haruka want to talk about? Oh yeah, Rin!

Coughing to ease the lock in his throat, he rubbed his hands together delicately. "About us. About what you just said, Makoto."

The brunet sighed, his jaw clenching once again. "What I said? What did I say, Haru?"

Haruka felt his eye twitch slightly at the question. What did he mean by that? Obviously Makoto could remember the damn conversation, why was he making Haruka spell it out?! "You said," he spoke slowly, letting his irritation show clearly, "that I 'like' Rin."

Makoto snorted quietly, his eyes falling to the floor. "Oh yeah."

For just a moment Haruka imagined going up to the other and punching him right in the face. But the image of him having to lean up so high was so embarrassing that he let it go.

"What about it?" Makoto continued after a second.

"Where the hell did it come from?"

Green eyes met his with a wave of incredulity. "Where the...?" A laugh suddenly left the other, a breathless bark that trailed into an irritated sigh. Haruka watched as Makoto's fists flexed once or twice, uneasiness growing. It wouldn't be undignified if Makoto tried to hit him; no reaching up necessary. "It's just obvious, Haru. And it's fine. I'm happy for you both."

"Stop it!" Haruka yelled, jumping up from his place on the bench, frustration pouring through him and leaking out before he could retain it. "Stop saying you're happy! You're not happy, Makoto, that's plain as day. And anyway, I don't even like Rin so why are you saying such stupid things?"

Pausing, Haruka took a deep breath trying to halt more words that he wanted to throw. It was ridiculous. Even if Haruka did like Rin, Makoto lying about being happy was more annoying than anything else. Who knew that he had such a liar for a friend?

Just as Haruka was absorbed in his feelings of anger, Makoto seemed to be staying impossibly calm. He'd barely flinched at Haruka's yelling, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought, the only change in his face that Haruka could see. Were their roles reversed today or was Haruka only just now noticing that Makoto could be just as stubborn as he himself?

Seconds ticked by without another word, Makoto watching Haruka with a calculating look, and Haruka glaring back. I should say something. He's not going to speak to me, he's being too stupid. These thoughts hit Haruka at every turn, followed by opposites. Why should I speak again? I just finished. If he's too stupid to respond that's his problem. Even worse, Haruka knew the thoughts were immature, but he couldn't rid himself of them. His emotions were all over the place now that he'd let them out of their usual cage.

Luckily Makoto did speak first. "You... really don't like Rin?"

He said it in a hurry as if the words were poisonous.

Haruka smiled, happy that he hadn't been the first to break. Happy that Makoto was finally seeing the truth. "No, Makoto. I really, really don't like Rin."

Makoto shut his eyes slowly, as still as a statue. He was breathing heavily, Haruka noticed as he watched intently, as if his entire body was expelling itself of long worn unwanted baggage. Never before had Haruka seen his best friend like that. It was definitely suspicious. Haruka was starting to think his friends were right. He supposed he should be more concerned about the idea of Makoto liking him. Or did he not mind? Why did his mind insist on going over this again?

Maybe you should just let him know. Surely that would make this whole thing easier, if he knows that you could like him back.

That was the logical thing to do, of course. But then what would happen to their friendship? Would all those years, as long as either of them could remember, just… gone? As if they'd never known each other? Haruka couldn't let that happen, and he sure as hell wouldn't! Makoto was his rock, he knew that even if he would never let anyone know that – especially Makoto himself. Losing him was unthinkable. Over such a thing as 'liking' to boot!

There was a reason Haruka had a loathing for emotions. Complications like this.

Not having emotions was difficult though. It took a lot for him to hide them from others, or to keep them locked up tight enough that at least nobody noticed he had them. Impossible at times, but usually he kept a good watch on them. Others didn't have the same control though. Makoto didn't have the same control. And that was why they were in this mess, locked in a changing room going on nine hours. Blaming Makoto though… seemed wrong. It wasn't his fault that others had noticed his feelings. Haruka definitely couldn't blame him for that. Especially as he hadn't noticed them himself. That was still eating away at him – why hadn't he noticed sooner?

Maybe he'd been ignoring it. That made sense. But it was annoying to think that way. Why would he ignore something so important about his best friend?!

Because you're a bad friend.

If there was a way to shut up his conscience he would like to know it.

Haruka looked to Makoto again. He was still unmoving, his eyes still closed. Despite himself, Haruka was annoyed. Why wasn't he saying anything? It was Makoto's job to talk when there was silence. An unspoken duty, but he was sure that the other was aware of it. Haruka couldn't be the one to confess first. It was too embarrassing.

Wait. Confess? Haruka had something to confess?

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing miserably. Was it being trapped that made him think of such things, or were they his true feelings? He had a feeling he was being disingenuous with himself; bad, yes, but worse would be to carry that onto Makoto. Haruka would do almost anything than intentionally cause his best friend harm. If Makoto liked him…

Well, that was the key: if Makoto liked him. Haruka could still feel a part of him unconvinced to the notion. Why? He couldn't really say. But he could feel it, like an itch in the middle of his back that he just couldn't reach no matter how hard he tried.

His eyes began to trace around the room unknowingly, searching for an answer. An answer to a question he couldn't remember. It was infuriating. The room was getting dimmer by the second, he thought. Gone 11pm now, he could hear the wind whistling through the unobstructed air, journeying through gaps between buildings and through new leaves on old trees, rustling noisily. Free. Unlike Haruka who was staring at the same walls.

Dim as the room was, at least the light was back on. His anger at Nagisa and the others still had not dissipated over that. Sometimes Haruka wondered why he put up with the small blond, swimming relays aside. He caused more trouble than he solved with his 'genius' ideas that seemed to come about whenever he was left to himself for more than a second. Truthfully, Haruka wasn't sure that Rei even helped much despite his initial cool impression. And Rin… well the less to be said about him the better.

Now with the room lit again, Haruka could see not only the cracked tiles of the changing room floor, and the small puddle of water that had built up from the dripping shower head, but he could also make out his and Makoto's bags still piled by the door. Next to them lay the basketball that they had played with earlier. Haruka found himself glaring at the ball before he could help it. His arms had also crossed tightly over his chest. He was perplexed. Why was he feeling such strong emotions from staring at a basketball? It couldn't be from the game earlier: he wasn't even remotely annoyed about that. No, it couldn't be that…

Why did Makoto even have the ball with him anyway? Haruka couldn't remember.

Shrugging, he turned his focus back to Makoto who now seemed to be watching him sadly. Although, when Haruka's eyes met his momentarily the greens immediately hardened up once more, blocking any blatant show of emotion from the blues sight. Haruka sighed, trying not to roll his eyes. Irritation was abundant within him, and Makoto's mood swings weren't helping. Why was he sad now? Haruka had just told him that he had no feelings for Rin, surely that was a good thing! Now Makoto could realise that he and Haruka had a chan – oh.

Oh, that was right. Haruka's eyes widened with realisation, mouth falling slightly agape. Absently he noticed his posture slump slightly. Kisumi. That was why Makoto had the ball. He was going to play basketball with Kisumi.

Now it was Haruka's turn to close his eyes. Of course things couldn't be that simple. Of course Kisumi had to get in the way again! Lip curling slightly in distaste, Haruka swivelled to turn away from his friend, both hands moving to push his fringe out of his face for a second. He should cut his hair, he hated it when the thing got in his eyes forcing him to mess with it countless times a day. But Makoto liked it long.

But Makoto likes it like that? What does that matter, Makoto likes Kisumi more!

Ugh. If only Kisumi had stayed gone. The stupid boy just had to come back at such a crucial point in their lives, didn't he?

Haruka couldn't even blame Kisumi. What was there to blame! If Makoto liked Kisumi that was fine. Haruka didn't like Makoto like that anyway, did he? He was just going to say it to make Makoto feel better.

Then why did he feel so angry at Kisumi again?

No! There was no way that Haruka liked Makoto. It had been a spur of the moment thing, his idea to confess. That was all. The thought had never crossed his mind before Rin had come along spouting his nonsense again. Surely it would have if Haruka had been subconsciously hiding romantic feelings for his best friend all these years, wouldn't it? Yes. That made sense. He would have thought of going on dates with Makoto, kissing Makoto, other things with Makoto. But he hadn't. He hadn't had those feelings, those thoughts.

You're a jealous friend, that's all. You always have been.

That could be it. That probably was it. Of course that meant that Haruka had to get over that childish impudence straight away else end up hurting Makoto. If Makoto liked Kisumi then Haruka would be happy for him. For them both.

'It's just obvious, Haru. And it's fine. I'm happy for you both.'

Haruka wanted to scream. Makoto was the furthest thing from a jealous friend, so how could they both be trying to say the same thing? Letting go of his grip on his hair and letting it fall back into its annoying place, Haruka began to rub at his eyes instead. He would just have to ask Makoto, and then he could figure out what his own feelings were. Trying to decipher it by himself wasn't working. There was nothing more to do.

He took one last deep breath, blinking rapidly to get some moisture back into his eyes, and turned back around to face Makoto.

"You like Kisumi though, don't you?"

And at the same time, "It would be easier if you liked Rin."

Both of them paused for a second, listening to what the other had said. Makoto began to frown just as Haruka shook his head in disbelief. It would be easier if he liked Rin? What did that even mean? He decided to ask.

"What?" he said.

Makoto ignored him. "I like Kisumi?"

Yes you like Kisumi! He wanted to shout, to rage, at Makoto's tone. He sounded like he was trying to hold back laughter, which made Haruka want to flare up, already feeling a rush of blood filling his cheeks. Another old habit, he began to bite on his tongue gently to stop himself saying anything stupid. God, but only Makoto could ever insight this sort of reaction in him; he had Haruka acting like a little kid again.

Just as he decided to speak – calmly! Speak calmly – to inform Makoto that he did, in fact, like Kisumi and had done since Middle School, the other did just as Haruka hadn't wanted him to. Makoto began to laugh. In the small changing rooms the sound echoed horribly off the cold walls and tiles, hitting Haruka from every direction.

It annoyed him… and yet, Haruka was glad to see the taller boy laughing again. It had been a few hours, three or four at least, since he'd seen anything other than a scared or ill look on the usually smiling face. It made him smile despite himself, his heart thumping a little faster than it should be. After a moment, they were both laughing loudly. Haruka thought to what Nagisa and the others must be thinking on the other side of that microphone. Probably that they'd gone insane. Haruka wasn't sure that they'd be entirely wrong.

They carried on like that for a while until Makoto began to hiccough and he made over to the bench where he picked up his long forgotten water bottle to take a sip. Haruka's laughter died down as he watched the other, head tilting upwards slightly as the figure got closer. Silence wrapped around them quickly. The raven haired boy wanted to fidget at the combination of that and the proximity between them once again, but he couldn't bring himself to. He was caught up in watching his friend pick up the bottle and drink from it. The way his head tilted up and his light hair fell away from his face. Those green eyes closed as his lips pursed comfortably around the top, Adam's apple bobbing as the water travelled down his throat. Did Makoto shave yet? Had he reached that time in his life where he had to shave every day? Haruka hadn't, picking up the gene form his dad that made it so he didn't really grow facial hair quickly. Had Makoto ever nicked his neck shaving? Not that Haruka could see. He'd have to touch to really know.

Oh, God, but he wanted to touch.

The fingers at his side twitched, so Haruka busied them with grasping his trousers instead. He was not going to embarrass himself any further. This was the end of the embarrassment train; he had already missed his stop a few hours back. Instead he waited in silence for the other to finish his sip, acutely aware that he was perhaps stood too close. Moving back would just alert Makoto to that fact though. Silent and still, that was how Haruka was going to play it now.

When Makoto did decide to finally put the cap on his bottle, his eyes moved to watch Haruka from the peripheral. Even that put Haruka on edge, Makoto watching him so calmly. Neither moved though, just stared at one another for a good minute or so. Haruka could feel his nails scraping at the rough material of his school trousers; he could hear it slightly.

Makoto dropped eye contact first, his eyes moving to stare at the bench in front of him. He heaved a heavy sigh and then sat down. Now his head was tilted upwards to look at Haruka. The smaller boy gulped a lump in his throat. Makoto smiled.

"I don't like Kisumi like that, Haru." Makoto's voice was gentle again, the voice that Haruka was more used to hearing – not the agitated tone from earlier. Their eyes were locked in a battle that neither seemed capable of winning. Haruka had always liked Makoto's eyes, the green reminding him of the beginning of Spring, just when it was getting warm enough to swim again. Haruka wished he wasn't so trapped.

Makoto sighed again and continued in a quieter tone. "I like you, Haru. I… really like you, Haru."

His heart skipped a beat. Boy, was he trapped.