A/n: Tadaima~ Surprisingly I am back with another fan fic! And this time it's a FREE! FIC :D :D :D

So I just watched the latest episode of Free! (Episode 7) and I simply HAD to write this fic. Centered around Haruka and Rin. Angst, hurt/comfort. This has nothing to do with the upcoming episodes of Free! so please do not expect this fic to be Canon! It is purely my fantasies and desires (Ok not so much my desires as my fantasies but yeah xD)

So read, review, favorite and follow!

Love~

Disclaimer: I do not own Free! Iwatobi Swim club, the characters or the ships!

One More Time

Chapter 1

"Haru! It's my win. This means I'll never swim with you again. Never."

Nanase Haruka watched the ripples form in the bathtub as he stuck his finger into the water. It had been a week since the Prefectural Tournament where he had lost to Matsuoka Rin. Haruka had disappeared after the race and it had been a week since he had gone to school. His best friend Tachibana Makoto had come over every morning and evening to make sure the raven haired teen was atleast eating three meals a day and not spending all his time sitting in the tub. Haruka squirted the plastic dolphin next to the tub and watched as the drops slid off its smooth surface.

"Never again…"

Haruka raised his hands in the air and slammed his fists down, causing half the water from the tub to over flow and form a large puddle on the floor of the small bathroom. He grit his teeth, frown lines marring his perfect features, as he replayed the scene over and over and over again in his head.

He watched with surprise as Rin kicked off the wall for the return lap while he was still making his way towards it. He kicked off and tried with all his might to catch up. He was right there. Almost. Almost. He heard the buzzer as his hand hit the wall and saw the list of names flash on the screen. He saw the bright number next to his name, but it didn't register. All he could hear was Rin's triumphant roar as he hit his fists against the water, the crowd's cheers ringing loudly all around. He sensed Rin get out of the pool and come to stand above him.

"Haru! It's my win. This means I'll never swim with you again. Never."

Haruka's eyes widened as he processed the information. He could see Rin turn and walk away, but his body wouldn't move. He was supposed to be free. This match between them was supposed to have freed him. Why. Why. Why.

"Haru chan?" Makoto pushed open the door to the bathroom slowly. His eyes went to the puddle on the floor, then to Haruka, whose head was submerged in what little water was left in the tub. Makoto watched as the air bubbles floated to the surface and silently popped. Sighing, he rubbed his neck, wondering what to do. When Haruka didn't come up after several seconds, Makoto made one final effort to get his childhood friend to acknowledge his presence.

"Haru chan I brought Mackerel!" Several more seconds passed and finally the raven-haired teen raised his head. Slowly, steadily, like a dolphin rising out of the water in order to breathe. Blue eyes flashed suspiciously and Makoto held up a plastic bag. Haruka sniffed once, as if confirming that the meadow haired teen hadn't been lying. Seeming to be satisfied, Haruka slowly stood up, the already cold water skimming down his well toned body and swim trunks. Makoto smiled a knowing smile at the sight of the black and purple suit.

"Well why don't you dry up and I'll get breakfast ready?" Haruka stood unmoving, as he stared at the wet towel lying on the floor. Makoto sighed again and disappeared from the doorway, only to reappear with a dry towel and Haruka's school uniform. The latter took the towel but ignored the uniform, as he walked past Makoto. Haruka flopped down on the tatami floor of the living room and continued drying his hair as Makoto began frying the fish.

"You really like Mackerel huh?" When he got no response, Makoto shrugged to himself and placed a plate of steaming hot fish and pineapple in front of the other. Just as Haruka liked it. Even though he never said a word, Makoto could tell that he was in a better mood as the blue-eyed teen gulped down the odd coupling of food and sighed contentedly.

"So… Kou chan was asking if you were coming to school today or if she had to make up an excuse for Ama chan sensei again." Haruka stared at his empty plate, picked a stray crumb and put it in his mouth.

"Haru chan, don't you think you've skipped school for long enough?" Makoto frowned and stuck his head in front of Haruka's face, tired of being ignored.

"Look at me when I talk to you Haru chan! I even went out of my was to buy your favorite Mackerel!" Haruka stared past Makoto and then turned his head.

"I told you not to add chan after my name." Makoto slumped against the table, as though the whole process of finally getting Haruka to talk had been an endeavor. He lay his cheek against the cool wood and watched as Haruka stood up and started to put on his uniform. Makoto immediately jumped up and asked excitedly,

"Eh?! Haru are you going to finally come to school?!" Haruka didn't answer, as he concentrated on buttoning his shirt.

"I don't usually wear my school uniform at home…"

"Yatta! (Yay)" Makoto fist pumped and glomped Haruka.

"Thank goodness! I was wondering what I would tell the others if you didn't come today either!" The bottle-green haired teen leaned against the raven haired one, as he bounced up and down.

"…..Heavy."

Three pairs of wide eyes stared at Haruka and Makoto as they shut the door to the roof. A pair of chopsticks clattered as Matsuoka Gou/Kou ran upto Haruka and jumped on him, teary eyed.

"Haruka saaaaaaaaan! I was sooo worried!" The red-head wailed as she clung to Haruka.

"Haru chaaaaan!" Hazuki Nagisa yelled in an equally loud voice as he too threw himself against the blue-eyed teen. Haruka gave the final member of the Iwatobi Swim Team an exasperated look, as Ryugazaki Rei stood with half outstretched arms. Rei straightened up, cleared his throat and pushed up his glasses.

"Welcome back Haruka Senpai!" Haruka finally managed to pry Kou and Nagisa off of him, no thanks to Makoto and turned to look at Rei with a blank expression.

"Yeah…"

"Haruka sa~n!/Haru cha~n!" Makoto laughed sheepishly as he watched the two jump on Haruka again, the latter steadily growing annoyed.

"Maa maa… Let Haru chan breathe you two.." Several minutes later Haruka was sitting beside Makoto, with Nagisa, Kou and Rei sitting opposite him. Kou and Nagisa had determined expressions and several times they looked at each other and nodded. Finally, Kou opened her mouth.

"Haruka san, it's not your fault you didn't wi-"

"I quit." Kou stopped mid sentence, fists in mid air, determined expression frozen in place, as Haruka interrupted her. Several minutes of silence followed as everyone turned to look at him.

"Eh…?" Haruka stood up and dusted his pants. Turning on his heel he walked to the door and looked over his shoulder.

"I quit."

Four pairs of astonished eyes watched the metal door squeak shut and the latch fall into place.

"EHHHHHH?!"

A/n: Right then! Here's to a new fic! :D -applause-

Just so you know, I SUPPORT RIN X HARUKA AND MAKOTO X HARUKA. THEY BELONG WITH EACH OTHER.

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Love~

P.s read my other fics while you're at it!