Rating: T

He'd received the news in the middle of swim practice. The brunet had been just about to go another lap, trying to pick up his speed for an upcoming meet, when he heard Nagisa yelling his name frantically, a look of panic that was far too out of place for the usually exuberant blond. Instantly, his heart dropped and he pulled himself out of the pool as the situation was explained. The very moment the words left the smaller's lips, Makoto was already running full speed to the doors.

Barely managing to slip his shoes and team jacket on at the request of their advisor, he wasted no more time, not caring if he was still soaking from the pool. His legs couldn't carry him quickly enough as he finally made it to the train station and boarded the train just moments before it took off.

Sitting wasn't an option. No, Makoto was far too restless and anxious for that. He stood quietly, knees shaking as he itched to simply run all the way to Samezuka instead of waiting for the damn train to get there. By the time he heard the squealing of the tracks indicating they were stopping again, he was practically pressed to the doors, stumbling outside as they opened and pushing his way past the crowd.

He broke into a sprint once more, following the directions Rei had given him for the hospital and finding it with little trouble, thankfully. He slowed to a brisk walk as he entered the eerily quiet medical atmosphere, shaking as he stepped up to the receptionist in order to find out which room was the one he needed. After convincing the nurse that he was family, the backstroke swimmer forced a grateful smile before hurrying off once more.

As he reached the room number given to him, however, Makoto hesitated. He'd only been given the smallest amount of information on the other's condition and he was in no way prepared to see the one he loved and admired the most in this state. Swallowing thickly, a trembling hand reached forward to turn the handle, pushing himself through the frame and quietly making his way to the bedside.

He could already feel the pinpricks of tears in the backs of his eyes as he slowly settled and scooted a chair as close as possible to the redhead. Unable to cease the shaking, the orca grasped at the smaller's seemingly lifeless hand, hearing only the beeps of machinery for a few painstakingly slow moments as he searched for his voice.

"R-Rin ... It's me, Makoto."

Makoto couldn't help the cracking of his vocals, trying his best to calm down. How could this happen? Why? Rin didn't deserve this. What ... What if he didn't wake up? What if ... No. He couldn't allow himself to think these things now. His most precious soulmate needed him in this moment, and he was going to do all he could to bring him back if it was the last thing he did.

"I came as soon as I could. I didn't even change from my swimwear. You'd probably yell at me for that, huh? I'm sorry. Oh, but did you ever notice how slow trains are?"

Letting out a strained laugh, he could feel the warm liquid spilling from his forest hues at a steady pace now. Calloused fingers squeezed the limp hand now as his head fell to rest upon Rin's slowly sinking and rising chest. This simple action was something he was grateful for, that his love was still breathing. But he couldn't stop the tears now that they'd started.

"You're going to be okay, yeah? I just know it. You'll wake up and tell everyone how stupid they are for coming here and worrying over you. You'll throw us all that toothy grin of yours and roll your eyes and act as though nothing happened."

A small smile came and went as fast as it appeared on the brunet's features before he was crying even harder, free arm draping over the shark's waist, clinging to him desperately. His voice was nothing more than a raspy whisper.

"Please, Rin ... Please wake up soon. I don't want ... We said we'd always be together, right? I love you. I love you so much, so please ... come back to me."