Rin cleans up any left-over cups and plates, humming to the low music echoing across his backyard. The night sky glitters, compounded with light from the neon blue glow of the pool and the flickering warmth of the torches. He’d hosted a barbeque and pool party after practice for ‘team bonding’, extending it to friends and old Iwatobi and Samezuka classmates as a mini reunion. Based on the tight hugs and praise he’d received from everyone as they left (including extra boisterous approval from the happily drunken Mikoshiba boys), it had been a rousing success. He smirks to himself, preening as he remembers the adoration- he can do anything he puts his mind to!
(Damn; he can already see Gou’s confident grin at her ‘daily affirmation’ trick working its magic.)
He’s just finished putting the last bag in the trash bin when a nearby quiet splash makes him chuckle.
“We talked about this. One day I won’t know if you’re dead or alive in there, floating around like that in the dark.”
Without missing a beat, he mouths the expected response:
“The water is alive.”
Oh, Haru. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean you are. You certainly scared the shit out of me the first time you did this.”
The first time this happened, Haru had still been readjusting to enjoying the water, so he should have figured that he would have been in the pool, but he’d had other things on his mind. That, and he was supposed to be meeting him at Rin’s house after Rin got home. Suffice it to say, he didn’t expect a dark floating body when he’d gone outside to turn on his pool light. Abject humiliation was the only way he would ever feel about his high-pitched scream that night, but to be fair- he’d thought someone drowned in his pool!
It’s clear that Haru remembers this well because he- giggles? “Mm. Join me.”
Raising an eyebrow, Rin sits in the small staircase at the edge, the cool water reaching up to mid-chest.
“Haru. Come over here.”
When Haru instantly obeys, rising from the water like silk and sliding right into his embrace, Rin immediately confirms something’s up. He cradles Haru’s face, tilting it side to side, watching the wider-than-usual blue eyes struggle to focus.
Diagnosis? “You’re drunk.”
Red-faced, Haru giggles again, humming affirmatively before enthusiastically shoving his face into Rin’s pecs.
“You always feel nice right here. So soft.”
Flushed, Rin grips him closer- only so that he doesn’t sink under! “What happened?”
“Mikoshiba. Both of them.”
An annoyed click of the teeth. “Damn it; you all know you’re not supposed to swim when you’re this drunk! Something could have happened! Didn’t Makoto stop you?”
His mind flashes to Makoto as he left, bright red, grinning ear to ear, and peppier than ever as he got into his ride home. Of course he didn’t; so easily influenced.
“The water is alive,” Haru repeats, head bobbing lazily. “Shouldn’t…fear it...”
Haru, this spiel makes even less sense than normal! Before he can continue to chastise Haru, his lips are suddenly brought down into a sloppy kiss, Haru’s grip in his hair messy and excited. Haru tastes of sweet, tropical fruits, of sharp, clean Stolichnaya, and unadulterated lust. Rin knows he needs to pull back; he knows he needs to put his foot down-
But it won’t kill either of them to let the moment happen, just for a little bit-
Fuck it.
Their bodies slot together perfectly in the water as Rin firmly presses Haru’s waist closer to his own, moaning into the kiss. In response, Haru shudders with desire, happily tonguing in a way that begs for more as he ruts up into Rin’s embrace. They’re both gasping like they’ve swum a full speed 100m when Rin finally pulls away. Undeterred, Haru only moves his hands to Rin’s chest, laughing when Rin panics and holds him up by the elbows.
“Have you ever thought of swimming free in an Olympic pool? No lanes, just the entire open pool, under the bright, blue sky? I do.”
As adorable as this new trait of waxing poetic is, it’s time for Haru to get out. Rin notes that he’s not even pumping his legs in the water anymore, knees pressed against the concrete floor. Still, he can’t help humoring him.
“Do I get to be there?” he teases.
He swears it- Haru actually purrs. “You’re always there, Rin-rin.”
Blushed with pleasure and embarrassment, Rin stands, heaving Haru out of the water.
“Noooo,” Haru whines quietly, pouting. That pout makes him feel like he needs to beg forgiveness, preferably on his knees, but Rin is responsible now, damnit, and he’s going to be the bigger person. He certainly has to remind himself, steeling through all the face kisses and flirtation (and one longing, lascivious ab lick that rippled under his skin and teetered him a little too close to the edge) as he helps Haru shower and prepare for bed. The man knocks out the moment he hits the soft pillow.
Now he lingers under the hot water of the shower, arms braced against the wall, trying to will his currently rock-hard situation down. Every time he blinks, he envisions walking back into their bedroom, kneeling directly over Haru’s face, and begging him to finish what he was doing with that tongue earlier. Because somewhere in the middle of their make out, Haru had begun to keen with pleasure, and Rin knows that that means Haru’s about to come, and the face that he makes when he does is usually enough to make him follow right after- and there it is. His back arches, climax splattering unevenly onto the shower wall with a desperate, breathy gasp. Hissing at the sensitivity, Rin succumbs, rubbing the rest of it out, trying to ignore his gremlin-like glee at the loss of his self control.
He makes a note to fuck in the pool some time in future. There’ll just have to be no guests in it for a while- that’s fine.
It’s only when he’s soaking in the tub that he finally notices his phone pinging with notifications. The majority of them are letting him know that everyone made it home safely, but one from Asahi makes him pay closer attention. Frowning, he responds.
Something’s not right.
Uncertainty, poignant and sickeningly familiar, pools heavy in Haru’s stomach when Rin silently comes down for a quick mackerel and fruit breakfast. Normally, he receives some sort of mischievous comment about the fish, or maybe something provocative involving the apron and the lack of clothes underneath. Yesterday morning had even gone as far as Haru being happily pinned by his stomach onto the couch, apron thoroughly ruined under both of their excitement.
He can’t imagine asking Rin to do anything today, not with that simmering, far-off expression he’s wearing at the moment. He swallows his nerves and goes about their routine. Sometimes he attempts a question and receives an answer with teeth as sharp as their responder, but instead of retorting he squashes the usual defensiveness rising within him.
Fine. Rin will speak when he’s ready.
That’s what he’s trying to tell himself. It’s not like Rin doesn’t love him, he’s just struggling to communicate.
Practice goes much the same way. Whenever Rin is having an off day, the team knows to give him the space he needs to crush it out. Normally, a productive race and a post-practice dinner to complain is enough to wear him down into his jovial self. Today is different- there’s a jagged chip on his shoulder, and no one wants to be the first to knock it off. Ikuya even gently asks Haru if everything is okay at home, to which an uncertain Haru can only look away.
It finally comes to a head in the locker rooms. Haru is the last out of the showers and is only half dressed when he hears a loud slam, followed by muffled, panicked shouting. Heart racing, he sprints to the commotion, pushing to make his way to the center. The shouting is much louder, Rin’s irate voice echoing as Sousuke and Asahi have each of his arms locked, trying to pull him away. On the other side, Ikuya stands flustered and defensive in front of a clearly rumpled Hiyori.
“You’re lashing out like a child, as per usual,” Hiyori hisses, rubbing at his cheek.
“A chil- who do you think you are?! Let me go!” Rin roars, kicking his legs. “Sousuke! Asahi! Damn it, put me down!”
Kisumi is the first to notice Haru, and immediately goes to shield him from the view.
“Kisumi, what the hell happened?” he demands, chest heaving with frustration as the coaches finally make their way in to break things up.
“I don’t know what kickstarted it,” Kisumi begins softly, trying to placate Haru’s visible nerves. “Me, Sousuke and Asahi just came to meet you both after practice as planned. Everyone was here, just talking. Rin was sitting over there all quiet, then Ikuya and Hiyori walked past. They must have said something to each other, because in a blink Rin exploded, practically launched Hiyori into the lockers and punched him square in the jaw. Before anything else could happen, Ikuya tackled him away, and before Rin could land a punch on him, too, Sousuke had yanked him away. Then Asahi jumped in, and now we’re here.”
Haru turns, locking eyes with Ikuya, begging for more understanding. For a moment, confusion, and pure shame flashes through Ikuya’s eyes, and he sharply turns away. The coaches finally break the crowd up, demanding that everyone take a day to cool off tomorrow. Hiyori and Ikuya quickly leave, allowing Sousuke and Asahi to release Rin. It’s clear that he’s still vengeful, tense shoulders heaving with unexpended fury. He and Sousuke are having a quiet, vehement conversation, and Haru finally makes his way over.
The moment Rin sees Haru he freezes, horrified. He stutters forward, hands raised as though he wants to plead his case, and hope rises in Haru’s heart. Then his face falls in defeat, and he races out of the locker room. Shattered, Haru moves to follow when Sousuke holds out an arm.
“Give him some space right now.” At an affronted look, Sousuke minutely relaxes, laughing quietly. “He’ll put his foot in his mouth if he says anything now. He’ll be home later, I promise.” With that, he speeds out.
Ice slowly crawls through Haru’s veins, and he knows he’s shaking as he tosses on his shirt. With each step toward the train station, his heart throbs just a little bit louder as wave after wave of abandonment consumes him. It’s not like that, he tells himself. Rin’s just upset at what happened today.
His graciousness finally slips away, resentment quickly taking its place.
He’s been pissed all damn day! Why couldn’t he just tell me what the hell was wrong?! Why can’t he ever just tell me?!
I thought we were doing okay again…
He’s well acquainted with the angry and defensive voice that races to the forefront in his mind. Once more in his life he feels helpless, like everyone has walked away from him with no explanation. It’s sickening, and infuriating, and he hates it.
Shame is not a good enough word to describe the way Rin felt the moment he’d looked into those confused, disappointed eyes. Disgrace? Mortification?
Haru, please, he wanted to beg.
Don’t look at me like that.
There I go again.
That same damn look-
I’m always making him look that way-
He thought he’d grown out of this sort of behavior, thought that he’d finally gained control over his emotions and reactions. He doesn’t even bother to greet when he walks in; the aggressively kicked off shoes in the hall let him know that Haru’s rightfully pissed at him.
To be fair to himself, he’d called when he was on his way home. Sousuke had encouraged him to do so after he’d calmed down. Don’t be stupid. You’re dating now, he’d sighed. There is literally no reason not to call him. Don’t backtrack. Just because he’s upset doesn’t mean it’s all over. The instant ‘caller cannot pick up’ message had been expected yet hurtful, well deserved. He can’t punk out of this one; it’s going to have to be face to face.
Taking a deep breath, he makes his way back to the pool. It’s deserted- the pool lights are on, water unoccupied. The concern rising in his chest vanishes when he pulls on the bathroom door, and it’s locked. That’s how Rin knows it’s worse than usual- there was a much larger body of water outside, and yet Haru has retreated to the one with a lock.
Rin slides down the door, trying to keep his voice from wavering.
“Haru? I’ll just stay out here and talk to you.” Asshole- you can’t walk in anyway! He grins sadly, running a hand through his hair. “That was dumb. Let me start over. I’m sorry about today, okay? Honest. I didn’t mean to turn my back on you. I was just pissed off, overwhelmed, and too humiliated to look you in the face afterwards. Sousuke told me how stupid I’d been once he caught me; I promise that’s all it was. You didn’t do anything wrong; it was all me. I didn’t leave you behind, not like that. I won’t do that anymore.”
A choked hiccup comes from behind the door, the only indication that someone is listening. He bites down on his wavering lip, trying to steel himself against his own misery.
Use your fucking words, Rin. We’re not in high school anymore! Haru deserves to hear you explain yourself clearly.
“Yesterday, after the party, I got a text from Asahi.” He’d never forget it.
‘It’s wild how things have changed over time. Hiyori and Haru get along much better now. Now we’re all eating dinner and laughing together.’
When he’d inquired as to why they wouldn’t get along, he ends up with this hour-long conversation about some drama involving Ikuya, how things came to a head after a race between Hiyori and Makoto.
About how Hiyori had specifically insulted Haru.
Rin explains all of this. “I simmered on it all night. I was trying to figure out what I was going to say to you, what I was going to say to Ikuya. I wanted to get it right for once. Of course I didn’t. And then, that bas- Hiyori walked past me, and I saw red.” He’s laughing quietly at this point. “I didn’t even get to threaten him yet; by the time I had him against the lockers, the rest of the team was on my back. I didn’t even know Sousuke and Asahi were there until they were holding me back.”
Hiyori was smart- Rin was sure that, from the terrified yet knowing look, that he knew exactly why Rin was violent with him.
“It bothered me that I didn’t know, that I wasn’t there for you when he said that shit. It bothered me that no one ever said anything! He was there at the party, and you seemed fine enough around him. I didn’t sense anything, and I’m sure you considered it handled. Still, I felt stupid because I didn’t know. This was someone who hurt you by targeting a trauma that I helped cause- why would you even think about coming to me with it, you know? It was just another situation where I couldn’t protect you when you might have needed me. I was so fucking mad, so helpless, at him and myself. I’m sorry, Haru. Please forgive me.”
Tears are pouring down his face, yet his heart feels a little lighter at getting all that off his chest. It really hurt that Haru himself hadn’t told him. However, given that their communication pre-relationship had been nothing short of abysmal, he knows he has no right.
For a couple queasy moments there’s only silence, and he’s sure Haru is silently telling him to shove it. With a defeated sigh Rin stands, and suddenly there’s the rush of water and slapping footsteps. He only turns in time for the bathroom door to open, a soaked Haru rushing into his arms. Tremendous relief overtakes him, and they both slump to the floor, still embracing.
“From now on if someone hurts your feelings, let me know, please. I’ll do better on my end to look out.”
“I’m not upset by what happened anymore.”
I am, Rin thinks, but I’ll just have to be more vigilant.
“But… there is somebody who hurt my feelings,” Haru begins, nonchalantly.
There’s more?! “Who?” Rin scowls.
“Well,” Haru hides a small smile. “He’s on our team, has red hair and sharp teeth, and is always challenging me. Extremely difficult. ”
Oh. A relaxed grin spreads on Rin’s face. “Sounds like an asshole. I’ll knock some sense into him immediately, make him apologize.”
“The coaches are going to make you apologize.”
Rin hides his embarrassed grimace in Haru’s shoulder. He’s already got the furious message from the coaches that his behavior was out of line, and his penitence includes an apology to Ikuya and Hiyori in front of everyone. It had riled up his fury again, just when Sousuke had calmed him down, kickstarting the third repetition of him cursing out the air. He swallows his bile; he’s sorry for acting out, but he got his point across. It won’t happen again.
An obnoxious stomach rumble cuts through the peace, its presence driven home especially when Haru starts to snicker just as obnoxiously.
“Hungry, Rin-rin?”
Red-faced, Rin hides Haru’s eyes with a palm. “If dinner tonight is some form of mackerel, no.”
Hiding his eyes doesn’t help. That overwhelming, adorable pout is in full force, especially when Haru moves his hand to peer at him. It always makes Rin laugh, and today is no exception as he kisses Haru, a potent combination of humor and lust making for an interestingly intimate feeling.
His heart drops to his stomach, blood even lower, when Haru lightly licks near his ear. “Stand up.”
Molten garnet eyes meet molten sapphire, and Rin slowly rises from the floor, back sliding up the wall to support the way his knees shake at the unwavering expression on Haru’s face as he pulls down Rin’s pants.
“Ah, Haru-shit-” he moans, eyebrows furrowing when a teasing smile noses at his waistband, the warm fingers gripping at his waist tantalizingly slow and shockingly tight.
“Do you need something, Rin?”
“You know what I want.” A blush is high on Rin’s cheekbones as he claws onto Haru’s shoulders, the nails leaving bright red, desperate indents. Why does Haru have to tease him like this now? He apologized already, didn’t he? Can’t he catch a break?
“I want to hear you say it.”
Guess not.
Rin bites his lip, trying to hold back. When Haru licks up from his inner thigh to his balls, and up the line of bulge to the tip, sucking enough for a spot of moistness to bubble through, his eyes roll back, and all of his shame goes out the window.
“Suck it, fuck, let me put it in,” he whimpers. With a satisfied grin, Haru pulls him into the bathroom, slams the door, and pushes him onto the wall. When they lick into each other’s mouths, Rin can faintly taste himself, and the filth of it finally makes him push Haru to his knees. As promised, Haru is quick to take him into his mouth, slurping so fervently that it’s in direct opposition to the serious expression in his eyes. It’s shamelessly endearing really- the way everyone can always tell when Haru was serious as he reemerges from the end of the lane; the way only Rin can tell that it’s the same expression when he’s in ecstasy.
The true pleasure of calling Haru’s swimming ‘orgasmic’ is an honor that only he knows, and possessiveness has him bucking his hips into the searing mouth, one hand grasping for dark hair as he sighs his contentment with every glide of the soft tongue. He’s on the peak of climax when he pushes Haru away, swollen red lips slick with fluid and eyes full of confusion.
“I’m about to come, give me a minute,” he breathes, chest heaving as he tosses off his sweaty shirt.
“…Did you want more?”
“Shit, Haru. You know I want more! Just, give me a second!”
He should have known that the blank face Haru gave him at his request meant trouble. One moment, Haru’s eyes are flicking toward his twitching dick, the next his lips are swallowing the head whole. Rin shrieks out of both embarrassment, sensitivity, and delight, torn between smacking Haru’s shoulders away and sealing them in a death grip. His voice keens higher and higher until he almost finishes right there on the floor, and that’s when Haru lets him go.
“Can’t take anymore?” Haru murmurs, eyes playful as he grabs a towel and some oil from the nearby counter and places them on the floor.
Smirking, Rin takes advantage of Haru’s arrogance by flipping him onto his back on the towel, straddling his legs.
“Fuck dinner; who needs it with this meal underneath me,” he flirts, drawing a finger down Haru’s chest before grinding up against swollen hardness underneath him. He keeps moving, watching with pleasure as Haru’s eyes flutter close, pretty blush overtaking his features as he gasps into the motion. Ever merciful, he lets Haru bask for a little while, then he grabs behind his neck and pulls him upwards into an embrace. He bites high on the neck, making sure there’s a visible mark before sucking at it lightly.
“Rin- stop it-I’m-” Haru hisses, pulling away to hide his face in the firm shoulder. Rin’s head lolls back in laughter before he grasps both their members together, using a little oil and Haru’s own pre-come to slick the stroke.
“What’s wrong, Haru?” he murmurs. “All that ‘effort’ earlier, and you’re still going to lose to me?”
The word ‘lose’ sparks like flame, Haru’s eyes flashing just the way Rin expected they would. Rin’s resulting grin breaks into moans the moment Haru takes the oil and their fluids, using it to breach two fingers inside.
“Are you okay?” Haru asks a couple minutes later, now four fingers deep. The nerve to flutter his lashes so innocently! In response, Rin arches down slowly over each finger.
“Shut up.” You know exactly what you’re doing to me.
“Just making sure you’re all right.” The sly comment is followed by a press right to Rin’s prostate, causing him to jolt forward. “You might be overwhelmed.”
Scowling, Rin pulls off of Haru’s soaked fingers, before grabbing the other’s dick and lining up. Without any further ado he pushes down, motivated by Haru’s urgent clinging. They both mewl carnally as he bottoms out. Once settled, he rocks back and forth, first slowly to adjust (it had been a little overwhelming, the way Haru’s dick always is, but he’s not going to capitulate now!) and then with fervor. Every slap of skin is instantly gratifying, watching normally stoic Haru’s expression crumple with desire, his eyes fluttering shut with passion as Rin rides him.
“Fuck, ah- if this is what happens every time you need me- ahh yes- I-”
Nails tighten into Rin’s back with every moan, painfully clawing downward with how desperate Haru is to hold onto him. Rin moves forward, only adjusting to firmly hold Haru’s gaze as he continues to rock.
“I’m not going anywhere, Haru,” he breathes, licking into Haru’s mouth a little before moving to his ear.
“I promise.”
“I’m here.”
“You’ll always have me.”
The sounds that Haru makes in response will live rent free in Rin’s mind for the rest of his existence, Haru’s full body shudder almost bringing them both to heel right there. Suddenly, Rin’s knees are high in the air, back firmly on the ground.
“Bite down, and hold me tight,” Haru commands. The moment Rin tentatively bites down onto the strong shoulder, Haru snaps his hips forward in a punishing rhythm and causes him to clench a little harder than he means. It absolutely has to hurt, but any complaints would fall on deaf ears, as Haru only grips his legs even tighter. It’s only a couple thrusts in before Rin can’t take it anymore, head rolling back, salacious moans loud and uncontrollable.
“I- I can’t- Haru- ah-yes, there, fuck me-”
His cries fall on welcoming ears. Haru’s eyes are squeezed tight, his body’s only mission to seek both of their pleasure. Rin is on edge, and he’s about to beg for release when Haru leans back, lifting one leg into the air for a short kiss to the heel before continuing the onslaught.
It’s too much, and a crying Rin’s back arches off the floor as he comes. A couple seconds later a spent Haru follows behind, collapsing on top of Rin.
“I win,” he mutters, making Rin roll his eyes. “I’ll take a nap, then we’ll go again.”
“Again… Haru? Haru? Don’t fall asleep here! On the bathroom floor?! I’ve still got- my as- it’s leaking! Get up! Haru!”
The next day, when he has to do his public apology, Rin is wearing a full body swimsuit. No one has to question what happened, when Haru nonchalantly practices as normal, upper body littered with red lines, kiss marks, and two gigantic bite marks.
In fact, to general disgruntled respect, it’s almost as if they swim even faster.