Chapter Text
Day One // Monday
“Haru! Get the door already!”
Haru stifled a sigh as he fished out the key. It would be faster without you hanging off me, you know. Rin’s arm was hooked over his shoulder—and had been for a while, adding to the encumbrance of their gear bags and luggage. Below the placard to room 506, a sign had been affixed to the door—
Welcome National Swim Team! Kirishima Ikuya, Nanase Haruka, Matsuoka Rin
—above the JAPAN logo in black with a bright red sakura blossom as part of the first A. The same logo adorned the team apparel they all wore, Haru’s jacket pinned beneath dual bag straps and Rin’s elbow. Ikuya waited off Haru’s right, patient and quiet (terms that he’d never use to describe Matsuoka Rin), waiting with his headphones slung around his neck.
Haru unlocked the door and opened it, revealing a room with three beds—evenly spaced with nightstands in between, a balcony with sheer drapes facing the opposite tower of the National Training Center Athlete’s Village, plus desk and closet space, and a flat screen TV. It would be home for the next two weeks of their first ever training camp, not that Haru expected to do much in the room other than sleep, given that the NTC boasted three pools—including the teched-out 50m at the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences—in addition to the baths on the first floor of the Village.
Every day of living his dream was a little bit better than the last. There would be hard work, challenges…dryland…for sure, but it was all worth it to be swimming with his friends, taking on the world together.
The only thing he couldn’t quite figure out—
They entered the room, Rin drawing him back against the full-length wood-paneled closets so Ikuya could pass them. “Take your pick, Ikuya,” Rin said with a casual voice and lethal smile. “Haru and I can sleep anywhere, so...” His shrug exuded nonchalance and he still hadn’t moved his arm.
—was why Rin was acting so weird.
As Ikuya surveyed the bed options, Rin moved in closer, his breath warm against the shell of Haru’s ear, though his whisper was clearly meant to be overheard.
“What do you think, Haru? Almost as big as the bed we shared in Sydney, huh?”
Why are you bringing that up? “I count three beds, Rin.” He quirked a brow at the shark perched on his shoulder. “Unless you’re planning on using mine?”
Rin laughed. “Don’t be weird, Haru. Just because we used to.”
Haru rolled his eyes.
“It’s kind of nostalgic, yeah? When we were on the same team in sixth grade, we slept over at each other’s houses all the time. My mom cooked saba for you.”
That was good.
Ikuya set his gear bag on the bed nearest the door, his luggage beside. “Kind of like the time our medley relay team stayed at your house, Haru?” Ikuya glanced at them (at Rin mostly), sweeping aside an errant strand of teal hair, a cool smirk in his eyes. “Only that was a week and we cooked for ourselves.”
Haru remembered. Rin stiffened and made a small noise, irritation written on his face before he composed himself, nudging Haru in the hip.
“Hmph. How was it?”
Haru couldn’t help but smile as fond memories drifted through his head. “Tasted better than it looked.”
Ikuya brightened at that, his gaze warming, cheeks dusted with pink—just like the Ikuya Haru met in middle school. He turned towards the bed, busying himself with his gear and luggage and not quite succeeding at hiding a small smile.
Rin snorted quietly, finally pulling away. “I never did cook for you, Haru, did I?” He set his things on the center bed.
“We had hot pot the other night—”
“Doesn’t count.” Rin perched on the foot of the bed and grinned, subjecting Haru—without the courtesy of a warning, like always—to the full force of a Matsuoka Rin smile. “I’ll cook something you’ll like. Let’s do it at your place, after this camp’s over.”
Haru gripped the strap of his gear bag and looked away, working moisture back into his suddenly dry mouth. “Sure.” I want saba. He focused on Ikuya, ignoring the heat in his face. “You should come this time, Ikuya.”
“Mm.” Rin hummed in agreement. “You should. We can each cook something.” The challenge was implicit, Rin’s voice as smooth as his smile.
There was a flicker of something in Ikuya’s eyes—just the hint of it—as he zipped up his gear bag. “Pass. But thanks for the invitation, Haru.” He lifted his headphones over his ears, turning for the door. “I’ll see you guys down there.”
Haru returned Ikuya’s wave, fighting a twinge of disappointment.
As soon as the door was closed, Rin flopped down on the center bed with a loud whoomph, arms outstretched. “Haru, can you believe it? We’re really here, really taking on the world together—”
—And just like that, Rin seemed normal again. (Albeit, like a giddy sixth grader, but…) Haru exhaled, carrying his gear bag and luggage to the bed next to the balcony.
Maybe I’m just imagining things.
Day Two // Tuesday
“—Haru! Why aren’t you up yet?”
Haru grunted, jerked from his dreams about an endless sakura-filled pool by 68 kilos of shark splashing down beside him. “I’m up,” he muttered, rubbing his face and managing to crack an eye.
Rin was lying next to him on the bed, dressed and stretched out on his back…close enough that Haru could smell the mint on his breath.
Too close. Haru twisted away, conscious of the fact that he hadn’t brushed his teeth yet.
“Hit the track with me.” Rin prodded him in the calf through the blankets.
The blue glow through gauzy curtains said how early it was. Haru pulled the covers over his head. “Nn. Pool or saba.”
Rin chuckled. “We’ll be in the pool all day.”
We’ve also got dryland.
The lump next to him shifted positions…absently reminding Haru of bed-sharing in Sydney, the way the mattress moved whenever Rin did. It was weird at first—feeling every time Rin stirred or rolled over, the warmth of a body within his personal space (though Rin invading his personal space was not exactly new). He’d gotten used to it by the time they left; even now, a year later, he remembered what it felt like.
“Has it been so long that you forgot?” Rin asked, his voice softer. “When we got up early to run along the beach by your place, or on the pier in Sydney?”
Haru’s fingers curled into the blankets. I didn’t forget any of it. The air underneath grew stifling; Haru held his breath and held still.
Rin’s next words were a true whisper, only just audible through the covers. “Come run with me, Nanase.”
Haru’s lungs emptied. He pushed the comforter down, turning onto his back—
Rin was on his side, perched on an elbow. Still too close. The longing in his gaze gave way to a sly smile—he knew he’d won.
With heat gathering in his cheeks, Haru climbed out of bed on the opposite side, nearest the balcony. “I need to change and brush my teeth first.” He grabbed his toiletry case and his dryland clothes to trade for the T-shirt and shorts he’d worn to bed.
“Five minutes, Haru.” Rin settled onto his back, slipping his hands behind his head and looking mighty comfortable on a bed that wasn’t his.
You’re being weird again.
Haru headed for the door with his things, absently noting the way Ikuya rolled over in his sleep, facing away from the room.
-x-
The morning was crisp, mist burning off as they jogged side-by-side around the covered track, sharing Rin’s water bottle. Haru worked up a good sweat by the time they hit eight laps and slowed to a walk.
Rin checked his watch and grinned. “You’ve improved, Haru.” He drank and wiped his mouth, tossing the bottle over.
Haru caught it, glaring mildly at his friend. “I haven’t neglected conditioning.” The cool water tasted heavenly; he drank several mouthfuls.
“It shows.”
Haru swallowed and lowered the bottle, just catching the flick of Rin’s eyes down his frame. He cocked a brow.
Rin blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean, you’ve filled out. You’ll have the problem where your clothes don’t fit anymore.”
“I already have that problem,” he muttered. Some of his favorite T-shirts were too tight across the shoulders now.
Rin smiled again, catching the bottle when Haru threw it back. “If you need to borrow anything, let me know.”
“Ah.” Haru relaxed. It felt good to be teammates again, not just friends. “Thanks, Rin.”
“Eh…” Rin brushed sweaty hair from his eyes, his cheeks reddening. “Stretch a bit and head in?”
“OK.”
-x-
Haru eyed the pool as their Team Japan coaches described warmups. Glossy water beckoned under the overhead lights—eight lanes, fifty meters, with cameras and timing boards ready to go. The entire team was already stripped down to their practice suits, JAPAN caps on, goggles perched on their foreheads. Haru could taste the chlorine with each breath. If not for Rin’s hand clamped onto his left shoulder, he would’ve been up on the blocks—
Rin leaned in. “Pay attention, Nanase,” he whispered, a teasing lilt to his voice.
“I’m listening,” Haru said, his gaze not leaving the water. “Six hundred meters—three hundred free, one hundred each kick, drill, stroke.”
“Uh-huh.” Rin got closer, sliding an arm around him instead. “What stroke are you gonna show me, Haru?”
Invading his space again… Rin’s skin was warm against his, making the temperate natatorium seem chilly in comparison. Haru met his friend-slash-rival’s gaze head-on. “What stroke do you want to see?” I’m good at all of them now.
Rin’s smile became a grin. “Show me fly.”
“Fine.” Haru shrugged beneath Rin’s arm. “Ikuya, fly for stroke.”
Ikuya was just to Haru’s right, working a wrinkle from his swim cap. “Sure.”
Rin exhaled through his nose, his face smoothing. The look he gave Ikuya was, charitably, not quite a glare.
I think I’m starting to see a pattern, Rin.
The three of them had the fast lane for warmups, sandwiched in line by National Team veterans, former Olympians. Ikuya was in front for their trio as they waited for the lane four block. Rin hadn’t moved his arm and seemed determined not to as he fixed Ikuya’s back with a cool smile.
“Keep your pace up, Ikuya. Or you might get bitten.” He flashed his pointed teeth as Ikuya glanced at him.
Haru fought a sigh.
Ikuya lowered his goggles over his eyes, stepping up to the block as their senpai dove into the lane. “Not my kink, Rin, but I’m not judging.”
“—Tch.” Rin flushed scarlet and Haru pressed his lips to keep from laughing.
As Ikuya dove, Haru took advantage of a flustered Rin to slip ahead.
“I’ll go next, Rin.” He climbed onto the block, winking over his shoulder before settling his goggles into place. “Maybe I wouldn’t mind—”
“Oi!” Rin turned several shades of fuchsia and Haru smiled to himself.
Setting his feet, he dove in, following Ikuya down the lane.
-x-
Haru’s first full day of training at the national level was worse than anything Coach Azuma ever threw at him. He could barely move, dragging himself from the pool after their third session, straight to the ice baths. It was cold even for his liking and everything still hurt when he climbed out six minutes later.
After dinner, he followed his teammates to the first-floor baths, reluctantly deciding a hot soak would help (and because others got annoyed when he hogged the 18°C plunge pool just outside the sauna). Haru washed up and eased himself into a corner of the jetted bath, wincing as every muscle in his body protested his movements, no matter how slight. If this kept up, he’d probably have to find one of the trainers later in the week and get a massage.
Folding his towel away, Haru settled back and closed his eyes. It wasn’t quiet, but he could at least pretend it wasn’t crowded, that he was back at his apartment in the bath with the TV left on—
“Haru, scoot over.”
Damnit. Haru exhaled through his nose, looking up at Rin—a wet Rin clutching a towel around his waist, standing just beyond the edge of the bath. Ikuya was on the opposite side of the room in the even hotter, non-jetted pool—within visual range—and for some reason, that meant Rin had to occupy the same space as him.
—Regardless of the fact that the jetted pool was sectioned off for individuals and Haru had claimed the far section for himself.
Frankly, the thought of Rin being all handsy and close to him while they were naked was intriguing and not at all unwelcome (particularly since he caught Rin checking him out this morning). But it wasn’t an experiment he was willing to try in front of half of the National Team. He’d already noticed a few long looks directed at them over the course of the day.
“No.” Haru nodded to the opposite side of the bath. “Sit there.”
Rin studied the offering and sighed. It was (generously on Haru’s part) the same section of the bath and Rin apparently deemed it acceptable, stepping over the ledge. “Don’t look unless you want a show,” he muttered, undoing his towel.
Haru looked.
“Hey!”
Reverse psychology; you shouldn’t have said anything. “Nice tan line.”
Rin gave him an epic scowl as he sank down, the frothing water covering his lower body and part of his torso. “Where’re your legs? So I don’t accidently kick anything.”
“Here, Rin.” Haru moved his left foot, nudging one of Rin’s ankles.
“Thanks.” Rin’s cheeks flushed pink, their calves brushing as he got settled.
Why are you being self-conscious? It was your idea to sit together. Haru sat back again, closing his eyes. Whatever.
For a whole sixty seconds, Rin was quiet. The heat soaked into Haru’s muscles. Bit-by-bit, he felt the tension in his core and in each limb unwind. Then—
“Na, Haru.” Rin’s leg bumped his underwater.
“Hm?” Haru didn’t open his eyes.
“Brutal day, huh?” Rin’s voice was relaxed now, letting Haru easily imagine a warm, boyish smile on his face.
Haru hummed in agreement, unwilling to look—to break the spell of it being just the two of them by letting in the busyness of the baths.
“Worth it?” Rin asked.
Haru bumped his leg against Rin’s in answer, smiling. “Yeah.”