Chapter Thirty-Two

Makoto stares down at the bouquet of flowers clutched tightly in his hand, wondering if he's going over the top. Roses are supposed to be an expression of love, a classic first-date present, but what if Haruka thought roses are tacky and predictable?

His free hand flies to the hem of his button-up shirt and he straightens it, fidgeting in his spot. He can't seem to gather the courage to knock on the door.

His parents aren't home yet, Makoto reminds himself. Nothing to worry about, Makoto, it's just Haruka. Your childhood friend. Who you're just going on a date with. Even though you've already had sex twice.

Makoto's face flushes red when lewd images flash through his mind unintentionally. With a deep breath, he sits on the front step, forcing himself to calm down. He probably sits there for a good five minutes, giving himself a mental pep talk, when the door is opened. Makoto whirls around in surprise as Haruka pokes his head out the door. "Makoto?" He asks cautiously. "What are you doing just sitting there?"

"Uhhh-" Makoto cannot seem to find the words to form a cogent sentence. All abilities to make proper conversation have flown out the window, leaving him a stuttering mess. "I'm just, um, a bit nervous, I guess?" He stares down at his lap, an abashed expression on his face. "Here, um, I got these for you!" Makoto jumps to his feet, pushing the bouquet of flowers into Haruka's chest, failing to look him in the eye.

"Oh, Makoto, you didn't have to-" Haruka's lips part in genuine surprise. "I'm going to take these inside. Come in for a moment, why don't you?"

Haruka rushes into the kitchen, head ducked down - Makoto swears he sees a faint blush painted on his cheeks under the bangs falling in his face - while Makoto waits in the foyer. He smiles instinctively and looks around the house, recalling its details. There is not a thing out of place, save for a dark-blue apron carelessly thrown over one of the dining room chairs.

When Haruka returns, the shy blush has faded, and Makoto takes in his appearance. He looks like, him, which is such a stupid thing to say. He's dressed nicer than usual, a red cuffed button-up with a black button vest and dark grey skinny jeans, but the style is still very fitting to his personality. He tugs on a pair of shoes while Makoto nods towards the apron.

"Haru-chan, have you been eating properly while your parents have been gone?" He asks in a very motherly way. Which, well. Nagisa always jokes about him being the mom friend, and Makoto's never shaken off the worry he has for others. If Haruka wasn't getting the proper nutrition, Makoto wanted to know. He recalls from one of those teen mental help books that a proper diet, hydration, and exercise are key; healthy body means a healthy mind.

Haruka shrugs one shoulder half-heartedly, lacing up his high-tops as he sits on the bottom step of the stairwell. "I've been making fish and rice," He responds dully, in the same Haruka way he always does. "And I've gone to the store a couple of times. For like, milk. And other stuff."

How specific, Makoto thinks in dismay. He's still not convinced Haruka's eating as properly as he should, but he nods anyway and offers Haruka his hand to help him up. "Shall we go?"

They walk to the station, with Makoto enjoying the feeling of the cool wind blowing against his skin contradicting the warmth of Haruka's hand in his. Haruka's eyes remain on the seaside when they walk along the boardwalk, and their conversation is rather one-sided, but Makoto doesn't mind that much. He's used to talking and just having Haruka listen. That's just the way they worked.

When Haruka is no longer distracted by the beauty of the ocean, he grows increasingly impatient on the metro as they take their seats. It's not as busy as expected, being a Monday afternoon, so they get seats close to the automatic doors. He keeps pestering Makoto where they are going, but Makoto remains tight-lipped, telling him that it's a surprise. Though, he nearly caves when Haruka jokingly bats his eyelashes at him.

God, Makoto thinks, crossing one leg over the other and forcing himself to look away. That should be illegal.

Still, he manages to keep quiet. Haruka huffs and slouches in his seat, staring out the window and watching the underground world pass by. The metro ride is longer than usual, because Makoto's taking Haruka to the other side of town, away from the city and towards the south side of Iwatobi. When they get off and leave the station, the world is practically a plain, with only the occasional building and tree.

"Wow, a date in the middle of nowhere," Haruka jokes. "You sure know how to treat a guy right."

"Shut up," Makoto nudges his shoulder into his side as they walk. "We're getting there. It's not much further."

"Ooh, are we going to an abandoned warehouse?" Haruka clasps his hands together, his voice exuberant with melodrama. "Oh God! I'm going to be tied up and left for dead!"

Makoto rolls his eyes playfully, saying nothing but grinning nonetheless. When they approach the dull-looking building - and no, it is not an abandoned warehouse, Haruka comes to realize - Haruka eventually sees the flickering fish-shaped sign that says open. He immediately realizes where they are.

"You're taking me to the aquarium?" His eyes light up, and he can't help the smile that grows on his face. Makoto treasures that shining smile; he still hasn't gotten used to seeing them, and he's not sure how much longer he'll get to see them, so every single one is precious to him, and, of course, it makes him smile as well.

"Well, yeah! We haven't been here since that field trip, right?" He reminds him as they enter the building.

"First grade!" Haruka remembers, snapping his fingers. "Wow, you really remember that?"

"I told you, I remembered everything," Makoto grins. They share a smile.

"Wow, that was over ten years ago," Haruka says with a sigh. "I remember you got so scared of the sharks, and you wouldn't let go of my hand. Think you'll be okay this time?" He teases.

"I don't know," Makoto whistles, a sly smile on his face, "You may still need to hold my hand."

"I think I can manage that."

They approach the front desk, where a bored-looking guy in his twenties sits on a stool, hand cupped in his chin and staring at a phone. He pulls out his earbuds and looks up at the couple as they approach, looking unfazed at their intertwined hands.

"Two tickets, please!" Makoto holds up a peace sign.

"Do you want to see the dolphin show as well?" The guy asks wearily, jamming a thumb in the direction of a poster attached to the cash register with a piece of tape. DOLPHIN DANCING SHOW! It reads in large block letters. TODAY ONLY! 5 PM!

Makoto looks to Haruka for confirmation, and the sparkle in his eyes screams a definitive yes. Makoto nods and pulls out his wallet, handing the guy enough money for two walking tickets as well as extra for the dolphin show.

"Have a good time on your date," He says monotonously, the cash register chiming as he opens it and feeds the money inside. "Entrance is that way," He lazily points over his shoulder.

Makoto cheerfully wishes him a good day and drags Haruka towards the entrance, where the lights go from a brightly-lit lobby to a completely dark hallway. He instinctively grips Haruka's hand tighter - another dumb fear, he thinks, the dark's always spooked him - but Haruka doesn't laugh like he expects him to, which makes him feel a little bit better. They keep walking until they see a bluish light, and as they approach it, they're whisked into an underwater world of wonder.

The first hallway is a wide archway built out of glass, and they're surrounded by water. Makoto cranes his neck to admire the ceiling, watching a school of fish swim by. He feels like he's looking into a kaleidoscope of all shades blue; shades from the finest piece of china to blue raspberry popsicles to royal jewels. The blue has an intensity. A purity. A depth.

Makoto wants to reach his hand through the water, carve an opening, and slip inside it forever.

He feels himself being tugged towards the left side, and he watches in amusement as Haruka childishly presses his nose against the glass, open-mouthed and starry-eyed at the clownfish wiggling through the anemones.

"Do you remember the charms they sold here in the gift shop?" Makoto recalls fondly as he watches the baby clownfish trail behind their parents, tiny fins flapping hard to keep up.

Haruka hardly manages to break away his focused gaze on the flow of energy in the aquarium, staring at Makoto in awe. "Yeah!" He looks surprised. Perhaps he isn't used to Makoto remembering everything. In all honesty, he wasn't either. "Remember how we both wanted the dolphin charm?"

"I do!" Makoto chuckles. "But I let you have it, right?"

"You know, you didn't have to do that..." Haruka mumbles quietly, glancing towards the glass again. "You wanted it too."

"But I could tell you wanted it more," Makoto smiles. "Plus, I liked the clownfish too. It was cute."

Haruka is silent. When Makoto sneaks a look at him out of the corner of his eye, he sees a faint blush painted on the apples of his cheeks. He's worrying his bottom lip with his teeth, looking like he's debating on saying something. Makoto waits a moment, and then another, knowing he'll say it eventually.

And after a minute of tense silence, he does. "I still have it, you know," He finally whispers.

"The dolphin charm?" Makoto echoes.

Haruka nods slowly, his face coloring a darker hue. "Kept it. Reminded me of you."

It is now Makoto's turn to blush. That's the sweetest thing, he internally gushes. I can't believe he kept that trivial piece of plastic all these years. That's... Wow.

"Aww, Haru-chan!" Makoto cries in a sing-song voice, wrapping his arm around his shoulder and pulling him into a tight hug. "You're so cute!" He laughs.

Makoto doesn't need a glimpse of Haruka's face to know he's scowling. "Shut up. And don't call me -chan." Makoto just giggles some more, keeping his arm around his shoulder as they walk down the rest of the arched hallway and turn the corner.

- - - -

The rest of the aquarium is just as magical as the first hallway. From schools of brightly-colored fish to slimy sea creatures to smiling stingrays that bob up and down in the water, every twist and turn is a new underwater adventure. More than often, Haruka looks like he wants to break the glass and climb into the tanks to swim with them, and Makoto has to hold him at a safe distance so they don't get sued for flooding the building.

They get so caught up in admiring the aquatic scenery that they nearly forget about the dolphin show. Makoto checks his watch, eyes widening at the time, and he takes Haruka's hand and yanks him through the winding hallways back to the upper deck, where the show is held. Haruka protests behind him as he struggles to keep up, something along the lines of "Jesus, Makoto, I can walk myself!" but Makoto hardly hears him as they thunder up the stairs and into the tiny auditorium area.

There aren't many people there, save for a few mothers with children or other couples. Makoto and Haruka score a seat in the back row, not wanting to interrupt the already-started show.

The stage is another glass tank, with the top platform as the roof. When Makoto looks up, he can see a woman dressed in a black and neon green wetsuit, a whistle around her neck and a large, metal bucket in her hand. In front of the glass tank is another woman, dressed in the issued uniform, grey slacks and a dark blue polo with a goldfish stitched on the front pocket.

"Welcome, everyone!" She says into a microphone. "Please turn off all cellular devices and refrain from taking flash photography. Please enjoy one of our final shows before our closing at the end of the month!"

Haruka tenses by his side. Makoto glances at him in apprehension. "They're shutting down?" Makoto whispers the words he's thinking. "No wonder the tickets were so cheap."

He sinks into his chair, heart a little heavier than before, staring at the glass tank. In crystalline waters, a family of dolphins swim gracefully through the water. One by one, they spiral towards the surface and leap into the air. From their shiny silver topsides and lighter underbelly, water droplets cascade down, bejeweled in the light.

They land seamlessly with an arc of their bodies, tails flipping happily as they go down with a splash. The audience claps, and the girl continues her spirited dialogue. Her words go unnoticed to Makoto, who intently focuses on the dolphins, who turn every which way. It is like they're performing an underwater dance, shooting up once again when the lady on the roof blows her whistle and waves a fish to guide them to the surface.

A couple of kids in front of them gasp in excitement as the dolphins open wide for the snack. The only one who is not getting fish is the smallest one, the baby, who swims towards the glass. He bumps his nose against the glass accidentally, earning a chuckle from the audience.

The trainer introduces him, explaining he was a rescue from an oil spill a few years ago. The audience smiles warmly, seeing how happy and healthy he looked now. She clicks her tongue and the dolphin clicks back, even lifting his fin, as if he is waving at the audience.

The children laugh gleefully, the audience jumping into a thunderous applause. Haruka is clapping too, completely mesmerized by the baby dolphin. There is the tiniest of smiles on his face and his eyes are practically shining with excitement.

When the show is over, everyone files out clamorously, loudly chattering about how amazing the show was. Haruka looks like he doesn't want to leave, and Makoto has to tug his hand to get him to stand up.

They walk out of the aquarium, Haruka looking extremely hesitant to leave. He takes in every last detail of the aquarium, his head croning in all directions. Makoto wishes the dull cashier boy a good day and he grumbles something incomprehensive in response. When they exit the building, Haruka lets out a sigh.

"Hard, isn't it?" Makoto guesses. "Knowing a special place from your childhood will be gone eventually."

"How'd you know that was what I was thinking?" Haruka asks.

"I could see it on your face," Makoto chuckles. "Don't worry. You still have the good memories in there," He pokes the side of Haruka's head teasingly, earning a scowl and a hand swatting his finger away.

When the aquarium is just out of view, Makoto takes one last longing look, a bittersweet feeling clawing at his stomach.

All good things come to an end eventually, he realizes, a knot swelling in his throat. But there are just some things he can't control, and he knows it.

But that's okay.

As long as Haruka's by his side, he couldn't care less about the damn aquarium.