PLEASE READ BEFORE PROCEEDING

I know it is pretty rare for me to have a SERIOUS author's note, but this is really important for everyone to know before reading. That way your questions can be answers and/or unnecessary critical reviews will not be made.

This is an AU in which Ikuya Kirishima never travels abroad to America with his brother, Natsuya Kirishima.

This fanfiction is merely a 'what if' story. Many alternate scenarios WILL happen, but that is to be expected since Ikuya's appearance in Iwatobi will change many things. We wouldn't want the same old storyline, would we? Lolol.

This is mainly a yaoi fanfiction between Haruka Nanase and Ikuya Kirishima, in which yes, Ikuya is the bottom (but I assure you, he will not be written OOC despite the position).

There will be drama, angst, boy x boy, and most of all smut scenes. If you are not a fan of it, that's alright. You can skip through it if you would like, I usually put up a warning in the chapter's author's note.

Now, for the more lighter note! I have been wanting to write for this ultra rare ship for nearly a year now. Thank goodness I never published my old drafts, because Take Your Marks and Dive To The Future helped develop everyone's characters more and explained the situations before and after high school. I did not get to completely watch Take Your Marks, so if I get anything innacurate despite this being an AU, please do tell me!

I have a regular posting schedule of every other Sunday, unless told otherwise. My chapters can get pretty long, but I will always consistently have at least 1,000 words per chapter.

I hope you can all enjoy this journey with me! I apologize that it is not a main or known ship to the universe, but I can't help what I ship- See you guys!

"You know this is your last chance, right?"

The airport bustles as people dash in and out of the man glass doors. The doors that lead to new worlds beyond one's ability to comprehend. Ikuya Kirishima stood face to face with the entrances that could lead him to a new escape. A new country where perhaps he would no longer be reminded of the pain of being left behind. But to do the same... to run away. His and Natsuya's goals were completely different.

"... I do not have my bags, so there would be no point any longer for me to go to America with you," Ikuya murmurs, glancing away to avoid the suspicious stare of vibrant red eyes, similar to his own.

"Ehh. You were all for it and then now you decided to kimp out last minute. That kind of stuff won't do anything, but harm you in the future, you know. I nearly wasted money on another ticket, and I can't even begin with the hotel servicing-"

"Then don't," Ikuya interrupts Natsuya with a scowl. He understood, yet the boy was unsure if staying with his parents is the right thing to do. He did not know anymore, but all he knew and wanted was to no longer feel alone. To no longer question everyone and everything. Running away and hiding was all he has done throughout his entire childhood. Facing the pain may be a large step that could decide the fate of his future, but without his brother...

"Don't make that face," Natsuya mutters distastefully.

"Wh-What face!?" Ikuya stammers, finally jerking his head around to look up at the older sibling, who returns an unamused expression.

"That face. You always make it right before I leave you alone somewhere. Don't tell me you're still too dependent," Natsuya says.

"It's not that..." Ikuya trails off, glancing down at the pavement. "It's just..."

"Hm?"

Ikuya's lips scrunch as he tries his best not to seem too vulnerable. "It's just that... everyone... the team... I... I want to be able to leave like everyone else, but I also... don't want to let go."

Natsuya's brows furrow at Ikuya confession, before sighing heavily and rustling his brunette hair.

"Just follow your heart. You'll know if you've made the right decision or not."

"That doesn't help..."

"Seriously," Ikuya blinks at Natsuya's stern expression. "Just follow it. Would following me around again or chasing after something abstract help?"

"I-"

"Nope, don't answer," Natsuya says before checking his watch. "Gah! I really have to go, but since you aren't coming..."

Ikuya's eyes widen when he is suddenly engulfed into a warm hug. "Na... tsuya..."

"We'll be able to communicate, won't we? Don't act like this will be the last of me. No matter the distance, I'll always be with you." Natsuya leans back to pat his chest. "Right here. But you know, I'm not the only one."

"Eh?" Ikuya calls to Natsuya as the male rushes to grab his suitcase and dive into the sea of people heading into the airport. "Hey!"

And with that, Ikuya watches the last person wist away.

"Follow my heart, huh...?"

Vibrant ruby orbs gradually become visible as the alarm suddenly rings. A pale hand reaches over to gently silence it, the other moving up to rub away the tiredness.

Ikuya slowly sits up in his bed, leaning against the headboard and tilting his head back to stare up at the ceiling. 'Why did I bother recalling that memory? Of all days it has to be the one where I'm starting school today...'

Iwatobi Highschool. Having transferred from another highschool nearby, he did not bother showing up to the opening ceremony, which of course sets him back on his social life. He has no real idea of what clubs to join, or if there is even a club worth joining. His passion and love of swimming still bubbles within his chest, just at the thought of the crystal surface of a swimming pool.

And the thought of his old relay team...

Ikuya huffs stubbornly while jumping out of the bed, determined not to let the past get to him. Clearly since everyone has their own reasons for leaving, they have no remorse, in which he should have none either. Asahi never bothered to mention moving after promising he would not. Haruka...

The heated shower water sprays against the pristine bathtub as Ikuya undressed, still lost in the many thoughts that consistently run through his mind. Every single day. Why? After all of the memories and joy they shared amongst each other. After learning to trust and lean onto others. After becoming mesmerized by a particular person, how did everything become so wrong?

No matter how much Ikuya found himself swimming, turning the pain into powerful strokes, it only hurt even more to feel at a loss. A loss of friends. A loss of thoughts.

In a newly ironed Highschool uniform, Ikuya comes into the kitchen to see that breakfast has already been prepared. Sitting down and uttering his thanks, he eats breakfast, not even tasting just the slightest bit of flavor. What can he do to not make his last few years as an adolescent miserable? Everyone went their separate ways, right? Surely he can find a way to move on without looking back as well.

"I'm off."

The dark green haired teen watches the many pink petals fly from tree to tree as he makes his way to school. Summer. How morbidly bittersweet. The memory of walking to middle school with Asahi struck him, and Ikuya had the sudden urge to pinch himself. What good would reminiscing do if those certain people are gone forever.

'Out of sight, out of mind,' he thinks determinedly.

"Ahh... it's still too cold to swim even though it is Summer," Makoto comments, referring to the sparkling ocean to the left of his and Haruka's view. Of course, he had mentioned this after catching Haruka's rather distilled gaze upon the open waters.

"Yeah," Haruka finally answers.

"Hopefully, we will be able to swim soon enough."

"Hopefully..." Haruka trails off, becoming lost in his own thoughts. Everything was so conflicting, and yet he kept a distant composure. It was not as though he tried, it was just the way he handled any conflict. To not have to be a burden, and yet he felt as though he left a burden upon two important people. Rin and... Ikuya.

"Why did you stop swimming?"

Haru?"

Haruka blinks to see that Makoto was staring with large curious eyes. "What's wrong?"

He turns his head to the side.

"Nothing," is always his answer.