Disclaimer: I do not own Free! or any of the characters.

A/N: This is my first time publishing any of my stories. I realize this might be very "angsty" and the characters are a bit OOC so please bear with me. I'm learning as I go along. Hope you enjoy!

Haruka sat in the bathtub staring down at the scars on his left wrist. Although he cut himself two days ago, they were still bright red. He narrowed his eyes. I can't let them see this, especially Makoto. He sighed as he started to get out of the tub. Haru figured he should get dressed before Makoto got there to pick him up. Well, at least it's still winter so he won't see this. The moment he stood up, he heard someone coming into the house. He quickly fell back into the water. What am I thinking? Haru knew that if Makoto found him in his room instead of the tub, he would think something was up. He closed his eyes and sank further into the water.

"Haru-chan! Come on we're going to be late!" Makoto called as he opened the bathroom door.

Haru opened his eyes slightly then glanced at his big teddy bear of a friend, "Ohayo."

"Ah, Haru-chan," Makoto chuckled, "you're still wearing your swimsuit in the bath I see. Well, I guess it can't be helped."

"Drop the '-chan' Makoto," he said bluntly.

"Hai, hai."

Makoto held out his hand. Haru internally thanked him for holding out his right instead of the left. Haru was still in the process of deciding if he should even tell Makoto what he's done.

"Oi, Haru. Are you okay?" Makoto leaned in closer to him.

"Huh?" He then realized that he had been staring at their hands that were still linked together.

Makoto smiled, "Nothing. Come on, we're going to be late."

Haru nodded, took the towel off the rack, draped it over his head, and went in his room to get dressed. Makoto tilted his head to the side. Haru's not going to make mackerel today?

Haru and Makoto were sitting in their math class. Haru was falling sleeping with is left hand supporting his head. Makoto turned and glanced at his friend. He smirked. Haru looked absolutely peaceful. When Makoto was about to look back at the teacher, he noticed something off. Haru's sleeve slid down almost an inch. Just enough for his scars to be exposed. Makoto jumped at the sight. When he did, he accidentally hit his desk with his knee.

"Tachibana? Is there something wrong?" the teacher said.

"U-uh, may I use the restroom?"

"Go ahead, be back soon."

"H-hai."

Makoto quickly exited the classroom and went to the bathroom. He stood in front of the sink, looking at himself in the mirror. He had broken out in a sweat. Was I seeing things? No, those were definitely scars. Has Haru been cutting himself? No, he can't be. He just can't be. He started tearing up.

"Why didn't he tell me?" Makoto yelled.

"Makoto-senpai?" Rei stood there in the entrance of the bathroom watching him.

Makoto saw Rei's reflection and wiped his face with his sleeve, "Rei, you surprised me."

"I should be the one saying that. Are you all right?"

Crap, I have to think of something fast. "Y-yes. Just a stressed. Nothing to worry about," he said with a gentle smile.

He walked past Rei and back to class. Rei watched him as he did. Makoto-senpai said 'Why didn't he tell me?' I wonder who he was talking about. He shrugged, assuming he should probably leave the matter alone.

Back in the classroom though, Makoto was still panicking to himself. He took another look at Haru who was finally awake. His arms were now crossed on top of the desk. He could see Makoto watching him from the corner of his eye but tried to ignore him. He just didn't feel like talking more than he normally did. This actually had been going on for weeks. He'd been getting quieter and quieter but no one seemed to notice. On top of that, he had also been eating less. I'm not missing meals on purpose, he'd tell himself. His excuse to himself was, "I have too much on my mind." It was taking a toll on him. Haru was sleeping less at night and more during the day.

Makoto tried to get his attention,

"Haru-"

"Okay guys, that's it for today! Have a good day," the teacher said as she began cleaning the board.

Haru stood up and grabbed his things. "Hey Haru-" but he was interrupted once again.

"I'm not coming to practice," Haru said in a hushed tone.

"Eh?"

"I'll be leaving first."

"Ah! But Haru-" but it was too late. Haru was already out of the room. Makoto sighed, I really need to talk to you Haruka.

That day, the team was scheduled to have a joint practice with Samezuka High School.

When the Iwatobi's team arrived, Rin went to greet them, "See you guys could make it. Right now we're just-...wait, where Haru?" He was looking right into Makoto's eyes. Makoto tensed up.

"Haru-chan went home Rin-chan!" Nagisa said in a whining voice. Makoto was glad Nagisa spoke up. His mind was still elsewhere.

Rin just blinked, "Haru's missing practice? That's not like him." Rin looked at Makoto again. Now he had to say something, "U-uh yeah, he had to study for our math exam," he said with a nervous laugh.

Rin raised an eyebrow but decided not to advance on Haru's whereabouts. "Well whatever, come on let me take you to the locker rooms."

As Makoto was packing his things in the locker room at the end of practice, Rin came in already dressed and his bag hanging across his body.

"Yo," he said

Makoto jumped, "R-rin, you scared me!" He observed Rin for a second, "Rin, aren't you going back to the dorms? Why do you have all your stuff?"

Rin shook his head as he sat down on the bench, "Nah, it's Friday so I'm going home." Rin watched Makoto nervously zip his bag. Maybe something at home is making him nervous. "Hey, Makoto? Are you going home?"

"No, I'm going over to Haru's."

"I'm coming with you."

"Eh!?" He hadn't expected Rin to tag along. "Why? I thought you lived in the other direction."

Rin stood up and put his hands in his pockets, "I do but I want to ask Haru something. He hasn't been answering his cell."

Does Rin know about the situation too? Did Haru tell him? Ugh! Haru, what's going on?

The walk was almost dead silent. What's Makoto so tense about? I doubt Haru did anything to make him this nervous. When they reached the house, Makoto opened the door to darkness. There were no lights on or any sound of life. Makoto slowly started to make his way in when Rin pulled on his shirt, "Yo, you sure we should be going in like this? I mean, if Haru isn't here-"

Makoto whispered, "But he should be here." He had a bad feeling about the situation.

"Haru?" Rin called out while he walked further into the house. "Haru are you home?" There was no answer. Then he faced Makoto, "Told you he wasn't home," he let out a sigh, "Let's go."

Right at that moment, they heard the sound of water. Makoto hastily pushed past Rin and made his way to the bathroom. Rin followed closely behind. Makoto steadily opened the door. Both of their eyes widened at the sight. There he was. Haru, laying in the tub with his eyes closed. "Haru?" Makoto broke the silence first. There was no response. He rushed over to his side. "Haru! Haru! Wake up Haru!" Please Haru. Please wake up. Rin stood in the doorway and turned on the light. From there, he could see a clear view of how lifeless Haru looked in the water. "No…" he said to himself. "No, this is just like the river accident." This however was different. The situation was worse than they thought it was.

To be continued…