Free!: Salt by sauntering_down

[coprime_recs]

Salt (Haru/Makoto | PG13 | 3,881 words): Makoto has a nightmare. This is so lovely. Makoto's nightmare and panic are so vivid, and Haru's care for Makoto is so sweet while still perfectly in character for Haru. The bond between Haru and Makoto really shines in this story.

Excerpt:
When [Makoto] comes back to himself, he's breathing normally again and Haru's fingers are rubbing over the shell of his ear. Haru scrutinizes him closely and seems to decide that his coaching is no longer necessary. "Good." He skims his thumb along the scar on Makoto's chin, faded to near nonexistence after almost six years, barely visible except to those who know it's there. Makoto acquired it during swim practice, when he'd clambered out of the pool a bit too quickly, slipped, and smashed his face into the closest starting block. His nose bled and his split lip bled and the gash in his chin bled and needed seven stitches and for once in his life, he didn't faint at the sight of blood – he was much too elated by knocking an entire half-second off his best time.

Haru drops his hands, sits back on his heels, and Makoto immediately slumps forward to rest his head on Haru's shoulder.