literature

Near to You [Makoto Tachibana x Reader] 3

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You looked down as your phone buzzed again, sending loud vibrations across the table, and you watched the single word roll repeatedly across the screen.

Mom.

You sighed and turned away, leaving the phone to continue its persistent racket, and pulled your hair up into a ponytail. The summer humidity hung in the air, and despite the fact that your wore a thin tank top, the heat was almost unbearable. You looked around the apartment, almost as if seeing it with new eyes, and couldn't help but be sad by how sparse it looked, especially in the dim light. Just a couch, a table and chair with a ripped cushion. Newspaper were scattered across the floor, and it smelled of alcohol and bleach, the combined scents burning your nose and bringing tears to your eyes. You turned to look at your suitcase, sitting by the front door, and then at your phone that had vibrated right off the table, now rattling against the wooden leg.

You thought about waiting until he got home, to face him and tell him that you were leaving, but you knew what would happen. He'd cry, beg you to stay, and tell you that he needed you, that you were the only thing that kept him alive, and then he'd promise to get clean...but it was always a lie. You couldn't take it anymore, watching him spiral farther and farther into addiction, and you knew that no matter how hard you tried, he'd never stop. It would never be over, there'd always be one more drink, or one more hit, or one more taste, and you couldn't let his darkness swallow you too. You'd given him an ultimatum - rehab or you were gone, but that had only resulted in him breaking the lock on the door as he stormed out.

"_____," you turned at his voice, eyes widening for a moment before your face softened and you walked toward him, catching him when he stumbled into you. He looked down, suddenly realizing that he'd tripped on your bags, and the look of rage that crossed his face had you backing away. "Where are you going?"

"I told you," you said. "I can't do this anymore. I left the number on the fridge. Please call them, please get help," you begged, as you had time and time again, but he only snarled at you and kicked your suitcase as he made his way farther into the room and into the kitchen. His face, his once handsome face twisted into such hatred, made your stomach sick and your heartache. You had met him a year ago, this once kind boy in front of you, and you knew he had problems, but you had sworn to save him. You'd love him so much that he'd leave this life and you would carry him from it, but you had been so disillusioned. "Please, just call them. They'll help you. You can get out of here and be happy-"

He swore loudly, making you jump, and swiped his hand across the counter, sending empty bottles shattering toward the floor.  He came out carrying a bottle half-full of whiskey, pausing to face you, and his lip curled in disgust. The sudden sting of his palm on your face shocked you and you raised a hand to touch your burning cheek.

"[boy's name]," you whispered, staring wide eyed at him. He had never...in all the times he'd come home this way, he'd never struck you. He'd never hurt you. "How could you?"

"Get out," he spat, and even though tears welled in your eyes, you set your trembling lips and bent to get your suitcase from behind the couch. What you didn't expect was for him to grab your ponytail and pull, hard, to drag you back into the center of the room.

"[boy's name]!" you screamed, clawing at his hand with yours, and he dropped you with a thud. You scrambled to your feet, but he caught your wrist, and you felt your shoulder pop when he yanked you back against his hard chest.

"You're never leaving me," he whispered, the stench of alcohol on his breath making you gag. "You're mine."

The next few minutes were a blur, punches and kicks you don't quite remember, but it ended with your head and shoulders slammed into the low-hung mirror on the wall. White stars bloomed across your vision and you slumped to your knees, cradling your bleeding head. You could hear his footsteps, see his feet as he came toward you, and you whimpered when he grabbed your shoulders and hauled you to your feet.

"[boy's name]..." you begged, "Stop, please," you cried, and suddenly he let you fall back to your knees. You looked up, watched him back away from you, a clear look of horror on his face. You called to him as he half-tripped, half-ran from the apartment, leaving the door hanging open as he disappeared. You would never see him again after that and the last thing you remember is dialing your mom's number before you blacked out


"____!" Makoto called as he knocked on the door and you rushed to meet him, yanking open the door to reveal his handsome face. You beamed at him.

"Makoto!" you took his hand and pulled him inside, quickly closing the door behind him. "I'm almost ready!" you promised before running back to your room for your bag and jacket. You could hear him laughing as you turned the corner and it brought a smile to your lips. You returned a few minutes later, and left with Makoto, spending the next few hours in his car as he took you somewhere unknown. "Mako," you begged again, trying your doe eyes on him. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, as he did every time. "Just be patient."

You 'humph-ed' and crossed your arms, looking out the window as the city was replaced by seashore. You sat up, curious but still confused. "Makoto," you started, "You know it's the middle of the night, right? And that it's winter."

"I know," Makoto laughed, but he just kept going, eventually turning from the main road and onto one that led to the beach. He parked and you climbed out, wondering what in the world you were doing at the beach, in the middle of the night, on New Year's Eve. You'd thought you were going to a party or something, though you hadn't understood why you were going at five in the morning, but you hadn't questioned Makoto. Now, however, you were starting to. "Come on," he said, giving you his arm and you kept close to him as you walked, your feet making prints in the snow-dusted sand.

"Makoto, is this some weird tradition?" you asked, looking up at him. He laughed.

"Yeah," he answered, smiling back down at you. Finally, he found a spot and rolled out your blanket, but you were already walking toward the ocean. Makoto straightened and watched you bend to touch the chilled, salty water. You laughed and he smiled, pulling you in close against him when you returned to the blanket. You snuggled into his side, yawning, and stared out over the ocean.

"Fireworks?" you asked suddenly and he tipped his head. "Are we here to watch fireworks?"

"No."

"Ships?"

"Nope."

"Hmm, ah! Shooting stars!"

"No, just wait," he laughed when you pouted and buried your face in his shoulder, which brought a blush to his cheeks. You wrapped your arms around his middle and put your chin on his shoulder, staring at him. "You're staring, ___."

"You're so handsome I can't help myself," you answered. "Do you come to the beach a lot? I didn't live near the water back home, just the middle of the city, so this is only the second time I've been to the ocean."

"Really?" he asked and you nodded. "I started coming again a few summers ago. I used to hate it," he grew quiet and you sat back, watching him curiously. Makoto turned his head to look at you and he wore his typical, gentle smile. "It used to scare me, so badly I was paralyzed anytime I stepped foot in the water."

"What happened?" you asked. "Did you almost drown or something?"

"Not me," Makoto shook his head, and then he turned to look out over the water. He looked so...sad.

"You don't have to talk about it," you assured him, putting your hand on his arm, and you scolded yourself for absently admiring the feel of the toned muscles beneath your palms. "If you don't want. I understand if it's hard."

"It's not easy," Makoto agreed. "But I can tell you. I want to tell you, _____," he said and you nodded, encouraging him. So, he told you story of the old fisherman and the goldfish that he diligently kept watch over every day, and how a terrible storm drowned the man and his crew. He had been so sad, and so scared of the ocean after that, but then he told you how his first summer here with the Iwatobi Swim Team had helped him with his fear, and how he'd been able to come back and enjoy the ocean again. When he finished, he smiled at you. "I guess I was a bit of a scardy-cat," he laughed.

"I don't think so," you said, taking his large hand between both of yours. "I think it was brave of you to go after Rei, even though you were scared. That takes a lot of courage, Makoto."

"I'm glad you think so," he said, twisting his hand so he could wrap his fingers around yours. You smiled, and his cheeks turned pink. "Ah, there it is. That's what I wanted you to see,  _____," he pointed and you turned, looking out over the ocean to where the sun was coming up over the horizon.

"The sunrise?" you asked quietly, as if you thought speaking too loud would ruin the beautiful display before you, and he nodded. The sun's warm, golden rays filled the sky and the ocean started to sparkle, lit up by the coming day, and it looked absolutely magical. You'd never seen anything like it. "Oh, Makoto."

"It's called hastsuhinode. The first sunrise of the year," he explained, but he wasn't even watching. He was staring at you, how your eyes caught the light of the sun, and how your smile lit up your face, and fact that what he'd done for you was the reason for it made it heart swell. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," you answered, still entranced by the sight and not even noticing how he stared at you, completely lost in you, but after a moment you turned to thank him. The words caught on your lips.

No one had ever looked at you like that, with such sincere and honest affection, and your mouth suddenly felt dry. Makoto's green eyes didn't waver from your face, even when you lowered your gaze, and his hand came up to cup your cheek. His fingers were cold, you thought, so you lifted your hand to cover his and felt him shiver beneath your touch.

"It's a pale comparison to what I'm looking at," he whispered, and heat blossomed across your cheeks. He bent and captured your lips, instantly bypassing any barriers you had put up against him. He tasted warm, like the hot chocolate you two had enjoyed on the drive down, and the sugary taste of marshmallows lingered on his lips.

This boy. This sweet, wonderful boy...was healing you.
--

After the sunrise, Makoto took you back home and you napped before meeting Gou and Nagisa in town for some last minute shopping. They had been helping you all week prepare for the meal you wanted to cook Makoto and were coming over to help prepare everything before you all went to the festival. Hopefully, all the food would be good and ready when you got home. When the pair found out that Makoto had kissed you, the two of you became the only topic of conversation for the rest of the day.

You were glad when they left you to go get ready and you took a moment to lean against the door, worn out but happy. You laughed to yourself before going to get ready, wondering how your life had made it here and what you'd done to deserve it.

A few hours later, just as the sun was beginning to set, Makoto knocked on your door. "Come in!" you called, listening for the door to open and close before poking your head around the corner to greet your green-eyed boy. "Hello."

"Hello," he answered, his gentle smile set on his lips. Your own smile widened and you came fully around the corner to greet him, waiting for the look he'd given you in the kimono store. You didn't have to wait very long.

< Makoto's POV>

It looked even better than he remembered, Makoto thought to himself, licking his dry lips when she finally turned the corner to face him. With her hair done up, curled and pinned away from her face by delicate, plum blossom barrettes, she looked so stunning to him. The kimono, the same, vivid [color] he remembered, seemed to fit her even better than it had in the store, and the light touch of make-up she wore was perfect.

"You look wonderful, ____," he told her, returning her bright smile. It was then he picked up the gift bag he'd left on the entrance table and held it out for her. She walked over and took the package, opening it and pulling out a little purse.

"Oh!" she laughed, "It's a squid!"

"They'll be a lot at the festival, but I wanted you to have one to carry," he said, and when she turned to go change purses, Makoto smiled to himself. He listened to her start to sing to herself, words that he couldn't quite make out, but it sounded like a happy tune, and Makoto wondered what he'd done to deserve a new year like this.

< End Makoto's POV >

The festival proved to be way better than chicken wings and fake champagne, though you found out the fried squid was not your favorite food. Makoto let you play every game, and when you won two goldfish, Makoto promised to help you find them a home. You met up with the rest of the swim club, spending the rest of the night surrounded by your new friends, until you and Makoto broke from the group to head home. Makoto, however, pulled you down a side road that led to a garden full of lanterns and lucky talismans that hung from the trees. He offered you his arm and you took it, carrying your squid purse and goldfish in your free hand. "Oh, Makoto, did you get my card?"

"I did," Makoto nodded. "Did you get mine?"

"Mhm!" you nodded and Makoto laughed quietly, turning to take you down a gravel path. You let him lead you, just enjoying being at his side and listening to the hum of the festival around you. When Makoto stopped, you returned your focus to him and found that he'd led you to a shrine that was tucked away in the winter garden. "Oh, how pretty."

"Do you want to ring the bell? We can wait in line," Makoto asked and you nodded, bouncing on the balls of your feet as the pair of you waited, and you were glad that Makoto never let go of your hand. When people passed or bumped into you, jostling you a bit, Makoto's hand would tighten around yours, whether he did it on purpose or not you didn't know, but it made you smile.

"Who are they?" you asked, pointing to the women that stood on either side of the shrine. Makoto peered around the people in front of you, which was easy for him given his height, before answering.

"Shrine maidens," he explained. "They sell lucky talismans for their shrine. We can buy one when we get up there," he said and you nodded, so excited when it was finally your turn. Makoto let you ring the bell and then buy your talisman before taking your hand again and leading you out the back exit of the garden.

On the walk home, it started to rain and while it was just a slow drizzle at first, by the time you reached your house, it was pouring.

"Mako, hurry!" you laughed, running to the door and digging around for your keys. Makoto hurried up behind you, holding your goldfish, and followed you inside before you kicked the door shut. "Mako, you're soaked!"

"You're no better," he laughed, going to your storage cabinets to find the goldfish a bowl to live in. He found a suitable one that would do until you could go to the pet store, and carefully introduced the fish to their new home. "There we go," he said, and you watched him, noting how gentle he was with the small fish. Maybe they reminded him of the fish he had before, you thought, and you knew that they would become your shared pets. That filled you with a sudden, indescribable happiness.

"I'll get them a proper bowl when the stores open again," you said. "Come on, we should eat! I'm starved!"

"Shouldn't we change first?" he asked, but you shook your head, happily going right to the kitchen to get plates.

"You're a swimmer, Mako, being a little wet isn't going to kill you," you teased, and so the two of you ate your New Year's dinner, soaked the bone, but it couldn't have been better. After you finished, Makoto went to get some of his spare clothes from the laundry room and you disappeared down the hall. You went to the bathroom and flicked on the little nightlight. You twisted around, trying to undo what you could of the kimono, but you could only manage it loosen it. Damn it, Gou, how had she tied this thing? "Makoto!"

"Yeah?"

"Could you come help me?" you asked, and you heard the dryer shut before Makoto appeared a few minutes later, wearing the pair of light jeans and t-shirt that he had left here a couple months ago. You pulled open the door so he could come in. "I can't get it off," you murmured, looking back at him over your shoulder. The damp fabric had already slipped from your shoulders, hanging loose on your body, and even though the light was faint, you could see his face clearly as he stood in the doorway. "Makoto? Please?"

"Right," he murmured, and you turned back around, waiting to feel the kimono fall away, but instead you felt his hands rest on your hips and his warm breath fan across your skin.

"Makoto..." you whispered, eyes fluttering shut as you reached out to grab the sink to steady yourself. What was he doing? Was this Makoto, your Makoto, making such a bold move?

< Makoto's POV >

"____," he said her name against her skin, pleased when she shuddered under his touch, and he tightened his hands on her hips. He had only come to help, innocently opening the door, but the sight of her there, the wet kimono slipping from her shoulders, had banished any reserve he'd had. Not to mention he could so easily recall the taste of her lips from earlier that morning and he'd been craving another taste so badly. Her smell, heightened by the rain, filled his nose and he pressed his cheek against her damp hair, inhaling the scent of her [favorite scent] shampoo. "_____," he said again, lips grazing the shell of her ear as he spoke.

"Yes?" she gasped between heavy breaths and Makoto pressed himself harder against her, pushing her abdomen against the sink, and ran his hands up her sides. Her back arched for him, head pressed back against his shoulder, and he suddenly assaulted the soft, exposed skin. He moved his mouth up and down her neck, occasionally nipping just to hear her gasp, and his own body hummed with heated desire. A voice in the back of his mind told him stop, warned him that it was too soon, too fast, but he mercilessly squashed it, unable to, and no wanting to, stop himself. He stopped at the spot where her pulse hammered beneath her skin and, without warning, bit down. She moaned - loud.

"Oh my god, ______,"  his voice rumbled deep in his chest, and his large body shook as he fought to control himself. Her gasps for air drove him mad and he started to kiss lower and lower, but now that he was this close, he could see them. He stopped and traced a finger over the raised scars on her skin. They were pale, and he didn't think he would have noticed them if he hadn't been so close, yet suddenly they were all he could see.

"They're from a few years ago," she said quietly, and he lifted his head and loosened his hold on her. She twisted around so she faced him and half-sat on the sink, her eyes downcast. She looked almost ashamed that she'd forgotten about them and let him find them. She undid her hair and turned her head, parting the [color] strands to show him the curved scar at the base of her neck, behind her ear. "They're ugly."

"No," Makoto shook his head instantly. "Nothing about you could ever be ugly, _____," he murmured, his former boldness gone and replaced by a faint, pink blush. He cursed himself, how easy he lost his courage, but he wouldn't allow himself to look away from her. "How did you get them?"

"You don't want to know," she answered, shaking her head and laughing, though it was strained and bitter. Makoto frowned.

"Do you not trust me?" he asked her then. "Do you think I'll think less of you?"

"No!" she answered immediately, finally looking back at him and holding his concerned gaze. She broke and looked away, down at their bare feet, and Makoto wondered what horrible thing must have happened to make ____, his ______, act this way. He had never seen this side of her, so hurt and broken. "You're just...you're so wonderful, Makoto. So kind, and warm, and...wonderful. I don't want to ruin that."

"You could never," he answered, taking her face in his hands and bending to kiss her lips. "Whatever it is, ______, you can tell me. I'll bare your scars too."

< End Makoto's POV >

The rush of your heartbeat was like a waterfall in your ears, and you thought about lying to him, telling him you'd fallen out of a tree or something, but you couldn't bring yourself to make up a convincing story. He had been so honest with you, telling you about his fear of the ocean, and how could you ever lie to Makoto? You wanted him to just forget, to go back to kissing you and boldly taking charge, but you knew that wouldn't happen. You were going to have to lie or tell him the truth.

You led him from the bathroom and disappeared into your room to change, returning in a pair of [color] sweats and [color] [type of shirt]. You took him back to the living room and sat on the couch, watching Makoto sit across from you. He didn't say anything, and you appreciated that, and you reached out to take one of his hands in yours. So big and strong, you thought, yet you'd only known them as gentle and you could never, ever imagine them causing you anything but pleasure.

"Back home, there was a boy," you started, and from there the truth tumbled out in waves.
now, if this were a movie, this song would start to play at the end while you told your story and then everything would fade to black. this also happens to be the song the story is based around and i always listen to it at least once while writing.

Near to You by A Fine Frenzy

so, give that a listen while you read! and chapter 3, yey! you finally know your past, dearest reader. i think they'll only be a few more to this story, but i'll surely write more Makoto in the future. i just adore him. if you think this should be marked mature, please let me know and i'll change it. thanks for reading, lovelies, you're all so wonderful!
disclaimer: i own nothing. no Free!, not Makoto or the others, and especially not you, reader! just the storyline.

links to other chapters:
© 2014 - 2024 ivyandtwine
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pruscan's avatar
This is absolutely amazing I love this