I haven’t written a headcanon in a million years but whatever.

***

Just push through.

Slow, deep breaths.

Reach forward.

Slowly, carefully.

Don’t wince, don’t let him know, don’t let him see. But he does, he knows there’s something wrong.

He opens his mouth to ask, to say your name. “Sousuke?”  It’s soft, always so soft, so delicate, when he’s concerned about something. “Are you all right-”

You’re quick, too quick for him to keep up with. You’ve had practice, you can work through the pain. You catch him off guard with a smile, take advantage with a kiss, and let your fingers linger on the blush of his cheeks.

A kiss, just one, can get you through anything, even a shoulder that’s beyond repair, a shoulder that’s probably crushed the very dream that Rin holds for you. You don’t tell him, you’ll never tell him, instead you let your lips rest gently against his.  

Everything is fine. Everything is o.k. You two are going to swim together beautifully as a team.

Just push through.

Slow, deep breaths.

Reach forward.

Slowly.

… carefully.

***

*files under “the last episode wrecked me” category of the Free! fandom*