#jdkhp

EDIT: I had to add this. Sousuke sees Haru's overworking himself and tiring himself out. Sousuke also sees people like ikuya and Asahi working hard to help Haru out, cheering him on. Then sousuke goes to say the following:

Although Sousuke is talking about a bunch of their friends, Sousuke already knows Makoto is the most consistently devoted person in Haru's life. he way he frames it—telling Haru to "at least take notice"—suggests that Sousuke has noticed how much Makoto constantly looks out for and thinks about Haru. Sousuke telling haru to pay attention to his friends more (but mostly makoto...) sousuke noticing that in the first place, Sousuke relating to both haru and makoto at the same time... as the friend who didn't take care of himself and the overlooked one maybe that's why they mix the blues and greens for him for some of his outfits.

Another instance Makoto puts a lot of trust in sousuke's care and friendship is after Haru's freestyle race with kaede and he practically passes out after. Makoto knows that Haru needs medical attention (or rest at least). So he runs out to find Haru after the race is finished.

except he doesn't go straight to haru. He actually calls sousuke first. The tachibana makoto who always puts the burden on himself to take care of haru goes out and finds sousuke and relies on his strength and care while being emotionally vulnerable in front of him…..

/the/ makoto who's fiercely protective of haru trusts sousuke enough to carry haru to the clinic... mind you the guy just went thru REHAB..... either makoto trusted sousuke more in carrying him or sousuke offered which in both ways shows their mutual reliability and care for each other.

i also think it shows Makoto who often shoulders responsibility alone (especially when it comes to haru) shows that he's learning to rely on others and sees sousuke as someone who can support him and someone he has a genuine trust and relationship with. While also solidifying sousuke's role among their group of friends/family.

I think it's beautiful the two characters in free! who have emotionally, mentally, and physically sacrificed themselves due to their fierce loyalty and protectiveness of their friend(s) finds solstice in each other despite often times hiding their emotions from those who care about them… By becoming emotional, mental, and physical strengths for each other instead?? (watching high anxiety competitions together, sousuke helping makoto with haru, makoto helping sousuke through rehab).

I'm happy the two have someone they can share their burdens with and someone who matches their own thoughtfulness.

bonus: makoto welcoming sousuke back to the swimming competition world ("Sousuke, okaeri."). he's so proud of how hard sousuke worked especially as the coach who helped him train ;;;

love, poppy

Sousuke's cat dies. She was Makoto's, too.

Another Ishka, a rollercoaster of emotion in the perspective of a Makoto. Exploring such interesting character traits with him and how he processes his emotions toward his future, his friends, and failures. Super unique, devastating the whole way through. Has made me bawl even on the third read through...

The World Ends With Me

When Makoto died he was left with two options. One was to disappear forever, the other one was becoming a grim reaper. He chose the second option, hoping to get another chance to live again. However, he finds himself at loss when he can't remember anything about his former life and the job isn't quite as easy as he thought.

Ouh.... this one reads more like a mythology than a cute romantic fic. Places Makoto in a setting so obscure from his original world it's able to explore interesting characteristics of his morality. The plot abstract and philosophical enough to be reminiscent of The Good Place. Which is, imo, a very high honor

Come a little bit closer

It is so effortlessly easy to envision the outside of right now falling away as loose sheets on the wind when Makoto reminds him that they are stronger than the sum of what haunts and hunts them. They learned it together. Sometimes Sousuke forgets. (A Quiet Place AU)

A quiet place AU so yeah... you know this one is a doozy. Read this one and went into work the next day unable to think about anything else. Such deep themes of care, love, hope, and family and.... gosh this one... it's amazing 😭

As the air begins to cool

Sousuke and Makoto are happily married, with a son that takes after Makoto and a daughter that takes after Sousuke. It's definitely raining today. Day 1: Fluff / Angst

ANGST WARNING. This was actually my first soumako fic i've ever read. Yeah. I was not okay afterward. it probably triggered something within my own grief which only some of the best writing can do. Fully recommend when you want to feel something deeply sad.

Witch's Son

Prompt 6 for SouMako Week: Halloween Sousuke is a witch's son and helps out in her store. Makoto's mother is one of their loyal customers. One day, the two men meet.

Here's some happier fic recs now!! I love and adore Witch's Son. The author creates a pocket world that tells so much about both Makoto and Sousuke while still feeling like there's so much more to explore. Sousuke's mother here is utterly charming and wonderful.

let's not waste it feeling wrong

In an unfortunate turn of events, a civilian gets shot on Sousuke's watch.

Sousuke's built up guilt turned curiosity and admiration is the heart of Sousuke Yamazaki channeled into a future fish au that's as sweet as the desserts Sousuke can bake. Makoto being depicted with sincerity and justice that one can't help but to keep coming back to even when you don't need to.

come in out of the rain

sousuke has been coming to makoto's flower shop for three months, buying real flowers for a fictional girlfriend. but now there's been a fictional break-up, and it's time for sousuke to get back to reality.

The hopeless romantic of it all. Sweet, adorable, and the flower symbolism in itself that symbolizes Sousuke's adoration for Makoto in his own Sousuke way really really got to me...

over the moon

With a few false starts holding him back, Makoto has become complacent with his life of little consequence working at the Wanderlust Lodge, the only bed and breakfast on a small, forgotten fly-over moon in the least popular Centauri star system. Following an intergalactic push to develop a nearby planet, the moon becomes the center of attention overnight, booking the place solid for months on end. Despite Makoto's ongoing blunder and existential terror, one recurring guest slowly shakes him out of stasis.

Idk something about a soumako paralleling loneliness in the vastness of space in time, orbiting each other in ways that feel both isolating and communal... it's beautiful. please read this one.

Let Me Lie To You

On a faithful day Makoto meets a dark moody man in the supermarket he works at, and finds that he can't lie to this person.

Toooooo stinking adorable. A cute, silly soulmate au found in someone you can't hep but to tell your darkest secrets to... even if it's not by choice i guess...

Come on, Come over

Things are fine, really. Makoto has a decent job and good friends and to top it all up, he's moving into a new apartment. Turns out his next-door neighbor is a goddamn hunk with bright eyes that travel his way more often than not. [SouMako neighbor AU, with some side sprinkles]

Neighbor soumako is actually everything. Strangers to lovers soumako has special place in my heart but this one really takes you on a fun one. Fuck buddies too, so you know it's extra fun LOL

Nothing to Throw Away

Makoto finds himself living the same 24 hour day over and over. Turns out, he doesn’t like weddings as much anymore. Sousuke already knew they were never that great to begin with.

Written by me, a soumako who learn to find new meaning in the same day over and over again with a person who deserves something beyond it. Writing this altered my brain idk

Side by Side

Sousuke asks his roommate to be his fake date at a wedding. To top it all off, the always overly helpful Makoto helps a drunk Sousuke brush his teeth at the end of the night too. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.