MakoHaru

MakoHaru is the slash ship between Makoto Tachibana and Haruka Nanase from the Free! fandom.

Canon
Makoto and Haru are childhood friends and best friends. Makoto often knocks on Haru's door in the morning to get him out of the bathtub so that they can go to school. They always walk to school together and have been on the same swim team since they were children. They are often depicted reading each others "minds," showing their close bond. Makoto often acts as a communicator for Haru, since the latter does not speak often or publicize his emotions.

Makoto also acts as Haruka's "caretaker" and fusses over him quite a bit since the latter doesn't care about much besides water and swimming. He attempts to restrain Haruka from jumping into every body of water he sees, but usually fails.

In turn, Haruka acts as a "protector" to Makoto. Makoto is usually seen jumping behind Haruka whenever he's scared, and Makoto mentions that Haruka, whenever they're walking by the shore, always walks closer to the ocean since Makoto has a fear of it.

High☆Speed!
Is announced a stage of puberty where they have to go to a high school enrolling both in the swim club, Haru at that time had a great rejection of the reliefs missing his old team Makoto at any time He gave all his support but he also had his own problems in which it was to know why he was swimming if it was because Haru was in him or because he really liked her voluntarily, Haruka worries about a great way of him since at that moment Makoto acted a little distant and strange generating much concern on his part.

Haruka meets Makoto near their homes, Makoto asks him why his distance or coldness before the new team which Haruka answers that he should not meddle so much in that matter without first saying his because of his great distancing with him and some of his strange behaviors, Makoto tells him everything with the intention that it was not intension of him to be distant, he has only been practicing his swimming style because he liked to swim wanting to be like the one for which Haruka responds that he should not worry about that because Makoto is Makoto.

Which made a big influence towards tachibana where he comes very close to his face saying that he was right surprisingly surprised Haru, both go to the pool where they pranticaban when children, both get into their clothes and relaxing in it, swimming holding hands and looking at each other in which Makoto tells him everything that made him doubt giving as an answer that nothing because "Yes, I swim because I really like to swim but I also do it because I can be by your side Haru >> hinting at the great union I had with him surprising and blushing Nanase.

University and Australia
In Free! Eternal Summer Makoto tells Haru about his decision to go to the University of Tokyo to study so he can become a swimming teacher. This revelation has a great impact on Haruka who had not found a dream yet, and was distraught over the fact that seemingly everyone knew what to do besides him.

Makoto contacts Rin about Haruka's uncertainty, knowing Rin can help Haruka find his path. When he finds out Rin took Haruka to Australia he was surprised, but hoped that the trip would be profound to Haruka.

Once arriving in Australia, Haruka acts distant and unlike himself--as seen when Rin takes him to the beach and he doesn't want to swim. Rin can sense something is wrong with him and asks him about it. Haruka reveals he and Makoto had their first fight (this information comes in conflict with High Speed! since Makoto and Haruka are seen fighting there too), which unsettles Haruka. Rin then asks Haruka why he even agreed to coming with him, and he says he needed to be away from Iwatobi.

When they return Haru and Makoto meet and reconcile in a consoling way. During the trip Haru found what he wanted to do with his future, which causes him to also go to Tokyo so he can train in competitive swimming.

The two are shown remaining close with each other even while in Tokyo, often hanging out with each other and helping each other study.

Fanon
It is considered one of the most popular ships currently in the Free! fandom.

In fanfictions Makoto and Haru are often depicted as practically married and act very lovingly and cute. To strengthen this image, Nagisa and Rei usually make comments such as "I thought they were already dating."

On AO3 it is the most popular ship for both Haruka and Makoto. It is the largest ship in the Free! tag as well.

Quotes
Haru to Makoto: "Makoto. I appreciate you being here for me. Thanks."

- Haru.

Makoto to Haru: "It doesn’t matter whether we’re jogging or just walking, you always stand on the side closer to the sea. It’s like you’re protecting me from the sea, Haru, and it helps me relax."

- Makoto.

"If you're not going to be part of it, then what's the point? I want to swim with you, Haru."

- Makoto.

Other characters: "Seriously guys. If this were a horror movie, you'd be the newlywed couple that gets killed in the first five minutes."

- Nagisa.

"Well, our Haru-chan and Mako-chan, actually they..."

- Nagisa.

Fandom
AO3

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Trivia

 * Makoto has a habit of hiding behind Haru when's he's frightened.
 * Haru's animal is a dolphin, while Makoto's is a Killer Whale/Orca.
 * Haru is obsessed with water.
 * In the fanmade abridged series, 50% Off, Makoto is shown to be in love with Haru.
 * Haruka likes to be called Haru in the anime.
 * Haru only swims free.
 * Makoto swim's backstroke.