Heated Swim (3/?) (Olympic Event 3)
Title: Heated Swim
Pairings: USUK
Rating: T
Warnings: Swearing and allusion to sex
Summary: They are rivals for swimming, but that might change after their first meet.
(Round 2 entry for the usxuk Olympic Event)
Alfred tiptoed into his bedroom a little later than he had intended to. He glanced at the bed and saw Arthur lying on his back with a pillow over his head. His body was straight and stiff as a board, making Alfred fear for a moment that perhaps Arthur had strangled himself. But Arthur's hand held the silver medal he had just won and he was squeezing it until his knuckles turned white.
He had lost again.
Sighing, Alfred sat on his bed and put a hand on his knee. "Arthur…?"
Arthur said nothing. He didn't acknowledge that Alfred was even touching him. Alfred tried again, but Arthur was still quiet. It was unnerving. Yesterday he had at least been emotional, but today he was too unresponsive. Why wasn't he throwing things or shouting or training or even keeping his distance?
Quickly, Arthur's hand threw his medal onto the ground. Alfred jumped, and then frowned. He bent over to pick it up. "Hey, don't be like that. A lot of other guys would kill to have this."
"I want gold," Arthur mumbled through the fabric. "I just…want to win…"
"You shouldn't see second place as losing," Alfred said. "It's still a win compared to the others."
"It's not what I want."
Alfred was silent a minute. Then, he sighed loudly and lay across Arthur's legs. "I don't want it for you either, but I don't want to lose to anyone, so I can understand that. I want you to beat me, almost more than me, but…"
"Just stop it," Arthur snapped. His voice sounded dangerously close to breaking into real anger any minute now. "I don't want or need your stupid prattling about winners and losers when you're the bloody winner of all of the games!"
Alfred opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. If he mentioned how the Chinese swimmer had outswam him a few days ago, Arthur would belt him. It had been a qualifying round, and therefore was not a medal contention event.
When Arthur didn't continue on, Alfred decided he'd try a different approach. He'd been nice and sweet up until now. It was time someone lit a fire under Arthur's butt. He grabbed Arthur by the wrist and hauled him up to sitting. Arthur began to protest, but Alfred didn't give him the chance as he dragged him out of the room and down the hallway.
"Where are we going?!" Arthur yelled. The other athletes were staring. It had already been a rumor in the Olympic Village that the duo was more than rivals.
Alfred said nothing. He continued to pull Arthur against his will until they were getting on the bus back to the Olympic Aqua Centre. It was nearing their curfew of when they had to be in bed, one that was set by their coaches. They had quite a rigorous schedule to stick to in the morning. In actuality, they shouldn't be exerting any more energy than was needed.
Arthur leaned over in his seat to hiss in Alfred's ear, "What are we doing?"
Alfred smirked and gave him a quick wink. "Practice."The Aquatic Centre was dark when they arrived. Alfred had managed to ask the security guards to let them in because they needed practice as demanded of their coaches. They were allowed as long as someone watched to ensure they didn't damage any part of the pool. Arthur thought it odd to be walking in the large building when it was vacant and so quiet. The stands seemed eerie as they went up higher and higher until they were covered by the poor architectural designed ceiling.
Alfred jogged to the changing room where his clothes were stored in the lockers. Arthur followed slowly, but his eyes skimmed the smooth surface of the water. It was all so perfect, almost like glass. Arthur wondered if he could walk across it right then, but his bones itched to dive right in. When was the last time he'd gone for an old fashioned swim instead of racing back and forth across a pool?
He changed into his tight swim suit and pushed all of his hair up into his swim cap. Alfred did the same beside him. Arthur couldn't resist a quick look at Alfred's crotch, knowing quite well what it looked like having been underneath him two nights in a row now. Still, to see it limp and in the full, bright lights of the changing room brought an all-together new view on the man.
They walked out together, noticing the security guard watching them from the front row, and then stood by the pool. Alfred was holding his and Arthur's iPhone's. He put them on the edge of the pool with the camera facing the water. He had situated them right over the T marker where they were to press their hands at the end of the race.
"All right," Arthur said. "What's going on?"
"We're gonna have a race," Alfred replied. He turned on the camera and set it to record. "Our phones will show who wins. We'll have it go off at the exact same time and then watch it together to see who touches first. Just a simple hundred meters, okay?"
Arthur sighed angrily. "Alfred, this isn't going to work. I don't understand why we are here. We're just going to see how you beat me, again, and then tomorrow we'll race and you'll still beat me."
Alfred winked again. "Maybe. Maybe not. Let's find out."
He jumped into the water, making sure he stayed away from their phones. He waved for Arthur to follow him, and after a long moment, he finally did. When he looked at Alfred with water trickling down his skin and reflecting off his eyes, making them seem an even brighter blue, Arthur remembered when he fell madly for him. He sighed and thought it might not be so bad.
Alfred rolled into a tight ball as he clung to the ladder. In the lane next to him Arthur had copied him. They were to fling themselves backwards into the water and do a backstroke once around the pool. The security guard called when they were to start, and the two swimmers took off.
The rush of adrenaline kicked Alfred into full gear. He swam like he did during the day, imagining the cheers of his team mates and the fans and the chants of "USA! USA! USA" echoing off of the walls, drowning out anyone else. He thrived on this.
He made the first turn and caught a glimpse of Arthur next to him. He was just slightly behind him, like always. Oh, how Alfred wanted him to win. He wanted to see the true strength of the Englishman that was lurking somewhere inside of Arthur, just waiting to be released. It had been there in the championships this year. Perhaps it just needed a little poke to come back out.
Finally, Alfred felt the wall with his fingers, and then planted his palms against the tiled wall. He heard the clapping from the security guard who probably hadn't seen either athletes perform before. Alfred looked to Arthur, but found the man was scrambling out of the pool to grab the phones. He turned them off at the same time and then held them side by side.
Alfred got out of the pool and joined him. They looked down at the videos as they simultaneously played back the swim. It was just a view of the water rippling and the sounds of their splashing and the applause from the guard, until suddenly fingers appeared in the screen on the phone in Arthur's right hand. A split second later, fingers appeared in the other phone.
Arthur gasped. "This…this is my phone."
He was looking at the phone on the right; the phone that showed the winner. He had won. He truly had beaten Alfred, finally, when it didn't matter and no one could see it. But Arthur saw it and that was exactly what he needed.
"Let's try again, with a different stroke!" He jumped back into the pool with the phones in the same position as before.
Alfred laughed and could only follow along.
They did four more swims before Arthur was satisfied; well, he was more than that. He was practically bursting with joy that he had beaten Alfred at all four swims. They had done 100 meter breast stroke, 100 meter freestyle, and one more 100 meter backstroke. The proof was undeniable. Arthur won each and every one.
They dried and left the Aquatic Centre (after signing autographs for the security guard), and boarded the bus back to the Olympic Village. On the way there, Arthur had been silent and moody. In contrast, Arthur was now a bubble of talkative energy as he continuously watched the videos that showed his fingers touching the wall first. Alfred didn't say anything to discredit the races or bring Arthur's mood down. He had accomplished his mission.
That night they didn't make love. Instead, they lay side by side on their beds, having pushed them together so that they could comfortably lie next to one another. Arthur was snuggled in Alfred's arms and mumbling about when he first wanted to race.
"I was five," he said sleepily. His hand was caressing Alfred's neckline. "I didn't want to get out of the water. My parents joked I'd turn into a prune and shrivel up. I never believed them. When I was seven I had my first meet, but it wasn't really competitive. Nevertheless, I won."
Alfred smiled. His eyes hadn't left Arthur's face since they left the Aquatic Centre, making Arthur fidgeted when he realized this. The man seemed ready to melt into Arthur's entire being if he could stay wet and happy.
"What of you, dear?" Arthur asked, averting his eyes from those piercing ones. Even in the dark they seemed so invasive. Remember, he thought. You still don't know how far this could go.
"Hm?" Alfred seemed to have blinked out of a trance he didn't know he was in. "Oh. Um. I dunno, I can't remember the exact minute I said I'd swim professionally. I remember seeing the Olympics when I was a kid and being sucked in. I think it was then. I thought they all looked so cool."
Arthur chuckled. "How typical of you."
"What does that mean?" Alfred asked. His smile only widened at hearing Arthur laugh. It was the first time since they had been together.
"It's just sounds like something that you'd do. It's not necessarily a bad thing."
Alfred smirked. "Well, you finally came out tonight."
"How do you mean?"
"I knew you could beat me. Didn't I tell you?" Alfred poked Arthur's nose. "But when it's race time you just get so worked up about beating me, you forget to just swim. I wanted you to remember that. Think back to when you were five. That's how I race. It's like I'm at my first meet all over again and I'm nervous as balls, but so excited to finish I can't stand it."
Arthur laughed loudly this time. He scooted closer to Alfred and kissed his cheek. "You are quite adorable, you know that?"
It was then Arthur figured out just what Alfred was to him. He didn't want to say it, just in case this was all a ruse. Better to protect his heart and hide a secret than reveal it and regret it later. Briefly he wondered if Alfred understood how much of a power he had over him.
"Alfred," Arthur suddenly mumbled. His face felt hot and his heart was loud in his ears, but he wanted to ask anyways. "Will…you…go out with me…?"
"On a date?" Alfred asked. Arthur nodded.
"A-after the races are done. I'd like just one, even if it's our only one."
Alfred took Arthur's hands in his. He kissed his nose and smiled in a deep way Arthur didn't know he could. It so earnest. How could he doubt him?
"Babe, I hope it's not our last. I want to take you everywhere!"
Arthur stared at him for a moment, and then began laughing. He felt relief sag his shoulders down away from his ears as if they had been bunched up for months. The weight of this relationship (?) and his swimming ability had eased off of him, just enough. Alfred began laughing as well, but didn't let go of his hand.
Alfred touched the silver medal on his neck; the one that most certainly was not his. He chuckled to himself, remembering how open Arthur had been that night. He loved that laugh and the way it made Arthur's nose wrinkle just so and his eyebrows lift enough to make them not seem so bushy. Alfred recalled a commenter once joking and saying Arthur might win if he shaved his eyebrows, or at least trimmed them down, but Alfred would have pitched a fit. He loved Arthur's eyebrows.
In reality, though, he loved everything about him. He loved the way he looked in the morning when the sun was a crack across his pale face, the angry way he looked before he'd had his morning tea, how he smiled when it was just them, how he was so determined, and how he never gave up. But the thing that Alfred loved the most was how Arthur looked in the water and how it looked on him.
They were meant for each other; like him and Arthur.
That was why Alfred was boarding his plane bound for England having not been back in four months. He still had a medal to retrieve and a swim to compete in, but mostly, he had arms to be in.
Hoshiko2's cents: Welp, here's round 2. I know I didn't have to be in this round to move on, but I REALLY needed that extra time for the semi-finals. I have work on that day, so I'll need help. Haha. I hope you all enjoyed it! This day's prompt was aquatics, so we finally got to see the boys in action.
Pairings: USUK
Rating: T
Warnings: Swearing and allusion to sex
Summary: They are rivals for swimming, but that might change after their first meet.
(Round 2 entry for the usxuk Olympic Event)
Alfred tiptoed into his bedroom a little later than he had intended to. He glanced at the bed and saw Arthur lying on his back with a pillow over his head. His body was straight and stiff as a board, making Alfred fear for a moment that perhaps Arthur had strangled himself. But Arthur's hand held the silver medal he had just won and he was squeezing it until his knuckles turned white.
He had lost again.
Sighing, Alfred sat on his bed and put a hand on his knee. "Arthur…?"
Arthur said nothing. He didn't acknowledge that Alfred was even touching him. Alfred tried again, but Arthur was still quiet. It was unnerving. Yesterday he had at least been emotional, but today he was too unresponsive. Why wasn't he throwing things or shouting or training or even keeping his distance?
Quickly, Arthur's hand threw his medal onto the ground. Alfred jumped, and then frowned. He bent over to pick it up. "Hey, don't be like that. A lot of other guys would kill to have this."
"I want gold," Arthur mumbled through the fabric. "I just…want to win…"
"You shouldn't see second place as losing," Alfred said. "It's still a win compared to the others."
"It's not what I want."
Alfred was silent a minute. Then, he sighed loudly and lay across Arthur's legs. "I don't want it for you either, but I don't want to lose to anyone, so I can understand that. I want you to beat me, almost more than me, but…"
"Just stop it," Arthur snapped. His voice sounded dangerously close to breaking into real anger any minute now. "I don't want or need your stupid prattling about winners and losers when you're the bloody winner of all of the games!"
Alfred opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. If he mentioned how the Chinese swimmer had outswam him a few days ago, Arthur would belt him. It had been a qualifying round, and therefore was not a medal contention event.
When Arthur didn't continue on, Alfred decided he'd try a different approach. He'd been nice and sweet up until now. It was time someone lit a fire under Arthur's butt. He grabbed Arthur by the wrist and hauled him up to sitting. Arthur began to protest, but Alfred didn't give him the chance as he dragged him out of the room and down the hallway.
"Where are we going?!" Arthur yelled. The other athletes were staring. It had already been a rumor in the Olympic Village that the duo was more than rivals.
Alfred said nothing. He continued to pull Arthur against his will until they were getting on the bus back to the Olympic Aqua Centre. It was nearing their curfew of when they had to be in bed, one that was set by their coaches. They had quite a rigorous schedule to stick to in the morning. In actuality, they shouldn't be exerting any more energy than was needed.
Arthur leaned over in his seat to hiss in Alfred's ear, "What are we doing?"
Alfred smirked and gave him a quick wink. "Practice."The Aquatic Centre was dark when they arrived. Alfred had managed to ask the security guards to let them in because they needed practice as demanded of their coaches. They were allowed as long as someone watched to ensure they didn't damage any part of the pool. Arthur thought it odd to be walking in the large building when it was vacant and so quiet. The stands seemed eerie as they went up higher and higher until they were covered by the poor architectural designed ceiling.
Alfred jogged to the changing room where his clothes were stored in the lockers. Arthur followed slowly, but his eyes skimmed the smooth surface of the water. It was all so perfect, almost like glass. Arthur wondered if he could walk across it right then, but his bones itched to dive right in. When was the last time he'd gone for an old fashioned swim instead of racing back and forth across a pool?
He changed into his tight swim suit and pushed all of his hair up into his swim cap. Alfred did the same beside him. Arthur couldn't resist a quick look at Alfred's crotch, knowing quite well what it looked like having been underneath him two nights in a row now. Still, to see it limp and in the full, bright lights of the changing room brought an all-together new view on the man.
They walked out together, noticing the security guard watching them from the front row, and then stood by the pool. Alfred was holding his and Arthur's iPhone's. He put them on the edge of the pool with the camera facing the water. He had situated them right over the T marker where they were to press their hands at the end of the race.
"All right," Arthur said. "What's going on?"
"We're gonna have a race," Alfred replied. He turned on the camera and set it to record. "Our phones will show who wins. We'll have it go off at the exact same time and then watch it together to see who touches first. Just a simple hundred meters, okay?"
Arthur sighed angrily. "Alfred, this isn't going to work. I don't understand why we are here. We're just going to see how you beat me, again, and then tomorrow we'll race and you'll still beat me."
Alfred winked again. "Maybe. Maybe not. Let's find out."
He jumped into the water, making sure he stayed away from their phones. He waved for Arthur to follow him, and after a long moment, he finally did. When he looked at Alfred with water trickling down his skin and reflecting off his eyes, making them seem an even brighter blue, Arthur remembered when he fell madly for him. He sighed and thought it might not be so bad.
Alfred rolled into a tight ball as he clung to the ladder. In the lane next to him Arthur had copied him. They were to fling themselves backwards into the water and do a backstroke once around the pool. The security guard called when they were to start, and the two swimmers took off.
The rush of adrenaline kicked Alfred into full gear. He swam like he did during the day, imagining the cheers of his team mates and the fans and the chants of "USA! USA! USA" echoing off of the walls, drowning out anyone else. He thrived on this.
He made the first turn and caught a glimpse of Arthur next to him. He was just slightly behind him, like always. Oh, how Alfred wanted him to win. He wanted to see the true strength of the Englishman that was lurking somewhere inside of Arthur, just waiting to be released. It had been there in the championships this year. Perhaps it just needed a little poke to come back out.
Finally, Alfred felt the wall with his fingers, and then planted his palms against the tiled wall. He heard the clapping from the security guard who probably hadn't seen either athletes perform before. Alfred looked to Arthur, but found the man was scrambling out of the pool to grab the phones. He turned them off at the same time and then held them side by side.
Alfred got out of the pool and joined him. They looked down at the videos as they simultaneously played back the swim. It was just a view of the water rippling and the sounds of their splashing and the applause from the guard, until suddenly fingers appeared in the screen on the phone in Arthur's right hand. A split second later, fingers appeared in the other phone.
Arthur gasped. "This…this is my phone."
He was looking at the phone on the right; the phone that showed the winner. He had won. He truly had beaten Alfred, finally, when it didn't matter and no one could see it. But Arthur saw it and that was exactly what he needed.
"Let's try again, with a different stroke!" He jumped back into the pool with the phones in the same position as before.
Alfred laughed and could only follow along.
They did four more swims before Arthur was satisfied; well, he was more than that. He was practically bursting with joy that he had beaten Alfred at all four swims. They had done 100 meter breast stroke, 100 meter freestyle, and one more 100 meter backstroke. The proof was undeniable. Arthur won each and every one.
They dried and left the Aquatic Centre (after signing autographs for the security guard), and boarded the bus back to the Olympic Village. On the way there, Arthur had been silent and moody. In contrast, Arthur was now a bubble of talkative energy as he continuously watched the videos that showed his fingers touching the wall first. Alfred didn't say anything to discredit the races or bring Arthur's mood down. He had accomplished his mission.
That night they didn't make love. Instead, they lay side by side on their beds, having pushed them together so that they could comfortably lie next to one another. Arthur was snuggled in Alfred's arms and mumbling about when he first wanted to race.
"I was five," he said sleepily. His hand was caressing Alfred's neckline. "I didn't want to get out of the water. My parents joked I'd turn into a prune and shrivel up. I never believed them. When I was seven I had my first meet, but it wasn't really competitive. Nevertheless, I won."
Alfred smiled. His eyes hadn't left Arthur's face since they left the Aquatic Centre, making Arthur fidgeted when he realized this. The man seemed ready to melt into Arthur's entire being if he could stay wet and happy.
"What of you, dear?" Arthur asked, averting his eyes from those piercing ones. Even in the dark they seemed so invasive. Remember, he thought. You still don't know how far this could go.
"Hm?" Alfred seemed to have blinked out of a trance he didn't know he was in. "Oh. Um. I dunno, I can't remember the exact minute I said I'd swim professionally. I remember seeing the Olympics when I was a kid and being sucked in. I think it was then. I thought they all looked so cool."
Arthur chuckled. "How typical of you."
"What does that mean?" Alfred asked. His smile only widened at hearing Arthur laugh. It was the first time since they had been together.
"It's just sounds like something that you'd do. It's not necessarily a bad thing."
Alfred smirked. "Well, you finally came out tonight."
"How do you mean?"
"I knew you could beat me. Didn't I tell you?" Alfred poked Arthur's nose. "But when it's race time you just get so worked up about beating me, you forget to just swim. I wanted you to remember that. Think back to when you were five. That's how I race. It's like I'm at my first meet all over again and I'm nervous as balls, but so excited to finish I can't stand it."
Arthur laughed loudly this time. He scooted closer to Alfred and kissed his cheek. "You are quite adorable, you know that?"
It was then Arthur figured out just what Alfred was to him. He didn't want to say it, just in case this was all a ruse. Better to protect his heart and hide a secret than reveal it and regret it later. Briefly he wondered if Alfred understood how much of a power he had over him.
"Alfred," Arthur suddenly mumbled. His face felt hot and his heart was loud in his ears, but he wanted to ask anyways. "Will…you…go out with me…?"
"On a date?" Alfred asked. Arthur nodded.
"A-after the races are done. I'd like just one, even if it's our only one."
Alfred took Arthur's hands in his. He kissed his nose and smiled in a deep way Arthur didn't know he could. It so earnest. How could he doubt him?
"Babe, I hope it's not our last. I want to take you everywhere!"
Arthur stared at him for a moment, and then began laughing. He felt relief sag his shoulders down away from his ears as if they had been bunched up for months. The weight of this relationship (?) and his swimming ability had eased off of him, just enough. Alfred began laughing as well, but didn't let go of his hand.
Alfred touched the silver medal on his neck; the one that most certainly was not his. He chuckled to himself, remembering how open Arthur had been that night. He loved that laugh and the way it made Arthur's nose wrinkle just so and his eyebrows lift enough to make them not seem so bushy. Alfred recalled a commenter once joking and saying Arthur might win if he shaved his eyebrows, or at least trimmed them down, but Alfred would have pitched a fit. He loved Arthur's eyebrows.
In reality, though, he loved everything about him. He loved the way he looked in the morning when the sun was a crack across his pale face, the angry way he looked before he'd had his morning tea, how he smiled when it was just them, how he was so determined, and how he never gave up. But the thing that Alfred loved the most was how Arthur looked in the water and how it looked on him.
They were meant for each other; like him and Arthur.
That was why Alfred was boarding his plane bound for England having not been back in four months. He still had a medal to retrieve and a swim to compete in, but mostly, he had arms to be in.
Hoshiko2's cents: Welp, here's round 2. I know I didn't have to be in this round to move on, but I REALLY needed that extra time for the semi-finals. I have work on that day, so I'll need help. Haha. I hope you all enjoyed it! This day's prompt was aquatics, so we finally got to see the boys in action.