safe in my arms | solangelo au | under editing

Chapter Sixteen

NPOV:

"Did you bring swimming trunks?" Will asks me.
"No." I shake my head.
"I'll buy you one." He grins.
"No, that's fine." I don't want him to have to spend money on me.

"Nico, it's okay." He says gently. "You don't have to worry about every little thing I do for you."
"But-"
"It's okay." He insists.
"Alright." I sigh. Will smiles.

"Let's go then! The pool has some behind the counter."
"Now?" I ask worriedly.
"Yeah." He smiles, then sees my face. "That okay... Right?"
"Yeah. Just... I didn't realise you meant now." I exhale.
"It's okay though, isn't it?" He worries.
"Yeah, it'll be okay." My head is screaming 'no it won't!' but I block it out. I can't disappoint Will.

~~~

We arrive at the pool and Will opens the car door for me. I get out nervously and he leads me indoors.
"What colour?" He gestures to the swimming trunks.
"Black."
"Okay." He grabs them. "Won't this make you seem even paler?" He asks. I shrug.
"I like black."
"Okay then..." He steps behind the desk and put some money in the register.

I look around at the cubicles with dread. He's not going to make me go in the same one, is he? Luke always did that. I hated it. Fortunately, Will doesn't. When I step out of one of the cubicle a short while later, he's already ready.

He's leaning against the wall, smiling and looking completely laid back. He's dressed in a pair of blue swimming shorts, and I can see his muscles. Catching myself staring and blushing, I mentally chide myself. Will's face lights up when he sees me. I didn't think it was possible for his smile to get any bigger.

"Ready?" He asks.
"I guess." I nod. He takes my hand and I pull it out of his grasp.
"Sorry. I forgot you don't like touching." He looks embarrassed. I look at the pool. It's a large rectangle, the blue water shimmering. I like the colour (though Will's eyes are better. This is just one solid colour. His are layered; multiple shades of blue, ranging from a pale baby blue, to a bright turquoise, to a stunning azure, to a deep midnight blue... But I'm getting distracted.)

Will gets into the water in the shallow end. It barely reaches his waist. I reluctantly get in and feel the cold water swirl around me.
"It's freezing!" I exclaim.

"It'll warm up soon." Will smiles. "Well, technically it will stay the same and your body temperature will drop, but..." He shrugs. "I'm not helping, am I?"
"Nope."

"Dunk under, it'll help." He suggests.
"No way."
"Why not?" He asks. "Just block your nose, close your eyes and dip your head under!"
"No." I shake my head. Will shrugs and dunks his head under quickly.

When he pops back up he shakes his head like a wet dog. Flecks of water hit me as I protest. Will grins at me, pushing his hair back off his forehead in a way which is much too attractive. I catch myself staring again and blush, which I realise that I seem to be doing a lot lately.
"You're so cute." He smiles. I turn an even deeper shade of red, indignant.
"No I'm not!"

"Aww!"
"Shut up."