ilysm // biadore 30 day writing challenge

✰ 26. swimming ✰

danny and roy arrived at their holiday destination: spain. it was hot, relaxing and a perfect getaway from their work.

but, of course, the first thing roy wanted to do was go swimming.

it was obvious: it's a hot country, and roy did love to go swimming. but danny had a secret that he never admitted, not even to roy after 6 years. only his mum knew.

danny noriega can't swim.

call him childish and immature, but he just never learned. growing up with a single mum, there was never enough money for swimming lessons.

"dan?"

"yeah baby?"

"come get in!"

he froze, trying to form a reasonable excuse.

"uhhh... i just wanna tan at the moment roy, but maybe later!"

obviously roy realised straight away. he gave him a knowing look, before swimming to his side of the pool.

"dannyyy... what's wrong? and don't lie!"

"okay." he paused. "i've never learned how to swim. i know it's embarrassing, especially at my age!"

"come here. i will teach you how to swim!"

he guided him to the shallow end, slowly edging closer towards the deeper part of the pool. they had it all to themselves, so no one was watching. the closer to the deep end, the tighter the grip on roys arm became.

"wait!" he squeaked. "what if i drown?!"

roy chuckled slightly, before adding "don't panic, ive got you. would i let you drown?"

"maybe..."

soon enough they were completely in the deep end, but danny was clinging onto roys side like a child. roy rolled his eyes.

"get on my back."

"huh?"

"i'll swim with you on my back. it's better than teaching you, your kind of hopeless."

danny hit him playfully, before crawling into his back. it was relaxing, he couldn't lie. they lied their for hours, a comfortable silence filling the air. the occasional contended sigh left their lips, and soon enough danny slid down off roys back, holding onto his side again and hugging him close.

"oh no. danny?"

"what??"

"your sunburnt!"

danny's face dropped as roy tried to suppress a giggle. he thought his back was burning slightly, but just blamed it on the hot weather.

"your joking!"

"nope."

roy got out of the pool, not before putting danny in the shallow end, to get some sun cream for danny.

even though danny had the mental age of an eight year old, roy found it endearing, and loved his personality (he even loved looking after him at times!). they wouldn't dare change it.

word count: 423