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Obito sighed as he adjusted the straps of his worn out swim bag, over-packed with all his necessities. He’d thought this day would be fun—a day to finally relax and chill out—but oh how wrong he was.
Because he was alone.
Rin was supposed to come. She’d promised to him—or more so vaguely agreed to the idea over text before suddenly cancelling the plans and saying something came up so she couldn't come. He was devastated, even though he didn't blame her, even when he was stuck with a prepaid ticket, an over-packed bag, and zero motivation to enjoy the day.
His sandals padded against the ground, barely audible over the sounds of people of all ages screaming in the distance. “It's fine,” He muttered to himself under his breath, finding an unoccupied table to set his bag and towel down. “I paid, I'm swimming.”
He looked over his shoulder after he set his stuff down, the big pool along with various different slides and other water attractions alike in the distance. This was already starting to be a day that he’d never want to think about again.
He let out a long sigh, tilting his head up towards the bright-blue, cloudless sky, trying to will the frustration in his system away.
‘This is fine. I like swimming, and I can have fun on my own. Sure, Rin isn't here, but that doesn't mean the whole day is ruined, right..?’
That's when he took a deep breath, a surge of determination to enjoy this day while he could seeping into his bones as he looked back towards the pool confidently.
“That's right. I'm going to enjoy this day. I won't let a minor setback get in the way!”
And with that, grinned, sprinting full throttle wild and recklessly towards the pool to dive in, the first step to enjoying this day in his own way.
If he couldn't feel happy, he could at least pretend.
Until—
Thud.
He crashed into someone, nearly losing his balance before feeling a strong hand steady him. That was when he looked, opening his eyes he hadn’t realized he had closed during the collision. He was met with the sight of a tall, lean guy in red swim trunks, a loose white t-shirt and a lifeguard whistle and ID that read ‘Kakashi’ hanging from his neck. He had fair skin and silver hair that seemed to glow perfectly under the sun, leaving Obito a bit breathless. One strong hand had gripped Obito’s arm, and he suppressed every urge to gulp audibly in that moment.
The guy—seemingly named Kakashi—looked at him with an unimpressed expression, resembling that of a judging cat as he raised a brow. “You’re not supposed to run near the pool, it’s wet. Slippery. Hazardous. Ever heard of that?”
Obito—very aware of his accidental hand placement on the other man’s chest—could only manage a weak nod. “...Yeah, Got it.”
“Good.” Kakashi said to him—giving him one last look of something between annoyed and amused—before turning away.
Obito stood there for a while, frozen in place and absolutely mortified before heading over to the pool with the spirits of a kicked puppy. He eased into the water and sank low, hoping that the water and chlorine would wash away the embarrassment that seemed to cling to his very essence.
He just wished Rin was here, she’d cheer him up.
And yet...he found himself glancing back over to the lifeguard chair every now and then.
Because apparently, hot lifeguards with a voice that could reel even the strongest soldier in like a siren and faces that looked like aphrodite blessed them herself were real. And Obito had just crashed into one at full speed.
So maybe this day won't be total shit after all.
At first, Obito tried to distract himself by swimming around for a bit.
Didn’t work.
He did a back-float, because maybe in this position he wouldn't stare so much. That was until he found himself peeking one eye open to see if the lifeguard was watching his amazing back-floating skills, only to grow offended when he saw that Kakashi wasn't even looking at him, his attention on some kind of book instead.
Who the fuck reads a book at the pool?
Obito didn't even know if he was paying attention in general until Kakashi’s head perked up momentarily to survey the pool, to which Obito sank lower in the pool, as if the water would shield him from view.
He still wasn't even looking at him.
Rude.
So obviously, the only logical next step was pretending to drown.
He flailed a little, just enough to cause a splash. A few nearby kids gave him weird looks, though didn't say anything. He coughed dramatically and sank down to his shoulders.
Still no reaction.
So the best course of action was to up the drama.
“Help!” He shouted, water splashing wildly as he fake-gasped, flopping like a wounded seal. “Lifeguard! Man down! I’m going under!”
Across the pool, Kakashi finally looked over. He didn't move, just stared.
Then he called out, completely monotone. “You’re literally 5’11, standing in three feet of water.”
Obito, not missing a beat: “That doesn't mean I’m not emotionally drowning.”
A pause.
Kakashi seemed to laugh at his corny joke, head tilted back slightly. And oh, he had the prettiest smile as he laughed.
He didn't have to come over, but he did. Slow and casual, like he had all the time in the world. Obito was still pretending to drown when he crouched near the edge of the pool, elbows on his knees and peering down at him like he was observing a mildly interesting animal.
“You want attention, you could've just asked.”
Obito was caught off guard by the directness, blinking up at him. “I—uh—well. You're the one who took an oath to save lives.”
“You're not dying.”
“I could be.”
“You're in three feet of water.”
Obito crossed his arms, bobbing slightly. “Still counts.”
Kakashi chuckled. “Fine, then I guess I should perform a rescue.”
Obito perked up. “Wait, really—"
Without warning, Kakashi just splashed into the pool next to him. Fully clothed, white lifeguard shirt and all. Water went everywhere.
Obito shrieked as he felt strong arms wrap around him and pull him up out of the water. “What the hell?!”
Kakashi smirked. “Congratulations. You're rescued.”
Obito blinked, absolutely stunned. He had not expected for Kakashi to jump in and ‘rescue’ him from something that wasn't even putting him in danger. He knew he was faking, and yet went along with it anyway.
He was then snapped out of his thoughts by a question:
“Do you require mouth-to-mouth?”
Obito short-circuited, feeling his cheeks flush a bit at the question. “What—no!”
He wriggled out of Kakashi’s grip and stepped back a bit awkwardly, wide-eyed.
Kakashi just tilted his head with a snicker. “You sure?” He asked, voice casual. “You did yell for help. Pretty loudly too. I'm sure the whole pool heard you.”
Obito sputtered, “I didn't think you'd actually jump in! I was joking!”
“Right,” Kakashi nodded. “You're hilarious. Hilariously dramatic.”
“I am not—”
Kakashi crossed his arms. “You fake-drowned in the shallow end to get my attention.”
Obito opened his mouth to argue against it, but then shut it immediately. Technically, Kakashi was right, and Obito had no defense against it.
Kakashi on the other hand seemed to be clearly enjoying this.
“Look,” Obito muttered, running a hand through his soaked hair, “Maybe I wanted a hot lifeguard to look at me. Sue me.”
There was a moment of silence. Obito realized he had said that outloud and immediately regretted the day he was born.
But Kakashi didn't laugh, nor did he tease. He just said, calmly, “...Well, now I’m looking.”
Obito froze. His brain? Empty. Gone. Literal blue screen of death in his mind.
“You planning to fake-drown again? Or are you sticking around this time?”
Obito swallowed hard, ears red. “...Depends. You gonna keep rescuing me?”
Kakashi shrugged. “Only if you ask nicely.”
“But what if I actually drown and then I can't ask?”
“Then I guess I really will have to rescue you.”
“Noted.”
Kakashi just stares dumbfoundedly. “Don't tell me you're actually going to try and—”
Obito, taking this as a chance, jumps back stupidly into the water without warning. He sinks low into the water, down to his shoulders before fully submerging himself—head and all—into the body of water.
Kakashi blinks, taken off guard by this as he watches. “Seriously..?”
He waited. One second. Two. Fifteen. Obito didn’t resurface.
At first, Kakashi rolled his eyes and muttered, “Alright, drama queen. You made your point.”
But then a full minute passed.
Then two.
And bubbles started rising.
Kakashi’s eyes widened, thinking: ‘Is he really going to drown?’
Kakashi’s stomach dropped. His lifeguard instincts took over fast.
“You there..?” he called out, standing up straight, scanning the water.
No response. No movement.
He cursed under his breath and dove in.
The water was cooler beneath the surface. His eyes stung from chlorine as he swept his arms through it, searching. His breath held tight in his chest, lungs starting to burn slightly until—there.
A leg.
Kakashi grabbed it, followed the body upward, and broke the surface with Obito’s arm draped over his shoulder. His heart was pounding too loud to think. He swam quickly to the pool’s edge, used his strength to hoist Obito up over the ledge, then pulled himself out after him, soaking and breathless.
Obito’s body hit the deck with a wet slap. He was pale. Still. Eyes closed. Chest unmoving.
Kakashi didn’t hesitate. He dropped to his knees and leaned over him.
“Hey—"
No response.
He tilted Obito’s head back, checking for breathing. Nothing. Jaw clenched, Kakashi pinched his nose and gave two breaths, watching Obito’s chest rise. He moved into chest compressions, counting in his head and trying not to panic.
“Don’t you dare die on me,” he muttered, low and furious, hands steady despite the tremor in his voice. “You don’t get to be a dumbass and die.”
He leaned in and gave another breath.
And then—cough.
Obito jerked, sputtering water, gasping for air as he rolled onto his side.
Kakashi immediately shifted, supporting him, hand on his back. “Breathe. You’re okay. Breathe.”
Obito coughed more, groaned, then turned his head toward Kakashi, blinking blearily. "...Damn. You really do know CPR.”
Kakashi stared at him in complete disbelief.
“You—you were faking?”
Obito gave a watery, sheepish grin. “No? Kind of? I held my breath. Got a little too into it. Might’ve blacked out a bit.”
Kakashi looked like he was going to murder him right there on the pool deck.
“...You’re banned,” he said flatly. “From everything. Pool. Premises. Oxygen.”
Obito coughed and wheezed, still smiling. “But you did rescue me.”
Kakashi dragged a hand down his face. “I swear to god..."
Obito sat up with a groan, still coughing up water. His whole body felt like he had been hitten by a bus.
“By the way,” he wheezed, still grinning like a dumbass. “Name’s Obito.”
Kakashi blinked once. Twice. Then deadpanned:
“Congratulations. You almost died, I don't care what your name is.”
Obito snorted, and then it turned into another cough. Kakashi immediately pressed a hand to his back again to steady him, making sure he didn't keel over.
They sat there for a second—Obito dripping everywhere, Kakashi silently checking his pulse.
“You're really not gonna let this go, huh?” Obito muttered.
Kakashi glared. “You stopped breathing for a whole minute. You think I’m just gonna let you wander off after that? You're lucky you didn't go into cardiac arrest.”
Obito blinked, surprised at the sudden shift in tone. Kakashi wasn't joking anymore, his voice low and serious and his brows furrowed beneath his damp bangs.
“...Right.”
Kakashi sat back on his heels, arms crossed, expression unreadable but way too focused.
“Why the hell did you think that was a good idea?”
Obito looked down at the concrete beneath him, the water glistening in puddles around them. “I wasn't trying to drown. I just— thought I could hold my breath longer.”
Kakashi stared at him in disbelief, then muttered, “Fucking idiot.”
Obito peeked up at him, a grin on his face. “You did save me though.”
“Of course I did,” Kakashi said sharply. “I'm a lifeguard. That's literally my job.”
“...And you did mouth-to-mouth.”
Kakashi short-circuited for half a second.
“Oh my god—I revived you,” He corrected. “There's a difference.”
“Still counts.”
Kakashi groaned and stood up. “You're gonna be the death of me.”
Then, quieter: “Come on. First aid wants to check you out. And I’m making sure you don't do anything else stupid while you're still conscious.”
He held out a hand, which Obito took to stand up, wobbling a bit. Kakashi grabbed his elbow to steady him.
“You really do care.” Obito whispered with a wide grin.
Kakashi side-eyed him with a scoff. “Shut up and walk.”