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Yelena swam across the large pool on a lower level of the tower, allowing the scars exposed by her black bathing suit to be cleansed in the sparkling blue water. She extended her arms, kicked her legs up and down, and kept on propelling herself forward, until she finally reached the edge and it was time for her to turn around.
At that moment, however, she heard the door open, and she looked up to see Bob enter the room, wearing a pair of navy blue swim trunks plus a gray zip-up hoodie over his naked upper body.
He froze at the sight of her and said awkwardly, "Oh...sorry. I didn't know the pool was occupied."
"No, no, it's okay. Come join me for a swim."
"Really? Can I...?"
"Sure. No problem. I was beginning to feel lonely anyway."
"Okay, then..." Bob said before choosing a kickboard from the rack in the corner and taking off his hoodie. He carefully submerged one foot after the other like a puppy touching water for the first time.
"You're so cute," Yelena said with a chuckle.
"Not sure what your definition of cute is, but I don't think I apply," Bob said while trying to maintain a steady balance in the water.
"No, you're definitely cute."
With that, Yelena resumed her swim, and Bob commenced his light exercise as well, using the board to keep himself afloat. Before he could swim halfway across the pool, Yelena had already reached the opposite end and was on her way back.
She stopped beside him and said with a smile, "Not used to being in the water?"
Bob also paused and replied, panting, "Yeah...I was never really taught how to swim."
"Do you want me to teach you?"
"Maybe another time. I need to...you know...clear my head a little."
"Why? You got depressed again?"
"It's not that bad. I just read this really sad story, and it triggered some dark thoughts, so..."
"I see," Yelena said, nodding, her eyes filled with sympathy and concern. She then said in a lighter tone, "Let me just teach you one thing. Trust me, it'll be very therapeutic."
"Okay...?" Bob responded, confused as to what she was planning.
"All right. Let's put this thing aside..." Yelena took the board away from him and tossed it out of the pool. "And we're going to slowly lean back. Tilt your head backwards, spread your arms a bit, and let yourself float to the surface."
She demonstrated, allowing her body to be released from gravity and float above the water like a buoy. Bob attempted to do the same, but when his feet lifted off the floor and his body automatically floated upward, he started to wriggle and squirm out of fear.
"Try to stay still. You'll sink if you move around too much."
Bob took a deep breath and tried to relax his muscles, letting the water take control of his body and cradle him on the surface. The two floated silently for a minute, staring at the crack-like patterns of light on the ceiling, breathing in and out to their full extent, realizing a new weightlessness in their bodies that wouldn't have been noticeable on land.
"This is actually nice," Bob finally said, breaking the silence.
"I know, right?" Yelena then began to slightly paddle her feet, saying, "Why don't we try swimming like this?"
"Hey, wait! That's not fair!" Bob complained, trying to catch up to Yelena's mischievous cackle. He lifted his head too much, however, and started to sink. He panicked and flailed his arms, losing his balance altogether.
"Whoa! Are you okay?" Yelena said in surprise, swimming back toward Bob.
"Yeah...I'm fine," he replied, rubbing his hand across his face to remove the membrane of water.
Yelena chuckled and felt his dripping curls with her fingers, which reminded him of the first time she touched his hair in the vault. He couldn't help blushing a little.
"You look cool when you're soaked."
"No, I don't," Bob said with an awkward smile.
"Yes, you do. I can say with confidence that I know more about you than you do."
Bob's smile widened in fulfillment as he said, "Well...I guess you're right on that."
The two cupped each other's wet cheeks and exchanged a slow, gentle kiss, tasting the hint of chlorine on their lips.
They smiled at one another right after they separated, and Yelena suggested with a tilt of her head, "You wanna come with me for a joint shower and midnight movie session?"
Bob chuckled nervously and responded with a few nods, "I would love to."