The Pool

@Kyungil Jiyong heard the latter's sympathetic voice, lips crowning in a crown as he narrowed his eyes and felt the pang of his heart tighten his chest so badly he felt he was choking, but he could only kick his feet and avoid all eye contact as soon as possible. Now that he had just met the male, he hadn't want to scare him away, gross him out, or distance themselves anymore so he remained quiet, unable to tell the God's honest truth. He couldn't just tell the other, it was embarrassing. He needed the money so desperately, he concluded there was nothing else he could do. He shouldn't be embarrassed, but he was, and his cheeks turned red in defeat. He hadn't been able to pay for early childhood school, he had no education as a child, so it wasn't until he got his job and money that he was able to go to an actual school.

"Yes, I do. Just.. Simple jobs," he murmured softly, pulling a wet strand of hair and pushing it beyond his face. "I don't exactly have money, so in order to pay rent and do what I do now.. I needed more than one." He replied simply, shrugging. "It's nothing, really." He confronted with a shy smile and shake of his head so he could change the subject. He felt the others gaze wear off and he glanced back over, letting a bit of silence fall on him as he waited, head tilting. "And no... I didn't have the money for school, so I wasn't able to go until around middle school," he replied, heart beating. "Wth the help of my friend I've been attending some night classes as well." He said, eyes casting down for a brief moment, but a forced laugh echoed past the wall of his throat as he looked up, cheeks and smile bright. "Oh really?"

"I'm glad to hear.. It's just, well, your friend of yours was fun to play around with. I'm only being good because I'm paying attention and I want to learn, I was just having fun before." He put simply, shrugging once more. "Your lucky... You would have been me tot kick me out, of at least send me a new instructor. It's too bad I like you, means I won't be... A bothersome for the next few lessons." He smirked playfully, waving his arms beside him. "Buti can be bad." He aqcuired.

Jiyong sighed softly and breathed in the pool 'smell', looking around befor his eyes laid on the latter completely, as if challenging him. "But you wouldn't like me bad.. I've been called pretty.. Dangerous." He cooed. "Now... Teach me more."

@Jiyong The playful banter between the two was nice. It seemed refreshing to be able to just natural speak and joke around with another male without Kyungil feeling like he should beat himself up about it. All through-out highschool and even now in college Kyungil tried to surround himself with females and not other guys. He feared people may suspect something if he had many guy friends, but he was more nervous about actually feeling something. Something he'd sent to the far end of his mind. Something he swore never to let take over.

So now that he was actually hanging out with another guy close to his age he seemed to loosen up and really enjoy it. Now he even had an excuse to see the other, work. It was all for work at least those are the words that kept playing through his mind.

He noticed that Jiyong's body seemed tense, but other than that he was doing very well and it was to be expected from a new swimmer. Relaxation in the water comes with practice and then it becomes an addiction.

"Jobs?" he asked as he looked over at the latter. "You've got more than one?" A rush of sympathy swept over Kyungil. "Aren't you in school," he questioned "you're still young." He gave a smile after hearing the compliment. His eyes were sent toward the opposite end of the pool as his cheeks warmed up a bit. Kyungil glanced back over at the other and thanked him. "Well, you're a pretty quick learner. My co-worker lied." A smug grin graced his lips as he joked with the other again. "You aren't THAT bad."

@Kyungil Jiyong eyed the male and shook his head, "Hey.. you're not allowed to joke like that, Mr. Lifeguard. I do any of that I'll be falling to the pits of the earth," he confessed, though feeling butterflies in his stomach for being praised for doing something good.. besides dancing. He tried to choke it down, simply nodded as he relaxed into the water, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

But he became nervous and flustered, trying to relax but tensing at the same time with the way the floor was almost becoming invisible as they got deeper, and suddenly Jiyong felt small and wanted to get out. But he kept a strong face, deciding to watch the other instead so he didn't focus on drowning. His heart was beating like a ticking bomb.

Something assured him, eased him as he focused on Kyungil's question. "Hm?" He wondered at first, unable to focus until he thought. A blush spread his cheeks, and although he wasn't lying, he wasn't telling the full truth. He didn't want to freak or gross the latter out. "Well, because of my jobs.." He started, "My school didn't exactly have a pool, I never learned to swim as a child, I haven't since. My friend is always inviting me over for a pool party, but.. I've always wanted to actually swim. It was actually a few days ago that my friend told me about you guys and how he thought you could help... so I came here. It takes my mind off of how stressing my jobs are." He confessed, looking into the water and gulping. "But I'm.. I'm learning. Maybe next time I can go in the pool," he laughed, frowning. "I sound like a child... but I feel better. Now that I have a good teacher."

@Jiyong "I think you're right!" He commented with a toothy smile. "You'll be doing laps around the pool in no time." Kyungil joked as he swam alongside the other. "Let's keep going out further." He urged the other as he swam beside him toward the deep end of the pool. Slowly, as they swam out farther the bottom became darker until you could no longer see the floor of the pool.

Kyungil kept a close eye on the other in case anything were to happen. "So Jiyong, what made you decide to take swimming lessons anyway?" He asked curious to know the answer. He wanted to know more about this mysterious stranger. Kyungil kept waving his arms pushing his body forward to match the pace of the latters.

@Kyungil Jiyong couldn't help but be proud anyway, that even if it was a small act and lesson, he was partially proud for trusting someone, for opening up bit by bit to the not so much stranger. And the way the other praised him filled him more than what his parents and friends could do. His heart raced a bit and he frowned when the other back up, backstroking back and the current moved. He understood that they were moving to the next step.

Jiyong was mostly proud, however, at the fact that he was infarct learning to be around another person without annoying them, or getting on their nerve, or just being.. him, unlike the other lifeguard, but the latter made him feel happy and safe and that was all he ever needed. If only the man would just stop staring at him like before, he wouldn't feel so awkward and shy. But the other also seemed to loosen up too, and that made Jiyong loosen up, too.

He nodded towards Kyungil as he told him to stay, his feet wobbling back and forth as he tried not to panic. He pushed his arms out slowly like the other said, moving his arms away from him in a fluid motion, a bit clammy at first but slowly and gradually becoming better as he finally was bale to move towards the other, grinning like an idiot as he continued, humming at the way the water flowed around him, made him move so easily as if he were floating. He kicked his feet lightly and made his way towards the other, then coming to a halt. "Now?" He asked in a much more confident voice, eager to learn more. He smiled up at the other, glad it was him who taught him. "I think I'm getting the hang of it."

@Jiyong "Wow" he clapped his hands together with a bright smile. He was excited for Jiyong. He saw the latter beginning to open up more and more and he himself was beginning to lower his own wall. It would be nice to get to a point where he would just stop this constant thinking and just start living.

That was always Kyungil's biggest problem. He'd let things taught his mind until the thoughts ate away at him. It could be about anything and everything. His mind was constantly racing. He always wondered if people could see who he really was and what he's actually like. If they could would they still like him? Or would they run for the hills. All of these thoughts wore on his mind every day, but for right now he wasn't feeling that so much. He was just living for the moment like any other young man.

Perhaps, this stubborn man before him was helping him even more that he was helping the other by giving a few swimming lessons. Kyungil was smiling carelessly without a thought. He was eager to help Jiyong learn. He yearned for this, he needed it.

"I think you're ready. Alright so just stay there" Kyungil backstroked distancing himself just enough that the other couldn't reach out and grab him. "You're staying above water now and that's the hardest part. Now I just want you to push your arms out and away from you in small but fluid so that your body moves toward mine." He instructed of the other.

@Kyungil Jiyong was in a state of shock and denial as the latter finally let go but he caught himself, gasping a bit as he began to tread his feet, back and forth like the other had taught him, a huge grin semi pulling on the edge of his lips and upward. His eyes widened a bit and he smiled gladly, eyes forming crescents as he laughed softly and moved his hands still anxiously on both sides od his body, moving the water around him.

He also tried not to see into the way the latter looked at him, ignoring the shy blush on his cheeks as he tried to focus on his swimming than the lifeguard. "I-I can't believe it.. I'm.. I'm almost doing it, right?" He murmured, smiling down at himself before he got a little too excited, chuckling to himself as he pushed forward to grab the other's shoulders and laugh. "What's next?" He asked in a more, confident but shaky and cheerful tone. "I mean.. I don't think I can go any deeper, but at least I got that part."

Jiyong smiled giddily as he gave them both a distance, his hands still lightly pressed on his shoulders. "What do you think? Think I can do the next step?"

@Jiyong Letting out an exhale of his own his own heart began to race in anticipation for Jiyong. He kept his eyes carefully locked on the other and with a small gulp released his hands. Kyungil watched the others body language carefully. He wanted to be sure if he was going to panic and go under water he would be right there to pull him up, but as he watch he couldn't help but become a bit flustered while gathering the entire image of the other males pale slender body. Even though, he wasn't ready to admit his uality his mind wouldn't stop from forming these feelings of arousal at the sight of another mans bare body that he found attractive. Kyungil didn't want to be this way. Not at all, he didn't want to like men but his heart had different plans.

@Kyungil Jiyong felt his cheeks turn pink in complete embarrassment at the way the other chuckled. He certainly felt like a real child. He puffed his cheeks despite himself, willing to take this seriously. If he didn't learn he'd look like an idiot the next time his friends invited him to a pool party.

He almost panicked more but he realized the other was just turning around, feeling hands remove from his wrist to his hands as he began to relax more, though becoming tense when the other was holding his hands instead of his wrist, but he trusted the other.. a little, so he knew better to think the other would let go without him being ready. He heard the latter praise him and he felt happy, perking up with a goofy grin on his face. Almost disbelief.

He blinked and kicked his legs still when the other distanced them both in a space. His arms shook like jelly but he held on tight, knuckles comparing to snow once more as he held on and kicked his legs more. He glanced up immediately, his head soon to be sore by the way he just trusted it up. "W-What? what are-" Jiyong had to take a deep breath, reminding himself to calm down. He breathed out slowly, through a bit of irritation before he glanced dons through the rippling water as his feet slowed to a steady pace and he looked to their hands wearily and then up to his teacher's face. His heart thumped loudly in anticipation. He allowed them a few more moment before he nodded, his chest erupting with loud pumping of blood and the sound of his heart. "I-I think.. i'll try."

@Jiyong Kyungil let out a soft chuckle as he looked back over his shoulder at the other. His petulant attitude was actually kind of cute and charming. This guy was definitely growing on him. He was proud that the other was now starting to get the hang of it, but he was more proud that the other was slowly beginning to trust him more.

Kyungil managed to whip his own body around and take the latters hands so he could see what he was doing and help teach him more about swimming. "See you're doing well" he praised the other and looked below into the clear ripples to get a good look at the others legs who where still just slightly too fast, but good enough for right now.

Lengthening his arms Kyungil stretched himself away from Jiyong, but still held onto his hands so he wouldn't feel afraid. "Do you think you can stay afloat if I let go?" he asked looking into the eyes of the other.

@Kyungil Jiyong immediately, like a child, stopped when hearing the voice belonging to not just a kind man he had met minutes before, but someone with a bit of authority, bringing back images of his stern father. His legs seemed to have calmed but there was still tension in his chest as he continued to cling to the man, not wanting to let go. 'Just breathe,' he spoke. But Jiyong wasn't falling for it. His legs kicked harder but he was definitely trying.

So he tried to do what the latter suggested and looked down to the back of the male's legs, his own trying to slow down and match the pace. But to no avail he was only growing more frustrated, his knuckles our white in frustration and in anxiety. He breathed out slowly and sighed, "Fine.."

Jiyong slowly loosened his death grip on the latter's shoulders but remained tight as he slowed his kicking and continued to watch in concentration, the edge of his lips as he now kicked his legs slowly, as if being able to lift himself in the water, but never letting go because at the moment he still wasn't ready. "Okay.. okay, I'm doing it, I guess.." He bit his lip and tried to concentrate more, becoming flustered as he pulled one hand off and put it back on more tightly, smiling to himself in a proud way.

@Jiyong Kyungil didn't take the attitude given by the latter personally. He knew how hard it was to trust a stranger. In fact, he had found it quite a difficult task himself. This was a bit different though. He was the swim instructor and Jiyong was the student. Still, he felt a bit of sympathy for the other and his immense fear of the water. Perhaps, it wasn't just the water that he was afraid of, but something much bigger.

It was in Kyungil's nature to be a protector and his actions often gave that away. He didn't give it much thought as took hold of the latters wrist and pulled him into his own space. Keeping the other close as a safety precaution. The quick tug seemed effortless coming from Kyungil who had an impressive build. It was apparent he worked out to keep the body he had and his effortless strength just aided in proving the point.

"Jiyong" he spoke with calmness as to not further panic the other. "You just have to calm down. He felt the others fingers firmly grip this shoulders and imagined the pale shade of white his knuckles must have turned due to the tight grip. Kyungil looked over his shoulder at the other. "Just breathe" the others legs were moving ninety miles per hour. "Slowly remember. Look at the pace my legs are moving." he told the other. "When you learn to stay calm then we can start to practice actually swimming." He smirked "but for now you've got to stop freaking out."

@Kyungil "Panic? Of course I'm going to panic, I can't swim!" He spat stubbornly, coldly at the other Inna very well noticed panicked voice. But he continued to listen, knowing that if he continued to complain he wouldn't get anywhere, and he already knew what would happen if he ruined the whole lesson. They'd either ban him or keep giving him new instructors. He didn't like other option.

He watched the latter move his arms and looked down to see him kick his legs and point his toes as he said, but he tried and got flustered, gripping tighter onto the edge until his eyes widened, staring at the arm that outreached towards him. His lips parted in worry before he bit down the urge to kick the man, because something about the way he acted so kindly was breaking his distrust in him already. He had to try and trust him.

Jiyong nodded and slowly pushed himself away from the edge but never really letting go, but also moving with the ripples of water around him as he let the other take his wrist. He began to kick his legs slowly, a bit of a panic attack as the hand that let go of the edge began moving frantically, and as he tried to move closer, he did what the other had suggested and moved around him, wrist moving over the male's head as his other hand clamped tightly on his shoulder as he clung to his back, his legs involuntarily kicking beneath him. "Crap,.. I'm gonna.." Jiyong bit down harshly on his lip and flinched, his grip on the other tightening. "I'm kicking my legs but-" Jiyong shook his head. "No.. I need to get out, now.." He spoke, anxiety seeping into his body as he tensed up and began kicking his legs harder, forcing his weight on the latter's shoulders. "I can't do it."

@Jiyong "Yes you can" he smiled as he watched the other cling to the side of the pool. This side was only about six foot deep, going all the way to fifteen foot deep at the opposite end. "It's human instinct, as long as you don't panic you'll stay above water." Kyungil reassured "Just move your feet back and fourth. Be sure to point your toes downward and move your arms like this." Kyungil swung his arms gently from side to side while staying above water. He held his hand out for the other. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you I promise." His voice unperturbed as he extended his arm out to Jiyong grasping his wrist gently. "Just hold onto my back if you feel scared." He told the other while looking at him. The cool blue water rippling all around them.

@Kyungil Jiyong noticed the other just really wanted to get on with the lesson, and he frowned but sighed softly and nodded. He needed to get home- no, he had to get to his shift once he was done, he couldn't miss another shift. He watched the latter, eyes squinting as his arms crossed over his chest. And that's when he came to earth, watching the once standing lifeguard to the now palms together and arms forward older man jumping gracefully into the water in a way even Jiyong had his jaw lightly falling.

Jiyong began to watched innate at the way he moved to the other side in back in no time, as if he were some kind of professional, and Jiyong wasn't sure he'd watch such a person go that fast in his entire life, but for the sake of it, he hadn't actually watched swimming at all. Of course, that's because he wasn't a swim kind of person... couldn't swimming it, he couldn't watch it either. He stared down at Kyungil, his instructor, wrapping his arms around the metal railing. He stared for moments, until he caught the breath stuck in his throat and gulped it down, shaking his head towards the offered hand.

"I-I don't know," he said wearily at first. It took quite a bit for his mind to ease before he eased himself into the water by taking the male's hand and motioning him aside as he went down to railing, slowly and very slowly went into the water with the water rising to his waist. He chewed the inside of his cheek and shuddered, gasping and chuckling at the way the cold water covered his body like ice and had him squealing softly to himself as he reached for the edge instead.

"It's too cold," he murmured softly, gripping the edge and swinging his legs a little too much for comfort, he couldn't swim so there was nothing he could really do but cling to the edge and hope he didn't die. "Now what do I do?" He murmured, glancing over while his feet struggled to touch the wall of the pool. "I can't move from here."

@Jiyong Troubled student, 'great' Kyungil thought to himself. If this guy felt the need to actually announce that himself it probably meant either one or two things. One, he was a jokester or two, he meant it. Kyungil was just hoping for the first. In fact this had been the first time he would be giving swimming lessons to someone who wasn't under twelve years old. Kyungil often hosted a swim therapy class for senior citizens in the early mornings on weekends. So this was refreshing to be teaching someone his own age. He just hoped it wouldn't be as much of a challenge as the other made it seem.

Suddenly a twinge of nervousness crept up his body. Kyungil rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, right well let's just start with the basics then alright?" Kyungil reached for the tail end of his white tank-top and pulled in over his head stripping himself bare of the top and tossing it aside. The water was extremely still. They were the only two at the pool at the time, it seemed everyone else was busy with something else.
The question caught him off guard. He was pretty good at his job. He'd only been here about six months but he was good at swimming, and he'd actually saved a couple of people. Kyungil smirked a bit looking at the other. He figured he could show him better than he could tell him. So, without hesitation Kyungil Placed his palms together with his fingers pointing to the sky and dove into the pool like a rocket he swam from one side to the other in what seemed like seconds. Only to meet Jiyong back at the side of the pool they'd started at. Coming up for air he wrapped his hands around the metal stair rails and looked up at Jiyong pushing wet strands of hair from his eyes. He gave the latter a cocky grin and held out his hand. "Come on."

@Kyungil Jiyong was at most piece as it could get with the way he had become one with the water. He had been in long enough to know he was okay being in it, however, the thought of actually swimming had brought him back on edge. He flinched slowly upon hearing footsteps and a voice, his head that had fallen back was tilted forward as he glanced back over his shoulder, looking at the lean figure approaching him. He stared for a moment, as if thinking he could recognize him even if he couldn't. His eyes glanced to the offered hand and his eyes moved back up to the face that belonged to what he hoped to God was his instructor.

Jiyong nodded slowly to confirm it, biting his lip and pushing himself slowly and ungracefully off the edge as he settled himself on the floor, toes curling from the air that hit his wet feet. His expression brightened and soothed when he heard the other say his name, and luckily for Jiyong, say that he was going to teach him. All he had to do was behave, and maybe that night he'd not have to stare at filthy man's faces, but the walls in which drove him to a sanity in his moves and the way the music flowed through him. "I've heard.. But if you haven't heard yet, I'm quite the troubled student." He said almost blatantly, as if it were some kind of warning. "And I can't swim.. at all." He began, finally taking the male's hand in his and shaking it gently but with a firm grip, and then pulling back to glance towards the pool with his hands on his hips. "So.. where do we begin?"

Jiyong wasn't exactly excited at the thought of swimming, he wasn't even in the first place, but when his friend told him how many good things came out of it, he decided to give it a try. He wasn't disappointed, at all. But.. he was more fearful of the fact that he might drown, he might choke on water as he's in the middle of cool, cold, blue chlorine filled water. He hoped he could trust the latter, that he could learn and get it over with and finally go back to his job. He was already behind on rent, and if he missed another day at work he'd be laid off, and well... stripping all day everyday wasn't exactly his ideal version of living.

He stared at the man, blinking his eyes. "And how good are you, anyway? Taught anyone else?" He wondered quietly, smirking. "I'm definitely not the only one."

@Jiyong Just arriving from his final on campus class for the day Kyungil made his way to the locker room where he'd get into his lifeguard uniform. With the key that hung from his neck paired with a bright red whistle that was more for aesthetics than anything else. He took the key from his neck and unlocked the locker room door. Only himself and other pool employees where given a key to the locker room. The locker room is where they would change from their school clothes into uniform and put away their things. There were also a couple of shower stalls for cleaning themselves up after a long hot day of work.

Kyungil approached his locker and twisted the lock a few times before it popped open and he tossed his car keys, cell phone and laptop case inside. Then changed from his casual clothing into his work uniform which included a crimson pair of knee length swim trunks and a white tank-top. Kyungil glanced in a small mirror that sat on the inside of his locker. Fixing his hair a bit before he applied some sunscreen for protection. He let out a sigh, he was pretty tired from the lack of sleep he'd gotten the night before but he wouldn't let it show today. He had been told by a fellow co-worker he was going to be giving swimming lessons today and he looked forward to it. Working as a lifeguard could get repetitive and flat out boring if you didn't have something to do. So at least today he would have something different to do.

Kyungil made his way to the pool and put his hand over his brown to act as a shield from the sun as he looked around for the person he was supposed to be training. "Ah," he approached Jiyong with a customary smile "You must be Kwon Jiyong?" Kyungil knelt next to the other and held out his hand to shake the others for a proper meeting. "I'm Song Kyunil I'll be the one to give you swim lessons." He told the other.

@Kyungil Jiyong was, to say, frightened by the sight, the smell, the feel and the noise of water, whether or not he was actually human or an infant or something. But this child.. he absolutely loathed water, and the slightest touch had not only his toes curling, but his insides. He had tried before, he even got into the water for the first time, but he spent more time fooling around with the other guard than he was learning. More or less, the flirting turned into a love hate relationship.. only, there was no love, just hate between the two because Jiyong couldn't pay attention and he was being too stubborn to be taught. So the guard disappeared, ignoring his calls when Jiyong finally became serious. Only he was like this was because of his late job. Anything was better than in the smoke filled, gross club with bright lights and too loud music.

And there he was again, standing at the edge of the pool as he waited. He was supposed to meet another lifeguard, send he was warned more than once to behave. But Jiyong didn't care, he wanted to have fun.. and lose the fear of drowning. He stepped closed to the edge and placed his foot first in front of him, big toe dipping into the cold. A cold shiver ran down his spine and he shuddered inevitably, eyes closing and his mind and body relaxed as he pulled back.

His eyes shot around before he gulped softly and bent down to rub the nonexistent current between his toes before pulling up and shrugging his shoulders back before he sighed out and let his hands fall to his side where his fingers twitched and curled in, a horrible failed attempt to calming himself as his eyes shot down to the water beneath him. Should he just go in? What should he do? Jiyong was dreading the water now, acting the clear blueness of color and the way it drew him in, but he held still, not wanting to risk the chance of falling or something. He had to meet his instructor, and this time.. 'behave'. But.. would he really, honestly behave? He was lonely, he needed friends, he needed productivity, and flirting and befriending people were his hobbies. And dancing. He stared down at the water and placed his foot back in, his patience thick and savory.

He somewhat felt bad for the other lifeguard, what he had to put up with. But Jiyong was happy, or at least he was, and he enjoyed messing with people, but he knew if he did too much the second time there would be no one left to teach him, no one left to be his entertainment, no one to make him feel less alone and less filthy as he already was. And now, before he met the lifeguard, he needed to test the waters. He finally sat on the edge of the pool and put his two legs in, all up to his knees as he closed his eyes, hands gripping the edge tight as if he'd fall in any moment. He took great grip, fearing that if he opened his eyes he'd scream, or cry. He held on tight and waved his feet slowly, back and forth with his head dipped back. He was fine.. for the moment.