SWIM
Testing the Water
The moonlight shimmered across the surface of the infinity pool, casting dancing reflections against the glass walls of Net’s penthouse. The water was lukewarm, a contrast to the cool night air that nipped at JJ’s skin as he climbed the steps. He had arrived twenty minutes ago, still grumbling about Net’s Instagram story.
"You’re finally here," Net said, his voice dropping an octave as he leaned against the edge of the pool. His hair was slicked back, dripping wet, and his bare shoulders looked broader than usual under the dim patio lights.
JJ tossed his towel onto a lounger, trying to ignore the way his heart hammered against his ribs. "You knew I wanted to come. You just wanted to tease me by posting that solo shot, didn't you? It's rude, P'Net. We talked about this last week."
Net chuckled, a low, vibrating sound that seemed to travel through the air and settle right in JJ’s stomach. "I didn't think you were serious. You're always 'busy' when I ask, JJ. I figured I'd just enjoy the peace. But since you're here..." Net pushed off the wall, gliding through the water toward the steps where JJ stood knee-deep. "Why don't you come in all the way?"
JJ hesitated, his toes curling against the tiles. He always told himself that Net was just a flirt—that the lingering touches during photoshoots and the way Net would stare at his mouth during interviews were just part of their "fan service" or their close friendship. But standing here, with Net’s eyes dark and focused entirely on him, the "just friends" excuse felt like a paper shield in a thunderstorm.
"The water’s fine," JJ muttered, stepping down until he was submerged to his waist.
Net didn't stop until he was inches away. The proximity was overwhelming. The smell of chlorine mixed with Net’s signature woody cologne, even through the water. "You look nervous, JJ. Are you cold?"
"I'm not nervous," JJ lied, his voice cracking slightly. "It’s just... the temperature difference."
Net reached out, his hand submerged beneath the surface. He found JJ’s waist, his fingers splaying across the skin just above the waistband of JJ’s swim trunks. The touch was electric. JJ gasped, his hands instinctively coming up to rest on Net’s wet chest to steady himself.
"Your heart is racing," Net whispered, leaning in so close their noses brushed. "Is that the temperature difference too?"
JJ swallowed hard. "Net, stop messing around."
"I’m not messing around. I haven't been messing around for months, JJ. You’re the one who keeps pretending you don't see me." Net’s voice was devoid of its usual playful lilt; it was heavy, thick with a frustration that had finally reached its breaking point.
Before JJ could offer another deflection, Net closed the distance.
The kiss wasn't tentative. It was a collision. Net’s mouth crashed against JJ’s with a hunger that spoke of months of restraint finally snapping. JJ froze for a split second, his brain screaming that this was *Net*, his partner, his friend—but then Net’s tongue swept against his lower lip, demanding entry, and JJ’s resolve crumbled.
He let out a soft moan, his fingers curling into the muscles of Net’s shoulders as he opened his mouth. The kiss turned deep and messy, the taste of the pool water forgotten in the heat of their shared breath. Net’s hands moved from JJ’s waist to his back, pulling him flush against his chest. The sensation of their bare skin sliding against each other in the water was intoxicating.
Net pulled back just an inch, his lips swollen and red. "Still think I'm joking?"
JJ couldn't speak. He could only shake his head, his eyes wide and glazed with a sudden, sharp desire he could no longer deny. He reached up, cupping Net’s face and pulling him back down. This time, JJ was the one who initiated, his tongue dancing with Net’s in a feverish rhythm.
The heat between them escalated quickly. Net’s hands began to roam, one sliding down to grip JJ’s thigh, hoisting it up to hook around his waist. JJ let out a sharp breath, his head falling back as Net shifted his focus to the sensitive skin of JJ’s neck.
"Net... the neighbors," JJ gasped, though he made no move to pull away.
"They can't see us here," Net murmured against his collarbone, his teeth grazing the skin. "But if you’re worried, we can take this inside."
Net didn't wait for an answer. He helped JJ out of the pool, their bodies dripping and slick. They didn't bother with towels. They stumbled into the living room, a trail of water marking their path, their mouths never staying apart for more than a second. By the time they reached the bedroom, JJ’s swim trunks were on the floor, and Net was stripping out of his own with a hurried desperation that JJ found incredibly hot.
Net pushed JJ back onto the plush duvet, hovering over him. The moonlight through the bedroom window illuminated the sharp lines of Net’s body. He looked like a god, and for the first time, JJ allowed himself to look—really look—with the eyes of a lover rather than a friend.
"You're so beautiful, JJ," Net whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I've wanted this for so long."
"Then stop talking," JJ breathed, reaching up to pull Net down.
When Net entered him, it was a slow, agonizingly perfect stretch. JJ arched his back, his fingers digging into the sheets as he found his rhythm with Net. The friction, the heat, and the sound of their combined breathing filled the room. Net was attentive, his eyes never leaving JJ’s, watching every flicker of pleasure that crossed JJ’s face. He leaned down, whispering praises into JJ’s ear, telling him how much he loved the way he felt, how long he had dreamed of this exact moment.
JJ felt his walls finally collapsing. Every moment of denial, every time he had laughed off Net’s advances, it all dissolved under the weight of the physical and emotional connection they were finally forging. He wrapped his arms around Net’s neck, pulling him down for a kiss that tasted like surrender and victory all at once.
As the climax built, JJ’s movements became frantic, his heels digging into the mattress. Net let out a low growl, picking up the pace, his thrusts becoming deeper and more purposeful. They hit the peak together, a shattered explosion of sensation that left them both gasping for air, collapsed into a tangle of sweaty, damp limbs.
For a long time, the only sound in the room was the hum of the air conditioner and their synchronized breathing. Net shifted, pulling the duvet over them both, but he didn't let go. He tucked JJ against his side, his chin resting on the top of JJ’s head.
JJ felt a strange sense of clarity. The confusion that had plagued him for months was gone, replaced by a warm, heavy contentment. He realized that he hadn't been "just being normal" with Net; he had been falling in love, and he had been too scared to admit that the person he trusted most was the person he wanted most.
"JJ?" Net asked softly, his hand tracing lazy circles on JJ’s arm.
"Yeah?"
"I meant what I said. About not joking." Net tilted JJ’s chin up so they were eye-to-eye. "I don't want to go back to how it was. I don't want to be just your 'swimming buddy' or your co-worker."
JJ smiled, a genuine, shy smile that made Net’s heart skip. "I think I’m a bit too tired to go back to that anyway."
Net chuckled, but his expression remained serious. "Be my boyfriend, JJ. For real. No more games, no more denial."
JJ reached up, brushing a stray lock of damp hair from Net’s forehead. The denial was gone, and in its place was a truth he was finally ready to voice.
"Okay," JJ said, his voice firm. "Yes. I’ll be your boyfriend, Net."
Net beamed, the most radiant JJ had ever seen him, and leaned down to seal the promise with a kiss that was much softer, but held all the weight of their new beginning.