Then I Swim
Title: Then I Swim
Genre: Romance, Angst
Word Count: 826
Character(s)/Pairing(s): America/England
Rating/Warnings: G. Mention of character death.
Summary: What keeps Arthur doing his best when he swims.
Olympics at
usxuk Summer Olympics 2012
“I am sure we are all very excited for the fifty metres freestyle final that is to take place this evening. And here we have Arthur Kirkland—” At this, the man gave a curt smile and a short wave to the camera. “—Great Britain’s representative for the swimming event tonight. Arthur, how are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, I suppose. I would be worried if I wasn’t.”
“How about feeling confident? You have some pretty tough competition, don’t you? We have John Moore from the US, Li Hsiao Wen from China and of course, Nathan Adams from Australia. All very great swimmers like yourself.”
“I am sure anyone can feel confident as long as they believe that they will be doing their best. I will be doing my best,” he said with a chuckle. “I hope you see what I’m trying to get at.”
“I most certainly do, Arthur. Putting your competitors aside... Tell me, how do you do your best?”
“I am sure you have heard about the seven habits of highly effective people.” Arthur smiled and threw a quick look towards the swimming pool. “Begin with the end in mind. I look straight ahead to the end point. I see myself there.” A pause. “Then I swim.”
The reporter smiled in return. “That seems to be the popular method among world-class swimmers. We’ll just have to see how it works out for you.” She looked towards the crowd. “Are there friends or family cheering on for you tonight?”
“Well, there are my teammates...” Another pause as he smiled sadly, scanning the crowd for the man he knew wasn’t there. “And there’s Alfred.”
“Well, I am sure with Alfred’s support, you will do very well. Best of luck!”
“Thank you.”
The crowd was exhilarating, cheering on for the men that was stepping up onto the platforms. He tuned the noise out and closed his eyes, wishing that Alfred was here. He was sure he would be if he could. Alfred had always been so enthusiastic when he swims, so much so that he sometimes wondered who is the one that is actually swimming for a gold. He knew his boyfriend was proud of him – he knew because he always told him – and it made his heart swell with joy. He chuckled to himself at the memory, earning the attention of no one since the people nearby had other things to concern themselves with.
I look straight ahead to the end point.
He looked up and ahead to the other end of the swimming pool, where the judges stood. A line of men – that was what most people could see, but not for Arthur. Because beyond them, beyond the man that stood on his lane, he could see Alfred– could picture him there.
“You can do it, Art!” he mouths to him, grinning so widely and brilliantly, looking so very perfect with his bright blue eyes and sunshine gold hair. He was wearing a hoodie that featured the Old Glory and a pair of black jeans to match. Ironic really, considering who he is cheering on for. But that was what Arthur best remembered him wearing. How can he forget? He simply can’t... Not with the memories of it being blood-stained, of him holding onto it as Alfred took his last breath from the unfortunate car accident that happened a year ago. He was devastated then – Alfred had promised to be there when he competes for the Olympics, had promised to be with him for as long as they lived...
But he knew better now. Alfred was never the one to break his promises. He would be here, even if it is not in a physical sense. He knew he would be.
“Oh come on! Remember what I said! No gold, no sex!”
Arthur rolled his eyes and with one final smile, got himself into the ready position, as did the other swimmers. He will win this. He have to win this. Not for the sex, of course, that’s preposterous. But for Alfred, and for all those times he stood by him and supported him as he trained for this very moment.
I see myself there.
“On your mark,” the announcer said over the distortion of the microphone. Arthur closed his eyes, imagining the scene that would have happened if Alfred was physically here. He would reach the end of the pool, win his gold, and in the excitement of it all, wouldn’t have minded even if Alfred pulled him away from the reporters and the rest of his cheering teammates for a congratulatory kiss. He was sure he would have kissed him anyway, even if he didn’t win – tell him that he did his best and that he had been great out in the pool, and that alone mattered more than the gold he didn’t win.
The buzz goes off and Arthur dives straight into the water.
Then I swim.
Genre: Romance, Angst
Word Count: 826
Character(s)/Pairing(s): America/England
Rating/Warnings: G. Mention of character death.
Summary: What keeps Arthur doing his best when he swims.
Olympics at
usxuk Summer Olympics 2012“I am sure we are all very excited for the fifty metres freestyle final that is to take place this evening. And here we have Arthur Kirkland—” At this, the man gave a curt smile and a short wave to the camera. “—Great Britain’s representative for the swimming event tonight. Arthur, how are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, I suppose. I would be worried if I wasn’t.”
“How about feeling confident? You have some pretty tough competition, don’t you? We have John Moore from the US, Li Hsiao Wen from China and of course, Nathan Adams from Australia. All very great swimmers like yourself.”
“I am sure anyone can feel confident as long as they believe that they will be doing their best. I will be doing my best,” he said with a chuckle. “I hope you see what I’m trying to get at.”
“I most certainly do, Arthur. Putting your competitors aside... Tell me, how do you do your best?”
“I am sure you have heard about the seven habits of highly effective people.” Arthur smiled and threw a quick look towards the swimming pool. “Begin with the end in mind. I look straight ahead to the end point. I see myself there.” A pause. “Then I swim.”
The reporter smiled in return. “That seems to be the popular method among world-class swimmers. We’ll just have to see how it works out for you.” She looked towards the crowd. “Are there friends or family cheering on for you tonight?”
“Well, there are my teammates...” Another pause as he smiled sadly, scanning the crowd for the man he knew wasn’t there. “And there’s Alfred.”
“Well, I am sure with Alfred’s support, you will do very well. Best of luck!”
“Thank you.”
The crowd was exhilarating, cheering on for the men that was stepping up onto the platforms. He tuned the noise out and closed his eyes, wishing that Alfred was here. He was sure he would be if he could. Alfred had always been so enthusiastic when he swims, so much so that he sometimes wondered who is the one that is actually swimming for a gold. He knew his boyfriend was proud of him – he knew because he always told him – and it made his heart swell with joy. He chuckled to himself at the memory, earning the attention of no one since the people nearby had other things to concern themselves with.
I look straight ahead to the end point.
He looked up and ahead to the other end of the swimming pool, where the judges stood. A line of men – that was what most people could see, but not for Arthur. Because beyond them, beyond the man that stood on his lane, he could see Alfred– could picture him there.
“You can do it, Art!” he mouths to him, grinning so widely and brilliantly, looking so very perfect with his bright blue eyes and sunshine gold hair. He was wearing a hoodie that featured the Old Glory and a pair of black jeans to match. Ironic really, considering who he is cheering on for. But that was what Arthur best remembered him wearing. How can he forget? He simply can’t... Not with the memories of it being blood-stained, of him holding onto it as Alfred took his last breath from the unfortunate car accident that happened a year ago. He was devastated then – Alfred had promised to be there when he competes for the Olympics, had promised to be with him for as long as they lived...
But he knew better now. Alfred was never the one to break his promises. He would be here, even if it is not in a physical sense. He knew he would be.
“Oh come on! Remember what I said! No gold, no sex!”
Arthur rolled his eyes and with one final smile, got himself into the ready position, as did the other swimmers. He will win this. He have to win this. Not for the sex, of course, that’s preposterous. But for Alfred, and for all those times he stood by him and supported him as he trained for this very moment.
I see myself there.
“On your mark,” the announcer said over the distortion of the microphone. Arthur closed his eyes, imagining the scene that would have happened if Alfred was physically here. He would reach the end of the pool, win his gold, and in the excitement of it all, wouldn’t have minded even if Alfred pulled him away from the reporters and the rest of his cheering teammates for a congratulatory kiss. He was sure he would have kissed him anyway, even if he didn’t win – tell him that he did his best and that he had been great out in the pool, and that alone mattered more than the gold he didn’t win.
The buzz goes off and Arthur dives straight into the water.
Then I swim.