He led me down the narrow path, his hand steady at my back as we navigated the slightly uneven ground. The dock was solid beneath our feet, and I could see clear to the bottom of the cove—smooth stones and gentle underwater plants swaying in the current.
"How did you find this place?" I asked, watching as he set down the bag and began unpacking towels and a thermos.
"My coach brought me here when I was sixteen," Nicolaus replied, his voice carrying a nostalgic note, “It had been at a time whenI was thinking of quitting the swim team.”
I turned to look at him, surprise clear on my face. "You wanted to quit swimming?"
Nicolaus nodded, his movements careful and deliberate as he continued unpacking. "I was burned out. The pressure, the competition, the constant need to be perfect—it was consuming me. I'd lost sight of why I started swimming in the first place." He pulled out a small bluetooth speaker and set it aside. "So Coach Barker brought me here at dawn, just like this. Told me to swim without thinking about form or times or anything else. Just... swim."
I could hear the emotion carefully contained in his voice, the way he spoke about it was like a turning point. "And did it help?"
"It saved my career," he said simply, straightening to look out over the water. "I remembered that swimming wasn't about winning or losing. It was about finding peace in the movement, in the rhythm of breathing and the water around me." He turned to me, his eyes reflecting the deepening colors of the sunrise. "I come back here whenever I need to reset. To remember why I do what I do."
The significance of him sharing this place with me wasn't lost on me. This wasn't just a date—it was Nicolaus opening a door to something deeply personal.
"Thank you for bringing me here," I said softly, stepping closer to him. "For sharing this with me."
Nicolaus reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face with careful precision. "I wanted you to experience it. The freedom of swimming without expectations." His eyes searched mine. "No one else is watching. No one judging your form or counting your laps. Just you and the water."
"And you," I added quietly. Something flickered in his expression—warmth, perhaps, or vulnerability quickly contained.
"And me," he agreed, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it."Always me."
The first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, painting the water in shades of gold and rose. The transformation was breathtaking—what had been a mirror-still surface now shimmered with light, each ripple catching and reflecting the colors of dawn. I understood immediately why Nicolaus had insisted on such an early start.
"Oh," I breathed, watching the light dance across the water. "It's incredible."
"It's even better from inside," Nicolaus said, already removing his shirt with efficient movements. I tried not to stare at the lean muscles of his chest and shoulders, but found myself cataloging every line and shadow. He was beautiful in a different way than the others—where Christopher was broad and solid, and Miles had that rangy strength, Nicolaus was all precise definition, every muscle. sculpted by countless hours in the pool.
"Are you coming in?" he asked, pausing at the edge of the dock. There was no pressure in his voice, just a gentle invitation, “There is a swimsuit in the car if you prefer.”
I looked at the water, then at him, then made my decision. "Turn around," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. A small smile played at his lips, but he obliged, turning to face the water while I quickly shed my clothes. The morning air was cool against my skin, raising goosebumps that had nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with the anticipation thrumming through my veins.
"Okay," I said softly, wrapping my arms around myself.
Nicolaus turned back to me, and I watched his breath catch as his eyes swept over me. Unlike the heated gazes of the others, his appreciation was quieter, more reverent.
"You're stunning," he said simply, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity that made my cheeks flush. "The water's going to be cold at first, but you'll adjust quickly."
He dove in with practiced grace, barely disturbing the surface as he disappeared beneath the golden water. When he surfaced a few feet from the dock, his dark hair slicked back and droplets catching the morning light, I felt my breath catch. This was Nicolaus in his element—completely at peace, every line of tension gone from his shoulders.
"Your turn," he called softly, treading water with effortless ease.
I sat on the edge of the dock, dangling my legs in the water. He was right—it was cold, but not unpleasantly so. More like a gentle shock that made my skin tingle with awareness.
"I'm not going to be graceful about this," I warned, glancing over to him. He was watching me with amused eyes.
“Grace is overrated," Nicolaus said, swimming closer to the dock. "Sometimes the best experiences come from abandoning perfection."
I took a deep breath and slipped into the water, gasping as the cool liquid enveloped my body. The shock was immediate but not unpleasant—like being awakened from a dream. My feet found the sandy bottom, and I stood chest-deep in the crystal-clear water, acutely aware of how the morning light played across the surface around us.
Nicolaus swam over to me with smooth, economical strokes, stopping just close enough that I could feel the gentle current from his movements. "How does it feel?" he asked, his voice carrying easily across the water.
"Like I'm weightless," I replied, surprised by the truth of it. The water supported me completely, removing all the usual tension I carried in my shoulders and back. "Like I could float here forever."
"You could," he said simply. "That's the point." He demonstrated, leaning back to float on his back with his arms spread wide. The sunrise painted his skin in shades of goldand amber, and I found myself mesmerized by the peaceful expression on his face. "Try it."
I attempted to mimic his position, but immediately felt myself sinking. "I don't think I'm doing it right," I laughed, water lapping at my chin.
