A Quiet Afternoon by the Pool

The warm sun beat down on the empty pool area, casting a serene glow over the usually bustling spot. Ray dove into the water, his strokes smooth and effortless as he swam lap after lap. After texting Kai to let him know where he was, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had been looking forward to this quiet moment to himself all day. As he swam, his mind wandered back to their earlier conversation. He had caught Kai's eye a few times during the day, and he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his chest whenever their gazes met. Ray had always known that Kai was a busy man, but he couldn't help but feel drawn to him. The way Kai's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. Just as Ray was starting to get lost in thought, he saw Kai walk into the pool area, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Ray. Kai's smile was warm and inviting as he made his way over to the chairs and sat down, watching Ray with an intensity that made him feel a little self-conscious. Ray swam up to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out of the water, shaking off the excess and walking over to Kai. "Hey," Ray said, his voice a little breathless from the exercise. Kai looked up at him, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice low and husky. "How was your day?" Ray rolled his eyes good-naturedly, but he couldn't help feeling a little flutter in his chest at the endearment. "It was fine," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just the usual chaos. How about you?" Kai leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Ray's face. "It was eventful," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I had to deal with a few students who were trying to get my attention." Ray raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what did you do?" Kai chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I did what I always do. I charmed them with my wit and good looks." Ray laughed, feeling a little more at ease. "I'm sure you did," he said, teasing Kai about his flirting ways. As they talked, Kai's eyes roamed over Ray's face, taking in every detail. He couldn't help but feel a little possessive, knowing that Rakai and others had been trying to get Ray's attention all day. But he pushed the feeling aside, not wanting to ruin the moment. The conversation continued, with Kai flirting shamelessly with Ray, making him blush and laugh. They were so caught up in their own little world that they didn't even notice when Rakai, Dabo, Tota, and two other students walked into the pool area. The group was lively and chatty, but Kai and Ray initially paused their conversation, not wanting to make things awkward. Rakai, however, seemed to notice that something was off, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Kai and Ray. Dabo, on the other hand, just shrugged and dove into the water, starting to swim laps. As the group settled in, Kai and Ray continued to talk, but they were both a little more subdued, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. The tension between them was palpable, but they were both careful to keep their interactions friendly and casual. For now, at least, Kai was content to simply enjoy Ray's company, and Ray seemed happy to oblige. But as they chatted and laughed together, Kai couldn't shake the feeling that their secret was bound to get out eventually, and when it did, everything would change.