When you get stuck on a plane for 7+ hours, this is the result. Also, this chapter is kind of based on something that happened to me.

I don't own anything.
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Ever since he cried on Galen's shoulder, Orson felt extremely awkward around Galen. It was embarrassing to think his crush had seen him cry. And so Orson began to do something very odd. He started avoiding Galen.

While his heart longed to be at Galen's side, his conscience refused to let him ever be seen by Galen again. Apparently his mind was stronger than his heart and he didn't see Galen for a week.

But that all changed one afternoon when Orson was playing with his rubber band ball. Galen com texted him and Orson couldn't help but pick it up and take a look.

Galen: Orson, we should hang out this afternoon.

On any other day, Orson would have been screaming and cheering that Galen had invited him out. But he was too afraid of what Galen thought of him. Did Galen see him as a baby now?

Orson: Sorry. I'm busy this afternoon

Galen: No you're not. On any other day you would have been stalking me today. But you haven't done that all week.

Orson: You asked me to stop

Galen: I know you still do it...

Galen: Come on. Guys night out?

Orson: Maybe...

Galen: Great. I'll swing by your dorm to pick you up. See you in a bit!

And that's how Orson found himself standing in the doorway with Galen smiling at him. Orson couldn't bring himself to look at Galen. Every time he tried, he felt his face heat up.

"I thought of something we could do together," said Galen. "Let's go swimming today."

"Swimming?" Orson asked.

"Yes, swimming. Do you know how to swim?"

"A little. I'm not that good." Actually Orson was terrified of putting his head in the water. He didn't remember why but something must have happened. Aside from that, he liked swimming.

"I guess that makes two of us," said Galen. "I'm not that good either but I think it would be fun."

Quint spoke up. "I'm a pretty strong swimmer. I can come to spot you guys if you want."

"I'm sure we'll be fine!" Orson said quickly. He didn't want Quint getting in the way of his and Galen's relationship.

Quint didn't look convinced but he shrugged and said "Whateverz." He went back to studying his art. Quint was majoring in art Orson found out and why the Republics Program wanted people who knew how to 'read' art, he never knew.

Orson and Galen changed and went down to the large lake off campus. Orson knew they weren't allowed off campus but Galen got them off and they went to the lake.

Even though he knew he wasn't a great swimmer, he loved the feeling of being in the water. Orson promptly ran into the lake until he couldn't touch. "OH MY GOSH IT'S FREEZING!!" He screamed.

"What, did you expect a hot spring?" Galen teased as he walked in after Orson. He could still stand where Orson was floating. Galen went out a little farther and Orson paddled him. It didn't take long before Galen couldn't touch and was floating just like Orson.

Orson forgot what he had been embarrassed about earlier and did the nexu paddle in circles around Galen, asking him a hundred or so questions about what he had done over the week. Galen answered each of them with as much detail as Orson demanded. That's how things went for the first half hour. Every now and then, they swam back to where they could touch to give their arms a rest.

Then Orson found a fishing bobber. "Galen!" He shouted as he plucked it out of the muddy shore. "Look!"

"It's a bobber," Galen said, stating the obvious.

"Let's play chase the bobber!" Orson called. He ran over to Galen and threw the bobber. It didn't land too far away from the shore. "Go!" Orson and Galen shot out after the bobber. Orson didn't think he had swam this hard or well in all his life. It must be his adrenaline. He was determined to beat Galen. To his dismay, Galen was keeping right up with him. Actually, Galen could swim with his face in the water, giving him the advantage to become more streamline as he swam.

Galen reached the bobber first. Orson was bummed but not for long. "Let's do that again," said Galen. He chucked the bobber towards the shore and then started after it. Orson followed, throwing every bit of strength in his body to his arms.

He beat Galen this time. Orson seized the bobber and cheered loudly. Galen joined him on the shore a moment later. "You're a competitive one," he said.

"Wanna do it again?" Orson asked. This was fun!

Galen shrugged. "In a moment. I just need to rest a bit." Orson agreed. He and Galen sat on the beach and they rested, basking in the sun until the intense UV rays began to cook them. Then Orson threw the bobber back out. "Go!" Shouted Galen and ran in before Orson did.

Orson forgot how cold the water was and it came as a shock to him when he got in. He swam with all his might to warm up. He reached the bobber first again. "Yeah!" He shouted and spun around to see Galen floating about halfway between him and shore. But something was wrong. Galen was... struggling... "Galen? Are you okay?"

Galen shook his head. "I can't breathe!" He cried in a panicked voice. Orson released the bobber and swam towards Galen. As he swam, he noticed Galen seemed unable to keep his head above the water.

"Galen! Hang on! I'm coming!" It didn't help that he wasn't a strong swimmer. Orson couldn't reach Galen in time before the older man's muscles tired out and he sank below the surface. "GALEN!"

Orson dove under. The water surrounded his body and began gripping at his sides. It felt like it was strangling him. He had to come back up for air. "Dammit!" He hated the fact he was terrified of going underwater.

Orson thought about what would happen if he didn't retrieve Galen. The scientist would drown and the Galaxy would lose the brightest man ever. Mrs. Erso would lose her son and husband in the same year and Orson would lose his crush.

"You can do it, Orson!" Orson hissed to himself. He took a deep breath. Then he dove under.

The cold water pressed against his chest and he wanted to scream and return to the surface. Through the murky water, he could see Galen. Galen's eyes were closed and his face looked a little white. Orson swam down even further until his fingers touched Galen's cold fingers. He seized Galen's arm and pulled him to into an upright position. Orson wrapped one arm under Galen's armpits and fought his way up to the surface. Galen's weight slowed him down incredibly and Orson's supply of air was at its limit. His lungs burned for a fresh supply. He didn't give up though. He couldn't.

Orson began to feel weak and dizzy. He considered releasing Galen when his head broke through the filmy surface of the water. Orson gasped and began choking. Galen's rigid body came back to life and he choked loudly as well, spitting up some water. Orson wished he could help Galen breathe easier. The only thing he could do is swim back to shore.

Galen was still choking when they got to shore. "Breathe, Galen, breathe." He rubbed Galen's back and then patted it a little. "Come on Galey- I mean Galen!" Oh Kriff, Galen was gonna kill him for that.

Instead, Galen laughed a little, aggravating his cough. Orson continued to rub and pat his back until Galen was able to speak somewhat. "Thanks," he gasped.

"Don't talk, just focus on breathing," Orson commanded. "What happened? Wait... never mind, it was probably the shock from the cold water."

"Yeah."

"I said don't talk. Just focus on breathing so you don't die." Then his thoughts butted in. 'We haven't made out yet so you can't die on me. Breathe, dammit!' It's too bad he didn't say... oh shoot, he actually said it out loud. Orson felt his cheeks burning red and he wanted to run away right then.

Galen laughed again, causing him to cough up some mucus. "Do you really want to kiss me that badly?" He wheezed.

"Well... no... maybe... okay fine! Yes!"

"Hmm..." Galen hummed thoughtfully. "Well you saved my life. I might be able to spare a little kiss."

Orson nearly screamed with delight. Did Galen mean what he said!? "Really?!"

"I'll consider it." And Galen flashed one of his mischievous grins that made Orson was to shoot to Endor and back.
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I'm gonna end it there because I'm evil.

Okay so I did swim out to get the bobber but someone who was a stronger swimmer than I was came out and helped me back.

Please review!