the smell of chlorine was something that constantly stuck to finley. mixing with his cologne and his natural scent, it was as if it was engraved into his entire being.

he couldn't help it. swimming was a stress reliever. if he got a bad grade, he went and swam for hours. if he got in an argument with a friend, he went and swam for hours. if he felt like shit, he'd go and swim. it was the answer for everything.

although in this current moment, as pale flesh cut through the water like a harpoon, nothing was wrong. it was purely recreational in this particular moment. the water dampening skin as if he had been born to remain in the water for all eternity, although such a thought was foolish.

he'd been swimming for three hours and forty four minutes.

with each breath taken, his eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. keeping track, counting the minutes that passed as he remained in the pool. his fingers had long since shriveled from the extended time in the water yet it was a feeling that didn't bother him. a feeling that he was more than used to.

his mind was blissfully blank. all he could hear was the rush of water going past his ears with each fluid movement. in moments like this, he felt like he belonged more in the water than on land. even if it was a stupid thought.

finley was well aware that he had plans eventually. something about hanging out with someone from one of his classes - someone who was clearly using him for his notes. but finley was numb to it at this point. or maybe numb wasn't the correct word. maybe apathetic was a better descriptor for it.

he wasn't a fucking idiot. he knew that the hangout was an excuse for potential bonding. it was no secret that he was smart, that he had been the top of his classes in high school and remained at the top here in university. it was something he was proud of.

but right here and now, as he cut through the water, those plans slipped from his mind as he allowed himself a moment of relaxation. or well, several moments.

eventually after another half an hour, finley emerged from the water, dark hair dripping wet, usually unruly strands plastered to his skin. water dripped down his frame and onto the tile as he pulled himself onto the edge, pulling himself to his feet without much effort.

as far as he was aware, he was alone. he'd been alone for the entire time, the entire three hours and fifty six minutes. why would that have changed in the time since he'd last taken a brief breather, his head coming above water for more than a breath. and so he was relaxed, content in his own company as he took a towel to his wet hair, drying it a little too roughly.

his frame was relaxed, shoulders drooped slightly, limbs limber from the strain of swimming for so long. there were no traces of tension in his frame, almost as if the water had eroded away the previous tension that had been there before.