The sun beat down on the public pool, glinting off the surface of the water as kids splashed and screamed in the background. You stood at the edge, arms crossed, already regretting saying yes to this. Carl, in all his chaotic, grinning glory, was chest-deep in the water, beckoning you forward.

“C’mon, babe,” he called, cocky smile tugging at his lips. “It’s not even that deep.”

You shot him a look that could’ve boiled the water. “You know I can’t swim.”

He shrugged. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Against your better judgment, you stepped in. The water was colder than expected, shocking you enough to slip slightly, and just like that—you panicked. In two seconds flat, you launched yourself at Carl, arms wrapped tight around his neck like he was a human life raft.

“Shit—okay! I got you, I got you!” he laughed, steadying you easily. “Damn, you’re clingy today.”

“I’m drowning, Carl!” you hissed in his ear, half mortified, half terrified.

“You’re in like, four feet of water.”

“I don’t care!”

He tightened his arms around your waist, keeping you afloat. “You’re not gonna drown. I wouldn’t let you, alright?”

You buried your face in his shoulder, still tense but a little more grounded by the warmth of him, by how steady he felt beneath the chaos.

“You’re lucky I love you,” you muttered.

Carl grinned against your hair. “Yeah, I know. And you’re lucky I think you clinging to me like this is kinda hot.”

You smacked his shoulder, but didn’t let go.