I won!

Subject: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:01 pm

"I won!" Tom shrieked, running in his lopsided way. "I won!" He dived into the water, laughing manically. He knew, right now, he should be taking another pill, but who cared?
He watched as Michael ran into the clearing, looking out of breath.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:03 pm

"You won," Michael agreed and breathed deeply before jumping in after Tom. He wondered if he would ever get used to this.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:05 pm

"What's wrong?" Tom asked, floating on his back. He splashed water at Michael. "It's a momentous occasion, what are you thinking about?"

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:09 pm

"Momentous occasion?" Michael smiled and waited for the perfect moment to splash back. He didn't really want to share what he was thinking about because it involved how soaking wet Tom was. He couldn't stop thinking about what Tom had teased him about last time they were wet.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm

"When something actually goes through your head." Tom snickered, diving under again before Michael could splash him.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:14 pm

"Hey!" Michael looked around, trying to guess where Tom would resurface so he could get revenge.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:16 pm

He got his answer when Tom leapt onto his back, using his legs as grip to keep him on.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:20 pm

Michael looked over his shoulder, "You tricked me." He grinned before wiggling around to try to get Tom off.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:21 pm

Tom nodded, smirking. Suddenly, unsettled by Michael's jerking around, he flipped over the other man's shoulder, sinking into the water. He didn't come up for air.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:22 pm

"Tom?" Michael waited for a few seconds, thinking it was longer, before diving after him.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:23 pm

Tom's head hit the bottom of the pool, and he blacked out immeadiately, no pain, no knowledge, no thoughts.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:27 pm

Michael could feel the blood pulsing inside him, every heartbeat painful and long. He kicked a little harder to try and speed up so as not to waste any precious time.

He saw Tom hit the bottom, unsure if the clear, clean water was a blessing or a curse. If he saved Tom it was a blessing, but if he didn't make it well...

An arm around Tom's waist and a few more kicks to the surface and he was pulling Tom to place up on the shore.

Please breathe.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:29 pm

There was no blood from Tom's head. His wrist had already healed. There was just a clean bruise that marred his forehead, and dipped into one of his eyes. His head lolled on his shoulders as he was placed on the sand.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:32 pm

Michael put his cheek close to Tom's face to check for breathing, and prepared himself to resuscitate the the unconscious man.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:34 pm

Tom didn't move, his whole body staying totally still. It was eery. Very eery.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:38 pm

Michael tilted Tom's head back and pinched his nose, hesitating a few moments before covering Tom's mouth with his own. He blew until Tom's chest rose then repeated the process, waiting for some small sign before moving on to the next step.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:41 pm

Luckily, Tom coughed, turning over to expel the water from his lungs. He shuddered and vomited, before leaning his head on the smooth rock. "Wha... what happened?"

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:42 pm

"You're alive, "Michael breathed and pulled Tom into his arms, ghosting his fingers over the swelling bruise. Some tears moistened the corners of his eyes but didn't fall.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:44 pm

Tom wriggled slightly, getting comfortable on Michael's lap. He leant his head on the older man's shoulder. "I am?" He smiled impishly. "I wasn't aware of that."

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:48 pm

"I almost killed you," Michael whispered and held Tom a little tighter as if he never wanted to let go again. He breathed in sharply to avoid crying.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:50 pm

Tom frowned, moving his good arm to stroke the other man's hair. "Well, you get one more chance to do it, then we can start calling it a crime." He murmured, kissing the shell of Michael's ear.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:53 pm

"Tom?" something in Michael's mind clicked as he realized this would be the perfect opportunity fo him to do what William had wanted him to.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:54 pm

"Mmm?" Tom looked up from the base of Michael's neck placidly.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:58 pm

Once again Michael found himself unable to say what was on his mind so he remained silent a few moments before trying, "You're important to me. I never want to see you like that again," and shifting the younger man so he could kiss his forehead gently. If that didn't get at least part of the message across, he didn't know what would.

Subject: Re: I won! Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:59 pm

Tom flushed darker than Michael had ever seen him before, and hid his face in the Australian's chest.