You could feel the tension in the room as everyone watched the divers prepare for their final dives.  So far there was a three way tie for first place for the men's and a two way tie for first for the women's.  Ignis and Trish were luckily in those groups.  But that only added to the tension that they were feeling as they stood by and waited for their turn.

You felt like your heart was going to explode as you watched.  The tension was so great and you could see that in the divers as they were each taking their turns with each dive.   All of the divers in the lead seemed to be a bit on edge as they each took a little more time before they actually started each dive.  Even Ignis seemed to be a bit more hesitant than usual.

"I think your shammy is dead."  You heard Noctis say as he sat beside you.

"Ohh."  You said as you loosened up your grip as you looked down and realized that you had been wringing your shammy tightly in your hands as you watched.

"He's doing great.  Don't worry."  Noctis said as he placed his hand on yours as he tried to calm you down.  "Ignis has never lost before."

"You can't say that."  You said as you looked at him.  "Remember the first meet?"

"Yes.  I remember that one very well."  Noctis said with a slight smile.  "And I also remember he still won first place and he didn't even get to complete his last dive.  So don't worry."

"I can't help it."  You said as you slightly looked down before you looked back over at the boards.  "After seeing him fall that time, I can't help but to be a bit concerned."

"But you said that he was solid during practice?"  Noctis said as he gave you a quick glance before he looked back and saw one of the male divers climb back on the board for his final dive.

"He was."  You said as the diver adjusted the fulcrum and tossed his shammy to the edge of the pool deck.  "But none of us were expecting the competition to be this tough."

You both then stopped and watched as the diver made their approach and did a forward 2 1/2 somersault before pulling back out and entering with a slight splash.  Your heart raced as you clapped for the diver. You saw Ignis drop his head for a moment before he started to make his way over to the board. The tension had your nerves on edge as Ignis walked over as they read off the score. Your mouth went dry as the score was the highest yet, which put the last diver in the lead by a small margin.

Ignis walked over and did a quick glance at the board. Then he climbed up on to it.   Suddenly the memory of him slipping rushed through his head.   He froze for a moment as he tried to clear his head again.  That was until his train on thought was interrupted.

"Come on Iggy!"  You shouted.

"You got this!" Noctis shouted as well.

Ignis took a deep breath as he looked over and saw the two of you smiling at him.  As he looked at you, he felt his confidence come back. He then nodded and walked up and adjusted the fulcrum. Then he tossed his shammy at the edge of the pool and went to take his place at the start of the board.

I need to do this one perfectly if I'm to seal my win. Ignis thought as he stood for a moment.  And I must win.  For her.

Ignis then glanced over at the adjacent board and could once again see you standing there. His breath caught, even though he knew that you weren't there. But when you looked at him and gave him a slight nod, that was all he needed.  He then turned around with a very serious look.

Then you watched with baited breath as Ignis went into his approach.  And as he was launched high into the air as he brought both legs back down together, time seemed to slow down for a moment as you watched.  But time sped back up as he landed.  Because he seemed to go immediately into his dive once he was airborne a second time as he went into his twist followed immediately by him going into a pike somersault.  Then after two full rotations, he pulled out of it and entered the water with a perfect entrance.

You couldn't really tell who was more excited from all the cheers.  Since the whole team was on their feet as they saw the judges scores. Because not only had he gotten mainly all 9s and even a couple 10s, he had also sealed his first place win.  The whole team was on their feet cheering for him as he swam to the side and climbed out.

You cheered for him as he looked up at the board in shock as he slowly dried off as the screen showed his dive in slow motion as the scores were shown across the bottom.  Then Coach Rick walked up to him and patted him on the back. As you watched them talking and smiling as they shook hands you knew that it wasn't just a victory for Ignis, but also for Coach Rick.  After all, they had been working with each other for a long time, just to get to that moment.  And based on their smiles, you knew that they were both very pleased with being able to celebrate that moment together.

"You were incredible." You said to Ignis as everyone met him outside the locker room so that you could go to lunch before the relay races were to start.

Ignis smiled as he walked up to everyone as the entire group from the citadel came up to him.  Then for the next few minutes Ignis heard nothing but praise and was receiving hugs from everyone.  You couldn't help but to beam at him as he smiled and laughed with everyone.  His smile seemed to light up the room.  It was a sight that would forever be in your memories.

Then he looked at you and took your breath away as you saw the flame burning in his eyes as he gave you a slight smirk. You slightly blushed as you looked away, since you knew exactly what part of his win that he was getting ready to enjoy next. Which you were slightly scared about as well as being excited for. But when you felt his hand grab yours and interlace his fingers with yours, you smiled again as you looked back up at him.  His heated smile back was enough to make you weak in the knees as he looked at you.

"Let's go eat." You heard Prompto say as he walked up and placed his hand on Ignis' shoulder. "We're going to need our energy for our last race together."

"Yes indeed."  Ignis said as he dropped his head slightly to hide his eyes from him as he pushed his glasses back on his face.

"Then let's head out."  Noctis said with a slightly low tone as he turned and started for the door.

You and Ignis both followed him with your eyes as he walked towards the door.  You were both familiar with that tone of his from when he was upset about something.  And based on how he had gone from being happy for Ignis, to almost depressed.  It wasn't hard to figure out that it was probably because this was going to be their last race ever as a team.

Noctis may not of said it out loud, but you knew that he was going to miss having Ignis and Gladio on the team. Especially since this was Noctis' first year on the high school swim team with both of them. And all of you knew was that there was no way of continuing it after high school. Not with everyone being scattered around the world for their studies. Because even Gladio and Monica would be leaving the citadel for their college degrees.  

Gladio would be working at the docks in Insomnia to further enhance his training as Noctis' shield while working on his Bachelors degree in Personal Training.  And Monica was heading to Lestallum to work on her degree in Human Resources.  Monica had tried to get into the college at Tenebrae, but her dad was worried about her being that far away with Talcott, so she had to settle for the Lestallum University instead.  But she wasn't too upset about it.  

Monica had actually been worried about leaving her dad all by himself anyway.  It was just the three of them and she couldn't stand the idea of taking Talcott away from her dad.  Which is why studying at Lestallum was ideal.  She could easily travel home to see him during the holiday's and over long weekends.  Plus he could visit as well since they had already found her a small two bedroom apartment to stay at after she graduated.  It wasn't much, but it was in between the Leville Hotel and market.  And it did have a really pretty view of the water fountain that was right in front of the Leville.

"So which relay races will everyone be doing?"  Cathy asked as everyone sat around the same the blanket to eat.

"We're only competing in the medley relay races.  Neither team qualified for the free-style relay race."  Ignis said as he sat beside you and the others as everyone circled around the huge spread of food in front of them.

"What about the rest of the team?" Cathy asked as a few more team members walked past.

"They were here for their individual races only. We were the only two teams to qualify for Regionals." Ignis explained as he gestured to your team and his as everyone ate.

"Wow! Really?" She asked in astonishment.  "You guys must be good then."

"Yeah, you might say that." Gladio responded with a smirk.

You looked over at Noctis and saw that he wasn't really eating as he sat there. He seemed to be in a bit of a daze as he picked at his food. You sighed as you watched him for a moment.  But it seemed like you were the only one to notice, until you felt a hand on your back.

"Perhaps we should have a talk with him." You heard Ignis say in your ear.

"I agree." You said back.

"I can hear you, you know." Noctis said without looking at the two of you.  "And I'm fine. I don't need to be pampered by you two."

"Who says we're pampering you?"  You asked as you felt slightly offended.

"Just..." Noctis said as he glanced away.  "Just drop it."

"No." You replied back firmly. "I want to know why you said that."

Noctis rolled his eyes as he looked away from you. "It's nothing."

"Not by the way your acting." You returned with more force.

"Perhaps we should let him be." Ignis said as he tried to get you to calm down.

"No Ignis. I want him to explain." You said as turned to Ignis.

"But..." Ignis started to say before Noctis stood up and and started to walk away.

"Noct?"  King Regis said in his usual deep tone.  "Is there something wrong?"

Noctis stopped and shrugged his shoulders.  He really didn't like to argue with his dad in front of everyone.  But as everyone looked at him, he turned away from the group.  Then he took a deep breath as he tried to remain calm.

"I just need a break for a moment."  Noctis said over his shoulder to his dad.  "But I won't be out of your sight."

Then everyone watched as Noctis walked away.  He did as he said as he just walked over to a bench that was overlooking the pond right by where you eating lunch and sat down.  You glanced around and saw that no one was going over with him.  You sighed as you looked down.  You knew that you had pushed it a bit too far.  But you didn't want him to look at you like that.  And you sure didn't like him looking like he was all alone again.

"I'll be right back."  You said as you stood up and started towards him.

"I don't..."  Ignis started to say before you interrupted him.

"Don't worry.  I'm not going to upset he further."  You said over your shoulder.  "I'm going to go apologize to him."

Noctis was sitting with his elbows on his knees as he rested his head in his hands as he leaned over as he looked at teh pond.  You could tell by his posture that he was upset.  The thought made you slow your pace a bit.  You knew that he was upset with you.  But you didn't want him to lash out at you if you could help it.

"Hey.....Noct?.......Can we talk?"  You slowly asked as you continued to walk up to the bench.

"I told you to drop it."  Noctis said in a deep tone.

"I'm not here about that."  You quietly said as you walked around to the front of the bench and looked back at him.  "I wanted to apologize.  I shouldn't have become defensive like that.  And I also wasn't trying to be intrusive either. I'm sorry that it came out like that though."

"It's fine."  He said as he looked away from you and out towards the pond.  "I shouldn't have said that to you.  I know that you were just worried about me."

"Can we talk about what's really bothering you then?"  You asked as you looked at him.

"I think you already know."  Noctis said in a low tone.

"Your thinking about them leaving.  Aren't you?"  You quietly asked as you slightly dropped your head as you leaned up against the railing.

"Yeah."  He quietly responded.

"But you know its not forever."  You said as you slowly walked over and sat down beside him.

"I know.  But it won't be the same when their gone."  Noctis said as he sat back and brought one foot up and set it on the bench seat.  

"And they will only be the beginning."  Noctis said as he wrapped his arms around his leg.  "I won't be seeing much of you once we get back.  Aren't you starting your new job after the season is done?"

"Yes."  You said as you looked at him.

"And then the next two years at school I won't see much of you since you'll be going to the college that Ignis is at."  He continued as he tightened up his grip.  "Then you'll be gone for two years yourself."

He then felt your hand on his arm.  "But there's a big difference between where Ignis is going and were I'm going."

Noctis slowly looked at you.  "And what is that?"

"I'll be able to talk to you whenever I want in college."  You said with a smile.  "Plus I'll still be stopping by the school for lunch, choir and for swim practice while I'm still in high school.  And I'll be working at the cafe that is right by the citadel.  So no matter how you look at it.  I won't be far from you."

"Can I stop by and visit you at the cafe whenever your working?"  Noctis asked as he slowly looked over at you.

"Of course."  You said as you gave him a gentle smile back.  "But I will have to tend to the other customers as well you know."

"I suppose I could let you do that."  Noctis said as a slight smile came back at you.

"I hope so."  You smiled back.  "But don't worry.  I will make sure to keep you company while you visit on the slow nights."

"Sounds good."  Noctis smiled back.

"Is everything okay?"  You heard your dad say as he walked up behind the bench.

"Of course dad."  You replied as you turned around and looked at your dad.

"Good.  Because you shouldn't be this far away from your detail your highness."  Your dad said to Noctis.

"I didn't go far."  Noctis said in a short tone.

"He's just doing his job Noct."  You said as you placed your hand on his arm.  "And besides, he's right.  After what happened at the hotel we can't be too careful."

"Yeah yeah."  Noctis said as he stood up.  "I just wanted to look at the pond for a moment is all."

"That's fine.  But let's not push our luck."  Your dad responded as he watched you gave Noct a slight smile.

He knew by your reaction that there had been more to it then that.  But he wasn't about to argue with it.  And besides, you had been with him.  So it's not like he had been completely alone or without any type of protection.  It just hadn't been his whole detail.

"Let's head back in.  We need to warm up before our races starts."  Noctis said as he started to walk back towards the rest of the group.

"Only after you finish your lunch."  You replied and got up yourself.

"Fiiiiinne." He replied before he glanced back at you and gave you a slight smile.

You then smiled back and jogged up to him and fell in step with him right before rejoining the group.

"Should we really be letting him sleep right now? I know that he doesn't want to miss their races." Mary asked Korn as she looked at Paul as he was slouched back on the bench, fast asleep.

"He'll be fine dear." Korn replied as he reached his arm across her shoulders and gave her a quick kiss on the head. "We'll wake him up right as they come out. That way he can rest. He was up all night after all."

Cathy glanced at Paul as he slept with his arms crossed over his blue unbuttoned dress shirt that mostly covered his white muscle shirt. She hadn't seen or heard anything from him after he had left the room the night before. Not that she could have done anything after the intense pleasure that he had given her. She couldn't move and was left speechless when he had turned off the light and walked back out of the hotel room.

Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered how with only his very talented hands and mouth he had been able to reduce her to nothing but a puddle as the waves of pleasure had sweep over her. She couldn't help her eyes drifting over him as she stripped his clothes off with her eyes as she tried to imagine what he looked like without them. She figured that he had to have a strong chest that led down to a well defined six-pack. Then she felt herself getting wet as her eyes moved down to his waist and hips. She couldn't help the heat that was starting to come over her as she looked at the slight bulge in his jeans as his legs were slightly apart as his feet were on the floor.  She couldn't help but to imagine what he could do to her without his clothes on if he had been able to reduce her to nothing but mush with them on.

"Cathy? Are you okay?" Cathy heard Mary ask from across King Regis.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Cathy said as she quickly looked back at the window as she tried to hide the heat now coming to her cheeks. What the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I stop thinking about that with him? Is he right? Is he nothing but a sexual desire to me?

"Ahh, here they come." Korn said as he saw Ignis and the rest of the team come walking out to the starting blocks. "Paul! Their up."

"Hmmm." Paul said as he stirred from hearing his name.

Then he reached his arms over his head and stretched out completely as he reached up and straightened out his legs as well. Cathy took a slow deep breath as she gave him a side glance as she tried to control herself as his hips rose up with his stretch. Then she bit her bottom lip as she tried to hide the heated exhale as she looked away as he sat back down. Then he sat up so that he could watch.

"I'm going to confine you to your room when we get back to the hotel." Korn said to Paul as he looked at the bags under his eyes.

"That's fine by me." Paul said in a deep voice as he tried to wake up.

Cathy took another deep breath as she tried to calm down the fluttering in her chest. Please six let me be in there with him again.

"Well you boys will be on your own after this." Mary said as she smiled at Korn. "Cathy and I have to get going once this is done so that we can swing by the district office on our way home to sigh our time sheets and pick up our checks."

Cathy's eyes got really big. Fuck! How did I forget about that?

Cathy then glanced back at Paul again. Never mind. My answer is right in front of me.

"But for right now, it's time to cheer on our kids." King Regis said as he sat up in his chair and got ready to watch.

"Swimmers in the water."  The announcer said.

Ignis stepped off the wall and into the water.  Prompto shook his legs and arms out as he tried to get rid of his jitters while he moved up closer to the block as Ignis came back up and grabbed onto the starter block.  Gladio stretched his arms out behind himself as he stood behind Prompto.  The only one who didn't really move was Noctis as he seemed to be a bit out of it as he just stood there and watched them.

"Let's go Iggy!"  You shouted from the door way to the pool deck as you waited with your team.

"Keep it tight Prompto!"  Angie shouted.

Prompto looked over at Angie and gave her a slight smile.  You smiled at the two of them before you looked at Noctis and saw that he seemed to be zoning out.  Then you watched him and Gladio both look up as you all heard an excited yell from the stands.  You turned and saw Talcott kicking his feet and yelling again as Monica tried to hold him as he started getting excited again.

"That is one excited fan over there."  Nicole joked.

"That he is."  You said with a smile as you watched Gladio and Noctis both get a slight smile on their face.

"Swimmers take your mark."  The announcer said and the whole room fell silent.

"Here we go."  You said as you felt the butterflies in your stomach.

HHHHOOOOOONNNNNKKK!!  The horn sounded and sent the swimmers flying off of the blocks in near perfect arches as they reached over their head and back behind themselves as they pushed off hard from the wall.

You started cheering for Ignis as he pushed himself completely out of the water and into a perfect back prone dive.  Then he disappeared as he reentered the water.  The room feel silent for a moment as the swimmers did their dolphin kicks underwater before they resurfaced.  Then as soon as the first swimmer reached the surface, the crowd was once again cheering loudly as all you could see was arms moving through the air as they pinwheeled forward as they reenter the water as the swimmers flew down the lanes.

You moved slight out onto the deck so that you could watch Ignis as he flew down the lane.  Then you glanced back and saw Prompto climb onto the starter block and put his goggles on.  Prompto never took his eyes off of Ignis as he did his flip turn and started to head back towards him.  He didn't even really move until Ignis got closer, except to get lower to the block as he got ready.  Which he did the second Ignis' hand touched the wall.

Then you watched as Prompto flew like a arrow off of the block and into the water.  Then after his long glide he quickly went into his breaststroke and started flying down the lane as he used he trim built to reach out to his max height.  It seemed to you that he spent more time gliding then he did anything else as swam.  But he long glides was quickly putting his well out in front.

Gladio got a slight smile on his face as he climbed onto the block next.  He couldn't help but to beam as all he heard was Talcott cheering for him from the stands.  The sound was all the encouragement he needed to make him want to give it his all for his last race.  And right as Prompto started to make his way back down to the starter block, that was all Gladio thought about as he launched himself right as Prompto touched the wall right below him. 

Noctis watched the block shake for a moment after Gladio flew off of it before he climb onto it himself.  So everything gets down to this.

"It has been a pleasure to swim against you, your highness."  Noctis heard from beside him.

He turned his head and saw that Dustin was right beside him as he got ready for his turn as he stood on the starter block right beside.  "Let's say we give it our all.  What do you say?"

Noctis paused for a minute before he let a smile slowly cross his face.  "Yeah."

Then they both turned back towards their lanes as the team mates was flying back down towards them.  Noctis got low as he watched Gladio flying out of the water with each stroke as he powered his way to the wall.  Noctis noticed that Dustin did the same out of the corner of his eye.  Which brought a smile to his face.  Then in what seemed like the next breath, both of them were flying off of the block and into the air as they headed for the water.

Then from the moment that they hit the water until they touched the wall again, it was nothing but deafening cheers that they heard.  Because the whole time, they raced almost neck for neck all the way down to the finish line.  After which they both quickly turned around and looked at the score board and saw that it looked like both teams had tied for first with a huge margin in between first and second place.  Which was unheard of for that race at the time.  So the judges did a review of the race.

"Did we win?"  Noctis asked through his heavy breaths as he slowly climbed out of the pool and looked at the board.

"Looks like their review the data first."  Ignis said as he helped Noctis stand up as they all stood there for a minute and stared at the board in shock.

The whole observation room was on edge as they waited to hear the results from the men's relay race.  But after a few moments they were pleased to see that the guys had beating Dustin's team by .2 seconds.  The whole room sighed and cheered for their victory.  Everyone was all smiles and greatly relieved that they had won.  And even Paul seemed pleased as he laid his arm on the back of the bench behind Cathy. 

"Now that was worth the whole trip out here."  Paul said with a smile.

"It was indeed.  They truly gave it their all today."  Clarus said as he beamed at Gladio as the four guys all hugged and laughed at each other as they waved to the cheering crowd before they walked away and headed towards the locker room.

"That they did."  Korn said as he watched you wrap your arms around each of them in turn as they stopped right by your group.

"Now let's see if your daughter's team can do the same."  King Regis said with a slight smile.

"There's no doubt in my mind that they will give it their all."  Paul beamed back as they watched your team walk away from the guys and head to the starter blocks.

Cathy looked back at the pool as she watched your team was lined up behind the starter block.  Then she watched the first person on each team jumped in the water and returned back to the surface and grabbed onto the front of the starter block.  Then everyone in the room seemed to be on edge as they watched the swimmers pull up closer to the block as they waited for the horn.

Then with the sound of the horn the swimmers were flying off the wall and into the water.  Cathy jumped as everyone in the room started cheering loudly for your team as if you could hear them.  Cathy glanced over and saw all of them on the edge of their seats once again as they watched the swimmers all racing neck for neck. She then turned back to see Chrissy on top of the block as she adjusted her goggles before taking her track start stance as she waited for the Becky to come back.  

Cathy had heard that everyone at the school was excited about how well the swim team had done that year.  But never had she expected to see everyone doing that well and for all of the adults to be that excited as they all shouted at the glass.  All of them were practically on the edge of their seat as Becky came flying back down the lane with her strong backstroke as she finished her final length with a slight lead.  Even the doctor and nurse seemed to be excited, which was saying something considering she hadn't seen them so much as twitch from anything else, except for perhaps Prompto.

Cathy looked back out the window just in time to see the Chrissy fly off of the block right as Becky touched the wall.  The tension seemed to build as Chrissy came up from her glide and quickly went into her breaststroke.  And water seemed more like oil as she torpedoed down the lane as she stretched out.  She only popped up enough to breath before stretching back out again as she thrusted herself back into the water.

Cathy watched as the other lanes seemed to slowing down a bit right before they turned and started to head back.  But Chrissy only got faster after she did a quick flip turn and started heading back.  The excitement in the room seemed to grow as she looked and saw you climb up onto the block.  But the excitement in the room seemed to the opposite of what you were showing as you seemed relaxed as you slowly leaned down as Chrissy seemed to effortlessly slip through the water as she neared the block.  Then right as she touched the wall you flew off of it.  

Cathy jumped as your dad shouted at you.  "Come on kiddo!  Let's go!"

"Come on (Y/n)!"  Cathy heard Korn shout as she glanced over at him after a quick glance at Paul.

Cathy then looked back at the pool and saw you flying out of the water with each stroke.  She stared in shock as she watched your arms flew out of the water right by your sides before they seemed to follow your head as you threw yourself into each wave motion.  She couldn't get over the strength you had to lift yourself out of water before slamming back into the water as you practically dove back into the water.  But based on how the rest of the room, she was the only one.  For all of them were on the verge of flying out of their seats as you approached the wall and did a quick touch turn before heading back down at top speed. 

Then as you flew back down, Angie was on the block anxiously waiting for you as stroke for stroke you plowed through the water. Angie did a quick glance at the lane next to her and saw Nicole on the block.  Suddenly she felt all of the jealously from earlier start to come back as she watched Nicole start to crouch down low on the block as she waited for her team mate. 

I'll show (y/n) that I'm faster than you.  Angie though as she got low as well.  Then perhaps I'll be her best friend instead of you.

******Author Note******

Ever have that one friend that didn't want to share you with anyone?  I had one once.  But as it turned out she was just unsure of how to make friends with others.  So I showed her.  And after that she was surrounded by friends who helped her out.  Unfortunately I ended up moving away shortly after that and I have not been able to find her since.  But I still hope that she has made lots of friends since I saw her last.

I do need to apologize for the delay in this chapter. It has never been my intention to wait this long in between posts.  Its just that I had lost sight of where I was going with the story for a moment and ended having to go back and edit a few chapters to correct a few issues that I hadn't realized that I had done.  But with those fixed now, it will start to pick up again as we start to head into the next major event, which leads us to the court house.  But as the trials start, with something else also start a new?  Or will it fall apart right before your eyes?  We shall see.

Thanks for reading.  :)

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