You and Harry both swim for the same club and have a very complicated relationship, but after a big competition, things finally start to change.

{imagine frat boy harry era *swoon*}

"Hey sweetie, are you okay?"

You gently touched the shoulder of the young girl currently stood staring at the pool with wide tear-filled hazel eyes, fiddling with her swim cap nervously in her small hands. She looked up at you, fear clear in her gaze, shaking her head quickly in answer to your question.

Crouching down so that you were a similar height to her, you took both her hands in yours, stilling her anxious fidgeting, "You're Annie right?"

A nod of her head confirmed your question, "You're Y/N," she stated softly, finally finding her voice.

You repeated her action by nodding your own head, a tender smile gracing your lips, "Sure am, now what's up duck?" You pinched her nose softly then, succeeding in getting a small laugh from Annie, the previous fear in her eyes gradually diminishing.

"I'm scared," her voice was incredibly quiet, and you only just caught what she said over the noise and calamity of the pre-gala environment. You assumed this was probably her first gala, her stance and expression was one you recognised within a lot of the young kids when it was their first competition.

"What are you scared off?"

"Everything; falling in, my goggles coming of, being really far behind everyone -"

"Okay, right take a breath," she had started to make herself panic again, "I'm gonna tell you a story about a girl, who was a little bit older than you, who was really nervous about her first gala too. She actually dived in early and got a false start," Annies face lit up in horror, and you were sure she was probably thinking how is this going to help? But you persisted, "But do you know what that girl did? She then went on to swim an amazing time in that gala, and made some amazing friends, and even though it started badly, it ended really, really well."

"Who was the girl?"

"It was me." You admitted happily, as she gasped in shock, "We all mess up sometimes okay? But don't worry about it cos it made me the swimmer I am today!"

After a few more comforting words, you led Annie over to a group of girls of a similar age to her, making sure she was settled and knew she could find you whenever if she needed anything else.

You were the golden girl of your club - Y/H/T Swimming Club - you'd trained with them since you were around ten years old, volunteered as a teacher at fourteen, got the position of Club Captain at sixteen, and now at eighteen years old was aiming to get a national qualifying time in two weeks. Everyone at the club loved you; your caring, gentle nature with the younger kids, your banter and chat with the parents, your drive and determination in the pool, and ultimately they all admired how much of an incredible swimmer you were.

But there was one thing that tarnished that reputation, and that was Harry.

Harry was known as a bit of a bad boy at the club; turned up late to training, unbothered attitude, didn't help at any of the galas, covered in tattoos and had a bodycount which you didn't want to think about - essentially he was the complete opposite to you. He was there to swim, which he did exceptionally well, and meeting you had never been part of the plan.

He had joined the club about three years ago, and you'd recognised him since he was the year above you at school, but you'd never planned to enter a heated, passionate, intense on and off relationship with him...but here you were.

In the first year, you both became quick friends - with some very heavy flirting along the way of course - and you were surprised at how much you actually had in common. That didn't change much though; outside of the club at school, you both ignored each other, and it was a bit of a sting at the start but you got used to it - he was the popular older boy and you were seen as the younger goody two-shoes, of course he was going to pretend not to know you.

But then everything changed at the end of that year; he kissed you at a house party you'd both been invited too and you didn't know it back then, but that night would be the catalyst for a relationship full of turmoil. Things started off amazingly, it was like you'd gone straight into a honeymoon phase, and the sneaking around, pretending not to be together was exciting and sexy at first.

However, after a few months, something went wrong - you couldn't exactly recall what it was now because this was the pattern you both followed ever since then: date, break up, then make up. All the reasons why your few months of blissful, loved up dating blew up with a huge argument full of rage and devotion seemed to blur together, but you knew that right now the bottom line had always been this: you wanted him to be your boyfriend, but he was reluctant to commit.

There was no doubt he was completely head-over-heels for you - everyone at the club saw the way he looked at you even though you both tried to play it off like nothing was going on between you two. You felt the same of course, but you were tired of the way he would always let his image and reputation ruin what could be something wonderful, something you knew deep down you both yearned for. Regardless, those three all important words had never been shared between you.

Right now, you were in one of your good periods, and surprisingly had been for a while. Around a year ago you'd suffered a really bad shoulder injury that had meant you'd missed out on your spot at Nationals, and you were positively devastated. It didn't help that at the time you had just had yet another explosive argument with Harry, so you felt more alone than ever.

But then, when he'd shown up at your house four months after you'd not shown up to training in that whole time, forcing you to come with him to the 7am practice he was on his way too, something changed between you both.

And in the months that followed that morning, he continued to push you and train with you harder than ever before, bringing you out of a very dark place and above all, Harry loved you harder than ever before as well.

So now, here you were, eight months into the best 'dating' period you'd ever had with Harry, but still no 'I love you' and still no label.

♥

Tonights gala was just one of the competitions you did a few times across the year within your club; it was all the members just performing between each other to get their best times before the big competitions that started next month.

You loved these events; the helping out, the organising, watching over the little ones, spending time with your friends, the swimming of course, but especially the moments when you and Harry would sneak away to the showers for some alone time.

Currently, he had you pushed up against the wall of the shower cubicle you were in, wet lips sucking kisses down your neck, hands squeezing your bum bringing you as close to him as possible.

"Harry," you panted out, tugging on the damp strands of his curly hair.

You could feel every inch of him pressed up against you, every soft ridge and curve of his chest, one toned thigh secured between your own and the hard bulge nestled between his tight racing swim shorts that was pressing directly on your heated core.

His kisses carried on down your neck and all across your collarbones before tracing the line of your swimming costume with his lips that revealed the smallest amount of cleavage, his large hands coming up to cup your breasts at the same time. A low groan reverberated from his chest as your head fell back against the wall, completely succumbing to his gentle assault on your body.

Knowing you couldn't be gone to long, and that things definitely couldn't carry on like this because you wouldn't be held accountable for your actions, you reluctantly began to pull him away from your body, "H, c'mon, I gotta go."

A muffled, "No," was all your heard as he easily resisted you and snuggled further into your neck, a breathy laugh leaving your lips as your chest shook at his actions.

"I've gotta swim soon, everyone will be wondering where I am!" You carried on tugging at his body when he finally pulled back to look at you with a grumpy pout.

"Don't care about everyone, just wan' you."

His words caused your heart to flutter rapidly in your chest. Even though he had a tough exterior, deep down you knew he was a softy at heart and that he reserved that side of him for your eyes only.

"Want you too H, but later okay?" He sighed dramatically as you continued, "You at least gonna give me a good luck kiss?"

Harry's deep emerald eyes met yours again, their intensity never fading, "Of course baby, c'mere."

You smiled into the kiss, gripping his broad shoulders as his hands found purchase at your waist. His tongue danced with yours as Harry deepened the kiss, which led you to hum lowly into his mouth. He tasted like mint and the sports drink he'd been drinking earlier; an odd combination but it worked.

Unwillingly, you broke apart before things got too out of hand again. You planted one last kiss to Harry's rosy lips before walking out of the cubicle, his hand coming down to smack your bum lightly, "See you out there, you've got this Y/N."

And with one last cheeky smile and flirty wink thrown behind your shoulder, you were gone.

♥

"Take you marks...go!"

Harry watched by the side of the pool as you dived smoothly into the water. He had always admired your stroke; truthfully it was the first thing he'd noticed about you when he had joined. The pretty girl with the bright smile and tight swimming costume who glided effortlessly through the water as though thats what she was born to do...yeah, Harry knew he was fucked from day one.

But it had scared the shit out of him, hence why things had been so reckless and chaotic between you two. He hadn't meant for the last few years to be this way, but it had happened and there was no going back. Now, it was different though.

Watching you go from your lowest point to where you were today, your highest point, had shown Harry that he was truly in love with you, as he'd never helped anyone like this in his whole life. He stood there thinking about that as you raced off in your token event, the 200m freestyle, the same one you were gunning for in two weeks time at Nationals.

He leant his elbows on the railing and didn't peel his eyes from you the whole time. You swam it perfectly, and everyone knew it - taking the first two lengths steady, staying only slightly ahead of the pack, speeding up slightly for the third and fourth length to gain the lead, but then turning on to your fifth length and finishing with a full out sprint, leaving everyone miles behind as you wiped the floor.

And Harry knew you loved it, he loved how confident you became when you were competing, as usually you were the more reserved type, especially when you'd been at school together.

Harry chuckled to himself lowly when you took a breath to the side where he stood and flashed him a self-assured grin as you breathed in - he knew exactly what that smile meant: it was time for you to show everyone exactly how good you were.

This thought was confirmed when you sped off, leaving everyone at your mercy and finished the final two lengths, slamming the wall with a triumphant flourish, a radiant grin on your face as the crowd clapped.

And then those bright, hungry eyes and breathtaking smile were on him, and he couldn't help but mirror the grin, mouthing a silent "that's my girl," to you as you removed your cap and goggles.

He was so fucked.

♥

two

weeks

later...

"Harry I can't do this."

You stood in front of Harry, playing with your trembling hands, both of you tucked away in a corner of the changing rooms away from prying eyes.

It was finally the day of Nationals, and you were a quivering mess of anxiety. Usually, you kept your nerves under check, as you knew you how good you were - swimming was probably the only thing you could safely say that about - but today was a whole lot different. The familiar shaky knees had started about an hour ago - most of the time this was something that happened just before you stood on the blocks, and was something you embraced as a sign of the positive nerves running through your body. However, this paired with the nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach and the phantom pain that ran fleetingly along your shoulder, was not helping.

"Y/N, quit fidgeting...stop, look at me," Harry grabbed your hands in one of his own to still your fussing, the other gently clasping your chin to bring your saucer-like gaze to his.

He watched as you visibly relaxed in his hold, marvelling in the calming effect he had on you. Eventually your breathing started to match his, slow and steady, your tense muscles coming undone one by one.

"Right, better?"

You nodded softly, the corner of your lip quirking up sheepishly.

"Listen, I didn't drag your ass out to training all those months ago for you to be flaking at the final hurdle," you breathed out a shaky laugh as his thumb stroked the skin of your hand, "You can do this, I know you can, and everyone else out there knows you can too. Stop doubting yourself and just go and do what you do best."

You nodded again, more firmly this time, that familiar shine of determination returning to your eyes, "Thank you, H. What would I do without my personal hypeman?"

He rolled his beautiful emerald eyes, "Oh come off it," he moved his hand to pinch your hip, making a giggle burst from your lips, "Now c'mere for your good luck kiss."

Harry smirked down at you as he looped his arm around your waist, pulling you straight to him before dipping his head down to press his pink lips to your awaiting ones. The kiss was short and sweet, and just what you needed before a voice was speaking through the speakers calling you up for your event, Harry leaving your lips as you both heard it.

"Go get 'em baby," he lifted his now fisted hands up as you did the same and gave him a double spud, before stealing one last kiss and walking back out to the pool, a much more confident swing in your step than before.

Harry watched as you left, a small smile playing on his face. As soon as you were out of his view, however, he raked his hands through his damp curls worriedly. Truth was, he was shitting a brick for you as well. He knew how nerve-racking Nationals could be, having swum them a few times before, but more importantly he was just praying that your race went well. Harry knew how devastated you'd be if you didn't beat your personal best time, and he just really, really wanted this to work out - he knew how much it meant to you and how hard you'd worked for it.

After taking a few deep breaths to pull himself together, he followed the same route you had taken back out to the pool.

He found your best friend Niamh, one of the only friends of yours he could actually bear to talk too, stood slightly apart from the rest of the club, her bottom lip worrying between her teeth.

"She okay?" Her soft voice asked when she noticed Harry come and stand next to her.

"Think so."

Niamh gave Harry a sidewards glance, a ghost of a smirk rising on her lips, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Harry snapped, which caused Niamh's smirk to deepen, as his too quickly reply indicated otherwise.

They had an amusing relationship; while all your other friends didn't take too fondly to Harry because of his 'bad boy' vibes, Niamh knew - unbeknown to both of you of course - that you and Harry were so in love with each other that heaven nor hell would prevent you from always coming back to each other. So since Niamh had never really said too bad a word against Harry, and secretly supported your being with him, he respected her, maybe even liked her.

Before their conversation, if you could even call it that, could go any further, the announcer was reading out the name of each girl swimming, what lane they were in and their club.

Harry only had ears for your name though of course, and when that was read out he let out a loud wolf whistle as Niamh clapped and whooped next to him, the cheers of your club being the loudest of them all; they all had your back. He watched as you smile softly in the direction of where they were standing, giving them a small wave. Harry winked at you, sending a silent message of courage and support which he knew you'd understand.

And then you were climbing atop the blocks, and that familiar 'take you marks' followed by the loud bleep was sounding out through the pin-drop silent pool, the visual of the eight women hitting the water accompanied by a roar of cheers; their dives breaking the surface of the water just as the noise broke the previous silence.

Harry watched intently, Niamh doing the same by his side. He had a tendency to mutter under his breath when he was watching you, especially when he knew how important a race was, so when Niamh heard a hushed "C'mon baby," leave his lips she couldn't help but smile to herself.

"She's gone off too fast! For fuck sake Y/N -"

"Harry, relax, she's got this, just shut up and watch for christ sake," Niamh chuckled in response.

A grumble huff left his lips as he pulled his bottom lip between his thumb and pointer finger, "Hmph, you're right sorry."

After that he stayed relatively quiet, apart from the loud claps and cheers that left his lips whenever you'd tumble at the end of the pool they was stood at. Niamh was surprised; usually he didn't cheer like this when you swam, in fear of people taking the piss or assuming anything about the two of you, but today was totally different.

Harry was almost jumping for joy as you got to your fifth length, knowing exactly what was coming. Currently, you were tied with two other girls who clearly swam the event as well as you did, as they had kept pace with you the entire time. This made Harry tug on his hair in frustration, "C'mon Y/N, go, go go!"

The whole club was yelling their lungs out in support of their golden girl, and it must've helped as you hit the wall with an impeccably fast tumble turn and sprinted faster than ever before to finally get a clear lead of the two girls trailing close behind.

"Yes!! Keep going!!"

"Go Y/N, last push!!"

And then you were hitting the wall with at least a whole body's length between you and your close following competitors.

Harry flew into the air, bellowing a huge "YES!!" as he did so, Niamh doing the same.

They both turned to the board hung on the wall to see your time, their mouths dropping open when reading your time; you'd not only beaten your personal best, but you'd surpassed it by two seconds.

Turning back to find your eyes, Harry beamed at you as you ripped your hat and goggles off, panting so hard with panic clear in your eyes. He motioned towards the board as everyone screamed your name, watching as you finally looked up to read the numbers.

Even from this distance, Harry could see the tears that filled your eyes as a hand came up to cover your mouth in surprise and, knowing you, probably to cover the sob of happiness threatening to spill out.

And then you were climbing out of the pool and walking as fast as your exhausted legs could carry you towards Harry, who was practically speed walking to meet you in the middle. He crashed into you with a massive bear hug, wrapping his muscular arms around you tightly and lifting you up and spinning you both round and round. Gleeful half-sobs and half-laughs left your lips as he twirled you around, murmuring words of pride and admiration into your wet hair.

He set you down then, and grabbed your face with both hands and without a single thought, without even caring who was around, was placing a hard kiss on your mouth, one which you responded to instantly.

A few moments passed before he pulled back, still gripping your cheeks before he spoke, "I love you so much Y/N."

You eyes widened and re-filled with tears at his words, "Harry..."

"I mean it, I've loved you for so long and I'm sorry it took me so long, but I love you -"

You broke him off with another passionate kiss, before breaking apart to speak the words you'd been dying to say and hear, "I love you Harry, so much."

Your eyes both snapped up in shock then, as practically your whole club broke out into another round of claps and cheers, causing your cheeks to instantly flame. Harry laughed loudly, disbelieving that he was currently in this situation; he was so used to hiding away from his feelings, making people believe he didn't care, that he was too much of 'bad boy' for love.

But, looking down at you in his arms, he found himself not caring one single bit, and feeling happier than he had in his whole life. 

ngl to you all but this one was lowkey based off a true story from my life lmao (dramatised for the purposes of this book ofc) so there's a little something for ya

I'm also thinking of maybe doing a little prequel to this one - it would be of their first kiss at the party so if you guys wanted to see that let me know!!

hope you're all keeping well! I'm hoping to get one of my song inspired one shots done soon so keep an eye out for that!

lots of love and thank you as always <3

kait xxx