Ravi’s expression softened at Dave’s words, her smile tinged with a hint of nostalgia. “I love that perspective,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “For me, being by a pool is something I never really experienced as a kid. I always saw it in movies, you know? The parties, the laughter—it’s like a world I dreamed of being part of.”
She glanced back at the water, the shimmering surface reflecting her thoughts. “It’s kind of surreal being here now, surrounded by all this energy. I guess it feels cinematic in a way because it’s everything I imagined but never got to live.”
Ravi turned to Dave with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s nice to finally be part of my own little ‘movie moment.’”
When Dave said it was turning in a Dora episode, Ravi tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing in confusion for a moment. “Dora…the explorer?” she repeated, her tone curious. She let out a soft laugh, clearly unsure of the reference but willing to roll with it. “I’m guessing that’s a show I missed?”
She grinned, shrugging lightly. “But hey, if it involves finding Helen like some sort of adventure, I’m in. Lead the way, explorer.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she gestured for him to take the lead, adding a playful touch to her words despite not fully understanding the joke.
As Dave turned to head inside for drinks, Ravi watched him go, her heart still fluttering from the playful energy that had passed between them. The gentle sounds of laughter and chatter surrounded her, blending with the soft splash of water, but she felt a strange solitude settle in.
With Dave out of sight, she took a deep breath, letting the warm evening air fill her lungs. The pool glistened invitingly in the ambient light, and she felt drawn to it, as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered. Curious, she stepped closer, peering into the water, the ripples reflecting the soft glow of the string lights above.
Caught up in her thoughts, she leaned a little too far over the edge, mesmerised by the twinkling reflections dancing on the surface. Suddenly, she lost her balance.
“Whoa!” she exclaimed, but it was too late. She tumbled forward, falling into the cool, refreshing water with a splash that broke the calm of the evening.
Panic surged through her body as she instinctively flailed, her limbs moving frantically but getting her nowhere. She couldn’t swim - she had never learned how. Her breath caught in her throat as the water closed over her head, and for a moment, she was submerged, disoriented and terrified.
She kicked wildly, trying to keep herself afloat, but the water seemed to drag her down, swallowing her efforts. Her chest tightened as fear gripped her - this wasn’t just a surprise fall; this was a situation she couldn’t control. She tried to scream, but the water muffled her voice, leaving her to struggle in silence.
Then, suddenly, Dave’s strong hands were around her, pulling her up from the water’s depths. She gasped for air, coughing and sputtering, her heart racing as he guided her to the shallow end. Even as they reached the part of the pool where she could stand, her legs felt shaky, barely holding her up as water sloshed around her.
She could hear Dave’s voice, but it was distant, her mind still focused on the terror of nearly drowning. As he asked if she was okay, she just nodded, trembling, still trying to catch her breath. The towel arrived, and she gratefully wrapped it around her, but it did little to stop the shivers that ran through her - not from the cold but from the fear that still lingered.
Her eyes met Dave’s, and for the first time that night, her usual confident composure cracked. There was no witty comeback, no playful teasing - just a raw vulnerability she rarely let others see.
“I—” She stopped, coughing up some water before continuing. “I can’t swim.” Her voice was small, a far cry from the confident tone she usually carried. She hated how helpless she sounded, but it was the truth.
As the towel was wrapped around her, she pulled it tightly to her body, still shivering, not just from the cold but from the lingering fear. Her eyes met Dave’s, and for the first time, she didn’t have a witty remark or a playful comment. All she could muster was quiet gratitude. Her gaze dropped, embarrassed that she had been so vulnerable in front of him. But at the same time, she was relieved - relieved that he had been there when she needed him most.
After a few moments, she took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. The panic had subsided, but the memory of the water, of how helpless she had felt, still lingered. Finally, she managed a small, shaky smile, looking back up at him. “Guess you’re not just a movie star after all… You’re a hero too.” Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of warmth, of affection, in the words.
But alongside her graditude, an urge surged within her. She wanted to kiss him. The thrill of the near-drowning experience and the way he had saved her had stirred something deep inside her, a desire to connect in a more intimate way. She took a small step closer, feeling the heat radiating from him, the electricity between them lingering in the air.
Her breath hitched slightly as she moved in, the towel slipping just a bit as she leaned closer. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze, but it was overshadowed by an overwhelming urge to close the distance. What if this was a moment she couldn’t let slip away? What if this connection was more than just a fleeting encounter?
As the tension hung in the air, she hesitated for a heartbeat, her heart pounding in her chest. She searched his eyes, looking for a sign, a hint that he felt the same pull. And in that moment, with the sound of laughter and music fading into the background, she decided to take the risk.
She leaned in just a fraction more, her lips almost brushing against his, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, “Thank you… for saving me.”
@LunaticLeviTheSecond | Dave
@eunoia | Helen (mentioned) & this might soon be a good moment for Ezra to pop in if you still wanted to do that 