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Favoritism for what? My sport was football, so correct me if I'm wrong, but quickest time wins. Easy.

Rotten luck. Not the worst deal though, if he's not expecting any repeats.

The coach acts like he's spending more time with me - more attention. It's just a pissing contest.

And no, he knows there are no repeats. It was boring, Teo.

But tell me - the dating. What's the favor for? Who are we trying to fool, and why?

Have they tried just swimming faster?

My parents. They're all up in arms about "inappropriate age gaps".

Edited 2025-06-04 05:00 (UTC)

That's what I keep telling them. Skill issue.

But wait - age gaps? Who's the lucky old man?

No one. Well, I'm seeing someone, but it's not serious.

Harry. He's 37 and recently divorced. Papa's on a tear.

Ooh you're seeing someone? I haven't seen it in the tabloids yet so it must be juicy.

Also 37 isn't that bad, what's their deal?

I can trust you with a secret, right? Top secret.

They want to marry me off to someone richer or more famous, I guess.

My lips are sealed, sweetheart. Have been this whole time.

And gross that they think the can dictate that. We'll get fake married if that's the prerogative. Really cause a scene.

The tabloids have seen us together. Everyone has. They just don't know it's him.

They'd come around on it, if you can pull out the win.

Shit. No better way to hide a secret than in plain sight. Where's he now?

And I don't know about gold - guess I'll have to settle being your long-term trophy wife and you can have all the mistresses you want.

He's around here somewhere.

You know I wouldn't put you through that. The marraige part, at least.

Do you still want to be around him?

Also please. Marriage with benefits. We get the health insurance, all the clout, and we can both see who we want until we decide we like someone. Then we can have a very messy and dramatic breakup, get twitter hot on our tails and live happily ever after.

Sure. He’s sweet. Just a little intense.

God, you’re right. Marry me immediately so you can move to Europe and not have to worry about bullshit like health insurance. Might not be too late to swim for Italy.

Intense how? Hopefully only in a good way.

Oh see, now you're talking. Good healthcare, a hot husband, and an Italian villa? Say less. Let me get a ring. 😉

Oh, you know. He wants me to be more than the younger guy he fucks through his mid-life crises. Gotta calm him down every once in a while. He's great though. He'll make someone really happy after he wraps up his meltdown.

💍💍

And you think he's going to forget you once he's done with his meltdown?

Also how many carats are we talking? I'm not a gold Olympian yet!

They always do.

Depends on how you place :)

You're a difficult one to forget, sweetheart. Trust me.

... you're impossible. If I get gold, you get to pick the ring. We'll go shopping together.

[ fake marriage or not, he'll buy tim a cute little ring. ]

That's what they all say.

I have too much faith in your winning chances to take that deal, Quentin.

You'll believe it one day.

And wait - if you take the deal only you benefit from it. You could pick any ring in the world.

Phelps is going to kick my ass though, so you're probably making the safe bet. I just need to bring one more medal home and I think dad will be happy.

Don't try to marriage trap me! I looked it up, he doesn't even do the 400m. You're downplaying your chances so I'll agree.

Meaning...you're gonna quit after Beijing?

I might.

I don't know what I'd do after that, anyway. Dad will probably try and make me enlist again but that's not happening.

Enlist? Eww, no. You're not doing that. What do you WANT to do?

Is it childish to say I don't know?

Travel, maybe. But that takes a job, which makes money, and then I'd just be working to figure it out. Might as well swim, right?

No, I don't think so.

Are you okay? For money? If you need to get away for a while, I can make that happen, you know.

(no subject)

longitudinal - 2025-06-06 04:21 (UTC) - Expand