Editor's note: this story contains scenes of non-consensual or reluctant sex.
*****
44 seconds. He had done it. Against all expectations - and warnings - Declan had broken the Westwell College 100 metre freestyle time record. He pulled himself up out of the pool, the watery echoes turning into living cheer and applause from the judges, spectators and friends who were watching from the audience. Grabbing a towel from one of the aides, he made his way back to the blocks. Coach was the first to greet him, a massive smile curling under his moustache.
"Great work, kid!" said Coach, patting the young swimmer on the back. "It's a personal best, and you're carrying us to the state championships!"
Declan patted himself down, and shrugged modestly. It was what was expected of him in these situations.
"It's such a surprise."
It wasn't.
"I can't believe I could do it."
He could. He had to. He had been training for it every waking hour of every day, throwing everything into his swimming practice. If everyone else - Coach included - had decided to think against him, that was on them.
Declan looked around, to discover that most of the team had vanished. He looked to Coach.
"Where is everyone?"
"The boys? Dunno. You hit the showers, and then we'll celebrate. State championships!" Coach slapped his newest star on the back, and then left to mingle with the adjudicators.
"You shouldn't have done that," said a familiar voice somewhere behind Declan.
The champion turned to face Samuel, one of the other boys in the team. Declan and Samuel were on the younger end of the group, and as such had become something close to friends. Friends. It was an interesting concept to Declan. He had made a point of never befriending anyone who ran in the same sports as him. Samuel was a challenger at best, in Declan's eyes, and a rival at most - not that the young man ever knew it.
Declan gave his 'friend' a cheerful smile. ""Why's that, Sam?"
Sam was darker-skinned and curly-haired, Jewish, shirtless with an unzipped windbreaker, and sky-blue jammers so tight you could see his religion. He always carried a serious look, but tonight he was even more dour than usual.
"Adam's not gonna be happy. You broke the record. His record. You were warned about this last time."
Declan paused, his smile gone. "Yeah? Well, fuck Adam. If he was a better swimmer, he wouldn't have anything to worry about. I'm not here to play his rules or sit around and do shit all day. I'm here to win."
Samuel nodded, and looked away. "Alright. Fine. But you were warned. There will be repercussions."
"Sure, buddy. Whatever."
Declan pushed past his teammate, and made his way along the walk to the locker rooms. As he did, he ran the towel down the slim length of his body, patting at his pits, running it through his sandy blonde hair. He gave a quick wipe over his crotch and thighs, and a warm stir shot through his body. He had ignored himself in the days leading up to the competition - it was his habit now, borne out of routine and discipline more than anything else - but with the glory taken and the record broken, it was time for Declan's self love. And what love it was.