Hawke’s concern is palpable, but they have a goal: get to shore. He focuses on that and keeping contact with his boyfriend as they go. He’d worn what he had knowing he’d be heavy with water, but it doesn’t make him less winded by the time they drag themselves up onto shore.

Chris stands there a moment to catch his breath and sweep the water from his face. “I’m sorry for the scare. I’d been aiming for no one to be about to avoid that exactly. I just…” he shakes his head. It hadn’t even really been about the pain, that had just been a side effect. One hd didn’t actually want now that he’d gotten it. Maybe he’d had his fill for a while.