For the Love of Water

By Victoria A. Harbor

One: Solo Practice

“Fuck!” Clinging to the side of the pool, my disappointed student coughed and sputtered. “2:48? That’s worse than my last fucking time.”

‘Here we go again,’ I wondered. Back when I trained daily for women’s constant weight freediving, it was all the time the twenty-something newbies who expected the most. Now as a thirty-five-year-old private instructor, nothing had changed — as my student was demonstrating.

“Look, Dana,” I said, “you can’t expect to break records this soon.”

Dana swiped off her swim cap and goggles, revealing her blue eyes and damp, blond hair.

“You did, though. You were hitting four minutes when you were my age. I know, I… looked you up.”

I held my sigh. “I’ve also been doing this forever. You just got into freediving. This is our fourth apnea session, and only the second one in the pool.”

“What are you saying, Gwen?” a touch of desperation in her tone. “I took this up too late?”

I smiled to put her at ease. “No, no. I’m just saying I had an advantage, that’s all.”

“Well, like, are there other advantages? Like, one I could learn? Should I up my cardio?”

I won’t lie, I like Dana. Yes, she expects too much too soon, but she’s also eager to put in the work — as evidenced by her toned arms, legs, and belly. She’s the sort of woman Arena makes swimsuits for — a true athlete. Her issue, perhaps ironically, is that she’s not much of a swimmer.

“Your exercise is fine,” I said. “It’s just– Look, why do you want this so bad?”

“I want more subscribers!” Dana said. “Like, @MistyOcean and @TheKellyDiver both have fire numbers, and that’s because they dive super deep and walk on the ocean floor and blow bubble rings and–“

The water rippled as I raised my hand. “I think I understand. They’ve also been doing this for a long time, too,” I assumed. I knew of the two women Dana mentioned, but I don’t really use the socials. “Don’t worry, you’ve got the drive to get there. Just give it time.”

Dana hung her head. “It’s so frustrating. It’s just holding my breath!”

“No, it’s not ‘just’ holding your breath. Dana, freediving is so much more than any one single skill. It’s about deep love and passion for the water.”

Dana looked up. “I like the water.”

“But you don’t love it, do you?”

“Right now?” Dana laughed. “It’s hard to love something I can’t master.”

I shook my head. “It’s not about mastering it. It’s about accepting it — being in the moment. It’s about being somewhere otherworldly and basking in the sensation.”

“Sensation?” Dana repeated, her expression dubious.

“Yes, the sensation. Tell me, what do you think about under the water?”

“Um, like, I’ve got to make it from here to there and not drown?”

I sighed. “Dana, you’re approaching it all wrong. It’s not something to overcome. It’s something to love. The whole reason we train is so we can experience the joy of gliding through the water — for as long as possible.”

Dana frowned. ” ‘Joy of water,’?”

My hands found my hips. “You mean… you’ve never just floated there and thought, ‘This feels wonderful.’?”

Dana’s frown deepened before melting into something inquisitive. “Um, no?” Then with a smile, she said, “Tell me about… being in the moment?”

Sometimes I found it hard to read Dana. On the surface, she was goal orientated, especially during our sessions. But there were times when she almost seemed to flirt, to be looking at me in “that way.” Now seemed to be one of those times, but I couldn’t tell if she wanted information or… something more?

“What I mean by, ‘being in the moment,’ is hard to describe. It’s about letting yourself go, surrendering to the–” I stopped.

“Go on, please?”

I hesitated, wondering how much to reveal. I then decided; if she really was flirting, and if she truly wanted to become a freediver, then she should know certain things.

“It’s allowing yourself to have the most intimate moments — just you and the water. When you float there — no air — no sound — joy is redefined.”

She regarded me for a time, her expression open. Then she looked around — as if checking to see if anyone was close by. No one was.

“Are you just, ah, talking about floating?” her voice soft.

I matched her tone. “No, I’m not. Dana, if you want to be good in the water, you have to ‘love’ the water.”

She then closed the distance to about a foot, her scent mingling with the chlorine. My suit felt too tight. Under the water, her foot brushed my leg.

“I want to learn, Gwen.”

My thigh lifted to meet her caress — an electric charge. “It’s not something that can be taught, but it can be learned.”

***

I’m quite proud of my house. Deep within the lush countryside, it’s not the biggest and nor is it the fanciest. It’s just simple elegance, lots of wood and stone — with an unassuming silo attached to the south side.

“What is that?” Dana asked as we walked up to the door.

“I’ll show you,” I said. We stepped into my cozy living room. Dana looked about approvingly.

“I like it,” she said.

“Would you care for something to drink?” I asked.

“Sure, anything with alcohol.” Then facing me, she added, “I’m twenty-one.”

I smiled. “Let’s stay clear-headed for now. Would you like a glass of water?”

“I’m okay.” Dana then cast her gaze at the glass door overlooking the back patio. “Speaking of water, where are we–” she stopped then turned to me. “Where are you going to show me about… water? I don’t see a pool.”

I nodded to the stairs by the kitchen, and then looked back at her. “I’ve got something better.”

***

I led the way — up the stairs — to the door to the silo.

“Are you gonna tell me what’s in there?” Dana asked.

I opened the door. “No. You’re just going to have to wait.”

Revealed now was a narrow, spiral staircase, disappearing around the curved, inner wall.

Dana made a mock groan. “It’s a good thing I like you, Gwen — because you’re killing me.”

I motioned for her to go ahead. “You first. I wouldn’t want you to die of anticipation.”

Dana walked forth; her gaze locked on mine. When she reached the doorway, she stopped, then she pressed into me. A second later, her lips brushed mine — but did not kiss me. “I can’t wait to see your bedroom up there,” she said, starting up the spiral staircase.

I smiled but said nothing as I followed Dana, her hips swaying underneath her jeans.

I then felt a pang of apprehension. Honestly, I had no idea how she would react to what she would soon see. Of the few I’ve brought here, not all appreciated my taste in “furnishings.” Some just bailed upon seeing the narrow staircase, never even seeing what lay at its top.

Not Dana, though.

Still, when she reached the top, she gasped. “Oh. My. God…”

Stained wood covered the dome-like ceiling. Once I crested the stairs, I joined Dana on the polished deck. At the center of the room was a disc-shaped opening, a pool ladder leading into black, glass-like water.

“What–” Dana started. “Is that a hot tub?”

“No, but it is warm.”

Dana chuckled. “A ‘warm’ tub?” She leaned forward to peer into the water. “It’s dark. What’s down there?” My hand then found a switch on the wall. Now, the water glowed softly. “Holy shit. How deep is that?”

I stepped forward, meeting her at the edge — seeing the white bottom far below.

“Seventeen feet,” I said. I looked over to see Dana swallow.

“Shit, um, that’s deep. Explains the crazy stairs, though.” She turned to me. “I don’t know if I can make it down there — before I run out of breath.”

“You don’t have to. This is about relaxing and enjoying the water, remember?”

Dana smiled nervously. “Okay… It’s a little narrow, though. It’s like a deep, water tube.”

I shrugged. “I wasn’t thrilled about the width, but it’s enough to stretch out on the bottom.”

Dana inhaled. “Like, I’ve seen the girls on Picshare do that. But standing right here, the bottom looks so far away.” She swallowed. “It’s scary to think what the view would be from down there.”

I knew that view well. I knew exactly the way my bubbles scattered into tiny orbs as they rushed to the distant surface, their deep tones fading to a delicate, faint fizz.

I took a deep breath, calming my now rushing blood. “It’s so quiet down there.” My hand found hers. “You can listen to your soul.”

Dana turned to me, looking straight into my eyes. She inched closer, and then her belly touched mine.

“Show me.”

Slowly, my hands found the straps of my dress. I let them fall over my shoulders, and then my dress was on the floor. I stood there, shoulders back, my body totally exposed in the chlorine-scented air — exposed to Dana’s eyes.

Dana’s mouth opened and she took a slow breath. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered.

My pulse quickened.

Dana then pulled her shirt over her head. A smile flashed as she dropped it to the deck, her jeans joining it a moment later. Her movements were so quick compared to mine, yet she had a grace all her own. She had such energy — energy that I needed to distribute.

She spun around, her arms raised. “Can you help me?”

I knew what she meant. I turned her back around, and then my lips found hers — soft, breathy, warm. Dana matched me, pressing in, conveying hunger. My hand found the straps of her bra. A snap, and then it fell between our bodies. For an instant, her thigh touched my most sensitive of places, and a tiny moan escaped between our lips.

I felt her smile.

“I want you,” she breathed.

I knelt, my lips finding the smooth skin of her neck. She gave a little gasp. I inched down, kissing her throat, her chest, and her belly. My hands traced the curve of her breasts, her ribcage, her hips — and the silky straps of her panties. She breathed a sigh when my hands slid her underwear away. A kiss of her womanhood triggered a shudder, but I stopped there.

I stood, meeting her gaze.

She breathed heavily, and I said, “Come with me.”

I stepped over to the ladder, looking down into my own little abyss. It was so rare that I shared this part of myself — the true nature of my love for water — of being engulfed, comforted.

It was a power like no other; multiplied when shared with another human being — the delicate grace of another woman.

My hands grasped the sloping rails. My toe dipped, the water kissing the underside of my foot. I lowered it, my skin on fire as the caressing, warm water engulfed my ankle, and then my calf. It took everything I had to withstand plunging in, but I did. I turned my back to the water, sharing a smile with Dana.

“I have masks,” I offered, indicating a small tray of aquatic accessories by the ladder.

“Do you ever use them for… ‘relaxing?’ ” she asked.

“Not really.”

“Weights?”

I shrugged. “The ladder goes right to the bottom — no need.” Still holding said ladder, I stepped backward, down to the first rung, one foot and then the other. My eyes closed in delight. When I opened them, I said, “Sometimes it’s best to leave everything on the shelf. Just be.”

I took a deep breath, then plunged deep under the water.

My hair became a cloud and I drifted down, tiny bubbles dancing over my whole body. I opened my eyes and halted my descent, seeing my air race to the blurry surface overhead.

A moment later, Dana pencil-dived with a cascade of bubbles, her hand over her nose. Releasing it, she spun to face me, grinning wide and eyes closed. Then her face scrunched, and she kicked hard for the surface, bubbles following.

I allowed myself one faint touch to my most sensitive place, then I raised my arms. I swam up to the surface with a single pull and kick, gliding passed Dana’s taught frame as she trod water.

Sweet air filled my lungs. When my vision cleared, I saw Dana smiling.

“Wow, you went deep,” she said. Then with a laugh, she added, “I was like, ‘Oh, my god. I need air!’ “

I pulled her to me. “I would never let you drown, Dana.”

She took my face in her hands. “Awe, my own private lifeguard.” She kissed me then, and we went under. I drifted beneath her and she wrapped her arms around me, floating near the surface. The water burned as it flooded my nose. I didn’t care. I was determined to make this experience one Dana would love, and that meant making her comfortable.

Her hands explored my back, her tongue finding mine. I hugged her, pressing my crotch into her thigh. She matched my moves, grinding slowly, tiny moans of pleasure escaping into the water. I wanted to let myself go, to merge our bodies, to make her cum. But I resisted.

Sensing she needed a breath I let her go, then pushed her to the surface. I joined her a moment later. She coughed a little, giggling as she did. “Now I really want to hold my breath longer. I can’t believe how comfortable you were down there.”

I laughed, then choked a little on the water still in my throat.

“Did I speak too soon?” she said, coming close.

Finally, I managed to say, “No, just a little water onboard.”

“Does it hurt?”

I shook my head. “No, not when you’re used to it. Sometimes it actually feels nice.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s… I don’t know. More like you’re one with the water?”

Her finger traced my neckline. “And… what is it you do when you’re… one with the water?” I felt the blood rush to my face. She saw it. “Ah, I thought so. Would you… show me?”

My pulse quickened. “I’ve… never shown anyone.”

She smiled. “Neither have I.” She backed away, then reached between her legs. Her eyes closed. She bit her lip, moaning. She opened her eyes. “Now I have shown someone… special.” Her eyebrows knitted; her teeth clenched. “Show me how you touch yourself.”

I reached over to the side and grabbed a mask, then I swam it over to her. She stopped touching herself long enough to put it on — so she could watch me.

I held the ladder. Lips pursed, I took a long, deep breath, exhaling just as slowly. I repeated this several times, and Dana did the same.

“Okay,” I said. Then I inhaled as deep as I could, followed by several packing breaths. I closed my mouth and looked at Dana — now taking her final breath. Turning, I grabbed the ladder and then pulled myself down.

Rung after rung, I descended into the warm depths. My lungs tightened as I went, though they felt comfortably full. My whole body felt wonderful, squeezed and engulfed. Halfway down I pinched my nose and swallowed, clearing the pressure in my ears.

I kept going, down and down and down. Finally, my feet touched the bottom. I heard nothing but the beating of my heart, and I felt nothing but the water’s gentle caress.

I looked up. High above, Dana floated face down — her hands busy as she watched what I was about to do.

I pulled myself right to the very bottom, and then I was face up. Holding the ladder’s final rung, the water’s pressure was all I needed to stay down. Again, I looked up at Dana and released a bubble ring. My free hand then found my neck, my breasts, and my belly. It went lower, stopping at the tip of my pubic hair. I felt myself smile, and then my eyes closed. My fingers kept going until…

The warmth. The enveloping warmth spread from deep inside, triggered by my expert touch. Intimately, I’ve known myself forever — my awakening was the inevitable product of hormones and a tiny bathtub. I love the way I feel: the bristling outer edge, the soft silk beyond.

My pulse quickened, the blood hammering in my ears, electricity radiating from my body.

My mouth opened, as did my eyes. Floating high above, Dana was going wild. Her moans of pleasure reached my ears, driving me further toward the edge.

My lungs were starting to ache, but I held on. I pursed my lips, tiny streams of bubbles escaping. My hand, my fingers were possessed, rubbing as fast as I could. It was the frenzy, the moment when everything else gets shoved apart — even the need to breathe. I felt so close, so ready for my release.

My neck strained, my body going rigid. Then, my thighs clamped together over my hand. From deep inside, my body gifted me with wave after wave, overwhelming all thoughts and feelings. It’s these moments which I hold so dear.

A whimper of bubbles, and then I cried out everything I had as my whole body seized in ecstasy.

Time stopped — the moment stretching as the waves calmed, leaving only warmth.

In the haze of release, I watched as my bubbles crashed against Dana’s gyrating body. The woman screamed out into the water, both hands between her legs. Even from down here, I could see the bliss on her face.

Her cries ceased and she started to sink. A moment later, she was scrambling back to the surface.

It was then the haze cleared.

My chest felt caved. My belly contracted, an odd noise escaping my throat.

‘Go up!’ my mind screamed.

Fast as I could, I grabbed for the ladder. My belly now heaving, I clawed my way up. In seconds my mouth would open. I’d blackout soon after — paying for my orgasm with my life.

Up and up and up.

Panic threatened.

Consciousness faded.

‘No! Just a little further!’

Then the pressure lessened; the sound returned.

‘Nearly there!’

A final sputter of bubbles then…

I gasped as I hit the surface, flailing and sputtering. Dana grabbed me as I caught my breath, my whole body quaking from my oxygen-deprived cum.

Dana flung off her mask. “Are you okay?”

Clutching her and the ladder, I coughed and said, “Yeah. Oh, my god.”

“I can’t believe how amazing you were down there.” She pulled me close, kissing me softly. “I want you. Take me to the bottom.”