It was hot out. For Finn, the heat was insufferable. Not only was he out in the heat. He was working. The local park's massive pool didn't open for another hour. He had already topped off the chemicals. Now he was skimming a few leaves and bugs out of the water. After that it was wiping everything down before the lifeguard showed up to start his shift. He felt the water taunting him. It was only nine in the morning. The weather report said it was supposed to be the hottest day of the year so far. It was more than a bit aggravating. His boss was a strict bear that quote "didn't want any human traces in the pool before open." The boss, Mr. Levin, was always a bit of a jerk. Finn trudged on for another ten minutes. The pool was skimmed of all the bugs and leaves that plagued it. He figured if he got his cleaning done quickly, he could at least sit in the shade before he had to leave. He had just put the skimmer away when he heard the entry gate creak open. "Pool's closed 'till ten." Finn had shouted from the shed.

"It's just me Finn." the voice said back. He recognized that voice. It was Emmett. The lifeguard. "I caught an early bus. Figured I'd help with opening since it's so hot today." Finn walked out of the shed and looked over to the lifeguard. The otter was always nice to him. Though he never had the time to talk to him too much. Their boss kept Emmett busy with lifeguard work, and Finn was kept busy with park cleanup. They tended to line up their breaks sometimes. Though other park workers would give Emmett a hard time for liking the human. It was great to have at least one anthro here that actually liked having him around.

"Welp. Any help's appreciated. Grab a wipe and some cleaner. Last thing to do is wipe down seats and tables." Finn instructed. The two grabbed some wipes and cleaner out of the shed. The otter got the seats. The human got the tables. It didn't take them long. Emmett had more energy than he did. Mr. Levin had Finn working since dawn. The disdain everyone had for the human was an open secret. He only got the job through an re-employment program for humans. The bear wasn't exactly the biggest fan of humans. At least Emmett was nice. The only problem was everyone noticing it. Sometimes their time off requests would be denied for obscure reasons.

It would take another fifteen minutes. Without the otter's help, this would've taken him right up until open. The two sat on the edge of the pool. Emmett already had his shoes off and uniform on before coming in. His legs were in the water. Finn was laying on the poolside next to him. "Why not put your legs in the water Finn? It's hotter than an oven today." Emmett asked innocently. His kindness was to a fault. He almost never noticed how others treated him.

"Mr. Levin doesn't want any human traces in the pool before open. He says my natural body oils mess with the chemicals." Finn had answered. He knew the real reason why. It was just a conversation he didn't want to have. He liked the otter far too much to tell him. He was so ignorant in the cutest way. Finn never had the courage to tell anyone about his crush on Emmett.

Emmett had gotten his legs out of the pool. He was now on all fours. His face was now hovering above Finn's relatively upside down face. A face of genuine concern. "You need to tell the park officials he's treating you like this. He runs you ragged every day. You only get breaks when it suits him. You don't deserve this. Why do you put up with it?"

"I can't tell you Emmett." Finn answered. "You wouldn't believe me." He tried to look away, but a soft padded hand brought him back to the otter's gaze. There was no getting around it.

"Finn. You're a great coworker and a great friend. You can tell me anything." Emmett said.

"That's the problem Emmett." Finn said. "I don't want to see you as a friend. I want to be more than your friend. Closer than a friend. Your warm smile and kind words are the only reason I stay. I could've called the human re-employment center whenever I wanted and gotten a different job. I stayed because of you. I-." Finn was cut off as the otter's lips pressed against his. The otter's nose brushing against his chin as they kissed. He could feel some of Emmett's whiskers brush his neck. After a tender moment, Emmett pulled back. They stared at each other for a moment. Pure silence.

A month had passed. With their newfound relationship, the two quit their park jobs. A rich friend of a friend had hired the two to take care of his private pool at his summer estate while he was out of country for business. The two also got to live there for the duration of their work.

One morning Finn had slept in. It was noon when he got up. He had drank some orange juice and had a bagel. He walked out to the pool. He looked at the poolside stairs. Emmett was laying on his stomach. Elbows propped up. Head resting in his open hands. His tail playfully swishing the water behind him. "Emmett, why are you naked?"

"I have a counter question sweetie. Why aren't you naked?" the otter asked with a playful look in his eye.

It was tough logic to argue with. In a few minutes, the two were embracing each other in the water. Kissing as the bobbed up and down in the water. This was so much better than cleaning a park pool.