A Quick Stroke story

We started like a house on fire.

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"That's it," I yelled out. "Come on! Faster!"

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"Yes," I shouted out, not caring if anyone nearby could hear me. "Yes! Come on! That's it! Faster! Harder! Do it faster! Come on!"

We rocked together. We floated together. The feelings inside me were...incredible.

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I was sweating with exhaustion now. We'd only been going for a minute or so.

"Fucking come on," I shouted. "Come on! Faster! Do it! Do it harder! Do it faster! That's it! That's it! Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh, god, yes!"

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"Come on," I yelled again. Give me more! Give it to me! Come on! Don't just waste your energy! Fucking do it! Harder! Come on! That's it! Oh, yes! Come on! Nearly! Nearly there!"

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"So fucking close, now! Come on! Do it! Faster! Faster! Harder! Come on! Yes! Yes! Yes! So, so close!"

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"Move those fucking hips faster! Come on! Yes! Do it! Give me everything you've got! That's it! One more big fucking push! Come on!"

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The motion was getting faster now. Their hips were rushing back and forth. They really were giving me everything -- just as I had asked!

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"Nearly there! So close now! Come on! One last push! Faster! Faster! Harder! More! Come on! More! Do it! Do it! Fucking do it! Fast! Er! Fast! Er!"

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My words made little sense now. The end was in sight. So close! I could feel the finish getting closer. I couldn't believe we were actually doing it! This was my first time and it. Was. Magical!

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"That's it! That's it! Nearly there! So, so, so close now! Come on! Once more! Fucking push! More! Faster! Harder! That's right! Come on! Do! It! Do! It! Do! It!"

Despite everything we sped up! I couldn't believe it! It was so wonderful! We were no longer floating; I felt like we were flying! The end rushed up to meet us.

"That's it! So nearly there! Come on! That's it! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh, fucking hell, YESSS!!!"

Then, suddenly, the end came. A little sooner than I had expected. But it was over!

I screamed with pleasure! All the pressure! All the fear! All the anticipation! All of the doubts I had had about whether I was ready, whether this was the right time, whether I knew enough about this whole experience -- they were all gone now! It was over! My first time was finally over!

I no longer felt any pressure. I no longer had any fear. I no longer had any doubts! I had been ready! This was the right time! I still didn't know everything there was to know -- I didn't have enough experience. But I was young -- I still had time to learn.

The elation! The sheer joy! I felt so light and yet, utterly exhausted!

"Oh, fucking hell! Oh, god!, Oh, yes! Oh, Jesus H. Christ! I... I can't believe it! So good! So good! Oh, god! Thank you! Thank you! Oh, yes! Oh, fuck! Oh, wow! YESSSSS!!!!"

Slowly, we came down from our euphoria. We gasped for breath. We were sweating like pigs! We were soaked. Our bodies dripped with sweat and exhaustion.

It felt strange. Now that it was over, I felt... happy, yes. My first time. It could not have gone any better.

But I also felt...empty. Like I might never get this feeling ever again. No matter how many times I did it in the future, this would always be my first time. And that was what made it special. Unique.

This was my first time and I would always remember it. Yet, somehow, even as we sweated together, gasping for breath and seeing bright flashing lights created by our oxygen-starved brains, I knew that I would never feel like this again. I would fight for it, certainly. I would try and try and try again -- and I might get close! But I wouldn't quite hit this high, ever again.

We were no longer flying. Our breathing returned to normal and we just floated. Rocking together. Floating. It was so peaceful. Around us, the whole fucking world was going mad, but this moment? This moment was for just us.

We hugged, not caring that we were covered in sweat and probably stank to high heaven.

We cried into each other's shoulders as our adrenaline found every method of escape it could to seep out of us.

We just held each other.

"Thank you," I said, quietly, one more time.

"You're welcome," came the reply.

Finally, after what felt like forever, I raised my head.

"Come on," I said. "Let's get a move on. We can't keep everyone waiting." I smiled. I was, I had to admit, deliriously happy.

After all; it isn't every day you win your first rowing gold at the Olympics.