[attr="class","beck"]"oh."

it's the first thing theo says when he steps into the room only to find out that it isn't empty. far from it, actually, as he meets the gaze of a familiar figure.

still, he approaches.

"alexandra."

not briarwood.

tM|tSoF1

981

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

Solitude. She’s supposed to be alone. Perhaps that why her guard is down. With eyes closed and ears submerged beneath the water as she floats, it’s hard to make out the muffled sound of Theo’s approach. There’s perhaps and echo of her name, but it’s lost in the sound of the water lapping against her ears.

She continues to float, blissfully unaware of his entrance.

THEO BECKETT
p8JveuuR
961-92 =869

[attr="class","beck"]well, this is awkward.

should he turn around? would that even be more awkward?

but then again, it's not like theo's ever cared about things like that.

and so, without much of a care, he steps into the water.

LD4N1|1J

909

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

There’s a noticeable shift in the water. The waves against her ears increase ever so slightly and a large wave subtly tosses her against the surface. It’s enough to break her meditative state. Lex’s eyes crack open and flick towards the side. The unmistakable shadow of a man moves, “Fuck!” she gasps, immediately sitting up and moving back in the water. A sharp breath brings recognition as her amber eyes settle on Theo. Her teeth clench and red lips purse into a frown, “You surprised me,” she growls before settling back into the water to hide the majority of her beneath the foggy surface.

THEO BECKETT
PphPOwiC
869-92= 777

[attr="class","beck"]her frown is met with a shrug followed by a soft smile, more amused than anything.

"i did announce my presence but you must not have heard."

he looks over at her, scrutinizing through the fog.

"been well, alexandra?"

XBFeWvCR

886

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

“Hm, I guess I didn’t hear you,” with a shrug she sinks back towards the opposite end of the pool, giving Theo his space. She hadn’t seen him in quite some time.

Alexandra, only her mother and people that really wanted to get under her skin called her that. She tenses beneath the water, but bites her tongue, “Been fine, how have you been, Theo?”

THEO BECKETT
h6j3elwJ
777-6= 771

[attr="class","beck"]"quite good, all things considered."

with a sigh, he sinks just a little deeper into the water, allowing it to wash over tense shoulders.

"have you been keeping up with your training?"

pc2scqhW

830

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

All things considered? She’s not sure what that’s supposed to mean but she brushes it off, regardless. She leans back against the stone, relaxing into the warmth. That is, until he asks his question. Yikes.

“A bit,” she shrugs, not necessarily lying but not full being honest. Working out, sure. Training like they had done? No.

THEO BECKETT
aBr9sUK_
771-53= 718

[attr="class","beck"]"a bit?"

not enough, really, and so the way his eyes narrow in slight judgment is justified, at least to him.

"do i need to step back in?"

8V9xezIP

821

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

Yes, not enough. She should be training more but it’s not like people are lining up to get their asses beat on a daily basis. Despite what might be common amongst her colleagues, Lex doesn’t enjoy dragging a grunt to the arena just to beat them up.

“No,” she responds with a feigned confidence, peering at him through the white fog, “I can take care of myself,” the statement isn’t entirely true, but it’s certainly more true than it was when they first met.

THEO BECKETT
u8K4_|TM
718-69= 649

[attr="class","beck"]"i don't doubt that."

briefly, theo wonders if she means she could simply run away, but he doesn't bother pressing.

instead, he sighs, parting fog.

"but it's okay to accept help, lex."

NvqiPO_J

802

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood

Lex still runs, but not as much as she used to. She’s grown more comfortable with conflict, and even battling. Sometimes she even finds herself looking for a fight.

She smiles at Theo through the fog, “If I need help, you’ll be the first I turn to,” she still doesn’t necessarily trust him, but she trusts him more than Gavin. Doubtful she’ll need help, she has Killian Decker. Well, she hopes she has Killian . . . he’s been acting very strange lately.

THEO BECKETT
NT9LAbi3
649-95= 554

[attr="class","beck"]her answer has him briefly chuckling as he meets her smile through the fog.

"i would've assumed killian first, but this is a nice surprise."

he shrugs, deciding to press further.

"everything alright between the two of you?"

oCrtUXDw

725

[attr="class","noodles"]Alexandra Briarwood