the momentary respite allowed him to gather his thoughts, and as the water flowed over her, he reached out for her once again.

"it's beautiful."

the intricate designs, the black and red, and her.

"you're beautiful."

Lulu Flint

☉

oh, fuck.

she felt sick and horribly dizzy when he reached out, but did nothing on the outside; only standing there, balanced and focused on the sound of the water, rather than the screams in her head, and the banging on shower walls.

somewhere between it, his voice broke through.

”if you say so.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

where she focused on the sound of the water, he focused on what they were in there to do.

"step back a bit."

his hand left her to reach for the bottle of shampoo. it was of a decent brand, not luxurious by any means, but better than the average three-in-one shampoos out there. squeezed into the palm of his hand, he attempted to lather some onto her hair.

Lulu Flint

☉

her breath fluttered at the teeth still gnashing in her head, but she stepped back as he instructed. then, all was suddenly quieted by the feeling of his fingers in her hair. the energy shifted. safer.

she took a step towards him, skin brushing. watched him where she could, wordless but accepting of his care. with bangs slicked back, bright blonde roots showed more under the lather.

she wasn’t sure what she thought of this.

THEO BECKETT

☉

he wasn't sure what he thought of this either, but his focus remaind elsewhere, distracted by her at the moment.

soon, he was done with her hair, and he held his hands under the running water before reaching for her hips to move her back into the water.

maybe his smile was visible through it all.

Lulu Flint

☉

she let him guide her, water washing away the soap and weighing her bangs down to hide her eyes until she slicked it back.

his smile wasn’t returned. every movement was tentative, but she reached out and took the shampoo bottle herself, depositing some of it into her hand. she stared at him awkwardly a moment, almost reconsidering, before finally reaching up.

as she rubbed the shampoo into his hair, she remarked as though she hadn’t noticed before—despite how many times her fist had gone for his face: ”you’re so fucking tall.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

her fingers in his hair felt nice and warm and safe. he leaned into it, into her, and continued to smile faintly.

"you just noticed?"

a short laugh escaped, and he bent as his knees just a little to help her.

"better?"

Lulu Flint

☉

as he leaned closer, from above, suds fell down her previously rinsed shoulders. she caught herself smiling a little bit at his laugh and his helpfulness.

“yeah.”

when she finished, she took a step back to let him in the water again, eyes watching his face with curiosity. to see this side of his life was a shock; every second, a new feeling.

THEO BECKETT

☉

suds fell along his tall frame, washing over scars that once stung. now, they were no more than mere mars on his body; reminders of the past, of a time survived.

he swept his hair back as he took a step out of the water, smiling briefly as he met her gaze. reaching for the soap, he squeezed a handful into his palm, then reached to pull her closer.

Lulu Flint

☉

the fall of the water off their bodies drowned out everything until only soft noise filled her head. despite being in a wolf’s den, it was utterly peaceful; and he was beautiful, too. she only now allowed herself to notice.

when he pulled her closer, she felt heat rise into her chest and gave a heavy breath. her skin shivered involuntarily in anticipation of his touch—and she found herself wanting it more. whether it was him, or the unusual silence in her head that she realized he brought her, she leaned into it; at least for the moment.

THEO BECKETT

☉

slow and meticulous, gentle and caring, his hands traveled across her body, appreciating, and he couldn't help but lean in to place a kiss against her neck. he moved lower, soon bending to lather down her legs.

once done, he stood back up, meeting her gaze once again.

Lulu Flint

☉

it wasn’t the type of attention she’d ever received from a man; not quite like this. the three to touch her before him had lacked his particular gentleness; especially rinc. the one she still loved, despite the death wish his ghost had sworn for her.

almost involuntarily, her head craned towards his lips on her neck. she leaned closer, until skin pressed, while watching wordlessly. eyes were there the second his raised, unblinking.

supposing it was her turn, she went for the soap. put a bit in her hand. it was a wider surface area, but treated with an attempt at the same amount of care he had shown. her gaze followed, lost in her work and the newfound details of his skin, until she was done, and she looked back up again.

THEO BECKETT

☉

similarly, no one had been as gentle to him as she was being, and he found himself greatly appreciating the care she showed him.

a hand raised to her cheek, caressing down before ending at her chin.

"thank you."

Lulu Flint

☉