red morning

Alexios Katrakis, 43 You found places to stimulate you But you know they'll never change you You could run forever And find that the heart Still beats over your head

[alexioskatrakis]

INTRODUCING: Alexios Katrakis

Faceclaim: Yiannis Koukourakis

Age: 43

Residence: Mountainside, ~1 year

Gender: Cis male, he/him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Birthday: March 10, 1982

+ Perceptive, Ambitious, Nurturing - Stubborn, Perfectionist, Evasive

TW: war, mental illness

QUICK HITTERS:

Immigrated to the US from Greece at the age of 10

Lived in Queens, NYC, for most of his life, then moved to Huntington Beach, CA, in early 30s, then to Windsor Bay last year

Currently no partners, no kids

Dropped out of college around age 19 and joined the army, deployed for 14 months in Afghanistan, discharged due to mental illness (OCD & PTSD)

Went into construction after the military

Has a well-trained German Shepherd named Choréftria (Eftri for short), meaning "dancer"

Plays the mandolin, some acoustic guitar

Complicated, at times tragic romantic history

Likes woodworking, fishing, camping, and hiking

Has a self-destructive streak a mile wide but is in therapy & working on it

Nurturing to a fault: likes to take care of people, but can be overbearing and forgets that he doesn't always know what's best for others

OPEN CONNECTIONS:

The Building Buddy: Alexios bought a 2-bedroom fixer-upper and has been working on it since he moved. This person has been helping him with the construction.

The Sinclair Ranch: Alexios has been working with the horses on the Sinclair Ranch since he got to town. If your OC is a Sinclair, an employee, a rival to the family, or even just someone who frequents the ranch/rides horses, there's potential for a connection here. Open to multiple.

The Neighbor: Alexios grew up with a "borrow some sugar from the neighbors" mindset. He likes to be friendly and helpful toward his neighbors, and he'll never turn down another resident in need. Maybe he helped your OC change a lightbulb, jump start their car, or bring groceries in during the rain. Or maybe he hasn't yet, and we can write it now. Open to multiple; must live in the mountains.

Romantic/Sexual: FWB, unrequited crushes, will they/won't they, old flames, etc. Open to any genders, ages 25 and up. -> Please note that I would ultimately like to develop these organically (i.e., we plot, then throw them on dash to see if it pans out). I like to gauge Alexios's chemistry with other characters before committing to anything :)

TAKEN CONNECTIONS:

The Tour Guide: Someone took Alexios under their wing when he first moved—introducing him to neighbors, bringing him to notable spots around town, that sort of thing. They helped him settle in and get comfortable here, and they were likely his first friend in town. Must be a Windsor Bay local, or at least, someone who has lived here a looooong time.—TAKEN BY JJ HAYES

The Interior Decorator: Alexios is great at building but truly terrible when it comes to decorating. No natural eye for color, room composition, style, etc. (Seriously, the only reason his clothes are in good order is that a loved one whipped his wardrobe into shape years ago.) This connection has been helping him decorate his house (and plan/budget accordingly).—TAKEN BY CASSANDRA REID

The Neighbor: Alexios grew up with a "borrow some sugar from the neighbors" mindset. He likes to be friendly and helpful toward his neighbors, and he'll never turn down another resident in need. Maybe he helped your OC change a lightbulb, jump start their car, or bring groceries in during the rain. Or maybe he hasn't yet, and we can write it now.—TAKEN BY AMARA HAWTHORNE (but still open to more)

The Sinclair Ranch: Alexios has been working with the horses on the Sinclair Ranch since he got to town. If your OC is a Sinclair, an employee, a rival to the family, or even just someone who frequents the ranch/rides horses, there's potential for a connection here.—TAKEN BY ADRIAN SINCLAIR (but still open to more)

[holiday-diaz]

A mellow grin spread over her features as he confirmed her assumptions. "Ahh. Dinner" she repeated before shaking her head at his question. "I'm solo tonight" she admitted, it wasn't something she minded- Holiday made friends easily enough to never really feel alone in a space.

"What'd you have for dinner?" she asked, her own stomach telling on her with a lurch and gurgle. She inhaled another puff and rubbed her palm over the tip her nose, scratching the itch. "Alone or with a friend?" she threw the question back towards him with a teasing smirk.

[alexioskatrakis]

The thing in the center of Alexios's chest stuttered at her admission that she was there alone. He hadn't just been asking for the sake of being polite. He didn't feel good about this—Holiday, by herself, on something he couldn't identify, without a designated driver or anyone to look after her amid a busy, hungry crowd.

"Italian food. With a friend I made at the bookstore a few weeks ago," he said, his brow half-cocking at the sound of her stomach. He was grateful for the sound, though, as it was the perfect entry point for him to offer help. "I have leftovers, if you're interested. Aglio e olio. Or," he went on, nodding up the road, "if you want your own food, we could get you a bite to eat from that 24-hour place up the way."

[cassandrareid]

A reassuring smile appeared on Cassandra’s lips as she patted Alexios’ shoulder as if to tell him not to worry. “Well you’re lucky that I work for a hospital and I'm a doctor with connections.” she mused before sauntering out of the studio. Her expression shifted as she arched a brow after hearing that he hadn’t thought of a colour. “You know, you’re lucky I always think ten steps ahead.” she pointed out at first before pulling out her phone to show him a collage that she made with her Pinterest board.

“For that bathroom, we could keep it neutral and aside from the gold accents, we could incorporate wood if that’s more your style. Add more greenery, like minimalist fake plants, your mirror having a wooden frame…That type of thing. Or the other option is doing green with gold accents and then having the sink, mirror, and shelving wood.” Cassandra then flashed Alexios a look that was half amusement and other in disbelief, “A rumba, huh?...I’m flattered, especially since you’re giving me first dibs on using your bathroom.” 

[alexioskatrakis]

"I am lucky. And I'm also smart: there's a reason you're my informal interior decorator, and not somebody else," he said, nodding toward her well-prepared Pinterest board. Alexios hadn't used Pinterest a day in his life before meeting Cassandra. He still wasn't quite sure how it worked. All he knew was that she was using it to design most of his house so far, and that was more than enough knowledge for now.

With a hum, he considered her ideas. They flew past him one by one. He took a beat, trying to hold onto each passing image, to let it settle into his brain enough to make a decision. "I think... wood, with some green accents. Your first idea. And I'd like real plants, not fake. There's an East-facing window in there. Should be plenty of light every day around sunrise. There was a time I used to kill all my plants. But I'm actually quite good at keeping them alive these days." His smile bottomed out, becoming more genuine than playful, as he added, "How did you get so good at this, anyway? Do you just have a natural eye for these things?"

[amaraxhawthcrne]

Realizing his friend wasn't catching up to him, Maple had suddenly lost interest in running around the backyard with the ball in his mouth, but that didn't stop him from wandering and sniffing areas as if he was exploring them for the first time. "Maple," Amara called out, unable to hold back her smile when he lift his head and perked up his ears. "Let's go inside." He didn't need a second invitation and strode back to her. "Come on, let's get your feet clean before you make muddy marks all over the couch." She cooed to him while kneeling to wipe his paws with a towel she kept by the door. "May I?" She extended her hand toward Eftri, but her gaze lift up to Alexios, seeking allowance. "Christmas is a big thing around the Hawthorne household. My mother has always been a fan of it, so I guess I partially inherited that Christmas spirit. We had dinner at my parents, then we also celebrated my birthday and on New Year's Eve a friend actually managed to convince me to go to the party at the Lucerna, which suprisingly went better than I expected." Standing up after dealing with both dogs, Amara pushed back a loose strand of her hair and walked him into the kitchen. "What about you? Were you in town for the holidays or did you visit family or friends elsewhere?"

[alexioskatrakis]

Alexios glanced down to find Amara there, waiting patiently for permission to wipe Eftri's feet. "Oh—yes, please. Thank you," he said, following up with another command for the dog. Eftri trotted up between the two of them, sat, and fell still (except for the excited metronome of her tail against the wood, of course, in anticipation of Amara's attention).

While Amara worked on the dogs, Alexios shrugged out of his leather jacket, leaving him clad in a casual blue button-down and a pair of jeans. He also took their mugs and set them on the counter, then pointed at her kettle and tea collection, shot her a small smile, and echoed, "May I?"

Her account of the holidays permeated his skin, slipped into his ribcage, warm like fresh honey. The two of them lived alone out here, with only their dogs beside them at the end of their longest days. It was one of the reasons he had taken to dropping off small baked goods or inviting Amara over for coffee from time to time: to shield himself from the bite that often came with isolation. He had hoped she had plenty of loving company over the holidays, especially in the days surrounding her birthday.

"I was here, in town. Passed my Merry Christmases to everyone I love over the phone, mostly. Much to my mother's dismay," he said, but a low chuckle crept out of him despite the gravity of the sentence. He could still hear her voice on the earpiece, demanding to know if he was eating well, seeing friends, and going to church for Christmas Day. "I couldn't bring myself to go to the Lucerna. Worried it might get too noisy as the night went on." Not to mention, dark, and liquored up, and claustrophobic. "But I'm glad to hear you had a good time."

His voice softened as he asked, "Other than how much you like Christmas, do you usually enjoy spending time with your family around the holidays?" And then, after a breath, he clarified, "I mean... Is it good for you, overall?"

[samairaxmallya]

Samaira had stepped out of Bookmarked with a book tucked under her arm and nearly ran straight into him. She stopped short, and then her expression shifted instantly, slight recognition softening her features. "Oh...hi," she said, "I think I, yeah I know you." Her eyes moved over his face more careful than curious, the way they used to when she was checking in without making it obvious. "Manhattan," she added with a nod, her memory attempting to click into place. "You and your partner, you were..patients? I believe..."

"Your name is right there," she admitted, tapping her temple lightly, as if that would help jog her memory. But she had countless patients over the years so really it wouldn't be the worst if she couldn't remember. "Alex… Alexei?" She winced, a true apologetic look on her face, especially since he clearly remembered who she was. "I’m so sorry. It’s been a minute and my brain is failing me." She shifted the book in her hands, as if something like that could jog her memory. Her gaze flicked briefly to the bookstore window and then back to him. "It’s really nice to see you though, are you visiting...or do you live here now?"

[alexioskatrakis]

"Alexios," he corrected, and that was just about all he said at first. Memories he usually kept stifled at the bottom of his occipital lobe came stumbling forward, frontal and sharp. Memories of doctor's visits and test results and fear. Fear once ambiguous. Then confirmed with painful accuracy. "Astraia Leventis was your patient. My partner."

Dr. Mallya looked the same as she had back then. She even sounded the same. Her present voice tangled with the one he remembered from a decade past, imprinting itself into him in one singular blast of static noise.

But she was asking him a question. He needed to focus. He needed to stay put, mentally speaking.

Alexios ran a hand through his hair, twisting his fingers into the roots of his two-toned curls. A nervous habit that had persevered since childhood. "I... live here. For the last year and change. Left the city almost ten years ago, then lived in California for a spell."

He blinked, trying to maintain his sight despite the haze that was presently forming a protective, insulated envelope around his brain. "I'm—how are—I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting to see you here, of all places."

[adriansinclair]

This time, Adrian held his gaze. He stayed there, steady, coffee cooling between his hands, letting the weight of what Alexios said settle instead of trying to soften it with a joke or a deflection. You remind me of other people. That wasn't a line you tossed out casually. That was a truth offered carefully, like it might bruise if mishandled.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "I notice more than I let on. I think it comes with the territory. Poker tables, crowded rooms, people who look fine until they're not." He leaned back a fraction. "And for what it's worth, I wasn't trying to corner you into saying anything. I just recognized the look, the way you go still when your head's somewhere else."

Something in Adrian's chest pulled tight when Alexios spoke of distant groups, far off places, strangers' lives. "Crowds have a way of dragging up memories you didn't invite, especially when you're trying to convince yourself you're fine." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "And if I remind you of other people… I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad one. But I don't want to be someone you have to brace for."

He glanced down at his mug, then back up. "I don't need you to be present all the time," he added. "Or open, or fixed. I just need to know when you're drifting so I don't mistake it for distance. I'm not great at guessing games." Quiet filled the space where insistence might have been. A gesture stood in place of a request. "So," Adrian said, quieter now, "if being here gets heavy sometimes, tell me. We can sit with it, or change the subject. We can even eat breakfast like nothing's wrong. I'm better at that than I look."

[alexioskatrakis]

The more Adrian spoke, the easier it became for Alexios to strain the tinge of sadness from his expression, until all that remained was a genuine, if small, smile. They hadn't talked like this much, but Alexios found gratitude growing in his chest despite the discomfort that always accompanied this degree of vulnerability. Across his adult life, most of his wants boiled down to going at his own pace. Falling in love, making friends, starting over, opening up, even just introducing himself—he needed time to do these things, and people who couldn't afford him that time tended to not last long in his life.

But Adrian would give him the time, and the space, and whatever else he needed. That much was clear.

Yet again, Alexios found himself thinking of a different Adrian. A different time. But he put it out of mind. He wanted to focus on this Adrian—the man sat before him, patient and deliberate and kind. The Adrian with whom he could form a healthy, compatible friendship. Not something heavy, fraught with misguided yearning, that would send him fleeing the state again.

"I appreciate that. Please know, I have little interest in sending you off on guessing games. It's almost always something going on in my own head, when I get that look. But if you're ever unsure, you can ask me directly."

He didn't have the will to unpack all of it right then—his diagnoses, what they meant, how they distorted identity and meaning on a regular basis. But maybe one day, in a quieter place, he would find a way to describe it to Adrian.

"And I don't brace for you," he added, the smile turning lopsided a bit. "You do remind me of someone else, but not in a bad way. To be honest, your presence is a welcome relief."

A pause, as the waiter returned with their dishes. The ceramic plates made hollow sounds on the wooden tabletop. Fresh cups of coffee for both of them, inspiring another bout of gratitude in Alexios. Once the waiter departed, and the space belonged to just the two of them again, he said, "This goes both ways. You're welcome to tell me anything, ask for anything you may need. But it's never an obligation."

[isabcllamcndoza]

“You know what? Even better, you two should visit my place! I could host lunch or dinner, whatever works with your schedule. It’s the least I could do after what you had done for me.” At his suggestion, Isabella pouted slightly and murmured, “You know I suck at running, especially since I smoke too much for my own good.” Sighing in defeat, she then added, “If it was a light jog, I will consider it.”  

Beaming like a proud mother who’s child won their school fair, Isa happily nodded and said, “He’s probably one of the main reasons why I chose to stay longterm. He had my heart from the start and well…He made me feel like I’m right at home.” Now ‘home’ was still a foreign concept for her, but she felt like she belonged here as she could be her authentic self. 

Seeing the way Alexios looked at her made her jaw clench slightly as she knew what this could entail. The last thing she wanted was for him to be worried or concerned about her. She didn’t want to burden him with her problems, so Isa did her best to keep her mood light when she explained her reasoning. “Aside from being the family disappointment and purposely not being in contact with my father? Which by the way, if he asks about me, just act clueless, mmkays? Anyways, I got cheated on by the person who introduced me to tattooing. The audacity of him to be fucking some client behind my back, but that’s besides the point.”

She almost lost herself there, however she shifted her mood away from the anger and resentment to keep herself going. Mustering up a small smile, she shook her head as if to tell him that it’s all okay, “Good riddance am I right? Overall, I just…wanted to escape. I wanted something new.”

[alexioskatrakis]

"And you know that'll never stop me from asking. Running is good for you," he insisted, and then couldn't help but smile at how much he sounded like his mother. He could practically see Efthymia in the back of his head, her eyebrows raised, her mouth set in that stubborn way it always did when she was trying to persuade him to do something. "A light jog it is. And you don't owe me anything. I was happy to help wherever I could."

His smile warmed as she went on about Spot. Eftri offered a similar kind of comfort. Nowhere had ever truly felt like home, but in the wake of his move, Eftri's presence was one of the few factors inviting him to stay.

Isabella's face changed again at his inquiry. Tension tugged at the corner of her jaw. Alexios sat across from her, perfectly still, his eyes trained on hers so that he didn't miss a single cue. His gaze darkened with silent, small grief at the story she relayed. He hated to think of her, distraught and heartbroken, suffocating in that home she had made for herself along the coast—that life she had made for herself. Hated it because she was kind, and gentle, and sweet. Hated it, too, because he knew exactly how it felt, to hurt so deeply that running seemed to be the only way out.

"I'm so sorry your partner neglected you, Isabella. You deserve better than that," Alexios murmured. "Did you stop tattooing, too? Or has it felt okay to continue your work?"

[cassandrareid]

Grabbing a towel from the basket that the studio offered, she began patting her face down and emitted a low chuckle after hearing Alexios’ response. “Just cause you said that, I now want to throw you into the wolves and see what you’re made of.” she teased before eventually shaking her head. Cass then began packing her belongings before slipping on her hoodie and then jacket as she was ready to head out. 

When Alexios spoke about what he had worked on around the house, the therapist began thinking of ideas to help bring his vision to life. “Hm, yeah we can match it to that. Give it a rustic, neutral feel. We could thrift some mini frames for decor and use gold accents for the items accompanying your bathroom?” She then met his gaze and asked, “What colour were you thinking of painting it?” 

[alexioskatrakis]

"Fine, but I'm making you responsible for the hospital bills that will surely come after." The mental image amused him: trying to keep up with a trained dancer like Cassandra, in a discipline he had never studied. He was light on his feet thanks to a lifetime of Greek folk dancing, but that was just about his only advantage. Certainly not enough to make a ballerina out of him.

"I... don't have the slightest idea about paint color." He could still hear Giovanni in the back of his mind from twenty-five years ago, playfully scolding him about the lack of color in his childhood bedroom. "But that's precisely why you're here, isn't it? I didn't even think about mini frames or accents. You're a natural at this, just as you are with the rumba. I promise you'll be the first one to have the honor of using my new bathroom when it's done," he said, a gentle smirk tilting the side of his mouth up. He held the dance studio door open, nodding for her to step through first.

[holiday-diaz]

Holiday was happy when Alexios offered one of his cigarettes and the smile on her face showed it. "My savior" She propped it lazily between her lips and pointed a finger at the end, silently requesting a light.

She inhaled as it sparked and exhaled a smooth stream from between her lips. "Thank you" she said finally, she leaned against the wall, letting it hold all of her weight and blinked a few times before answering his question. "I've been wonderful, as always." It was a lie, but whether or not just didn't want to admit it or she was so engulfed in the feeling she had now- it didn't matter. "How about yourself?" she asked taking another drag from her cigarette. "Were you inside?" she asked pointing over her shoulder, her brows knit together just slightly as she knew he wasn't much of a club goer.

[alexioskatrakis]

Alexios clocked the lie in an instant, of course. Same as he clocked the haze in her eyes, the pliancy in her limbs. He'd seen friends use before, enough to know sedation was irrevocably intertwined with falsehood. Silently, he wondered what else she had been up to before accepting the cigarette from him.

"No, definitely not. I was just out to dinner a few blocks over. You know I prefer to leave clubbing to you," he said, a small smile taking form on his face. He tilted the lighter toward the bogey hanging out of his own mouth, inhaling as she exhaled. The smoke drifted free of his lips in a rolling cloud, bridging what was left of the space between them. "Are you here with friends, or did you come alone?"

[adriansinclair]

Adrian hadn't expected such a change, but he sensed it at once. The jokes had disappeared, the carefully avoided topic had been left aside. Alexios leaning in like that, saying his name so plainly - it did something to him, settled and unsettled all at once. He breathed out slowly, his fingers tightening around the mug. Don't run away from it, he told himself. You've already confronted him, Complete the thought. "I'm… okay," he eventually uttered, and it wasn't a lie so much as an unfinished truth. He looked up, this time locking eyes with Alexios and holding the gaze. "Just tired. A bit squeezed out, but not on the verge of a breakdown. Which is usually my standard."

Alexios inquired about the meaning of his words, Adrian then leaned back, eyes briefly darting to the window as though he needed the space to say it aloud. "Well," he said, more slowly now, with more hesitation, "there was a moment last night when it was no longer about the cards for me. I wasn't thinking about the pot or the odds, I was watching you." He gazed back at him. "You went quiet towards the end, focused in that way you do when something's brewing beneath the surface."

[alexioskatrakis]

As always, Alexios wasn't shying away from Adrian's eyes. Not the way Adrian seemed to be shying away intermittently, at least. Alexios didn't fear being seen—only being known, and those tended to be mutually exclusive these days. But then Adrian went on, offering pieces of his own honesty and then pressing into Alexios's walls, trying to find purchase however gently.

"Well, we'll get some food and a lot of coffee in you. And if there's anything I can help with to stave off the breakdown, I trust you'll let me know."

They had been playing cards together and eating breakfast together and having friendly drive-bys together on the ranch for months. Yet they still knew so little about each other beyond preferred foods and tells and charming smiles. Something similar had happened back in California. And the Adrian that still lived back there, in Huntington Beach, had even said something like this. Only a few years ago, but time had twisted into itself since he moved; it may as well have been another lifetime.

Sometimes you’re so far away that I’m afraid none of us will be able to bring you back down, he had said. I always want to help you when you get like this. I just don’t know how.

Alexios knew he had to choose: he could keep doing this dance with Adrian, taking turns ducking beneath the truth and avoiding discovery. But he had tried that once before, and the all of it had eventually come gushing out in a flood, a tidal wave slamming into his California kitchen. Better to release it in small bursts than end up drowning again.

"In that way I do? I didn't realize that was something you took note of." There was no malice or mockery in his voice, just vulnerable quiet, a hint of surrender. "My mind was elsewhere, I'll admit. I sometimes have trouble with..." How to phrase it? Alexios pursed his lips and went on, "staying present, when I'm in a group like that. It reminds me of other places. Other people." And then, with a sad smile, "You remind me of other people."

[alexioskatrakis]

@samairaxmallya Location: Just outside Bookmarked

Alexios had left New York for a dozen reasons. Too many loved ones buried, too much noise in a city that large, too much pressure to conform from the religious community that helped raise him. Giovanni's death had stifled him enough to send him running away to the army. And when he returned, it was nearly impossible to resume a normal life. He had seen too much, lost too much, needed too much.

But then: Astraia. "My little star," as he liked to call her. She entered the picture with a heart as big as his and twice as steady. It was the fastest, easiest love he had ever known. If she was a star, he was an atom—the brightest light and the smallest fragment, having somehow found their way to each other through a cosmic sea's worth of carbon and emptiness.

When he lost her—when he left her—he lost more than just a lover. He lost an envisioned future, again. To face a second life-shattering loss in the city he once loved was unfathomable. So he did the only thing he could think to do. He ran. First to California, and now this quaint slice of Oregon. But no matter how far and wide he traveled, Astraia remained, burned into the back corner of his chest, like the scorched aftermath of a supernova.

He hadn't thought of her yet that day, though. He'd busied himself with work, and then stopped by Bookmarked to grab a new historical fiction novel to read before bed that night. Astraia was, perhaps, the last thing on his mind.

Until he stepped outside and almost smacked right into a piece of home. Alexios's eyes widened of their own accord, as did his jaw.

"Dr. Mallya?"

[sigelfire]

What if everything around you

Isn't quite as it seems?

What if all the world you used to know

Is an elaborate dream?

And if you look at your reflection

Is it all you want it to be?

What if you could look right

Through the cracks?

Would you find yourself

Find yourself afraid to see

[holiday-diaz]

Open Starter @windsorbaystarters Location: Super Nova

Holiday pushed the large metal door open leading outside to the back of the club. She cool winter air hitting her face like an answered prayer, she stepped out and closed her eyes letting herself breath. As fun as dancing in Super Nova was, it had begun to get congested quickly. The amount of bodies inside should have been a hazard but Holiday wasn't complaining, she'd even managed to score a tablet of oxy from someone.

She wasn't exactly proud of the new development but she wouldn't call it a relapse. It was just once, she'd convinced herself before popping it and now the effects were settling in, a nice relaxation enveloping her body and she felt good. That's what it was all about in the end, the good feeling.

Patting her jacket pocket down the woman let out a low grunt as she noticed her cigarette was missing. Probably having fell out somewhere inside, or although she doubted it, a sneaky set of fingers swiping her last one.

"You wouldn't happen to have a cig, would you?"

[alexioskatrakis]

Alexios was walking down the street, headed back to his car after dinner with a friend. They had talked extensively over dessert and coffee, and it was later than he'd realized. The night had long settled over Windsor Bay, the dark fallen like a thick blanket, covering all the buildings nearby.

He hadn't been to any clubs in town, and he had no intention of starting to go now. Too many people, too much noise, too many opportunities for overstimulation and paranoia. Alexios passed Super Nova, planning to bypass the music throbbing against its walls. As always, though, he took note of the people he passed—including Holiday, searching for a cigarette.

He slowed, coming to a stop a few feet away from her. Alexios unzipped his leather jacket and reached into one of the inside pockets. He emerged victorious a few moments later, Marlboro Reds and lighter in hand. He had kicked a lot of vices over the years, but not this one. He'd grown up around smokers, came from a country full of them—his last name may as well have been Karelia. He wasn't above smoking the occasional cigarette to calm his nerves.

He popped one in his mouth, then held the pack and lighter out to her, too. "Here," he said, and then, "Haven't seen you in a bit. How have you been, Holiday?"

[isabcllamcndoza]

The irony of Alexios showing up made Isabella question what the universe was trying to tell her. Back then before leaving for London and all the commotion that came after, he was her next door neighbour and was more of a father than hers ever was. For all the times he looked out for her and practically took care of her when she was going through the motions of becoming what her father wanted to be, he was practically her safe haven, along with the beaches that stood across from them. She came to realize now those were simpler times and she wished hadn’t taken them for granted. 

“You can be honest,” she quickly interjected and reassured him that she didn’t mind hearing the truth. Sometimes it was better than having to cover things up and for once, she’d rather understand it like it is rather than having everything sugar coated. “It sounds peaceful, I’m so glad you found a place such as this…I uh can’t thank you enough for recommending me to move here.” 

At the mention of Eftri, her face lit up as she happily clapped and pulled out her phone to show her wall paper. “Well luckily I live by Coral Coast, although it’s cooler now, you both could still visit, but definitely in the warmer months Eftri is going to love it! So I ended up adopting a dog, his name is Spot—see? I didn’t like the feeling of living alone…” She slid her phone over to showcase her dog before reaching for her latte for another sip and when he asked if she’d settled in, the tattoo artist nodded and said, “Yup, for the most part my condo unit is all unpacked and up to date with the way I want it…A lot has happened and I know I didn’t give you the full context as to why I moved here, but it’s been—a lot.”

[alexioskatrakis]

He remembered it well: Isabella, texting him to check in, mentioning that she needed a change of scenery. At first, Alexios had only invited her to visit. But it seemed she'd needed a more permanent change.

"We would love to come see you. Eftri and I still like to run down the coast whenever it's nice out. You're always welcome to join us," he said, reaching to accept her phone.

A dog lay within the screen's boundaries, grinning back at him. Her mention of loneliness sank into his skin, deeper and deeper, until it hit bone. Alexios knew the feeling well. He loved playing house, and he missed having a partner around at home. Even though he'd lived alone for a long time by then, he still wasn't used to the silence that blanketed the cabin whenever Eftri was asleep.

"Spot is adorable. I hope he's been good at keeping you company." Alexios's gaze softened. Years had passed since they first met, but when he looked into Isabella's eyes, he could still see that twenty-one year-old girl that lived just next door, trying to make her way in the world. "Can I ask what happened, to prompt your move? You mentioned something went wrong with a partner, yes?"

[adriansinclair]

Adrian let out a little puff of air through his nose, looking down at his mug as Alexios talked. Enjoying your company. That part hit him softer than he thought it would. The rest of it, though – he really should've known Alexios would always be one step ahead, whether at a card table or anywhere else. "Yeah," he mumbled, stirring his coffee even though it didn't need it. "That's the issue. You say stuff like that with a straight face and expect me to believe you." He looked up again, his eyes narrowed, but not in an angry way, more like he was thinking. "You're the worst kind of honest. The kind where I can't tell if you're for real or just messing with me."

He leaned back in the booth, one arm resting along the seat, openly watching him now. "You always do that," he said, softer. "You use charm to change the subject, buy breakfast, act like everything's all good." He paused. "Meanwhile, I'm sitting here thinking about card hands that had nothing to do with winning money." The side of his mouth twitched. "But fine, if you're paying, I'm in." He pushed the plate of fries a bit closer to the middle. "Sunrise special. Eggs over easy, bacon, hash browns, and another coffee."

[alexioskatrakis]

As Alexios settled into the booth, he finally took a good look at Adrian. He noticed the bags beneath the younger man's eyes, the invisible weight tugging down his lips even as he smiled. Any other quips he might have made died in his throat.

"If it's any reassurance, I don't mess with you often. I meant what I said about enjoying your company."

Once they had placed their breakfast order—the sunrise special for Adrian, and an omelet with a side of yogurt for Alexios—he leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and giving Adrian his undivided attention. No more quips, no more charm to change the subject (as Adrian had so shrewdly pointed out). Just a gentle, calm presence.

"Are you well, Adrian?" A tingle always dropped through his spinal column whenever he used Adrian's name in a sentence. He even looked like the Adrian that Alexios had known back in California, the Adrian that still popped up on his phone time to time, asking to talk, to reconnect, to know that Alexios was doing alright. Alexios inwardly shook himself, holding the memories at bay so he could ask, "What exactly did you mean by that? Card hands that had nothing to do with money?"

[amaraxhawthcrne]

Maple was her first ever foster, despite that Amara has been volunteering at the shelter for years. Since then the pup had brought so much joy into her life, not counting the times she'd almost lost her mind over his troublemaking nature. It was clear from the very start that he was going to be a fearless pup, ready to conquer the world, if given the chance. Well, he'd certainly conquered the neighborhood by now.

Looking at him run alongside the German shepherd, made her heart burst with joy but also ache — each time Amara had brought home an animal to foster, Maple would hardly ever leave its side, then he'd look for them for days. She wondered if it'd be the same when it was time for Eftri and Alexios to leave.

Glancing back at the man, after his words, she offered a quick smile. "I bet they would." She agreed, her breath fogging up in front of her. Pacing in one place to get her body moving and warm up a bit, she looked back at the two dogs running and chasing each other. "Would you like a refill?" She asked, tilting her head towards the mug in his hands.

[alexioskatrakis]

Alexios noticed her back-and-forth movements, and was just about to ask whether she was cold when she spoke first. The mug in his hands certainly was empty—honey and lavender tea, long gone, leaving his fingers vulnerable to the chill in the winter air.

"I'd love one," he said, smiling gently. Eftri still sat at his feet, awaiting his next command. "And I'm sure she could use some time indoors, too. She'll want water after all that running around." He murmured another word in his native tongue, and the dog perked up again, ready to follow him.

Alexios turned and began to stride toward Amara's house. As he walked, he asked, "Did you do anything special for the holidays?"

[cassandrareid]

❛ ☾ ◟━ LOCATION: shake it off dance studio

❛ ☾ ◟━ TIME: afternoon

❛ ☾ ◟━ STATUS: CLOSED for @alexioskatrakis

Letting go of Alexios hand, Cassandra huffed a breath as she listened to their substitute instructor wrapping up today's ballroom class. "You think she's trying to secretly kill us?" she murmured while placing both hands on her hips to catch her breath. Normally she would be taking ballet at any studio, but after befriending Alexios, she decided to challenge herself in another genre of dance.

She led the way out of the studio and headed towards the shared lockers to get her belongings. "Thank the heavens she's just a substitute or else I would have told you to switch classes and go into ballet with me." Unlocking the door, she immediately reached for her water bottle and took a big gulp of it as she was parched and exhausted from all that footwork. Glancing up at Alexios, she then asked, "So what part of the house are we decorating today? Did you already have some items in mind that you want to buy or?"

[alexioskatrakis]

Cassandra's sarcastic quip about the substitute instructor inspired a laugh, rumbling low and inconspicuous in his chest. He couldn't disagree—he was familiar enough with a tango, but his feet had nearly intertwined with Cass's several times over that day, tangled by sheer speed. He'd never had an instructor move quite so fast.

Alexios followed her to the lockers, made himself busy retrieving his wallet and phone. "We're very lucky, then, because I'm not certain I'd survive a ballet class. I'm light on my feet, but I'm probably not even half as flexible as you are." It was true; years of running and hiking had improved his endurance, but he couldn't exactly do a split.

"I just finished restoring the downstairs bathroom. I need to paint it, and figure out what to put in it." Cassandra had already guided him toward furniture selections in the living room and kitchen. His home was shaping up to bear a comforting, industrial-style blend of masculine and feminine—leather couch and wooden accent tables, but with plants and small pops of color all around. "I'd like to make the bathroom match the living room. Somehow. What about that rust color that's on the pillows on the couch? Maybe we can do something with that?"