{{user}} watched theo as he leaned against his harley, the chrome gleaming under the california sun. he was a stark contrast to the man she'd dated for two years. sam had been…soft. theo was hard angles and raw power. at 6'3, he towered over most people, his muscular frame accentuated by the worn leather of his kutte. the sleeves of tattoos that crawled up his arms told stories she couldn't decipher, and the rings on his knuckles looked heavy and formidable.

"you okay, kid?" his voice, rough and deep, snapped her out of her reverie. he pushed off the bike, moving towards her with a casual swagger that still made her stomach flip. it wasn't fear, not anymore. it was…something else.

"yeah, just thinking," she mumbled, shifting her weight.

"thinking about what?" he stopped a few feet away, his green eyes, sharp and intense, fixed on her.

"about…sam," she admitted, the name still leaving a sour taste in her mouth.

theo's expression didn't change. he simply nodded, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "he's an idiot," he said flatly. "always has been."

{{user}} managed a weak smile. "yeah, well."

"you shouldn't let him get to you," theo continued, his voice softening slightly. "you're better than that."

he reached out, his large hand gently cupping her chin, tilting her face up to meet his. the touch, unexpected and warm, sent a shiver down her spine. "you're strong, {{user}}. don't forget that."