The room is dim, apart from the silver moonlight, as if we have entered a secret, forbidden realm.
Joker’s excitement is infectious, as he sprints beside the side of the glassy blue rectangular pool, which glows with underwater lights.
“No running!” I yell like I’m a lifeguard.
Joker doesn’t slow. Instead, he gives me the finger over his shoulder.
Bird laughs.
“No respect for your Alpha,” I grumble.
“It’s how you like me, baby.” Joker stops at the base of a high diving board at the end of the pool.
He turns to me, grinning with a genuineness that thrills me.
I can imagine Joker as a young Beta practicing to be a professional swimmer, dreaming that one day he would go to college and show Alphas that he could swim as well as them.
A young Beta with ambition and hope, before they were burned to ash.
A young Beta who didn’t cradle guns and use his body as honeyed bait.
“Watch me?” He asks.
“As much as you watch me,” I reply.
Joker winks, before he strips out of his clothes with a startling efficiency.
“Skinny dipping, of course.” I tilt my head. “I should have guessed that you didn’t intend to steal swimwear.”
“Honey has the best ideas.” Bird squirms away from me, throwing off his gloves and scarf.
I copy him as fast as I can.
It’s hot, and it’s a relief to disrobe.
Bird turns to me, unbuttoning my coat and pulling it from my shoulders. I return the favor, as he smiles.
In moments, we are standing naked beside the pool.
Then Bird and I stand shoulder by shoulder, watching as Joker climbs the ladder up to the diving board.
Joker climbs like he is about to show off a trick.
My heart is in my throat.
Joker is reckless. Yet there is a confidence in how Joker moves, just like when he is fighting.
I crane my neck to watch Joker’s outline, when he reaches the top and walks along the board.
The moon breaks from the clouds. Its bright light shines across Joker’s athletic form, as he balances on the edge of the board.
His body has been honed to perfection.
That god is my Beta.
It looks like it shouldn’t be possible for him not to fall, but he balances like it is easy.
Then he bounces up and down, once and then twice.