xp_logs | Saturday afternoon, TV Room

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Brent comes to the mansion, as arranged in this log. But, because Fate is an evil wench, Alex shows up before too long and then the fun really starts. Lorna gets sent away like the girl she is so the boys can play macho.

Lorna gave Brent a slightly nervous smile. They’d been talking for about fifteen minutes and Brent had given her a run-down of his day, complimented her cooking (she’d just thanked him rather than explaining about her culinary background) and was now staring at her quite steadily waiting for her to answer his question. “Are you sure you don’t want something else to drink?” she temporised, hardly eager to get on with the purpose of today’s conversation.

“No, thank you. I’d like to know why you called me and sounded like someone told you you had cancer…or I had cancer.” Brent leaned back on the couch, half turned so he could look easily at her. He lifted his hand and played idly with the ends of her hair, “What did you want to talk about?”

Of course that was the moment Alex decided to walk into the room and one look of what was going on in the room was enough to make him pause at the door. He'd just wanted to grab 'Independence Day' from the mansion's video collection for him and Shiro to watch in their suite, and definitely wasn't expecting this.

Lorna sighed, “Us. We need to talk about what’s going on here.” She kept her eyes on her hands. “Brent, I really like you.”

He interrupted her, his smile saying he already knew where she was going with that statement, “I told you before, Lorna, I’m not pushing you into anything. We can take this as slow as you want to.”

"She might know, but personally I'm curious..." Alex finally walked into the room and over to the couch they were sitting on. He leaned his forearms on the back, so the two had to turn to look at him, which he really didn't mind. Why should he make it comfortable for them? He nodded to Brent, some of his blonde hair falling in his face. "Hi, I'm Alex Summers...I have no doubt you've heard of me."

Lorna scrambled back from Brent and off the couch like she was on fire. Brent stood as well, though more slowly and turned to face Alex, coolly giving him a careful inspection, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He ignored Lorna’s low stream of cursing and extended his hand, “Brent Foster. I’ve heard enough.” His voice was the sort of polite that was almost rude.

Raised an eyebrow, an amused look on his face, along with a small smile. He noticed Brent's tone and was glad to return it, though he just glanced at the hand, not bothering to shake it. "Really? I'm flattered...but seriously I'm curious. What's going on here?"

Lorna darted forward, “Nothing. Alex, please, just go away right now, okay?” Oh this was so bad. So very bad.

Brent rested his hand on her shoulder and shook his head. “No, Lorna, I’d like to talk to him. Why don’t you get Alex something to drink?” His fingers combed through her hair possessively. He didn’t look away from Alex while he spoke, his entire posture challenging.

Alex frowned slightly when Brent put his hand on Lorna's shoulder then quickly hid it again with a smug smile. "I'm not thirsty, but yes Lorna, I think Brent and I should have a chat...and I doubt you want to be here for it." He straightened his posture, crossing his arms across his chest, matching Brent's challenging position. This was getting interesting...

“I’m not going to let you do this!” Lorna looked from one blond to the other, not sure how she could stop it. She gave Alex up as a lost cause—she knew exactly how stubborn he was and appealed to Brent instead, “I need to talk to you, not you to him.”

Brent turned to smile at her, “We’ll talk after Alex and I have sorted this out.” He drew her close and kissed her lightly, mostly because he could and only a little bit because Alex couldn’t. “Go on. I’ll find you when this is over.” He patted her arm and gave her a little push toward the door.

A small growl came from the back of throat and Alex had to pretend to clear his throat to hide it. He glared at Brent over his smile, suddenly really not liking this guy. "Yeah Lorna, let us boys talk...Then you can get back to your new boyfriend." He rudely stressed the word, trying to get a reaction out of her.

“He’s not…” Lorna started to protest indignantly then turned red, “Forget it. You’re both insane. I’m going to the kitchen like the little woman that I am.” She marched out, flinging her hands in the air, “Men!”

Brent watched her go appreciatively then raised his eyebrows at Alex, “She’s got spirit. I like that about her.” He inclined his head, “So, how the hell did you manage to lose her? Not that I’m complaining. Just don’t want to repeat my predecessor’s mistakes.”

Snorts gently, marvelling at Brent's nerve. "How we became to be apart is none of your business, plus I doubt you'd understand. And I haven't 'lost' her, certainly not to the likes of you. Though I do have a question for you...what the hell are you getting out of this?" His tone was angry and defensive. He decided he did not like Brent.

“The only thing that matters—her.” Brent tucked his hands in his pockets and smirked. “If you hadn’t lost her, boy, she wouldn’t be with me. You must have done a number on her. She thinks whatever happened was her fault. You’re like some minor god to her.” He shrugged, perfectly willing to admit it since, when all was said and done, he still had the girl and the surfer boy didn’t.

Now Alex really didn't like Brent. "Are you done trying to sound all high and mighty, because you have no idea what happened between us and I doubt you would understand if someone were to explain it too you. She asked for time apart to settle things, then we would try again and I agreed because I thought we both needed it. Of course, I didn't know that would mean you being in the picture...."

Brent shrugged, “What can I say? You were stupid to agree. But what’s done is done so I’d appreciate it if you’d back off and let her do what she wants. She doesn’t need you making her feel guilty.” Brent didn’t feel the slightest bit of remorse for egging Alex on even knowing that Lorna had brought him here to give him a ‘Let’s be friends’ speech. All’s fair, after all.

Alex had to stop himself from gaping at Brent. "What would you have me do? Make her miserable by forcing her into something she didn’t want, or leaving her alone to get the help she wanted. Do you think I wanted to? Who are you to presume anyway?" Alex stepped forward and around the couch. "And I can say the same for you...Why don't you stop pushing her into something she doesn't want? I heard what she said and your response. Why don't you leave her alone and take her suggestion to just be friends instead of trying to satisfy yourself. Back off and leave us alone." Alex was close now and glaring straight at the slightly older man.

Brent continued to smirk at him, not bothered in the least by Alex’s proximity. “Have you told her that?” Brent simply ignored Alex’s accusations, choosing to keep Alex on the defensive.

Now Alex openly gawked at him. "Who the fuck do you think you are to give advice on something you don't understand? You weren't there and I would love to see you try to disagree with her in the state she was in!"

“That would be a ‘no’ then.” Brent outright grinned at Alex now. He was amused by how similar Alex’s reaction was to Lorna’s. They both seemed to think they should maintain a hands off approach when it came to making their relationship work. Brent wondered how they’d managed to last a year in the first place.

Alek shook his head, his hands clenched to prevent them from socking Brent or worse, accidentally unleashing his mutation on the human. "I'm not going to stand here and take this from you." He turned to the movie case, grabbed what he came for, and went to the door, before turning back to glare at Brent one more time. "But I suggest you take my advice. Get out of here and leave us alone. And do take it personally when I say I hope we don't meet again."

“Does that mean you aren’t coming to the charity event?” Brent called after him, “Coward!”

Alex froze and looked back through the door of the TV room. "What about the charity event?" he threw back, choosing to ignore the coward call.

“Lorna asked me if I would go with her. Presumably because she didn’t have any hope that you would come to your senses before then.” Brent walked over to the doorway, deciding suddenly that he needed to meddle just a bit more.

Alex again snorted softly. "I'll come to my senses when she does and realizes you’re a hodad. " He smirked at the Hawaiian word, knowing the other had no idea what it meant. He turned to walk away again. "Have fun but then I do suggest you take my advice. And if you hurt her, I'll personally break your legs." The last he threw over his shoulder in a sing-song voice, though it was clear he was serious.

Brent winced. Somehow, he’d know that was going to happen. “Why does it always have to be the legs?” he muttered. He waited until Alex was a few feet further away then shouted, "No problem. Which way to the kitchen?”

"You’re the smart one, you find it." Alex shouted back before bursting into a run up the stairs to get away from Brent and back to Shiro, who was probably wondering where he was.