"Oh my goodness… he's such a motherfucker," Orion muttered under his breath, chest rising and falling as he tried to steady his breathing. A sheen of sweat clung to his brow, betraying how drained he felt. "Edwards, I'm exhausted already. It was just a little exchange of words…"
"It wasn't a little exchange of words," Edwards countered gently, amusement warming his tone as a faint smile tugged at his lips. "It was a fierce one. You used your entire strength arguing with Guide Lawrence. Anyone would be tired after shouting like that."
"Did I?" Orion lifted an eyebrow, genuinely confused, then let out a long, weary sigh. "I guess I did… I'm almost out of breath." He reached for his glass of water and tipped it back, swallowing everything in one long gulp. "But it was necessary. Someone had to put that idiot in his place, after all."
