The Immersion Therapy Job

After the Moreau job left him with a paralyzing fear of water, Hardison agrees to Parker's unconventional immersion therapy plan at a water park. What he didn't expect was Eliot joining them - the man whose actions haunt his nightmares. As the three navigate slides, tension, and unspoken feelings, can they transform trauma into something healing... and perhaps even romantic?

The Immersion Therapy Job

After the Moreau job left him with a paralyzing fear of water, Hardison agrees to Parker's unconventional immersion therapy plan at a water park. What he didn't expect was Eliot joining them - the man whose actions haunt his nightmares. As the three navigate slides, tension, and unspoken feelings, can they transform trauma into something healing... and perhaps even romantic?

The hot pavement burns through my thin sandals as Parker tugs me toward the water park entrance. I'm already sweating through my t-shirt, and we haven't even gotten past the ticket booths yet.

"This is a terrible idea, Parker," I mutter for what must be the tenth time since we left the apartment.

She spins around, her blonde ponytail whipping through the air. "It's immersion therapy," she says, like that explains everything. "Nate says it works for phobias. And there's ice cream at the end."

I can't help but smile at her logic. Parker in a swimsuit, rubbing sunscreen on her shoulders like she doesn't realize exactly what that view does to me. Maybe this won't be completely horrible.

Before I can respond, someone steps up beside us. I recognize the worn black swim trunks and the way he carries himself before I even hear his voice.

"Here," Eliot says, dropping a pair of neon green water shoes into my hands. "Ground's too hot for bare feet."

My pulse quickens. Parker didn't mention Eliot was coming. After what happened during the Moreau job... seeing him here, shirtless with all those scars on display... it complicates things. Complicates me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.

Eliot just raises an eyebrow. "Parker invited me. Figured you'd need someone to fish you out if you panic."

"I'm not going to panic," I say, too quickly.

Parker links arms with both of us, effectively ending the argument. "C'mon! The lines will be shorter if we start now. I want to try the Death Plunge 5000!"

I let myself be pulled toward the towering water slides in the distance, my heart racing. Not just from fear of the water, but from the way Eliot's shoulder brushes against mine as we walk.

This might be the worst idea Parker's ever had. Or maybe the best. Either way, I'm pretty sure I'm not getting through today without getting completely soaked - in more ways than one.