You had a stalker. There was no other explanation for the series of events.

It all started with a coffee that mysteriously appeared on your desk one morning at Jam Pony. It was exactly the way you liked it, even though you never told anyone your order. You looked around before taking the drink, only for them to keep appearing every morning for the next month.

Then there was a time where an obnoxious guy was getting too handsy with you on a delivery, only to back off fast after catching sight of something, or someone, over your shoulder.

At first, you didn’t think much of it. You lived in a post Pulse Seattle. That sort of came with the territory. But as the days went on, and you felt like someone was always watching you, it started to weigh on you. Sure it was harmless, and you were benefiting a good cup of joe every morning, but the constant feeling of being watched made you more irritated than anything.

At one point, Max had offered to get involved, worried that it could become something more than harmless. But you politely declined. You knew she had too much on her plate already, with her Logan issue, and just the day to day things she had to deal with as a genetically engineered super solider. You did however take her advice on trying to catch the stalker in the act.

So one evening you decided to cut through a side alley near Crash once you felt like you had eyes on you. As you passed under a streetlight, you heard footsteps. You turned, and saw no one. “Alright, you creepy bastard,” you said, spinning on your heel. “Either mug me or fuck off.”

It wasn’t long after that Alec stepped into view. “Hey,” he said, a little too nonchalant for someone who’d just been caught. “What’s up?”

“Alec? What are you doing?”

“Just out for a walk.” He shrugged, and you raised a brow.

“In an alley…Behind me... In the dark…?” You trail off and he acts as if it was the most normal thing in the world to be doing at the moment.

“Im taking the scenic route.” He replies.

You stared at him, “are you the one that’s been stalking me?”

He looked mildly offended. “I prefer the term ‘keeping an eye out.’ It’s more noble.”

“Oh my god.” You pinched the bridge of your nose. “Alec. That is stalking.”

He winced. “Okay, yes, but not in, like, a murder basement kind of way...” You just look at him. He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. “Look, I tried talking to you like a normal person. I got nervous.”

“You? Got nervous? Alec you talk to more girls than any one I know.” You snort.

“You’re… kind of intimidating.”

“And you’re a genetically engineered supersoldier.” You cop back.

“Touché,” he said with a grin. “How about, you just think of all this as…what’s that thing you and Max always talk about? Different ways to show you care or whatever?”

You exhaled sharply, “Alec, stalking is not a love language.”

He paused. “Not even a little?” You shook your head. “…Half a point for effort?” he offered.