You couldn’t believe you even made it to his place when your vision blurred, and body ached the way it did. But your body moved on instinct, heading to the one place you knew you’d be safe.

Alec McDowell’s apartment.

It wasn’t anything fancy, but it felt like a second home. You bang on the door. It’s slow, weak, and leaves a bloody smear on the wood. The door swings open faster than you were expecting, and there’s Alec with an annoyed glare on his face. He’s shirtless, barefoot, and looking like you just woke him from his sleep. “What the- shit- hey!” His face went from annoyed to concerned as he catches you before you hit the floor. “What in the hell happened to you?”

It’s hard to speak, but you manage to let out a weak, “guys…cheap suits…” Alec doesn’t waste time. He pulls you inside, slams the door shut with his foot, and eases you down onto his couch. He grumbles about getting blood on the couch, but he doesn’t really care.

“You know, there are easier ways to get my attention. Like texting, or ya know, not whatever this is.” He points out.

You try to laugh but it just comes out as a strained cough. “Wanted to keep you on your toes.”

He vanishes into the bathroom and then comes back with his half stocked med kit and kneels in front of you. His eyes narrow as he surveys the damage. “Jesus. What’d you do, insult their mom?”

You grit your teeth as he peels your jacket off. “No. Just stopped a trafficking.”

His lips twitch. “Yeah, that sounds like you.” You hiss as he cleans a gash on your side. He doesn’t apologize, but he does move slower and more careful. “You’re lucky you got here when you did,” he murmurs. “Couple more minutes, and I’d be dragging your sorry ass to the ER while trying to explain to some nurse why I’m shirtless and pissed off.”

You meet his eyes. “You were shirtless when I got here. That’s on you.”

He leans in a little, eyes dark. “Yeah? And you’re half dead in my living room. That’s on you.”

You speak first. “You mad at me?”

He huffs. “No. I’m mad at the bastards who did this to you.”