[ Christ, this is a mess, and it just keeps on getting messier. Alec is in over his head with this, and he has the brief, embittered thought that maybe he should just leave Faraday to his own devices. Fuck off through the portal to God knows where and leave this whole disaster behind him.

It would be easier. Easier than trying to navigate this. Easier than caring.

But fuck it all, he likes Faraday. He likes having him around, appreciates his company in a way he never thought he would after so goddamn long on his own. The realization that he might actually mourn the man’s absence is startling enough that it saps the anger from him, drawing it out in a sigh. ]

I don’t think you’re stupid. I don’t think you need saving or whatever the hell other ideas you have in your head, and I didn’t mean to imply that I did. I’m sorry, all right?