An Unexpected Encounter

"Now apologize for the vile things you said. And if you ever try to force Jesse into anything, I will end you and make sure you enjoy every single vicious sin you forced on Jesse before the last light of life drifts out of your eyes, you got that fuck-face?"

"I'm sorry." He gasped, hyperventilating and clawing at Alex's grip. "Oh, God, please let me go."

"God's not going to come down and save a piece of shit like you, I promise you that." He snapped. "Now get the fuck out of here and don't let me see your ugly mug again or I'll fulfill your desire to see God." The man blew out of there in a heartbeat, stumbling and smacking into half the patrons in the bar. Almost no one had seen Alex take the bastard down except a group of guys he assumed was the drunk man's friend. But they gave him a wide berth, so he didn't bother to even spare them a glance. Turning back toward Jesse, he gently pressed his fingers under Jesse's chin.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Alex asked kindly, looking for red marks or bruises from the man's previous actions. Nothing, so it must have only been...

"N-no, I'm fine." Jesse's eyes were watering up, threatening to spill over. He reached behind Jesse toward the bar counter and snagged a napkin.

"Here." Jesse took it in his shaking fingers and carefully rid himself of the tears without ruining his make up.

"Why did you do that?" Jesse's soft voice barely registered in Alex's ears.

"I couldn't just sit back and watch him hurt you." Alex replied. "You said... you asked me if someone had sent me. I'm assuming you were talking about that walking, talking bag of douche back there?" Jesse choked on a fearful laugh, but nodded. "Well, I don't think he'll bother you anymore." Jesse looked up at him, red-rimmed eyes bringing out the flecks of silver in his deep blue irises.

"Thank you." The admiration -- and something he couldn't quite recognize -- was apparent in the male's voice.