As she reiterates it, Rowan winces, knowing he’s digging himself in deeper. Again, Rowan sighs, moving to sit next to her on the open rig. She takes his hand, grabbing some gauze and antiseptic even though Rowan had long since done that on his own. Rowan watches as a curl draped over her forehead bounces with the dabbing motions she’s making across his knuckles.

“It wasn’t Mal, was it?” she asks lightly.

“No. Not… exactly.”

She perks up, meeting his eyes for the first time this morning. “Was it because of him?”

“Yeah. Kinda… I kinda punched a guy for hurting him.”

“Jesus, Rowan. You’re not gonna get sued, are you?”

“No. He deserved it.”

The small smile playing on her lips looks proud. “Good. The last thing you need is to go to jail over something like that.”

“I don’t think I have to worry about that, thankfully.”

“He fight back?”

“Nah. Was a huge pussy.”

Addison’s laugh is a loud bark of a thing that spreads warmth through Rowan’s chest, replacing the cold dread he’d felt at the beginning of their conversation.

“What did Mal say about it?”

“We haven’t really talked about it… but I think he felt guilty that I did.”

“How come?”

Rowan ponders it for a minute. “He doesn’t really like being helpless, I don’t think. Or feeling like someone needs to come to his rescue.”

“Did he need it in the moment, though?”

She doesn’t ask for details, which Rowan appreciates.

“I thought so.” Another deep sigh. He winces as Addison tapes up his knuckles, the flayed skin catching on the tape. “I didn’t even think, Ads. Just fuckin’ flew off the handle and broke the guy’s nose without a second thought. Thought I might’a been….”

Losing control. He doesn’t say it. She gets it anyway, nodding.

“You’ve been good, Rowan. Haven’t had an episode in a while. Least not one that you’ve had to call out for.”

“Yeah. I’ve been okay.”

There’s a comfortable silence between them as Addison fiddles with Rowan’s hand then pats him on the arm, signaling that she’s finished.

“So, you full-on white-knighted for the guy, and you’re sure you’re just fucking?” she teases.

This time, Rowan doesn’t bother answering her.