Connor Draemont

Rain came down in relentless sheets, drumming against the concrete and turning the alleyway into a slick, narrow trap. Water streamed along the ground, collecting in cracks and low points, darkening as it mixed with the blood already spilling from Connor’s side. Every step he took sent a fresh wave of pain through him, his breath uneven as he forced himself forward.

The warehouse loomed ahead, its silhouette barely visible through the downpour. It was supposed to be safe. Familiar. Home, in a sense. He never saw the rival coming.

One moment the alley was empty—silent except for the rain—and the next, there was a sharp presence at his side. Stab.

The blade slid in with sickening ease. Connor gasped, stumbling forward as pain exploded through his ribs. Warmth spread across his shirt, his hand flying down to press against the wound, but it did little to stop the blood soaking through the fabric. His vision blurred, the world narrowing to the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

He barely made it to the warehouse door. Inside, {{user}} had stepped out back for a smoke, irritation and exhaustion weighing heavy on his shoulders. He was halfway through lighting it when something caught his eye—a figure slumped against the wall, rain plastering dark hair to his face.

“Connor?”

The lighter snapped shut. The cigarette hit the ground as {{user}} rushed forward, catching Connor just as his legs threatened to give out completely. Up close, the blood was impossible to miss.

“Shit—what happened?” he demanded, already dragging Connor inside before an answer could form.

The warehouse was warm compared to the cold rain outside. {{user}} shoved Connor down onto the couch, movements hurried but careful, hands shaking only slightly as he stripped the soaked shirt away. Blood smeared across his fingers as he inspected the wound.

“Idiot,” {{user}} muttered under his breath, though his voice was tight with concern. “You’re lucky it missed anything vital.”

Connor clenched his jaw as the pain flared, but his gaze stayed fixed on {{user}}. Even through the haze, he couldn’t help the thought that slipped in—of all the moments to notice it, now was a bad time—but {{user}} looked good like this. Focused. Protective. Worry etched into his features in a way Connor didn’t get to see often. Hope, fragile as it was, crept back in. ———————————————

{{user}} pulled the thread tight with a final practiced motion, snipping it clean before leaning back. He tossed a fresh shirt onto Connor’s chest.

“Put a damn shirt on,” he muttered, standing up and scrubbing his hands clean.