He watched it sort of in slow motion. Whether she'd heard him and ignored him, or it was just too slippery, she went down and didn't pop up too quickly, cradling her wrist and looking close to tears. Alvin sighed, frustrated with himself for not just offering his hand over his pride.

She was probably going to get mad at him, but he couldn't just let her stumble again. In one swift movement, Alvin followed her tumble down the steps and picked her up, his bad hand under her knees and his stronger arm around her back. He'd done it to Sloane so many times that it felt like second nature, never mind that she seemed determined to be indifferent to him.

Trying to keep the contact brief, he searched for a good place to let her sit, but the greenhouse was woefully lacking in seating, so he set her upon the long workbench not too far from he door. "Can I see?" He asked gently, after stepping back half a pace in case she truly didn't want his help.