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[abrightboy]

 This is Bright. Leave a message.

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[abrightboy]

Malcolm blinks.

"...From me?" he asks. "Um. Sure. Do you want something to drink?"

[conning]

Neal laughs a little at Malcolm's reaction. He can't help it. "Yes, from you."

The laugh at least relaxes him a little. "How's your scotch supply?"

[empathicfault]

Will's smile widens. "Yes. I'm glad I gave it a chance. Even with everything that's been happening, even with the close quarters, I'm happier than I've been in a long time. And I'm not hiding myself- not even hiding parts of myself, here with you. There appears to be room for monsters here, after all."

His heart feels full. He's not sure if that's him or Malcolm, or even just relief at finally discussing the Dragon, but it's satisfying any way he looked at it.

[abrightboy]

“There’s plenty.”

He splashes a couple of fingers into each of a couple of glasses and hands one to Neal.

“What do you need?”

[abrightboy]

“You’re not a monster,” Malcolm tells him. “You could have been one. You jumped off a cliff with a real monster to avoid it. Maybe the Admiral wanted you to have another chance because you rejected it with your life.” He smiles softly. “But whatever it is, I’m happy if I can be a safe place for you. I know what it’s like to feel like you have to hide or be rejected and I never want you to feel that when you’re with me.”

Re: audio

[abrightboy]

…He gave me his file again, but he meant it this time.

[It doesn’t occur to him, so deep in his thoughts, that that doesn’t make sense outside of him and Neal.]

Re: audio

[empathicfault]

[ Will can sort of piece it together, but he knows there's a lot of context he's missing. Better to clarify, anyway. ]

...what was it he meant?

Re: audio

[abrightboy]

That he trusted me. To read it.

[empathicfault]

Will doesn't know if he agrees with that first statement, but he also doesn't want to argue about semantics. Because he doesn't necessarily mean it as something derogatory. Just different.

His hand clenches and unclenches in the air for a moment before he reaches for Malcolm, his hand finding what's becoming its favorite spot with his palm against Malcolm's cheek. It slides to the back of Malcolm's neck as Will leans forward for a kiss, something deep and slow and sweet.

As he breaks the kiss, he presses his forehead against Malcolm's and rubs lightly at the back of the his neck. He voices what he didn't have the words for a moment ago. "I am so glad you're here. You've made it worth the choice on your own."

Re: audio

[empathicfault]

Then he can't be terrified of you. And him realizing that he trusted you- that did it.

I know- I know it doesn't make the rest of it better. But that's important, Malcolm, and you helped him get there. Don't discount it.

[abrightboy]

As Will kisses him, Malcolm’s fingers find purchase in soft flannel and his eyes flutter open at those words. He lifts his head just enough to see Will’s face.

“You’re telling the truth,” he says softly, his voice a little awed. “I’m glad you came here. I didn’t think… “ He swallows thickly. “I kind of gave up on finding someone who wouldn’t need to be… convinced.”

Re: audio

[abrightboy]

[He smiles at the floor; it’s audible in his voice.]

Sometimes a person just needs a wall they can rely on. …Maybe we can really be friends now. It… we got along but there’s a weird power dynamic when you’re someone’s Warden and there’s… a responsibility to say things they might not want to hear. Which… granted, I do with everyone, but. I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I just think it will be nice if we can be friends after this.

Re: Private;

[ukan]

Are you going to stay after Neal graduates?

Re: Private;

[abrightboy]

I can’t leave Will. I… considered going after he graduates, though. What Neal said in the meeting… I didn’t come here to reform people by terror. I don’t know if I can do this if that’s how… how it is.

[conning]

Neal takes the glass, pondering how to say it or where to start. He drifts over to Malcolm's couch and sits down. "I need some advice about honesty."

Re: Private;

[ukan]

It's not.

We're reformed by the connections we make with people. We just happen to live in a place that is, sometimes, dangerous.

Re: Private;

[abrightboy]

He said they’re all scared of us.

Re: Private;

[ukan]

They're not. They're afraid of not knowing what's happening and they think we know. It takes time for them to understand that we are all just as lost as they are.

Re: Private;

[abrightboy]

…Will did say he’s not scared of us. But he also doesn’t have a normal relationship with fear. You didn’t feel that way?

[abrightboy]

Malcolm follows and perches on the arm nearest the Goyas.

“About honesty? Sure.”

Re: Private;

[ukan]

No. Not once I realized how afraid the wardens all are.

[abrightboy]

That’s why I’ve been hesitant. But. Will’s not repulsed by the idea.

Re: Private;

[abrightboy]

We’re locked in Gen Pop with the murderers and it seems like when someone gets murdered, the apologists come out in force to protect the murderer over the victim. And that’s somehow right because the assailant is trapped here. Like the person they killed had somewhere to run. Like a Warden is to blame for words but an inmate isn’t to blame for actions. Reid called me after the meeting to thank me for my input.

Re: Private;

[ukan]

Ask Steve Rogers sometime what 'consequence' his murderer faced. [Is Lark bitter about that? Yeah.]

The going tactic here is to wait for the murderer to get bored with killing.

Re: Private;

[abrightboy]

Why is that okay? Why are the traumatized victims treated like bullies for wanting basic justice?