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[abrightboy]

 This is Bright. Leave a message.

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[conning]

"I know you weren't. I know you wouldn't." He reaches out like a fidgety kid, tugging at Malcolm's cuff to straighten the other man's sleeve a little. "I'm sorry. For... hitting back with it like that."

[abrightboy]

“I was supposed to be the Warden. And the Counsellor. I didn’t keep my cool. I messed up.” He looks over. “I didn’t help you when you needed help.”

[conning]

Neal smiles almost sheepishly and looks away, trying to make it a joke. “You’d think I’d learn to take it better by now.”

[abrightboy]

Malcolm looks down at the floor.

“You deserve better than what you got from them.” He looks up. “And you deserve better than what I have to offer. Everyone does. I just. Got caught up in this idea that I could figure out what he wants from all of you…. That I could solve graduation like a case, if I could get people to come to counselling.” He folds his arms around his middle. “I have to go. I’m going to help out in the library for a while. Like… an intellectual monastery. Reflect, labour, repent.” He turns towards the door, but looks back. “Let me know if you need anything. I want to see the painting when it’s done.”

[conning]

“No,” Neal starts, when Malcolm says Neal deserves better than what he has to offer. He keeps himself from interrupting any more, but barely.

He nods when Malcolm looks back, guilt nipping at his gut. “Of course. Absolutely.”