As Raylan stood back up, he took off his hat and moved it around in his hands as he ambled towards the coat rack that would hold it. Malcolm was closer to the mark than Raylan would like but if anyone could be excused in being there, it was Malcolm. He didn't hesitate to make eye contact naturally as he came back around to Malcolm's side of the counter and started getting into the bags.
He didn't know how to respond. Malcolm had neatly hit a few pins on the head with a clinical kind of bluntness that Raylan was used to bearing its own painful barbs. Except he didn't hear or feel any, and there was no reason for him to get defensive. Still, that wall was a hard one to bring down.
"Growin' up with Arlo.. Talking too loud could get you beat. Not talking loud enough could get you beat. A look was enough to set him off regardless of whether he'd been drinkin' or not. I learned to keep my mouth shut." And he knew Malcolm was miles upon miles away from Arlo, he didn't expect Malcolm to snap and beat him, but it was the only explanation he had.
He didn't want to lose Malcolm because he had an opinion that started a fight or an argument, all because Raylan had to open his mouth and be an asshole.
no subject
He didn't know how to respond. Malcolm had neatly hit a few pins on the head with a clinical kind of bluntness that Raylan was used to bearing its own painful barbs. Except he didn't hear or feel any, and there was no reason for him to get defensive. Still, that wall was a hard one to bring down.
"Growin' up with Arlo.. Talking too loud could get you beat. Not talking loud enough could get you beat. A look was enough to set him off regardless of whether he'd been drinkin' or not. I learned to keep my mouth shut." And he knew Malcolm was miles upon miles away from Arlo, he didn't expect Malcolm to snap and beat him, but it was the only explanation he had.
He didn't want to lose Malcolm because he had an opinion that started a fight or an argument, all because Raylan had to open his mouth and be an asshole.