No One's Born Broken

[abrightboy]

For tinstar.



Gil came and went. Dani came and went. Ainsley came and then left with their mother, who refused to even hear him out about telling the truth. He stared through the window at the motionless man in the bed for some indeterminate amount of time, his hand clutching his phone in his pocket.

Finally he let his eyes leave the figure through the window and he took his phone out of his pocket. He stared at that for a long moment, then scrolled through his contacts until one name rolled onto the screen: Raylan Givens.

He looked through the window, then looked at the name. Then he pressed it.

Comments

[tinstar]

The people that saw it knew what it was. Malcolm was as strong as he was weak, a delightfully contrary soul that he was utterly unable to hide and he was as much a savior as a victim. Raylan could see how he wasn't everyone's cup of tea but that was only better for him, in the end.

He soaked in the hour of contact, the soft touches and little kisses and what little smiles he could get from Malcolm before sighing deeply as Malcolm pulled away. Just as recluctantly, Raylan sat up and slowly started getting dressed, lips quirking a little as he watched Malcolm straight up steal his shirt. It made his heart beat a little faster. He'd always liked seeing his lovers in his clothes, and they, for the most part, liked to steal them.

He didn't mind any he might have to replace.

Once he was put back together, tie loose around his neck as he double checked what little he'd brought with him before looking over at Malcolm.

"I don't think I've ever heard you be silent this long," he said, not having heart enough to even manage to make it sound teasing as he crossed the room to pull Malcolm up into his arms and into a kiss again. He kept it firm but chaste, full of heart and only a fraction of the heat that they both knew could be stirred.

"Remember. Any time you need," he said softly. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm bit his lip and nodded, still clinging to him.

"I'll come down as soon as... I'll let you know what happens with Dr Whitly."

He let out a shaky breath and let go of Raylan.

"Text me when you land?" he asked, looking up at his face, managing to largely keep his own from crumbling.

[tinstar]

He nodded back in return at Malcolm's answer and let him step back without stopping him.

"I will." Raylan stood there dumbly a moment before he turned around and headed towards the door, fingers fishing his keys out of his pocket as he collected and slid on his hat. He paused as he opened the door and looked back at Malcolm before offering him a soft, consoling smile and stepping out.

If he lingered, he wouldn't leave. If he didn't leave, he'd get called back and that would be worse. He'd have to explain why he hadn't come back.

The drive to the airport was the worst part of it all.