Date: 2 Jul 2023 19:39 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 030)
From: [personal profile] conning
He blinks. "Yes, actually. Mozzie does. They're kind of--dating? They were. I have no idea what they're doing, honestly. She calls herself the Vulture."

He drags a hand through his hair, staring at his phone. "Even if he doesn't think it's me, he's going to try and prove it was."

Date: 3 Jul 2023 05:04 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 029)
From: [personal profile] conning
The look he gives Malcolm is wide-eyed and frightened and grateful.

And then someone pounds on the front door and Neal about jumps out of his skin.

Ainsley’s voice comes from the other side of the door, plaintive and small. “Malcolm, I really need to talk to you.”

Date: 3 Jul 2023 22:15 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 105)
From: [personal profile] conning
"Can I come in?"

Neal sees her face over Malcolm's shoulder, his own concern overriding the anxiety. "Ainsley? Of course."

He looks at Malcolm for confirmation, even as Ainsley gives Neal a slightly baffled look.

Date: 3 Jul 2023 23:25 (UTC)
conning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] conning
She glances at Neal, then at Malcolm, and Neal can take the hint. "I'm going to make some tea."

He heads for the kitchen, starts to clatter things quietly around. Ainsley leads Malcolm to the couch and sits down.

"Look, I know you're busy, I know you have that hotel case, I just... I didn't know where else to go. I don't have anyone else I can talk to."

Date: 5 Jul 2023 02:33 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 148)
From: [personal profile] conning
Ainsley gives him a tremulous look, glancing Neal's way. "Does he have to be here?"

"I can leave," Neal says softly.
Edited Date: 10 Jul 2023 01:32 (UTC)

Date: 10 Jul 2023 02:39 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 185)
From: [personal profile] conning
Ainsley leans forward, her voice a little desperate. "Please, Malcolm, I need to talk to you. You, by yourself."

Her eyes are huge, not quite panicked. She opens the top of her coat. Not much. Not enough for Neal to see from where he is in the kitchen. But definitely enough for Malcolm to see the blood-soaked clothes underneath.

Date: 10 Jul 2023 03:40 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer020)
From: [personal profile] conning
Ainsley drops her voice until she's very, very quiet, barely audible even with Malcolm so close. "I don't know. I was leaving work, but. I blacked out again. I... When I came around I..."

She pulls the coat tight around herself to hide the stains again. "I don't know what happened."

Neal tunes in at once to the change in Malcolm's demeanor, stilling from his self-assigned chore of cleaning the kitchen. "Malcolm?"

Date: 11 Jul 2023 19:02 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer088)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal immediately abandons his cleaning, red flags going up all over. He goes to Malcolm, touching his face gently to get his attention. “What’s going on? What do you need?”

Ainsley laughs, the sound a little cold, in spite of the tears on her face. “Oh yeah, what does he need.”

She gets up, shuffling to the bathroom.

Date: 15 Jul 2023 00:35 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer113)
From: [personal profile] conning
“Blood evidence?” Neal catches Malcolm’s shoulders gently and finds his eyes, worry pinching at his stomach.

“What blood evidence? What’s going on?”

Date: 16 Jul 2023 04:29 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer113)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal has some rapidly-forming suspicions that make his stomach churn, but he still smooths his hands back through Malcolm’s hair. Stays gentle. Takes it slow and calm and tries to bring Malcolm there with him, even if he’s faking it himself.

“What’s happening? What did Ainsley do?”

Date: 17 Jul 2023 00:39 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer025)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal draws Malcolm into his arms, running a hand up and down his back to try and sooth him some. His eyebrows knit as Malcolm talks. Something pings him as off, but he's not sure what. "That's... convenient timing."

He doesn't mean to say it, really. He's just not used to even trying to keep his inner voice inside around Malcolm.

Date: 25 Jul 2023 20:31 (UTC)
conning: (MattBomer092)
From: [personal profile] conning
"Malcolm." He catches the other man's chin lightly, turning his face up so their eyes meet. "You made the decision you thought was best in the moment. You did what you thought was right. Whatever's happened, it's not your fault, do you understand me? How would you have stopped this if she did know? Kept her locked up so she didn't interact with anyone who might prompt an attack? Surveil her twenty-four hours a day? We can deal with what's in front of us. We can't change what's already been done."

He kisses Malcolm gently, just in time for Ainsley to reenter the room holding a trash bag full of her clothes. She makes a sound that Neal isn't sure how to interpret.

"Really? You're making out right now?"
Edited Date: 28 Aug 2023 04:45 (UTC)

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