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[abrightboy]

This is Bright. Leave a message.

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[abrightboy]

“How were he or I supposed to know you were about to listen to me? Nobody else had. You barely have today. And I get it. It’s not about me. It wasn’t then and it isn’t now. Can you tell me just one thing, though? Please?” Malcolm asks leaning forward with earnest.

[hippie_ninja]

"Maybe."

[abrightboy]

“What was the thing Will said that you wanted me to know? You said you’d tell me if Neal wasn’t here. And he’s not here,” Malcolm points out.

[hippie_ninja]

"His response to killing people. It's like mine. And as a therapist that should worry you. I didn't think Neal needed to hear it; it's a personal thing."

[abrightboy]

“An exact quote, please. I’m not familiar with your response to killing people,” Malcolm tells him.

[hippie_ninja]

"Is the cumulative impression from the whole conversation not just one thing that was said," he shakes his head. "But I assume you are familiar with his response already anyway."

[abrightboy]

“I know what he thinks about murder. About committing murder. But I want to hear your alarming summary that makes me agree with you that he needs space away from me,” Malcolm says reasonably.

[hippie_ninja]

A soft laugh. "You're never going to agree to that, Malcolm. And I'm tired, and I don't want to argue about it. It doesn't matter."

Malcolm will just do what he wants anyway.

"I'm here for a reason. I'm just going to focus on that."

[abrightboy]

“So you’re just going to decide what my opinion on stuff is without giving me the information to form it? Okay. I guess. What is the reason you’re here, then?”

[hippie_ninja]

His opinion on Will and being with Will is abundantly clear already.

"I told you; to apologize for hurting you."

[abrightboy]

“For being dismissive when I was in crisis?” Malcolm asks. “Or for assuming everything Shaw said was true before asking me?”

[hippie_ninja]

"Both?" He tips his head. "I wanted your side of it, Malcolm. I wouldn't have spoken to you at all if I didn't."

[abrightboy]

"When I told you my side, you didn't seem to find it... credible. Is there room for Shaw and I to both have valid feelings here? Our history was complicated before she became Will's Warden. I have no interest in causing problems with that. I want Will to graduate. We have plans."

[hippie_ninja]

"Of course you're both valid. I think reality usually lies in the middle of two perspectives." So whatever stress Shaw was feeling, and whatever innocence Malcolm is claiming, are both valid and both suspect in equal measures. "Why are things so complicated with you two?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm shrugs a shoulder.

"We just... can't communicate. There is a literal wall. She thinks I can't possibly say what I mean without some kind of coded subtext and I wish she would say what she means. Neal and Will are trying to help, because they both understand both of us."

[hippie_ninja]

"Whereas you assume I have subtext when I don't," he chuckles. "Maybe you should apply some of that to her."

[abrightboy]

"I didn't assume you had subtext. I assumed you had ulterior motives. It's not the same thing," Malcolm points out.

[hippie_ninja]

"Semantics." The difference is negligible.

[abrightboy]

He finds the difference substantial.

"One is a coded language and one is just subterfuge."

[hippie_ninja]

"And you accused me of it based on nothing."

[abrightboy]

"I changed my mind to reserving judgement after that. You're the one that brought it up again." He pauses. "I can see why you get along with Shaw."

[hippie_ninja]

"She makes sense to me. She would've done really well in my world." Malcolm wouldn't. Malcolm is pre-virus emotions, pre-virus priorities. It's hard for Jesus to connect with old world people now, something he's disappointed to have learned.

[abrightboy]

"Your world is post-apocalyptic," Malcolm points out. "I'm not sure that's a compliment."

[hippie_ninja]

"It's hard for me to not see people as either survivors or the dead," he admits softly.

And that feels too much like therapy so he sits up a little more. "Anyway. That's all I came here for."

[abrightboy]

"I've been called a survivor," Malcolm tells him matter of factly.