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[Malcolm looks towards where Sweeney is, though obviously can’t see him through the curtain.]

Right. Of course……….

[He looks at Will again, steadying him by the shoulder when he shifts to pull the sweatpants on. His eyes land on the bruising, blossoming purple around Will’s side and his attempt to stop his expression crumpling doesn’t entirely succeed, though Will could probably feel it without it making an outward appearance. His next sentences attempt casual too hard and don’t come out casual at all, but he kind of pretends they do.]

I had an injury like that. Trying to sleep is the worst part but the ice feels really good on it, at least. Do you think he’s going to be here overnight? Are you staying overnight?

[ He thinks even Shaw could catch Malcolm's distress, honestly. He takes his time pulling the sweatpants on. But at the end he reaches for Malcolm's shoulder, sways a bit towards Malcolm, and- kisses him on the lips and cheek. Just quick pecks. ]

I doubt it. He hates it here, and he can go rest up more safely in my cabin.

[ Will gives Malcolm a slightly assessing look. ]

How're you holding up? I know it's harder for both of us, seeing the other get hurt. I'm...okay, though. Really. Couple of weeks and I'll be good as new.

[There’s some release of tension at those two little kisses. He shifts his weight faintly back and forth in a self-soothing gesture he mostly manages to abort without really thinking consciously about it. Stand still, his mother always told him. You look like you’re trying to escape.]

I’m, um. Walter was killed by him, too. And. And we’re stronger, being wolves. That was the first thing Lark told me. And you’re… [His voice breaks slightly and he just gestures helplessly at the bruising.] I feel like I should… do something. Has anyone even stopped him? I don’t… [He glances around like the answers might be hanging in the air somewhere around them. He knows Shaw would argue that is, in fact, their job. Well. Her job. Civilians can hide. He doesn’t want to hide. His voice drops to a whisper.] I want to stay with you. Can I stay here with you?

Yes.

[ Will says it with a gentle tone and a soft smile. ]

You can. There's a lot of big damn heroes here. Even some vampire hunters, and one was engaging him when I left. Let's...here, help me with the shirt and we'll check the network. Okay? But I think a lot of people are on it already.

...I'm sorry about Walter, though. That's rough.

[Malcolm takes the shirt and helps to carefully ease Will’s arm in on his injured side, then over his head, then the arm on his uninjured side.]

Since Norton took Neal, do you think it’s okay if I invite Walter to spend his toll in the spare room upstairs? I don’t know if he’d accept, but… then I could help him more easily. I don’t… I don’t want to leave you alone.

[ Will groans lightly at even the small twist he has to do, but Malcolm's got him pretty well covered. ]

Of course. I don't mind. I'll try to stay out of the way if wardening is happening.

[ He said the same of Kikimora, so Malcolm probably knows the easygoing way Will can manage to stay in the background if something Official is happening. ]

And...uh. Off topic, but- you know you can pace or move around or whatever around me, right? If it makes you feel better?

[Malcolm has less than zero concern about Will interfering, but Will is probably right to protect the optics. He’s protecting Malcolm by doing so. Malcolm looks vaguely confused by the assurance; he internalized the criticism a long time ago.]

What do you mean? [He wraps the peas in the tea towel and hands it to him, then realizes, apologetically…] I forgot to bring you shoes.

[ Yeah, that's what Will expected. He addresses the concern first, shifting the bag of peas so it's against the most bruised part of his body. He winces briefly as the cold hits, then settles as it begins to numb. ]

I don't really need shoes, anyway. Don't worry about it.

And I mean- whenever you're upset, you start shifting around and then stop. It's an aspect to autism. Fidgeting and rocking and turning in circles are ways to stimulate your mind so you don't feel overstimulated by everything else. I imagine your mother conditioned you out of it early on...but you don't have to stop that here.

[ Standing where he is, it's easy to kiss Malcolm on the side of the head, and Will does so. ]

[He thinks about that.]

I don’t…

[Sit still, Malcolm. What are people going to THINK?]

……………Oh.

[His eyes follow the bag of peas, see the wince, the space between them creases faintly.]

Can I….. how do I uncondition me?

[His eyes find Will’s face again. It’s like the sun on him. He relaxes a little.]

I don’t think I really choose not to allow it, I mean. I’d… I think I’d like to choose.

[His gaze lands on the ice pack again, then look back up at Will’s face and he quickly adds:] We can talk about it later. Do you need help back into bed? [He offers his arm.]

[ Aw. Will had been hoping that would sufficiently distract Malcolm for a bit, but- that's tough to do when Will is hurt. He nods and takes Malcolm's arm, starting the shuffle back to the bed near his brother. ]

Thank you.

We can uncondition you together. I'm betting it'll go easier than the conditioning did, but it still might take awhile before it feels more natural...and you're not jumping on your own actions automatically. Luckily, we've got plenty of time.

[Malcolm clings to his uninjured side, as much to hold him as to take his weight.]

He could have killed you. I don’t like that. Do we even know who he is? How did he get ahold of Sweeney? He’s huge. How did he beat up Sweeney and a supernaturally strong wolf?

[ All right, all right. Will puts his full attention on Malcolm's concerns. He'd have to address it sooner rather than later, anyway. ]

Even for a vampire- for what I know of a vampire- he seemed to have an advantage. Because it was Iris, too. She's no slouch in the combat department.

[ Will has his arm over Malcolm's shoulders and does indeed continue to lean on him pretty hard as they walk. ]

But no, we don't yet know who he is. Let's get settled and check the network. There's got to be someone yelling about it by now.

Iris got hurt too? [And he can't help reconstructing the crime to some degree.] Sweeney wouldn't let anything happen to you. He was already hurt when you got there.

Yep. He was there first. I suspect the vampire attacked him unprovoked, because that's always how it seems to go with Harkin. I smelled blood, then him, and started running. Iris was there when I reached them, already fighting. I changed and jumped in, managed to distract him from snapping Iris' jaw off.

[ He didn't do nothing, but he's aware that they were extremely outclassed, even against an inmate. ]

[Malcolm’s voice is quiet and his expression a little stricken.]

And then you all escaped?

[ Will nods, his own expression serious. ]

The younger Belmont...Richter, I think? He showed up and started attacking the vampire with a whip. It's probably magic or blessed or- both. Anyway, it drew the attention away from us. Iris crawled over to Hark and I did too. She was...not lucid, and I just barely remembered the portal, but it got us here.

[Malcolm eases him carefully back onto the bed, then looks for a chair he can drag over.]

Okay. Um. If someone got him, that’s… that’s fine. I’m staying with you. I’m going to stay with you.

I'm glad. Here-

[ He squeezes Malcolm's shoulder before reaching for his communicator and opening up the network. It only takes a moment before he sees Godric's post. ]

Ah- okay. Think this is it.

[ He lets the video play, then looks to Malcolm. He reaches out and squeezes Malcolm's hand with his own. ]

[Malcolm seems visibly relieved. He leans over and presses a kiss to Will’s shoulder.]

I’m going to call him. I’ll call him. Just. Later.

[He hunkers down in his chair so he can rest his head on the bed beside Will’s head.]

I should have brought a book. I was in a hurry and I didn’t bring one.

[He makes sure not to dislodge his hand from Will’s hand. If Will lets go, he’ll reach for something else. His elbow, his shoulder. Whatever he can reach.]

Sorry. I got you going too fast.

[ Will is not letting go, instead squeezing his hand. He tilts his head to the side and nuzzles Malcolm's cheek a bit. ]

We should set up a little library here for these sorts of situations. I bet we're not the only ones bereft of material.

[Malcolm smiles, pressing a kiss to Will's jaw.]

That's a great idea. You're so smart.

[His free hand fidgets at the collar of Will's shirt and he sobers.]

I'm... when I've had a problem with something an inmate does, other Wardens get mad at me for not... nurturing them or something. But I have a problem with this. [That last whispered, like someone might overhear and scold him.] And I don't know where to put those feelings.

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