Will Graham (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
empathicfault) wrote2023-06-18 11:04 am
empathicfault) wrote2023-06-18 11:04 am
IC Inbox
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
I'm all right. Got a couple of things to work through now, but it could've been much worse.
Are you okay? You had your worst-case scenario playing out for you, or close to it.
Are you okay? You had your worst-case scenario playing out for you, or close to it.
Malcolm crawls into bed next to Will that night and curls up against him. Things have been slowly untangling in the couple of days since the sword was dealt with but the things that happened right before the sword thing have dominated his mental space a lot more than the things that happened during it.
Except maybe one.
"I called Shaw today," he admits to the outline of Will's face in the diffused light of simulated streetlamps below the window. "To apologize for being mean when I was telling her off."
Except maybe one.
"I called Shaw today," he admits to the outline of Will's face in the diffused light of simulated streetlamps below the window. "To apologize for being mean when I was telling her off."
Will has been doing what he personally can to keep himself distracted, because otherwise he would've broached that one thing Malcolm's been thinking about. And he knows he needs to give it time to settle. It's still difficult not to apologize or try to explain certain things.
It's easier when Malcolm is here with him, though. When they're close and warm together. Will can see Malcolm's face clearly, but he barely needs that to tell what's going on with him, now. "How did that go?" he asks, because he suspects it wasn't all that well.
It's easier when Malcolm is here with him, though. When they're close and warm together. Will can see Malcolm's face clearly, but he barely needs that to tell what's going on with him, now. "How did that go?" he asks, because he suspects it wasn't all that well.
Taylor’s already had a full day when she shows up to the kennel, Angelica ambling at her side and a canvas bag hanging over her shoulder. She has cleaning plans - deep cleaning the play space and the fake grass, and maybe the goat pens too - but she’s also already spent half the day cleaning and she’s tired. So she plans to let herself be lazy.
She was hoping to be here late enough she’d be alone, since she’s not sure what’s on display above her head, but she smiles to see Will all the same, and hefts the bag a little. It rattles dryly.
“What are your thoughts on beetles?”
She was hoping to be here late enough she’d be alone, since she’s not sure what’s on display above her head, but she smiles to see Will all the same, and hefts the bag a little. It rattles dryly.
“What are your thoughts on beetles?”
Will smiles at Taylor, not opting to talk about the "Hasn't gone back to therapy" sign over her head. Because why would he? And he's gotten a fairly long way during this flood by just ignoring what he can? He suspects plenty of others have done the same for him. (Shaw is the exception, but she is his warden.)
He's currently sitting in the Chair Everyone Sits In when they're alone, because it's the most comfortable to read in. He's been catching up on reptile info, himself (iguanas, right now). But he sets the book down at her question. He eyes her bag with interest and curiosity.
"They're fine. Kind of cute, as long as they weren't eating through my trees." He nods towards her. "You have some beetles in there?"
He's currently sitting in the Chair Everyone Sits In when they're alone, because it's the most comfortable to read in. He's been catching up on reptile info, himself (iguanas, right now). But he sets the book down at her question. He eyes her bag with interest and curiosity.
"They're fine. Kind of cute, as long as they weren't eating through my trees." He nods towards her. "You have some beetles in there?"
Hey
Just checking in to see if you made it through alright.
I stopped bleeding
And no one's assaulted me since.
You ok?
Hannibal fuck off?
Just checking in to see if you made it through alright.
I stopped bleeding
And no one's assaulted me since.
You ok?
Hannibal fuck off?
[ Damn it, he was going to keep an eye on Hark, and he let himself get distracted by someone who didn't even exist. ]
I'm okay. Hannibal's gone, along with the rest of it.
Glad you stopped bleeding, but you got attacked?
Never mind- Of course you did. Everyone was nuts. Are you all right now? Recovering?
I'm okay. Hannibal's gone, along with the rest of it.
Glad you stopped bleeding, but you got attacked?
Never mind- Of course you did. Everyone was nuts. Are you all right now? Recovering?
So Shaw’s in a coma. Sorry about that, but… not to be mercenary and all… it might be a good day to. Um. Go to the Enclosure.
[ Will's response is to laugh. ]
Yes, let's. That'll really cheer me up, I think.
[ A slightly odd response, but he knows Shaw will eventually watch this. When she's up again. ]
Meet you at the Enclosure?
Yes, let's. That'll really cheer me up, I think.
[ A slightly odd response, but he knows Shaw will eventually watch this. When she's up again. ]
Meet you at the Enclosure?
Welcome back. -to both of us, I guess.
Did you....ah, you didn't miss the Breach, did you?
Did you....ah, you didn't miss the Breach, did you?
I'm not sure I would notice if an idea was 'creepy-ass' or not, considering my own issues. But we did only talk a little about helping me curb my more violent instincts. What did he suggest to you?
The day they organized the Kiryu meeting, in the evening, after arguing with Shaw and Jesus.
abrightboy
2023-11-28 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Will's been around more since the Breach, but he'd gone to his own cabin to feed the dogs and grab a few things, so Malcolm flopped on the couch and checked the Network.
He was glad to see that Kiryu was ready to organize the meetings, but then... things took the kind of turn they take, because he's... him. Will almost certainly saw the words that passed between him and Shaw and he may have seen the public part of his conversations with Rosita and Jesus. And once those are over, he has to get out of his cabin, so he goes for a restless walk and his feet carry him... straight to Will's door, almost like he was in a trance to get there. He stands in front of it for a long moment. Then it occurs to him that Will can probably smell him there. He knocks.
He was glad to see that Kiryu was ready to organize the meetings, but then... things took the kind of turn they take, because he's... him. Will almost certainly saw the words that passed between him and Shaw and he may have seen the public part of his conversations with Rosita and Jesus. And once those are over, he has to get out of his cabin, so he goes for a restless walk and his feet carry him... straight to Will's door, almost like he was in a trance to get there. He stands in front of it for a long moment. Then it occurs to him that Will can probably smell him there. He knocks.
Will opens the door in the middle of Malcolm knocking. Yeah, he smelled him. He's still a little flustered himself, after trying to sort out what even happened on the post with Kiryu and Shaw. But knowing Malcolm's here pulls a smile from him.
"Hey, come in," he says, more like directions than an offer. Will tugs Malcolm to him in a hug and shuts the door behind him. "Rough night, huh?"
"Hey, come in," he says, more like directions than an offer. Will tugs Malcolm to him in a hug and shuts the door behind him. "Rough night, huh?"
Hey... I don't know that it matters much anymore but I told Malcolm I'd ask. When you told me you met Malcolm by going to him as a therapist, you were telling the truth, right?
Hi, Jesus. And yes. I went to him twice before giving up the ghost and then seeing him in more of a friendly- or perhaps more like a fellow scholar- sort of capacity. We became good friends, and I confessed my feelings to him a couple months later.
I don't hold your concerns against you, in case you're worried about that. I understand the very beginning of our relationship is problematic. It's been addressed- although I don't know if you'll believe me, considering how Malcolm came off that night.
I don't hold your concerns against you, in case you're worried about that. I understand the very beginning of our relationship is problematic. It's been addressed- although I don't know if you'll believe me, considering how Malcolm came off that night.
You're the doc's boyfriend, ain't ya?
[He pauses.]
The one that beat the shit out of Avalon?
Got a minute?
[He pauses.]
The one that beat the shit out of Avalon?
Got a minute?
[ Well, that's an introduction, isn't it? ]
That's me. And sure. What can I help you with?
That's me. And sure. What can I help you with?
Yeah, I think so. I'll admit I'm curious as to who the guy is.
Sure, I do. What's up?
Edited 2023-12-04 00:18 (UTC)
...I think I found a problem, Graham-san.
Do you have a few minutes to talk?
Do you have a few minutes to talk?
A problem? Uh, sure...what's up?
Sounds like you got to me first.
I'd like to talk to Malcolm about this before hashing it out with you, but- you are the warden. It's up to you.
I'd like to talk to Malcolm about this before hashing it out with you, but- you are the warden. It's up to you.
The day after meetings with Avalon/Jesus/Sheehan are over
abrightboy
2023-12-21 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
Malcolm could see the emotional drain on Will after the meetings. He would only stay that night if Will wanted him to.
But the next day… the next day feels like time to unveil what he has been working on in the Enclosure.
He doesn’t tell Will what they’re going there for, but Will can probably tell he’s excited and also a little nervous. Apart from the crime scene, he has Will’s Christmas gift in his pocket and he hopes he likes it.
As they walk in, they’re in a park, a Victorian style greenhouse looming ahead of them. Malcolm grins and leads him there. On the floor is an elaborate crime scene featuring a young woman, dressed in a white gown and elbow length gloves surrounded by flowers.
Malcolm looks at Will and raises his eyebrows.
But the next day… the next day feels like time to unveil what he has been working on in the Enclosure.
He doesn’t tell Will what they’re going there for, but Will can probably tell he’s excited and also a little nervous. Apart from the crime scene, he has Will’s Christmas gift in his pocket and he hopes he likes it.
As they walk in, they’re in a park, a Victorian style greenhouse looming ahead of them. Malcolm grins and leads him there. On the floor is an elaborate crime scene featuring a young woman, dressed in a white gown and elbow length gloves surrounded by flowers.
Malcolm looks at Will and raises his eyebrows.
Edited 2023-12-21 03:34 (UTC)
Will walks into the Enclosure and something in his demeanor seems to settle when they enter. This place isn't any he recognizes, but it feels right. Comfortable. And he's here alone with Malcolm and there are no walls he has to put up.
He wasn't sure what Malcolm wanted to show him, but it becomes clear after they enter the greenhouse. He sees the body and his first instinct is to chuckle. He can't keep the grin in as he turns to his partner. "You really know how to cheer a guy up," he says, sincerely. He leans down for a quick kiss and adds, "Thank you. Did you come into this one with any info? Seems like the killer wanted her to be perfect. Or look perfect, anyway."
He wasn't sure what Malcolm wanted to show him, but it becomes clear after they enter the greenhouse. He sees the body and his first instinct is to chuckle. He can't keep the grin in as he turns to his partner. "You really know how to cheer a guy up," he says, sincerely. He leans down for a quick kiss and adds, "Thank you. Did you come into this one with any info? Seems like the killer wanted her to be perfect. Or look perfect, anyway."
[The door closes on the library, and Shaw follows Will along to wherever he starts walking, quiet for the first fifty or so paces.]
Those were both a lot.
[She finally says, once they're out of sight of the main library door.]
How're you doing?
Those were both a lot.
[She finally says, once they're out of sight of the main library door.]
How're you doing?
Edited 2024-01-04 05:38 (UTC)
[ Will is quiet as well, rubbing at his face occasionally as if he's having a hard time keeping his eyes open. ]
...I don't know, if I'm honest. Tired, definitely. Feeling... [ He shakes his head. ] Second guessing myself, half-formed questions and unfinished answers.
[ He snorts at his own description and shakes his head again. ] Like I said. I'm jumbled up, more than anything. I...imagine I'll settle down soon.
...I don't know, if I'm honest. Tired, definitely. Feeling... [ He shakes his head. ] Second guessing myself, half-formed questions and unfinished answers.
[ He snorts at his own description and shakes his head again. ] Like I said. I'm jumbled up, more than anything. I...imagine I'll settle down soon.
Hey, Shaw. Pretty damn wild, which wouldn't be a problem if it were normal nature. There's some things that have attacked us. We're fine. Once the Admiral made the announcement, I made sure I had my weapons on me. Malcolm did, too.
Where are you? Did you get tossed off, too?
Where are you? Did you get tossed off, too?
If you really are contemplating going in there, you’re not going without me. But I don’t think it’s the smart move, putting our fingers in the same finger trap.
I'm not. I won't. I just...
[ He heaves a sigh. ]
I wish my opinion mattered, just once, when I wanted it to.
[ He heaves a sigh. ]
I wish my opinion mattered, just once, when I wanted it to.
[ From here. ]
Will had checked on the dogs first thing when they were yanked back on the ship. Fine, both fine. He'd headed back to his cabin to get things settled and finally change his clothes when the Admiral's announcement hit.
Thank fuck Harkin offers to come over. Will gratefully opens the door for him- which creates a small explosion of dogs. Buster and Winston are very happy to see both Harkin and Jax, and there is much tail wagging and sniffing. Will ushers Harkin inside with a tired smile and closes the door before the doggy meet-and-greet can truly get rolling.
"You want a drink?" he asks his brother, in lieu of their normal 'hey' and 'hey' greeting. Because yeah, he would like one too, right now. He's already moving towards his little cabinet of foodstuffs and glasses.
Will had checked on the dogs first thing when they were yanked back on the ship. Fine, both fine. He'd headed back to his cabin to get things settled and finally change his clothes when the Admiral's announcement hit.
Thank fuck Harkin offers to come over. Will gratefully opens the door for him- which creates a small explosion of dogs. Buster and Winston are very happy to see both Harkin and Jax, and there is much tail wagging and sniffing. Will ushers Harkin inside with a tired smile and closes the door before the doggy meet-and-greet can truly get rolling.
"You want a drink?" he asks his brother, in lieu of their normal 'hey' and 'hey' greeting. Because yeah, he would like one too, right now. He's already moving towards his little cabinet of foodstuffs and glasses.
Sweeney's a step inside and halfway to sitting when Will offers him a drink. It makes him pause, bent in between start and destination, while he considers it. Normally, he'd decline appreciatively. But with all the bullshit that seems to be rolling in:
"That'd be great."
He finishes his decent, plopping on the floor and waiting his turn to greet each dog once they've finished with each other.
"'m glad yer safe. That Malcolm is." Those fates are undeniably bound, so there's comfort in knowing that either one is.
"That'd be great."
He finishes his decent, plopping on the floor and waiting his turn to greet each dog once they've finished with each other.
"'m glad yer safe. That Malcolm is." Those fates are undeniably bound, so there's comfort in knowing that either one is.
[ Will is already in the process of grabbing the leashes by the time he answers. His own expression is blank- he looks like he's in the middle of still processing the information. But Malcolm needs him, and that's a fact. ]
I'm heading to your place. Who told you? Raylan?
I'm heading to your place. Who told you? Raylan?
Welcome back. It's good to hear you.
I'm okay. Been busy. How about you? The river do anything weird? ...other than existing.
I'm okay. Been busy. How about you? The river do anything weird? ...other than existing.
Malcolm is excited to have a boyfriend on Valentine's Day. He's never had a romantic partner on Valentine's Day in his whole life and this year he not only has one, he has The One.
Possibly he has a fictional romance idea of what it should look like gleaned from movies and novels.
He knows Will will come by after his shift in the kennels, so after his regular Wednesday morning appointment with Avalon, he doesn't book anyone else and goes back to his cabin to prepare.
He makes a platter of finger foods for dinner from the tiny gourmet portions that Neal leaves him in his fridge. He couldn't find roses in the greenhouse, but he did find purple tulips. He sets a bouquet of them in a vase on the counter, then lights candles, setting them all around the cabin. Next: the gift. He takes three medieval throwing knives and lays them in a velvet lined wooden box with a glass top, so they can be stored or displayed in it and sets it on the island, next to the flowers and the food. After the port, elaborate weapons feel like an appropriate romantic gift.
And then he's expecting Will imminently. He puts soft music on the stereo and turns down the overhead lights and goes to get out a bottle of wine and two glasses while he waits.
Possibly he has a fictional romance idea of what it should look like gleaned from movies and novels.
He knows Will will come by after his shift in the kennels, so after his regular Wednesday morning appointment with Avalon, he doesn't book anyone else and goes back to his cabin to prepare.
He makes a platter of finger foods for dinner from the tiny gourmet portions that Neal leaves him in his fridge. He couldn't find roses in the greenhouse, but he did find purple tulips. He sets a bouquet of them in a vase on the counter, then lights candles, setting them all around the cabin. Next: the gift. He takes three medieval throwing knives and lays them in a velvet lined wooden box with a glass top, so they can be stored or displayed in it and sets it on the island, next to the flowers and the food. After the port, elaborate weapons feel like an appropriate romantic gift.
And then he's expecting Will imminently. He puts soft music on the stereo and turns down the overhead lights and goes to get out a bottle of wine and two glasses while he waits.
Will enters the cabin as usual, with Winston and Buster on the leashes that they probably don't actually need and already in the middle of leaning down to release them. It's not until he's standing back up again that he notices the everything that Malcolm has set up on the island. The music, the candles.
He breaks into a bright grin and fiddles with his ring as he walks in. "Malcolm?" he asks, before seeing him in the living room. "You set all this up?"
He breaks into a bright grin and fiddles with his ring as he walks in. "Malcolm?" he asks, before seeing him in the living room. "You set all this up?"
On an evening near the end of the flood, Will will arrive at Malcolm’s cabin for the night and may notice two things: the big jar of eyeballs is gone and there is a large terrarium on the credenza under the window between the stairs and the livingroom. Inside it, little decor so far, but two colourful snakes are curled up comfortably under a heat lamp. The terrarium has a lid. The lid is closed. Malcolm is sitting on the floor at the coffee table in the living room working on a small water feature. He looks up when he hears the door and lights up when he sees who’s there, like he always does when Will walks into a room.
Will has been spending most of this flood wrangling accidentally-created animals, so he's somehow unsurprised to see a new terrarium in Malcolm's cabin. "Hi, Malcolm," he says, and a little bubble of sunlight escapes his mouth and floats around the room, shining on random parts of the cabin. "What's this?"
He sees the snakes and grins. The colors are gorgeous, and he'd lightly floated the idea of maybe keeping a snake or two out of this flood. The kennel had plenty to choose from. These, though? "Where did you get them?"
He sees the snakes and grins. The colors are gorgeous, and he'd lightly floated the idea of maybe keeping a snake or two out of this flood. The kennel had plenty to choose from. These, though? "Where did you get them?"
[At some indeterminate point (but definitely before his battle with Peter), Shaw sidles up to Will on the deck.]
Hey. Look.
[She spreads open the side hole of her hoodie pocket, and a little black and white head pops out: one of the newborn puppies that had popped up during the flood, and are now living in the kennels.
Shaw is maybe grinning, juuuuuust a little.]
Hey. Look.
[She spreads open the side hole of her hoodie pocket, and a little black and white head pops out: one of the newborn puppies that had popped up during the flood, and are now living in the kennels.
Shaw is maybe grinning, juuuuuust a little.]
[ Will smiles to see Shaw. But then she shows him a puppy and he erupts into a return grin. ]
Oh, I hadn't heard! Is this one from the flood? Aren't you beautiful?
[ He is already cooing at the little guy (or gal), who looks extremely comfortable in that hoodie pocket. ]
Oh, I hadn't heard! Is this one from the flood? Aren't you beautiful?
[ He is already cooing at the little guy (or gal), who looks extremely comfortable in that hoodie pocket. ]
Pup, are you a'right? [The urgency may be overdue, but Sweeney's only getting the information.] I mean, of course you aren't. 'nless ya are.
[He's trying to reason his way through it. Will still has a Gaius healing tab, but Sweeney don't know what that means in regards to things being severed.]
Is there anythin'-- [Of course there isn't. He should have done it already.]
I didn't mean ta. Ta leave you alone. Ta let this happen ta you.
[He's trying to reason his way through it. Will still has a Gaius healing tab, but Sweeney don't know what that means in regards to things being severed.]
Is there anythin'-- [Of course there isn't. He should have done it already.]
I didn't mean ta. Ta leave you alone. Ta let this happen ta you.
[ Will listens, a frown forming on his face. ]
I'm okay now. It hit pretty hard at the time- I'd never regrown a limb before. Peter waited until the middle of my work shift, so there's not much to be done about that. I was out getting supplies.
You didn't let me down, Hark. I got caught up in the post-flood kennel overload and I wasn't thinking. And I'm sorry you- you had to find out like that. I should've called.
I'm okay now. It hit pretty hard at the time- I'd never regrown a limb before. Peter waited until the middle of my work shift, so there's not much to be done about that. I was out getting supplies.
You didn't let me down, Hark. I got caught up in the post-flood kennel overload and I wasn't thinking. And I'm sorry you- you had to find out like that. I should've called.
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