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.]
"Sure seems that way. Especially with all the couples and...more there end up being around here." Will seems almost amused by that.
"And considering some of the inmates, there might be more of a focus on recovery than pure 'rehabilitation'. Learning to care for yourself again, that sort of thing. There's no way cutting people off is going to be part of that."
"And considering some of the inmates, there might be more of a focus on recovery than pure 'rehabilitation'. Learning to care for yourself again, that sort of thing. There's no way cutting people off is going to be part of that."
“Exactly. People who’ve lost love or are unloved, people who are isolated, people who haven’t experienced real connection with others or affection… they’re the ones that turn to violence and antisocial behaviour, statistically,” Malcolm notes.
[ He waits about an hour before he can't stand it anymore and heads to Sweeney's cabin. Unfortunately, the guy's not there. That's...probably good, though, right? Maybe Maggie got to him. Maybe Laura?
He waits another half an hour before finally sending another text. ]
Hey, where are you? Are you all right?
He waits another half an hour before finally sending another text. ]
Hey, where are you? Are you all right?
[It takes him almost a full minute to reply.]
Alright
I'm alright
Safe
Don't worry
You're still welcome to come by. Always are.
Are you with someone?
Are you with someone?
Glad to hear it.
Take care of yourself, okay? I know it's cheesy, but I love you. I don't want you to hurt. Definitely not on my account.
I'll stop pestering you for now, though.
Take care of yourself, okay? I know it's cheesy, but I love you. I don't want you to hurt. Definitely not on my account.
I'll stop pestering you for now, though.
"And the curse passes on," Will replies, in far less analytical fashion. "It does seem like this place is focused on turning it all the opposite way. Even for the wardens, sometimes."
He hums thoughtfully, before continuing on. "Shaw talked to me about that, too. The relationship things. She thought the whole reason I'm here is because of relationship issues, and- after I thought about it a minute, I think she might be right. I've never actually interacted with people in a normal way. And here all my coping mechanisms have been taken away. I feel like I'm...stumbling in the dark, sometimes."
He hums thoughtfully, before continuing on. "Shaw talked to me about that, too. The relationship things. She thought the whole reason I'm here is because of relationship issues, and- after I thought about it a minute, I think she might be right. I've never actually interacted with people in a normal way. And here all my coping mechanisms have been taken away. I feel like I'm...stumbling in the dark, sometimes."
"Maybe you just need to be where people don't expect normal from you," Malcolm tells him. "Maybe that will give you the space to work out who you are. And who you aren't," he suggests.
"I feel like I know who I am, but- that's not acceptable for graduation, for some reason."
He heaves a sigh that's intended to be overdramatic, then smiles wanly at Malcolm. "I'm hoping I'm merely missing something, perhaps small but important. And once it clicks, I'll breeze through. That seems to happen every so often."
He heaves a sigh that's intended to be overdramatic, then smiles wanly at Malcolm. "I'm hoping I'm merely missing something, perhaps small but important. And once it clicks, I'll breeze through. That seems to happen every so often."
"If a relationship thing is your problem... I don't think it's how you do relationships. Hannibal corrupted you. On purpose. I know how complicated it can be, but... there's something of his still in there," Malcolm says, wiggling his fingers at Will's temple. "I know. I have it, too. The... voice that... whispers. Do you always know where it ends and yours starts?"
That gets a real frown from Will as he thinks about how to answer. "No," he answers honestly. "It's not a voice, not a whisper, it's a...a symphony. I don't know if there is a way to separate our thoughts out, not anymore. The melding was strong and complete. So if that's it- well, I'm not sure what I can do."
He has a look of real concentration on his face. He's taking the idea seriously, but he's sort of at a loss.
He has a look of real concentration on his face. He's taking the idea seriously, but he's sort of at a loss.
"The Admiral wouldn't give you a goal that you can't accomplish," Malcolm tells him. "If there's no way to... purge him, then that's not the problem," he concludes simply.
"Hmm." Will still seems troubled. "I do wish I could give you a better answer than that. Something more reassuring. Something that indicates I'm...making progress, of some sort."
"You... don't have to demonstrate progress for me. I mean. I'd like to help if I can but... I don't need you to be Making Progress, as long as you're not going to... jump over the side or something. Sometimes people don't even figure out what their progress looks like and then bam! They graduate. So. I think you're doing fine. Besides, we don't know that you being here really has anything to do with Hannibal. Maybe it's about learning to say no to things that are harmful to you. Without.... jumping off a cliff with them."
"What, that's not the usual method of setting boundaries?" Will replies, giving Malcolm a wry smile. It shifts into something fonder and more genuine, however, as he leans his head against Malcolm's.
"You have a point. I'd rather not take too long and- ruin all our plans, that's all. I have a real reason to stick around now." For the first few months he was here, it was just extra time, icing on a cake. But he's invested now.
"You have a point. I'd rather not take too long and- ruin all our plans, that's all. I have a real reason to stick around now." For the first few months he was here, it was just extra time, icing on a cake. But he's invested now.
“Love will save the day?”
His fingers fidget absently at the front of Will’s shirt.
“We can take all the time you need here. But I think you are making progress. You found a real reason to stick around already,” he suggests with a grin.
His fingers fidget absently at the front of Will’s shirt.
“We can take all the time you need here. But I think you are making progress. You found a real reason to stick around already,” he suggests with a grin.
Yeah.
I'm happy for you. I was hoping she'd show up here someday. Now you've got two chances to get her back home.
I'm happy for you. I was hoping she'd show up here someday. Now you've got two chances to get her back home.
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