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 bringing them here. On the off-chance Root wakes up, I don't want to subject her to all that craziness.
...was sort of hoping I could bring you here tonight, too. Would that be okay?
...was sort of hoping I could bring you here tonight, too. Would that be okay?
[He's relieved; for a second he was worried he'd said too much, gone too far, even if Will hadn't reacted strongly.]
I can come any time you want.
[Like now, even. Even now would be fine.]
I already grabbed a shower and a change of clothes so I don't wreak of zombie gore and sweat and mud anymore. [He hadn't noticed when they were down there, busy with it, but he sure could smell his own self when he got back to his cabin.] Might have to burn the clothes I was wearing, though.
I can come any time you want.
[Like now, even. Even now would be fine.]
I already grabbed a shower and a change of clothes so I don't wreak of zombie gore and sweat and mud anymore. [He hadn't noticed when they were down there, busy with it, but he sure could smell his own self when he got back to his cabin.] Might have to burn the clothes I was wearing, though.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure mine are done for, too. No washing machine can get this much blood out.
[ He sounds tired but relatively content as he continues: ] Give me an hour and a half, about? Harkin's coming over with Jax. I just want to sit with some dogs on me and not think, as much as I'm capable. Probably use the helmet some.
[ He sounds tired but relatively content as he continues: ] Give me an hour and a half, about? Harkin's coming over with Jax. I just want to sit with some dogs on me and not think, as much as I'm capable. Probably use the helmet some.
Not a problem. Just call me whenever you want me to come. Say hi to Sweeney for me. I'll probably just be... enjoying some silence and lack of social pressure until then. This week was fun until the whole... people are stuck in the Death River thing. But it was also a lot of... Peopling. And I don't mean you. I mean other people.
Yeah. A lot of Peopling.
[ He very much agrees, even if it was broken up by plenty of violence for a palate cleanser. ]
I'll give you a call when I'm free. Feel free to call before that if you want. I'm gonna be attached to you like a lamprey when you're here, though, so plan accordingly.
[ Warning given, he'll say goodbye and will call almost exactly an hour and a half later, asking for Malcolm to come by. ]
[ He very much agrees, even if it was broken up by plenty of violence for a palate cleanser. ]
I'll give you a call when I'm free. Feel free to call before that if you want. I'm gonna be attached to you like a lamprey when you're here, though, so plan accordingly.
[ Warning given, he'll say goodbye and will call almost exactly an hour and a half later, asking for Malcolm to come by. ]
[The lamprey warning does it: he’s smiling down at his feet when he hangs up the phone.
He takes the intervening time to feed Sunshine and check in with a few people. When Will calls, he shows up with his overnight bag, even though he’ll probably steal the shirt Will is wearing to sleep in. He still needs the other stuff in it: namely his meds. He’s carrying a rolled up yoga mat, which he drops by the door. His extra restraints have been attached to Will’s bed for a while now. He also has a blanket draped over his arm. He drops his overnight bag and holds up the blanket as he moves towards Will. Their snuggling blanket from his couch.]
It seemed like a good evening for the blanket.
He takes the intervening time to feed Sunshine and check in with a few people. When Will calls, he shows up with his overnight bag, even though he’ll probably steal the shirt Will is wearing to sleep in. He still needs the other stuff in it: namely his meds. He’s carrying a rolled up yoga mat, which he drops by the door. His extra restraints have been attached to Will’s bed for a while now. He also has a blanket draped over his arm. He drops his overnight bag and holds up the blanket as he moves towards Will. Their snuggling blanket from his couch.]
It seemed like a good evening for the blanket.
[ Will gets up from the couch as Malcolm comes in, swaying slightly as the dogs reach Malcolm to greet him. Will gets over there eventually, though, hugging him close. He seems in better spirits, if only because he's been consuming said spirits. He hardly drinks at all anymore, so he wonders if that's lowered his tolerance. ]
It's a very good evening for the blanket. God, no wonder my dogs would steal mine sometimes. This one just smells right.
[ He makes a show of sniffing it and sighing, a small smile on his face. He starts moving over to the couch, not flopping down on it only to be careful of excited dogs. ]
Did you get some good quiet time in? I know it's only been a couple of hours, but you never know here.
It's a very good evening for the blanket. God, no wonder my dogs would steal mine sometimes. This one just smells right.
[ He makes a show of sniffing it and sighing, a small smile on his face. He starts moving over to the couch, not flopping down on it only to be careful of excited dogs. ]
Did you get some good quiet time in? I know it's only been a couple of hours, but you never know here.
[Malcolm smiles as the dogs mob him before Will gets there, reaching down to scritch behind some ears until Will arrives and Malcolm squeezes him back just as tightly. He had a small glass of scotch himself, so he's not one to talk about the smell of whiskey.]
I got enough of it. [Malcolm says of Quiet Time, curling the blanket around Will before wrapping himself into the other half as he settles in next to him.] You time is better. [More soothing. More relaxing. More calming. He presses a kiss to Will's temple, then curls up against his shoulder.]
I got enough of it. [Malcolm says of Quiet Time, curling the blanket around Will before wrapping himself into the other half as he settles in next to him.] You time is better. [More soothing. More relaxing. More calming. He presses a kiss to Will's temple, then curls up against his shoulder.]
"Worry me?" He looks up from the herd of smacking tails and slobbery tongues with a knowing expression.
"You mean while ya were out there with fuckin' monsters an' a literal river of Death?" A beat passes with that brotherly stare of 'what do you fucking think?'. Sweeney takes the glass when it's offered.
"I think ya underestimate how low my standards are." He rethinks the statement, pausing before he gets the rim to his lips.
"It gin?"
Because then he might reconsider his stance.
"You mean while ya were out there with fuckin' monsters an' a literal river of Death?" A beat passes with that brotherly stare of 'what do you fucking think?'. Sweeney takes the glass when it's offered.
"I think ya underestimate how low my standards are." He rethinks the statement, pausing before he gets the rim to his lips.
"It gin?"
Because then he might reconsider his stance.
Mmm, yeah.
[ Will agrees, taking a big breath and sighing with happiness as they settle together. It's almost automatic by now, the way they snuggle together under the blanket, Will adjusting so that Malcolm's more comfortable leaning on him. ]
Think it took some time for me to shift from this past week to being on the ship again. Not that I'd want to live out there, just...it felt nice to be making my own choices, helping people on my own terms. Doing it with you.
[ His eyes dart over to look at Malcolm and he smiles. ]
[ Will agrees, taking a big breath and sighing with happiness as they settle together. It's almost automatic by now, the way they snuggle together under the blanket, Will adjusting so that Malcolm's more comfortable leaning on him. ]
Think it took some time for me to shift from this past week to being on the ship again. Not that I'd want to live out there, just...it felt nice to be making my own choices, helping people on my own terms. Doing it with you.
[ His eyes dart over to look at Malcolm and he smiles. ]
[Malcolm smiles.]
Like how it’s going to be when we’re done here. Except we’ll have even more freedom in terms of where we can go.
[He lifts his head and looks at Will.]
I had a lot of fun, you know. On the planet. Doing all that. That’s not weird, right?
Like how it’s going to be when we’re done here. Except we’ll have even more freedom in terms of where we can go.
[He lifts his head and looks at Will.]
I had a lot of fun, you know. On the planet. Doing all that. That’s not weird, right?
[ Will smiles so wide his eyes close. He looks practically blissful that way. ]
How would I know if it's weird? But we both enjoyed it. That's the important thing.
It felt like...I don't know, a preview of what we might have in a couple of years. What we're meant to be doing. Except maybe I'll be a little more practiced with your historical weaponry. You, of course, were fantastic the whole time.
[ He rolls just a bit to kiss Malcolm on the head. ]
How would I know if it's weird? But we both enjoyed it. That's the important thing.
It felt like...I don't know, a preview of what we might have in a couple of years. What we're meant to be doing. Except maybe I'll be a little more practiced with your historical weaponry. You, of course, were fantastic the whole time.
[ He rolls just a bit to kiss Malcolm on the head. ]
[His smile gets broader, brighter.]
I’ll practice with you more. …In the Enclosure, where I can’t accidentally kill you.
[His fingers fidget absently with a button on Will’s shirt.]
I think it means we’ve made the right plans for our future, that it felt so right. And… for a little while at the start, it was like we were the only two people on the planet and it was… peaceful. Even with the monsters and stuff. Because that kind of threat is quantifiable, but removing… society really took more pressure off than I expected. I guess… I guess I knew that I live with a sort of constant awareness of… of the gaze and expectations of other people, but I really thought… I thought it didn’t affect me like it used to. Well. It doesn’t affect me like it used to. But. It’s still… a Thing. Which is annoying. [He scrunches up his nose a little at the thought.]
I’ll practice with you more. …In the Enclosure, where I can’t accidentally kill you.
[His fingers fidget absently with a button on Will’s shirt.]
I think it means we’ve made the right plans for our future, that it felt so right. And… for a little while at the start, it was like we were the only two people on the planet and it was… peaceful. Even with the monsters and stuff. Because that kind of threat is quantifiable, but removing… society really took more pressure off than I expected. I guess… I guess I knew that I live with a sort of constant awareness of… of the gaze and expectations of other people, but I really thought… I thought it didn’t affect me like it used to. Well. It doesn’t affect me like it used to. But. It’s still… a Thing. Which is annoying. [He scrunches up his nose a little at the thought.]
[ 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?
Yeah. Well. Sort of? Neal was talking about going on a trip. Taking a break for his mental health. But I guess he’s finalized plans to go with Raylan to his world. So at least they’ll both have someone to look after them.
Until they get back.
Until they get back.
[ Will listens, parses, and then frowns. If the amount of time is 'an undefined bit,' it matters who told him that part. With Neal, he couldn't stand lying to Malcolm about something so important as leaving for good. Raylan? He couldn't stand being honest about it, Will's pretty sure.
Both, though? He's not sure if that means a permanent, intentional goodbye or not. He spends the time it takes to get Buster and Winston on their leashes to think it over. ]
I'm so sorry, Malcolm. Guess we've both been on the Barge long enough for people we're close with to start leaving.
I'm coming over and I'm bringing the dogs. Are they leaving right away?
Both, though? He's not sure if that means a permanent, intentional goodbye or not. He spends the time it takes to get Buster and Winston on their leashes to think it over. ]
I'm so sorry, Malcolm. Guess we've both been on the Barge long enough for people we're close with to start leaving.
I'm coming over and I'm bringing the dogs. Are they leaving right away?
Not, like… today. I don’t know exactly when.
[There’s a pause.]
I knew Francis’ work was done with Hilbert’s graduation. [It still devastated him and it’s still recent enough to be raw, but he understood it.] I… Neal has a lot of things he still wants to do here. And Raylan… he isn’t… he shouldn’t go. Happiness isn’t waiting for him yet. He thinks he can’t have that or maybe that he doesn’t deserve it. That means his work isn’t done either.
[There’s a pause.]
I knew Francis’ work was done with Hilbert’s graduation. [It still devastated him and it’s still recent enough to be raw, but he understood it.] I… Neal has a lot of things he still wants to do here. And Raylan… he isn’t… he shouldn’t go. Happiness isn’t waiting for him yet. He thinks he can’t have that or maybe that he doesn’t deserve it. That means his work isn’t done either.
[ Will nods and slings a small pack over his shoulder. He heads out of his cabin. ]
Raylan needs to believe that he can be happy, it sounds like. I know...that problem. I don't know if being here would've helped me, or if I ever would've figured it out on my own.
[ He lets out a sigh. ]
Unfortunately, that's his decision to make. And if he's told you about it, his mind's made up. We'll just have to go pester him a bunch, once I can.
Raylan needs to believe that he can be happy, it sounds like. I know...that problem. I don't know if being here would've helped me, or if I ever would've figured it out on my own.
[ He lets out a sigh. ]
Unfortunately, that's his decision to make. And if he's told you about it, his mind's made up. We'll just have to go pester him a bunch, once I can.
He said we can. He wants us to. But. That’s… he’s going to come back, though. Before that.
[ Will frowns, not even trying to hide that he doesn't believe it. But he's hardly going to argue the point right now. ]
Okay.
Want me to pick up some dinner on the way over?
Okay.
Want me to pick up some dinner on the way over?
Will's shoulders hunch up, much like when Harkin would lecture him for taking needless risks back in Seattle. It takes him a moment to notice that and forcibly shove them down again. He rubs at his face.
"Nah, it's whisky. Or whatever they have here that passes for it." Because they haven't left this world yet.
He swallows before he speaks, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing. "I should've checked in more. I'm sorry. Most of it wasn't dangerous for me. But...not all."
"Nah, it's whisky. Or whatever they have here that passes for it." Because they haven't left this world yet.
He swallows before he speaks, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing. "I should've checked in more. I'm sorry. Most of it wasn't dangerous for me. But...not all."
....Oh. That's probably a good idea. I, um. Thank you. For coming. I don't... know what to do. I guess I can't do anything, really.
The only thing to do right now is take care of you.
[ He says it with a sad smile on his face. ]
I'm going to keep the video on until I see you in person, okay? Might not talk the whole time, but you should know I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere but to you.
[ He says it with a sad smile on his face. ]
I'm going to keep the video on until I see you in person, okay? Might not talk the whole time, but you should know I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere but to you.
[He lets out a ragged breath he didn’t know he was holding. Grief mingling with relief.
Will always knows what’s pressing on Malcolm’s throat before he can even analyze it himself.
For just a second, he worries that it’s an imposition, but he actually stops and thinks… what if Will was upset about something? Would he consider being there an imposition?
He wouldn’t.]
I can make tea. Do you want tea?
Will always knows what’s pressing on Malcolm’s throat before he can even analyze it himself.
For just a second, he worries that it’s an imposition, but he actually stops and thinks… what if Will was upset about something? Would he consider being there an imposition?
He wouldn’t.]
I can make tea. Do you want tea?
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