empathicfault | IC Inbox

That's...yeah. That's exactly what I was thinking. I'd like to test some of this out in a real world, even if it's not the one we're used to.

...I'm starting to think that no world is really like the one I'm used to, actually. It'll be interesting to see how this one operates.

Well, I don't know if we're working with your usual city budget.

[ He grins, amused. The question gets him looking up towards the ceiling. ]

I don't suppose I can just say you, can I?

[He grins, delighted.]

That smell will definitely also be there.

Will chuckles a bit. "It is, it's very okay. Damn, I probably should've talked to him about it myself, but I'm not all that great at...being a good sibling. I'm glad he's got a couple of others that are better about it."

He's not, really. He's a jealous and possessive creature and he would rather have his brother all to himself. But that- and his feeling like he doesn't have a good handle on actually taking care- has him giving space to Red's other Breach family. It's fine, as long as he doesn't think about it too hard.

"Anyway- I'm glad he knows. I'll tell him about our plans, too. I just don't want him to think...I'm another person promising to be there for him. Especially if we get dragged out sometime." He licks his lips. "First day after I graduate, let's head to Lark's world, yeah? Just in case that matters for...where we go back to, if we get lost." He doesn't want to risk them going to separate worlds, especially if they don't have their transportation yet.

Malcolm had talked in vague terms about the ring Will had given him after the space station when people saw him wearing it and asked, but he hadn't spoken, specifically, about marriage. That felt... more private. But he hadn't thought Will would mind Sweeney knowing and he's glad he was right.

The suggestion lights up another smile. "I'd like that. And you can see our house for real. We can set it up and stuff. So it's ready any time we want to stay."

Well, good. That's the most important one.

Hmmm...let's see. The smell of a forest after a heavy rain is coming to mind right now. Maybe because it's been a while.

Oh, I like that. Good one! [He makes a note in his phone.] Um. Do you want to maybe meet up somewhere for lunch later?

I'd love to. I'll call you if I get a good break, okay? You do the same.

Shaw's apparently going to take me out to find some crime to solve, too. So we'll see how that goes.

Crime? What sort of crime? [Magic word.]

Well, we don't know the city yet! But probably prevention, if we can manage it. I think she's trying an wardening exercise, though, or I'd already have invited you along.

[ Sorry, Malcolm. ]

She wants to see if I can figure out my own 'style' of crime-solving. I haven't really been tested in a non-Barge situation that way. Not yet, anyway.

Tell me all about it when you come home tonight? Oh! I'll bring something for dinner, okay? And you tell me all about that crime thing.

It is a little more private, but- well. Harkin's family. Malcolm was right on the money.

At Malcolm's confirmation, Will lets out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. It was just a stray thought that had them both pulled back 'home' and with no way to return, he just- he couldn't stand that. But they'll set it right as soon as they can. Make Lark's place 'home'. "That sounds great," he replies. "I'm still not sure how much we're going to take to Los Angeles, but I suppose we'll see. I'm used to colder weather."

But thinking about it is honestly relaxing. He's never been so full of plans before- well, maybe when he was working with Jack on catching Lecter. "Lark said I'd probably like most of the Pack there. I might even be looking forward to meeting them. A little."

"We'll be right by the water! Maybe we can have a boat!" He's been keeping the secret of the fully stocked fishing room, complete with a fly-tying station, that he had Lark install for Will and he will giddily do so right up until Will walks into it. He pauses. "...Do you know how to drive a real boat? You must do, right?" He grew up on one. He knows how to fix them. It would seem to follow.

[ Will laughs. ]

Of course I will. I doubt we'd be able to keep ourselves from talking about it, even if we were trying.

And I'll still see if we can meet up for lunch.

From what I can tell, people are people no matter where they are.

Okay. I'd like that.

[About to sign off to bound to his self-assigned Chores For Love, he pauses suddenly.]

...Be safe, okay? If... if you need help you can call me. I'll come right away from anywhere.

You don't have the same up-close vantage point that I do, however.

Of course I'll call you. I might even call you if I'm getting overwhelmed by the environment, too. But I'll be careful.

You be safe, too.

I will. I'll see you at lunch or at least at dinner.

I love you.

Okay, I can buy the people here being pretty different because the Admiral seems to exclusively shop around for weirdos, but this is Earth. A hundred years into the future, but still Earth with humans.

Will has to grin now. Of course they'll have a boat. If they're lucky, it'll even be close to their house- it's supposed to be beachfront property, right? "Well, it's more piloting, unless you're talking a motorboat. But yes, I do. I'm used to sailboats and- as you might guess- the big clunky setups that are the houseboats. I imagine I can figure out just about anything else pretty quickly, too."

He shifts in position slightly, looking up at the ceiling as he casts himself into this possible future scenario. "I could teach you anything you want to know. We could even get a bunch of parts and a decent hull for cheap and fix one up ourselves. By the time you get done with that sort of project, you know it better than your own body."

I love you, too. See you soon, Malcolm.

Malcolm's eyes widen. "We can build a boat engine?" he exclaims. "Ourselves? A working boat engine?"

[His heart is bursting. Bursting.]

See you soon.

[And off he goes. Lots to do.]

A messy display of brilliant colors and ideas, from what I see. But different places seem to produce different themes. The Barge is, obviously, a mess. The last port we were in had everyone practicing memento mori. You and Root are more focused.

And my world? Everyone was too self-centered to notice anyone else's discomfort, much less pain. Here? I don't know yet, but I'm sure to have an idea after I've been down there a few hours.

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