empathicfault | IC Inbox

Huh.

You'll tell me if it sucks too much, yeah? I wanna do this with you, but not if it ends up being a particularly crappy place.

Will is delighted by this reaction- Malcolm can probably see that, even if it doesn't actually show up on his face. "We sure can. Just have to take it slow and careful and...honestly, a little lazy. That gives it time for problems to pop up. I, uh...I actually fixed up a boat and sailed it across the Atlantic, once. To Europe. Had a couple of minor issues, but nothing too big."

“We could park our timeship for a bit and just…… sail around the world? On a boat we made?” Malcolm clarifies, even more awestruck and excited.

"It'll take a while to make it, but- yes," Will says, punctuating it with a grin. "Why not? We'll be able to do anything we want. We can even get really clever with it and keep the timeship on the boat...just in case we need a miraculous getaway. For some reason."

Will appreciates that this became the topic of conversation. Sometimes Malcolm just needs reminding that he has a lot to look forward to. Even perceived harms are not that big in the grand scheme of things, here.

Hey

Saw the announcement.

You doing okay?

In his excitement, Malcolm shifts to face Will more, going from crosslegged to his knees, staying close enough not to dislodge the arm around him. "Maybe we can make it easy to slot in somehow so it's like.... the bedroom and then if there's a problem it'll be like a panic room and an escape pod all in one!"

I'll let you know if I need a break. Thanks.

[ He realizes he's actually starting to get used to Shaw's concern. And even if it's because that's part of the job, it is still nice, to expect it. ]

I might be all right, though. I actually have ways to deal with it now. I'm not constantly at the edge of my...capacity.

Meet you on deck?

[ Will had not seen the announcement. There's a couple minute delay on this reply. ]

I'm okay.

But this place sure does feel like a bad joke sometimes.

I'll be waiting for you.

[And trying her best not to be too impatient about it. She wants off this hellboat.]

It's fucking bullshit.

If you need anything, let me know.

Or if you want to let off some steam or something.

[Sweeney doesn't know what it would be, but he's here for it. He'd just started to learn to accept the graduation of cunts who piss him off, but that's way different when it's the piece of shit who gets off on killing Will.]

"Yes, exactly," Will replies, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Although it's telling that's the first thought both of us had. Think we're planning on getting into trouble a lot?" He bets they will. Maybe not on Lark's world, but...probably there, too.

“Unless trouble knows what’s good for it and stays away,” Malcolm says with a grin. He leans in to give Will a kiss, then stops and glances around. “…Am I allowed to do that at your work?” he asks, suddenly concerned.

[It was Avalon's own question about how Will is taking it that makes Malcolm look at his role in it a different way. Finally he pauses agonizing over whether he did harm to Will by having a role in it long enough to call Will and ask.]

....Is it weird that I helped them? I didn't think of it as hurting you. I kind of thought of it as protecting you because I'd have an inside track on their state of mind, but now they graduated and I think I helped.

I'm sorry.

[ Will is practically speechless for a moment before he reparses the sentences and- yes, that is what Malcolm means.

What he ends up doing instead? Is laughing. A sudden burst of it escapes before he manages to stop it in a cough. After all, neither of them react well to being laughed at, generally. ]

Malcolm, you don't- I'm sorry, but. You did protect me. Avalon's not going to attack me again. They're not going to hurt anyone, most likely. And I've been trying to help, too, I just- I couldn't walk them through it all, and...

You have nothing to be sorry for. I promise.

[He isn't sure, when Will laughs, if it's the good kind of laugh or not and that is much more benefit of the doubt than he gives anyone that's laughing at something he says when he's trying to be serious. He relaxes a little when Will clarifies.

He didn't really think Will was mocking him, but it's good to know for sure.]

Really? It's... you're okay?

[ He takes a moment to really think about it. ]

I'm...dealing with my petty jealousies, but overall? I am okay. As much as I'd like to wish we were on a schedule and beholden to some sort of karma point system, we're really not. And I'll take the wait, if it means no one else is gonna be tortured into suicide again by them.

You had the right idea, getting them there faster. I'm glad you did.

That's a relief. I'm... they asked me if you were okay and it occurred to me that I didn't really know and I was kind of mad at myself that... it didn't even occur to me. But I don't want to ever hurt you again. I hope... I wish I was getting you there faster. So you could be alive for sure.

[ Will muses on what he needs right now. Letting off steam sounds necessary. And maybe...reminding himself that he actually likes this place, despite being trapped here. He has his brother, and he's a wolf now. ]

Would you be up for a run with me in the Enclosure? I want to go as fast and as far as my furry little legs will take me.

Sure

I ain't been on 4 legs in a while.

When you wanna go?

[ He smiles shyly and looks down. ]

You are doing a lot more than you think. You make me feel safe. It lets me...work on the rest. Without looking for a trick. I don't know how much longer I'd be here without that, but I bet it'd number in the years.

You didn't hurt me. Really. I'm glad you're doing what you do. The way you help, it helps me...figure out how I want to go about things, a lot of the time.

Avalon actually asked if I was all right?

Will chuckles, and it comes out as a low, pleased rumble. "I don't think the snakes and the dogs are going to care too much, honestly. Maybe the rats, if they're paying attention," he says, cheekily.

With a lazy smile, he adds, "I really don't think it's a problem unless it interferes with my work. And- forgive me for saying so, but even you can't keep me from making sure animals are well-cared-for."

Yeah. And... they wanted you to be, when they asked. Acknowledged that it might be understandably hard.

I'm glad you find me... helpful. And... I know you know I'm always going to stick with you.

"Thank God," Malcolm tells him, then leans over to claim that kiss. "I'm so glad you exist."

[ Will knows Shaw's itching to leave, so he doesn't take long. He just puts a couple of coins in his pocket- to fidget with, they won't be usable as currency- grabs a bottle of water and is half-done with it by the time he reaches the Deck.

He's not sure if Shaw's going to be bringing her dogs, but Will's leaving his until he has a good idea of the people in this new space. So he is unusually unburdened as he puts up his hand in a lazy wave at her. ]

Hey. Let's see what they've got, eh?

Then we should fix that.

Give me a half hour? Just have to wrap up some work.

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Re: Before the port

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Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

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Re: Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

Re: Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

Re: Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

Re: Post-Avalon Graduation

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Re: Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

Re: Before the port

Re: Shortly after the Avalon Announcement and his conversation with them.

Re: Before the port

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Re: Post-Avalon Graduation