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
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[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
But I said I didn't know how. He practically... cajoled me into going anyway. In public. It shouldn't have been any surprise that I didn't know how. But he kicked me out when I figured it out! I did it. I did it like he said. And then he kicked me out. In front of everyone. Even though I pointed out that I had worked out what to do! Are you sure he doesn't take an eye for an eye and an incident of public shame for an incident of public shame? I didn't even do anything to Hilbert except protect him from getting harmed any further.
Malcolm...hey, look at me.
[ He pulls back far enough for Malcolm to be able to look at his face, so he can see the truth in it. ]
I'm sure. Trevor's not a high-society guy, dealing in passive-aggression. He wouldn't do that to you. He either didn't listen to your words, or he didn't interpret them literally. It was a mistake on his end.
[ Despite the sad look in Will's eyes- this is all a reminder of how poorly Malcolm's been treated all his life- his lips quirk up into a small smirk. ]
Trust me. This is my area of expertise, right?
[ He pulls back far enough for Malcolm to be able to look at his face, so he can see the truth in it. ]
I'm sure. Trevor's not a high-society guy, dealing in passive-aggression. He wouldn't do that to you. He either didn't listen to your words, or he didn't interpret them literally. It was a mistake on his end.
[ Despite the sad look in Will's eyes- this is all a reminder of how poorly Malcolm's been treated all his life- his lips quirk up into a small smirk. ]
Trust me. This is my area of expertise, right?
[Malcolm holds his gaze for a moment and then nods. He does trust Will and Will's perception of people. He's right about that.
Malcolm hesitates a moment and then confesses.]
I still feel bad.
Malcolm hesitates a moment and then confesses.]
I still feel bad.
[ Will pulls Malcolm into a tighter hug then and speaks into Malcolm's ear. ]
I know. I'm sorry.
[ He kisses Malcolm's head, just above that ear. ]
Do you want to talk it over? Or would you rather take a break from this?
I know. I'm sorry.
[ He kisses Malcolm's head, just above that ear. ]
Do you want to talk it over? Or would you rather take a break from this?
I want to talk about it. I still don't... I still don't understand it. He could have let me prove myself after I figured it out. I bet I could do it, then. I didn't... how was I supposed to know how much stuff goes in one of those wrap things? I didn't have any frame of reference.
[He thought the real deal was reasonable enough - that as roundabout as it seemed to ask someone else, he had come for a "translation" from Will and was now prepared to talk to Malcolm himself. But the thought as he'd told to Yelena that wardens and inmates completed each other (and Walter has glossed "complement" that way, because inmates are inherently broken)... So what, is Malcolm's inability to recognize his grandmother supposed to be a sign that Walter needs to move the fuck on?]
Yeah, well, that's what my file is for, isn't it.
[Perhaps Will knew that Malcolm hadn't read it and Walter hadn't confided about it. But - why? Isn't the point that Walter wouldn't have done this work out of his own free will?
He shuffles, picking up his iced tea.]
Look, I'm getting a feeling that reviewing the instructions for the games will be a little much to process. I can leave all three of them for tonight, come back tomorrow.
Yeah, well, that's what my file is for, isn't it.
[Perhaps Will knew that Malcolm hadn't read it and Walter hadn't confided about it. But - why? Isn't the point that Walter wouldn't have done this work out of his own free will?
He shuffles, picking up his iced tea.]
Look, I'm getting a feeling that reviewing the instructions for the games will be a little much to process. I can leave all three of them for tonight, come back tomorrow.
[ Will's eyebrows raise at the mention of Walter's file, as if asking "Is it?" But he doesn't speak the words.
As Walter declares he's leaving, Will gives him an amused smile. ]
Of course. And thank you. I'd love to play another game with you anytime.
As Walter declares he's leaving, Will gives him an amused smile. ]
Of course. And thank you. I'd love to play another game with you anytime.
[Shaw is not a panicker - not even when her inmate unceremoniously disappears from her warden item, and she's well aware that there are only two potential causes of that, one significantly better than the other. Still, there's a note of urgency in her voice as she says--]
Graham, check in.
Graham, check in.
[ Will responds near immediately. ]
Checking in. Everything okay on your end?
[ It's a little early for a flood, isn't it? ]
Checking in. Everything okay on your end?
[ It's a little early for a flood, isn't it? ]
O-kay...? See you in a few minutes.
[ He's not sure what's up, but it doesn't sound like an emergency. So he gets up, rubbing Malcolm's shoulder a little (so he doesn't fall asleep all the way without Will there), murmurs that he'll be back soon, and heads over to Shaw's.
He walks over to her place with his hands stuffed in his pockets. The ship itself is louder than usual- probably signs of a headache on the horizon- but nothing unusual is going on.
He knocks on the door, his best guess that this might be related to the dogs. ]
[ He's not sure what's up, but it doesn't sound like an emergency. So he gets up, rubbing Malcolm's shoulder a little (so he doesn't fall asleep all the way without Will there), murmurs that he'll be back soon, and heads over to Shaw's.
He walks over to her place with his hands stuffed in his pockets. The ship itself is louder than usual- probably signs of a headache on the horizon- but nothing unusual is going on.
He knocks on the door, his best guess that this might be related to the dogs. ]
Edited 2024-08-08 16:54 (UTC)
[Sweeney hadn't been ready. How could he be? All he knew was Jax was licking his face to wake him up. With a quick scratch of the hackles, Sweeney pushes himself up to sitting. He squints, trying to figure out why things don't feel right. The floor doesn't offer a great vantage. When he stands, everything falls into place.
OH.
A swell of emotions crash over him. They're complicated at best, but when he gets to the other side, they've settled into 'overwhelmingly positive'. Sweeney pulls out his comm.]
Hey
You got a sec to come by your place?
OH.
A swell of emotions crash over him. They're complicated at best, but when he gets to the other side, they've settled into 'overwhelmingly positive'. Sweeney pulls out his comm.]
Hey
You got a sec to come by your place?
[Shaw pulls the door open just a second or two after the first knock, motioning him in (upon which he is promptly and enthusiastically greeted by Jet and Bear) and tossing him her warden item. Her expression is unreadable, but her eyes are intent and alert as she says:]
Someone'd better play "Pomp and Circumstance", because you're not on there anymore, cowboy.
Someone'd better play "Pomp and Circumstance", because you're not on there anymore, cowboy.
Sure, I'm not busy. See you in a few minutes.
[ He makes sure Malcolm is awake (they'd been dozing on the couch). Then he heads down to Deck 6, curious if Harkin has something new he's been working on (he was always making or growing or working on magic). Or maybe there's something else going on. It's always hard to tell, considering how busy the ship is.
He knocks on the door, waiting a few moments before opening it. His brother knows he's coming.
Will promptly stops in his tracks, however. He didn't expect to see grass on the ground in front of him. ]
[ He makes sure Malcolm is awake (they'd been dozing on the couch). Then he heads down to Deck 6, curious if Harkin has something new he's been working on (he was always making or growing or working on magic). Or maybe there's something else going on. It's always hard to tell, considering how busy the ship is.
He knocks on the door, waiting a few moments before opening it. His brother knows he's coming.
Will promptly stops in his tracks, however. He didn't expect to see grass on the ground in front of him. ]
[ Will greets the dogs first, as is proper. He gives them both plenty of petting and says hi. Chuckles escape from him, a response to their enthusiasm.
But his eyes narrow in confusion as she tosses him...her warden item? He stares at it somewhat blankly as her words sink in. ]
I...are you saying I graduated? I'm...
[ He doesn't finish the sentence, instead letting out a flummoxed scoff. ]
But I didn't...nothing unusual happened today.
But his eyes narrow in confusion as she tosses him...her warden item? He stares at it somewhat blankly as her words sink in. ]
I...are you saying I graduated? I'm...
[ He doesn't finish the sentence, instead letting out a flummoxed scoff. ]
But I didn't...nothing unusual happened today.
At the knock, Sweeney makes his way in time to see Will's face. It's worth it. Jax cross to Will, his tail wagging happily.
"Guess it kinda says it all." He shrugs sheepishly. "Better than I could, anyways." Sweeney tilts his head and swings a thumb over his shoulder.
"Yer cookies are inside, if yer feelin' peckish."
Mostly, he just wants to give his brother some time to process. It's A Lot.
"Guess it kinda says it all." He shrugs sheepishly. "Better than I could, anyways." Sweeney tilts his head and swings a thumb over his shoulder.
"Yer cookies are inside, if yer feelin' peckish."
Mostly, he just wants to give his brother some time to process. It's A Lot.
Will is rather frozen in place, the implications of this (and cookies, he's definitely heard about those) finally starting to settle in. But once Jax reaches him, the freeze breaks and Will crouches down to pet him. "Hey, Jax. Got your yard back, huh?" he murmurs as he rubs behind the dog's ear.
By the time he stands up again, he's shaking his head and letting out a couple of chuckles. "This is... what the hell. I graduated? I must have." He lets out a noise, something between a laugh and a scoff, and looks to his brother for (another) confirmation.
By the time he stands up again, he's shaking his head and letting out a couple of chuckles. "This is... what the hell. I graduated? I must have." He lets out a noise, something between a laugh and a scoff, and looks to his brother for (another) confirmation.
As Will finishes with Jax, Sweeney closes the distance. The man's question is answered by a wide grin and hearty, one-armed squeeze around the shoulders.
"Aye, Pup. You did." It's such a warm feeling, and Sweeney isn't sure what to do with it. Still gripping Will, he turns back enough to survey the façade with a squint, as if he's never seen it before.
"So why don't ya come in an' show me 'round the rest'a the house."
Sweeney hasn't looked it over; texting Will was the first thing he'd done. The only other was feeding Jax before he sat to wait. It's not his house after all. It's weird enough when it's the one room; no way he's wandering the place without proper invitation.
"Aye, Pup. You did." It's such a warm feeling, and Sweeney isn't sure what to do with it. Still gripping Will, he turns back enough to survey the façade with a squint, as if he's never seen it before.
"So why don't ya come in an' show me 'round the rest'a the house."
Sweeney hasn't looked it over; texting Will was the first thing he'd done. The only other was feeding Jax before he sat to wait. It's not his house after all. It's weird enough when it's the one room; no way he's wandering the place without proper invitation.
'Popped'?
[ He raises an eyebrow but he's smiling. The news is starting to reach his face. ]
Okay, I- I did it. We did it. I...would've thought the Admiral would at least tell you, but who knows? Maybe he enjoys surprises.
[ He raises an eyebrow but he's smiling. The news is starting to reach his face. ]
Okay, I- I did it. We did it. I...would've thought the Admiral would at least tell you, but who knows? Maybe he enjoys surprises.
[Shaw moves into the kitchen, opening up an upper cabinet and stretching up to retrieve a bottle.]
When I called you, I didn't know if you'd graduated or if you'd just disappeared; if you hadn't answered within the minute, I was gonna go scope out your cabin. You want some scotch?
When I called you, I didn't know if you'd graduated or if you'd just disappeared; if you hadn't answered within the minute, I was gonna go scope out your cabin. You want some scotch?
Will stops questioning at that point, and he grins at the ground for a moment (which has him actually grinning at Jax, who is very happy about it). Smile still in place, he leans against his brother's weight briefly- acknowledgement and appreciation of the one-armed hug.
The suggestion gives him something to do while he continues to chug through all that this means. "Yeah, sure. Of course. Let's see it," he says, sounding more confident with every step towards the house. "Although the front room's the best part."
He walks in, and the front room is both bigger and slightly less crammed full than it used to be. Piano, living room side, bed side- and now there's a hallway in between, where the little half-bath used to be. A plate of homemade chocolate-chip cookies is on the mantle of the unused fireplace, higher than Jax can reach. And of course, anything Sweeney's brought in still remains.
"This is weird," Will notes, but then he laughs at himself. "He says, on the interdimensional spaceship. Yeah, the layout's the sa- oh, no stairs, though." He's started walking through to the hallway, and where he indicates seems to be a closet. "No second floor, I guess. Not that I ever used it."
The suggestion gives him something to do while he continues to chug through all that this means. "Yeah, sure. Of course. Let's see it," he says, sounding more confident with every step towards the house. "Although the front room's the best part."
He walks in, and the front room is both bigger and slightly less crammed full than it used to be. Piano, living room side, bed side- and now there's a hallway in between, where the little half-bath used to be. A plate of homemade chocolate-chip cookies is on the mantle of the unused fireplace, higher than Jax can reach. And of course, anything Sweeney's brought in still remains.
"This is weird," Will notes, but then he laughs at himself. "He says, on the interdimensional spaceship. Yeah, the layout's the sa- oh, no stairs, though." He's started walking through to the hallway, and where he indicates seems to be a closet. "No second floor, I guess. Not that I ever used it."
Sweeney lets him lead the way, his smile not lessening.
The only things that are noticeable of his are a rug and pillow on the floor next to the bed and two hodge-podge stuffies on the nightstand.
"Maybe you can ask fer it? If ya e'er get ta wantin' it." Sweeney wets his lip. It brings up an obvious question.
"You gonna move back? You an' Malcolm?" It sounds silly out loud, and he shrugs it off.
"Or like...trade off or somethin'."
The only things that are noticeable of his are a rug and pillow on the floor next to the bed and two hodge-podge stuffies on the nightstand.
"Maybe you can ask fer it? If ya e'er get ta wantin' it." Sweeney wets his lip. It brings up an obvious question.
"You gonna move back? You an' Malcolm?" It sounds silly out loud, and he shrugs it off.
"Or like...trade off or somethin'."
I would love some scotch.
[ He follows Shaw, settling near the kitchen counter. ]
That reaction's fair, of course. I've been on there almost a year and a half. That must've been concerning. And here, weird surprises are usually a bad thing, not...this.
God. I'm alive. And I can leave the boat. And I can help you, when you go back.
[ He follows Shaw, settling near the kitchen counter. ]
That reaction's fair, of course. I've been on there almost a year and a half. That must've been concerning. And here, weird surprises are usually a bad thing, not...this.
God. I'm alive. And I can leave the boat. And I can help you, when you go back.
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