Will pulls back again and brushes his thumb over Malcolm's cheek. "What is 'inappropriate' and why does it matter? Twenty years ago, the two of us being together at all would be considered inappropriate. Because we're both men. Just because there's more than one person upset about it doesn't mean it's right."

He looks at Malcolm, his own expression serious but...gentle. They both need gentle right now. "But it is a power imbalance that we started from, even if it was just briefly. I suppose there's still a power imbalance, since I'm an inmate. It's something to recognize and be mindful of. But we can acknowledge it and talk about it- and we have- and decide for ourselves how we want to handle it. Others can frown, but I'm more than done with people acting like I can't make my own decisions."

His jaw sets, and the softness is gone in an instant. He can't hold it while wading into this territory. "Especially since they're always the sort to see fake problems and ignore the real ones. The ones who don't help when I actually ask for it. It's Sheehan and Jesus, right?"