empathicfault | IC Inbox

Oh, yeah? Why?

[If it's a good answer, she'll even acquiesce!]

Because being fixated on someone else isn't exactly conducive to a new relationship. And I didn't want Malcolm to think I was...comparing them.

[ Oh look, there's the floor! Time to stare at it for a minute. ]

[Aha. Not a good answer, as far as Shaw is concerned; if he happens to glance up, he'll catch her raising an eyebrow.]

How about an answer that has to do with you instead of one that has to do with Malcolm?

[ Yeah, that's about what he figured. ]

I mean, I could try to come up with something. But you asked about my reason, and that was it.

We can talk, about the Enclosure. I just wasn't ready for...that.

I gathered as much.

[A beat.]

I do wanna make it clear before it gets built up into a whole "us against the world"... thing. I don't have any issues with you dating Malcolm. Honestly? I'm relieved. From what I've seen and heard, he's probably a way better boyfriend than he was a therapist for you.

[She drops herself onto a bench, stretching out her legs and folding her arms over her chest.]

But I still want to hear how that compared to what you did with Hannibal.

[ He's a little conflicted, because Will thought he was a better therapist than any of the other ones he'd come across- a low bar, but an important one to cross. Still, her well-wishes and lack of problems with them dating is far more important to him. Ultimately, his mouth pulls back into a line that's not a frown or a smile. ]

Thanks.

Uh...it's hard to compare. I picked that case because Hannibal wasn't on it, in it, anywhere near it. I didn't want to invite any problems- and that's with myself or my emotions, not with what Malcolm would think.

With the case already being solved, nobody's life actually at stake, it was a little different. I was more of a 'guide' than a 'traveler'. It wasn't an equal dynamic. When I was solving cases with Hannibal, we had what I thought was an equal dynamic.

Okay.

[Seems straight-forward enough.]

Did it feel weird, being in the, uh... the "Hannibal position", here?

...maybe if you say it like that.

[ He chuckles, but it's a little nervous. ]

Malcolm was so enthusiastic. It felt more like we'd gone to a particularly good amusement park, rather than something I've spent the past few years trying to avoid. So yeah, it felt...not like I expected, being the guide. I'm not sure there's any part of the scenario we set up that wasn't weird.

Mm. So, you get why that's the kind of thing I wanna talk about and make sure we keep a handle on, right.

[ Will nods, but it's more tired and less controlled than his usual movement. He rubs at his eyes, then moves onto the rest of his face. ]

I talked to Malcolm about that, you know. Before we got together. That I was worried I was going to manipulate him or...well, 'do what Hannibal does'.

So, I've put that out there, at least.

I don't think you're like Hannibal.

[That she wants to make clear, before anything else.]

You don't?

[ That should be relieving. He's not sure how to feel about it. ]

[It's interesting that it's not visibly relieving, which of course means that she's just going to double down on the sentiment.]

Nope. Don't get me wrong, you got plenty of your own bullshit going on, but you're not like him.

[ Will nods. ]

Yeah. Yes, I certainly do.

So- why bring it up? Did I misread your concern?

Because I am worried about you manipulating him, even though I don't think you'd intend to harm him. Saying that without the qualifier that I think you're better than Hannibal would be pretty shitty.

Ah. Okay, I see what you mean, now.

[ He shuts his eyes, briefly. Then he leans back against the railing, facing Shaw on her bench. ]

I don't want to hurt him. I'm...glad you recognize that.

Yeah. But do you get why it's important to keep an eye out for old patterns?

In case I start 'nudging' him in...unfortunate directions? The ways I want him to be, or think he should be? He'd absolutely try to change himself if I approached the idea in a particular way.

[ Or Malcolm might surprise him, but Will is rather focused on his worries at the moment. ]

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