empathicfault | IC Inbox

I'm all right. Feeling worn out by people, but that's not exactly new.

How about you? You wading through all the drama okay?

I have no idea.

Don't know half of what's going on.

I feel like I'm always trying to catch up.

Is Malcolm ok?

Guess we're wading through it together, then. I'm feeling the same.

Malcolm's fine. In fact, I wish he'd be a little less fine with getting punched, but I won't change his mind on that. At least he heals it up fast now.

Is Laura okay? She was understandably wary of talking to me after the party.

Kikimora fucked up her face over what she did. So I'm not sure how she is. Other than pissed.

Not sure she even knows about you and Malcolm.

Think she's just going through a lot of shit.

[ Okay, that's the end of text, after Will types a couple of confused words and then just opts to call. ]

Kikimora attacked her? How'd she even-

[ He scoffs at himself, because the question isn't useful. Of course Kiki could've figured out a way to do it if she wanted. ]

How badly was she hurt?

Broke her face with a full pint glass.

[The information is provided as casually as one can in such a situation.]

Swoll up bad. Some stitches, but she didn't lose the eye.

[Which, from his inflection, sounds like it was completely possible and luckily avoided.]

Jesus...

[ Sweeney can't see Will rubbing his eyes in frustration, but he can hear the sigh that follows it. ]

I'm glad she didn't lose an eye, but- damn, what an escalation.

You mean for a punch that didn't even leave him with a bloody nose?

[His tone is dry in the rhetorical question.]

She isn't gonna be as easy as Neal.

[Obviously. Not that he expects Will to do anything about it, other than be aware.]

[ Will lets out another sigh. ]

I don't think most of us are a walk in the park, to be honest. But Kiki's certainly a lot more violent than Neal.

[Sweeney sounds unconvinced they are similar.]

Violent, volatile, an' highly motivated ta get what she wants.

[He pauses long enough to wet his lip.]

Tried ta get me cited with Maggie fer stayin' out too late an' smokin'.

[If that says anything.]

[ Will raises his eyebrows disbelievingly and shakes his head. ]

She certainly has a lot of authority-worship to work on.

Although...that motivation might actually work out in her favor, if Malcolm can twist it towards graduating, and not unnecessary revenge for her superiors.

...is there anything I could do for Laura that won't get taken the wrong way, you think?

[Will's observation only puts the salt in the wound of Truth; in all likelihood, Malcolm will get Kikimora through without much effort at all. Give her a project, a gold star...she'll be done in a couple of months. Maybe less. The idea makes him wander for a moment, and he has to focus himself back to answer the next question. It takes him a few seconds to decide on one.]

How the two'a you doin' b'fore this?

[He's just looking to make a more informed assessment.]

[ Will laughs, rather mirthlessly. ]

That's the thing...I have no idea, really. I guess, like we were in Seattle?

[ By which he means they'd had awkward interactions, but were fond of each other. Connected by Harkin, at least until Addy had left. Will still feels a little resentful about that, but that wasn't even this reality, so he knows he shouldn't. ]

I'm still not used to...having to keep track of anything more than 'hates me' or 'does not hate me.' I don't think she likes me like she likes you, but I know it's- there's a lot between you two. Good and bad.

[That is a gross understatement, even though it is completely accurate.]

Trust me, Pup; if you don't wanna fuck her, ya don't want her ta like you like she likes me.

[One of the smallest factors, but one that's true enough.]

But she dunn't hate you. That one would be an easy tell.

[Which comes back to the initial query.]

She know 'bout you an' Malcolm?

She asked me about it when I contacted her, after the party.

I'd...taken the wrong approach, made her think I was accusing her or getting ready to lecture her. So, she wasn't exactly happy to have her guess confirmed.

I ain't gonna lie. You bein' with him, as bound as ya are, it's gonna do ya disservice when it comes ta Malcolm havin' folk that don't like him.

[It would with Sweeney if they weren't already brothers.]

E'en when yer just tryin' ta help, wouldn't be surprised if folk see it as you doin' damage control fer him. [He's quick to add:] Not sayin' ya shouldn't try. Same as I do with her.

[The pause is brief, but noticeable.]

Same as I got no doubt folk assume with me an' her, e'en if I'm just tryin' ta do my part in makin' things right.

[Sweeney's not that stupid.]

Hmm. You're right. It's going to look how it's going to look. Not much to be done about that, other than doing what I would've anyway.

[ And oddly enough, that makes him feel a little better. ]

Thanks. And I'm glad she doesn't hate me, at least.

[A smile softens his voice.]

Pup, I'd fight hellfire ta see she dunn't hate you. I can't promise what the future might hold in the realm of good an' ill between you, but I ain't lettin' come ta that level of passion if there's a breath in me that can stop it.

[ He smiles, too. ]

I appreciate it. Hopefully I can handle my own self and not make an ass of myself with her. But I can't say I have the greatest success rate with that, either, so thanks for the support.

Course. [Half a beat passes.]

Ain't like I've done great with Malcolm. But I'm tryin'. Really.

Eh. I do know Malcolm's a rough one to get along with. His emotions come out kind of skewed from what people are expecting. And so he gets understandably misinterpreted a lot.

If it helps any, he's hoping to be on good terms with you, too.

Yeah. Ne'er much doubted that, at least if I'm takin' him at his word. He's always been big on reaffirmin' he's got an open hand out. I'm just tryin' ta get there. 'pparently, my tone is shit, so I f'gure I should work on that b'fore I get ta focusin' on anythin' too big.

[There's the sense he's committed to the effort. At least, it's something smaller and more concrete to see success and failure, which always helps him.]

A lot of people don't think he's being honest about that, so I appreciate you giving it a try. But his tone isn't anything to write home about- not sure how great a judge he is for that.

Problem is, that sorta shit is subjective as fuck. An' if I'm tryin' ta help him, an' he takes it as me talkin' down ta him, there ain't no point in my tryin' ta help, ya know?

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