empathicfault | IC Inbox

That-

[ God, she's never going to let that go, is she? He looks down at his hands before answering. ]

That was projection, looking back at it. I didn't want to stop seeing him, I didn't want to see anyone else, and I was reaching for what'd put you off. I'm possessive, and I didn't want to lose my time with him.

That's become more obvious when those bugs were here, and- there was a party recently that he brought me to. He got punched, out of the blue by Laura. He has Gaius' healing, so he was fine, but- Neal came by afterward to check on him. And he was drunk- there was a lot of touching.

[ Will narrows his eyes a bit, but he's not even annoyed. Just unsure. ]

I got Malcolm out of the party as quickly as I could. The mood was ruined anyway, but- I wanted him away from Neal.

[Aha. Well, that certainly makes a lot of sense, too. She sits up on her elbows a little more, studying him.]

Does Bright know?

That...I'm possessive?

[ His mind flashes back to that night and the words he said to Malcolm after they were finally alone again. ]

I'm pretty sure he's aware by now. But we've never talked about that, specifically.

That you're possessive in general, and that you wanted him away from Caffrey in that specific instance. Did you talk about that?

No, we haven't. I've been trying to be understanding of their situation. And I've always tried to mind my own business when it came to Neal being his inmate.

Not that it helped things when Neal got sent back home, but I don't think I made any of it worse.

Okay. And do you get why isolating Malcolm from a concerned friend was a crappy thing to do, and an impulse you shouldn't have followed, even if neither of them knew that's what you were doing? Or are you okay with having done that?

[It's not said with anger or judgement or disappointment - she's asking both matter-of-factly, and genuinely.]

I'm okay with it.

[ He doesn't even have to think about that. ]

I gave them space. I didn't move in to physically separate them, even though Neal was very clearly drunk. Possibly because of that, as that was why he got handsy. I didn't stop their conversation. I feel I was the appropriate level of polite.

If I'd actually followed my impulse, I know that would've been...crappy. But I didn't. I feel I've been extremely respectful towards Neal, because I know he's been going through a lot lately.

[ His eyebrows twitch and that's the only indication that he's annoyed about this line of questioning. ]

... Okay. That's not what you just told me, though; you told me you got him out of there as quickly as possible because you wanted him away from Neal.

I did, although- I should've been clearer and said 'as quickly as was socially acceptable.' I let Neal check on him and make sure he was okay, then declared myself done with the party. Malcolm came with me.

No one even had their feelings hurt, as far as I could tell. But I still wanted him away from Neal at the time. Does that make more sense?

Yeah. And that is better than if you'd been a dick about it, or hustled Caffrey away early. But friends touch each other sometimes, and it doesn't mean Caffrey wants to steal your boyfriend away, so it's still a worrying impulse, you know? Not the worst thing, but something to keep an eye on.

[Shaw shifts around, breaking eye contact for a moment to look at the ceiling, at the dog, and at the walls before settling her gaze back on him.]

For the record. Even if you had shoved Caffrey out of the way and, I don't know, forced Bright out of the room, I'd still want to be your warden.

[ That actually makes Will smile. ]

I believe you. I know why you keep trying to convince me you'll stay on, but you don't have to go to the trouble.

Uh- also. Neal's still in love with Malcolm. I'm pretty sure.

-- Seriously?

Oh.

Yeah.

[ This is why he thinks he's been doing pretty well with Neal. ]

Do you... know how Bright feels about that?

Malcolm didn't know until Neal came back. He thought- and might still think- that Neal was just responding to Malcolm's kindness early on in their pairing. I...don't know. I've tried to stay out of it.

[ He takes in a deep breath, then smiles wanly. ] Of course, my mind doesn't make that easy.

Yeah. It's, uh-- not something I have personal experience with, but I get how that would make things harder.

[ Will nods. ]

I think he's trying to move on from Malcolm, but feelings don't always follow what you tell them to. I'm pretty much an expert on that.

But even when Neal was at his angriest, he never raised a hand to me. He's a good guy. I'm trying to give him time.

You think hanging out with him more would help?

...Me? No. He doesn't like me. I can't really blame him.

He's still willing to have me in art class, though. So I'll probably keep going.

You think... hanging around you more in a social capacity would help him tolerate you more? 'Cause I was going to suggest we get drinks or something.

Hmmm...probably wouldn't hurt to try. But he's someone who can have a pleasant conversation with just about anyone, even people he hates. I don't know if that sways him at all.

Although- he might be different around you, since you're close.

We met during that warden-inmate swap flood. We got close during a breach. Which is probably a little... weird, but yeah. You want me to ask?

Sure. Let's give it a try.

Okay.

[She pauses, just focusing on the dog for a few moments.]

Is it weird if I say I'm proud of you?

You are?

[ It's not weird, he's just not expecting it. And that question takes precedence right now. ]

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