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[empathicfault]

"Will Graham here. Leave a message."

[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]

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[cactusy]

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

[empathicfault]

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.

[cactusy]

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

[empathicfault]

[ 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.

[cactusy]

You think hanging out with him more would help?

[empathicfault]

...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.

[cactusy]

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.

[empathicfault]

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.

[cactusy]

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?

[empathicfault]

Sure. Let's give it a try.

[cactusy]

Okay.

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

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

[empathicfault]

You are?

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

[cactusy]

Yeah. You're talking about this stuff, which isn't easy and probably sucks.

[empathicfault]

[ He breaks into a chuckle. ]

Well, you're right about that. And hearing all my problems reduced down to 'relationship issues' made me feel like a dumb kid.

But- I'm not exactly here to take it easy, right? I'm...trying to take the help, now that it's actually being offered.

[ It would be extremely ungrateful of him not to, after he asked and begged for help for so long back home, only to be met with silence or accusations. ]

[cactusy]

[Shaw makes a face, though it's not really directed at him.]

I didn't mean for it to sound like that. They're really massive, complicated, existential relationship issues. And, uh, anyway-- I'm pretty sure a lot more things can be boiled down to that than people would admit.

[empathicfault]

[ He still looks amused. ]

I bet you're right. And I know you didn't. That's just how it hit me in the moment. Probably because I was feeling defensive, because I know you're right.

[ And after a long moment's thought: ] It's a lot easier to ignore the intensely toxic nature of a relationship when you're romanticizing everything about it.

[cactusy]

And when you have a partner who thinks you can do no wrong, yeah. That puts all the responsibility on you.

[Responsibility that she worries Will isn't capable of fully carrying yet.]

[empathicfault]

[ Will had been thinking about his relationships back home, actually. So her talking about someone 'who thinks you can do no wrong' gives him a little emotional whiplash. He looks at Shaw for a moment before responding. ]

I know it doesn't seem like it, considering Malcolm's enthusiasm. But he is aware of my issues and what might trip me up. I think he's maybe hopeful that I'd make the right choices, but he's borne the full brunt of me withholding information when I first got here. He knows what I'm capable of.

[cactusy]

Yeah?

[She raises an eyebrow, clearly a little surprised.]

Something to do with Hannibal?

[empathicfault]

Yes. I went into just about everything, and then, during that damn bug-flood--

[ He doesn't actually sound too upset about it, in this context. ]

We even got into the more uncomfortable parts. How I felt. How I still feel. He knows as much as you do.

[cactusy]

Mm, he doesn't have the file, and I don't have your full perspective laid out all at once from beginning to end. Did he, uh-- did he relate to you, considering his dad and all?

[Had he seen Will's relationship with Hannibal as similarly unhealthy and dangerous, or had he seen Hannibal purely as a romantic rival?]

[empathicfault]

When it comes to complicated feelings about a relentless murderer, yes. And what it feels like to have that murderer focus so singularly on you. He picked up on the fact that Hannibal set up a 'trauma bond' with me almost immediately, as well.

I told him about the psychic driving, and the feelings that eventually developed- partially to see if it seemed like Hannibal implanted that while he was trying to turn me into a killer...but we didn't find anything conclusive there. I doubt it, though.

[cactusy]

Okay. Good.

[There's a beat, and then she shakes her head, clarifying--]

Uh, the first part, I mean. Good about the second part too, yeah, but I'm glad both things are something you both are recognizing as messed up.

[empathicfault]

Mmmhmm. We both have been in therapy since we were kids, then studied abnormal psychology later on. We'd have to be extremely deep in denial to not notice the signs of a narcissistic sociopath taking advantage of a situation.

But I know you have to check on it, too. Because something went very wrong somewhere- and probably multiple somewheres- with me.

[cactusy]

Because no matter how smart and experienced someone is, people are still fallible.

[A pause.]

It's not an insult, you know. I don't think you, like-- failed, or that you're weak. People think that about me sometimes: they assume that someone like me must think their emotions make them weak.