empathicfault | IC Inbox

That just makes him light right up. He completely forgets Christmas present urgency for the moment. Will is smiling. Happy, even. And he did that. He affected someone's happiness and improved it. When the kiss breaks, he doesn't draw away much, just studies Will's face with a pleased, almost awed expression on his own.

"I'm so glad you liked it," he says softly.

It just takes that smile on Malcolm's face for Will to resolve to use his words even more often around Malcolm. He has no end of gratitude for the man, and Malcolm deserves to know every bit of it.

He lets them just back in their mutual happiness for a few moments. Then he dips his head down and laughs again. "So I have something for you, too. Looks like neither of us could wait. But...you first."

Malcolm reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box, clutching it in his hand for a moment and taking a breath.

"Okay. I'm excited. But I'm nervous. But I'm excited," Malcolm tells him, grinning.

He holds the box out for him. It contains a ring; not completely dissimilar to the one he got Malcolm, but unique. More Will-like, Malcolm feels. Underneath it, there's a chain large enough to fit around a wolf's neck. Will would know how Malcolm carries his own ring when he changes. He watches Will's face once he takes it.

Will opens the box and- ...well. Now isn't that perfect. His eyes shine as reaches for it and rolls it under his fingers. "It's beautiful," he admits, holding it close to his eyes briefly before sliding it onto his left ring finger. "A little darker, but still..." He looks up to Malcolm, failing at hiding his smile. "A matched set."

Malcolm touches his knuckles, a sort of fidget as he explains “you said you see onyx for yourself, but gold was starting to peek through. And it’s stone and gold bonded to titanium. Practically indestructible,” he adds. He looks up at his face. “Because you’re made of tougher stuff.”

Will laughs again, but it's a quiet, surprised thing this time. It's even a little shy. "I...uh." His mind is a scatter of fireworks. He has to regroup. "I don't know how you manage to be so sweet, and yet so insightful. And so real. I love it. I love you."

He's not sure if he's made sense, even to himself. But he knows that last sentence did. His eyes are watery as he throws his arms around Malcolm's shoulders, tugging him close.

Will's words, his emotions, his happiness fill Malcolm up. He squeezes him back, holding on tight.

"I got you a chain, too, so you can keep it with you when you're a wolf."

"I saw it," he says, still grinning. "That's worked well for you, I'm sure it'll be great. Then, even as wolves, people are going to know." They'll probably be the only ones wearing things, after all.

He leans his head against Malcolm's and hugs him close, just breathing the scent of him in. But he does finally kiss the top of his head and a small wrapped present finds its way into one of Malcolm's hands. It's very obviously a pill bottle.

"Our roles are reversed," Will says, the smile plain in his voice. "I got you something practical, but- I think you'll like it. I hope so."

The bottle inside the wrapping has instructions like a prescription ('Take one before meal' and 'quantity: 30'). But the pills inside are an iridescent color and the label indicates that they're for the enjoyment of a full meal.

Malcolm reads the label, then looks up at Will with wide eyes.

“Does this mean… what it means?” he asks with a hint of hope breaking his voice a little. It seems too good to be true.

"They're magic pills," Will replies, only slightly deprecating. They really are, even if he sounds like a five-year-old saying it.

"They should let you enjoy whatever meal you eat after you take I've- no queasiness, no needing to worry about which foods might be okay or not. You can just enjoy yourself." Will smiles. "I wanted you to have the option before Christmas dinner."

Malcolm stares at them, then stares at Will, then stares at them, then stares at Will, then a stunned smile blooms belatedly, like it’s finally hit him and left him dazed.

“…I can eat Christmas dinner? Like… all of the dinner?”

"You can," he says, with a grin. He'd love to always put a smile like that on Malcolm's face.

"I don't even know what that's going to be like, but it sounds great!" Malcolm laughs. He throws his arms around Will's neck and hugs him tight. "Thank you."

Will hugs him back, eyes closing as he tilts his head back. This is perfect. "You're welcome. I look forward to seeing how it works out. I wasn't vague with my request, but...asking was kind of a whim. I figured there'd be caveats, but no."

He opens his eyes and sees his ring on his finger, snug like it's always belonged there. This isn't the first important ring he's worn. He suspects it'll be the last, though.

"What are you feeling for the rest of the afternoon?" Malcolm asks. "My cabin? Locked door? Dogs and books?"

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