empathicfault | IC Inbox

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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