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 Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 3:26 pm
Malcolm had come over as soon as he’d heard. Nearly fallen down the stairs on his way out, which was foolish because he had to go back up and actually pack a bag, and make sure everyone knew where he was going. His bag was the bare minimum necessities, because Evan had suggested that he might spend the night.
If Cambria–or, Talia now, going by the text–wanted him to spend the night, of course he would. He wanted to do anything to make her feel like she was home again. He’d ridden his back as fast as he could to be there, and leapt off of it when he arrived. Evan had told him to text when he got there, but otherwise to let himself in.
It still felt wrong, but he assumed there was a reason for it.
When he entered and Evan quietly explained that he thought she might be sleeping, it all made sense. Evan was still cooking, and still trying to reach a few people, but he loaded Malcolm up with a plate full of food and sent him in.
So, plate in hand–it smelled so good–Malcolm made his way down the hall. It felt scandalous to be knocking on the door of his brother’s room but he rapped lightly before quietly entering.
“Hi,” he whispered into the darkness. “It’s me, Malcolm. Evan sent me in with some food, are you hungry? It smells really good…”
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 3:59 pm
Talia was warm, and she felt so terribly safe and…whatever was on her chest was just vibrating slightly…purring. A cat. No, a Mauvian. Soleiyu. Slowly her eyes opened and she blinked in sleepy confusion. “...Malcolm? You brought food?” Suddenly she was ravenous, and sat up gently, making sure that Soleiyu stayed in her lap as she whispered into the darkness. “You can come here, are you staying the night? Oh, I’m…ah. I’m Talia…but I’m Lysithea, so don’t be scared or anything…I came back…I…”
She was talking too much, that was what she was doing.
But, there was at least one more thing that she needed to know, before it became too awkward. “Hey…Malcolm, do you still like me? Even if I’m not who you remembered? I was told that um…you’re a senshi? So…you and I were really friends? Can we still be that way? I don’t want to lose you, I think you’re wonderful…”
If he said no, if he said that he didn't want to remain friends...honestly, she wasn't quite sure what she would do.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 4:45 pm
Malcolm thought that bundle of white in her lap sleeping–pretending to be asleep?–was Soleiyu. His brows were perpetually knit, but it seemed like he didn’t know how to express himself without worrying about something.
He didn’t try to flip on the light switch, even though he couldn’t make out much in the room when the only light was barely filtering in through the thick curtains.
“Of course I still like you,” he answered, moving to the side of the bed. He kicked it by accident but sat down on the edge nearest to her. “I don’t think anything could ever change that. You’re just going through a hard time right now, I understand. It’s probably really scary. I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone, I know that only makes things worse. So I hope you know that I wouldn’t ever abandon you,” he promised. “I’m not scared of you. I just want to make sure you’re okay. I didn’t really bring the food–I mean, I carried it from the kitchen to here, but Evan made it. He’s making more, he said he’ll come visit in a little bit, and for you to tell me if you need anything. Um–he told me to pack for the night, just in case. So I can stay. I–sorry, I’m all over the place. I’m a Senshi, yeah. We’re in a Court together. I mean, if you still want to be! Technically you’re the leader. But you–it’s no pressure, I’ve been looking after things–I mean, I’m not a leader or anything! But I mean, I’ve been trying to keep an eye on everyone! I met someone, I think you might like her. It’s–Oh, I’m sorry.”
He had to draw in a breath to calm himself and keep on track. “I’m nervous. I’m worried that I’m going to say the wrong thing or upset you or make you not like me. I’m rambling, I know that’s definitely a conversation for a different night. Tonight, um–welcome home! I’m glad you’re here, Talia! I’m really proud of you. I’ll do my best to help you settle in and get comfortable. And anything else you need.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 5:02 pm
Lysithea swallowed and nodded, groping for Malcolm’s hand in the dark and gripping it when she found it. “I want to hear everything. Not tonight, but…I’m glad that you’re afraid you’re going to make me not like you when I’m terrified of the same thing…it…it’s nice to hear…I mean, not nice to hear but…reassuring that it’s not just me feeling this way, if that makes sense.” She scooted into a sitting position and began to slowly roll Soleiyu onto the bed next to her, and then onto her pillow.
“I’m very overwhelmed, but the idea of you being here…it makes me feel a whole lot better…I. Can you help me pick a new last name? I guess that I picked Talia before I realized I had picked it but…I’m not sure what last name to get…and you’re a writer, so…”
She swallowed. “I still won’t tell anyone! Your secret is still safe with me, I packed your books, you know. They’re in with all the other treasures I brought.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 6:41 pm
Soleiyu let her roll him, and was perfectly compliant. Malcolm couldn’t tell if he was awake or asleep, but he wasn’t used to the Mauvian just lying there. It was suspicious enough that he suspected Soleiyu might be faking it, but it didn’t change what he was wiling to say to Talia.
She was worth any amount of embarrassing himself.
…But if Soleiyu knew he wrote anything, that he had books…
His stomach was twisting and he swallowed, but forced a smile even in the darkness. “That’s really sweet, Talia. Thank you. I’ll help you pick out a name. I’ll show you my favorite websites. I think Talia is a really pretty name. Thank you. For the...” He looked at Soleiyu and swallowed, and then just sort of shrugged and hoped she understood.
“Well, for everything. I know that probably won’t make sense, but I…if you ever wanted to hear about the life you used to have, I could tell you. Or if you want me to not mention it again. You don’t have to try to be her. You’ll be wonderful whoever you are now. But if you ever want to fill in the gaps, well…we’ll all love you and support you. No matter what you want.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 6:49 pm
Talia nodded, giving a little smile in return. “Thank you, Malcolm! Are you…going to eat with me? I’m almost more hungry than tired now, and I figure I have just enough brain matter left to shove food into my mouth and then fall asleep…I told Evan I want him in here too, sandwiched between my two best friends with my favorite Mauvian on top of me just. Sounds perfect.”
It would erase all the loneliness she had felt before. Like a bone popping back into socket. It would make things feel a little brighter, knowing that she wasn’t alone and that she was loved…and that it was real. The fact that Malcolm knew who had been the real...Talia before…it…well. She knew she wouldn’t ever be that person…it was two lifetimes ago…and she was…
…Rather broken.
But hopefully not for too terribly long.
Not with such great glue keeping her together.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2022 7:15 pm
Malcolm blinked. “Oh, here?”
Oh, no. On Zac’s bed? Zac would kill him. He hadn’t slept in Zac’s bed since–oh, more than fifteen years. But–maybe tonight…
Well, tonight it was for Cambria. Well–no, Talia, he corrected. And if Evan was here, too–and Soleiyu…
“I thought I was going to sleep on the floor. But, um–yes, this is much nicer.”
He ran his fingers over the threads instinctively and wondered what thread count Zac was paying for, it was so soft...
“I’ll eat. Evan’s food is always delicious. He’s an amazing chef.” Evan was good at a lot of things. He knew why Evan had captured Cambria’s attention before, so it would make sense if he did now, too.
He hadn’t seen Soleiyu move, but suddenly there was a light on and Soleiyu’s paw was pressed onto the lamp on the bedside. He shamelessly returned to Talia’s lap and collapsed into it, curling himself into a comfortable little ball and closing his eyes.
Malcolm looked at him, swallowed, and then smiled before he met her eyes.
This wouldn’t be so bad.
They could do this.
Things were going to be okay.
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