Neal's arms tighten around Malcolm for a moment. He presses his face against the back of Malcolm's neck. The past two days have been... they've been so much. The past month and a half. Everything before that felt so big, so impossible, but the very definition of impossibility has been turned on its head since he got here.
These people, in this house, have kept him sane.
He kisses the back of Malcolm's neck. Loosens his grip around Malcolm's waist. Shifts, sits up, tugs on Malcolm's shoulder so the other man will roll onto his back. Blue eyes studying blue.
How are you the way you are, when people treated you the way they have?
The hesitation drops away. Every mentally shouted warning gets pushed back. Neal leans in and kisses Malcolm, one arm holding himself up, his free hand going to tangle in Malcolm's hair, thumb ghosting across Malcolm's temple.
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These people, in this house, have kept him sane.
He kisses the back of Malcolm's neck. Loosens his grip around Malcolm's waist. Shifts, sits up, tugs on Malcolm's shoulder so the other man will roll onto his back. Blue eyes studying blue.
How are you the way you are, when people treated you the way they have?
The hesitation drops away. Every mentally shouted warning gets pushed back. Neal leans in and kisses Malcolm, one arm holding himself up, his free hand going to tangle in Malcolm's hair, thumb ghosting across Malcolm's temple.