He saw that wash of panic over Malcolm's face and responded by settling his closest hand on Malcolm's back, rubbing back and forth firmly. It's okay.

"I was gonna ask that Malcolm stay with me tonight, but if we can stay at home.." He wanted to stay at home. Home. The houses where he knew what the creaks and the sound of his roommates breaths sounded like. So many gentle alarms, helping keep him safe, just as he was for them.

"Thank you. For lettin' me come back. I wasn't gonna without your say so. You know why that is, right?"