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[tactical_alert]

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[tactical_alert]

You don't know that. [It's sharp and clipped, and he gives York a little shake.] You don't know any of that. Maybe we're stuck here forever. Maybe if you get sent back, you can do something. Maybe if I get sent back, I'll remember every single conversation we've ever had.

Things can change. I know that sounds optimistic for me, but time is a delicate matter.

[goddamngrenades]

There's no back for me Mal! I died. I'm gone. I'm dead. I bled out in my suit and D knocked me out so I wouldn't have to feel it. There's nothing to go back to.

[ His usual tenor's dropped to a low, exhausted whisper. ]

I'm....I'm done. Here's all I got left.

[ He was better about it before Delta showed up. Before Carolina. Before most everyone started dropping in like bad memories and stirring it all back up again. His hands go tight in Malcolm's shirt and he squeezes his eyes shut, forehead to Malcolm's throat. He's not looking up. It'll hurt.

But he's so damn hopeful and that's- that's rarer for Mal so he peeks. And his chin's doing this. Thing. That's sad. And small. And sad. ]

Hey- don't. Don't look like that.

[ He's allowed to be a sad mess. THat's all he's ever been, a sad little fuckup. One hand unfastens from Malcolm's shirt to reach up and rub against the weird knot of sad on his chin, trying to wipe it away with his thumb like he would tears. ]

[tactical_alert]

[It's a bit of a tic, a pull, a tightening of his face when he's trying to swallow back emotions. He blinks at York's odd attempt at comfort, almost laughs, a sickly mix that he instead chooses to fight. He tries to work it out of his face with a smile, a little forced one.]

Well then stop saying bloody upsetting things. If here is what you have, then we'll be here to help.

[goddamngrenades]

M'sorry. 'course you'll remember me. Probably find a way with that big ole ship to find us and get us out, yeah? Fix everything. That's what you do, Mal. You fix things.

[tactical_alert]

...I try. I much prefer stopping things before they get to the point of needing fixed, but I try.

How about we get you some water to drink and we can keep being depressing tomorrow, hm?

[goddamngrenades]

mmmkay. [ He mumbles into Malcolm's shirt, making no attempt to move. ]

[tactical_alert]

Unless you want to sleep on the couch, come on. [You big drunk lump.]

[goddamngrenades]

No. Gotta get up to Delta. He has nightmares. Can't leave him t'them alone, y'know?

[ Standing is hard, but he can lean on Mal which makes it less hard. Except Mal's shorter so he's snuffling into his hair and it tickles and he's giggling. ]

[tactical_alert]

I thought you two were doing a bit better.

But. Yes, you should go to Delta.

[They can shuffle to the kitchen, and York can have a whole water bottle to take with him. Can sleepy drunk York tackle stairs?]

[goddamngrenades]

In that they're few and far between, yeah. But he's got his shit, I got my shit- and now we got a bridge and sometimes shit I"m used to sleeping through wakes him up, or shit he's used to not being scared of terrifies the fuck out of me-

We're okay but. It makes things ahrder sometimes. We're dealing.

[ Water. Water, water, beautiful water. Tasty water. Stairs are... ]

I'm gonna need help.

[tactical_alert]

You'll get used to it. Get better.

[You're still leaning all over him, loser.] I'll drag you up if I have to.

[goddamngrenades]

Just. Under my arm?

[ He slings one around his shoulders, holding himself up. Kind of. ]

[tactical_alert]

I've got you. [An arm under York's, around the back, hugging the ribs a bit.] One step at a time, literally, yes?

[goddamngrenades]

Should not have had so much vodka. It's hard to talk about- everything, sober though. Kinda need the liquid courage.

[ South needed it more than him, though. Still. One step, two steps, and he only leans into Mal as much as he has to, not wanting to unbalance him. ]

[tactical_alert]

You can have as much as you need if Delta gives you the go-ahead to fill me in on all the gruesome details.

[goddamngrenades]

Tomorrow. I'mgonna talk to him in the morning.

[tactical_alert]

And he'll be plenty rested for it. All right, one more and we're at the top.

[goddamngrenades]

Started at the bottom now we're here- [ He snorts a laugh at himself, pressing his face into Malcolm's hair. ] How d'ya get it so soft?