don't get me wrong () prodigal son SLOW UPDATES

Eighteen

They disappeared into his office, the door clicking shut behind them. A hand clapped her back, "My desk's over there, go take a seat. There's water there too, you should drink some."

Theodora followed her pointed finger which seemly lead to a desk by Gil's office. She walked over, ignoring the glances from other officers until she pulled up a chair and sat down. A water bottle sat there as well, and she took it and twisted off the cap, taking big gulps. She then took the pill out of her pocket and placed it in her mouth, swallowing it with another sip of water. Dani found herself on the other side a bit later, slapping down a thick pile of papers and a blue pen.

Her desk was extremely neat, with small things organized in the corner by colour and a small pile of beige sheets sat perfectly underneath her computer monitor.

"Sign your name where I've put an 'x.'"

The first page slipped in front of her and she picked up the pen, scanning the information before signing her name down on the lines.

"Should I be reading this fully? Am I gonna accidentally sign myself to be a sacrifice or something?"

Dani glared at her, "You can if you want. And no, this is normal paperwork. You're fine."

They sat at the desk for ten minutes, and when Theodora looked to see the stack of paper still pretty high, she slumped back in her seat and glanced at the clock. It was late, and she was still hungry.

"What did you mean when you warned me about Bright?" Dani looked at her.

"Warned you?"

"Maybe not warned, but you told me to give him chance. For all of us to. You knew his father was a serial killer, that's what you meant when you told me. Right?"

Theodora sighed, crossing her arms. "He's a good man. The best, actually. He's weird, and maybe crazy, I know that but he's still the best person you'll ever meet."

Her eyebrow raised, "That sounds mixed. How long have you known him?"

"University. He would always wear those pullover sweaters over a collared button down so they would peek out. He had like one friend, then they transferred and he was alone again."

"He sounds like a loser."

Theodora snorted, "He was. He didn't have that scruff or whatever the hell you called it, though back then he'd call it a beard. Which he couldn't grow, it would only form in patches and he'd never shave it off because it was his beard."

"You two seem really close."

"Yeah, well." She sighed, "There was always something off about him, but I ignored it because I loved hanging out with him. I had maybe three friends there, and eventually they all ditched me because they didn't like Malcolm but... I'm glad I worked up the nerve to go talk to him. He needed someone— he still does even if he won't admit it. I'm glad he's found you guys, something for him to focus his mind to."

Dani smiled, "And now you're apart of the team."

"You throw that word around loosely when it's not directed to Malcolm."

"He's fun to tease." She shrugged, just as a door clicked open and Malcolm stumbled out. Gil was there in a second, "Woah, Bright—"

"It must be the drugs the hospital gave me. Not mixing well with the alcohol."

"Can someone take him home?"

Theodora walked up to him and held him up when he stumbled again, "I can."

"I'll drive you both home." Dani nodded, "Don't think this mix of poisoned and drunk will end up well."

"I am not drunk!" Malcolm nodded, "I-I don't know what this is. Do you, Theo?"

"Come on." She nudged him forward, following Dani into the elevator and out into the parking garage. Her car was parked close, right where they'd left it and Theodora got in the back with Malcolm.

"Can I make a small request?" Theodora asked, looking at Dani who only nodded. "Can we grab some food before I start to cry?"

"She'll start yelling, too." Malcolm giggled.

Theodora glanced back at him, "Never mind. He needs to get some sleep. He's never giggled before. I think he's broken."

Dani chuckled, but agreed. And they were through the city to his apartment in no time. The double metal doors seemed to welcome them, and new spray paint had been added to the already growing vandalism. Theodora jumped out, holding the door open for Malcolm. He handed her the keys then stumbled to Dani who propped him up. She open the door, holding it wide so everyone could file in.

Malcolm kept tripping up the stairs, but when he made it to the main level he cheered awkwardly at Dani. Theodora rushed up after them, approaching his room as Dani flopped him onto his bed.

"Oh!" He exclaimed when the women noticed the chains, "I bet you haven't seen anything like this before."

"How do you sleep with them on?"

He laughed, "I don't."

"Don't you ever have someone else—"

"No." He adjusted himself to the centre, grabbing ahold of the long chain before his eyes widened at Dani's snort. "No— I've had... I've had sex before."

"Of course you have." Theodora laughed, "Player."

He finger gunned at her , then huffed, "Can someone—"

Dani went to help him but Theodora pulled her back, "No chains, tonight."

"But—"

"No nightmares."

Dani pursed her lips, "You two have a goodnight." And she was gone, through the living room and down the stairs. The door echoed when it closed, and Theodora left him to go down and lock them. When she returned upstairs, he was on the other side of his bed staring at her.

"Theodora."

"What."

"T-h-e-o." He was sounding her name out, "I like your name."

She snickered walking over, pushing the metal off of his bed. He wouldn't get any sleep if he was knocking into them, spooking himself awake.

"Goodnight, Malcolm." She looked at him.

"Stay."

"I'll be right over there. Where I was last time. On the chair."

He shook his head, patting the place in front of him. "Here."

Theodora huffed, climbing next to him. She went to lay on her back a good distance away when an arm wrapped around her waist and slid her against him.

"Malcolm—"

"Theodora."

She wanted to protest more, but already snores escaped his lips. Her stomach grumbled and she frowned. It took ten minutes for her to fall asleep, dreaming deeply.

For once in a long while, Malcolm slept the whole night.