Chapter Text
Malcolm never says anything about Max while they’re at work. Not that she’s given him a reason to or even brought up the child herself. There’s no reason to bring her up either but she catches glimpses of the girl. A butterfly drawn in vibrant red ink on Malcolm’s hand. A hairclip that stabs him in the thigh when he sits down beside her one day. A purple hair tie around his wrist when he hands her a tea.
“Thanks for driving me back,” Malcolm’s still cradling his side when they step into his apartment. She can see his movements have lost the fluid ease they usually have. He’s careful, stiff. And in pain.
She’s working on shutting the door when a familiar little head pops in the way. “It’s no problem. I don’t mind-”
Max runs through, not so much as even giving Dani a second glance. “Malcolm! You’re home early!” She runs through the living room and Dani winces at the impact of Max and Malcolm. To his credit, Malcolm’s pain only flashes a brief moment in his eyes.
It’s already masterfully hidden when he squats, tilting and catching himself with a thrown out hand. Max’s face pinches in confusion and she lets go of him. She reaches across them and pulls at his shirt. He catches her hand, “hey-” She works the two buttons keeping his shirt on apart from one another. “Easy, easy,” he warns.
“Malcolm…” she looks up at him, her little voice immensely sad. “You’re hurt.” Her small hand presses the angry red skin, pulling back when he sucks a sharp breath through his teeth.
“Just a-a bruise.” His attempt to comfort is a failure. Max’s little hands shake at her sides, her eyes stuck square on Malcolm. “Oh, Max. Don’t cry. I’m okay, really.” He reaches out to her, both of them looking so broken when Max flinches away. His hand falls limp to his leg, his shoulder’s sagging,” Max, I wouldn’t lie to you.” It’s clear, Max doesn’t believe that. Malcolm adds,” ask Dani, I’m okay.”
Max sniffles sadly, “Dani’s here?” She sniffles sadly, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. Malcolm turns her around and point to Dani. Max doesn’t leave his side, she just offers a small wave and a sad smile. “Malcolm?” She turns back around and mumbles something very softly to him.
He sighs deeply and shakes his head. His answer is hardly above a whisper,” you know I can’t, Max. Why-”
“No-” Max pulls at the sides of Malcolm’s shirt. He looks away. “Malcolm, don’t want to.” She keeps pleading and Malcolm just looks at Dani. It’s very clear that if his attention lapses, even for a moment, he will look at Max and his resolve with shatter. “Malcolm?”
Tears swell into Malcolm’s eyes. His strength fading.
There’s a knock at the door and a man Dani’s never seen steps in. His frown is similar to Malcolm’s, helpless. “Oh, Max.”
Max lets out a little sob and she hides her face in Malcolm’s shoulder. Gripping his shirt tight in her hands. “No! No, don’t make me go.”
The man’s features wilt. He’s tall, much larger than Malcolm, but the way he carries his body Dani imagines his size isn’t used to his advantage. Much more of a friendly giant, she doubts it possible to sound the number of bruises that mar his body from the amount of bumping about he does. “Sweatheart-”
Max clutches Malcolm tighter and the two men share a tearful glance over her shoulder.
The man is attractive. Lean and tall, lord and the dark hair, light eye combo is kind of… well, it’s hot. The weird standing he and Malcolm are now doing, almost the same facial expression coming from both sides.
Malcolm pulls Max away,” go to Frank, Max.”
She sobs as soon as Malcolm lets her go. She runs to Frank, the man Dani can now place a name to. The little girl latches on tight, arms around his neck and legs around his waist. She’s tiny, something that is easy to forget when she acts so much older. Frank immediately holds her closer, rubbing her back. “I’m sorry, kid.”
Max buries her little head in Frank’s neck.
“Thanks, Malcolm.” Frank nods to Malcolm, holding his niece closer. “I assume… When we come back…”
Malcolm extends his hand and Frank shakes it,” you know you’re both welcome here.”
Frank nods, wrapping his arms tight around Max. He gives Malcolm a small nod and he smiles awkwardly at Dani. He lets himself out, shutting the door gently.
Malcolm stays on the ground. Curling in on himself despite the bruised and broken ribs. He buries his head in his hands,
“Malcolm?” She’s not sure what to do with herself so she sits down beside him. She doesn’t want to touch him, not if he doesn’t want her to. Personal boundaries are always important but if Malcolm’s fighting off a panic attack the last thing he needs is her touching him.
Malcolm speaks though, surprising them both with the frustration that has seeped into his voice. “She’s a child, Dani.” He looks over at her,” we’re supposed to keep her safe. The courts failed her.” He frowns at the floor,” do you remember what I said about her father?”
Dani nods, recalling well enough what was said. Something about a dead mom, drugs, and a shit dad.
“He’s back,” Malcolm says it into his hands. “Wants custody.”
“Is Max going to go live with him?”
Malcolm shakes his head. Still frowning,” he won’t pass a drug test but she has to go see him every week until he does.” He sighs and tries to stand, ending up folding in on himself and hissing a pained breath.
“Here,” she stands up and holds her hand out. “Come on,” she helps him up. Keeping him upright even when his knees threaten to pitch him back on the floor. “You should probably rest up a little.”
Malcolm leans into her, letting her guide him to the bed.
“You know, Max is lucky to have you.”
Malcolm rolls on to his side, cradling his other side with his arm. He hums, drowsy from the painkillers. He’s only partially aware of her hands tying him to the bed. Already asleep by the time she pulls the blankets to his chest.
“You’re a good man.”