Work Text:
They say everyone's born a hero. But if you let it, life will push you over the line until you're the villain. Problem is, you don't always know that you've crossed that line.
Malcolm's in my kitchen cleaning up the mess.
I sit there deleting the endless messages popping up on my cell phone. How the fuck do these people know my number? Who gave them my number and why are they phoning me? Do I look like I give a fuck?
Maybe it's enough that the world thinks I'm a hero. Maybe if I work long and hard, maybe I can fool myself.
The phone keeps ringing and Malcolm comes out of the kitchen and picks up my phone. "Alias Investigations. How can we help?"
It's just typical Malcolm. I don't even know why he's still here, giving me those sad, puppy dog eyes. I thought I'd chased him away but here he is, standing in front of me, tall, lanky and determined. Apart from Trish, he's the strongest person I know … steel and determination even if his body is as fragile as spun glass. He's the reverse of me. I'm as tough as fuck on the outside but on the inside, I'm spiralling out of control and ready to explode on everything and everyone.
"What are you doing, Malcolm?" My tone is hostile and accusatory. Hey this is me, after all.
"Answering your phone," he replies as if I'm a moron.
"I'm toxic Malcolm. You should leave. In fact – why are you still there?"
He crouches down beside me and smiles up at me. My neighbour, the former drug-addict, the one whose life was almost destroyed because of me.
There's a gentleness in his eyes. "Don't you hug me," I tell him warningly. "I don't want any of that sappy shit …"
He laughs. "I'm here because of you," he tells me. "And I'm here because of me."
I don't know why, but I'm happy with his answer and I find myself grinning back at him.
fin