tinstar | Text Overflow: It's just a flesh wound

Yeah. A lot of the Miltons' family fortune is from real estate. My mom's got a lot of her money in it because its value doesn't care about her name.

[Malcolm was perfectly happy not to put a label on it if labels made Raylan uncomfortable. He was more than perfectly happy to be touched like that and understand what it meant in quiet whispers between them if that was what worked for them.]

It's a beautiful place. Have you had anyone interested in it at all?

It's a smart move. Land is a good market, usually and a name isn't bad enough to stave anyone off.

[ Raylan shook his head. ]

There have been a few inquiries but a look around the rest of Halan put deals in the grave before they're on the table. It's only been on market for a year or so. A very, very long year.

You have any plans on getting into it once she starts stepping back?

The family business? [He laughed lightly.] No, I'm steadfastly staying out of all business done by my family. I think I'll stick with law enforcement. [He looked over.] Maybe better marketing will help you find the right buyer. You need someone who wants to use the land and isn't put off by... [He frowned, unsure how to phrase it.] Some less sophisticated and perhaps poorly behaved neighbours.

Poor Ainsley then, [ he returned with a grin, glancing at where they were going briefly.] Someone's going to have to take it.

Might have to get your help on that if I'm to ever offload this place. Marketing isn't really my thing. [Surprise to no one.]

I can help. [He smiled.] I'm happy to help.

[As they reached the house, he followed Raylan up to the door.] So you're making dinner. Do you cook often?

[That was that smile again, the one that Raylan couldn't help but return as they strode the last bit of the way up to the house.]

No, [he admitted.] That's just for you too. [Smirking, Raylan opened the door, gesturing for Malcolm to go first before he came in behind him.]

I live on take out and charity, most of the time. Which works, since you don't eat often. I pulled out Helen's recipe for it. And it's only going to be the chicken. Not exactly a southern spread but enough for two for a few days, if needed. I'm a sucker for a sandwich.

[ He looked at Malcolm as they stopped in the kitchen.] I'll start it after we shower.. Do you wanna go first?

[He hesitated.] I... could go first. [He looked at the stairs and then at Raylan.] It would save some time if we... both went first. [Ostensibly.]

[Raylan's smile crept back up as he set the duffle bag on the table.]

I.. wouldn't say no, if you wanted the company. [With his hands free he could step a little closer. If they hadn't already shown it, it might have seemed like Raylan was going to walk past him, but he wasn't and opted to slide a hand around Malcolm's forearm.]

And if there's any question, I'd be happy to replace some of the bad memories here with better ones. [Doubly so if he knew it would make Arlo turn in his grave, but for once, Arlo wasn't the reason he was doing this. Arlo had nothing to do with it at all and that was.. freeing anytime it happened.]

[Malcolm ducked his head with a smile at that.]

I always want the company. And I'm... glad to be better memories.

[He leaned in and gave him a brief, affectionate kiss, then looked at him playfully.]

I'll scrub your back.

[Soon, Raylan would stop saying that, once he got more comfortable and sure footed with doing these kinds of things. There were plenty of people that were particular with their hygiene and showers; he was glad to know Malcolm's. Or maybe the answer given was just because Raylan was asking, but he'd take that too.]

Promise?

C'mon.

[ Raylan's hand slipped down into Malcolm, rough fingers intertwined with his loosely as he turned them around and led them up the stairs. Their hands would fall apart in all the motion but that was okay. Now that Raylan was sure Malcolm wasn't running off or running away or that this wasn't just some passing pipedream, he was keen to be less hasty. He could take his time now, the way that fit him best.

Once upstairs, Raylan stopped to pull two towels out of the linin closet.]

You might be disappointed at what us country folk have out here, but you'll be clean and that's all that matters.

[He huffed a breath of a laugh.]

I have yet to be disappointed by anything on this trip.

[He pulled his shirt off and dropped it on the floor. When he was cleaned up, he'd need a fresh one. He turned so he could see the bandage Raylan had applied in the early hours of that morning. It was a little rumpled and dirty from being pressed against that barn wall, but it was still in place.] This is going to need replaced after the shower. Can you peel it off? [He turned his shoulder towards Raylan. May as well let the wound get clean.]

Give it time. [Trailing behind so he could toe off his boots and pull off his belt, resigning the pants to a washing, he followed in and stripped off his two pieces, leaving him naked, bits of dust and dirt tinting some of his skin.]

The first aid kit is in the house. Just make sure to not put a new shirt on til we get it covered.

[ Gingerly, Raylan tugged the gauze loose, smiling a little at the debris stuck on it as he tossed it into the small trashcan.] I'll let you set the water, since I don't know how you like your showers.

[ But he looked forward to finding out. ]

[Letting him set their shower temperature was a big gesture of trust. Okay, maybe not bigger than letting him into his life like this, but...

He stepped over to the shower and started the water.]

Okay, but if it's too hot for you, we can turn it down.

[It really was but Malcolm was in luck. Raylan liked it hot. Like it could burn the blood and history and dust of Kentucky from his body.]

I'm sure I can handle it,[he assured with a chuckle as he watched Malcolm do the inevitable adjustment and check until he deemed it ready. At the questioning glance, Raylan stepped forward to stick a hand under the stream and nod.]

Since I'm ahead of you in nakedness..[he declared, too true since Malcolm seemed to still have his jeans on, Raylan stepped into the shower and quickly got his hair wet, head sticking out of the side of the curtain to eye Malcolm's progress.] Next time I'm in New York, we're doing this. I like your shower more than mine.

I hope that's soon.

[Raylan definitely got ahead in nakedness. Malcolm blamed how distracting that was for his falling behind. But his jeans and underwear soon joined his shirt on the floor and he slipped into the shower, letting the stream wet down his hair. Both hands smoothed its mass back and he looked up at Raylan.] Pass me the shampoo; I'll wash your hair.

[Sue him for still wanting to touch it.]

I'll find a reason. Even if I give Art what he's always dreamed - me taking a vacation voluntarily. [Which Art would side-eye but much like Malcolm, left in the natural vicinity of work, would work.

Still, being ahead of Malcolm had its own perks. Malcolm stepping under the stream and pushing his hair back looked like- Well, a shampoo model. Raylan couldn't help the pull of his smile and it cracked into a grin at the question.]

You wanna wash my hair? [He was too amused by the idea to argue and plucked a bottle of shampoo to flip in his hand and hand over.] Be careful, I work very hard to get it this way. [Complete bullshit and a total tease but perfect for the two of them right now.]

[He smiled broadly, though with a hint of a blush. Yes he did want that.] I'll be careful. [He took the bottle and squeezed some out into his palm before setting it on a nearby ledge so he could step close and thread both hands up into Raylan's hair, working the shampoo over his scalp, very aware of his face right there as he did it.] Close your eyes. In case it drips.

[As Malcolm stepped closer, Raylan slid his hands over and around his waist, hazel eyes smirking with him while Malcolm starts scrubbing his head.]

And miss out on the view? [Alright fine. He took a few smart ass seconds before closing his eyes.] Feels good though. The last time someone washed my hair, I was a kid.

[Malcolm's grin at his remark about the view softened to a fond smile when he closed his eyes.]

The last time someone held me in my sleep before you came to New York was never. This counts as an adventure, right?

[Raylan cracked an eye open a fraction to see him.]

Never? [His hands tightened on Malcolm's hips, only not pulling him closer for the sake of the suds and the tilt of their bodies when they were together.] Yeah. It counts.

Hope you're ready to get used to it while you're here, [he continued, eye closing again.] stock up for when you leave again.

[He breathed a laugh that was eighty percent the relief of weight leaving his shoulders. He made a confession.]

I would love that. I haven't stopped thinking about it.

[He pressed a soft kiss to Raylan's mouth.] Rinse. [Murmured as he stepped him back under the spray, not pulling away from him at all. His hands slid back into his hair to work the soap out of it.]

[Good. Raylan smiled as he was kissed and let himself be moved, head lifting up and back a little to help the suds all go the right way. Once he felt the slickness run out, he straightened and looked down at Malcolm for a half second before leaning down to kiss him, arms tightening around him to pull them together.]

I haven't stopped thinking about it either. [he admitted as the kiss broke. Malcolm Bright had devilishly taken up a spot in the back of the Marshal's brain and very often the card in his wallet seemed to generate its own heat, like it was laden with the memories of everything they did and felt that night. Pulling back a fraction, Raylan smiled softly at him.] Condition me, and then it's your turn. Don't think you're getting outta here without the same treatment.

[The kiss, being pulled tighter against him brought visible delight to Malcolm's face.] I wasn't getting you to close your eyes so I could escape. [Said through a laugh. He was still smiling when he spoke next.] Pass me the conditioner.

[Once he had it in his hand, he squeezed some out and set it aside and threaded the liquid up into Raylan's hair, smoothing it through his hair carefully.]

Okay. Let it soak in. [He let his arms wrap around Raylan's neck while they waited a moment.]

Maybe I'm worried you will. [Like he would blink too long and realize that this was some fever dream or something. Still, Raylan's embrace loosened enough for him to reach the conditioner and put it into Malcolm's hands, grabbing the shampoo himself to spurt some into his hand behind Malcolm's back. Once the bottle was set down, Raylan very carefully started to run it through Malcolm's hair.]

I'm stocking up too.

[I'm stocking up too. Malcolm's heart fluttered a little at that. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back slightly so it was easier for Raylan to work his fingers through his hair. Better to lean his head back than move his whole body back when it was warm and comfy where it was.]

Do you think we'll always have a limited time? Little windows for this, then back to normal?

['Normal': loneliness and working all hours of the day and night to avoid it. Really, really connecting with someone was amazing. He hadn't been expecting it. What if he came home after work and he had it all the time?

He couldn't think like that. They were both in the middle of quests they weren't prepared to give up at different ends of the country.]

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