“I am the righteous hand of God!” he said,” and I am the devil you forgot” she yelled

Malcolm shrugged.

“I’ve usually always got things to do. But, I work for myself, so I could give a fuck about time limits,”he commented.

Before turning away, he paused.

“But, I do want to make sure you’re doing alright,”he added.

It was strange, hearing himself say that. Though, the more Malcolm thought about it, the more true it seemed.

Malcolm stared blankly at her for a long moment. He didn’t know how to reply. No one had ever said that to him, not even his former fiancée. How could he reply?

Malcolm shook his head at Daya’s question.

“No, Daya. I don’t know what to say. You’re the first person who’s ever said that to me. And… I have no fucking idea what to do about it,”he explained, deciding it was best to just be blunt and honest.

“Alright, but, are you sure you’re feeling up to it? I’ve opened on my own since I bought this place, so it would be no trouble if you decided to rest instead,”Malcolm asked.

He didn’t know how to react to her settling against him. Though, he watched her move toward the broom, still concerned.

Malcolm almost objected to her words, but, after a moment to think about it, he could only chuckle. After all, he was the exact same way.

He moved to grab some pieces of jewelry that he needed to set out, then followed her into the front of the store. While she swept, he situated the new jewelry in the display cases. He then started cleaning up as well.

Malcolm was, at first, confused by the way Daya hung around him. But, after a bit, he didn’t mind. Besides, the way she was wobbling occasionally explained her proximity to him.

When they were done, he put the broom and other tools up, then leaned against the counter, watching Daya. He couldn’t tell if she was just tired, or in pain, or both.

“Are you alright?”he asked quietly after a bit.

(Sorry. I’ll try to get something up here in a bit)

(I know. It’s just a personal preference to, at least, attempt a bit more, that’s all. And, I’ve also been distracted by a lot lately, lol)

Malcolm snorted.

“Pain or exhaustion?”he asked.

(Yeah. There’s nothing weird going on. I’ve just been extremely busy. And, last week, I was sick, so yeah)

Malcolm shrugged.

“Alright. Just wanted to check.”

Malcolm nodded in reply to her thanks, then hesitated.

“I… haven’t held… or cuddled, anyone in… ten or twenty years,”he stammered, unusually timid.

Malcolm wasn’t sure if Daya was being honest, but he left it alone. He turned when someone came in, and headed for the counter. However, Daya decided to help them. Malcolm didn’t know how to feel about that, but he decided to watch and see how it went.

It was strange to watch someone do his work, but now that Malcolm had the opportunity to watch, he couldn’t help noticing what the young man was buying. And, for a moment, Malcolm saw himself.

He had once been engaged. He had once sought a ring to fit the woman he’d thought he’d marry. But, that was long ago. His fiancée probably thought he was dead. In a way, she wouldn’t be wrong. He shouldn’t have lived the day of the explosion, but he had, except he was most certainly not the man he used to be.

Malcolm blinked when he realized that the man was leaving. He also saw Daya leaning against the counter. When she spoke, he quickly approached her, grabbing one of the couple chairs in the room so she could sit down.

“Sit, relax. Besides the obvious lightheadedness, what else do you feel?”he asked, his tone deadly serious.

(Sorry)

Malcolm sighed. He was too focused on Daya to really care that she’d pulled him with her.

“I’m going to kill that useless fucking doctor,”he muttered under his breath before thinking about solutions to this current situation.

“Sounds like internal bleeding. Hopefully nothing worse than that. I can take you to the hospital, or I can find another doctor acquaintance of mine to help you. I’d honestly prefer the latter, but you are the one that’s hurt, so it’s your choice,”he said.