And We Will Start Again

And lot's wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and i love her for that, because it was so human.

[kindashapeshifty-blog]

“….It’s alright to ask me for help, you know. I’m older than you are, so it doesn’t carry the same teacher - student …awkwardness. I can show you where it is - Raven Darkholme. Mind my asking who you are and what you teach?”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“How do you know you’re older than me? I could just be a very spry looking forty year old. Also, you have to promise that this isn’t a scheme to take me to a custodial closet and lock me in there. I am not letting that happen. Not again. But uh- I’m Agent Burns. I teach Agent Training.”

[kindashapeshifty-blog]

“I’m assuming you’re new-?”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“Look, just because I can’t find the teacher’s lounge, doesn’t mean I’m new. Obviously we just... don’t have a teacher’s lounge.”

[shadowofthekitty]

Dare- Boys bathroom

[shadowofthekitty]

“No, it doesn’t actually because that would be unnecessary” Kitty replied quickly, her words came out more matter of fact than intended. It was getting harder and harder to fake her confidence. After Malcolm’s question, there was a long pause between them. “No, I’m good, I just went a few minutes ago. Thanks for… offering.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“It would be unnecessary if trans women and intersex people didn’t exist, I guess,” he said, sounding slightly unimpressed. Malcolm gestured to the door expectantly. “Come on then. Tell me where you’re supposed to be right now and I’ll walk you back. And do I even want to know why you were here in the first place? Or why doors seem to be unnecessary to you?”

[canaryinfishnets]

“If I was being touchy, you’d have a black eye, broken ribs, a busted testicle, right or left, that is totally your choice, a limp for the rest of your life and a good long time of physiotherapy. Yeah, whatever to curfew.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“Wow, you have so much detention right now. I mean, I respect the creativity, but come on, how did you think this was going to play out for you?”

[spontaneous-spot]

Still Spot || Agent M. Burns & Spot

[spontaneous-spot]

Malcolm’s voice became harsh to the boy’s ears as it seemed to slice through the thick air that rested between them, and his stance suddenly grew straight, stiff. His eyes caught Spot’s in the sentences, they were dark and storming. Beside them held the harsh lines of anger, ones that he had seen so many times before, ones he never wanted to see again. It was exactly that, the sudden snapping, complete and utter unpredictability of someone that sent Spot on edge. And all at the same time, it was the only way he knew how to communicate with others.

His heart raced slightly as the man began to walk off, not because he was going to fail, because he knew that was far from the truth. It wasn’t because he had disappointed him, although that wouldn’t exactly have been far from the truth. It wasn’t even because he had angered someone he didn’t exactly want to. “Please,” He called out with. There was the attempt to keep his voice calm, the keep the usual rough edges and thick accent from dropping into the hopeless tone he was feeling. But they were just attempts. “I do not want to be there..” The boy paused for a moment, his eyes never meeting the agent, “But- I do not wish to be lone.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm’s mind was already slipping back to what it previously had been on before he’d found Spot by the tree, looking out of place and slightly suspicious. He was starting a course on lock picking and basic security codes this week and he was wondering if the school would let him negotiate for a field trip to the nearest art museum just to see if they could get past the restrictions. But then Spot was speaking again, which Malcolm hadn’t really expected.

He turned around, confused, and his chest feeling a little tight. Seriously though, no one should sound that sad all of a sudden, it was bad for Malcolm’s health. And now he was going to have to do something. Now he was invested. Because something was obviously going on here. “Alright,” he said slowly. “Can you elaborate a little bit, Spot? Because right now I’m kind of lost.”

[mindofcharles-blog]

“Sharks is a pretty apt description.” He grinned at the man’s impersonation, nodding his head emphatically. “Oh no, this specific professor is an old, portly gentleman. I doubt he’ll last long among the students.” 

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm tilted his head to the side thoughtfully. “I think you might be wasting your time there then. Old guys, especially academic types, really don’t enjoy being corrected or told they’re wrong.”

[simplysmashingshehulk]

“Still.  In the course of a lifetime, it’s not that long.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“Long enough for me to be an agent and you be a student.”

[spontaneous-spot]

Still Spot || Agent M. Burns & Spot

[spontaneous-spot]

“I might be in class,” Spot didn’t have anything better to do than shrug at his own reply. He loved theatre, he loved acting a different life, he loved learning plays and speeches. He loved learning something so fun, putting his memory to use on something he enjoyed so much. And yet, he still hadn’t been to a class yet, he hadn’t found himself walking through the large oak doors of the drama room. He hadn’t found himself wanting to face anything really. Especially not english.

He didn’t blame the agent for trying his best to work out what class he was supposed to be in, or at least why he was skipping it. But even if Malcolm did manage to get out what class the boy had, there was little to null chance he was going to get the actual reason he was there. And so Spot suggested, and I do not have to go? Meet half way.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm made a frustrated noise in the back of his throat and pushed a hand through his hair again, a nervous tick that he couldn’t seem to kick. Out on the field it could be detrimental, but here, things were at least more relaxed. “Look,” he told Spot, catching his eyes and holding them defiantly. “You’re an adult taking college level classes, so that means I can’t make you do anything or go anywhere. But I’m assuming you didn’t come here just to flunk out. And you don’t have to tell me the reason you’re skipping, but if you do I can see if I can help.”

Speech made, Malcolm let out a breath and finally looked away. It was the kind of thing Malcolm had wished someone would have told him back when he was in public school and skipping because he thought he had no chance at anything but failure, and that’s all Malcolm could work with. He gave Spot a lazy salute. “Anyway, have fun with your paper places.” Then he turned to start walking towards the entrance of the building.

[simplysmashingshehulk]

“It’s a term of endearment.  And that’s only six years older than me.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

“Six years is a long time. That’s like one third of The X-files running time. I’m six seasons of X-files older than you. That’s so many files.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

Live || Malcolm & Leslie

Leslie: Yes, and yes. Nikola Tesla. Though he liked to call his little device some sort of peacemaker. What a whackjob. Anyway, the pizza's yours. I'll be at Romano's in town in 20, after my show is over of course. Be there or... I'll probably just eat the pizza myself.

Malcolm: Man, I hope this isn't a really elaborate and creative mugging. Anyway, alright, I'll see you there. Oh! And just as long as I'm on the air, my brother, Bill is single and ready to mingle, gentlemen. His number is- [the sound of a violent struggle and some shouting before the line goes dead]

[shadowofthekitty]

Dare- Boys bathroom

[shadowofthekitty]

At his question, Kitty felt her cheeks grow red. She was worried enough that she would find herself in the restroom with another student, but having an agent there made it even worse. “No.” She was amazed her voice didn’t shake as she talked. “Are you supposed to be here?” She blurted out. She knew the question was stupid, but she couldn’t think of another thing to say.

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm gave the question some serious thought, his eyebrows drawing together. There were urinals right there so he was pretty sure this was still the men’s room. “I mean, I guess it depends. Does the girl’s room have urinals in it? Because otherwise, I’m pretty sure the answer is yes.” The student seemed pretty nervous though so Malcolm wasn’t going to drag this whole thing out. “Do you uh- need to use the bathroom?”

[malcolmburns-blog]

Live || Malcolm & Leslie

Leslie: No cheating, mister, okay? Question of the day. This person was Thomas Edison's biggest competition at the end of the 19th century. Who is he? Hint: They've both got a lot to do with AC/DC.

Malcolm: Uh... right. I think I actually know this one. It was the guy that had like, an actual doomsday device or something and thought women should rule the world, right? I think his last name was Telsa? Maybe?

[alltheworldspromos-blog]

Well, you’re always open to buy me a new, super comfy one, if you want it so badly. Your jokes aren’t ever helpful.

[malcolmburns-blog]

Stop trying to exploit me. And my jokes don’t have to be helpful because they’re hilarious and you love them. They’re good for morale.

[simplysmashingshehulk]

Jen groaned in annoyance.  “Boy, you are not helping.”

[malcolmburns-blog]

That surprised a laugh out of him. “Boy? I’m twenty-six.”

[alltheworldspromos-blog]

Like you haven’t slept in worse places. I’ll take what I can get, you don’t offer physical labor often

[malcolmburns-blog]

The fact that I’ve slept in way worse places just means that I deserve comfy couches for the rest of my life. And also, rude. I’m always helpful. 

[shadowofthekitty]

Dare- Boys bathroom

Kitty was sure she looked bizarre to anyone passing by. She was just standing still, starring at a wall. Her palms were sweaty and she had shallow breath. It’s just a stupid dare. She tried to assure herself. Turning her panicked expression into a relaxed one, Kitty took a breath before phasing into the bathroom on the other side of the wall. She didn’t stop until she reached the urinal. “Hey.” She said as she stood next to it, trying to appear as nonchalant as she could. She didn’t even bother to look to see who was at the urinal, or if there was anyone in the first place.

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm was at the sink, washing his hands and thinking about his next class when he heard a voice from behind him at the urinals. This was very strange because the bathroom had been empty five seconds ago and the door hadn’t opened. Malcolm looked up and at the mirror and saw the girl now standing at the urinals. He spun around and she hadn’t disappeared so that meant this wasn’t a hallucination. “Um,” he said elegantly. “Hi? Are you supposed to be in here?”

[spontaneous-spot]

Still Spot || Agent M. Burns & Spot

[spontaneous-spot]

It was uncomfortable the way that the agent’s expression remained so intent on Spot, trying to understand him. Trying to understand what was going on inside his head. But the truth was the agent wouldn’t have even be able to see everything that was happening on the surface. There were dark holes, portals that lead somewhere else all gathering where no one could see. All shaking and quivering, each one begging to be let free.

“Who is Bill?” Spot’s eyebrows frowned together in the slightest out of curiosity, and his head gently lifted to one side. The truth was he hadn’t really been to many classes since he had been back, he hadn’t exactly seized the whole learning experience. “You have twin? He teach arts?”

[malcolmburns-blog]

Malcolm nodded, although the conversation had gotten confusing again. He was still slightly suspicious that Spot was just some random guy who was stalling to try and not get kicked off campus. “Yeah, well, Professor Burns does. But I just call him Bill. He teaches Theater here,” he explained. “We’re identical twins so that’s why there are two of us running around. Are you not in his class?”

After a moment of thought, Malcolm stepped away from Spot again and towards the school. “Come on, I was serious about walking you to class. But you have to tell me which one you’re actually in this time. Or tell me why you’re skipping so we can see if we can work something out.”