Malcolm hangs up his coat on the hook in Wards landing. He sees Ward heading back to the kitchen, working on dinner. But he seems to be moving a bit slower.
"How's today?" Malcolm asked, trying to push his budding feelings for Ward down again. It was probably best he didn't ruin this friendship like he ruined everything else in his life.
"It's fine," Ward said, the fake humble smile on his face.
"Ward. Come on. You can be honest with me".
Ward stops stirring his concoction as he chooses his words carefully. "I know. But sharing isn't my strong suit. Okay," he sighed. "Today...is...my sister's birthday. It's the first one since-".
Ward nodded pressing his lips together in a line.
āThatās got to be hard.ā Malcolm says looking at Ward seeing how affected he is by this.
āIt is.. it was just us for so long. We used to go out for dinner and sheād meet up with friends for drinks after. Itās strange to be home.ā
Malcolm nods. āI understand.ā He says touching Wards arm gently putting his own feelings aside to focus on Ward. It didnāt matter what it made him feel as long as it calmed Ward.
Ward looked at the hand, and his face seemed to soften slightly. "I know I deserve this".
"Malcolm, I know what you're gonna say. The same thing you always do. That we're not beyond repair."
"And what about you and Jessica? Do you really think she'd ever forgive you?"
Malcolm looks away. Ward looks back at his food.
"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to make my point. I didn't mean to be rude like that. Not to you. Not today".
Malcolm takes in a deep breath. āYou have to forgive yourself Ward.ā He says with a caring voice.
āDo you forgive yourself?ā
āFor my anger? And my actions?ā Malcolm asks. āI did things I regret. I was lost back then. But I wasnāt solely responsible for what happened.ā
āJoy said things to you Ward that..ā Malcolm pauses to breathe surprising himself by his rising anger. āThat are so hurtful. I know you donāt need my anger. But you donāt deserve that. You arenāt alone in this.ā
Ward looks at him, his newest friend. Hell, his only friend. The only person who seemed to understand him on a level, maybe not even Joy ever did. And as much as he loved Danny, now more than ever, there would always be space there. But Malcolm Ducasse, the private eye he met while tracking down Orson Randall, this man got him somehow, in a way Ward never knew was possible.
"I guess, I'm not. Not now. I'm not used to that. I've always handled things alone".
āI know.ā Malcolm says gently. āBut you donāt have to anymore.ā He says reaching out to Ward.
Ward feels Malcolms touch and feels his eyes well up.
āSorry.ā He says moving to turn away ashamed. Afraid.
āYou donāt have to hide.ā Malcolm says. āIām here.ā He adds stroking Wards arm.
āI.. sorry.ā Ward repeats.
āYou donāt need to apologize. Crying is totally okay. Itās so human.ā Malcolm says. āProof of your heart.ā
"So I have a heart now?" Ward asks teasingly, embarrassed of the tears. But he knows Malcolm would never judge. Hell Ward knew he was probably only crying because it was Malcolm here, and he could trust Malcolm not to weaponize this against him.
"You have the biggest heart Ward. Of anyone I know". Malcolm's hands rubbed his shoulders and Ward could feel the warmth that seemed to resonate from the P.I.
"You'd be the only one to say that".
"Because I bet I'm the only one who's seen it in such a long time. Joy will see it too one day. You just have to forgive yourself enough to let her".
"Well, know that I think you can. Just do it in your own time Ward. And hopefully I'll be there when you do".
Ward smiled he moved forward and hugged Malcolm, arms wrapped around each other. Ward wished they could stay like this, just the two of them, in this apartment, him making Malcolm dinner, them talking and holding each other for comfort. Why couldn't it always be this?
A collab between @theodette and @thewonderginger for Iron Fist Week. Hope you enjoy š š
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