#psc:warmth

jessamine: “hey, you.” malcolm: “hey yourself.” jessamine: “good day?” malcolm: [noncommittal hum] jessamine: “i see.” malcolm: “yeah... what’s your thoughts on pizza?” jessamine: “very positive.” malcolm: “good. we’re having pizza for dinner.” -- malcolm: “i'm happy here, you know.” jessamine: “hmm...?” malcolm: “i think i told you once. when i was younger i didn’t really like going back home. ...to my parents’ house, that is.” jessamine: “is this about earlier today?” malcolm: “yes. i like it here. or when you come to my place. i am where i want to be, and... where i’ll be. so long as you will have me or have place for me i will be here.” jessamine: “...thank you, mal. i don’t--i don’t know what to say.” malcolm: “that’s alright.” jessamine: “feels unfair, though...” malcolm: “it’s okay.” jessamine: “suppose i should start by saying i like having you close. feels like i am basking in the sun.” malcolm: “yeah?” jessamine: “i want to enjoy it always. i hope it lasts a long time.” malcolm: “yeah...”

[alarm clock ringing] malcolm: [yawning] “you’re up. hi.” jessamine: “hey you, babe.” malcolm: “sleep well?” jessamine: “yeah, i did... tell me about the desert, mal.” malcolm: “that’s a way to start the day. what time is it?” jessamine: “you still have time. tell me about the desert, mal.” malcolm: “well, good morning to you too.”

jessamine: “thanks, mal. for humoring me.” malcolm: “no problem.” jessamine: “now that’s out of the way... did you sleep well?” malcolm: “yeah... i slept well.” jessamine: “comfy, sated, and warm?” malcolm: “yeah... with great thanks to you.” [...] malcolm: “ah, shit.” jessamine: “hmm?” malcolm: “i need to shower.” jessamine: “can i tag along?” malcolm: “of course, jessamine.”

jessamine: “so you’ll be going back to your place after?” malcolm: “i mean... i’ll go to yours if you’ll have me.” jessamine: [scoffs] “you fool.” malcolm: “i’m told that i’m a fool indeed.” jessamine: [chuckles] “true. ...and there will always be room for you.” malcolm: “then that’s settled.” jessamine: “mal...” malcolm: “i know that face. you don’t need to say anything, jessamine.” jessamine: “sorry?” malcolm: “no...? you don’t need to say all that there is to be said about your life. past or present. but yes, i’ll just have to get some things from my place and i’ll be there.” jessamine: “i’ll be waiting.”

malcolm: “you were born in sunset valley.” jessamine: “allegedly.” malcolm: “and you allegedly grew up there. tell me about it.” jessamine: “hmm... it’s a bit of a nowhereville, you know. but you should know that your family’s a big name there. big statue in front of the library and all that.” malcolm: “ah, yes. quite important contribution or so i recall.” jessamine: “i mean... the local pigeons sure enjoyed crapping on your ancestor’s head.” malcolm: “fascinating. from nowhereville to the desert... my family truly excels at locating quality real estate.” jessamine: [chuckles] “right?” malcolm: “i could say something incredibly cheesy, but i don’t think you quite enjoyed your time there.” jessamine: [shrugging] “like it was meant to be?” malcolm: “something like that.” jessamine: “you’re right. that is very cheesy.”

jessamine: “want some help with your back?” malcolm: “sure, thanks.” jessamine: “and now...? what’s your stance on flowers?” malcolm: “you are named after a flower--no, wait, two. are you not?” jessamine: “so i’m told.” malcolm: “then that should answer your question.” jessamine: “oh, shut up.”

malcolm: “you know, the first time i really noticed flowers was at a funeral. my grandmother on my father’s side. i was... five, maybe six years old.” jessamine: “i’m sorry to hear that, mal.” malcolm: “it’s okay. i don’t remember much about her and we weren’t ever close. ...maybe that makes me sound cold. or uncaring.” jessamine: “no, i don’t think so. i get that.” malcolm: “well, my parents never cultivated a garden. if you can believe that. quite honestly, i am under the impression that all plants we ever had were plastic.” jessamine: “that’s just sad.” malcolm: “yeah. so there i was, a kid. i didn’t understand much, but i knew that it was my grandmother there but beyond me somehow. and i’d never be able to bridge that gap. and there were flowers. ...and this scent--sweet, almost nauseating really. only years after the fact did i realize it was there to mask something else.” jessamine: “you were only a child, mal.” malcolm: “i’m told i wasn’t the sharpest child.” jessamine: “you weren’t supposed to know those things.” malcolm: “i guess you’re right about that.” jessamine: “still... sorry i made you go there.” malcolm: “i did it myself, didn’t i? it’s okay.” jessamine: “thanks for indulging me, then.” malcolm: “i am freezing, though.” jessamine: “oh! sorry...”

jessamine: “what made you come back?” malcolm: “hmm?” jessamine: “you left, got what you wanted. and then you came back. what happened?” malcolm: “oh.” [silence] malcolm: “i think you know why, jessamine. i had a promise to keep.” jessamine: “but you didn’t, that’s the thing.” malcolm: “i wanted to, then. does that make a difference?” jessamine: “i’ll... have to get back to you on that. i just suppose it all brought me to here and now, didn’t it. and you as well.” malcolm: “it did. and i am glad that you are where you are.” jessamine: “well, i don’t like that you’ll have to be at work, mal.” malcolm: “...i should get going, shouldn’t i.” jessamine: “maybe.”