DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Prodigal Son or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it!
CLAIMER: I OWN my OMC Emerson.
WARNING: This is a SLASH/MALExMALE/YAOI fan-fiction. If you do NOT like same-sex relationships, then this story is NOT for you.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I used episode nine of season one as the plot for this one-shot. In place of Eve, there is Emerson (OMC). The dialogue will be practically the same in most areas. I could not find out what JT's wife does for a living, so I made something up. After watching the episode, I just had to write. Enjoy.
.:oOo:.
Solace /ˈsäləs/ (noun) - comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.
'Normal. Do something normal. What exactly is considered normal?' Malcolm wondered absently, stepping out of the building housing his therapist and into the cool NYC air.
The taste of cherry from his lollipop coated his tongue and Malcolm rolled the candy from one side of his mouth to the other as his crystal blue eyes scanned the morning's newspaper.
"Malcolm?"
At the call of his name in a familiar baritone, Malcolm glanced over his shoulder. Curiosity shown in his crystal blues and his gaze slowly rose to meet gray eyes.
'They're like a mix of ash and smoke. How extraordinary,' Malcolm voiced silently, even as his lips quirked into a surprised smile.
"Emerson! Oh…um…uh what are you doing here?" Malcolm asked, quickly removing his lollipop and searching for a nearby trash can.
The brunette found one next to the newspaper stand beside him and tossed the half finished candy away, before giving the taller male his undivided attention…as undivided as was possible.
"I live down the block," Emerson answered, his smoky gaze softening as the raven took in Malcolm's semi-forced relaxed posture.
Malcolm's blue orbs widened.
"That's crazy," Malcolm exclaimed almost breathlessly, his eyes locked on the other's gentle gaze. "My therapist is right here."
A raven brow rose on a sun-kissed tanned face.
"You're in therapy?" Emerson voiced, but it was less of a question of curiosity and more of a light statement…almost as if Emerson did not care that Malcolm was in therapy.
Maybe it did not matter. Malcolm nodded, feeling uncertain resignation at the raven having found out.
"Walk with me?" Emerson asked, motioning towards the subway entrance a couple of yards away from them.
Malcolm nodded again, having gone quiet with sudden nerves. Emerson noted how Malcolm twisted his fingers together, as if searching for something to do with his hands.
"I've been meaning to ask…you're mother, how is she?" Emerson asked softly, brushing his shoulder against Malcolm's as another person rushed passed them to cross the street.
Malcolm sighed heavily, his attempt at a smile not quite reaching his eyes.
"Uh…She's no longer armed, but still a little dangerous." Malcolm stated, biting the corner of his bottom lip and glancing up at Emerson.
Emerson grinned and Malcolm reacted in kind.
"Perfect, all women should be a little dangerous." Emerson voiced seriously and Malcolm found himself laughing despite himself.
Emerson watched as Malcolm seemed to have a silent battle within himself, the brunette's face taking on a determined expression. Twisting on his heel, Malcolm stopped in front of Emerson and looked up at the raven.
"Um, Emerson, can I…," Malcolm trailed off, his cheeks taking on a pink hue and his blue gaze lowered slightly before meeting Emerson's smoky gaze once more. "Can I ask you a question? Would you like to go out with me sometime?"
Emerson's smoky orbs seemed to darken, the tip of his tongue swiping over his bottom lip quickly. The action was not missed by Malcolm and the brunette swallowed to alleviate his suddenly dry throat.
"When?"
"Tomorrow night," Malcolm spoke quickly now, his nerves building and his fingers gripped the front of his coat until his knuckles turned white. "We can have dinner…um maybe a trip to the Met, or…something?"
Emerson chuckled and Malcolm grinned shakily.
"Okay, it's a date," Emerson agreed, wanting to ease the brunette's nervous energy. "I have to run, but will you text me the details?"
Malcolm nodded, his blue eyes large and Emerson could not stop his hand from brushing away a wayward brunette strand from blocking those crystal blue orbs, before stepping towards the subway entrance.
"Done. I'm on it!" Malcolm called out to the raven, who sent the brunette another grin before disappearing down the cement steps.
Turning on his heel, Malcolm was practically radiating delight and excitement about his upcoming date and the fact that the one he asked agreed in the first place. The sound of his phone ringing had Malcolm slowly lose his giddy energy.
"Hey, Gil. Murder? Great!" Malcolm voiced, only to wince. "Uh, sorry. I don't mean great as in great. Forget it. I'm on my way."
'So much for having a normal day,' Malcolm thought with a sigh.
.:oOo:.
Malcolm shifted his weight from one foot to the other while glancing around in search for Emerson. The two were set to meet outside of Amsterdam Billiards, a well-known sports bar. The music currently playing inside was muffled by the steady traffic and the beginnings of a bustling nightlife.
"Am I late?"
At Emerson's voice, Malcolm jerked around to face the taller male with a bright smile. Blue eyes took in the raven's dark gray and black head to toe attire; the black jeans cladding firm thigh distracting Malcolm just as much as the form fitting dark gray long sleeve Henley beneath a black peacoat had Malcolm's mouth watering. Malcolm himself was dressed in a charcoal gray suit and a white button up dress shirt with a matching tie…the brunette suddenly felt overdressed.
"You came!" Malcolm exclaimed before he could stop himself, inwardly wanting to smack himself when Emerson's grin faltered.
"Of course I came, Malcolm," Emerson stated softly, just loud enough for the brunette to hear him. "Only an emergency would cause me to ever cancel our plans and I would let you know well in advance."
Malcolm nodded, averting his gaze in embarrassment. Stepping closer, Emerson wrapped an arm around Malcolm's waist and drew the brunette towards the bar entrance.
"Come inside where it is warm," Emerson urged gently, opening the door and allowing Malcolm to enter first.
Malcolm grinned sheepishly up at the raven.
"Sorry about the location. I-I-I uh…tried to make a reservation, but um—," Malcolm paused as a slightly larger hand grabbed his and he found Emerson's glancing down at him with warmth.
"This place is perfectly fine, Malcolm," Emerson voiced, smoky orbs reflecting amusement and…was that adoration?
Malcolm blinked and Emerson was straightening up.
"Emerson?"
Both Emerson and Malcolm looked in the direction the raven's name came from and both seemed to speak as one.
"Natalia," Emerson greeted, smiling at the woman.
"JT?" Malcolm greeted, honestly surprised at seeming his co-worker.
"Bright, what are you doing here and together with Emerson no less?" JT questioned, his face twisted into a grimace at his Friday night date with his wife being interrupted.
"Is this who you were talking about earlier?" Natalia asked, pulling back from giving Emerson a hug and the raven nodded.
"How do the three of you know each other?" Malcolm questioned, glancing at JT to see recognition in the other man's eyes.
"I did a guest lecture on Architecture to Natalia's fourth grade students," Emerson stated, his arm going around Malcolm's waist once more.
Malcolm caught JT's raised brow and looked away, his mouth twitching into a smile when Emerson pulled him closer instead of moving away.
"Natalia's husband JT was there doing the same about Law Enforcement and we've been friends for a couple of years now," Emerson finished speaking, Natalia nodding in agreement with a smile while JT rolled his eyes despite having a fond expression.
"Yes, well, come on. We might as well play two on two," JT huffed, picking up his cue and motioning to the empty pool table. "I'm in the mood to win some money."
Emerson chuckled even as Malcolm stated how bad he was at the game.
"You still owe me five from the last time we played, Tarmel," Emerson teased and Malcolm found himself relaxing against the raven with a laugh.
.:oOo:.
The two couples parted ways at the end of the night, JT helping his slightly tipsy wife into their SUV while Emerson led Malcolm over to his jeep parked a little further down the street. It did not take long for the raven to pull up to where Malcolm lived, parking his jeep near the front and cutting off the engine.
"Would you um…would you like to…," Malcolm fumbled with his seatbelt, trailing off until he managed to unclick the strap. "Would you like to come up?"
Emerson's mouth parted as Malcolm's eyes grew wide and his cheeks flushed.
"I mean for a night cap? Drink? More talk? Not that you have to," Malcolm rambled and Emerson unclipped his own seatbelt in response.
Malcolm swallowed, before opening the passenger side door. Emerson met Malcolm around the car and together they walked up the stairs leading up to the brunette's loft. It was only when Malcolm had poured him and Emerson a glass of bourbon did one of them speak.
"Natalia mentioned that you work with JT as a profiler," Emerson stated, accepting the bourbon Malcolm held out.
Malcolm nodded, gripping his own glass with both hands. Blue eyes peered up at the raven through thick lashes.
"Please don't ask me to profile you," Malcolm whispered, taking a large swallow of his bourbon to give himself something to do. "I just uh…sometimes I can't turn it off and I don't want to scare you."
Emerson carefully set his glass back on the counter, slowly moving closer to Malcolm as the brunette began to speak.
"I'm never going to be normal. I-I-I've tried, but…," Malcolm heaved a heavy sigh, tossing back the rest of his bourbon. "I'm probably insane for thinking anyone would want to be in my life, let alone you."
Malcolm blinked as his empty glass was taken from him and set on the counter beside Emerson's still full one. Those same hands cupped Malcolm's face in a gentle caress. Malcolm gripped Emerson's wrists with shaky hands, crystal blue meeting smoky gray.
"You don't scare me, Malcolm Bright," Emerson said with a steady tone, his eyes reflecting the truthfulness in his words.
Malcolm's lips parted.
"I scare myself," Malcolm breathed.
Emerson's thumbs brushed soothingly over Malcolm's cheeks and the brunette surged forward, initiating a heated kiss. Malcolm found himself being lead backwards until the backs of his legs hit his bed. Without breaking their kiss, clothes were removed in a frenzy manner. At the first touch of skin on skin, Malcolm moaned, unable to stop himself. They tumbled down onto silk and cloud, the smooth and comfortable textures going unnoticed as mouths burned trails of liquid fire and hands scorched in their caress.
"Em-Emer-Emerson…," Malcolm gasped, blue eyes blown wide as a blaze seemed to engulf his entire being.
"Shh, I'll take care of you," Emerson whispered against warm skin, nipping a sensitive area behind Malcolm's ear as calloused hands parted firm thighs. "Let go. Breathe and let go, Malcolm."
With a shuddering moan, Malcolm tightened his arms around Emerson's shoulders and did just that. Stars burst behind blue eyes.
.:oOo:.
Warmth surrounded him and Malcolm nuzzled into the protective hold of Emerson's arms. Moonlight beamed in through the large windows, washing over the loft and giving everything a soft glow. Giving into the urge to relieve his parched throat, Malcolm took a moment to press a whispering kiss to Emerson's chin before slipping out from muscular arms. Malcolm shivered as his bare feet came in contact with the cold floor. He quietly made his way to the water pitcher on his counter and poured himself a glass. Bringing the glass up to his lips, Malcolm froze.
The silhouette was dark and lacking details. The only thing Malcolm was sure about was that it was a woman. Fear seized his heart, his hands beginning to shake. Biting his bottom lip, Malcolm set his glass down and slowly held out a cautious hand. Not once did he take his eyes off of the silhouette and his thoughts began to wander to the girl in the box from his childhood.
"What do you want?" Malcolm questioned, his voice shaking and he hated it.
"Find me."
The silhouette demanded softly, the female tone haunting as it seemed to echo around him. Dread joined in on his fear and a lump began to form in his throat.
"I'm trying," Malcolm stated and he was trying to find her…anything about her.
"How can you?" She asked, her soft tone taking on a hard edge as she drifted closer to the brunette. "You don't even remember who I am."
Shadowed hands rose to cup Malcolm's face and he squeezed his eyes shut, fear tightening in his chest. When nothing happened, blue eyes blinked open. The silhouette was gone. Looking around, Malcolm turned and those shadowed hands were suddenly around his throat and squeezing, squeezing, squeezing! Malcolm gasped in both pain and fright, his hand fumbling for the closest thing he could to fight the silhouette off. Trembling fingers grabbed the handle of a knife from the butcher block and panic had Malcolm slash the knife back and forth in an effort to save himself.
"…colm! Malcolm, wake up!"
At the shouting voice breaking through the haze in his mind, Malcolm came back into awareness. Damp blue eyes widened and Malcolm's shaking hand released the knife as if it burned in. Lips parted and a broken sound escaped Malcolm.
"I'm sorry," Malcolm apologized, his body beginning to rack with sobs. "I'm so sorry."
Malcolm covered his damp face with trembling hands in an effort to hide as much as to muffle his sounds of pain. Within seconds, Emerson was there taking the brunette into his hold.
"No, sweetheart, don't be sorry," Emerson whispered in Malcolm's ear, his arms tightening around the sobbing brunette and holding him close. "Never be sorry."