Make You Hurt || Malcolm Bright

No. 8 - Coughing Up A Lung

This one maybe doesn't quite fit the prompt, but I didn't know what else to write.

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No. 8 - Coughing Up A Lung

Pneumothorax | Exotic Illness | "Definitely just a cold"

Malcolm stumbles into the precinct, shivering from the cold, and clutching a hot coffee in his gloved hands. He's fucking freezing, and he's not going to say anything to Gil, but he thinks he might be coming down with something. He doesn't want to worry him, it's just a bit of a cold after all, nothing he can't handle.

Although it is absolutely his own fault if he's coming down with something. He shouldn't have jumped into that freezing cold lake a couple days ago. But then again, someone had to to retrieve the murder weapon from their current case, and he wasn't about to wait for anyone else to go in instead of him. Even if everyone else was telling him to stay the fuck on the bank.

He's surprised Gil didn't drag him out of the river by his ear and all the way back to the precinct. Now that would be a sight, and one he'd likely never get to live it down. Especially when either Dani or JT would've no doubt filmed it.

Sitting at his desk, he wraps his coat around himself more after setting his coffee down. The precinct is oddly chilly, and Malcolm doesn't like it.

Hasn't anyone turned the damn heater on yet?

Looking around, he finds that most others are wearing less clothes than he is, and they don't appear to be freezing their ass off. Maybe the heater is on, and he's just not feeling it? That's entirely possible, considering he just got here.

Sniffling, he takes a sip of his coffee, glad at least that's kind of keeping him warm, if only a little bit.

Adjusting the beanie on his head and brushing his hair off his face, he spots Dani walking past, carrying what he assumes is a mug of earl grey tea. Although she stops as they make eye contact, and she walks over to his desk.

"Hey, you look terrible, you alright?" She asks.

Shrugging, Malcolm covers his mouth as he starts coughing. He's fine, really. Just coming down with a bit of a cold. Nothing major, and he can still work on their current case. A little cold isn't something to stay home from work for. He needs to be here and help the team with the case.

And honestly, he'd rather not go back home. There's no way he'll be able to get any rest to prevent this cold from getting worse. Not with his night terrors if he tries to sleep anyway.

"I'm fine." He says. "Think I've just caught a bit of a cold. Nothing to worry about."

He doesn't miss the way his voice sounds all scratchy and hoarse, and Dani clearly doesn't either, as she's raising an eyebrow at him.

"You sure?" She asks. "Cause you don't look or sound like it."

He appreciates her concern, he really does, but he'd rather not have her worry about him. He's absolutely fine. He doesn't need to go home. He's perfectly capable of staying here and helping with the case.

"Dani, please. I'm fine." He says. "You don't have to worry about me."

Dani sighs, shaking her head, and Malcolm can just tell that she doesn't quite believe him, because of course she doesn't. Malcolm's almost certain she's going to keep a close eye on him throughout the day, probably also talk to Gil about him being unwell.

"I always worry about you, Malcolm." She says. "We all do."

Malcolm looks up at her, before sighing, shaking his head. "And I wish you all didn't worry about me so much." He says, before coughing. "I'm not a damn toddler that needs to be watched twenty four seven."