The insistence on data tells him enough though. It tells him that Malcolm is no longer so afraid of what he left behind that he’d run for the first potential safe exit. He cares about that life again. It makes Neal feel better, lifts a slight weight from his chest. He kisses Malcolm. “We can do that. It’s a good idea.”

He wraps an arm around Malcolm’s waist and pulls him down to lie on loveseat currently occupying the space against one wall where Neal pictures their future king bed. “I’ve got some other ideas I’d like to act on first though.”