Re: log: pizza and smash - mal and alex
"There's a cycle you're breaking right there, just by being there for her." It wasn't that easy, and it couldn't feel that easy, but Mal could choose to see the light side of things for once.
At last Mal smiled. When Alex was done talking about unknitting himself from the misery that came from worrying about everyone, he smiled. "I think you might be too good for this world," he said. It wasn't even a joke, unfortunately for Alex. "Which means you most certainly deserve happiness, however you find it. There should be a version of the world where you can help people without making yourself miserable. I don't know which world that is, or how to find it. But if I can help you unearth it, I will."
This was all pretty philosophical talk after blasting someone in Smash, but he could switch gears quickly when he had to. Life had been very serious for a few years now. It had become his default to drop into the most dire version of any situation. He didn't totally understand why Alex was so shocked by the offer. He couldn't always put himself in other people's shoes, so caught up was he in his own thoughts, his own mission. "I'm sure," he said. "I own the building. I don't need rent. No one is living there now. The only difference after you move in will be whatever you use in utilities. That makes sense, doesn't it?" His expression softened, ever so slightly. "And if you want it, you deserve a safe place to stay. You have enough to worry about with other people. So this way, you won't also need to worry about where you sleep."