A secret from a man in need. Malachi would have kept it regardless, the same as he kept everything else: tucked just beneath his skin, bound so tightly to his bones that they must have been filled with secrets in place of marrow. His expression remained carefully neutral.

Why, he wanted to ask, why do you say he's turned against you when you've turned against him too?

The question lingered at the back of his tongue. It tasted bitter, as all things did that weren't meant to be said.

When Mister Tully concluded, having admitted his love for another man, Malachi found that the question died away. He looked to Mister Tully before he could consider doing otherwise, and hoped that his surprise was not as clear as it felt. Mister Tully was... Malachi mulled over the thought. He... he wasn't the man that had fallen for Father Richards, was he?

No, not according to what he'd just said. Not if he had only ever loved one man. Malachi gave a small nod.

"What was he like?"