Okay that's not the usual response to comforting- but then this whole situation is more than a little unusual and Mal's a private guy and York is letting his own issues cloud the matter so. Slowly, since an immediate withdrawal might kick off compliance and they don't need that, he leans back into his own space. Just as gradually he lets his arm rest on the back of the chair rather than on Malcolm. he can't get him to quit scratching without touching him and right now that just- seems like a bad idea.

Names. Which name are they calling?

"Smith." Oh great they've got at least an hour, then. Fantastic.