[Video] 41

[maddest]

[Like so many others will this week, Break wakes up screaming. The PCD isn't pointed at the bed, so it doesn't capture anything but sound until he scrambles off of it, past the camera and towards the window, throwing it open to get fresh air.

This all hits a little close to home.]

Why-

[He asks, hoarsely, a few minutes later,]

-does the network insist on displaying our grief? The timing is too consistent to be accidental.

Comments

[al_truism]

Can I tell you a secret?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[al_truism]

I never fully trusted him. Not really.

And it still surprised me.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Me too.

[al_truism]

I kind of wonder if he sensed it.

If things would have been different, if I had.

[He shrugs a little.]

I don't blame myself for it, not anymore, but sometimes I wonder.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Would you blame me? If I told you that story?

[al_truism]

Which story?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

About not trusting him, but being surprised.

[al_truism]

Of course not.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

There you are, then.

[al_truism]

[A small smile, and Al stops behind his chair, leans down to hug him around the shoulders.]

I did miss you. Terribly.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Enough of this.

[al_truism]

[He pulls back, immediately.]

I'm sorry.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Not angry- just at my threshhold.

[al_truism]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Alphonse, calm yourself.

[Sipping his tea.]

[al_truism]

... I need a minute.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I'm really not upset. It's fine.

[al_truism]

It's not you.

[He quietly crosses to pour himself some more tea.]

Rough week. That's all.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Have a little extra sugar in that. It'll help.

[al_truism]

Maybe.

[He gives him a tight smile.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Have I steered you wrong in this yet? Put on your smile.

[al_truism]

[A deep breath, and he does.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

It helps to remember how ridiculous it looks.

[al_truism]

[He can't help but laugh a little.]

It does, huh?