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[maddest]

[You rang?]

Comments

[maddest]

[It gets worse, this time, settling deep in his lungs. He spits blood into his white sleeve, and curses softly.]

Time to go back to the black and blue coats.

[al_truism]

... Break-

Come on. Back to bed with you. You can bring your tea.

[maddest]

I'm fine, I need to get moving for the day.

[al_truism]

You just coughed up blood. I can't remember the last time that happened.

[He picks up Break's mug.]

The world will function without you while you rest, I promise.

[maddest]

All the benefits of angel-healing.

[Soft laughter.]

[al_truism]

[Al doesn't laugh. Too worried. Instead he gently shoos him to his feet, back up to his room.]

[maddest]

I'm fine, Alphonse!

[Outright exasperated.]

[al_truism]

Please. Just for a little while.

[maddest]

[Casting him a look.]

I will tolerate this, this once. And then you will recall that you didn't extend me the same courtesy last week, so you don't have a leg to stand on.

[al_truism]

[Al gives him a warm hug in response.]

I appreciate it.

[maddest]

But honestly, this isn't going to get better, and I'm not going to put up with fussing.

[al_truism]

Not even a little?

[Al presses the mug into his hands, leading the way.]

I could curl up with you for a while and read to you.

[maddest]

Only today.

[Shrugging.]

But I'm not an invalid. I kept this city running while you were all comatose, and don't forget it.

[al_truism]

I couldn't forget it.

[He means that.]

Only today, I promise.

[maddest]

Wonderful.

How are you recovering?

[al_truism]

Slowly. I'm trying to take it a little easier.

No late nights. No long patrols when it's cold.

[maddest]

Not a terrible idea. It'll take a bit to come back from.

[al_truism]

Romulus is already fussing. I had him over the morning I woke up and he insisted on cooking for me.

[maddest]

Well.

[Sipping his tea.]

I'm trying to do the same.

[al_truism]

[Al plays with the edge of Break's blanket, giving it a light tug.]

I should have listened to you. You were right when you told me to tell them. And to lay down.

[maddest]

Don't worry. No one listened to me. I had to chase each of you individual bastards out into the streets where you fell down into ditches.

[al_truism]

How many did you have to chase down?

[Urging him into the bed, fluffing the blankets up.]

[maddest]

Too many.

[Saved from answering by the fact that at this minute, a kitten rubs up against Al's leg.

A completely invisible kitten.]

[al_truism]

[Al feels it, and looks down... finding absolutely nothing.]

... does someone have a cat-?

[maddest]

That's Sugarplum. She's mine- she's invisible. Be careful, her claws are razors.

[Literally. But her sweet little front paws go up on his leg, as she stands up and starts to mewl for attention, kneading a tiny bit. He wasn't kidding.]