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[maddest]

[You rang?]

Comments

[maddest]

Probably eat her, she's going to grow to hip height on you.

[al_truism]

We should introduce them while she's still small, if we're going to introduce them at all.

[maddest]

Let's try!

We can leash Sugarplum.

[al_truism]

Will she stand for that?

[Al giggles, rubbing behind her ears.]

A floating leash and harness.

[maddest]

Oh yes, we practice walking, have since she was little.

[al_truism]

How long have you had her?

[maddest]

She's a 'you saved my life' present.

[al_truism]

[Al smiles at her thoughtfully, a little sadly, and arranges Break's blankets before he heads over to the bookshelf to look for something good.]

What would you like to read-?

[maddest]

In case of any violent backlash.

[Kissing the top of her head, before settling back on the pillow.]

I've got a nice mystery novel we might try.

[al_truism]

Nobody would have hurt you for saving him.

[He sounds horrified at the thought, but glances back.]

[maddest]

People have hurt me for stupider things.

[Going to pull a book down.]

It's an awful city, and I've been in more violent altercations here than you know, little mouse.

[al_truism]

[Al touches his sleeve.]

... you're brave, you know.

[maddest]

For what? It's only bravery when you make good choices, not when you have no choice.

[al_truism]

... you risked everything to do it, though. You say you have no choice, but there are very few people who would go through what you have for the sake of doing what's needed.

You do what needs doing, no matter whether it's easy, or whether everyone else thinks it's right.

[maddest]

Al, everyone loses everything, in the end. If you live your life ruled by fear, trying to cling on to everything that is already transitory, you'll only be left with nothing and a heart full of regret.

Better to have nothing, and your own self-confidence.

[al_truism]

[Al is silent, for a long while, trying to think things through and over and backwards.]

... I've spent all this time, thinking you were wrong- but everything you've done has helped.

[maddest]

Al, don't say that unless you mean it.

[al_truism]

No, I-

[He looks up at him, right into Break's eyes.]

I've thought about it. A lot. And the reason I'm so scared is because I'm seeing my own failures over and over. When really, I'm the one who made the mistakes.

I can't forgive Lucifer. But-

What you're doing. What you've done with him... it's working. When all of this first started, I thought he didn't truly care about you. I thought that he believed you were a toy, that he'd toss you aside when things stopped being convenient for him.

... but I was wrong about that.

[maddest]

That... means a great deal to hear you say. I value your good opinion of me. More than I should, perhaps, but-

Being at odds with you, even as subtly as this, it hasn't been pleasant.

[al_truism]

Me too, Break.

I'm not saying that I don't... still have doubts about the situation. But it's a doubt born of fear, because I've failed. But you aren't me. I'm willing to accept the possibility that I'm wrong to be afraid. I'm willing to hope with all my heart that I am.

[Al slips his hand into Break's, warm and steady.]

I trust you to do what needs to be done. No matter what happens, no matter what decisions you make, or how everything turns out, this is unconditional. I will always care about you and believe in you.

[maddest]

Al, you could crack a heart of stone.

[His eyes are certainly closed tight.]

[al_truism]

[He leans his cheek against Break's shoulder and doesn't push him further.]

[maddest]

I really love you.

[al_truism]

[Al laughs, rubs his face against Break's shoulder to hide the threat of tears.]

You had to say it.

[maddest]

Yes, I did.