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[al_truism]

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[al_truism]

... yeah.

[thelightbringer]

Anyway, if you want to talk about Him, Yuca's a better source. [No less bitter, just more human.]

Did you get any visitors? The event?

[al_truism]

I have talked to Yuca about Him. A lot.

... ah. Yes. My parents, Winry, the Colonel, my teacher, and Maes.

[thelightbringer]

Your dad. How awkward is that?

[al_truism]

I don't... really know how to feel about it. I'm happy that he's here for my Mom, but I don't expect anything to come of it.

[thelightbringer]

Mm. Well it's not like you need him anymore. You've taken care of yourself longer than either of your parents.

[if indeed Al had ever needed a father.]

[al_truism]

... that doesn't mean I never wanted a dad.

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer's expression is soft--for a moment it's as gentle, as understanding, as he had been before he left.]

No. No, there's a difference between what we need and what we want.

[al_truism]

[Damn it, Lucifer. Moments like this are when Al has to work not to like him.]

Even if I grew up okay, I wonder how it might have been, I guess.

[thelightbringer]

I think everyone who's lost a parent wonders. Longs for it, even. And the funny thing is--even if you can find out for sure what it would have been like, it's not quite enough.

[al_truism]

I don't regret the person I've become. I think it made me stronger.

[thelightbringer]

I'm not exactly objective, but I think you're right.

[al_truism]

In this place, being able to handle pain, being able to shrug things off and be pragmatic is going to help me more than a longer childhood would have.

[thelightbringer]

Yes. Luca, especially, needs you to be an adult.

That doesn't mean you didn't miss out.

[al_truism]

No, but I'm long past being sad about that.

I have to accept the fact that Luca's going to grow up fast, too.

[thelightbringer]

Do you know what I learned from Gabriel?

Growing up fast doesn't mean you can't enjoy things the way you would if you were still young.

[al_truism]

Xerxes keeps trying to bring out that side of me. It's probably frustrating.

[Only now does he notice Kitty following at their feet.]

[thelightbringer]

He didn't always show that side of himself either.

[Lucifer looks back at the cat when Al does.]

Good thing I didn't bring Sugarplum, hm?

[al_truism]

No, he didn't. It's sweet when he does it, though.

[Kitty mewls and rubs up against Lucifer's leg, bell ringing. Al stops with a sigh.]

She likes everybody.

[thelightbringer]

Sweet...infuriating...a little of this, a little of that, right?

[He's tall, so he has to kneel down to pet her.]

How did you get her?

[al_truism]

I do love him.

[Al sounds tired but vaguely happy when he says it. He shrugs. Kitty, meanwhile, flops on her back and presents different body parts for petting, mostly her stomach, sides, neck and shoulders.]

It was my first fall here and it was starting to get cold out. It was raining and I found a box of kittens, crying. They were still young enough to be nursing. I waited and the mother didn't come back, so I took them to a friend's house. He was used to raising cats.

He showed me how to feed them, and I hand-raised them. The others all quickly found homes, but- she was special.

[thelightbringer]

... Who doesn't?

[Lucifer, on the other hand, sounds guarded. He listens to Al's story, but says nothing after it.]

[al_truism]

I'm not dumb enough to try anything, Lucifer.

A relationship between us wouldn't work.

[thelightbringer]

Everyone says that, Al.

Besides, you'll be surprised what the other stages of grief can make you want to do.

[al_truism]

I'm not dumb enough to push that on him.