Ah, if you don't mind terribly, I just might take you up on that offer.
[It's not the darkness that bothers him, or the trip back. Both are laughable when one considers the shinigami he is. Rather, it's the loneliness of returning to an empty house with a heavy heart. Too many people have come and gone lately, among them several allies and most recently, his 'daughter' from the family event.
He knows that Al knows that, and is grateful for the thoughtfulness.]
... I'm glad you were there for him today. And every time, really. I mean, I never even properly thanked you for giving the boys a place to stay when I... left.
Ah, no, wait... [Fluttering of the fan as he fumbles through his pockets before pulling out a piece of cloth. His handkerchief is still drying, so Al will have to make do with this makeshift one.] Okay, ready~!
[He smells like smoke and tea. Al stays where he is, breathing in slowly, mind wandering. They'll get through this. They're strong enough for this. It'll be difficult but they will handle it.
[He gets an affectionate smile and another nod as Urahara gestures for him to lead the way before following behind him, pausing briefly outside the boys' room, head cocked, listening, sensing.]
[Al doesn't falter in his step, but he looks back at him as he turns to the linen closet, getting out sheets before continuing down the hallway more. The room is a simple one, but cozy. Al starts to quickly change the sheets.]
[There's a hum before Urahara flops down on the bed. Before quickly reaching out and tugging Al down with him to wrap him up in another strong hug. He doesn't say anything, and Al is free to pull away, but really... That dry spot doesn't need to stay dry.]
You think you're over it. Months, years, even decades pass without it hurting every day, with you opening your eyes to just another day instead of another day without them. Then something... a song, a certain way of pronouncing a word, a breathless laugh, even the briefest of looks or the way someone holds their head, will bring it all crashing back and it's a fresh as the first moment it happened.
It does get better and go away... Only gets a little more buried with time.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:08 am (UTC)[It's not the darkness that bothers him, or the trip back. Both are laughable when one considers the shinigami he is. Rather, it's the loneliness of returning to an empty house with a heavy heart. Too many people have come and gone lately, among them several allies and most recently, his 'daughter' from the family event.
He knows that Al knows that, and is grateful for the thoughtfulness.]
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:12 am (UTC)[Soft, and with real warmth.]
... I'm glad you were there for him today. And every time, really. I mean, I never even properly thanked you for giving the boys a place to stay when I... left.
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:15 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:17 am (UTC)Thank you.
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:20 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:22 am (UTC)I-I'm not going to cry on you, don't worry-
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:26 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:30 am (UTC)... we could both use a hug, though, at least.
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:35 am (UTC)Now, now~ There was no need to be so coy if that's all you wanted!
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:36 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:38 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:43 am (UTC)After some time, he pulls back enough to get up.]
Come on, I'll get fresh blankets for you.
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Date: 2012-10-15 06:49 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 06:52 am (UTC)... are they okay?
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:04 am (UTC)[He lets a few tendrils of his reiatsu flow into the room to soothe away any restlessness brought on by bad dreams before following Al into the room.]
Ah, I hope I haven't taken anyone's room.
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:11 am (UTC)[He gives a little smile and shakes his head, patting the blankets into place, making hospital corners.]
... no. This room's been... free for several months now.
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:19 am (UTC)It seems I stepped on something a little sensitive...
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:24 am (UTC)[But if Urahara takes a look at the desk, the bookshelf -- this is Negi's old room.]
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:27 am (UTC)Ah... My apologies.
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:31 am (UTC)Please don't worry about it, okay?
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:39 am (UTC)[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 07:45 am (UTC)He tries to swallow and can't, tries to breathe and can't. Sometimes it hits him like a punch to the gut, the reality of it.
It occurs to him that Urahara is holding him because Negi can't.
That's all it takes for him to muffle a tiny sob.]
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:54 am (UTC)Let it out, Alphonse-san... Today's ending and tomorrow will be a new day, so let go and just be in the here and now.
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Date: 2012-10-15 07:57 am (UTC)[It's not. Years and it's not, never mind that the memories are so fresh he can taste them.]
Does it?
[Offline]
Date: 2012-10-15 08:05 am (UTC)[Unyielding and blunt.]
You think you're over it. Months, years, even decades pass without it hurting every day, with you opening your eyes to just another day instead of another day without them. Then something... a song, a certain way of pronouncing a word, a breathless laugh, even the briefest of looks or the way someone holds their head, will bring it all crashing back and it's a fresh as the first moment it happened.
It does get better and go away... Only gets a little more buried with time.
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