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[al_truism]

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[al_truism]

[Al waits for him to form the thought, patient and brushing a lock of hair behind his ear.]

[ex_apricots766]

I'm terrible, [ is what it turns into and before he knows it his eyes have pooled. he presses an arm against his eyelids. ]

Why the fuck is he here? Why can't Claude be here if he's here? Even the fucking Ruler of Hell is here, and my Claude isn't!

[al_truism]

[There's nothing Al can say to talk him out of feeling terrible. Instead of offering hollow comforts or explanations for why he shouldn't feel bad, Al just hugs him close.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ they're like this for a few minutes, and alois hides his face against him. this is the best thing about being small and he wonders if luca fancies it as much as he does. ]


... He had a Bitter Rabbit, [ he murmurs quiet, an afterthought. ] I've one back home. When I was twelve, one winter I was really ill with pneumonia, and I didn't see Claude much. He was going to town a lot. He brought one home for me.

[ his face draws back. ] Do you think Ciel's here, too?

[al_truism]

[Al ruffles his hair softly, just listening.]

Ciel used to be here -- more than once. He's not right now.

[ex_apricots766]

[ absently, he's playing with al's sleeve. ] This place is so strange. Did you know him?

[al_truism]

I did, the first time he was here. ... it's a long story, but he drew Sebastian away from me. After that, we cut ties.

[ex_apricots766]

[ ... the fuck!!!! ]

Don't let Sebastian eat you, too—!

[al_truism]

Shhh, shh-

[Al kneels down to hug him closer.]

No danger of that, dear one. There are bigger things than him in the city, and Ciel left him strict orders.

[ex_apricots766]

[ ;_; al he's just gonna stay the night in your kangaroo pou- oh wait. ]

... Better— better have. I'm sick of it. [ then, with face nestled against shoulder. ] What is Ciel like? I've wanted to know him for such a long time. Do you think he'd like me?

[al_truism]

He's- he doesn't like or trust people very much. He's prickly and hard to get close to, and he never did really trust me, even if he did come through for me.

Urahara knew him much better. They were fairly close... I think he was the closest thing Ciel ever had to a friend here.

[ex_apricots766]

Because he has candy. [ :T ]

[al_truism]

Somehow, yes.

[ex_apricots766]

[ just. cracks up softly against him. ]

[al_truism]

[A few seconds, and Al does the same, giving him a big hug.]

... I wanted to show you something.

[ex_apricots766]

What is it?

[al_truism]

Come see?

[He'll lead him back toward his room, and open up the closet, taking something from the top shelf.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ he pads after him and immediately goes up on his toes to try and peek over al's shoulder as he's taking whatever it is from the closet. ]

[al_truism]

[The box contains the train set -- but one of the pieces is newer. A bright red caboose.]

It's for you.

[ex_apricots766]

[ a ghost is typing this because i'm dead. ]

[ all delight and thrill, he sets to opening it immediately. and, there it is: the old little train al made for jim. there's no recollection but he's staring at it without saying anything, quietly awed. he doesn't pull it out yet, but he places a hand on it. ]

A train...?

[al_truism]

... yeah.

I- I made it for you. You need something to call yours.

[ex_apricots766]

[ it's a beautiful train, but (and oh my god al i am so sorry) he's already picking at the caboose's red paint because it makes him anxious. ]

It's wonderful. [ he glances back up, with a tiny laugh. ] Is it because you know I want to go everywhere?

[al_truism]

[Al doesn't mind it. If he got uptight every time one of kids messed up their toys... well.]

Have you ever been on one?

[ex_apricots766]

I wasn't allowed to leave. Remember?

[ pick, pick. p- pick. ] Have you been on one?

[al_truism]

... I didn't have a home when I was your age. I spent most of my time riding on trains. Or walking.