domesticity

[duke_of_illusions]

Al had stayed over last night... and hasn't quite left this morning, either. The day is stretching on, and Barma is still beautifully comfortable, now immersed in a book, as his fingers trail through Al's hair.

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[al_truism]

It's a day or two after seeing Break that he seeks out Barma. He feels stable enough for it now.

The knock is a little hesitant.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

He opens the door for him.

"Alphonse."

Smiling.

[al_truism]

Al smiles back. His hand is still bandaged, though he lifts his arms up for a hug.

"Missed you," he murmurs.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You too."

Holding him tight.

"Are you hurt? What are the bandages from?"

[al_truism]

Al lingers a little in the hug, still favoring his hand and arm a bit.

"... I'll tell you once we're inside?" he promises.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Come in."

Not letting go of him, he lifts him up a touch and walks them backwards.

[al_truism]

Al laughs a little, hugging closer. Rufus has his moments of utter sweetness. He nudges the door closed with a foot.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Are you all right? What do you need from me?"

Soft.

[al_truism]

"Say I can stay with you tonight?"

Softly.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Absolutely."

He tells him, seriously.

[al_truism]

Al lets his breath out.

"Someone tried to hurt me a few days ago. He had chloroform, and he snuck up behind me in the piano room."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Good God."

Soft.

[al_truism]

"... he put cigarettes out on my arm and hand," he explains, quietly into Barma's shoulder.

His voice is very flat.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"What did he look like?"

Dodo is suddenly perched on the bed,

[al_truism]

"... short brown hair. Blue eyes. A silver earring in his left ear, and a scar over his left eyebrow. Roughly six feet tall."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"All right. Where did you see him last."

The bird's beak clacks.

[al_truism]

"Room 1014."

He says it in a whisper.

"... Rufus, he's..."

A very deep breath.

"He's already dead."

And there are the tears, fighting to emerge.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Good."

Instantly. And his wild, old, beautiful chain hops off the bed, landing on the ground next to them with an impact that rattles the light fixtures a little. He looks up at Al with perplexed red eyes.

[al_truism]

Still holding onto Rufus, Al looks back at Dodo, and the threat of tears fades. He gives him a tiny smile.

It's not often he gets to see him.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

The second time, after the picnic with Negi. And he's already been around longer than that flash. Dodo cocks his pretty head at him and croons.

[al_truism]

"Did Rufus call you out?" he asks softly, a touch shy.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

The bird shakes it's head. Barma hides his smile in Al's hair.

[al_truism]

"You were concerned for me?"

Quiet, but touched.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"We both are."

Barma speaks.

"He's- well, you've been rather intimate with him, indirectly."

[al_truism]

"How so?"

Al lifts his head to look back at Rufus.