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.
It's very calming, and so normal it's therapeutic. Al doesn't forget that Dodo is a chain, but by the time tea is done he's cuddled up to Dodo's side, finding places deep in the fluffy feathers to rub and gently scratch.
He's more relaxed than he's ever been since the attack.
Al will find himself preened, in that case. It may be a little disconcerting, having a beak larger than his head ruffling through his hair, so Barma glances over to interfere if he needs to.
"It's just- a bit of a shock. I'm trying to think of ways to protect you. I know it's mostly irrational, but the idea of keeping you close for a little while is wildly relieving."
"But the violation of an attempted sexual assault is a distinct experience. I have had my wrist, ribs, and jaw broken by an aggressor, and if I were forced to relive either that or the rape, I'd personally choose the more violent assault."
"You needn't, Al. I'd rather you didn't. I want to control the amount of suffering he caused. Nothing would irritate him more than to know I can live unperturbed."
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:15 am (UTC)Barma smiles, and reaches down to show him how he likes to be scratched.
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-07 07:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-07 07:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-07 07:27 am (UTC)Barma murmurs, indulgently, going to put tea on and leaving Al to his pet.
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:33 am (UTC)He's more relaxed than he's ever been since the attack.
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:38 am (UTC)He offers him the bowl of sugar cubes, stealing just enough to doctor their tea. The bird holds his beak open.
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:42 am (UTC)"I didn't know birds could have sugar."
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:46 am (UTC)He admits.
"But it takes more than that to kill a chain."
Dodo is painstakingly gentle, careful of Al.
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Date: 2011-11-07 07:50 am (UTC)"You two seem an odd pair, but you work so well together."
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Date: 2011-11-07 08:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-07 05:47 pm (UTC)Al leans into the giant chain. It seems that he's not only a cuddler when it comes to Rufus.
"Then I'm glad you're not shy with me, Dodo. You're very sweet."
He gives him another sugar cube, gentle.
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Date: 2011-11-07 10:45 pm (UTC)"Can you stay?"
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Date: 2011-11-07 10:56 pm (UTC)"I really want to," he admits. More than anything, right now.
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Date: 2011-11-07 11:01 pm (UTC)Breathing softly.
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Date: 2011-11-07 11:04 pm (UTC)A touch of concern.
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Date: 2011-11-07 11:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-07 11:14 pm (UTC)"I'll heal from this. I got away before anything really happened."
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Date: 2011-11-07 11:21 pm (UTC)Offering him the teacup.
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Date: 2011-11-07 11:27 pm (UTC)"... I've had a lot of things happen to me before this, too. Some of them were worse."
He trails off, closed away a bit.
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Date: 2011-11-08 06:09 am (UTC)He agrees,
"But the violation of an attempted sexual assault is a distinct experience. I have had my wrist, ribs, and jaw broken by an aggressor, and if I were forced to relive either that or the rape, I'd personally choose the more violent assault."
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Date: 2011-11-08 06:24 am (UTC)"... Rufus. ... I didn't know you'd..."
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Date: 2011-11-08 06:29 am (UTC)Leaning down to give him a quick kiss.
"You needn't, Al. I'd rather you didn't. I want to control the amount of suffering he caused. Nothing would irritate him more than to know I can live unperturbed."
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Date: 2011-11-08 06:38 am (UTC)"Who-?"
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Date: 2011-11-08 06:39 am (UTC)He promises him.
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