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.

Comments

[al_truism]

"I'll be okay," he whispers, promising the both of them.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Yes, you will."

He smiles.

[al_truism]

"But I need to not be alone for a while," he admits, softly.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You can stay as long as you can stand my company."

He smiles up at him.

"I found a book that made me think of you. About the anatomy of kindness."

[al_truism]

"I think your patience will run out before mine will." He laughs, softly, and nuzzles him.

"Oh...? Tell me about it?" He settles down, cuddling against Rufus and Dodo with tea.

Life really can't get much better.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"I haven't read it. It's about the feeling."

He smiles.

"You can explain it to me."

[al_truism]

"A book you haven't read?"

Al gives him a fluttery, sweet kiss on the cheek.

"I'll do my best."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

He smiles up at him.

"Is there anything you'd like to know?"

[al_truism]

"Mostly how I managed to get lucky enough to be with someone like you."

Stealing away a kiss.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"That's sweet."

Barma smiles.

"I think it's me that has the luck."

[al_truism]

"Both of us, then."

He winks.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Good."

He smiles.

"And you don't look down on me for what I told you?"

[al_truism]

"Sweetheart-"

His voice breaks a little, and he draws him closer.

"Never. God, no. How could anyone?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Many people have very explicit views about these things."

Firm.

[al_truism]

Al pulls back to look at him, confused and pained by the thought.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"The important thing is to ignore them, in favour of finding your own support network."

[al_truism]

Al's frown lets him know what he thinks of that.

"Everyone has their own issues and secrets. There is no one without them. A support network goes both ways, besides. If we look for someone to take care of us all the time..."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Oh, of course you'll take care of them in return."

He insists, reading that in.

[al_truism]

Al nods, slowly.

"... I've only in the past few years realized that I truly needed one. Or even really how to be one."

He shakes his head. "I grew up ignoring all problems that didn't have an immediate and tangible solution."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"That sounds productive."

Smiling, indulgently.

[al_truism]

Al stops, shaking his head.

"... I think I misunderstood you. When you said 'the important thing is to ignore them', I thought you mean that was the opinion of the people you were talking about, directed toward those who have been hurt."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"-I assume you wouldn't be friends with the ones who would think such dreadful things."

He explains, cautiously.

"Ignore the opinions of the cruel, the gossip of strangers."

[al_truism]

"I wouldn't," he promises, feeling terrible for allowing Rufus even a moment of doubt.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Wonderful."

He agrees.

[al_truism]

"Rufus..." Al thumbs his cheek, gently.

"I will never think less of you. I will never see you anything but what you are. You are a strong, incredibly kind, very smart, and impossibly brave man." Al's fingers brush back into his hair.

"I refuse to listen to anyone who can't see that."

He brushes his hair behind his ear.

"Including Xerxes."