aftercare

[duke_of_illusions]

Barma wakes up an hour or so later, yawning.

Reaching to check on Al right away.

Comments

[duke_of_illusions]

"Al, you faced your worst fear. Even I didn't intend to put you through that."

Scoffing.

[al_truism]

"I had a taste of it. An inkling. Surviving was more important right then.

If I had been left alone with it and nothing else, you would have seen something very different."

He half-smiles, sadly.

"My whole life has been made from facing terrible things. I've learned to stay alive before everything else. That wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Well, it's the last here. If you ever end up in trouble, Dodo will be there with a flutter of a wing to save you."

[al_truism]

"How?"

Gently.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Because I have him watch you."

He admits, softly.

[al_truism]

"Always? Since-?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"Since-"

He has to think.

[al_truism]

"The attack?"

He sounds a little numb.

[duke_of_illusions]

"No."

Shaking his head.

[al_truism]

"After?"

Al sinks into a small bit of listlessness.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Sort of gradually. He started asking to."

[al_truism]

"... Dodo?"

Al reaches out a hand, into the air.

[duke_of_illusions]

"He isn't spying- if that's what you're worried about. He sometimes tries to tell me about you in his way, but it's only very birdish snatches of thought. Today, you nested- preened, molted- he thinks you're shiny, and tells me so."

[al_truism]

"Shiny?"

Al laughs, still not quite there. He keeps reaching, as if he can find Dodo.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Shiny."

Smiling.

[al_truism]

"I love him too," he murmurs. "May I see him?"

[duke_of_illusions]

The bird lands on the ground next to them, with an almighty and graceless whumpf.

The illusion fades. They're in their room.

[al_truism]

Al's face brightens, and he moves to lean against him, fingers fumbling to find the scratchy places he likes.

"Thank you."

[duke_of_illusions]

"He doesn't want you to be scared."

[al_truism]

"... I feel safer. Knowing that the both of you watch out for me."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Good. I don't want to be intrusive."

[al_truism]

"I know I don't mind, personally, you or him watching anything I do. And Ryo wouldn't. I'm not sure about the others."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Oh, he's discrete."

He promises.

[al_truism]

"... I tell you about my escapades anyway," Al laughs softly. He nuzzles Dodo's soft feathers.

"Most of them. Did I tell you about the aquarium?"

[duke_of_illusions]

"No. But that place is getting around."

Grinning.