[Alphonse sits down on the bed itself, since there's nowhere else, and for a moment, their faces just about match in expression. Then Al loses and bursts out laughing.]
Th-That's... oddly... fitting.
[He reaches up to hide his smile with a hand, still giggling at the mental image, before he looks up again.]
[Sasuke chuckles before stopping, his smile turning into a sad one as he thinks about it. Weasel is the perfect name for his brother. Cunning, quick, deadly. Traitorous.]
Yeah.
[Sasuke wipes the smile from his face all together as he glances back out the window, just watching the rain against the window.]
My father picked it. It's supposed to be the name of a legendary ninja.
[Al studies Sasuke's face for a moment, then looks out at the rain. It's a little strong, and rainy nights still make him distantly both nervous and excited.
After Sasuke tells him this, Al draws his legs up, sitting with his ankles crossed, holding onto them, and regards Sasuke with a soft, thoughtful expression.]
It's just a matter of time.
[The way he says it isn't in the reassuring, matter-of-fact way he has when he's soothing Sasuke's feelings. He says it with assurance, like it's a fact, like he knows.
I know. That's why... I've asked Madara to help me train.
[Sasuke avoids eye contact with the blond, knows he won't like it. When the kitten mews weakly, Sasuke glances down, taking the bottle from her as he leans down to check on her. Pets her, telling her it's all right.
Distractions. He's taking the easy way out. The easy way to get stronger.]
[Al's fingers tighten around his pale ankles, biting into the skin with his nails, until he carefully removes them so they won't bleed, clenching his fists in his lap instead, staring down at them. He takes a deep breath. Lets it out. His voice is dark with barely concealed disgust and hatred, a strange, unsettling and frightening tone for someone with a normally kind, sweet voice.]
... Madara's no better than Orochimaru. He'll hurt you.
[Al's hands are tightening again. He's been there. Seen Sasuke's eyes when he wakes up after nightmares about Orochimaru and what he did to him. Seen the dead, blank look that comes over his face when he talk about his training. About the snakes. About being alone, and giving up literally everything of his innocence and self-worth and willingness to live.
Al doesn't know if he can allow that to happen, right under his nose, no matter what Sasuke wants. No matter what he thinks is right. He just saw him smile. He can't let that innocence and joy slip away.
He feels his nails pop through the skin, and a slight warmth that quickly cools.
Careless. Weak. He feels pretty much like both right now.]
There has to be someone else who can train you...
[But there isn't. He knows it. No one who is strong enough.]
[Sasuke's stroking Mouko, keeping her warm as he continued to eye contact. That brief glimpse of joy is gone now. Locked away.
He'll do what he has to. He's been pretty much unproductive since his arrival almost two months ago. He's had one training session with the person that he hates the most. Gave away the knowledge of all his current abilities in order to hear a tiny bit of praise.
Naruto's much stronger than him now too. He can see it, feel it. The last of his class, better than him. It's humiliating. A blow to his pride, his clan.
He's inferior now. Not taken seriously. He's never taken seriously anymore.]
[Al shifts on the bed, thinks breifly of going to him. It's habit -- his brother, Kamui, the previous Sasuke, even Itachi. Everyone he cares about is best comforted by touch. He also thinks briefly of smacking him, but that would be counterproductive, and a fight he couldn't win. He knows of Sasuke's fragile pride.
... if only Minato were here. Surely he'd train Sasuke in a heartbeat. He knows the story, he cares about Sasuke and Itachi, he'd understand the importance.
But Minato doesn't even have time for Naruto, for his own son. He's out in the Wastelands somewhere, possibly slipping away.
With a soft breath Al gets up, taking a step forwards and before he can stop himself, reaching out to brush Sasuke's cheek with his fingertips. For a moment there might be tears, but he quickly turns away, pulling back his fingers, leaving a small streak of blood on that pale cheek. He turns towards the window, staring outside.]
You don't have to do this... what I told you before, I... when we first met, what I said --
[It's quick and sharp. Cold, even. Slightly detached. He doesn't want to remember what happened his first days here, in Adstringendum. That'd only hurt him, bring back the nightmares that he had difficulty getting rid of.
He's slightly tense, but that's only because of the light touch. He can smell the blood on his cheek too.]
[Al flinches slightly, as if pinched, and quickly looks fully away, going silent. He didn't need Sasuke's command to stop, but it helped. He's torn now. What's more important? Sasuke's innocence or his sanity? It isn't even his to decide, but what Al says now could change Sasuke's future drastically. He already knows one outcome. He CAN be healed.
... the other... he doesn't know if he can.
This is Sasuke's life and well-being he's gambling with. If it were own he'd do it in a second, but this is one of the people he cares most for. He can't hurt him.
He can't do that to him.
He knows Sasuke can survive what's coming. He's strong. He won't break.
It's a sobering thought that Al's words right now could potentially do more damage to this boy than Madara or Orochimaru ever could.
Instead, he takes a deep breath, nodding almost absently, and turns back to Sasuke. Carefully, he shifts to kneel down in front of him, looking seriously up at his face. Right now, he seems very much the big brother. His expression even vaguely resembles Itachi's resigned one, when he's putting up his walls, doing what must be done.]
... and there's nothing I can say that'll stop you?
[Sasuke jumps slightly as Al kneels down in front of him. He doesn't know why, but... that look. The too familiar, too hated look he always got from Itachi. It might have been unintentional on Al's part, but it brings back unwanted memories.
Memories, for him, that always shift into nightmares at night.
Sasuke looks away before he can be caught staring, making a move to get up and away from that face. The last thing he needs is a mental breakdown while recovering from a physical one.]
You should know the answer to that by now, Alphonse.
[He wants his voice to remain cold and sharp. For the most part it does, but there's a hint of something else. His voice wavered just then. He gritted his teeth and just hoped that was missed.
He can't deal with foolish hope that there might be something that can be done. He can't deal with it because it just isn't possible. His mind was made up after the Incursion.]
[Al draws back as soon as Sasuke jumps and shifts, giving him space, drawing a breath, watching him. After a moment the look dissolves into the caring worry Alphonse usually has. After a moment he stands, listening to Sasuke's voice waver, and presses his lips together. He's terrified. But whether it's facing down kidnappers, the Joker, Itachi himself, when Al's thinking, he can't show how afraid he is. When his voice comes back it's soft and slightly broken, but still determined.]
Whatever you choose, I won't abandon you. If I can't protect you and I can't fight beside you and I can't keep you from getting hurt, then at least let me patch your wounds.
[Al glances away a little.]
I don't care what has to happen, if we have to keep it a secret or what, but let me help, okay?
[Sasuke's silent as he walks over to his bed, taking the long route to the side opposite Al. The room went quiet aside from the raging thunderstorms outside, rattling the windows and causing the wind to howl.
Sasuke takes the pillow he had been using to prop up his leg and set it next to his own, creating a makeshift bed for the kitty. He sets her down gently, wrapping her comfortably in the small towel. He sets the bottle on the nightstand next to him before he finally chooses to speak.]
You can if you want. I'm not asking for your help. You'd have to fight with Sakura when it comes to injuries, though.
[What little of his pride he has left won't allow it. He's already bent it in order to ask Madara for help. Bent too far, on the verge of breaking.]
I know I'm not alone, Alphonse. This is the furthest from alone I've been in almost six years.
[Al doesn't turn around, keeping his distance from Sasuke, knowing he needs it. Instead, he goes to the window, staring outside it. Sasuke knows so little about his past, what he's been through and why he understands. On the flipside, Al knows things about this boy that he'd likely never tell ANYONE for a good many years.
He's already lost Itachi to Madara. He's lost the person that knows him down to his core and soul, and now he can literally see Sasuke pulling away and walking towards that painful, tangled trap and there's nothing Al can do but stare silently on.
He's lost his love to this place, and now the cruelty of this world has presented him with a mirror image of that person, a little brother with the face and voice and history of the man he loved, but it still NOT, and now he's watching him walk into something he knows all too well, and is helpless to stop him, or even comfort him when the hurt happens.
The strained silence remains for almost a minute before it almost physically breaks, and Al turns around, giving himself a physical shake of the head, and goes to the chair, taking a bottle of kitten formula and a tiny feeding bottle out of the pocket. He walks over to the bed, leans across it, and sets the items next to the bottle, before staring out of the window at the raging storm.
He gives a sigh, shrugging his shoulders and giving a sheepish grin. And suddenly, strangely, it's like that conversation never happened at all.]
We need to feed Mouko every three hours, at most. That storm says I'm not going anywhere tonight. I guess I'll go beg a cot off Ms. Unohana.
[Sasuke watched as Al placed the forumla on the night stand with a small frown. He acts just like Naruto when it comes to acting like something never even happened. He let out a soft sigh as he headed for the stairs.]
We'll have to have shifts then. I'll go get the cot. Ed would have my head if you tried to go back in this weather.
[Al nods slightly, half-closing his eyes before licking his bottom lip. He face falls a bit as Sasuke heads out of sight, and he reaches out to cradle the squirming kitten to the warmth of his neck. She presses against him and stills, relaxing when confronted with the familiar scent of her caregiver; more familiar now than the scent of her mother and siblings.]
You watch out for him. [He whispers to the tiny kitten, who gives an adorable yawn in reply.] He needs you.
[Sasuke stops at the door and glanced back over his shoulder at Al. With a soft sigh, he turned back around and headed back to his bed, taking his new kitten from Al.]
Go get the cot. I'll tell Ed where you are so he doesn't throw a hissy fit.
[Al freezes, hoping Sasuke hadn't heard him, and glances over his shoulder. ... he hadn't even left the room. God. Al flushes, taking a breath, and nods, heading for the door, eager to get out of the room.]
[Sasuke takes Mouko from Al and pet the kitten, keeping her warm as he took a seat the the edge of his bed. He let Al get his air and cot.
When Al left the room, though, he let out an exhausted sigh, his petting slowing his petting until it stops. This was going to be a long, long night. Most likely sleepless as well.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Offline]
Th-That's... oddly... fitting.
[He reaches up to hide his smile with a hand, still giggling at the mental image, before he looks up again.]
What's your name mean?
[Offline]
Yeah.
[Sasuke wipes the smile from his face all together as he glances back out the window, just watching the rain against the window.]
My father picked it. It's supposed to be the name of a legendary ninja.
[Offline]
After Sasuke tells him this, Al draws his legs up, sitting with his ankles crossed, holding onto them, and regards Sasuke with a soft, thoughtful expression.]
It's just a matter of time.
[The way he says it isn't in the reassuring, matter-of-fact way he has when he's soothing Sasuke's feelings. He says it with assurance, like it's a fact, like he knows.
And he does.]
[Offline]
[Sasuke avoids eye contact with the blond, knows he won't like it. When the kitten mews weakly, Sasuke glances down, taking the bottle from her as he leans down to check on her. Pets her, telling her it's all right.
Distractions. He's taking the easy way out. The easy way to get stronger.]
[Offline]
... Madara's no better than Orochimaru. He'll hurt you.
[Offline]
I'll take the risk. I've gotten careless, weak.
[Offline]
Al doesn't know if he can allow that to happen, right under his nose, no matter what Sasuke wants. No matter what he thinks is right. He just saw him smile. He can't let that innocence and joy slip away.
He feels his nails pop through the skin, and a slight warmth that quickly cools.
Careless. Weak. He feels pretty much like both right now.]
There has to be someone else who can train you...
[But there isn't. He knows it. No one who is strong enough.]
[Offline]
He'll do what he has to. He's been pretty much unproductive since his arrival almost two months ago. He's had one training session with the person that he hates the most. Gave away the knowledge of all his current abilities in order to hear a tiny bit of praise.
Naruto's much stronger than him now too. He can see it, feel it. The last of his class, better than him. It's humiliating. A blow to his pride, his clan.
He's inferior now. Not taken seriously. He's never taken seriously anymore.]
Kakashi? He's busy. Always. Gai, haven't seen. Anko, crazy.
None of them have what I need, anyway. Maybe a year ago, but not now. Not after I've shown him everything I'm capable of.
[Offline]
... if only Minato were here. Surely he'd train Sasuke in a heartbeat. He knows the story, he cares about Sasuke and Itachi, he'd understand the importance.
But Minato doesn't even have time for Naruto, for his own son. He's out in the Wastelands somewhere, possibly slipping away.
With a soft breath Al gets up, taking a step forwards and before he can stop himself, reaching out to brush Sasuke's cheek with his fingertips. For a moment there might be tears, but he quickly turns away, pulling back his fingers, leaving a small streak of blood on that pale cheek. He turns towards the window, staring outside.]
You don't have to do this... what I told you before, I... when we first met, what I said --
[He cuts off.]
[Offline]
[It's quick and sharp. Cold, even. Slightly detached. He doesn't want to remember what happened his first days here, in Adstringendum. That'd only hurt him, bring back the nightmares that he had difficulty getting rid of.
He's slightly tense, but that's only because of the light touch. He can smell the blood on his cheek too.]
Don't mention that shit again.
[Offline]
... the other... he doesn't know if he can.
This is Sasuke's life and well-being he's gambling with. If it were own he'd do it in a second, but this is one of the people he cares most for. He can't hurt him.
He can't do that to him.
He knows Sasuke can survive what's coming. He's strong. He won't break.
It's a sobering thought that Al's words right now could potentially do more damage to this boy than Madara or Orochimaru ever could.
Instead, he takes a deep breath, nodding almost absently, and turns back to Sasuke. Carefully, he shifts to kneel down in front of him, looking seriously up at his face. Right now, he seems very much the big brother. His expression even vaguely resembles Itachi's resigned one, when he's putting up his walls, doing what must be done.]
... and there's nothing I can say that'll stop you?
[Offline]
Memories, for him, that always shift into nightmares at night.
Sasuke looks away before he can be caught staring, making a move to get up and away from that face. The last thing he needs is a mental breakdown while recovering from a physical one.]
You should know the answer to that by now, Alphonse.
[He wants his voice to remain cold and sharp. For the most part it does, but there's a hint of something else. His voice wavered just then. He gritted his teeth and just hoped that was missed.
He can't deal with foolish hope that there might be something that can be done. He can't deal with it because it just isn't possible. His mind was made up after the Incursion.]
[Offline]
Whatever you choose, I won't abandon you. If I can't protect you and I can't fight beside you and I can't keep you from getting hurt, then at least let me patch your wounds.
[Al glances away a little.]
I don't care what has to happen, if we have to keep it a secret or what, but let me help, okay?
... you're not alone, Sasuke.
[Offline]
Sasuke takes the pillow he had been using to prop up his leg and set it next to his own, creating a makeshift bed for the kitty. He sets her down gently, wrapping her comfortably in the small towel. He sets the bottle on the nightstand next to him before he finally chooses to speak.]
You can if you want. I'm not asking for your help. You'd have to fight with Sakura when it comes to injuries, though.
[What little of his pride he has left won't allow it. He's already bent it in order to ask Madara for help. Bent too far, on the verge of breaking.]
I know I'm not alone, Alphonse. This is the furthest from alone I've been in almost six years.
[Offline]
He's already lost Itachi to Madara. He's lost the person that knows him down to his core and soul, and now he can literally see Sasuke pulling away and walking towards that painful, tangled trap and there's nothing Al can do but stare silently on.
He's lost his love to this place, and now the cruelty of this world has presented him with a mirror image of that person, a little brother with the face and voice and history of the man he loved, but it still NOT, and now he's watching him walk into something he knows all too well, and is helpless to stop him, or even comfort him when the hurt happens.
The strained silence remains for almost a minute before it almost physically breaks, and Al turns around, giving himself a physical shake of the head, and goes to the chair, taking a bottle of kitten formula and a tiny feeding bottle out of the pocket. He walks over to the bed, leans across it, and sets the items next to the bottle, before staring out of the window at the raging storm.
He gives a sigh, shrugging his shoulders and giving a sheepish grin. And suddenly, strangely, it's like that conversation never happened at all.]
We need to feed Mouko every three hours, at most. That storm says I'm not going anywhere tonight. I guess I'll go beg a cot off Ms. Unohana.
[Offline]
We'll have to have shifts then. I'll go get the cot. Ed would have my head if you tried to go back in this weather.
[Offline]
You watch out for him. [He whispers to the tiny kitten, who gives an adorable yawn in reply.] He needs you.
[Offline]
Go get the cot. I'll tell Ed where you are so he doesn't throw a hissy fit.
[Offline]
[Offline]
When Al left the room, though, he let out an exhausted sigh, his petting slowing his petting until it stops. This was going to be a long, long night. Most likely sleepless as well.]