[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

[If there's one thing Adstringendum is good at, it's yanking people around. Where Horst had been laughing and giddy the night before, he's...well, not now.]

Mina was sent home. I'm sure those of you who knew here are aware, but....

[But he personally checked everywhere she could possibly have gone. Just in case. Hope springs eternal, they say

Comments

[Video]

[bloodseal_soul]

...

Oh no.

[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst doesn't know what to say--he's not one of those people, yet, who will brush it off with 'it happens'. But he has too much guilt over Mina to be completely honest about what he's feeling.

He's left speechless, for once, and he barely manages a nod.]

[Video]

[bloodseal_soul]

[Al goes silent, but then nods to himself, determined.]

... would you mind a hug?

[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

[The night has been sliding from bad to worse, and Horst's voice is a little hoarse from finishing up Break's brandy. And that fight with Johannes.]

I don't mind.

[Video -> Offline]

[bloodseal_soul]

I'll be over in a minute.

[He won't leave him alone, not like this. Not after losing someone this important. So he packs up and knocks on the door a short while later.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

[He's gone, of all places, back to the church. But he opens the door and lets Al in, not quite looking at him.]

[Offline]

[bloodseal_soul]

[Al's never liked the church. Too many bad memories, too many deaths. His eyes are drawn to the altar momentarily, but Horst wins out.

Silently, a little fussily, Al unfolds the fuzzy blanket he's carrying and pulls it around Horst's shoulders. It's more for comfort than warmth -- but it's red, and incredibly soft.]

I pull this out for the bad days.

[A tiny, weary smile, but he tugs Horst towards the pews to find a seat.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

It gets a lot of use, then?

[That was supposed to be a joke. It doesn't come out that way. He lays his head on Al's shoulder when they're seated and just closes his eyes for a moment.]

[Offline]

[bloodseal_soul]

More than I'd like it to.

[Al slides an arm around his shoulders, under the blanket, and strokes his hair. It's slow, repetitive and hopefully comforting.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst makes a soft sound, not sure if he ought to indulge machismo and move away. He doesn't.]

I'm glad she'll have Akira where she is.

[Offline]

[bloodseal_soul]

[Al's glad that he doesn't. Touching always helps. Horst smells a bit like booze, but it's familiar.]

Akira?

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

Her fiancé.

[He has to lift a hand and set it on Al's other shoulder to steady himself.]

He'll be better for her than I was...I know that.

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[bloodseal_soul]

[Al's eyes blink a little wide at that, and he shifts to look at Horst's face. Then, he breaks into a little, hapless smile.]

Oh, come on. You're not half bad.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

[He shakes his head sharply]

You don't know that. You're my friend....

I wasn't good to her, Al. Cheated on her.

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[bloodseal_soul]

[Al falls silently and then rests his mouth against Horst's hairline, still stroking his hair back. Maybe he misjudged how tipsy and/or drunk Horst is.]

That wasn't good, no. But the point of mistakes is to grow up a bit, isn't it?

[He rubs his thumb against the back of his neck.]

You have a good heart. I wouldn't care so much about you if you didn't.