Thirty-fifth rebirth [Video]

[neverquitedies]

[Yuca is smiling, humming a quaint little children's song to himself while he gently pulls the sewing needle through a shirt that can be recognized as the overlarge one that Rain had been wearing upon his arrival. It looks significantly smaller now, possibly even the correct size.]

So, I've been thinking, [he murmurs happily,] we should organize

Comments

[voice][private: unhackable]

[mister_hatter]

He's precious, Yuca.

[voice][private: unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

I'm well aware.

[voice][private: unhackable]

[mister_hatter]

Listen, to make up for nearly breaking your nose, would you like me to show you how to cook him something that doesn't taste like cardboard?

[Aware of his... limitations.]

[voice][private: unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

...are you sure? I did almost break your ribs in turn.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[bloodseal_soul]

[Al hasn't spoken to the boy. He's never been good at lying. Never felt comfortable talking to someone, knowing something that they should. He understands the need for silence, but in this case...]

... he's a sweetheart. I can see how he grew into the Rain I met.

[The Rain that went out of his way to tell Alphonse, to warn him. Before it was too late. ... the Rain that he watched Yuca deliberately dig into, try to break down, bit by bit...

Al has his chin on his hands, saying nothing. He's afraid. Afraid for all of them, but especially for Yuca, almost more than for Rain.]

Yuca? What are you going to do?

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

[He's quiet. In a way, Yuca had expected to be scolded, told he shouldn't handle a child, asked where he lived- but perhaps that was for later.

Now, Yuca is setting down his sewing, staring off-camera (presumeably at the child that had started this whole fiasco), and taking a long, deep breath at the question.]

...I don't know, [he murmurs finally,] but he's going to be safe. And he's going to stay with me.

[There's a hint of possessiveness in that tone that isn't particularly sane.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[bloodseal_soul]

[Trapped. That's the feeling. He can't see what will happen either way... he has to talk to Break. He needs to.]

I don't doubt that you'll protect him. [He didn't. Not in the least. If there's anything that Al's sure of, it's that Yuca loves Rain with every bit of himself... but that love is a twisted love, and he knows very well about how easy it is, at that age, to believe. To never speak up when something's wrong.]

... this is before you met him, huh?

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[neverquitedies]

...it is.

[He admits it quietly, letting his eyes drift shut. In truth, he wasn't sure what he felt for this child. He loved him as he'd loved Rain, and yet- he was taking care of him so he could hurt him later, wasn't he? It wasn't a question in his mind that he needed to keep Rain with him, always and forever, and yet he couldn't bring himself to hurt the boy, or allow any harm to come to him.

He sighs.]

What is it, Alphonse? There's something on your mind.

[ff_red_turk]

Law enforcement when people come from different planets is impossible.

[neverquitedies]

Why do you say that?

[ff_red_turk]

Because we have different concepts of what's right and wrong.

And your conception of them is clearly at odds with most people's.

[neverquitedies]

Then people should get together and agree on something.

Unless you want people like Folk to take over? What we need is a unified front through compromise.

[hyuugahime]

Well, we d-don't really have enough children for a school, do we ?

[Although law enforcement, she knows.]

[neverquitedies]

It doesn't have to be formal! Just simple things, really. Survival tactics, reading, things like that.

[hyuugahime]

A-Ano ... I don't know if I can teach, but if I can help the younger ones ... it's what a shinobi should do.

[neverquitedies]

I'll keep you updated!

[Private | Video]

[dreams_are_mine]

Of course, you're always welcome to come back if you like~ &hearts

[Private | Video]

[neverquitedies]

Thank you! I appreciate the offer.