[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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Comments

[armoured]

[He snorts, but he won't argue with that.]

I'm heading down to the entrance area, I need to get supplies pretty soon and I want to check out the fast food restaurant.

[Especially now he's lost Joker. So. Annoyed.]

[spoileralert]

Aw, I'm jealous. You'll have to have some coffee in my place.

[armoured]

How about I save you some? For if-- if we meet up again.

[There's just the hint of sadness behind that.]

[spoileralert]

When we meet up again.

[ It's not like Al to be so pessimistic. ]

Don't forget we've got a war to end back in your world.

[armoured]

[It's a long... long pause, and his voice is pretty subdued when he replies.]

You're still coming back with me? I thought-- I thought you would want-- I mean... you have Zach.

[spoileralert]

[ what.... Al what... ]

Zach doesn't want to go back to his world. My world is great and all, but it doesn't have you. If I can there are a lot of people I'd like to help, but if I only get to choose one... well, it's a no-brainer.

[armoured]

[There's another long pause, and this time his voice is so distinctly cracked. Like he would be crying if that were even possible for him.]

S-Steph--

[Just give him a minute.]

I thought you didn't want to any more, I thought-- I thought you were forgetting about me.

[spoileralert]

Al... [ Jesus, this is heart-wrenching. She suspected he might be bitter that she chose to go after Zach, but after the last time they talked she thought he understood. ]

You were there for me when I didn't have anyone else. I'm never gonna forget about you, no matter who else comes in to my life.

[armoured]

[He's not bitter, he's just sad.]

M-Mm.

[It's not much of a reply, just a shaky sort of hum, but it's all he can manage without embarrassing himself further.]

[spoileralert]

[ Oh gosh don't cry, baby! ]

I love you, Al. I mean it.

[armoured]

[He hiccoughs and his voice is thick despite his best efforts, even though he can't actually cry.]

I love you too.

[Stupid, he's so stupid.]

It's just-- you died, and you didn't even wait to see me. You came back this whole different person with new memories and-- and it felt like you didn't need me any more.

>> private;

[spoileralert]

Oh.

[ She stares at the feed for a minute, not really sure what to say. Finally she switches the feed to private. ]

I'm sorry, Al. I wasn't expecting it to be the last time we saw each other. I thought we'd all meet up again, you know? And it's not that... we're not friends because I needed something from you.

private;

[armoured]

[There's the quiet sound of a shuddering exhale as he tries to bring himself under control.]

I know that. I'm sorry.

[He's not going to say any more, not when it sounds like whining in his own head. So he forces himself to try and sound more cheerful.]

So, uh-- so does Zach know he's coming to Amestris too?