madhatted | ic inbox;

ic inbox;

[The voice that of the message is probably not the one you expect. And if you're Gilbert, probably causes traumatic flashbacks. It's certainly Break's voice, but a bit high pitched and more comical...]

Hello, this is Emily! You're obviously an idiot who can't even come see someone in person if it's important, but I'll take pity on you anyways. Leave a message and I'll tell the wonderful and charming Mr. Break about it if it's worth it!

[are you sure you even want to leave a message now]

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[ He's had an eventful day already, what with going to talk to Reim, speaking with Cecil, and now a visitor? He's actually just grabbing a quick meal, since he was planning on going to see Sharon next to let her know about his "reward," but she's beaten him to it.

He opens the door with an expression that at first shows he's clearly not impressed with having his meal interrupted, but it quickly softens and turns much more respectful and friendly to see that it's Sharon. ]

Milady—

[ Which is all he can manage to say, because honestly, he's a bit overwhelmed. He'd never thought he would see her face again, and yet, here she is. Even if she's angry, clearly, it's a little thrilling all the same. He can see now that she's lost some weight, that her cheeks aren't as full as they had once been, that her hair is definitely long and needs to be trimmed, and... So many other details he thought would be lost to him.

His reaction might be a bit strange, but if Sharon is able to push through her displeasure to notice it, the signs that he can see her should be pretty clear. Or just beat him up. Whichever!! ]

[ These details should be kept to himself; Sharon does take pride in her appearance, after all, and she's done her utmost to maintain her health and looks (within reason), but Haven takes its toll on everyone, and she hasn't been sleeping well.

And she'd really love to just bounce straight into a lecture, to pound a fist against his chest and demand to know why, why he'd died, what his relationship was with Ciel, why had he made her promise to stay safe when there were so many people who had suffered, her friends, because she hadn't been able to protect them--

But she has never once missed the subtleties when they were this glaringly obvious. Just to make sure... ]

... You're focused on my face.

[ Wait. ]

[ There's no surprise on his face when she notices, because he had made no effort to conceal it. If anything, his expression softens further, and Break nods as he reaches out to cup her face with his hand affectionately. ]

I can see again, milady.

[ With Reim, he hadn't wasted any time with jumping into the explanation for why that was, having thrust the letter into his hands the same moment he announced it, but for at least a moment? He'd like to pretend that this didn't come at such a heavy price, that it wasa gift. ]

[ For just a few seconds, Sharon leans into the touch. He can see again, and she wonders how that must feel for him, when they'd both accepted that his sight wouldn't be restored.

But she also has to wonder why, except that she suspects, and when she does-- ]

Was it worth it?

[ She honestly wants to know. ]

No.

[ That answer comes easily, though there's a weight with it heard in his voice and reflected in his face. He looks old and world-weary as he says it. ]

I never wanted any reward for what I'd done. But... I had no choice but to accept this one.

[ Well, it wouldn't have been Break if he'd pranced about, squealing about renewed vision-- but there's still a sense of relief that softens Sharon's expression.

But just a bit. ]

... And an arrangement with Miss Ciel? You accepted that too, did you not?

[ He's not surprised that this would come up, but this topic, at least, is something Break had been more resigned to. In theory, it would have been a good solution to the problem at hand, but... It seems Yao had thought of that too.

The soft, regretful expression he had shifts to one that's more serious and resolute. Unfortunately, that's a sign from the start that Break does not regret this one. ]

It was my idea.

[ And there go Sharon's eyebrows, abruptly snapping together. ]

Do tell.

[ Yes, she'd love to hear this. ]

[ His head dips forward slightly, and he reaches up to put a hand over his empty eye socket, an old gesture by now. It doesn't hurt anymore, but he'd gotten so used to that dull, constant pain that it's hard to forget, especially in moments like this. ]

It was my last resort so that I wouldn't hurt so many people. I thought that if I were killed, then for the time it would take to revive me, I couldn't be held liable for what I didn't accomplish.

[ He sighs heavily with a shake of his head ] ...But I was wrong about that, too. It only took a day, not five.

[ Silence, as Sharon ponders this. ]

... And you very well couldn't ask her to keep killing you... I suppose that makes sense. They'd want their own to be around.

[ But she is so not happy about it. ]

[ He shakes his head. ]

No, and I won't ask her to do it again. It is a waste of both of our time and effort. Something else would have to be done. I had asked Reim to see what he could do, but... [ He laughs softly and humorlessly ] It was just before this happened. My timing was either very good or very poor, depending on how you look at it.

So that leaves you with one less option, unless you'd like to ask us to continue to thwart you in some fashion.

[ Which she would do, really, but this could all be avoided if she could just find some way to get rid of his contract. He'd likely lose his sight again, but-- ]

... How many did you end up taking, Break?

Too many. Enough.

[ He shakes his head and that's about all Sharon would get because I don't actually know a number... ]

Enough to be rewarded. [ But that, he says bitterly. ]

[ A pause, heavy. ]

... I'm sorry. I should have tried harder to stop you. [ Stop people from approaching him. Drive them away, if she had to. ]

[ His expression softens, hearing that. He shakes his head, but his tone isn't scolding or demeaning her feelings, even though they would disagree. ]

...You don't need to apologize. I may have become an even bigger burden to you, but... [ He laughs softly ] That is still my fault.

As your family, we shoulder the responsibility together. I've always known that, and I'm not about to change that now.

[ it won't stop her from scolding him for his decisions, but it also won't stop her from wanting to help fix what she can. ]

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ic inbox;

so much scary sharon in my inbox

I could be sorry

but nah

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