The Master [MxMxM+]

52

The rain beat down on the winshield as the wiper blades moved back and forth, wiping the water off. Tadashi pulled up at the cemetery.

It was the fitting weather for such a place, providing enough gloom for a grieving heart.

He found the figure he was looking for, huddled not so far away from where he had stopped to look.

Alexander's figure crouched in front of a headstone as the rain kept falling on them both. It wasn't a heavy downpour, but it was enough to make him wet.

This Alexander wasn't a repeat of the one he found eight years ago. This one was worse. He hated it, the way he was seemingly accepting everything.

The Alexander he knew was much stronger than that. Did he need time? Was it the letter? Did he really read it?

Tadashi stopped watching his unmoving figure and turned the engine off before grabbing an umbrella from the back seat.

Under the umbrella, Tadashi remained dry as he walked over to his boss. Close enough, he held the umbrella in place to shield them both from the rain.

The only acknowledgment Alexander gave him was a momentary turn of his head as if to look at his shoes. And with the way he turned back to stare straight ahead, he'd known it was Tadashi by his shoes.

"You're going to catch a cold," said Tadashi.

Alexander didn't answer, nor did he move, so his assistant crouched too. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

Water trickled down from Alexander's hair to the sides of his face and down his chin, the drops now falling slowly as he wasn't getting any wetter.

"I don't think there's really much to do at a cemetery," he answered, sounding tired.

Tadashi humored him with a scoff. "I mean what are you doing visiting a random stranger's grave?"

The headstone read 'Lydia McGregor' below that was a short message. 'I probably owe you money...well bye."

"She seemed like a good person." The Master answered.

"Alexander–"

"I couldn't get to his...grave, I just couldn't," Alexander finally moved. He breathed out heavily and pushed back the dark locks from his face.

Tadashi confirmed one thing at least; he needed time.

He looked at a single flower lying on top of the grave. Droplets of water kept rolling off of its white petals, making it look more beautiful than it already was.

"He liked tulips?" Tadashi asked.

Alexander's facial expression didn't change. "His favorite," he answered. "He always liked just one...apparently many flowers weren't as meaningful as just one according to him. The way he thought...the things he said always fascinated me."

"That sort of makes sense the more I think of it," said Tadashi.

Alexander made a sound between agreement and acknowledgement.

Tadashi closed the umbrella as the rain let up and waited a few moments before he spoke. "I think we should leave Lydia here to rest. We need to talk."

"Talk?"

Tadashi nodded. "Before you ask, it's serious."

"What?"

"I'll start talking when you are dry," said Tadashi, he was already up and walking to the car, closed umbrella in hand.

He got there first and went to pull the door open for Alexander. He stopped instead and turned around at the same time Alexander neared him.