I'll Be Seeing You {RadioDust}

Chapter 63

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Sunday, August 12th, 1923
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Anthony took a deep breath and nodded, carefully setting his brush down before standing.
"I'll go get him. Stay put, missy."
He said in a sort of teasing way in hopes it would lighten the mood just a little before the intense wave of emotions hit them all.

He left the room and started making his way downstairs.
"Hey, Al?"
He called softly as he entered the lounge, seeing his lover sitting and reading.
"We... wanna talk t' ya about somethin' if ya could come up and sit with us."

Alastor had been immersed in the book he'd been reading, however, was pulled away from that at the sound of Anthony's voice calling out to him. Keeping a hand on the page, he looked up in curiosity.

"Why yes, of course."
He nodded, placing the book to the side now, keeping it face down before standing, arms stretching out slightly.
"I will say, if it's a question about that portrait you're creating of Rosie, then I'm afraid any input I have will hardly be of use."
The man chuckled as he followed the blonde up the stairs.

Anthony remained silent as he took his lover's hand and ascended the staircase together. He didn't know how this was going to play out, but he had a feeling it was going to be difficult.
As they entered the room, he uncovered another chair from its white sheet and set it for Alastor to sit upon before returning to his stool.

"Come in, dear. Have a seat."
Rosie welcomed Alastor with a small smile, making sure not to move too much for Anthony's drawing. She wanted to make sure that he was comfortable before breaking the news to him.

As soon as Alastor stepped in, he immediately read the room and could instantly tell that something was amiss. It was quiet, just as he liked, but it was tense too. Even Rosie looked off. So, what had happened in the few minutes that Anthony had been up there?

Staying silent himself, Alastor took the seat that Anthony uncovered for him, the brunette looking between the two with curiosity.
"Are you going to tell me what all this is about?"
He responded, focus briefly on Anthony who looked just as tense as Rosie.

"No, dear, we figured you'd like to simply sit with us and wonder why things are so silent."
Rosie replied nonchalantly with a small hint of sarcasm. She paused before speaking again.
"Yes, there is something important that must be said while Anthony is here with you."

Anthony simply kept his eyes down on his page, picking up his brush again, and finally began the delicate painting process.

Rosie supposed there was no use in dragging this out any more than she needed to, and so, she began.
"Do you recall Doctor Valleau leaving my house as you were arriving that time?"
The woman asked, keeping her eyes on the man that she considered her own. She already knew his answer to the question, so she continued.
"He was here and informed me that my health is quickly deteriorating and my time is limited."

Alastor didn't bother answering the first question Rosie shot at him, nor was he given any time to. He remembered it well, of course. The initial suspicion followed by the reassurance from Rosie that it had just been a general checkup.

But what was this that Rosie was saying now? Alastor's mind hasn't quite processed it, his body pausing, expression shifting from curiosity to... blank. What was Rosie saying? He couldn't quite hear.

Quickly snapping out of that state of blank confusion, Alastor gently laughed, hand waving dismissively. There was nothing genuine about it at all.
"Ahaha, why Rosie, you really do humor me sometimes. Now, what was the real reason you called me up here?"