The rain was falling heavily as Break silently held up the umbrella to Alice, who was standing in front of him. Although, it wouldn't do her much good; the chain was thoroughly soaked. Arms folded over her chest, she shot him her usual haughty glare and looked the other way. He could see her shivering. He opened his mouth, but thought better of it, and said instead, "You look like you're crying." She froze.
"It's the rain, you imbecile! Why would I be crying? Anyway, you're the one who looks like he's crying." Hm, he thought with an inward smirk. This would prove entertaining either way. He took a step toward her and spoke quietly.
"And if I was the one crying? What would you do?" He leaned down towards the shorter girl, the picture of innocence. "Would you help me through the pain?"
She glanced his way, obviously not getting it, but seeming curious. "So you are crying? Fine then. Just this once, I'll help you. What sort of pain is it?" He straightened, and paused dramatically.
"Oh, it is a terrible pain, Miss Alice. Why, you couldn't even find it in the Abyss, it's so awful." He could practically see her ears perk up. The Clown continued his performance. "It is the pain of heartbreak, you see. I can scarcely breathe, my chest tightens so horribly."
"Heartbreak?" The concept was unfamiliar to her. She tested the word on her tongue. "What could that possibly be? A sort of disease where your heart falls apart and rots from the inside out?" Oh, she had imagined all sorts of gruesome things having to do with the human heart. It was all Break could do not to burst out laughing there. "Is it something illegal contractors get? Will Oz get it?" she demanded suddenly. He waved a hand in the air, vaguely.
"Oh I suppose he has a good chance of catching it in his lifetime. But you see, it's that sort of thing that makes this 'disease' progress. You really do look like you're crying, you know." He tacked on, seeing her expression. She was staring at the ground, blinking a lot. She looked up and scrubbed at her eyes fiercely.
"So what? I'm not crying. But if it's like that, I can't have my contractor be hurt, that's all." Always a stubborn young woman... He sighed, still amused and grabbed her by the wist, pulling her towards him into a tight embrace. She squeaked in surprise and growled at him. "Stupid Clown! What are you doi-" He cut her off.
"Heartbreak is when you miss someone, even if they might be right in front of you. When you can't stand to see them show kindness to anyone but you. When you want them to always be by your side. That's my disease." Break leaned down again and caught her mouth in a quick kiss. It was fast, but it was all he needed for now...
The umbrella was abandoned on the ground, steadily filling with tears of the sky, as he kissed away each of Alice's own tears and held her against his chest. He thought he could feel the beat of her heart, but perhaps it was his own thumping in a frenzy. Slender arms wrapped around his waist (or tried to, anyway) and the girl stared up at him, bright-eyed and almost feverish-looking.
"Come on. We're both soaked. Even a chain can catch a cold if they're out in this long enough." he improvised. "Let's go inside and I'll tell you some more about human's 'diseases.'"
She agreed, happily.