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[devoutish]

Yeah?

[That's it, that's all you get.]

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[bywolves]

[ He helps, if Alfie will let him. He helps bury them, careful and quiet, and when Alfie murmurs, Royce closes his eyes and bows his head. Sure, he doesn't recognize the prayer specifically, but he does register what it is. ]

[devoutish]

[When he's done, he still doesn't move. It's a good solid minute before he finally speaks up.]

Royce.

[Just saying his name takes effort.]

[bywolves]

I'm here. [ Royce answers, moving closer. His breath is still shallow and he's shivering, but otherwise he's steady, curling up against Alfie's side. ]

[devoutish]

It gets better the further up you go. Better--

[Better still isn't good, but it's something.]

Less bodies and all that, is what I'm telling you.

[bywolves]

I'm fine. [ Royce says - he's not, but he is surprisingly functional for being halfway through a panic attack. Taking Alfie's hand, Royce manages: ] We should bury what we can.

[devoutish]

More, then?

[He looks back towards the skyscraper.]

[bywolves]

Yeah. Yeah, just. A few.

[ He can't keep going without trying. Has to make it up to the people who didn't survive what he did. ]

[devoutish]

You don't have to come.

[bywolves]

I do. They didn't survive. They didn't magically get their fingers and tongues back at the end.

[ His gloved hands flex. ] Come on.

[devoutish]

Not your fault.

[He won't make Royce stay outside, but he'll try not to let him feel guilty, either.]

The survivors can't blame themselves for things like this, mate.

[bywolves]

I know. I don't. But I owe it to them.

[devoutish]

[He starts to reach for Royce's hand, then hesitates. He was just touching bones and body parts, after all; maybe Royce doesn't want to hold his hand.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce closes the distance, holding Alfie's hand. It's fine. Royce is going to be touching bones and body parts, himself, pretty soon. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie squeezes it, and then starts heading slowly back towards the building. He'll be more prepared, this time.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is also more prepared. He can shut himself off to it, and focusing on the task rather than the bodies themselves makes it easier to get through it. He'll follow Alfie's lead, burying the remains carefully and respectfully.

By the end of it, he can almost feel an ache in his fingers, his tongue. ]

[devoutish]

[After their third trip, Alfie sags heavily against Royce, turning his head away from the slightly larger grave pile.]

I'm done. No more today.

[bywolves]

Yeah. [ Royce mumbles, wrapping his arm around Alfie's waist. ]

Let's go find a place to stay for the night.

[devoutish]

We need to cross that bridge.

[He's staring up at the skyscraper.]

[bywolves]

We can go in through a different building.

[devoutish]

Too far to walk, mate. It's getting late.

[bywolves]

Then close your eyes and I'll lead you up through the building.

[devoutish]

[Alfie looks at him, a thin smile crossing his lips.]

I was gonna suggest I do the same for you.

[bywolves]

Great minds. [ Royce says dryly, tugging Alfie toward the door. ] Close your eyes. I've seen worse.

[devoutish]

I can't imagine that you have.

[bywolves]

You've never been to Manzant.

[ And that's all he's going to say about that. ]