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[devoutish]

Yeah?

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

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[bywolves]

[ Royce doesn't look happy about this, but he goes silent. Fine. If Alfie wants to torture himself walking up, Royce won't stop him. ]

Go, then.

[devoutish]

Hey.

[He doesn't let go. He leans closer, even, keeping his eyes on Royce's.]

I know you wanna help. And you are helping; I can't tell you how much you're helping.

[bywolves]

[ He's sour, but. He's helping. That's all he wants. A deep breath, and then a sigh. He leans forward to knock their foreheads together. ]

Fine. [ It's fine. ] Let's go.

[devoutish]

[He wants to explain why, but not now. Not while they're walking through the place. He sucks in one more breath, and ducks through the door, bringing Royce along with him. He'll keep close the entire time, and though he never closes his eyes, he grips Royce's hand hard enough to turn his knuckles white.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is so very good at numbing himself out. He stays quiet, watching Alfie most of the time. His grip is just as tight, and hopefully grounding, as they make their way up and out. He pulls from a well of calm inside himself, taking in everything around them and just letting it go. He's okay. It's okay. Alfie is okay.

When they make it out, Royce lets go of Alfie's hand to get his arm around him instead, resting his head on Alfie's shoulder, supportive. ]

[devoutish]

[As soon as they cross into the skywalk and shut the door behind them, the oppressive atmosphere lifts, and Alfie lets out a heavy exhale of relief. He wraps both his arms around Royce, bear-hugging him tightly.]

Closing my eyes would've done nothing.

[He murmurs.]

Not for me, not for them. Would've made me feel like a child, that's all.

[bywolves]

[ Royce hugs back, just as tightly. ]

Mm. [ He gets the respect for the dead. He understands the reasoning, and he can't really argue it. It isn't the time to be a jackass about it either. Instead, he holds Alfie for as long as Alfie needs him to, rocking them a little, maybe. ]

You made it better for them. [ Royce tells him quietly. ] Buried them.

oops they were supposed to find their food on the top floor and I forgot FUDGES IT

[devoutish]

You did too, mate. You-- what's that?

[The door back into the skyscraper drifts open just an inch or two - in their haste to leave, one or the other of them hadn't latched it properly. Sitting just on the other side of it, two covered tins can be seen.]

oopsies

[bywolves]

[ Royce startles sharply, actually pushing Alfie back a step defensively. But there's nothing bad, no monster, no person looking to do them harm. A beat, and then Royce says, softer: ]

What is that?

[devoutish]

Wasn't there before.

[That he's sure of. Whatever it is, it's in a place that they would have had to step on or step over it, and they hadn't done either. Cautiously, he approaches, tugging Royce along with him.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce comes with him, but he's got one of his shivs in his free hand, not taking any chances. ]

Stop. Don't just pick them up, let me look. [ Royce demands, scooting in front of Alfie. ] Let me look for trapwires.

[devoutish]

[Not likely, Alfie thinks, but still possible. He bends too, letting go of Royce for just a moment.]

I know wires. I'll help.

[bywolves]

[ Royce sighs, annoyed - it's such a stupid thing to be annoyed about, he knows, he just wants to be useful for once - but doesn't argue. He gets a look at the boxes, and carefully reaches down to run his fingers along the edges, looking for traps. He can't feel or see any. ]

[devoutish]

Royce, I'm not lying; I do. Two sets of eyes and all.

[When Royce is done looking over the box, Alfie gestures for it, wanting to take it from him so he can peek inside.]

[bywolves]

I didn't say you were lying. [ He just wanted to be the cool thief for once!! He hands it over. ]

[devoutish]

[He lifts the lid, and... hot damn.]

There's food in here. Fresh food, from home.

[Not literally from home, he knows, but it's just that he hasn't seen this particular pastry in any of the shops, and it happens to be one of his favorites.]

Babka.

[bywolves]

[ Oh. What. Royce raises his eyebrow, staring down at it. ]

Babka. [ He repeats. ] Do you think it was for...

[devoutish]

They gave me that blanket last time.

[So...]

[bywolves]

Mm. [ He glances back at the building. A pause, and then: ] You're welcome.

[devoutish]

Yeah. And-- thanks.

[He reaches out and slowly pulls the door closed, latching it this time.]

What's in the other one?

[bywolves]

[ He looks in the tin. Inside is an arrangement of bread - it's all the same type, but they're small buns, almost. They're baked, and have what looks like a very light sprinkle of sugar over the top of them. ]

They're... these. [ Royce says, quietly, staring. A beat, and he closes the tin, shaking his head. ]

[devoutish]

Do you recognize them? Are they things from home?

[bywolves]

Yes. [ He says, quietly. ] Sweet bread. There was... there was a bakery on the corner of the street I lived on as a kid. The owner was an angry old man who hated everybody, and his mouth got him into trouble with the gangs and guilds.

[ His hands shake a bit. ] I stopped someone from mugging him, once. Don't know why.

Every time I walked by that bakery, he'd chase me down to give me one of these. Never could get the recipe right.

[devoutish]

[Royce, that is the most adorable story he's ever heard. He sidles closer.]

Let me have a taste. I can try to puzzle the ingredients out.

[Not that he really thinks he'll ever have a chance to bake again, but.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce nods a little, distracted. He opens the tin, staring down at the sweet rolls. Go ahead. ]