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[devoutish]

Yeah?

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

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[bywolves]

[ He murmurs a it's fine, pulling Alfie closer. ]

The first time you came through was to get me. Had other things on your mind. Must've blocked it out, yeah.

[devoutish]

Mm. Wasn't paying attention to much else. I did bury them, though.

[bywolves]

A lot happened after. [ Royce says, frowning. ] There isn't anything happening now, so you feel the weight of it.

[devoutish]

[Alfie closes his eyes, nodding against Royce's head, and says nothing. They're almost to the building's door now.]

[bywolves]

I've got you. [ Royce tells him, supporting him. ] We're almost there.

[devoutish]

I'm not a fucking child.

[But he doesn't sound like he's chastising Royce for taking care of him - on the contrary, he genuinely appreciates that. Instead, he's trying to bolster himself; to ready himself for what's to come.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce wrinkles his nose at the phrasing, but he understands that Alfie's appreciative. It silences him, though, and he stays that way even as he helps Alfie into the building and deposits him against a wall. He doesn't need to talk to dump all forty of their blankets in Alfie's lap and shove a thermos full of water in his hand. ]

[devoutish]

[Like in the last building, it's immediately apparent how wrong this place is. The building opens up into a rooftop garden, though every plot of soil contains partially-buried corpses. Alfie slides down against the wall onto the floor, the heavy pressure of the air around them hitting him like it has a physical weight. He pulls his hat low over his eyes.]

[bywolves]

[ It's also wrong here, he knows, but he does his best not to let it bother him. He has a goal, which is nice. Someone to take care of. Alfie curls up, and Royce lets him stay there while he puts together their sleeping nest. It takes a good fifteen minutes, with Royce hurrying, but he does it.

It keeps his mind off the pressure. ]

[devoutish]

[The entire time, Alfie doesn't so much as twitch.]

[bywolves]

[ It's scary. But - Royce has experience with this. Or at least, he experienced it. So, instead of panicking, he crouches down in front of Alfie and lifts the hat up a bit. ]

Bed. You need to get in bed. Come on with me.

[devoutish]

[He grunts, and stands creakily, shuffling over to the air mattress. Then he flops down on it, and just... goes still again.]

[bywolves]

[ It's okay. He's well taken care of.

Royce wraps him up in blankets and pillows, and situates himself so that he's sitting up, leaning against Alfie's back. He needs to eat, to check a few things, but he's not going anywhere. He's right here, connected, if Alfie needs anything. ]

We're not coming here again. [ Royce tells him, softly. ]

[devoutish]

Shouldn't've brought you here.

[He mutters again, under his breath.]

[bywolves]

I'm fine. [ Royce says, reaching to take his hand. ]

Right now, I'm fine. Don't kick yourself over this.

[devoutish]

M'not.

[He squeezes Royce's hand weakly.]

[bywolves]

Okay. [ He squeezes back, and tucks the blankets in a bit further. ] I have to check my messages, but I'm going to read to you after I do that. Don't fall asleep.

[devoutish]

Royce.

[He keeps ahold of his hand.]

Royce.

[bywolves]

Alfie. [ Royce says, looking over at him. ] I'm here.

[devoutish]

Thank you.

[He pats his hand before letting go.]

[bywolves]

You're welcome. [ Royce murmurs, patting his shoulder absently. ] Rest.

It'll be better when we leave.

[devoutish]

[Alfie murmurs something quiet, and falls silent.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce sends a few text messages while he's sitting, checks in on people, but eventually he pulls up the archive of books that the librarian has been keeping and picks one at random. He reads to Alfie for hours. Until his voice is hoarse, until he's starting to fall asleep.

If nothing else exciting happens, he ends up half slumped up against Alfie, chin resting against his chest with his tablet on his lap. ]

[devoutish]

[For all those hours, Alfie barely moves or speaks. He doesn't eat (he's out of rations, anyway, and has been cribbing off of Royce's), and only thinks to have water when it's forced on him.

When Royce stops reading, though, and starts to fall asleep, Alfie uncurls himself just enough to prod at him, trying to get him to lie down.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is running low too - they really need to restock, soon. He gives them meager portions, and forces water on Alfie for those few hours. He worries, but Alfie warned him. It was going to be bad tonight.

When Alfie prods at him, Royce mumbles, and pushes his tablet off to the side to slowly sink down, exhausted. He doesn't even open his eyes, he just flops down into the blankets, on top of them. He shivers. ]