[ But that isn't how Royce exists. There are problems, and he fixes them. But not this time. ]

I don't know how to do that. [ Royce says hoarsely, sliding away from Alfie so he can sit on the edge of the bed, feet touching the floor. He doesn't get up, but he stays there, staring at the ground. ]

And even if I could think of it that way, it would not stop the - the hole, the empty, burning feeling in my chest when I think about it. I can't - I can't shake it. It's stuck and I'm so tired [ his voice breaks a bit ] -- of feeling it.