IC contact for wethelost

[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

[Feel free to use this space for letter/package deliveries as well as visits/knocks on the front door!]

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[devoutish]

[Alfie lifts his arm and settles it around his shoulders, pulling him closer if he'll let him.]

[bywolves]

[ He lets himself be pulled closer, with a little hitch of his breath. ]

I was right, you know. [ Royce mutters, his voice a bit wet and strained. ]

[devoutish]

About what?

[His voice is soft enough that, if there where anyone else in the room, they wouldn't be able to hear it.]

[bywolves]

The apathy was useful. [ Royce murmurs, dragging in a tearful, shuddery breath. ] I don't - I don't think I could've made it, feeling like this.

[devoutish]

You would have.

[Alfie had, and he doesn't believe that Royce is any less emotionally strong and stable than he is.]

You will.

[bywolves]

[ He's not sure. But - Alfie's support helps. As always. Royce doesn't sob, or make any noise, but he sort of just crumples a bit and lets himself cry, shoulders trembling. Just for a while. Just because he needs it out of his system. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie doesn't say anything - no comforting nonsense-murmuring because Royce isn't a child, and no it's all right because it absolutely fucking isn't. He just tucks him close and holds him in a one-armed hug. By the time Royce's tears are drying up, he'll be starting to doze off a little.]

[bywolves]

[ By the time Royce is finished, Royce is starting to doze off. He forces himself up, though. Sits up slowly, rubbing his face with one hand. ]

Come on. [ Royce murmurs quietly. He sounds raw and exhausted instead of flat, which - is an improvement, at least. ] Bed. Don't sleep on the couch.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[Alfie yawns into Royce's ear and doesn't... really move, at all.]

[bywolves]

[ Alfie, please. Royce sighs a bit, and untangles himself from Alfie.

He could be stubborn, or he could just - be right back. Give him a minute, and he'll bring back a few blankets and a pillow or two to the couch, dumping them all on top of Alfie before settling back down on the couch. ]

Your back is going to hurt tomorrow. [ Royce mutters, resting his head against Alfie's shoulder. ]

[devoutish]

It nearly is tomorrow.

[He drapes a loose arm over Royce.]

This couch is still more comfortable than anything in Norfinbury.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ Royce sighs a little. ] Just want you to have the least amount of pain possible.

[devoutish]

Thanks, mate.

[He stretches, rolling a shoulder.]

I'd move, but-- you've brought all these things out. Shame to have to put it all back.

[bywolves]

You ass. [ Royce mutters, nudging Alfie in the side. He's not moving from where he's curled up, noticeably. ] Could've just gotten up when I said to the first time.

[devoutish]

Couch is fine.

[His eyes haven't opened this entire time. He's not going anywhere.]

You're staying?

[bywolves]

Mm. [ Royce huffs. He sleeps better this way. ] Brought all the blankets out here, so I have to, don't I.

[devoutish]

Mm. Fucking have to, yeah.

[He burrows deeper. It's not cold, but he's so used to being freezing that it's comforting to nest all the same.]

Be weird sleeping alone.

[bywolves]

Don't know if I could. [ He tucks the blankets in closer around them. ] At this point.

[ He's quiet for a moment, and then: ] Wanted to say sorry.

[devoutish]

For what?

[bywolves]

For when John was here. [ It's stuck with him, and he's not used to things like this sticking, so it bothers him more than normal. He doesn't even know if Alfie's thought about it. ]

[devoutish]

Doesn't bother me. Really. I was surprised, that's all.

[bywolves]

Surprised about what?

[devoutish]

That you mentioned the-- are we talking about different things, here?

[bywolves]

No, I don't think so. The ring.

Didn't mind mentioning it to him. He's not the type to use that information poorly.

[devoutish]

I like that you wear it.

[Still with his eyes closed, he ghosts his fingers over the top of Royce's collarbone, wondering if he took it off for bed. He hasn't noticed if he's been leaving it on at night or not.]