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!]

Comments

[devoutish]

If you need to talk about any of this.

[He lets that hang, trusting that Royce will be able to fill in the rest - if he needs to talk, Alfie is here.]

[bywolves]

I know. [ He rests his head back against Alfie's shoulder. ] I will. Later.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[Alfie strokes Royce's hair, bumping his cheek into the crown of his head.]

What do you wanna watch, at the treehouse?

[bywolves]

[ He shrugs a little, finally easing into the touch. ]

I don't know. I don't know if I can focus on something I haven't seen. [ A beat. ] Fiddler on the Roof.

[devoutish]

Are you just saying that for my sake?

[bywolves]

No. [ Royce says, and this time his tone is annoyed. ] Nothing that I say is solely for your sake, Solomons.

[devoutish]

Stop.

[He bumps him again.]

I was only asking.

[bywolves]

[ He drags in a shuddery sort of breath, and pulls away from Alfie to go find his shoes. ]

It means something to both of us. Don't know why you need to always ask.

[devoutish]

I do not always ask, Royce. Fucking hell. You're upset, but don't do this. Stay with me.

[He means more than just physically.]

[bywolves]

You do lately. [ Royce snaps back, hating how his hands tremble. You're upset. Don't do this. Normally, those words would send him into a hissy fit, but. Stay with me.

Royce moves to sink down onto the bed so he can pull on his boots, mouth working. ]

I'm - trying. [ He says shortly. He's trying to stay. ]

[devoutish]

I know.

[His own tone is more clipped than usual, but he does go over and put a hand on Royce's shoulder, if Royce will let him.]

I know you are; I do.

[bywolves]

[ He lets Alfie put a hand on his shoulder. He even leans into it. ]

Sorry. [ They're both clipped and stilted, but. ]

[devoutish]

I like that it means something to you.

[He says quietly.]

And I like it when you care about making me happy.

[As long as he isn't doing it at the expense of his own happiness and feelings, but Alfie is pretty sure that wouldn't have been the case here.]

[bywolves]

I always care about making you happy.

[ Royce says to his boots, lacing them tightly. ]

[devoutish]

[He fiddles with the ends of Royce's hair.]

I know.

[bywolves]

[ He slowly, unsteadily stands up. It's weird, having died and not having a price. Bear huffs on the bed behind them, scooting forward slowly. ]

Let's go. [ Royce says quietly, to both Alfie and Bear. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie's own boots were kicked off at the door, so he'll have to grab those on the way out. But first he holds his hand out to Royce - not taking Royce's hand automatically, but offering his own first.]

[bywolves]

[ It's almost autopilot comfort to reach up and take Alfie's hand. It's become more habit for him to take Alfie's hand, too, not just his wrist, which is what he does right now as he pulls himself up. ]

[devoutish]

[Before heading for the door, he pulls Royce in for another bear hug, burying his face in his hair.]

I love you.

[More than he could ever describe using words.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce has to stop and swallow hard when Alfie pulls him into a hug. It's so affectionate, and even after Gwen, after Hadrian, after months of Norfinbury with Alfie, he's not sure he's ever going to get used to what good physical contact feels like. It's almost addictive. He leans heavily into the hug, holding onto Alfie. ]

... Love you. [ Royce says, finally, voice very soft. ]

[devoutish]

[He lets himself have a few long moments to just breathe Royce in. Then he pulls away, reluctantly, and moves for the door, still holding his hand.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is also reluctant to let go, but he does. It won't be long before he can curl up against Alfie's side at the treehouse, so he deals. ]

Wait. [ Royce says, roughly. He lets go of Alfie just for a moment so he can go find some paper and a pen, and hurriedly scrawls a note. When he returns to Alfie, he's holding that note. Bear leans against Alfie's legs, ready to protect them. ]

Need to leave a note. At the bulletin board. [ Royce explains, quietly, before taking Alfie's hand again. ]

[devoutish]

[He reaches down and scratches at Bear's ears distractedly.]

For Zephyr?

[bywolves]

Yeah. I want him to know. [ Royce says quietly. ] Them. I promised I'd get them something from in the Void, too.

[devoutish]

They'll understand if you didn't.