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

[bywolves]

... No. [ But it's different, he wants to say, but it isn't. Not really. ] I wouldn't. Not to you.

[devoutish]

And you believed the same of him. It's no different, mate.

[bywolves]

[ Sigh. He rubs at his arm absently. ]

It feels different.

[devoutish]

You're harder on yourself than you are on me.

[bywolves]

I have to be.

[devoutish]

You don't have to be as hard as you are. It's why I'm softer on you than I would normally be. I'm balancing you out.

[bywolves]

I don't want you to be soft on me. [ He says, pulling away. ] I don't need you to pity me.

[devoutish]

Come off it. Eh? You know that I don't pity you.

[bywolves]

[ He knows, somewhere, but -- he stands up and moves away anyway. Just a bit, not far. Emotions are rough at this age for him, and he has no idea how to handle them. His adult self can only help so much. ]

It's close enough. [ Royce says, but it's more sullen than anything. He folds his arms. ] I don't need you to treat me like I'm sensitive.

[ Even if he is a little bit sensitive. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie stays on the rock and doesn't try to follow him, but... sorry, bud. You're getting called out on that.]

You are sensitive. Very sensitive, sometimes.

[bywolves]

[ Yeah, but he doesn't like being told that!! Royce's shoulders hunch and he goes quiet for a moment before, flatly: ]

Is your foot fine enough to keep walking?

[devoutish]

If I lean on you.

Where do you wanna walk to?

[bywolves]

I don't know. Maybe you should go back to the Meadous.

[devoutish]

I'd like to stay here with you, if you'll have me.

[bywolves]

[ He's tempted to say no. Tempted to say go away. It'd be good for his ego, but - there's a part of him, the grown up part, that doesn't want to hurt Alfie. ]

Fine. [ Shortly. He still hasn't turned around. ] Whatever you want.

[devoutish]

You're just trying to spare my feelings, aren't you?

[He says lightly, watching Royce's back.]

[bywolves]

[ Alfie is so good at just - reading him, and Royce is stiff and annoyed about it. ]

You know what. [ Royce says, sharp, now, looking over his shoulder. ] I think it might be better if you figure out your own way back. I've got something important to do.

[ It's Merrick's influence, that. He's going to walk away if Alfie doesn't stop him. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie doesn't chase after him or call him back - he just lets him go, sitting on his rock and watching Royce's back as he walks off.]