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]

[Carefully, he sends forward just a little more emotion - the feeling of peace and contentment that he gets from sitting here with Royce.]

And the bad stuff that you shared - I won't forget that. I'll keep it in my heart, and feel it when you feel it, and help you with it as much as I can.

[bywolves]

[ He likes that. Alfie will see it in the way Royce relaxes, in the way he exhales slowly. ]

I don't know what to do to make it go away entirely, but - yes. Alright.

[devoutish]

Do you think it'll be easier when Gwen gets here?

[bywolves]

No. [ That's a bit raw. ] It'll be worse. She's human, too.

[devoutish]

Maybe she'll extend her life, eh?

[bywolves]

Maybe. [ He thinks Gwen would probably not hate that idea, honestly. ] I won't tell her what to do. And I can't change my own lifespan.

[devoutish]

You can't?

[bywolves]

I can't. [ He has to bear the burden, so to speak. Monty was probably right. He can't be selfish. ]

[devoutish]

Zephyr said that?

[bywolves]

No, I haven't asked them. [ Shift, shift. ] I have told you I'm trying to be less selfish.

[devoutish]

Yeah. But why is shortening your lifespan selfish?

[bywolves]

The idea upsets both you and Gwen. I've talked to both of you about it and you don't want me to, so I can't.

[devoutish]

No-- no, that's not true. It's your life, Royce.

[bywolves]

[ He frowns and doesn't say anything. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. And I'm not gonna say what you do with your life is nobody else's business, because it does affect us, but--

[But in theory, they'd be dead for it, wouldn't they?]

[bywolves]

[ He frowns even more deeply. ]

It affects you, and that's why I'm saying I can't. I'd rather bear the burden of it if it means it gives you and Gwen peace of mind.

[devoutish]

It doesn't give me peace of mind to think of you being unhappy.

If Gwen wants to do it, wants to lengthen her life - well, then, that's sorted, isn't it.

[bywolves]

Yes, but...

[ He hesitates. ] You're as important as she is.

[devoutish]

[... Oh. Alfie goes quiet for a moment.]

You really don't want me saying I've been thinking about it?

[bywolves]

I don't want you to give me false hope, Alfie. [ That's all. ]

[devoutish]

And what if it's impossible to decide anytime soon? Eh? It's the sort of decision that takes years and years to make.

[bywolves]

[ Royce is silent for a long moment. ]

You can say whatever you want to say to me, whenever you want to say it. If that includes the fact that you're thinking about it, then fine. Say it. But understand that it feels like stringing me along.

[devoutish]

[Alfie's chest tightens.]

You assume I'm gonna decide against it.

[bywolves]

I don't see why you'd want to live for another five hundred years. I don't.

[devoutish]

Well, maybe it wouldn't be five hundred, then; I dunno.

[Surely they could find a middle ground, right?]

But if I were with you, mate-- if I were with you, it's easier to imagine.