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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[bywolves]

[ Royce is gone, by that point. In fact, he'll be gone for the rest of the day, because of course he will. But like he always is after they butt heads, he'll be at the beach, on a big rock that looks over the ocean. His cloak is wrapped close and his hood is up, and he's brooding. Like always. ]

[devoutish]

[It takes a while for Alfie to track him down, and it's not because he doesn't have an idea of where he is. But finally, an hour or so after sunset, he shows up. He doesn't say anything, at first - he's just approaching from the distance, taking his time, aware that Royce will be able to see and hear him coming from far off.]

[bywolves]

[ He does hear him, and he doesn't say anything or call out to him. He's sore - and honestly, he'll just let Alfie feel that once Alfie's close enough, rather than say anything. His feelings are hurt, bruised, and he lets Alfie feel it. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie comes to stop several feet away from him, shoes shuffling uncomfortably in the sand. He's overdressed for the beach - long pants, regular clothes.]

A couple of months ago, you told me that when Gwen came, you wanted me to live with you until my family arrived, so that I wouldn't be alone.

[bywolves]

I did, yes. It wasn't a lie and I haven't changed my mind. [ Royce says, flat. ]

[devoutish]

I know. But I didn't tell you how fucking incredibly pathetic that made me feel.

[bywolves]

[ A beat. Royce looks down at him, finally, expression confused. ]

It made you feel pathetic? [ But... ] Why?

[devoutish]

Thinking I need to be shielded and protected from loneliness, that I need to be taken in and looked after until my family comes to take your place as my keeper--

[bywolves]

That -- that's not what I meant by that. [ Royce's voice gets sharp again, upset. A rise of indignation and anger rises up in his throat. ] I want you to live with me because you are my best friend and I need you close by. I thought it was obvious that you'd want to be with your family more than me once they got here. I'm not trying to babysit you, you're important to me and I want you by my side.

[devoutish]

I don't--

[He shakes his head, hard.]

When you've got a wife and a kid, a chance at a proper family life-- close by can also mean next door, Royce; it can mean down the street.

[bywolves]

But I don't want that, and neither do you.

[devoutish]

Why don't you want that?

[bywolves]

Why is my family life only proper if we kick you out of your own house?

I don't want or need a proper family life and Gwen agrees with me. We're going to live the way that makes us happy, and I would be happier with you in our same house. Like it has been.

[devoutish]

Royce. It won't be like it has been; you know that, yeah?

[bywolves]

[ There's a flash of fright that he smothers. ]

Don't talk to me like I'm a child. Of course it won't be, but I want it to be as close as possible, and I don't see why you're insisting that everything needs to change.

[devoutish]

I never said everything. But many things, yes.

[bywolves]

[ Off go his emotions again. ]

I'm not talking to you until you stop being condescending.

[devoutish]

I'm fucking not.

[bywolves]

[ He stares out at the ocean, pointedly, expression pissed. ]

[devoutish]

Royce, for fuck's sake.

[He really just wants to pace, but pacing in loose beachside sand is hard.]

[bywolves]

I'm not stupid.

[ He says, finally, voice flat and steady. ]

I know things are going to change when she gets here. But I'm done talking about this if you're going to continue to talk to me like I'm not aware that life will be different and then shut me out and down completely when I try to talk to you about it.

[devoutish]

It's difficult to talk about. Even with you. Because I've told myself, right - "Alfie, you are not gonna be the sort of man who swans about sighing over things that can't be helped; shouldn't be helped". I've told myself that this--

[He makes a back-and-forth gesture between the two of them.]

-- wasn't gonna happen at all.

[bywolves]

I don't know what to say to you that isn't going to get me yelled at. [ Royce says pissily. He's not being as mature about this as he could be, but his feelings are still hurt. ]

[devoutish]

I haven't raised my voice once, thank you.

[bywolves]

Alfie. [ Royce snaps nastily. You know what he means. He's not having it today. ]