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]

[Pause.]

Rosh Hashanah dinner made you think of that?

[bywolves]

Well - not exactly, just. You said you spoke with Gabriel about Norfinbury, not long after. It's been on my mind.

[devoutish]

I see.

[Alfie's making a big effort to keep his voice light and even here, but Royce will notice the stiffening of his shoulders, and the way his fingers still against his.]

How set are you on the idea?

[bywolves]

[ Yeah, he definitely notices. He frowns, also, glancing at Alfie. ]

... Would you not want me to?

[devoutish]

I think there's something to be said for looking to the future instead of the past.

[bywolves]

[ He tilts his head back. ]

I'd like to know what I'm missing, is all.

[devoutish]

[Quietly:]

Are there other reasons?

[bywolves]

[ A pause. ]

I want to know if it's over. I want to know if I'm real or not.

[devoutish]

You're real.

[He squeezes Royce's hand, hard.]

You are, I promise you.

[bywolves]

[ Sigh. ]

I just want to be sure.

[devoutish]

[Alfie exhales a breath that's just a little bit shaky.]

Do you want us to do it now, so soon to winter?

[bywolves]

-- Us. [ Royce says, frowning. ] You don't have to.

[devoutish]

I'm not letting you do this on your own, Royce.

[bywolves]

[ Still frowning, but. ]

We can wait until after winter. [ He says, quieter. ]

[devoutish]

Would you rather wait, or rather not?

[bywolves]

It's probably a better decision to wait.

[devoutish]

Mmm.

[Something about Royce's phrasing gives him pause - "it's probably better to wait" instead of "I want to wait". But he won't press.]

I wonder if it's even possible, wishing for this.

[bywolves]

Maybe it's not. Might solve the issue. [ Royce says, glancing away. ]

[devoutish]

How important is this to you, mate?

[bywolves]

Moderately. [ A beat. ] I'm not in a rush, and I don't need you to do it with me, Alfie.

[devoutish]

[Firmly:]

If you're doing it, I'm doing it.

[bywolves]

[ His expression shifts to something a little more sour. ]

And how much am I going to hurt you if I do this? How selfish am I being, then?

[devoutish]

You're not forcing me into anything. This is my choice.

[bywolves]

But you won't do it unless I do.

[devoutish]

No, and I'm not gonna hide that the idea terrifies me. But if you need it, if it's important--