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]

Mmm.

[He nestles his cheek into Royce's shoulder, then looks up at him.]

Something's wrong. Yeah? Besides--

[The usual. Emily.]

[bywolves]

No - no, it's. [ He huffs. ] No. I was just frustrated about the present for Eliza. I'm doing okay, today.

[devoutish]

You're sure?

[bywolves]

Mm. [ He leans back in the chair entirely. Another shift to make sure his collar's up. ] Anything else is petty and not worth talking about.

[devoutish]

Anything's worth talking about if you want to--

[That second fiddle with the gets him to move back a little, though.]

Am I in the way, mate?

[bywolves]

No. [ He clears his throat. ] You're fine. Just cold.

It's nothing. Someone left a meal on our porch yesterday and today and I haven't touched them. I think it might be the present I'm supposed to receiving.

[devoutish]

Worried about strange food? Poison and such?

[bywolves]

I just mostly don't trust food left out like that. [ He hasn't forgotten the cupcake thing. Sniff. ] I don't think anybody would try to poison me, but who knows.

Seems sort of - not creative, as well. I thought about baking something for Eliza and leaving it at that, but it seemed cheap. [ Huff. ] Which is why I said it was petty. I don't deserve a present to begin with.

[devoutish]

Oi.

[He nudges Royce with a shoulder.]

You do. I wanna go see what they've left; where did you put it?

[bywolves]

In the icebox. [ Fridge. Whatever. He scoots up and out of the way to make sure Alfie can get up. ]

[devoutish]

[The kettle is just starting to whistle, so he'll go pour the tea before investigating the food.]

It looks delicious, mate; d'you want some for dinner?

[bywolves]

[ Royce makes a grouchy sound, sinking into the chair. ]

Sure. [ It's... it's probably fine. ]

being vague bc i don't know what he gave him specifically

[devoutish]

[Good food is good food, as far as Alfie is concerned, and a perfectly good gift - though he also gives food as a gift, so he's a little biased. He dishes it out onto two plates, then carries them over to the chair, letting the tea sit and cool for a bit.]

idk what it is specifically either

[bywolves]

[ It's a fine gift - Royce has just seen other people's gifts and feels a little left out. It doesn't matter. He should be grateful to get anything.

For right now, he doesn't touch the food. It's been a year since the cupcakes, but he's still naturally nervous. He just sips his tea instead. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie, on the other hand, digs in, staying in the living room rather than moving to the table.]

Come back and sit down?

[bywolves]

[ He heads into the living room - he totally burned his tongue because he's an idiot. Sitting down on the couch, he puts his cup aside and sinks down into the cushions. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie picks at the food - it is really good - but doesn't even clear half his plate before he sets it aside and goes over to Royce, sitting down heavily next to him.]

I can't keep my spirits up either.

[bywolves]

[ He leans against Alfie in return. ]

It's been too quiet, I think. That's what gets me.

[devoutish]

[He makes a sad little mmm sound, pulling Royce closer.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce noses at the side of his head absently, closing his eyes. ]

It'll get easier. We should... find things to keep ourselves busy.

[devoutish]

Yeah. I'm glad you're doing this game, mate.

[bywolves]

I thought it'd help Zephyr, mostly. I'd like to encourage them.

[devoutish]

[Quietly:]

You're a good dad.

[bywolves]

[ Pause, as he takes a steadying sort of breath. ]

... Thank you. [ He says, quietly. ] You are too.

[devoutish]

[He takes Royce's hand, squeezing it hard. Just... give him a moment to get his voice under control.]

What time did you come in last night?

[He barely remembers it, honestly.]