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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[devoutish]

[Still in the midst of his coughing fit, he shakes his head.]

No, no, I'm-- well. Yeah. Yeah, all right. But don't think you'll--

[Cough, cough.]

Don't think you'll get out of singing me that song, mate.

[bywolves]

[ Because their connection is on, Alfie gets to feel the twisty upset feeling he gets at Alfie's coughing fit. There's a hint of guilt in there too. ]

Fine, just. Hold on a minute. [ And he very carefully slides out from under Alfie to go get him water. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie scoots into a sitting position, getting up to follow.]

I really am all right.

[His voice is more gravely than it had been a few minutes ago, but he doesn't seem to be struggling to get his words out, at least.]

[bywolves]

Lay down. [ Do nOT GET UP WHAT - the blast of fright and guilt might hit kind of hard before he can tamp it down. Royce stays where he is for a second, hand on Alfie's chest, trying to push him down gently. ] Just lay down. Stay there and let me get you water.

[devoutish]

[Even though he's fully expecting the worry and anxiety by now, the blast of fear hits him hard enough to make him stumble back. He lets Royce push him back, but then he reaches for him, trying to put a hand on each of his shoulders and pull him down to his level.]

Royce, Royce - listen to me. I promise you that I am going to be all right. Yeah? You saved me. I'm recovering well.

[bywolves]

[ Royce takes a deep breath, and tries to even himself out. He goes when Alfie pulls him, shoulders hunched up. But he listens. ]

I know. [ He swallows hard. ] I almost lost you here. In the Meadous. Where that isn't supposed to happen. Sorry.

[devoutish]

[Alfie leans forward, resting their foreheads together again.]

You saved me. That's the most important thing.

[bywolves]

[ Yeah, he did. He did save Alfie, and it was all Royce. ]

I sang to you. [ He mutters, crouching down so he can stay pressed forehead to forehead for a moment. ] I had the ability to heal things if I sang. Only in the water.

[devoutish]

Really?

[He raises an eyebrow in surprise; both of those things are news to him.]

What did you sing?

[bywolves]

Yeah. [ A little embarrassed: ] One of the songs from Prince of Egypt. It was all I could manage.

[devoutish]

[That really is very sweet, and Alfie sends him a quick little snip of gratitude.]

It was a good choice. I wish I had been awake for it.

[bywolves]

I think it helped a little. [ He squirms slightly. ] You weren't as pale when I got you out of the water.

[devoutish]

Don't be embarrassed.

[He nudges his forehead into Royce's.]

Thank you.

[bywolves]

It's ridiculous. [ Royce grumbles, but. Okay. He'll try. ]

You're welcome. Can I go get you water, now?

[devoutish]

Yeah. Can I come along?

[bywolves]

[ His jaw works. ]

I'd prefer you didn't, but I'm not going to stop you.

[devoutish]

If it'll make you feel better, I'll wait. But tomorrow, I would like to try a longer walk - to the bulletin board, perhaps.

[bywolves]

[ A tinge of frustration. ]

You can't even hum without reducing yourself to a coughing fit.

[devoutish]

That's my throat being ticklish from the, you know--

[He gestures vaguely, miming a long tentacle.]

It'll heal, and so will the ribs. The ribs what need to be stretched and exercised by walking a bit, as long as I don't overdo it.

[bywolves]

[ That's not ticklish!!! Royce's connection shuts off. ]

Fine. I'm not your handler, you can do what you want.

[devoutish]

Royce, for fuck's sake; I'm trying to be understanding and reassuring, but you are not trying very fucking hard to see my side of things.

[bywolves]

[ His lips purse. ]

There aren't sides. You're injured and I want you to heal properly. If you think it'll help you to walk to the bulletin board, then do it. I just worry.

[devoutish]

[Alfie grunts, leaning back into the cushions.]

I can't heal by lying around forever. I'm not suggesting I sprint down to the beach. These are small steps I'm taking, little by little, with you at my side more often than not.

I don't want to make you angry, but a walk to the bulletin board is not going to kill me.

[bywolves]

I'm - I'm not angry. [ Well, he is, but. It comes out as frustration when really he's just concerned. ] Or I'm not meaning to be. It scares me when you're hurt.

[ He fidgets, and then pushes himself up to stand. ] I turned my side off because I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I can't help what I feel sometimes.

[ He'll go get Alfie some water, now. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie nods, slowly, letting out a sigh. Yeah.]

I don't like being made to feel as if I'm being reckless, Royce.