devoutish | IC contact for wethelost

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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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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.

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

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

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.

[ 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.

[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.

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. ]

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

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

[ He brings back the water, and sits down, handing it to Alfie. ]

I didn't mean to. [ :c ] Sorry.

And I know you're only worried.

[He pauses to take a long pull of water.]

Just trust that I know my limits, eh?

[ He nods a little, rubbing at his chest absently. ]

I know you do. Promise you won't go without me.

I promise.

[Carefully, he presses his palm into Royce's chest.]

And I know I do push my own limits sometimes; I see no reason to be very, very careful all the time. But not now, while I'm already injured. You have my word on that, as well.

[ A beat, as he realizes what he's doing, and then he drops his hand. He lets Alfie keep his there, though. ]

I suppose I push mine as well and worry you just as much.

[Alfie pulls his back, a little unsure; he hadn't wanted to make Royce think he was doing something wrong. You rub your chest if it makes you feel better, buddy; it's okay.]

Yeah. But you wouldn't be you if you weren't climbing seventy feet up a tree, mate.

[ No, Alfie's hand is good there - Royce reaches to take it, resting it over his chest. It makes him feel better, like rubbing at his chest does. ]

Mm. The trees here aren't even that tall. [ But it's mostly a joke, and he smiles a little in Alfie's direction. ]

[Well, okay; he'll just keep his hand there, then, his fingers curling lightly into Royce's shirt.]

But if they were, you'd climb them, wouldn't you.

Of course I would. They're not going to climb themselves.

[ Royce keeps his hand over Alfie's, holding it loosely. ] We've gotten much better at this, you know.

Mmm. Neither of us stormed out of the room.

[He pauses, then grins.]

You'd have chased me if I had. Made me come back and rest.

[ He snorts. ]

I would've, yes. Loudly. [ He strokes Alfie's hand with his thumb a little absently. ] A lot of things have changed since the start.

In ways that I never could have expected, yes. But I'm very proud of the both of us.

Yeah. I think I am too. [ Even with all the uncertainties today, he feels pretty okay. He did something useful. ]

[Good. And Alfie will let Royce feel his pride, just so he knows for sure that he's not bullshitting.]

You know, Royce - I never mind feeling your negative feelings.

I know you don't. [ He settles in that pride, though. It's nice, and he thinks he could stand to feel proud more often. ] But what I feel isn't always - it doesn't always come out right. I don't want you to... to interpret it wrong.

But if I did, we'd sort it out, wouldn't we?

Yeah. Just don't need to have us sort it out in the first place if I can avoid it.

It is your choice. But--

[He lightly taps Royce's chest with his fingers.]

Even if you think it comes out wrong, I care about what you're feeling.

(no subject)

bywolves - 2019-09-25 19:25 (UTC) - Expand

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