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]

[ 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.

[devoutish]

[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.

[bywolves]

[ 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. ]

[devoutish]

[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.

[bywolves]

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.

[devoutish]

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.

[bywolves]

[ 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.

[devoutish]

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

[bywolves]

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

[devoutish]

[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.

[bywolves]

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.

[devoutish]

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

[bywolves]

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

[devoutish]

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.

[bywolves]

I know. [ But the validation helps. Royce squeezes Alfie's hand, and then lets go. He shifts, and very carefully curls up next to Alfie on the couch. ]