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[devoutish]

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[bywolves]

[ A beat, and then he smiles again, almost hesitantly. He feels like he's out of practice. ]

I missed this too.

[devoutish]

But if it comes back, don't you dare take off on me.

[bywolves]

I won't. I wouldn't, I can't.

[devoutish]

[Alfie exhales, relieved. It's a worry that he has.]

Truly?

[bywolves]

Yeah. [ He hesitates, then: ] I can't leave you alone. You - help me in ways I can't explain and I like to think I do that for you in return.

[devoutish]

You do.

[Is his immediate and honest answer.]

You do; of course you do, yeah.

I know you've worried that you're a burden.

[bywolves]

I have. [ He clears his throat. ] I do.

But I won't leave you alone. Isolation is more punishing than anything I could do to you. [ His free hand comes up to hold at the ring around his neck. ]

[devoutish]

[And of course that just leads to the worry that Royce will someday scheme to push him onto another traveling partner (Watson, Gabriel, Ginger) and then leave. He can clarify that later, though, if (not when, just if) Royce starts slipping back into depression again. For now, he'll just cover Royce's other hand with his own, curling both of their fingers around the ring.]

Lie down with me.

[bywolves]

[ He's thought about it, a lot. It'd be easier to let Alfie be taken care of by someone else so Royce could crawl off and rot in a hidden corner somewhere in Norfinbury. But - he hasn't, because he doesn't think anybody could take care of Alfie the way that Royce can take care of him. Doesn't trust them to.

Royce sinks down into the blankets, not bothering to dislodge Alfie's hand. ]

Even when I couldn't remember you I couldn't kill you. [ Royce mumbles, closing his eyes. ]

[devoutish]

[He lets go of Royce with one hand so that he can drape an arm around his shoulders, tucking him close.]

Mm. I'm a fucking fungus that way. I'll get into your brain and you can't get rid of me.

[bywolves]

[ Royce actually snorts, amused at that, tucking them in. ]

Sounds about right. [ A beat, and then he almost teases, in his stupid posh accent: ] Fucking ridiculous.

[devoutish]

You sound as if you went to Eaton.

[bywolves]

What the hell is that?

[devoutish]

A school filled to the brim with men who talk like you.

[bywolves]

[ Royce rolls his eyes, though it's mostly hidden. It does come out in his tone, though. ]

Men who talk like me. [ Pshhh. ] As if your accent isn't something to make fun of. Pot making fun of the kettle.

[devoutish]

My accent isn't something to make fun of.

[ :) ]

[bywolves]

Is that so, mate? Your accent's nothing to make fun of? [ Royce parrots back, in that heavy cockney accent. ]

[devoutish]

Well, it is when it sounds like that.

[But really, Royce's Cockney accent is frighteningly good by now.]

[bywolves]

[ He has had a lot of practice. Royce smiles, shifting to lay on his back. And then grimaces because ow. ]

[devoutish]

All right?

[Alfie nudges Royce's shoulder with his.]

[bywolves]

Mm. Sore. Are you not? [ He rubs a bit at his neck. ]

[devoutish]

I am, but I'm used to being sore. Move slowly. That'll help.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ He shifts a little more slowly, and then closes his eyes. ] Been sore before, I just wasn't expecting it now. Makes sense, I guess, after... after what happened.

[devoutish]

How much of it do you think was imaginary?

[bywolves]

I don't know. Half, maybe.