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[devoutish]

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[devoutish]

You are. Fucking awful for my reputation.

[Not really.]

[bywolves]

Like you're not. [ Huff. ] Half the town heard you calling me sweetheart.

[ He doesn't sound mad about it, though. ]

[devoutish]

Ah, I'm sure nobody was listening.

[Except maybe Angel and her hypersensitive shipper ears.]

[bywolves]

[ HUFF!!! ]

I don't care. [ Everybody thinks they're gay anyway. ] I'm just saying everybody heard.

[devoutish]

I don't care, either.

[Pause.]

Wasn't even thinking about it at the time, if we're honest.

[bywolves]

Mm. It helped, in the moment.

[devoutish]

Did it?

[Aww, Royce.]

That's sweet of you to say, mate.

[bywolves]

It's the truth. [ Might as well be honest. ] You always help.

[devoutish]

I'd hope so, considering all the time we've spent digging each other out of holes, mate.

[bywolves]

[ He pets absently at Alfie. ]

I'll keep doing it, too. Digging you out. [ He sounds tired. ]

[devoutish]

You don't have to worry about that tonight.

[Alfie says gently, covering Royce's hand with his own. He's all right.]

[bywolves]

Just for tonight. [ Royce murmurs, curling up closer. A long, slow sigh. He's relaxing, at least. ]

Alfie.

[devoutish]

[Alfie adjusts just enough to be able to look down at him.]

Yeah.

[bywolves]

Do the prayers with me before we go back to sleep.

[devoutish]

[... Oh. That's not at all what he'd been expecting.

Royce will need to give him a second, because he's getting a little choked up, though not in a bad way.]

[bywolves]

[ Aw, Alfie. Royce shifts to wrap his arms around Alfie a little more tightly, trying to support-dog his way into helping Alfie not tear up. ]

[devoutish]

It means everything to me that you asked.

[He says, his voice gravelly. Then he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and begins the nighttime prayer.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce hums soft. He knows how much it means. And it's a connection for both of them, a comfort, so he doesn't mind listening. Royce sleepily repeats the prayer under his breath, petting absently at Alfie's arm. ]

[devoutish]

[When they're done, Alfie lies there with his eyes still closed, fingers searching for Royce's cheek and bumping into his nose instead. Close enough.]

Thank you.

[bywolves]

Mm. Thank you.

[ Really. Royce wrinkles his nose a bit at the touch, but doesn't protest. Instead, he yawns widely and settles in further. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. Love you, too.

["Too", even though Royce hasn't said it. He doesn't need to.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is glad Alfie hears it, because like always, it's hard to say. With a hum, Royce starts to drift off, holding the front of Alfie's shirt loosely, body much more loose and relaxed than before. He'll sleep much better this time around, if Alfie lets him. ]