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[devoutish]

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[bywolves]

[ He clears his throat. And then: ]

I'm tired. I don't want to read anymore.

[devoutish]

Do you want me to finish it?

[bywolves]

[ Another long pause, and then he rests the book in Alfie's lap. ]

Yeah. Okay.

[devoutish]

[Alfie reads quietly, but with more emotion in his voice than Royce had - he's not theatrical about it, but he's a good, soothing reader. If Royce doesn't interrupt, he'll finish the book right when his voice is starting to get a little hoarse.

It's a happy ending; of course it is. The two friends reciprocate each other's feelings, and despite their homophobic coworkers and Matt's homophobic family, they decide they can't hide who they are any longer.]

[bywolves]

[ It's a happy ending, and honestly, it's nice to hear. He thinks that maybe he can just let himself be comforted by it, for now. He has so little else. ]

Thank you. [ Royce mumbles. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. You're gonna keep this book, aren't you?

[He gets the sense that Royce likes it a lot, so.]

[bywolves]

I've kept it this long.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He brushes his fingers through Royce's hair again.]

I'll find more for you.

[Alfie's already carrying around several books, but Royce has probably at least looked through them all already.]

[bywolves]

There are book places on the way to the grocery store, I think. [ Royce murmurs. ] It's the only thing that I can do anymore. Read.

[ He takes Alfie's free hand to hold it. ]

[devoutish]

I like it when you read to me.

[He says, idly rubbing a thumb over the back of Royce's hand.]

[bywolves]

I like reading to you. [ He sounds tired. His voice cracks in the middle, mostly from the strain of using it so much. He hasn't talked a lot lately. ] I like listening to you read, too.

[devoutish]

Mm, yeah. I don't think Matt and Trevor were supposed to sound as if they were from London, though.

[bywolves]

[ Snort. ] I liked that extra touch.

[devoutish]

Nice, innit. Londoners from--

[He double-checks the back of the book.]

-- Colorado.

[bywolves]

You never know. Maybe that was the writer's intention. It never says they aren't from London.

[devoutish]

No, no; a Londoner would never move to Colorado. There's nothing there. Like most of America.

[bywolves]

Sure sounds like there's plenty where these two live. [ He taps the book. ]

[devoutish]

A pub. Roads. Mountains. A hospital.

[And plenty more stuff that the book mentioned, but listen.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce elbows him very gently. ]

You're being obtuse. [ Which is like Alfie's whole personality, but listen. ]

[devoutish]

I think there was a lake mentioned somewhere as well, wasn't there? I'm sure it was a very big lake.

[bywolves]

I think it was much more of a city than you're thinking.

[devoutish]

America's only got four cities, Royce; you can trust me on this.

[bywolves]

[ Royce laughs a little against Alfie's chest, a small sound. ]

I don't know enough about America to argue, so I suppose I'll take your word for it.

[devoutish]

[He gently takes Royce's left hand, palm facing out, and dots his finger along his fingertips.]

New York, Boston, Chicago.

[He locates Chicago a quarter of a inch above Boston, right about where Maine would be. Then he moves to the lefthand side, and pokes a finger at Royce's wrist.]

San Francisco. Everything else - barren wasteland.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ He smiles sleepily, watching Alfie map out America on his hand. ]

So a barren wasteland to you is a city with a hospital, several taverns and enough housing that a ride from one house to another is fifteen minutes with a car. [ He laughs a little. ] You'd be miserable in Elan.