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[devoutish]

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[bywolves]

[ Royce rests his head on Alfie's shoulder. He's starting to shiver again - which is good, honestly. He knows it's bad when he stops entirely.

Quietly: ] I'm sorry I can't be like that anymore.

[devoutish]

So m'I.

[He strokes a hand idly up and down Royce's arm, watching him eat.]

[bywolves]

[ Another tiny stab of guilt joins the several others in his chest. He eats very slowly, not wanting to risk throwing it up. ]

Thank you. [ Royce says finally. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. You're welcome. I'm glad to get some food in you.

[bywolves]

It's good. It - when. When we came with Gabriel, before. And it tasted like ash - it doesn't, now.

[ When he exhales next, it's shaky and wet. Alfie's shoulder will probably feel a little damp. Eating bread like this just reminds him of everything before things got really bad, is all. ]

[devoutish]

[It's okay, Alfie's getting a little misty-eyed himself.]

Tell me which kind is the best, eh? That's what I'll have.

[bywolves]

The rye. [ He mumbles it, pushing it into Alfie's hand. ] Sourdough is good, too.

[devoutish]

I'll just have a bite.

[His own appetite isn't much bigger than Royce's, though he's been making himself eat. Tearing off a small piece of the loaf, he hands the rest back to Royce, then starts nibbling.]

[bywolves]

I can't eat all of these. [ Royce sighs, picking at some of the bread. ] Can't even eat all of this.

[devoutish]

I didn't mean for you to eat all of them. I wanted you to have choice, that's all.

[bywolves]

[ He nods a bit. ]

We. We can take them with us. [ God, he's trying really hard. ]

[devoutish]

All right. You'll help carry them?

[bywolves]

Yeah. I can help. You can't carry them.

[devoutish]

I can still carry you, if you need it.

[bywolves]

I don't know. I can try to walk.

[devoutish]

I don't mind carrying you.

[bywolves]

It doesn't matter. [ He closes his eyes for a moment. ] Whatever you want to do.

[devoutish]

I ache to hear you say that.

[He leans into Royce's shoulder.]

I know I've said so before, but you, with your strong will and opinions--

[bywolves]

[ He's quiet for a while. ]

I was strong enough for Manzant, but this. This - this place. [ His voice breaks. ] I'm so tired. There's so much. I can't - I can't dig my way out from under it.

[devoutish]

I know, I know.

[He takes Royce's hand, holding it to his cheek.]

I do understand, I do; I feel it, too.

[bywolves]

The poisoning doesn't help. [ He sighs out, shakily. ] It covers everything and makes it so much worse.

[devoutish]

[He turns his head, kissing the inside of Royce's wrist.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce curls up against his side, trying to provide some sort of comfort in return. He always feels so horrible, taking and taking, but this is all he can do to tread water. ]

We... we should walk back soon.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He tucks Royce a little closer.]

I'd like to smell the bread a bit longer. Just a bit longer.

[bywolves]

Okay. [ Royce murmurs, setting the bread down on top of a blanket so he can halfway climb into Alfie's lap. ] In a little while.