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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Comments

[devoutish]

Could set his house on fire.

[Alfie murmurs, giving Royce a little nudge. It's not a serious suggestion, but it's something he's certainly felt like doing from time to time.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce lets out a huff of a laugh, a quiet heh. But he goes silent again, staring out across the kitchen. His anger's faded, mostly. Whatever is left is simmering and on the edge of upset more than anything else. ]

I don't know how to talk about it. [ He says after a moment, curling up tighter again. ]

[devoutish]

[He runs a hand over Royce's hair, light and soothing.]

I don't know how to ask about it in a way that will make a difference.

[bywolves]

[ He leans into the petting, closing his eyes. ]

I don't want to let it rot, either. [ He admits, swallowing hard. ] It will, if I let it.

[devoutish]

Then let's not. Was it just John and Meulin mouthing off, then, or did the others bother you as well?

[bywolves]

No, it was just them. [ Royce mumbles. ] He was - it wasn't. Condescending. It was... dismissive. Meulin wasn't as much. Watson, though.

[devoutish]

Watson makes an art of it, yeah. The way he went on about us as if we were advocating for wiping the beetles off the map. Fucking ridiculous.

[bywolves]

I wouldn't. Systematically wiping out another species is not something I would do. [ Royce rubs at his face. ] I haven't actually attacked them past the guard tower. But they were throwing rocks.

He's - disrespectful. Feelings don't matter unless they're his feelings.

[devoutish]

Or Sherlock's, of course.

[bywolves]

Yeah. [ Royce plays with that thread again. ] It bothers me more than it should.

[devoutish]

[Gently, Alfie winds his fingers through Royce's, holding them still.]

I wouldn't say that. A man shouldn't get used to being dismissed and disrespected.

[bywolves]

[ Royce lets Alfie still his hand with a sigh. ]

You're right. It is frustrating to deal with someone who never takes you seriously, however. [ A pause. ] Maybe I could show him.

[devoutish]

How?

[bywolves]

Give him a memory of mine. Make him see what it's like to have everything taken from you over and over.

He hasn't had a thing taken from him in his life.

[devoutish]

Do you think he'll agree to it?

[bywolves]

Maybe. I wouldn't do it without his permission, either way.

[devoutish]

If he's stubborn about it, explain why. Browbeat him about it if you need to, yeah?

[bywolves]

Yeah. I will.

I just want him to understand. [ Royce murmurs, finally easing up just enough to rest his head against Alfie's shoulder. He's still tense and uncomfortable, but - less so. ]

[devoutish]

I know, darling.

[He buries his fingers in Royce's hair, lightly flexing them against his scalp.]

Tell you what - if he refuses, that's when we'll set his house on fire.

[bywolves]

[ He lets out a shivery little sigh at the fingers in his hair, comforted by that - and this time he does actually laugh. ]

Hm. Sounds like a deal. [ Royce huffs. He closes his eyes. ] Thank you, Alfie.

[devoutish]

Ah, what are you thinking me for? I feel like I haven't done enough here.

[bywolves]

You've done what you can. [ Royce squeezes his hand. ] The rest I have to do.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

Don't think it doesn't anger me, too. I'm not-- unaffected by it all, the town hall stuff.

[bywolves]

I know it does. [ Sigh. ] You're better at keeping your head, though.

[devoutish]

Mm, I have to be. Wouldn't've been in charge at home, otherwise. I might've been dead.