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!

[CAPTCHA-avoiding continuation of this post.]

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[bywolves]

Love you. [ Royce mumbles, sinking into Alfie for a moment. His comfort is clear through the way he stands and their connection, the anger and distress from earlier mostly gone.

After a moment, he speaks again, though he doesn't bother pulling away. ]

I've got something for you. Also.

[devoutish]

For me?

[He nuzzles his nose into Royce's hair, not pulling back either.]

What is it?

[bywolves]

A present. I might make you wait a few days. It isn't quite Wintertide yet. [ Tease, tease. ]

[devoutish]

No, no; you can give it to me now. Go on, then.

[bywolves]

[ A small grin that he hides in Alfie's shirt. ]

What am I supposed to give you for Wintertide if I give you it now, hm?

[devoutish]

Have you got any idea when Wintertide is?

[bywolves]

Well. Presumably it's in the winter.

[devoutish]

We're close enough, then.

[bywolves]

[ He pulls away gently, and takes Alfie's hand instead. ]

Hm. Very convincing. [ And he'll drag him off towards the living room. Sit down while he goes to get it, Alfie, he'll be right back. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie, again, allows this, flopping down on the couch and kicking his legs up.]

Shall I close my eyes? Is it a surprise?

[bywolves]

You don't need to close your eyes, I have it wrapped. [ Royce calls to him from the bedroom. And indeed, when he comes out, he has a box that is - wrapped. Kind of. Royce has no idea how to wrap a present so it's kind of a disaster but. He tried!

A little nervously, Royce sits down on the couch with it in his lap, and hesitates. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie ducks his head to hide his smile at the wrapping job, and takes the present, carefully undoing the paper.]

I'm not afraid to tell you, mate, I'm feeling a bit inadequate. Have I ever wrapped anything I've given you?

[bywolves]

[ Royce huffs. ]

No, but you don't have to. I just wanted to. That's all. [ That's what you do with presents, right? That's how it works.

When Alfie opens the box, he'll find a full outfit inside. It's made of soft, silky fabric, and it's a deep blue, trimmed with gold. Alfie might recognize some of the more fancy bits of the trim - it's distinctly elvish. Royce watches Alfie as he opens it, still looking nervous. ]

[devoutish]

[Oh, look at this. Alfie pulls it out so, so carefully, piece by piece, unfolding each one as best as he can over his lap. It's hard to get the full scope of it sitting down like this, but he can tell that it's fancy, and regal, and incredibly well-made. He runs his fingers over the intricately embroidered top, momentarily speechless.]

[bywolves]

I was - reading. [ Royce says, a little haltingly. ] The elves have traditional formal wear, just like humans. You're not an elf, and it isn't your culture...

But you've shared so much of your own culture with me, and I - wanted to return the favor. Even if I still feel a little like an outsider in my own.

[devoutish]

[Alfie grabs for Royce's hand, holding it tight in both of his own. His first instinct is usually to speak his emotions rather than sharing them, but there's no better way to convey his gratitude than to let Royce feel it, so he does exactly that, flooding him with warmth and affection and thanks.]

May I-- go try it on, then?

[bywolves]

[ Oh, wow, that feels really nice. For as much as Royce appreciates being told with words, the emotions, sometimes, are far better. Royce sucks in a steadying breath, holding on just as tightly. He nods a little. ]

Yeah. If you want to.

[devoutish]

[He stands, carefully placing the outfit down on the couch and looking it over.]

This bit goes first, I think--

[He picks up the shirt, then starts unbuttoning the one he has on.]

[bywolves]

Mm. It shouldn't be too complicated. The only part that might be is the clasp on the cloak, but I can help with that.

[ The buckle had given him some trouble when he'd fiddled with it earlier. ]

[devoutish]

Now, I don't want you laughing at me if I don't do it properly.

[He'll strip right down to his underpants and undershirt, then start carefully layering on the new clothes, taking extra care with anything that's jewel-encrusted.]

[bywolves]

I would never. [ Royce says, lips twitching into a smile. More than anything right now, he's touched. There's a very warm, very soft feeling enveloping him. ]

You try the clasp before I help. [ Royce says, tilting his head back. The clasp is weird only because it makes the cloak fall in a very particular way. It'll be difficult without Royce's help, because things like these were made in mind for kings to have assistance with. ]

[devoutish]

I know how to do up a clasp, Royce.

[Except, yeah, he doesn't. Watch him struggle with it for a few minutes.]

[bywolves]

Do you? [ Royce asks after a minute, full on grinning now. ] Are you sure?

[devoutish]

Did you design it this way on purpose?

[bywolves]

[ Snort. ]

I didn't. The elves did. They expected their assistants to do it for them.