[log] I JUST DIIIIIED IN YOUR ARMS TONIIIIIIGHT [closed]

[devoutish]

Characters: Alfie Solomons, Emily Kaldwin, Fiona, Royce Melborn
Location building 41
Date: evening of 157 through morning of 158
Summary: Alfie bleeds to death in the blood house, for maximum Snowhell fun
Warnings: graphic injury, death and dying

Step into the only remaining room in this house and you'll be in for a shock--at first blush, it looks like you've stepped into a room that has blood all over the floor and walls. Look closer, though, and it's actually paint. This was once an artist's studio, judging by the canvases stacked up in the corner. It seems like there were paintings on the canvases once, but now they're muddy or blacked out entirely by thick paint. Some of the paint on the walls has been scraped away, revealing yet more paint. Some of the canvases have had their paint scraped off, or have been taken apart entirely.

Comments

[bywolves]

[ There's a long pause, and then Royce tries again. He's trying really hard to make this easier, but it's hard to think when his chest is tight like this, when it's hard to form words without choking on them. ]

You need to come back. [ He says finally, softer. He knows Fiona and Emily are going to hear but he just. Has to say it. ]

[devoutish]

What are the odds for coming back a second time? I can't fucking remember. I've got a head for numbers, but--

[He's pretty woozy right now.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce tells him the odds because I don't know and I'm too lazy to look. It's less than the first time around. ] Odds don't matter. If House can come back as many times as he has, you can as well.

[devoutish]

Odds are odds. They're beatable, but I'm not gonna pretend--

You should take some of the weapons. Leave me all the clothes and blankets, but take some supplies.

[bywolves]

[ But then that makes it more real. ]

You'll need them if you come back. [ Royce says a little sharply. ] I don't need your supplies, Solomons, don't. Don't.

[devoutish]

I'm not telling you to take all of them.

[bywolves]

[ Deep breath in, deep breath out. Settle down. Flatten out. ] ... What do you want me to take?

[devoutish]

The letter opener. Take the letter opener.

[bywolves]

Alright. [ He'll take the damn letter opener. He doesn't think he deserves it but if Alfie's going to tell him to, he will. ]

Pills working?

[devoutish]

A bit.

[He pauses.]

Listen - you're gonna be stuck in here with me all night. Yeah? Even after.

[bywolves]

Yes. [ Thanks... for the reminder, Alfie. ] Even after.

[devoutish]

That's gonna be hard on Emily.

[bywolves]

I'm not going to just leave you out in the open. [ He sounds vaguely offended. ] And I'll take care of her.

[devoutish]

Still. She'll know.

Put an arm around her, or something.

[bywolves]

I will, Mar's sake. That's what 'take care' means. [ Royce mutters. ] Are you going to boss me around until you die or was that all?

[ That comes out meaner than he wants. ]

[devoutish]

[He makes a sound of annoyance.]

And I know--

[He knows it'll be hard on Royce, too. But that's not something he can really say, is it?]

[bywolves]

[ No, he can't, but Royce hears it anyway, hears where that sentence is going. It's surprising how much he just wants to carve holes in the wall when he figures it out. ]

Just come back. [ He shifts, so that they're touching, his foot against Alfie's arm. It's subtle but it's intentional. Royce doesn't touch without reason. ]

[devoutish]

[He grunts, nods, and shifts, reaching over to give Royce a very manly pat on the shoulder.]

[bywolves]

[ It's a very manly pat, yes, and it - makes Royce feel better. Not a lot, but enough. He can't say what he feels - it just won't come out, and maybe it's better that way. Instead he makes a low noise of acknowledgement and brings a hand up to briefly rub at his eyes.

And then he's quiet. ]

[devoutish]

[It's easy for Alfie to go quiet, too. He's tired, and talking takes effort. But without anything to distract him from the pain, it's all the more overwhelming, and so it's not long before he speaks up again.]

Where are you gonna head from here?

[bywolves]

[ Royce is more than happy to distract him, honestly. ]

The hospital. With Tifa. If she'll allow it. [ He figures she'll be fine with it. ] Should figure out what the app will do.

[devoutish]

She'll allow it. She'll want to see you.

I came back there, last time.

[And House seems to think that people tend to come back in the same places.]

[bywolves]

Makes it easier for us to pick you up. [ He was planning on dropping whatever he was doing to go get Alfie anyway. If he comes back. ] Doesn't matter where you end up. I'll go wherever is needed.

[devoutish]

Thanks, mate.

[He pats Royce's arm again.]

[bywolves]

... You're welcome. [ Royce sniffs a little. Quietly, trying to not let Fiona or Emily hear: ] It's literally the least I could do.