[log] fuck [closed]

[devoutish]

Characters: Alfie Solomons, Emily Kaldwin, Gregory House, John Watson, Royce Melborn, Tifa Lockhart
Location: building 120 and building 101
Date: evening of 190 to morning of 192
Summary: when you see "House" and "Royce" in the same log you know it's gonna be a party
Warnings: ear removal

Catch-all for EVERYTHING - death, murder, torture, yelling, etc. Top-level and tag as you see fit.

Comments

[bywolves]

[ It's not... entirely far off from Royce's rules for himself, honestly, which makes him look vaguely amused. ]

You'd be surprised how similarly my rules for killing people match up with yours. [ He doesn't kill people for fun. He kills people when they actively threaten his existence - and he has a loose and fast way of judging whether or not someone is threatening his existence. House is constantly an exception to this rule. ]

Mm. [ In any case. Royce thinks. ] I'd say you shouldn't, whether he asks for it or not. If he's insistent, he should do it for himself. [ A pause. ] You think House is not morally conflicted? This Stein chose you because it bothers you. Likely trying to teach you a lesson.

[jumpthegun]

[Okay, they can continue in a moment, but John's just going to stare at Royce for a few seconds because are they actually agreeing on something? And what the hell is he on about with their respective rules?]

O... kay? Are we having a moment, because this is a little bit weird?

[bywolves]

[ Royce raises his eyebrow at John, chin still in his palm. ]

If we were, you've just ruined it. [ He's still a little amused. ]

[jumpthegun]

[Does Royce actually have a sense of humor? John's own lips twitch up into a rueful smile for a moment. He can't help it.]

I do have a habit of that. [John runs a hand down his face.] Sorry. I'm not doing anything with Stein for now. Alfie thinks I should. But we're not agreeing on much lately. As you've noticed. I honestly don't know what to tell you, Duster. I don't know that we can make up from this, not unless he's willing to give.

[bywolves]

[ Of course he has a sense of humor! It just hasn't had the chance to come out much here. ]

Solomons is not one to give. [ Royce knows this. ] He thinks you should set the administrator on Stein? [ Ooh, that doesn't sit well with Royce. ]

[jumpthegun]

I know.

[Which is why John's preparing himself mentally for the possibility that his friendship with Alfie is over. Selfishly, he wants to put off fighting and coming to that decision for as long as humanly possible. He's going to miss the other man too much.]

He thinks I should do it, yeah. Stein gave me permission, so apparently that's all that matters.

[bywolves]

No. [ Royce scowls. ] You let her do it to one person, and everybody else is subject to it.

[jumpthegun]

Yeah. It's the slippery slope argument. I know. And that's part of it... atop the whole thing of us already being mind-controlled enough. Plus making a promise. I'm not gonna break my word to a friend. Managed to get out of that argument before we got too far into it. Don't think he's very happy with my there, either, though.

[bywolves]

[ ... Okay, see, that's not what he's expecting. Royce figured Watson would be on the other side of the argument, but he isn't. Royce gives John a flat look. ]

No, you're right this is weird. I'm not sure I like agreeing with you.

[jumpthegun]

[Considering John's done a 180 from where he was when he initially brought the whole thing up, it's not unreasonable for Royce to be confused on where the doctor stands. He scoffs lightly before replying.]

And I thought you'd agree with Alfie. So, here we are. It's not worth getting into a fight over there when we've got something bigger separating us, though. [He sighs again.] If Sherlock comes back... we'll probably have to deal with it then. That's my side of things, anyway. Do with it what you want.

[bywolves]

Contrary to the common belief, Solomons and I are not the same person. I argue with him about as much as you do, I'd imagine. [ Well, maybe not as often or over the same sort of stuff, but still. ]

Hm. If I run across the Joker, I'll likely kill him. [ Royce watches John closely for his reaction to this. ] It won't be on your hands.

[jumpthegun]

Mm... [Royce really is Alfie's version of Sherlock in many ways. It's both strange and comforting.

His expression is impassive when Royce says he's going to kill the Joker.]

Okay. That doesn't really fix the problem. And I don't think it's any more right, you doing it than me.

[bywolves]

Nothing is going to solve the problem. [ Royce says, lifting his eyebrows. ] There is no solution to this other than hoping he just doesn't come back once he's dead.

I'm not actively planning on it. I won't chase him. I have better things to do with my time. I'd just rather kill him before he kills me, my allies, or worse.

[jumpthegun]

I really don't like agreeing with you this much. [John draws his knees up and rests his forehead on them.]

Do whatever you're gonna do. I can't stop you, anyway.

[bywolves]

[ Eyebrows still raised! ]

No, you can't, but I'm surprised to hear you admit it. [ A pause. ] This place really has beaten you down.

[jumpthegun]

I'm pretty sure my best friend melted last night, Duster. I'll be fine in a day or two. Just give me a few days, and I'm sure I'll be annoying you proper again.

[bywolves]

Melted. [ Jeeze, that's morbid. ] You do know I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, Watson. I didn't know.

[jumpthegun]

I know. But that's why Alfie and I haven't really talked about anything else. He's being nice. He doesn't have to be, but he is. [Which is what gives John some tiny measure of hope that the other man is still willing to bend to make this work.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is quiet for a long moment. ] Mm. I'm not the best person to give advice about friendships. So I won't.

[jumpthegun]

[John gives him a long look right back.] Well, you've clearly got friends. I can take it or leave it. Might as well tell me what you've got to say.

[bywolves]

Not by trying. [ Royce shrugs lightly. ] Solomons likes you. He isn't angry. He's disappointed, because he thinks you have a duty to do and you aren't fulfilling that duty.

Keep in mind not too long ago he was angry at me for suggesting that I kill the Joker after what he did to Fiona. I can't keep up with how he changes his mind. [ None of this is really advice, which he realizes. ]

[jumpthegun]

Well, if I ever figure it out, I'll let you know. Knowing how he changes his mind can only help us both. [He runs his fingers through his hair, which is getting a bit long again.] And I know I'm disappointing him. It's worse than him being angry, which is just stupid. [A small huff.]

But it's harder to get past disappointment than anger. I'm angry at Sherlock a hell of a lot. He's only disappointed me a few times. I remember those times a lot better... and some of them still hurt.

[bywolves]

[ Royce rubs at his face a little. ]

Don't ever let him know that. [ That the disappointment is worse than anger. A pause. ] You plan to keep on moving, right?

[jumpthegun]

[John suspects Alfie already knows and just shrugs.]

Yeah. I have to. We've still got the Joker running wild, Stein, everything to solve before time runs out, people with those eyes, MN poisoning to sort. I've already wasted enough time today. [Mourning. Alfie would probably call it moping.] We still have to save everyone from this place.

[bywolves]

You're against staying with a group?