[log] we wear red so they don't see us bleed [closed]

[bywolves]

Characters: Royce Melborn, Alfie Solomons
Location: Building 141
Date: Day 242, morning
Summary: Both boys are monsters, figuratively and literally.
Warnings: Body horror, possible gore, warnings for other things in subject headers

141: A post office, long-abandoned. There are a few empty white plastic bins where mail was once piled up, and the lobby area is still remarkably clean and polished. The back area isn't locked, so if you like you can go through the back and see the office with its locked safe and the back door that leads to the downtown area. Trees, impossibly tall men, and lots of Ⓧs have been drawn on the walls, along with ball-like things that are made up of tentacles and beaks and death and one circle in green crayon that's been scribbled over in charcoal.

Comments

[bywolves]

[ Royce looks up, and frowns. ]

... Bigger, yes. Sharper too.

[devoutish]

And how long did it take you to change? You woke up like this?

[bywolves]

I woke up this way. Because it hurts.

I don't think it's going to stop with this.

[devoutish]

For you, or for me?

[bywolves]

... Both of us. [ Royce murmurs. ] If you're lucky, it'll stop with the teeth.

[devoutish]

No matter what happens to us, mate, I'll stay with you.

[bywolves]

I'll stay as long as I can, Alfie. [ He's pessimistic - he remembers the last time. But he'll promise that much. ] Do you think this is because I stole your light?

[devoutish]

I don't know. Haven't got a clue.

[He looks up at Royce, frowning.]

You worry something's gonna drive you away? My light's gone; you've got nothing to worry about taking from me anymore.

[bywolves]

I wanted to fight the other monsters. The last time.

If we both turn, I can't guarantee I won't want to attack you.

[devoutish]

[He sighs, running a hand down his face.]

Neither can I, then.

We'll go off on our own if it comes to that.

[bywolves]

I don't want that to happen. [ Royce says, settling against the wall. He's very carefully not going to touch anything, not his hair or his clothes or... anything. ]

[devoutish]

It wouldn't be for long, if it came to that.

[He's trying to reassure both Royce and himself, here.]

[bywolves]

[ He nods. ]

Might want to find something to bite down on. So you don't puncture your tongue.

[devoutish]

If this keeps up, eating is gonna be difficult. Can you eat, do you think?

[bywolves]

Not hungry now. [ He glances over at Alfie. ] But I should eat before I can't, you're right. You should, as well.

[devoutish]

Have we got anything soft?

[bywolves]

[ Royce pulls his bag closer, carefully. ]

Bit of the bread is left.

[devoutish]

Not warm anymore.

[But he holds a hand out anyway.]

[bywolves]

No, but it's something. [ He hands over the bread, though he does take some for himself. ] Could be eating jerky.

[devoutish]

I think I could muscle through it with these teeth.

[bywolves]

Could probably muscle through anything with those teeth. Make sure that anything isn't me. [ It's a morbid joke, but hey. ]

[devoutish]

Well, we'll see how things go, eh? Don't do anything to fucking piss me off.

[He gives a wan smile. It's totally to hide the fact that he's scared, but he covers it up fairly well - it'll only be obvious if Royce looks too hard at his eyes.]

[bywolves]

No promises. [ Royce says dryly. He knows Alfie is scared just by measure of being around him all the time, but he doesn't say anything. Royce is scared too. ]

Going to try to sleep for a while before it's impossible.

[devoutish]

Think I'll stay up a bit. I'd rather see these changes as they come.

[He nods to the pile of blankets and pillows next to him.]

You sleep. I'll keep watch.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ As usual, it's Royce's quiet thank you. He carefully moves himself to the pile of blankets and lays down on them, closing his eyes. And he'll sleep. For a while.

A few hours pass, but towards the end of them, he starts to get restless. If Alfie's been watching, nothing extreme has been happening to Royce. On the outside, anyway. On the inside, things are shifting slowly but surely, and it's the cause of the way Royce starts to curl up, breathing a bit harsher in his sleep. ]