[log] how deep are we gonna go with this?

[bywolves]

Characters: Alfie and Royce
Location: Downtown
Date: Day 292 to Day 295
Summary: Exposure effects, a brief reprieve, and then event shenanigans.
Warnings: Nothing yet, will update if anything comes up.

Starters below!

Comments

[devoutish]

[Alfie snorts, and that turns into a laugh - less because of the joke itself and more because of the fact that Royce is making it.]

If it puts you in a good mood, I won't complain much if you eat the rest.

[bywolves]

[ There's still a bit of Royce left, under all that apathy. It gets really bad, but he's trying to claw his way up out of it more often. ]

I want you to eat the rest of it. Or some of it. At least the cookie part.

[devoutish]

[Alfie just arches an eyebrow at him. Ew, no, why.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce frowns a bit. ]

Fine. [ Maybe he's going to sulk a little instead, then!!! ] Don't eat it, then.

[devoutish]

Royce.

[Don't you dare sulk. Alfie's just going to throw that sugar flower at his face.]

[bywolves]

[ EXCUSE YOU!!! Royce splutters, and then just - reaches and pushes Alfie's face. Maturely. Listen, you. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie laughs again, kicking his foot against Royce's.]

The chocolate's good.

[He doesn't want your gross cold ice cream, but you still did a good job, friend.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce smiles a little, after a moment, settling against the wall. His eyes keep darting up to the door, but he's obviously trying to be a little more subtle about it. ]

Alright. Eat the chocolate, then. [ u butt ]

[devoutish]

Share.

[He settles the box on Royce's knees, but not before snagging another piece for himself.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce makes a grumpy sound, but leaves the box where it is. ]

You should go back to sleep after you do.

[devoutish]

I'm all right. I had some rest; I'm gonna sit up for a bit.

[bywolves]

You slept for less than an hour. [ Royce says, raising an eyebrow. ]

[devoutish]

Really? That little? Ah, well.

[He tries to shove his cold feet under Royce's legs for warmth.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce makes a huffy sound because Alfie's feet are cold! But he allows it. He even makes sure that Alfie's feet are completely covered and warm. And he tucks the blankets closer.

For now, he doesn't answer, but he is sort of twitchy, staring at either the door or up at the ceiling. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie watches him, concerned - knowing something's on his mind, and wishing he'd tell him what. He mulls over whether he wants to ask point-blank and potentially provoke a fight, or just let Royce stew in it for a bit.

He nudges his head into Royce's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment.]

Was that your first ice cream?

[bywolves]

[ The thing is, he barely even notices he's doing it. But he does pause when Alfie rests his head on Royce's shoulder, and after a second, he rests his own against Alfie's. ]

No. We both had some a long time ago. In the aquarium. The little cups with chocolate and ice cream.

[devoutish]

Oh-- yeah. Yeah, we did, didn't we. How did you talk me into it back then?

[bywolves]

I don't know. [ Royce says, eyes on the door. ] I don't think I had to do much convincing. I just brought you some.

[devoutish]

I must have been fucking insane.

[He grunts.]

Royce, tell me what's bothering you. Please.

[bywolves]

What? [ He sounds confused. ] Nothing's bothering me.

[devoutish]

You're even more on edge than usual, mate.

[bywolves]

[ A beat. ]

Yeah. [ He scrubs at his face a little. ] Just feels like someone's watching me. That's all.

[devoutish]

I don't feel it.

[Which means it's not likely something caused by the house itself. A chill runs through him. Is this a sign of something coming?]

Where's it watching you from, do you think?

[bywolves]

Outside. [ Royce says, chewing his bottom lip. ] Right outside the door.

[devoutish]

The doors will be locking soon. Any minute now, I think.