[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]

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.

[bywolves]

Right. [ He shifts. But... ] If someone is in here with us, they'll be here the whole night.

[devoutish]

No one's in here with us, mate.

[He pauses for a moment, thinking, and then he gives Royce a gentle nudge.]

Stand up. Help me up, come on.

[bywolves]

[ Royce sighs, and puts the box of chocolates to the side before shifting to help. He doesn't bother arguing, just gets Alfie up on his feet. ]

[devoutish]

[Once they're both up, Alfie gets to work pushing the mattress across the floor, towards a corner away from the door.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce pauses, hesitating. ]

I - I need to be able to see the door. [ Royce says, like he knows he's being ridiculous. Now that Alfie's pointed it out, he's aware of how on edge he is. ]

[devoutish]

You'll see the door. Come on.

[He keeps pushing.]

[bywolves]

[ He sighs a little, and helps Alfie push the mattress to the corner that Alfie's moving it to. Walls. That's nice, that's good. He'll be fine if he can put his back against the wall. ]

[devoutish]

There.

[He steps back once the mattress is completely wedged in.]

You can still see the door, can't you? Now, on you go. You go on the inside.

[bywolves]

No. [ Royce says, a little more sharply than he means to. A beat. Apologetically: ] No. You on the inside. I want to be able to get up.

[ He trusts Alfie at his back, is what it is. ]

[devoutish]

You're sure?