[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]

Oh, that's not true. You've got others you care for, as well.

[bywolves]

Nobody that I'd put above you. [ It's been forty or sixty something years, he doesn't have much issue saying things like this out loud anymore. ]

[devoutish]

But you do care about them.

[Reminding Royce that he has other people in his corner is an important goal of Alfie's - especially lately.]

[bywolves]

[ Poor Alfie. He tries, but Royce doesn't want to hear it - especially lately. ]

Right. [ He says dismissively. ] How are you feeling today?

[devoutish]

Young and spry.

[He sounds exhausted, still, and his voice croaks a little.]

I think I'm up for a jog around town, how about you?

[bywolves]

[ Royce is quiet for a moment. He's trying to keep the jokes and good natured ribbing up, but hearing Alfie's exhausted voice makes his heart twist in his chest. Royce tucks Alfie's head under his chin. ]

Yeah. I could jog around the town twice. [ He answers halfheartedly. ]

[devoutish]

[He appreciates the attempt, he really does. But he finds Royce's hands under the blanket and gives them both as firm as squeeze as he can.]

I feel the same as ever today. I really do; I'm all right.

[bywolves]

[ Royce holds on tightly in return. He's feeling heartsick. ]

Well enough to sit up for a while, then. [ It's not going to be one of those days where both of them just sleep all day, is mostly his question. ] Need to get some food in you.

[devoutish]

Yeah. And I'll have a walk around the hotel later.

[He speaks quietly, against Royce's throat.]

It's just one more day, mate. Just a day like any other. No different from yesterday, really.

[bywolves]

[ Royce holds Alfie close to his chest, hand on the back of Alfie's head for just a moment. ]

I know. [ A beat. ] It's just a reminder. [ He's so scared of being alone. Maybe it comes out in his voice a little. ] It's alright. We're going to celebrate.

[devoutish]

I've been trying to prepare you.

[His voice is even quieter now - quiet enough that Royce can ignore it, if he wants.]

[bywolves]

[ Nope. No, he doesn't want to talk about this. Royce is tense and trying to pretend like he's not bothered. He pulls himself up to sit, wrapping the blankets tightly around Alfie. ]

I'm not ever going to be prepared, Alfie. Not worth the effort. [ He says, firmly. He slides off the bed. ] What do you want for breakfast?

[devoutish]

[He almost makes another joke - pancakes, hot oatmeal, and scrambled eggs with a side of fresh fruit, please.

Instead he sighs.]

Have we got any of those crackers left?

[bywolves]

[ If Royce could get him those, he really, really would. But all they have are the meager rations, as usual. A beat. ]

Mm. I have tea. Crackers. Kept a loaf of bread from the bakery, too. We could heat the tea and warm the bread up.

[devoutish]

That sounds delicious. Let's eat it in bed.

[bywolves]

[ Royce finally smiles a little, looking over his shoulder. ]

Yeah. A good birthday gift. It's not all you're getting, but it's a start. [ And he'll go about putting together a fire. It'll take a bit - all he has is a match and not incredibly flammable materials in which to make a controlled fire with, but he can do it. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie goes quiet, and drifts off a little. He never totally falls asleep, but he's happy to just lie there with his eyes closed, listening to Royce move around the room.]

You're a good man, mate.

[bywolves]

[ Royce pauses in putting the water over the fire. ]

You have low standards for good. [ Royce says, but it's gentle and sort of teasing. ]

[devoutish]

I'm not talking about morals. You're good to me.

[bywolves]

I don't have to try to be, with you. [ Not anymore, at least. ] You make it easy.

[devoutish]

Mm. Sweet man, too.

[bywolves]

[ Royce makes a face in his direction. ] I'm already making you breakfast, you don't need to sweet talk me.

[devoutish]

Royce Melborn, the sweetest man in Norfinbury, who I'm lucky to have by my side day in and day out.

[bywolves]

[ At least Alfie can feel good about the smile on Royce's face. It's not a huge grin or anything, but it's there. ]

Incredibly lucky. [ Royce teases. He feels at the cup, testing the temperature. ] Lucky that I put up with this.

[devoutish]

Yeah, I am.

[He sounds serious and honest when he says that - no longer really joking. He knows he's kind of useless these days.]