[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

[bywolves]

[ He noses at the side of Alfie's head. It's okay, buddy. ]

Love you. [ Royce murmurs, with a sigh. ] Drink your tea.

[devoutish]

I love you, too. And I Iove your tea. Your bread, as well.

[It's not like Royce made the bread, but whatever. He collected it; that's good enough, in Norfinbury.]

[bywolves]

[ He can't find it in him to smile this time. Instead, he sort of just settles into Alfie, eyes closed. He says nothing for now. ]

[devoutish]

What do you need?

[He says quietly.]

What do you need, mate? I'll give it to you.

[bywolves]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Nothing that you or anybody can do. [ He rubs at Alfie's back a little. ] Just drink your tea and eat the bread and I'll be okay. Enjoy yourself.

[ Try to be happy. Royce can try if Alfie does. ]

[devoutish]

I'm drinking it.

[He takes another small sip. He's grappling with wanting to drink slowly and make it last, and wanting to drink quickly before it cools off too much. It's a struggle.]

But tell me anyway.

[bywolves]

[ He keeps rubbing at Alfie's back, eyes closed. ]

I don't want to go anywhere today. [ He says, softer. ] If that's fine with you.

[devoutish]

Yeah, okay. We'll just stay in bed today.

[bywolves]

Hotel's a good place for that. [ The beds are nice, here. ] We can walk around later. Maybe read. I have a few books I haven't read in a long time.

[ Or sleep. He could just sleep all day. ]

[devoutish]

I'll try to read to you, if you like.

["Try" because his glasses prescription from home isn't nearly strong enough for him anymore, and he really has to strain to read anything but the biggest print these days.]

[bywolves]

Yeah. I'd like that. [ Even if Alfie can't, the effort is appreciated. ] Could have me or the tablet read it when you get tired.

[ A beat. ] Should look for glasses, sometime.

[devoutish]

They'd need to be ones that would work with my eyes. Just any old glasses wouldn't do.

I could work on trying to transcribe some of these books in bigger writing.

[bywolves]

It'd give you something else to do. To break up the monotony.

[devoutish]

I'm a trade broker, Royce. My life is very exciting.

[He says it with enough sarcasm that Royce can probably tell he's joking, but enough levity that he doesn't sound completely bitter.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce snorts. ]

Can't be a trade broker every hour of every day.

[devoutish]

Yes, well, I've got some time off sometimes. Then I rest in bed with you.

[bywolves]

And read to me. [ Royce says. He's sounding more relaxed as time passes, curled up warm with Alfie mostly in his lap. ] Domestic. Never thought I'd see the day.

[devoutish]

Ah, I've always been domestic with you.

[bywolves]

Since near the start, yeah. [ Years ago. ] I meant for me. Never thought... well, obviously, I never thought I'd end up here. But I also didn't think I'd end up finding that I think a good day consists of curling up in bed all day with an old, creaky gangster.

[devoutish]

You don't regret it, though, do you.

[bywolves]

No. Not a single moment of it.

[devoutish]

I'd like it better if we had some sun.

[He presses his feet against Royce a little more, seeking warmth.]

Imagine - proper sun.

[bywolves]

[ Royce settles his arms on Alfie's feet more firmly. ]

Mm. I miss the feel of it on my skin. [ He rubs at Alfie's arm. ] Fire is about as close as we can get.

[devoutish]

You want me to give you then sun, then, is that it?

[He walks his fingers up Royce's forearm.]

[bywolves]

[ He laughs a little. ]

You just happen to have one in your back pocket?