[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]

[He opens his eyes, which are misty and wet.]

It doesn't do anything anymore, Royce.

[bywolves]

It does. It reminds you that there are people home waiting for you. [ Royce says, firmly. ] And it reminds you that somewhere, they're saying the same thing as you. You have people. You have a connection, and the best part about it is that it's words.

[ Royce holds Alfie's face between his hands. ] Words and a feeling, right? Can't really take those from you. Not forever. Can't take the action from you, either.

Even if this is all you have left to fight with, it's still something.

[devoutish]

[He recognizes that Royce is giving his own words back to him - like he'd said, Alfie has told him about this several times before. But something has changed in the past few days, and it feels like it's beyond him to fix.]

You think if I keep saying it, the feeling will come back, then?

[bywolves]

[ Royce nods. ]

It will. And I'll do this with you every night until it does.

[devoutish]

You're gonna get sick of it.

[He says lightly, trying to tease a little.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce makes a face at him, pressing their foreheads together for a moment before pulling away and patting Alfie on the cheek. ]

Maybe. I've given you plenty of things to get sick of. I'm sure it's my turn. [ That's also light, though. Teasing. A beat. ] I'm serious, though. Every night.

[devoutish]

Every night.

[His eyes - still a little wet - close again.]

My mother would love you.

[bywolves]

I'm sure she'd drive me up the wall. [ Royce says, nudging Alfie with his hip. ] Was there more?

[devoutish]

Mm.

[And he continues again. This time, he reaches the end of the evening prayer set before he stops again.]

"-- And behind me the angel Raphael, and above me God's presence."

There.

[He sequeezes Royce's hand.]

That's all.

[bywolves]

[ Royce follows, and finishes, as Alfie's translating. He holds Alfie's hand tightly, and then leans against the wall, tired. He's losing the fight against the apathy setting in, slowly. ]

Every night. [ Royce reminds him. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[His face is wet when he leans in to peck Royce on the cheek.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce accepts the kiss on the cheek without complaint. He holds Alfie's hand tightly, and tugs at him again. Back to bed, where Royce will try to big spoon him like he has been for the past few days. He hasn't been able to shake the habit yet. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie doesn't pick up his tablet again - it stays off to the side with the rest of his things. He swipes the sleeve of his robe across his cheeks, trying to dry them, and then tucks up obligingly against Royce.]

You're tiny.

[bywolves]

Ever thought that maybe it's that you're too big?

[ Royce asks. It's meant to be a tease back, but he struggles with putting the emotion in his voice. He ignores that the best he can, hiding his face against Alfie's hair. He doesn't mention the tears, if only because he thinks if it were him, he'd want them to go unnoticed.

It doesn't stop him from petting at Alfie absently. ]

[devoutish]

Imagine if I were six feet tall. What a pair we'd be.

[bywolves]

Please, you don't need to remind me of Hadrian any more than you already do. [ He sighs. ]

[devoutish]

Ah, no. He's a bit too moral to be like me, don't you think?

[bywolves]

He didn't used to be. But yes. Bit too moral. [ He shrugs absently. ] That's not why you do.

[devoutish]

Yeah. We both love you.

[bywolves]

Mm. [ Yeah. That's mostly why. Royce closes his eyes. ] Yeah. Even when you shouldn't, you do. I like that.

[devoutish]

Don't be ridiculous. I should always.

[bywolves]

You should also try resting.

[devoutish]

Yeah, my mother would really love you.

[bywolves]

[ Royce snorts. ] Must be channeling her.

[devoutish]

Mm, you think the praying is what did it?