[Anger swirls with frustration and now some measure of guilt. This really hadn't been meant to affect Royce or Emily. Certainly not to the level it seems to have. But they'd found out after so little time! How could it be that bad? Still, he can imagine the heart-stopping moments he's had in Between, losing someone, even when they sometimes reappeared. That had been to nonexistence, though, not to a home where Alfie might like to be.
It seems so unfair to him. Why can't Royce just appreciate what a clever punishment it was and move on when no one was really hurt or lost? Monty knows better than to voice those selfish resentments. He takes a few steadying breaths of his own.]
I did not think it through to that point. I'm sorry. All I thought was that it was a spell that would last three days and be finished. Hopefully with Mr. Solomons the wiser for it. If you would ask me to take no action when he wrongs someone I love, then I must look to you to provide adequate punishment, in that event. Would you be able to provide it? Just as you might ask the same of me for one of my dearest.
[ He just starts with that, hand coming up to rub at his chest, just under his sternum. He tries to think, to figure out what to say to that, because Monty admitted he didn't know it would hurt them and that's... well. That's something. ]
... Yeah. I'll come up with something if he does it again. I think you've done enough this time. [ He swallows hard. ] I can't tell you it's okay, but you. Apologized. [ A beat. ] That's not something most people do for me, so I. I appreciate it.
[ But. ] I doubt I will ever ask you for a punishment if your dearest wrong me, Monty. If I have a problem, I settle it myself, and I look before I leap.
I wouldn't jump to hurting them, Navarro. I'm not a mindless beast, I know how to speak civilly to people. [ Royce says, a little harshly, but. Then he stops, and takes a deep breath. ]
... I think you're right. [ He folds his arms, almost protectively. ] Let's. Cool off. I'll come talk to you again in a few days.
[Monty holds his tongue once more. He has a waspish thought that Royce is an assassin speaking to a murderer. 'Settling' without specification of what that is may be assumed to be something violent. The young gentleman crosses his own arms.]
Very well. I will look for you then... my friend.
[Because that is what Royce is, even strained as this is right now. Perhaps that will not last, but for now, Monty is going to hold to it, even with as abused as he personally feels in this moment.]
[ Royce rubs at the back of his neck. His expression is upset, still, and if Monty looks closely enough he'll see Royce's eyes and cheeks are damp. He hates to leave things like this because he's so fucking aware of how little time any of them have. It could end, one of them could go home or stop existing or - anything. Something.
For now, Royce looks up at Monty with that softer, almost vulnerable look, and then he nods and pulls his hood up. ]
Yeah. Friend. [ It's genuine. And this time, he really does walk away. ]
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It seems so unfair to him. Why can't Royce just appreciate what a clever punishment it was and move on when no one was really hurt or lost? Monty knows better than to voice those selfish resentments. He takes a few steadying breaths of his own.]
I did not think it through to that point. I'm sorry. All I thought was that it was a spell that would last three days and be finished. Hopefully with Mr. Solomons the wiser for it. If you would ask me to take no action when he wrongs someone I love, then I must look to you to provide adequate punishment, in that event. Would you be able to provide it? Just as you might ask the same of me for one of my dearest.
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[ He just starts with that, hand coming up to rub at his chest, just under his sternum. He tries to think, to figure out what to say to that, because Monty admitted he didn't know it would hurt them and that's... well. That's something. ]
... Yeah. I'll come up with something if he does it again. I think you've done enough this time. [ He swallows hard. ] I can't tell you it's okay, but you. Apologized. [ A beat. ] That's not something most people do for me, so I. I appreciate it.
[ But. ] I doubt I will ever ask you for a punishment if your dearest wrong me, Monty. If I have a problem, I settle it myself, and I look before I leap.
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Know that if you hurt them, you would be hurting me, then. Our bonds are as much shackles as they are lifelines.
[As he's coming to understand here more and more.]
I did not mean the one between us to grow thorns. Perhaps it would be better to hold a conversation when the wounds are not so fresh.
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... I think you're right. [ He folds his arms, almost protectively. ] Let's. Cool off. I'll come talk to you again in a few days.
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Very well. I will look for you then... my friend.
[Because that is what Royce is, even strained as this is right now. Perhaps that will not last, but for now, Monty is going to hold to it, even with as abused as he personally feels in this moment.]
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For now, Royce looks up at Monty with that softer, almost vulnerable look, and then he nods and pulls his hood up. ]
Yeah. Friend. [ It's genuine. And this time, he really does walk away. ]