wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[Ever since everyone in Norfinbury had taken control of the town's dimension-hopping technology, Alfie has stayed on his own world, never visiting anybody else. At first, he'd even been a little leery about the idea of anybody - close friends included - coming to visit him. But by now he's much more accustomed to the idea, and the Riyria duo has an open invitation to pop over whenever they want to.

When Royce and Hadrian come by for visits, Alfie allows them more reign to wander around the bakery than most. There are times - usually during his meetings - when it's "workers only" and off-limits even for them, but for the rest of the time, he trusts them not to do or say anything stupid. They know how this sort of business works. They don't need his constant supervision. And when they show up today, Ollie doesn't hesitate to usher them in.]

Are you looking for Alfie? He's in the back.

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[Hadrian can't help but laugh about it. Frankly, he'd be the same way, but listen, it's more amusing when you're not on that end of things. Small treasures.

It's good it's a girl, too, he thinks. Same with Royce. Softens hardened men up a little.] Hopefully, it won't be something you ever get use to at all.

Even if you end up with six more running around the place. Your bakery might actually turn out to be just a bakery after all.

More. This one is terrifying enough. Tell me, how am I gonna keep her safe from everything terrible in the world?

[He days it lightheartedly enough, but it's also kind of a real question. How does he make sure nothing bad ever happens to his daughter in her entire life, Hadrian?]

[Hadrian done knowed he fucked up as soon as Alfie starts talking.] Uh--

[CALM DOWN, PAPA. Harian doesn't know these answers! Royce has asked him these questions already, and he didn't have the answers then, so he's not going to have the answers now! LOOK, he ran away from home, how is he going to even--] Easy. Let's just take it a few days at a time, okay? [Poor Alfie.]

Really, [His voice softens.] if you want to do right by her, you might think about selling strictly bread at the bakery. [Not always the easiest path, but the best one for safety. And Alfie asked about safety!]

I mean, unless she wants to grow up and be a tough gang leader like yourself.

[Anna blinks sleepily, and waves a fist in the air, and Alfie is transfixed again.]

Not many little girls want to be gangsters.

[He looks from Alfie down at the baby. There's a bit of a smile.] Not many gangsters want to be fathers either.

You haven't met the gangsters I have. Gangsters with families - they're a dime a dozen, here.

I've met a few. You've got some who work for you. [But they're working for someone, not necessarily gang leaders.] It might be why they have to do the work they do. To provide for their families.

Hey. Don't worry so much about it. We'll hope she takes more after your wife, and then the only thing you have to worry about is keeping the boys away.

[He's not helping, is he?]

Fucking hell--

[He runs a hand down his face, grinning.]

I'll end up with grandchildren eight months after her wedding.

Yeah, if she takes after you. [He offers Alfie a bit of a grin.] Now I have to listen to two men complain and grumble and stomp when boys come calling on their beautiful daughters.

Edited (also two mean) 2016-10-14 22:46 (UTC)

Her mum did play a bit of a part in that, mate.

[He runs a light finger down her cheek, and she instinctively turns her mouth towards it.]

Fucking hell. What if she can't stand me?

[Okay, he's sorry, but that gets a small burst of laughter that he has to quickly choke down so he doesn't scare the baby. Ends up coughing it out.]

I doubt it. Most girls love their fathers. Thrace--she loved hers. And if someone as sweet as Mercy can love a man like Royce Melborn...

Shy little thing.

[But he'd liked Mercy.]

Needs a bit of coaxing to come out of that shell, doesn't she? But she seems to warm up quickly.

Yeah. [Hadrian likes Mercy, too.] Like her father. [He knows you know, Alfie.] But she reminds me of her mother. [GOD, he made himself sad...]

Make sure you tell them you love them any chance you get. [For a while, he had been jealous of Royce. Gwen was such a kind, strong, beautiful woman. But then it didn't bother him so much, and he realized he cared about Gwen in a different way.

He wishes he had told her more often how much he loved her.]

[He cradles the baby a little closer, looking at Hadrian seriously.]

Are they doing all right?

[For a moment, he doesn't answer. He doesn't even look up from the baby in Alfie's arms, and then, slowly, he does.] Yeah. As well as they can be, considering. Mercy isn't quite so bad. She's young.

Royce, though...

He's hiding it well. Acting normal.

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