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Used to it from home. Then men I know there are far rowdier than Royce.

[It'll be a few minutes until the water's heated, so he heads back into the living room, sitting down across from K. Bear plods over and plunks his head into Alfie's lap, looking for ear-scritches; Alfie obliges.]

Ones you employed at your bakery in London? [ He's trying not to smile as he says it. It hasn't been difficult to infer Alfie was more than just a baker, even if he isn't entirely certain of the specifics. ]

Alfie catches that tone, and gives him a full knowing smile.]

That's right, yeah. The men in my bakery, who baked my bread and kneaded my dough, and would sometimes kill people for me if people needed killing.

[ Well that. SURE IS A THING.

And boy if K isn't regretting boozing it up now, because the casual way Alfie says it has him covering his mouth and having to stifle a laugh. Which he's pretty sure isn't the appropriate response to such information, especially not from an officer of the law. ]

The baking world's even more cutthroat than I imagined. [ That does explain a few things about Alfie. And then there's the obvious question that he isn't sure he should be asking. ] Why would they need to be killed?

Well, so long as we both understand that we're not really talking about bakeries--

[He's pretty sure that K gets that, but it's worth clarifying.]

-- there are many reasons. Yeah. To punish, to send a message, to clear out troublemakers. Now, killing's certainly not the only answer to those problems, but there are situations where it's the best.

[ As amusing as the thought is, K doesn't believe Alfie was a murderously competitive baker, of course. Which is probably good news for Phil here in the Meadous, all things considered. ]

The bakery was a front. [ He guesses. ] The Meadous retirement you were talking about, making wine... Forced retirement, or you're happy leaving that part of your old life behind?

[ And maybe he's also wondering a little if Alfie'll ever bring that old life here, so to speak. If he hasn't already in some manner. ]

It's not so simple as one or the other. I chose my job. I enjoyed my job. If I were home, I'd still be doing it.

[Then again, considering his health scare... maybe not. If he were home, he might not have much time left. That's enough to make anyone's priorities shift around a bit.]

But the Meadous isn't much of a place for a gang; it's far too small. And I'm happy enough here all the same.

For the record, [ And for Zephyr's sake if they're listening. ] I'm not encouraging murder. [ A pause, eyebrows raised, then: ] But it might not always remain this small. Once people are free to come and go as they choose.

[ Follow your gangster dreams, Alfie. A smile tugs at the corners of K's mouth. ] Hypothetically, is there anyone here you'd want to recruit?

[ Fuck, Marry, Kill: Gangster edition. ]

You and Gabriel.

[Alfie says immediately.]

Though perhaps not for reasons that you'd like. I'd look at Ienzo and Rhys, as well. And you're right; things may change when the worlds are opened up. I'm forty-five, and the idea of starting up a gang from scratch at my age makes me feel very tired. But--

[He shrugs.]

I am gonna live much longer here than I ever would have expected, back home.

[ Because K had only really been expecting Royce to be named (who's simply a given, he assumes), the others catch him by surprise — especially himself. Wryly: ] If it's anything to do with how well I'd follow orders, you won't offend me with the truth.

[ It's something he probably should be more bothered by, but it is what it is; accept the things you can't change. Of course, it's a bit of a different story when he's fully sober. ]

Well, I've never given you an order, so I wouldn't know how well you follow them. But you're eager to please, and unquestioningly loyal to your friends.

Oh. [ That's — unexpected. ] Those don't seem like disagreeable reasons. [ Since they're even less offensive than what he'd first assumed, at least to him. Even if they may be the result of programming as much as personality traits. ]

Royce said you wished for a lifespan that matches his, when I was wondering about my own. I think it'd be nice... staying in the Meadous long term, really establishing a life here. I hope to as well. But...

[Alfie raises his eyebrows.]

But?

When people vanish from here, it isn't by choice. It's something that happens without warning as far as I've seen and heard.

[ So regardless of how much he hopes or plans to spend the rest of his life here, it's difficult to ignore that possibility. ]

It's on my mind, too. I think about it a lot, in fact.

Maybe that'll change too, with the walls coming down and Zephyr becoming more powerful.

[ But it's still a maybe. ]

That's what Royce thought. Zephyr will find a way to keep us here, if we want to stay.

Yeah, that is the goal, I think - them having more control over all of it, the coming and the going. Travel between god worlds is on the table, as well; we'd like Royce's wife, Gwen, to come here.

[ Mention of Gwen has K smiling a bit. ] That'll be good. She's mentioned that. [ Realising Alfie might not know yet: ] I write to her, too. Wasn't really expecting a reply, that first time, but we've kept it up for a few months now.

[ He's too drunk to have a good poker face right now; there's something in his smile that probably makes it obvious she's told him things about Alfie, too. Things he won't be repeating, even though none are bad. ]

Do you?

[Alfie asks, leaning forward with interest.]

I didn't know that. But from that look on your face, I'd wager you agree that she's a good sort of woman - a good woman for Royce. Eh?

Sure. I like her. I think they're a good match for each other. [ His smile falters, receding into a mild look of confusion as he remembers something. ] Royce seemed to be under the impression that I have... certain intentions toward his wife. [ Oops. ] But he wasn't angry?

[Alfie honestly isn't sure what part of that surprises him more, and for a moment, he just gapes at K. What do address first?]

He thought you were trying to seduce Gwen? Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? He might have been joking, as well.

He sounded serious. He was inebriated. [ K lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug. ] So was I. After that I think I told him... [ Squinting in thought, trying to remember the words. Normally he can recall conversations verbatim, but excessive amounts of alcohol can hinder that. ] Something to the effect that I wouldn't be interested in only her.

[ Oh, right. He hypothetically propositioned Royce too. Realising a bit belatedly what he admitted, he seems to become very interested in his hands, staring down at them. ]

You--

[And now those eyebrows go way, way up, and he sits back in his chair, trying not to look too gobsmacked.]

You and Connor, are you on the outs, then?

[ That has K glancing back up with a startled look. ] No, not at all. The opposite, if anything. [ Unless maybe Connor's said something to the contrary to Alfie? But it seems highly unlikely, given how private Connor prefers to be about these matters. ]

And I doubt Royce'd ever... [ He trails off as his brow furrows. Of all the people (and not-people) in the Meadous whom Royce might have or take an interest in, K's pretty sure he wouldn't be included. ] He seems to have enough complications in his life already.

Right.

[It must be one of those open relationships that are all the rage with the kids these days.]

Are you going to? Start something up with Royce, I mean?

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cw: terminal illness reference

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