[ That's what he's afraid of. He curls up more tightly, and then very slowly clacks his claws onto the tablet. Audio. Just - sound, for a second. His voice wheezes and drags - he sounds like he's on the verge of giving up the ghost. ]
I know. [ A beat. And then he actually sort of laughs, pained. ] Not going to - last words aren't going to be to you.
[John will look back on this conversation with deep regret, but something about the switch to audio pulls him out of the Hound's mindset for a moment, pulls him back to the man he is. There's silence from John for a few long seconds before he speaks again.]
I will. I'm sorry, Royce. I'm sorry. I'll take care of him.
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I know. [ A beat. And then he actually sort of laughs, pained. ] Not going to - last words aren't going to be to you.
Remember what I said. Please.
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I will. I'm sorry, Royce. I'm sorry. I'll take care of him.
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Mm. Good. [ Cough. ] Goodbye, John. [ Royce murmurs, and then he hangs up. He's got his promise. He's glad for that, at least. ]