[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's early in the morning, just shortly after sunrise, and Richard is sitting on a fallen tree a short distance from House 6. Naoki had taken him there after CH 4 had collaspsed, and while it's far more crowded than Richard is used to, he's grateful to have a roof over his head and to be in the company of a friend (friends, possibly, though he's still not sure what Isamu thinks of him).

But eventually he needs some space, and that's why he's slipped outside to be alone for a while. Sure, he's seen several experiments by now, but this... this is completely different. Before this, Luceti hadn't seemed so bad at all. Now, however, he's not so sure.

And then there was that entire conversation he and Naoki had had the other day... it's amazing how confusing things could become in just two days. This is most certainly not the way Richard had been expecting to spend his 20th birthday.]

Comments

[ledbythewind]

[If Naoki has no idea what he's doing, Richard has even less of an idea. Sure, he's read plenty of books, many of which described kisses (some in great detail), but none of them can even compare to the reality of actually kissing someone else (is he doing it right? Naoki isn't objecting, so he must be doing it right, or at the very least not doing something horribly wrong). The fact that Naoki seems to be trying to respond in kind is encouraging as well.

He's... not quite sure what to do next, though. Is just staying like this all right?]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki's probably thinking a little too hard on what to do. Maybe he should just go on instinct--and instinct says 'closer' right about now. That is only slightly helpful, however. He tilts up his chin a little, drawing back only a fraction so as to press a tiny kiss against his upper lip before moving and pressing his lips back to his again.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's mind is too fuzzy for him to be thinking much at all beyond those vague recollections of passages from books and the fact that this feels nice; in that sense, it's probably good that Naoki is taking the initiative here. What Richard will do is shift a bit to slide his arms even further around Naoki and move closer-- clearly they're on the same wavelength. Other than that, he's perfectly content to stay right where he is.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Slowly, Naoki lifts his arms up to slide around Richard's neck--and finds his ponytail to toy with, don't mind him. Right now, he just wants to stay as is, even if it's a little uncomfortable trying to just keep breathing through his nose like this, he can ignore that.]

[ledbythewind]

[That light tugging on his ponytail feels odd, yet Richard finds that it's not really unpleasant at all-- if anything, it's kind of nice. Physical affection isn't something Richard ever received much of during his life. Being like this with someone else - feeling cared about and wanted - is something that's brand-new to him. But it's not bad, not bad at all...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki tightens where his arms are resting a little more, leaning into that kiss to see what else he can tr--...ah. It's about now he registers that faint taste of sake and pauses, fingers stilling with Richard's hair still curled around them.]

[ledbythewind]

[If Richard even notices that Naoki has paused, he's not showing it. Right now he's settled himself rather comfortably against his partner, one hand rubbing Naoki's back with a light touch while he continues his (decidedly unskilled) kissing. If you want to stop, you're going to have to be more obvious than that, Naoki.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

...Mm. [That--Naoki almost goes to continue kissing, if just because that touch is nice; soothing. He wouldn't mind more of it. But, he forces himself to pull back slowly, tone uncertain.] R...Richard.

[ledbythewind]

What is it?

[Please hold while his mind returns from orbit. Why are you stopping, Naoki? He was enjoying that.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Damn it, Richard, do you realise how hard you're making this? Naoki doesn't have an idea of how Richard feels, isn't even sure of his own feelings yet.]

We shouldn't, ah...this is--not right now, I mean. You've, um...

[ledbythewind]

[What, you think Richard knows how he feels about this whole situation? He's still not even sure why he initiated the kiss in the first place beyond the fact that it just felt right at the time.]

You don't need to worry; I doubt anyone will see us out here.

[It still hasn't quite sunk in yet.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki's about as red as a beet right now, wishing (sort of) he'd gone and drank more from that bottle.]

I-it's not that, it's...you've had something to drink, do you know why you just...

[ledbythewind]

[Why he just...? Oh.

Oh.

Oh god he just kissed Naoki, didn't he? Did Naoki not like that? Why did he even think that was a good idea WHAT WAS HE DOING]

I...

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Well.

At least it looks like Richard just realised what he just did. Naoki squirms a little where he's still in his arms (and still has his around his neck, whoops), debating on extricating himself.]

Um...

[ledbythewind]

[This just took the word "awkward" to an entirely new level here. He's not sure whether he should remove his arms or not or if that would be rude, or if it would be MORE rude to stay here like this.]

Ah...

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki's going through the exact same train of thought. His arms slide down from where they're wrapped, hands resting on his shoulders.]

W-we, uh...

[ledbythewind]

[Richard will be doing likewise, slowly moving his arms away from around Naoki.]

Yes, we should probably...

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Very slowly drawing his arms back and--oh god he has no idea what to do now, his face feels like it's going to melt off. Maybe he should change the subject.]

Should...probably head back soon...huh?

[ledbythewind]

[This is not the aftermath he was expecting. Then again, he wasn't expecting an aftermath at ALL because he hadn't planned on this... why does everything have to be so confusing?

He'll scoot away just the tiniest bit to give Naoki some space, nodding.]

We've spent enough time relaxing; we should get back to work soon.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki shifts back and lifts into a crouch to go about getting to his feet, finding it extremely difficult to make eye contact with him.]

Do you think it's fine for you to, um... [Richard did have a bit to drink, after all.]

[ledbythewind]

I'm fine-- there's no need to worry about me.

[He moves to stand and manages to do so, though he's a little unsteady on his feet.]

Ah... there isn't another earthquake, is there?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki rises as well, a steadier than Richard, reaching out automatically in case he needs support.]

N-no, I don't think so. Maybe--you should take a little longer break...

[ledbythewind]

That might be a good idea.

[He sits back down again, carefully avoiding looking at Naoki. He's starting to think that kissing him was perhaps the stupidest thing he's ever done...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki fidgets and sits, arms resting in his lap.]

I...Richard, um... [Looking down at the ground now, swallowing thickly.

He can't avoid this subject, especially when it's making the both of them pretty much painfully awkward and uncomfortable.] ...do you like me?

[ledbythewind]

[At the question, he raises his head. There's a surprised look on his face for a split second before it irons itself out into a more practiced neutral expression-- something he supposes he can thank his upbringing for.]

Of course I like you. You're my closest friend here, Naoki, and I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. I don't know where I would be if it weren't for you.

[He knows that isn't the kind of "like" Naoki means, but it's easier to pretend to misunderstand than it is to confront and sort through his own feelings.]