[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]

[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.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Whereas the words would usually make him happy on any other occasion, right now he doesn't know what to feel. Naoki can't help but think Richard has to know what kind of "like" he's asking about, too.

Friends don't usually kiss each other, after all. But his head and emotions are a mess right now, and he has a feeling if he presses, he wouldn't know how to react anyway, what kind of answer he'd be looking for. So he just stares at the ground.]

...are you going to go back to the barracks after?

[ledbythewind]

[That expression on Naoki's face sends a twinge of pain through Richard's chest. Hurting the other with his answer was the last thing he wanted to do, but... was there any answer that wouldn't end up hurting him somehow when he wasn't even certain of his own feelings? He's still not even sure why he did it himself beyond "it felt right at the moment" and he knows damn well that isn't a real answer either.]

I suppose I should.

[He pauses; sighs.]

Naoki, I... the truth is, I don't know why I did that. But I do know that it didn't feel wrong.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki lifts his eyes slowly from the ground as he hears that sigh, his hands fidgeting where he has them resting on his knees. He's not sure why he kissed back, not definitely--maybe he was caught up in the moment, in...]

It didn't. [A low agreement as Naoki shifts. But he doesn't know what that means, either.]

Should--we should...think about it, then? [He slides fingers through his hair.] ...Maybe.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard relaxes, the look on his face changing yet again to something more akin to relief. More out of habit than anything else, he reaches up to brush his bangs out of the way-- but he lets his hand linger there for a moment to conceal the light blush on his cheeks.]

... I'd like that.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki keeps his hand in his hair, head ducked slightly and eyes focused off to the side. His own blush hasn't really faded from earlier, but there's the slightest of upward tugs to the corner of his mouth.]

Okay, then we--we will.

[ledbythewind]

Yes, we will.

[There's something strange and yet fitting and wonderful about "we." But they aren't even really a "we" yet and... Richard, you're letting your imagination run away with you.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

... [Nod. Go away, blush. Naoki's not going to start letting himself anticipate anything before he's thought properly about it. He rocks on his heels and moves to stand up.]

[ledbythewind]

[And now Richard is trying to stand up as well and this time he's SURE that there's another earthquake because the ground really should not be shaking like that...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki reaches out to steady him, hand gripping slightly at his arm--and grins a bit, almost apologetically.]

...I think we should go back to the house for now.

[ledbythewind]

... I think you may be right.

[That hand is much appreciated right now with how unsteady he is. Sure, he knows about alcohol getting you drunk, but he only had two cups, and... well, he hasn't had much to eat lately either. Whoops.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Heh. Alright, let's go.

[Naoki's tightening his grip on his arm slightly, steadying him and sticking close. Just to make sure he can help balance Richard, you know. Now off we go.]

[ledbythewind]

[He'll try not to lean on you too much, but... okay, yeah, leaning. But only so he doesn't fall over.]