[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

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Ignoring that.] How old are you?

[ledbythewind]

Twenty. It's the age of majority in my world.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki's thinking very hard now.]

...you head to the barracks, I'll meet you there in a bit, okay?

[ledbythewind]

All right, but there's no need to go out of your way for me. I'll be fine.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki presses a hand against his back to urge him in the direction of the barracks before turning on a heel.]

I won't be long! [And off he goes!]

[ledbythewind]

[And Richard is left shaking his head in amusement for a few moments before he obediently turns to head off to the barracks. You remind him so very much of Asbel, Naoki.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[It's a half hour later by the time a very dusty Naoki makes his way into the barracks, shifting along the wall to keep out of the way of everything while looking for Richard. A bottle is tucked under one arm, a bag in the other hand.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's been all over the barracks helping out wherever he can, be it with bandaging, checking up on patients, making cots, etc. He may not have much practical experience, but that hasn't stopped him from trying to make himself useful.

Right now he's carrying a load of fresh blankets to distribute them to people who need them.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki sets aside the things in his arms for the moment as soon as he lays eyes on him, picking up the pace to fall into step with him.]

Ah, lemme help.

[ledbythewind]

Ahh-- thank you, Naoki.

[He pauses to let Naoki take some of the blankets from him.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki flashes a brief grin at him before scooting off to pass out the blankets.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard will be doing likewise-- when he's done, he'll stand there and wait for Naoki to finish.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[And Naoki will walk to meet him.]

Now, c'mon with me for a little bit. [Taking his wrist in one hand and tugging as he fetches the things he brought with him with the other hand.]

[ledbythewind]

All right...

[He doesn't have much choice but to go with him (not that he minds, really), curious as to just what Naoki is up to now.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki leads him outside and a little bit away from all the bustle until he can find a spot to sit, nodding for him to do the same.]

Sorry, this is all I could get, but... [He sets the sake bottle by his knee and goes about taking out some cups--and a few cakes he managed to dig out of the fridge, buried under the debris of C7.]

[ledbythewind]

[He takes a seat when directed, a part of him expecting Naoki's next action but still looking surprised when the other pulls out the food and the sake. His eyes widen slightly. For him? Did Naoki really go to all that trouble to retrieve this just for him?]

Naoki...

[He's clearly touched by this.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki clears his throat, cheeks reddening a bit.]

I-I made this sake myself. Kushi-san taught me, so I hope you'll like it. I'm glad at least one of the bottles survived...

[He begins to pour up cups for them, offering him one with a tiny smile.]

Happy birthday.

/made this icon just for this thread XD

[ledbythewind]

Thank you... thank you, Naoki. I'm sure I'll love it, if only because you made it yourself.

[He'll take the cup with perhaps the biggest smile Naoki has seen yet.]

<3

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki gets even redder, offering him a sort of a shy grin.]

Then, ah...cheers. [He holds out his glass slightly.]

[ledbythewind]

Cheers.

[And he lifts his glass, clicking the rim of it against Naoki's.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[With a small grin, Naoki takes a drink from his glass, blinking across the rim of it at him.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard does likewise and... huh. This is interesting. It's, uh, very strong-tasting, so he's probably making a bit of an odd face at the moment.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Blinking a bit at him.]

[ledbythewind]

... it's very good, just a bit stronger than I expected.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Sigh of relief.]

Oh, I see.