[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]

E-eh? [That earns some soft spluttering as Naoki goes red.] Don't be silly...

[ledbythewind]

I'm just telling the truth.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Don't compare yourself to me, I mean--we're two different people, and all... [He rubs the side of his neck with a palm.]

[ledbythewind]

All right, I'll stop. But I would like to be able to be as helpful as you've been, both to me and to everyone else.

[That second cup of sake is very nearly empty by now as well...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Well, you help me a lot just by being around, you know...

[Gazing at that cup. It probably isn't good for Richard to go through them so quick but...shifting that bottle, in case.]

[ledbythewind]

I help you...?

[He finishes off the last bit before holding it out for another refill, vaguely aware that it seems to be getting very warm all of a sudden.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause before Naoki lifts the bottle to refill the cup for him--and Naoki hasn't even finished his first yet. Hm.]

Yeah, I mean--when you're around, I can keep calm, you know...?

[ledbythewind]

[That thought strikes him as incredibly funny for some reason, and he finds himself laughing without even realizing it.]

Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment, though I admit that's the first time I've ever heard it worded that way.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki gives him a somewhat bemused look, grins and rubs the back of his head.]

Well, I think if you weren't around, I'd have a much harder time keeping my head on straight.

[ledbythewind]

[He may be tilting just the slightest bit sideways now.]

Now that you mention it, I'm not entirely sure it is on straight. You seem a bit crooked to me... here.

[Don't mind him trying to fix your head, Naoki.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Bemused stare. Naoki thinks his head is perfectly fine but you go ahead anyway, there, Richard. So far? He's really only drank enough to make him feel warmer.]

Ah. N-no, I think it's okay.

[ledbythewind]

[Now he's leaning in close to see if it really is on straight. It's kind of hard to tell when things are a little bit wobbly...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Oh hey he's kind of close. Blink. Blink.] ...Uh.

[ledbythewind]

It looked straight just a moment ago...

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Placing a hand on his shoulder now with a chuckle.] I think it's as straight as it's ever gonna be. You feeling okay, Richard?

[ledbythewind]

Other than being a bit warm, I think so. Although things seem to be somewhat fuzzy as well...

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Ah...probably had enough of the sake for today, then.

[ledbythewind]

But there's still almost half of the bottle left.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

...I guess it'd be a waste not to finish it.

[ledbythewind]

Yes, and it is a celebration, after all.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's right. [Finally finishing his first cup now and reaching for the bottle to refill both of theirs.]

[ledbythewind]

This is the best birthday I've had in... no, it's the best birthday I've ever had.

[That refill is very much appreciated.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki chuckles and sips from his cup.]

M'sure you had to have better birthdays than this one before...

[ledbythewind]

[He shakes his head, a distant look in his eyes.]

I've had far fancier ones than this, but that's all they were: formalities, a party to celebrate the prince growing closer to becoming king. No one ever asked me how I wanted to celebrate my birthday.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki gazes at him, reaches out to knock a loose fist lightly against his chest.]

...well, this is just a celebration for Richard. Even if it isn't really fancy or anything.