ledbythewind | [Action]

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[Action]

[Anyone who passes by the fountain today might notice something unusual: namely, a certain blond prince slumped in a sitting position against it. Only, well, he's no longer a prince, and he seems to be unconscious, but only the latter part is obvious. There are no visible injuries and he's still breathing, he just doesn't show any signs of waking up anytime soon.

Every now and then his face will contort slightly as if he's in pain or disturbed by some sort of bad dream, or maybe both. It's clear that whatever happened to him while he was gone wasn't good, but he's alive and in one piece and that's what matters the most. Whether there's anything non-physical wrong... that's yet to be seen.]

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Thank you...

[The world isn't spinning quite as much now that he's lying down, and the nausea is subsiding enough for him to contemplate a glass of water or something to drink. He knows he needs it; it'll probably help with the headache, but there's no way he can go get one on his own.]

May I have some water?

[Oh hey, his voice isn't as shaky this time. That's good.]

Mmhm. Just a sec.

[A last brush of fingers--across Richard's temple--before Naoki scoots out of the room to fill up one. And, returning and sitting lightly on the edge of the bed, holding the glass out to him but remaining close in case he needs help with it. And maybe there's a bit of worry that he'll vanish again if Naoki leaves him for too long.]

[He manages to push himself up to a semi-sitting position while Naoki is gone, leaning back against the pillows to keep from having to hold himself upright. He's not sure his arms can manage that right now with how weak he feels. When Naoki returns with the glass, he'll reach for it, but his hand is shaking so much that trying to hold it by himself probably isn't the best idea.]

[Naoki pauses in handing it to him after a brief glance down, shifts in to sit next to him on the bed. He moves, though, to cover Richard's hand with his own once he takes the glass, to keep it steady and assure he won't drop it.]

[He almost gulps the water down - he hadn't realized just how thirsty he was until he started drinking - and then leans back against the pillows, eyes falling shut. Everything is still only just sinking in, both what happened back in his world and the fact that he's back in Luceti now. His head and his chest feel... strangely empty somehow, and it's confusing him. He's supposed to be glad that Lambda is gone now, isn't he?]

[Naoki shifts and places the empty glass on the bedside table.] Do you want any more? Something to eat or anything...? [He really wants to wrap Richard up in his arms right now and hold him close for a long while, but wants to make sure he's done everything else, first.]

[He makes a soft sound to indicate that he's fine with just the water for now.]

No, but thank you. I just... I just want to rest.

[But his voice is tired, strained, and it's clear that no matter how exhausted he is, sleep isn't something that's going to be coming easily to him for a while.]

[His tone of voice makes Naoki even more worried about what happened to him in his world, however long it was for him.]

Okay... Is it all right if I--can I stay here with you?

... please.

[He's afraid he might break down if he tries to say anything more than that.]

Mm.

[Naoki shifts now, lying next to him. He doesn't hesitate before sliding his arms around Richard, bringing himself close.]

[That contact is all Richard needs to turn towards Naoki in the embrace, burying his face against his chest, entire body shaking with the effort of fighting off the sobs that are threatening to break through his barely-held control.]

[Naoki holds him even closer at that, rubs gentle circles over his back with his palm. What happened...? is what he's worrying about, but just continues that soothing motion with one hand.]

I... I did so many terrible things...

[It's getting harder to hold back the tears now, especially with Naoki rubbing his back like that. He WANTS to talk about what he did, wants to tell someone so that he isn't keeping it all bottled up inside... wants to be reassured that he isn't a horrible person despite all of the things he did.]

[Naoki holds him closer, passes a palm over his hair gently with a low, worried sound from deep in his throat.]

What happened, Richard...?

... seven years. I was possessed for seven years, and I didn't even know...

...possessed?

[He nods slightly.]

By Lambda. He only wanted to live... I thought I could understand him, that I could help him, but... he used me...

[Naoki's arms tighten a little around him.]

He made you do those things...?

[Richard just nestles closer, grateful for that feeling of being protected.]

Yes and no. Some of them... they were my own feelings. I couldn't tell which were mine and which were his...

[Naoki leans his cheek on top of his head.]

Are you still having that trouble?

No. He's gone now, but that won't erase the things I did...

[His voice is on the verge of breaking now. He hurt people, hurt his closest friends-- almost KILLED them, and he would've destroyed the entire world if he hadn't been stopped.]

[Naoki makes a low sound and gently rubs a palm over his back.]

Maybe not erase...but things can be forgiven. You regret them, don't you? You did things that you didn't want to do--that you wouldn't have done.

I would have destroyed the world. I would have destroyed the entire world to end my own pain-- my pain and Lambda's. I thought it would be better if people just disappeared, that there would no longer be any conflict if humans didn't exist. But I... I was just running from myself. I was too afraid to try to change things with my own strength.

[He's crying now, quietly. He can't hold back the tears that have been threatening to escape any longer.]

[Naoki holds him close, gently moves hands up and down his back in an attempt at comfort. Seeing him like this makes his heart ache and stirs up some old memories he tries to push back.]

Everyone gets afraid, Richard...of failing, of what's ahead of them. [He squeezes him a little.] And those thoughts--they weren't entirely your own, were they? It was under his influence...

[Richard shakes his head, wanting to press closer but at the same time afraid to do so. Why isn't Naoki rejecting him after learning about this?]

But I'm the king. I'm supposed to be the one who is strong when everyone else is afraid.

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