[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[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.]

Comments

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki raises a hand then, runs fingers through his hair.]

It's all right, Richard...

[ledbythewind]

No, it's not all right...

[But protesting is becoming too tiring for him, and he's starting to feel light-headed.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki doesn't reply to that. Instead, he just continues to stroke a hand over his hair in slow, repetitive motions.]

[ledbythewind]

[Don't mind him just sobbing his heart out against you then, Naoki. He's still trying to sort through his own feelings over this.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki doesn't mind, he's fine with holding Richard until whenever it is that he stops crying. And he doesn't stop that reassuring movement of his hand through his hair.]

[ledbythewind]

[Eventually his crying will just sort of... trail off as his body goes limp. It's hard to focus on anything, crying included, when your head is spinning that much...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki slips his hand from his hair to find where his head is resting and try to get a look at Richard's face.]

You all right...?

[ledbythewind]

I...

[Sentences, come on, Richard, you can make them. But his skin is rather hot to the touch and his eyes are glazed; it's clear he's not doing so well.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki brushes fingers over his cheek, frowns at the heat of his skin.]

Rest. No more thinking right now. I'm gonna get something--I'll be right back, okay?

[ledbythewind]

[Rather than answer verbally, he just nods, unable to do much more than that.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki slips away from him reluctantly, trotting quickly out toward the kitchen. It isn't long until he returns, leaning over him to push Richard's hair to one side, passing a cool cloth over his cheeks before setting it on his forehead. Even if it's only temporary relief, well...]

[ledbythewind]

[That feels good... and he'll let Naoki know with a soft sound and an attempt at a smile, as shaky as it is. He's not surprised that he's feeling sick, not after being drained of so much power. He just hopes it isn't going to get much worse and worry Naoki more, though he has his doubts about that.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki returns that smile with a tiny one of his own, shifting back on the bed with him.]

See if you can get some sleep, mm?

[ledbythewind]

I'll try.

[And he will try, shutting his eyes and trying to clear his mind of all of the thoughts that keep ricocheting around inside of it, in that empty place where Lambda's presence used to be. He's still tense, though, and one fist clutches at the blankets almost without thought.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki moves in close, settling next to him and running a hand gently from his shoulder down his arm, stroking it comfortingly. He's not sure what else he can do but stay with him--but it's what he's planning to do.]

[ledbythewind]

[The fever makes it uncomfortable for Richard to curl up too close to Naoki, but he'll reach for the other's hand, just so that he can be sure he's really there. Just knowing that he isn't alone goes a long way towards helping him relax at least a little bit.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki shifts his hand to meet his, interlacing their fingers and giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Naoki shifts his other arm so he can lean his head on it and half-closes his eyes.]

[ledbythewind]

[Eventually sheer exhaustion will win out and he'll pass out for a while, though his sleep is restless and every so often he'll toss and turn a bit as if having a bad dream.]