[Voice/Action] (backdated to Christmas morning)

[ledbythewind]

[There are the sounds of a somewhat muffled conversation in the background before Richard picks up the journal to address it, a clear undercurrent of happiness and slight excitement to his voice.]

So this is what they refer to on Earth as a "white Christmas." I've read that this sort of Christmas is the best kind to have despite the weather... what do all of you think? Do you prefer the snow, or would you like a sunny day?

[He'll be sitting on the couch sipping a cup of tea while he waits for answers-- and his housemates, because IT'S CHRISTMAS AND HE IS EXCITED due to not having this holiday in his world. Might as well enjoy it while he's here, right?]

Comments

[ written ]

[acclimatized]

Just John is fine. And yes, I'm from Earth.

[ He will never get used to this. ]

[Action]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki looks down sheepishly and rubs the side of his neck.]

Yeah--sorry, Isamu.

[Action]

[causeblocked.livejournal.com]

Frighten? [He doesn't even seem to recall what he did, and only now realizes that Richard is gripping his arm. He pulls it away]

Eh. S'fine. [He smirks a little as he wakes up a bit more.] Figures you guys had to make a big deal out of the holidays.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

This is the first time I've ever celebrated Christmas, so I wanted to make sure it was done properly.

[... if there even is such a thing as "properly" when it comes to Christmas celebrations. More like he's just excited.]

[Action]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Now Naoki grins. Richard's excitement is infectious, what can he say.]

I'm sure you got enough sleep anyway, Isamu.

[MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH I mean later that evening]

[ledbythewind]

[Don't mind Richard excusing himself to sneak into the bathroom and change, Naoki. Okay, so he was a little skeptical about this strange outfit he'd received from that statue in the middle of town, but after trying it on he'd decided that it didn't look so bad, and hey, maybe Naoki would like it.

Not that he's ever going to wear it out in public, though.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[That's cool, Naoki's just finishing tidying everything and putting things away, feeling very content indeed. He sighs happily--this was a great Christmas, you know, so much better than last year and better than any other one he can remember--just about to wander back to their room.

He pauses; blinks around. Derp. Now where did he go?]

[ written ]

[ledbythewind]

And I'm Richard. It's a pleasure to meet you, John. May I ask where on Earth you're from?

[ written ]

[acclimatized]

You may. I'm a Londoner; born and bred.

[ written ]

[ledbythewind]

England, then? I've read about it from the library.

[Action]

[causeblocked.livejournal.com]

[He yawns and rubs at his eyes.] Don't be stupid. you can never get too much sleep.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Which is why you were still fast asleep on Christmas morning?

[Action]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[...Naoki was too, but we're not going to talk about that. |D]

You can nap later if you get too tired. [Giving you hair-musses, Isamu.]

[ledbythewind]

[No worries, because he'll be making his way quietly back into the room while Naoki's back is turned before taking a seat in one of the chairs there, trying to hide his smile. Okay, so he doesn't need glasses and as a result these are making him a little dizzy, but it's a small sacrifice to make, right?]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Glancing around a few more times and--whoa, wait. Naoki does a double-take and stares at him. Blinking rapidly. His thoughts are taking a sudden spiral to where they shouldn't.]

Richard...? That's...

[ledbythewind]

[Affecting total and complete innocence here and may just be pushing those glasses up his nose a bit.]

Is something wrong?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Uh...

[Wrong? Not exactly. Aside from Naoki's sudden urge to mess up that uniform and see it on his floor very soon. Maybe he could get creative with that tie. Hmmm~]

W-where'd you get that?

[ledbythewind]

Let's just say that statue in the center of town was more than just an ode to that eccentric old fellow.

[ledbythewind]

Is that so? That's very kind of you to say to someone like me. [Sorry Kaori, but he's not about to go revealing the truth to you just yet. That's still something he keeps mostly secret here.]

I arrived here nearly nine months ago, so this is my first winter here as well. I must admit I wasn't expecting to see so much snow here.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki will just be...wandering closer about now. And he just barely keeps from flushing at the thought of that statue. So this is what Richard got from it, huh?]

I-I see...

[ledbythewind]

But if you don't think it suits me, I can always take it off.

[And he'll just be reaching for that tie now as if to start doing so.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[...

What, you think he'd raise an objection to Richard taking off those clothes in front of him? Naoki moves all the closer.]

If you want...I can help.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's lips curve upwards into a mischievous grin, one hand fiddling teasingly with the end of his tie.]

Would you prefer to help or watch?

[There's a flush to his cheeks as he says this, because as exciting as the thought of taking those clothes off for Naoki is, it's still somewhat embarrassing at the same time.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Don't think Naoki doesn't see that flush. But he wants to help. For entirely innocent reasons, undoubtedly.

His hand moves, gently nudging Richard's out of the way, holding that ti and letting it slither through his fingers. He leans in, lips brushing over the corner of his mouth and grins.]

...I'll help.

[ledbythewind]

[He laughs softly against those lips before turning his head just enough to brush a kiss of his own over them, hand that was nudged aside finding its way to rest on Naoki's shoulders.]

Help without ripping them off, Naoki.