APPOINTMENTS POST

[ledbythewind]

This post can be used to thread with or get in contact with Richard at any point when he doesn't have a post up! Just comment here (please use the format [Action, June 24th], [Voice, March 5th], etc. to make it clear when the thread is taking place and what type of thread it is) for a thread with him; if it's a continuation of another thread or post, please link that so I remember the context of the thread.

GO NUTS.

Comments

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

And if he comes back?

[Isamu takes a seat on the ground beside him.]

You know it matters.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

There's no guarantee that he would remember being here before.

[Just like Naoki. And the thought of Sanji coming back as a completely blank slate with no memories hurts. After all of the trust he'd placed in the man, all of the vulnerabilities he'd exposed to Sanji, how deeply he'd let him in... what was the point if it ends up not meaning anything at all?]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

Would you have any less respect for him if he didn't?

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

Weren't you the one who was trying to tell me that the Naoki who is here now isn't the same person as the one I knew?

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

That's different.

Unless you were in love with Sanji too.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard doesn't even dignify that with a reply. He's seeing red now, infuriated by the mere implication of that statement. Is that really what Isamu thinks of him? That he falls in love with any man who happens to be kind to him? That thought, that Isamu would think him so shallow and flighty, hurts even more than Sanji's departure.

His response comes before he even realizes what he's doing, in the form of a vicious punch that's surprisingly strong for someone so skinny. He's been hurt, and he wants to hurt back. He doesn't even care that it's Isamu.

No, he wants to return that hurt precisely BECAUSE it's Isamu.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

[Isamu sees it coming. He's been keeping up with his training enough to be able to read that much.

And he knows he deserves it. He practically straight out asked for it by saying that. This is why he doesn't move when Richard strikes out.

He lets the blow hit him, reeling back from it but remaining sitting up. He says nothing, neither egging his friend on or asking him to stop.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

How dare you?

[It's practically hissed out, his normally-composed voice quivering with rage and a myriad of other emotions, though he makes no move to strike again.]

How dare you imply that about us? Do you think me so shallow and desperate for affection that I would bestow romantic attention on any man who showed interest in me?

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

I didn't imply anything. It was an honest question.

[That perhaps happened to have certain implications.]

The situation with Naoki... and the situation with Sanji... should be completely different otherwise.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

Get out of my sight.

[It's a command, not a request. It's clear that what Isamu said has really touched a nerve, for whatever reason.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

No.

[He doesn't even stand.]

Beg pardon, your majesty, but I came out here to retrieve you and I'm not returning until you're with me.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

I have no intentions of going back with you.

[Maybe before he said that, but now? No way.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

Richard. Don't be this way. You know I don't actually think you're like that.

[He moves a little closer to the other man.]

If it will make you feel better, you can hit me a few more times.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

Do I?

[And when Isamu moves, Richard moves further away in turn. Why would he say something like that if he didn't really believe it?]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

What type of person do you think I am?

[Certainly the blond has to have known him long enough by now.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

What type of person do you think I am?

[Two can play at this game, Isamu, and you started it.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

The sort of guy I picked as my best friend.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just remains staring at him, unsure of how to respond. He's still angry, still feeling hurt, but at the same time he's more keenly aware than ever of just how ephemeral their time here really is.

What if Isamu ends up being sent home too? What if he really does end up all alone again? He isn't sure he could bear that. But at the same time, he knows that no matter what, Isamu will leave him eventually, the same way he'd been watching Asbel spend more and more time with Cheria.

Even though he knows it's an inevitability, he doesn't want to be alone.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

Richard.

[Isamu holds both his arms out, expression softening.]

Come here.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

[He hesitates for a moment longer, but that's really all the invitation Richard needs to practically collapse into those arms, clutching at Isamu's shirt with more than a bit of desperation in his grip. Isamu is real, solid, with a heartbeat that echoes in Richard's ear through the soaked fabric of that shirt. This isn't a bad dream.

And that's when Richard finally starts to cry.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

[Isamu sits with him quietly, knowing he may need some time. The rain has already dampened his shirt enough, so a few tears are hardly going to matter.

He has no comforting words, and he knows nothing he could say would make the situation better, so he just gently rubs his friend's back.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

[Right now, what Richard needs most is some time and that simple physical comfort. Sanji's loss hurts in a way that no other has since Naoki had gone home; it's rare that Richard lets anyone get close to him, and unfortunately, things like this just remind him of why.

Stupid Sanji. Stupid, stupid Sanji for being so kind yet firm, for understanding and not rejecting him when he found out that Richard had almost destroyed the world, for protecting him and being a sympathetic ear...

And stupid him for caring so much when he knew how it was going to end. He just buries his face against Isamu's chest and cries, though after a few moments Isamu will feel the warmth of Nala's magic as Richard casts one last spell to heal any damage he might've caused by that punch as a sort of silent apology for his actions.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

It's fine.

[One hand lifts to run through Richard's hair.]

I'm fine, at least. Keep what energy you have left.

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[ledbythewind]

[Oh Isamu. As upset as Richard may be, he's not stupid. He knows that Isamu was close to the chef too, and that he's no doubt hurting just as much right about now-- in other words, that he definitely isn't fine either.

He doesn't stop that healing until he's done; once he does, he moves his hand up to mirror Isamu's gesture and thread it into his friend's hair before gently attempting to tug Isamu's head down onto his shoulder.

The message is simple and clear: You don't have to pretend.]

[action, May 5th (backdated)]

[musubi]

[Isamu won't admit to anything. This is Richard's time now.

He squirms only a little, ultimately letting the blond lead his head down to his shoulder. He doesn't cry either. Not now.

He just grips the other man's shirt to let him know he appreciates the returned comfort.]