ledbythewind | APPOINTMENTS POST

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?

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.

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.]

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.

I have no intentions of going back with you.

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

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.

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?]

What type of person do you think I am?

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

What type of person do you think I am?

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

Edited 2013-05-20 03:09 (UTC)

The sort of guy I picked as my best friend.

[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.]

Richard.

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

Come here.

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

It's fine.

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

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

[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.]

[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.]

[To his credit, Richard tries to get his crying under control, because he realizes that this really isn't the best place to be having an emotional breakdown. They're both soaked to the skin and muddy and sitting on the ground in the middle of the forest and his body is finally starting to realize that fact; once the shivering starts, not even his best efforts can conceal it for long and Isamu's warmth can only do so much to alleviate it.

They need to go inside.]

... we should head back to the house.

[Good.

Seeing as the plan had been to bring Richard back from the start, Isamu is pleased that his friend has made the decision to return (mostly) on his own without having to be physically dragged back.

Well, no. It's still possible that last part will be necessary, but for different reasons.]

We should. ...Will you need help?

[He has made some progress! Sort of! Maybe. A little.

... hey, it's something.]

I think I'll be able to manage on my own.

[And testing, 1 2 3. Reluctantly he detaches himself from Isamu and tries to stand; he does in fact manage to make it to his feet on his own, though he looks a bit wobbly once he gets up there.]

[Isamu steps closer again to offer the blond a shoulder.

He'd rather him have the support, if it's all the same.]

[But Richard is stubborn and would rather not inflict anything else on Isamu, so instead he opts to reach for his friend's hand. That should give him enough support for the moment unless he really starts getting shaky.]

[Fine, be stubborn. Don't think Isamu won't scoop you up onto his back if he thinks he needs to.

But for right now, the hand is fine.]

Let me make you some soup or something. It will be nice after being out here in the rain.

Only if you agree to eat some too.

[He really doesn't have any appetite right now, but he'll try anyway. It'll be another way to distract himself from thinking too much. Maintaining control like this is harder on him than he's letting on.]

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