musubi | appointment's post

[Isamu can't help but worry, despite everything.

When a week has passed and there's still no word from Richard, he'll head out to look for him with plans of smacking him once he's found.]

[Fortunately Richard is nothing if not a creature of habit, and while he may not have a castle storeroom here in Luceti, he's got a familiar empty apartment on a floor where no one else lives in the building that's farthest away from the center of town, and that will do for now.

With any luck, Isamu will remember the last time he ran off like this and look there.]

[Isamu does remember, and soon enough he'll be knocking on the door in some semblance of common courtesy.

If he takes long enough to answer, of course, he'll just make his way in.]

[No answer at first, but if Isamu does try to enter, he'll find the door locked.

Seems Richard was serious about the 'not coming after him' part.]

[A locked door isn't going to stop Isamu. He's snuck his way around hoards of demons before. This is nothing.

He could just kick it down and be all dramatic about it, but he goes for picking the lock instead. It would be rather embarrassing to barge in on something private that didn't involve Richard, though he doubts this will happen.]

[Aren't you lucky that no one chose this apartment for Valentine's shenanigans, Isamu? Granted it's a bit late for that, but you never know.

The apartment seems empty at first glance, which is rather unsurprising-- it's not as if Richard took that much with him, nor has he been doing much else besides just reading and lying around. And speaking of, is that a blond lump curled up on the couch there...?]

[Isamu knows that waking Richard with anything sudden would be a bad idea.

He begins quietly tapping a nearby piece of wooden furniture, raising the volume slowly so that it wouldn't be something that came too sudden but would soon be loud enough to wake his friend all the same.]

[It takes a moment for those tapping sounds to register in Richard's mind, but slowly he begins to stir, eyes blinking groggily open as he tries to figure out what's going on. It's pretty clear from his reactions and general bleary state that he hasn't been sleeping well-- he doesn't even seem to have registered Isamu's presence yet.]

[Quietly:]

Hey, sleepyhead. Found you.

[Another few sleepy blinks as that voice slowly registers in his mind.]

... Isamu? How did you... ?

[He'd locked the door, hadn't he?]

I have my ways.

I'd tell you to find a better hiding spot, but I like being able to hunt you down.

... I'm sorry. Did I make you worry?

[Obviously he did, if Isamu had come here looking for him.]

That is the most ridiculous question.

Someday I'm just going to fit you with a tracking device.

[Richard sits up, rubbing sleep from his eyes with a guilty expression.]

Did you not see the note I left?

Of course I saw it. But it's been over a week.

I think it's safe now, dude.

[Richard's quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say, before he opts to change the subject.]

I trust Asbel and Cheria had a good Valentine's Day?

[Isamu takes the hat off his head and bap's Richard's lightly before returning it.]

Don't change subjects on me.

[Richard quirks an eyebrow, torn between being amused and being annoyed.]

Are you certain it's over?

I'm about 95% sure, and the other 5% doesn't count.

[THIS IS A VERY UNSURE FACE RIGHT ABOUT NOW, ISAMU.]

I'm not actually giving you an option here.

[Richard just gives a tiny, tired smile.]

Thank you. I know I told you not to come looking for me, but... I'm glad you did.

Hey, I didn't come looking for you immediately, at least.

[He reaches over to give the blond a few pats on the back.]

The weather out there is shit, though. I'm sure you noticed.

[And this triggers the leaning reflex, because whether he'll admit to it or not, he's been really lonely this past week.]

It is?

[Actually no, he hasn't noticed. He hasn't really been doing much other than moping around... but the leaning makes him realize that Isamu's clothes are somewhat damp and cold.]

There are extra blankets in the closet if you'd like one. [Another little smile.] I'd prefer not to be blamed for you coming down with a cold.

Because I would blame you, wouldn't I?

[He would. They both know it.]

We should probably contact whoever else would want to know you're alright.

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