musubi | appointment's post

[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.

I can leave a message for Asbel and Miss Cheria so they know where we are.

[He doubts anyone else even realized that he was gone at all given the experiment.

But that would require moving to get his journal, and he doesn't want to do that just yet. (It may be hidden under one of the beds in a bedroom.)]

... I take your good mood to mean that the experiment went well for you. Was the young lady a fan of lolita?

[He couldn't resist that one.]

I was spared any awkward relationship, actually!

...I took many precautions. I have the bruises to prove it.

[Okay, now Richard is raising an eyebrow, because bruises? What on earth did you do, Isamu?]

...What?

Blindfolds are tricky, okay.

Blindfolds? You actually...

[And Richard can't help it: he starts to laugh, because the idea of Isamu trying to navigate around with a blindfold on is at once hilarious and adorable.]

Hey, it was better than running off and hiding somewhere, okay?

I wasn't doing any of that love at first sight bullshit.

[... ouch. That hurts a little bit, but he isn't going to mention that now.]

I understand. Love is something that needs to develop on its own, however long that takes...

[And then he pauses, suddenly glad that he's sitting in a position where he can't see Isamu's face. Somehow that makes this that much easier, because he knows already how it's going to end. But he wants to say this, needs to say this even so.]

... and sometimes you don't even realize it's there at first.

[That makes Isamu look uncomfortable, and he crosses his arms over his chest, turning his eyes away.]

You know I can't... return that the way you want.

I know. It isn't...

[... normal. It isn't normal in his world, and he's starting to realize that it isn't normal in other worlds either. It's the same reason Asbel couldn't return his feelings either-- because he's a man, and men are supposed to love women, not other men.

And he isn't sure what to do, especially now that that date with Nami had confirmed his suspicions.]

Look, are you sure it's really... like that?

It isn't just because, you know, we've been sharing a bed and house and whatever...

Jesus.

Yes, I'm sure.

[He's familiar enough with that feeling by now to recognize it, and given how long he spent trying to deny it to himself... yeah, he's very sure, which only makes him feel worse, and now he's regretting saying anything at all.]

... I'm sorry. I should never have mentioned it.

Keeping the feelings all boxed up isn't the best idea either.

[Isamu sighs, removing his hat to run a hand through his hair.]

We need to find you someone.

[Richard laughs, but there's an edge to it that isn't quite right, like there's something there threatening to slip through the cracks.]

Find me someone, you say? There's no point. When we return to Efinea, I'm going to have to choose a wife.

What, seriously?

You're the king, right? Can anyone actually make you do that?

A king has duties that must be carried out, and one of those is producing an heir. That's just the way things are.

That's... Kingdoms suck.

[He can't really think of anything else to say.]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]

[Action, Feb. 23]