Out with the old....

[sundead]

Who: Everyone
What: New Year's.
When: Dec. 31st, New Year's Eve, to Jan 1st, New Year's Day.
Where: Everywhere
Summary: It's New Year's, and the people of Luceti have a lot to reflect upon, and to look forward to. And on a more meta level, new journal names.
Rating: We'll see...

New Year's brings images of crowds, and songs, and fireworks; staying up til midnight and watching balls or bells being rung. But Luceti is a different time and place. Whether you're partying with friends or watching the sunrise, what are you doing today?

Comments

[musubi]

And you are?

I'm going to just keep flipping the tables on you here.

[ledbythewind]

I suppose this is the point where I should just admit defeat, then.

[And in a decidedly unkingly manner, he plops down on the bridge next to Isamu.]

[musubi]

Yep. You should just give up now.

[Isamu wraps an arm around the other's shoulders. Who needs kingly mannerisms?]

[ledbythewind]

I'm at your mercy, o Great One.

[Not Richard, that much is for sure.

He hesitates for a moment, then leans until his head is resting against Isamu's shoulder.]

[musubi]

There you go. That's the proper attitude.

[His smile is more gentle than usual, and he gives his friend's shoulder a couple pats.]

and then Richard was a dumbass

[ledbythewind]

Isamu...

[It's all of those drinks he had earlier. That's what he tries to tell himself, at least, because there's really no other way to explain this sudden urge to do something that he KNOWS is extremely stupid and can't possibly end well.

It's the combination of the alcohol and the moment and the fact that it's New Year's Eve, and that's the only reason why he's twisting around a bit to brace himself against Isamu's other shoulder and lean in to press his lips to Isamu's in a kiss that somehow manages to be both firm and hesitant at the same time.

Yep. Definitely a stupid idea. But for some reason, he doesn't really care.]

gdit Richard

[musubi]

[Isamu is caught in shock for a couple moments, the kiss going unreturned. What an ironic situation this is.

Then gently, carefully, he pushes the blond away. He's already smelled the alcohol on him. He can put two and two together.]

Whoa. Whoa whoa whoa, how about we not do that.

He's good at failing socially

[ledbythewind]

[But Richard is already drawing back the instant he feels Isamu pushing him away, shame and guilt written all over his face. He knew this was a bad idea, what was he expecting?]

I'm sorry, I just...

[He doesn't really have any excuses for what he did.]

... I'm sorry.

[And he pulls away, scooting a few inches away from Isamu and staring very intently down at the water beneath them.]

[musubi]

Hey, look.

[Isamu closes the distance again, wrapping his arm back around Richard's shoulder.]

I'm not going anywhere, okay? Let's just head back home. Make something warm to drink.

[ledbythewind]

[Instead of leaning like he did before, however, Richard jerks away from that touch like he's been stung, careful to keep his eyes averted.]

No, I'm... I'll be all right.

[musubi]

Not like this you won't be.

[ledbythewind]

I'm fine.

[Maybe if he tells himself that enough he will be.]

[musubi]

Oh, do you hear that? That's the sweet melody of bullshit right there.

[ledbythewind]

And you think you can tell what I'm feeling?

[musubi]

I don't have to know exactly what you're feeling to know it's nothing good.

[ledbythewind]

[And he seems to deflate a little, though he's still tense.]

... I was just being selfish.

[Again.]

[musubi]

I'll give you that one, maybe. But I'm not gonna hold it against you.

[He had a teasing comment to follow that up with, but he held back.]

[ledbythewind]

I really am sorry.

[But he's digging his fingernails deeply enough into his palms to draw blood, knuckles white.]

[musubi]

Alright.

Then you're forgiven.

Matter closed.

[ledbythewind]

[That answer just causes Richard to look confused. He isn't angry?]

I know it isn't mutual, and I never expected it to be. That's why it was selfish of me.

[musubi]

I know why you said that.

[He shakes his head.] You know what would be good right now? Tea.

[ledbythewind]

[Instead of responding, Richard just bows his head and exhales a cloud of breath into the cold air.]

[musubi]

[Aaaand reaching over to bap Richard very lightly on the back of the head.]

[ledbythewind]

[Something flashes in Richard's eyes, and before he's even aware of it, his arm snaps up to grab Isamu's wrist in a grip that isn't exactly gentle.

Old habits of being jumpy die hard, especially when he's already on edge.]

[musubi]

[Isamu doesn't do anything, just sits patiently while Richard holds his wrist.]