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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 12, 2006 0:18:22 GMT -5
"The longer they take, the more time we have to figure out what to do," Naia half-shrugged, looking towards the ground. Truthfully, he wanted to get it all over with, but it couldn't hurt to look on the bright side. Besides, he thought as Akihito indicated the blankets on the ground, I haven't slept properly in weeks.
"Thank you," he replied, nodding his head and quickly meeting the prince's eyes. "Really." Perhaps he should have waited for another cue, but Akihito was right - he was tired. He knelt on the ground politely, waiting to be sure he wasn't going to overstep his position once again.
He had to wonder what Akihito had meant with all that had been said and done the last time Naia had been in this tent - depending, the coming days could be either enjoyable or patently awkward - but exhaustion was beginning to fog his mind now that an opportunity for truly restful sleep was presented, and he gave up the thought. If it mattered at all, he could return to it later.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 12, 2006 0:35:00 GMT -5
His eyes changed slightly and he looked at Naia with confusion. Yes, he had understood the thanking part but when the other knelt he started to feel a bit pressured. They weren't in Japan, nor did he hold any title. Akihito liked it better when Naia disregarded their class ranks. With a few paces he slowly knelt down in-front of Naia, his left hand resting on their shoulder. Leaning in he placed a light kiss on Naia's cheek.
Pulling away his hand moved to usher Naia towards the blankets. "We can talk more when you awake," his voice was soft and barely above a whisper. He needed Naia to be alert.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 12, 2006 13:50:22 GMT -5
Naia smiled at the gentle kiss on his cheek, and touched the hand on his shoulder before Akihito pulled it away. Moving towards the blankets, he laid down on the ground with his arms folded over his torso. He wouldn't have said so aloud, as it would have been a selfish request, but he hoped Akihito would let him sleep for a while; now that he wasn't steeling himself against fatigue, he didn't want to have to get up again any time soon.
He closed his eyes for a few moments, letting himself relax at last, but opened one shortly thereafter. "You'd really trust me with your life?" he asked blandly to hide his doubt.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 12, 2006 14:39:57 GMT -5
Akihito stood while Naia moved towards the blankets. He was going to turn and watch the doorway of the tent, to keep his promise that Naia would not be disturbed. He glanced over when Naia presented the question. "I do," Akihito said with a smile. For awhile he stared at the other's form, making a decision. He approached Naia once more to lean down and grasp the edges of one of the blankets that were still bunched together. Folding it out he draped it over the other's form before turning back to stand in his 'guarding' position.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 12, 2006 19:30:09 GMT -5
Naia gave no visible reaction to the prince's answer; he simply shut his eyes and let his breathing slow. He couldn't quite figure out this man, couldn't get a grasp on how he thought. Emotional, yes, but unpredictably so; and now, trusting, at least in appearance, but how could someone in his position trust so easily? Perhaps it was a feign, perhaps Akihito would use him to get home and then be done with him. Then again, the situation they were in was the same, now; neither had anyone to trust at all, save for each other.
Despite his information gathering skills, Naia really knew very little about the prince beyond what the ordinary citizen did, but it occurred to him that Akihito must know even less about Naia. He wondered if the young man was having the same thoughts and doubts as he was.
He felt Akihito pull the blanket further over him, and he knew he should have offered his thanks, but by now he was too taken with sleep to do anything of the sort. He let his last hold on consciousness evaporate.
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