bloodbound. (earinor & akira)

    • A wave of silence persisted at first and Dayan was used to the treatment he received by his brother - it was only a matter of time until he warmed up, at least Dayan kept telling himself that, even though nothing ever happened. It was if time itself stood still whenever he entered his brothers room - he only changed for the worse, but Dayan still tried, even if he was met with silence, with eyes that either shunned him or didn't want to see him, but he didn't mind or care. If Richard hated him, that was fine, Dayan could live on his own, away from the only family he had - Lucien never missed his, and he understood why, but while he tried to be like Lucien, he could hardly even make it. All that the king was a capable of, was wishing for a family that had broken apart into bits and pieces, and now was trying to patch itself up, but failed at every step any of them made. "What do I mean?", he reiterated for himself and for Richard, as if his baby brother hadn't understood the situation he was in, which also meant - to Dayan at the very least - that his little brother was expecting their father to come with him, wherever his older brother send him; even if it were to sleep with the fishes.

      "So you don't want to see him?", he questioned, and he probably was right. Richard didn't seem like he thought it was a good idea, and Dayan loathed the thought itself too, but ... something told him that it would be better if they did, just to be save, especially after Richard asked something of him that he could hardly fulfill; all his older brother was capable of was shaking his head. "I can't promise you that.", he admitted, and it was only the truth that he could spare his brother, who still needed to get into his shoes so he could finally step out of his own, man-made hell, and fall back into Silesse, where he'd hopefully feel more welcomed than he did here. "You can ask him if he wants to come with you. I never told him you're leaving anyway.", he also unpacked, and while he probably should have, in case his father found any more regrets to voice, he doubted that it was going to help either of them. If both could get along fine, even without Dayan by their side or in their middle, he'd let both of them leave together, but right about now, it didn't seem that way. "If the answer is still no, would you at least eat your breakfast before we leave? You could use some energy." He didn't want to tell Richard he looked like death itself, but the sight he saw worried him - he'd be fine, right? And maybe this Yujin-guy, or whoever it was, could fix Richard and Dayan could come scoop him up and bring him back home eventually.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Richard wasn't sure if his father wouldn't hurt much more if he faced him. What if he freaked out again, only because he looked into his face. Richard wanted to cry, but instead he grabbed Dayans sleeve to get his attention. "Please... I know you're... angry at us, but just know... whatever happened to me... wasn't his fault..." Richard would never blame him, it had been Aramis and him alone and if Dayan had come only a week earlier... maybe nothing would have been that bad, but no... it wasn't Dayans fault either. Then Richard seemed to think about Dayans proposal and he let go of him again. He'd be happy if at least Nayantai wanted to stay at his side, but wouldn't it be selfish of him? He left someone without telling them once before though and he regretted it ever since... If Dayan didn't told their father Richard should do it himself and so he slowly nodded. "Mhm... okay... I'll try and... talk to him then." Richards voice was already lsightly shaking, but he had been fine before when he wasn't alone with his father.

      "I'm not hungry...", Richard told Dayan though, but he had another question for him. "Can I... write you?", he asked and looked at his own feeble fingers when he sought out Dayan once more. He also noticed that his clothes barely fit him and this... would not keep him warm in Silesse, but until he got there it would be a while. Still... Richard at least should ask Nayantai if he wanted to see his friends and if he could live with the fact that Richard was there too, but he wouldn't be in his way. Then again he had a very well functioning son here too. "I'm sorry Dayan... for everything...", he finally let out, but he didn't cry, not today, instead he crawled to the edge of his bed and let his legs dangle over it. Then he grabbed his shoes and started to get in them. He did everything slowly as if even that was exhausting to him and it was. With no energy to burn it was hard even staying alive.

    • “Angry?”, Dayan listened up when he heard what Richard had to say and he felt those feeble, boney fingers on his sleeve, tugging on it, and he felt almost sorry - only almost - and shook his head. “Richard, I never said I was angry at you. What makes you think that?”, he asked, but he knew that he’d given plenty of impressions that it was that way. Whenever he grew irritated, he became loud and yelled, cussed out whoever came too close and he wasn’t exactly gentle with his brother, either - and now, he was a mess, despite Dayan thinking that he’d get better soon, he only got worse, and he could only sit idly by and watch; he didn’t deserve to be Richards brother, but that hardly mattered. “It’s not about that, either. As long as nobody finds out he’s here, I’ll do my best to not do anything to him - but if I have to do something to him, don’t hold me accountable. I want to keep him save, to like and love him, but … it’s hard. Especially with other people on the hunt for you two.”, he admitted. This was a hush-hush mission, if anything, and once Ares was out of the picture, all of this hopefully would wind up dissipating and Dayans family could lead a somewhat normal life.

      “Mhm, I’ll come with you.”, he reassured Richard, and he’d make haste of it. If anything happened, he could pick Richard up and carry him out of there himself - he didn’t need a bunch of useless guards that hurt him and reminded him of a time he’d rather forget. “Richard. I say this with the best interest of mind and I know the food probably tastes horrid to you, but you won’t heal from starving yourself. I’ll spoonfeed you if you don’t eat something, are we clear?”, Dayan demanded, his expression stern yet somewhat gentle, and his hands ripe for the taking, as if he only wanted the best for a brother that hardly knew how to help himself, and yet, didn’t want to burden anyone. “Only if you stop being sorry and eat something, then you may indeed write me. And our dad, if you’d like?” It was more of a question than anything, but he’d do whatever it took to get his brother back on track and if it meant he’d to crawl down to hell and kill Aramis again, he’d do it, no questions asked. Dayan, however, let his brother take his time, before offering him a spoonful of whatever kind of oatmeal they’d made him for breakfast, that he hadn’t touched yet - it probably was bland. “Open up, will you?” They didn’t have much time, but Dayan wanted to spend it accordingly. “Hm. How about you eat your breakfast and I carry you to dads room? Wouldn’t be the first time we did that.” Only that it had been what, 10 years ago and they had stolen some cookies from the kitchen?
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "I... I'm sorry... nevermind then...", Richard mumbled but he felt like Dayan was just trying to be nice to him. He yelled at him plenty of times, he told him so often what it was that made him angry. Nayantai and Richard just left him, they didn't look for him, they didn't make sure that he was fine and even if Nayantai was the one dragging Richard out of here, his brother should have been the one to come back and make sure that he was dead, because of not there should have been a glimmer of hope. Richard was sorry that they left him and he was sorry Dayan had to deal with the mess they created and even more so with two broken men in his home. Sending Richard away would be best, he'd have a much easier life then. "Mh... I understand...", Richard mumbled and looked at the food he was supposed to eat. Whenever he got something it was just to strengthen hm for what's to come, why did he have the feeling that it only got worse if he ate now? He nodded anyway, but took the spoon himself. "Okay I'll eat..."

      Richard wasn't sure if he'd write to Dayan and Nayantai, he was also not sure if they would answer, but at least he was allowed to still remain somewhat in Dayans life. "You don't have to do that Dayan...", Richard simply answered after gulping down a spoonfull of his breakfast. He hated it, he absolutely hated it, but he continued a while longer, before he let himself be helped on his feet. While holding onto Dayan they walked to their fathers room and Dayan was the one knocking. He opened the door too and together with Richard they both showed up in the doorway. Richard wasn't quite sure what to expect, but he figured spelling everything out right away would be the best approach. "Dad...", Richard didn't dare look at him and he clung to Dayan not only because of his weak legs. "... I'm leaving for SIlesse... will you... do you want to come with me?", Richard asked and didn't know what answer he wished for.

    • Whenever had his brother turned into a sorry sap and why did Dayan feel bad for him more than once? He didn't know, but he wasn't exactly honest to himself when it came to Richard, or not wanting to know of his own experiences. For all he cared, it could have been him that got sold out by Lucien and spend who knew how long in Aramis little torture chamber, until here was nothing left of him and he was but a miserable pile of secrets, not better than his father or his brother, who were both struggling with the most mundane basics of life. But while Nayantai at least adhered to harsh orders from time to time, Richard silently existed, not even indulging any of his own desires, even if he grew hungry at some point, he'd much rather starve himself it seemed. "Richard, stop apologizing. I'm not mad or angry, and I'm sorry for yelling at you all the time. I just ... lose sight of myself.", he admitted, and that he did. "Nothing I did was meant to hurt you, I'm sorry if it did - and I know that at least some of it has.", Dayan came clean, just because Lucien was nowhere within his reach and he couldn't quite react to the nonsense his beloved spouted, when he acted like a two-faced bitch all the time. Seeing Richard eat made Dayan smile genuinely for once, even if he knew that it was silly. "Would you've prefered a cookie? I'm sure they taste better." Now Dayan wanted one, but he couldn't share it with Richard and by the time they were done, his brother was already enjoying the high tide on sea, far away from Myriad, setting out on a new journey to an old place, in hopes of getting better. "No? You need your energy, though. And promise me that you'll eat, on your way to Silesse and when you're there.

      I want to see how strong you are when you get back, after all, you slayed a bear!" And that something that even the king himself wouldn't have attempted, though, he feared for his little brother, who looked thin, much like Rain, but while it was pretty much customary on their late father, it didn't suit Richard and it showed him just how sick he truly was - it was good his heart didn't act up too much, because if it had, Dayan would have never let go of him. Once Richard eaten all he could, they went for their fathers room, Dayan giving his little brother the support he wanted, wrapping his arm around him, unsure if he was just helping him walk or shiedling him from something, from someone. Their old man sat on his bed, but as soon as Richard arrived, he pulled a blanket over himself and turned away from them, much like Richard wasn't looking at him. This ... wasn't a good approach and Dayan sighed. "Dads not looking our way, Richard.", he reassured him, and was suddenly aware that no, he wasn't just here to help a corpse walk again. Dayan stared holes at his old mans back instead, as if he was trying to figure something out. "Si-Silesse? ... You're ... leaving?", Nayantai voiced, sounding exasperated. "Yes, he is. If you want to, you can come with him - but no one is forcing you to." Nobody was, huh? Then, did Richard leave out of his own accord? It didn't sound believable, and while Nayantai wanted to go, wanted to be with Richard, he ... he couldn't. "No. I'll stay.", he suddenly blurted out, burrying his face in his blankets, as if they'd smother him and were enough comfort. "I'll ... I'll only hurt you ... I'll stay.", he clarified, all of a sudden. "But ... you forgot something ... last time.", he mumbled, and then grabbed something that he'd worn instead, before throwing it into his sons general direction, with Dayan catching it. "It's not ... much, but ... maybe it's more comfort than I can ever be. I'm sorry ... you don't have to worry, alright, Richard?" Dayan simply made an affirmative noise, before offering the necklace up to Richard again - well, that meant he'd have his dad and he'd have to warm up to him again. "... You two should leave. Goodbye."
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Richard didn't know which words of his brother he was supposed to believe. He told him now he wasn't angry or mad, but he told him before, only to then refute his own statements and yell at Richard for what a horrible brother he was. He only nodded, he had no energy for a discussion and he ought to believe his brother for now. He didn't say if he accepted the genuine apology or not, he just wanted everything to stop. All the pain and especially the sting in his chest that was there all the time. Richard shook his head at the cookie too and he also didn't want to take any more of Dayan, not even his time. He still clung to him when they walked to Nayantais room. His father didn't want to look at Richard and in the end he was just hurting him with being here, right? Richard clung to Dayan even more, realizing that soon he couldn't do that anymore. First Nayantai seemed shocked, maybe even disappointed when he heard the news ans Richard was glad he cared, but then he promptly declared that he'd stay. Richard took as small step back hiding even more behind his brother. He flinched when something was thrown at them and from Nayantais words alone he knew what it was and shortly after their father already prompted them to leave. All Richrd got was a short goodbye and it felt awful. Richard didn't say anything anymore, he just turned around and walked away without Dayans help. "Keep it...", he only mumbled, meaning the necklace he didn't deserve. He knew the way to the castles entrance.

      His brother sent him away and his father was seemingly happy about it. Richard didn't want that necklace, neither did he want to have the other which he simply got out of the already packed bags that waited at the carriage. Being able to search for it surprised Richard a little bit, even though he was heaving once he found it. He handed it to Dayan, he practically forced it onto him and then clenched his hands. All the while he did say nothing and also didn't answer any questions. "Goodbye...", he eventually mumbled, his voice was shaking and before he burst into tears he entered the carriage that was supposed to bring him to the harbor. Only when they left the castle far behind, he allowed himself to cry.

      Richard soon arrived at the harbor and was loaded onto a Thrian ship, lead by a Thrian crew. Nobody else was able to sail to Silesse after all. Richard got a room below deck, one for himself. It was dark and small, he dreaded it, but he didn't complain. He never left it either and his appetite didn't come back. Instead he refused to eat most of the time and when it grew colder and colder as the days went by, he developed a nasty cough. All the blankets they got didn't keep him warm and the crew was visibly worried, probably because they didn't want the king of Adrestia or Shuren hang them for delivering a dead prince, whoever got them first. Eventually he arrived alive, but the cough grew worse and he had developed a fever. When he was prompted to leave the ship however, he did so on his own two feet, stumbling outside to finally stand on solid ground again, not even sure if he was about to be picked up, or if he ha to walk to the castle all by himself.

    • Trying to stop Richard was to no avail anyway, and Dayan, as much as he'd liked to be true to his brother and accept both the necklaces he found to be thrusted into his hands, couldn't. Not only would he feel bad for telling Nayantai that Richard didn't want them and probably was done with his old man, one way or the other, he'd also not feel good about keeping them himself and acting like he deserved them - he didn't, and if anyone needed them, Richard did, who didn't do anything except losing his mind for the past few weeks that he was in the castle at Myriad. His father was hardly better, but Dayan wanted to at least save one of them, which wasn't his father, it was his brother - and for that, he feared he'd have to hurt him, which he'd done plenty of times by now. He felt bad, not because of that, but because he had to talk to the carriage driver as silently as he could, explaining to him what he wanted, before handing over both of the necklaces - the goal was clear, either get them into Richards luggage or give them to the captain of the ship, who then hand these over to somebody else if Richard still didn't take them. "Take care, Richard!", Dayan only said, and that was that. "I'll write you soon."

      Shuren, on the other hand, at an entirely different problem - he'd have to endure Richard again, someone who he'd only agreed to take in because he got asked nicely, and yet, he wasn't even here and already a thorn in his side. Yujin had spent hours and days, being a mess about something so silly like love or whatever went on in his messed up head, and his old man did nothing except keep his mouth shut and offer him some hugs in time of need, persuading him that in reality, he didn't need Richard and if anything, he should just forget him. Unfortunately for him, his kid was a persistent bonehead and even when he started to forget something on his own accord, because of the lingering effects of the medicine, he grew even more upset - and Shuren was even more mad. And now, that Yujin had done his best to forget Richard, he'd come back, all the way from Adrestia - not having died as planned - and that even without Nayantai, pah! Shuren couldn't care less for either of them, but if he'd have to choose a fugitive, he'd take his old friend, not his well-disturbed son, but it didn't matter. Maybe he could help, maybe Richard just was stupid or desperate enough to take his helping hand, though, Shuren also didn't want to seem desperate for his arrival himself, which was the reason why he sent Muhan to the harbor - the only problem with that was, very much, that Yujin was curious enough to want to come with him, and while Shuren denied him initially, he pranced off with his dad regardless, which left his other old man cursing under his breath. What a waste of time!

      Muhan and Yujin exchanged some smalltalk and while it wasn't Muhans decision to piss off his already very mad husband, he also didn't want Yujin to forget even more, if there was anything to forget. Naturally, his son wasn't suffering and Muhan kept an eye out for him, but the way Shuren did things was the wrong one to him. If anything, Muhan just wanted to make things right between himself and his own husband, and between Yujin and Richard, with the former clinging so much to the latter that he, at first, refused just about anything and anyone when he learned of his departure. Poor kid, wasn't he? Richard, who eventually came into his field of view, didn't look too good, though, and Yujin was, frankly, still going on a tangent about a story he'd told him for the fifth time. "Yujin, please ... be nice, alright?", he told his son, smiling at him. Said son did roll his eyes. "I'm always nice, what are you insinuating?", Yujin sighed instead, but once Richard was spotted by Muhan and Yujin looked at him with certain unfamilarity, they went over anyway. Muhan already figured he'd look worse for wear - and sick at that - but he'd have to come here somehow, some way. "Richard! Do you ... need a hand?", Muhan greeted him, but before he could say any more, one of the ship crew was already making motions at him. "I'll go pick up your luggage, and we can go to the castle from there. I also brought Yu- ... Yujin?", Muhan instructed, looking at his son, who was, visibly and audibly sniffling, wiping tears out of his face. "Everything alright?" Shuren would kill him. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just ..." "Glad to have Richard back?" Yujin looked confused for a second, but nodded his head instead - he didn't even know who that was, but he'd make do.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • It had felt harder to say goodbye to Dayan than Richard anticipated. He only found him after all, but even more, he thought that Dayan was glad to finally see him go, yet his goodbye sounded somewhat longing and sad. Nayantai was a whole different story, Richard thought he'd be there with him and it somehow hat comforted him to know that he was but a few steps away, but no. He didn't hesitate much when he told Richard he'd stay in Myriad with Dayan. Hogging their father for himself was unfair anyway, he had him for months and Dayan had been all alone. It was only fair that he got to spend time with him now and Richard was the one casted away. He felt like he had nothing left, he left the necklaces behind and the only thing he has left was the knife he was gifted for his birthday. Even that felt like it should have been Dayans present as well though, but Richard didn't give it up. He didn't even tell Dayan it was a birthday present it just lay there for weeks with his other stuff.

      Now that he had arrived in Silesse he saw Muhan coming towards him, even though he only shot him a short glance. Richard wasn't surprised to see Yujin with him, he always had been curious and nothing hardly ever happened here. Richard greeted both of them with a cough and a shake of his head, he didn't want any help from that man, or anyone really. Then his gaze fell onto Yujin when he was mentioned, who was... crying? Richard was surprised, did Yujin remember him? And if yes, why wasn't he mad? After all Richard just up and left without saying goodbye. Richard didn't take his eyes off of Yujin for a second, instead his cold and feeble fingers carefully reached out for the princes hand. "Y-you... remember me...?", he asked, unsure whether he wanted to know the answer to his question.

    • The curteous way of answering any of this would be to deny, to chalk it up to his head being a mess and a half, but Yujin would feel bad. Something was off when he looked at the stranger, and it wasn’t that he looked sickly pale and sick in general at best - Yujin felt bad for denying him that one request he had, and for some reason, he was the one that couldn’t stop crying and who’s head and heart hurt now. What even was that? Something had happened, and Muhan seemed to know for sure what was going on, but Yujin just looked at him for a second, crying and possibly confused, but all of that could mean a lot - maybe he was confused why Richard was here in the first place, crying over the silliest of things, and Muhan simply laughed. “He wanted to come and see you. And he didn’t shut up about you, so I assume he does.”, his old man answered and it wasn’t even that far off - his fathers had had a squabble about whoever they were supposed to meet out here and Yujin, being his usual self, wanted to tag along now that his leg was better and he didn’t feel like all the blue spots he had hurt. Training with his father was something else and hell, he liked it for all it was worth. “You don’t have to tell him all that, that makes me sound like I thought about him all day every day!”, Yujin complained, but only ever so slightly. Did he really cry about Richard before? Had Richard been mean to him?

      As things went, Yujin was always curious and always forgetful, but the cold digits that almost touched his own were feeble enough to grab, not with force but tenderness, and the wolf wasn’t sure what he was crying about, but he used the hand he’d been offered to pull Richard into his embrace, hoping that it would help him understand. It was apparent that the blonde was cold, Yujin could feel it from what little parts his warm hands touched, and he could guess as much from the cough earlier. “I … missed you.”, he suddenly mumbled, unable to shake off the feeling that he did - so much, in fact, that his father felt confident enough to trail off anyway and grab some of Richards belongings for them, as well as some suspicious little cloth bag that the captain of the ship handed over, claiming that he’d gotten it from the man that brought Richard to the ship, who in turn had gotten it from the king himself. Yujin was the one that clung to Richard, unable to stop his incessant crying, even when his dad came back from the ship, but he stopped suddenly, as if he came to some sort of realization. “Aren’t you cold? You feel like you’re made of ice! We should get you all warmed up.”, he suddenly suggested, before he pressed his forehead against Richards and smiled at him, only for that expression to fade. “And you have a fever, you shouldn’t be standing around out here, Richard.” Fever? Who in the world had a fever out here? Richard was a weird one, but Yujin didn’t have time to think about that. “Well, we should get going anyway.”, Muhan chimed in. Yujin, on the other hand, smiled at Richard, whom he still didn’t let go of. “Do you need a hand? I have so much I need to tell you, but it can wait.”, he laughed, almost excited - and maybe he actually would have to prod his dad about who Richard was.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Yujin didn't stop crying, albeit looking at his father a little bit bewildered. Was it like Yujin to be embarrassed about missing or loving someone? He seemed more like the guy who shouted it out for the whole world to hear. Something felt off, but Richard was too tired to think about it and rather looked at the crying guy before him, who scolded his father a little bit. Richard couldn't say any more, because he promptly was pulled into a tight hug he returned with all the strength he had left. Richard felt like crying, unsure if it was because of happiness or something else like sadness, or frustration. He just held tight onto Yujin, who felt a bit bigger, though maybe that was only due to the fact that Richard changed so much - for the worse. His warm hands were comforting and he didn't think he'd miss Yujins smell that much. He didn't want to let go of him again and he felt like crying it all out in his arms. For now however he tried to compose himself as good as he could.

      "I missed you too...", Richard admitted, though wondering why Yujin wasn' shocked by his appearance. Well it was only natural for him to forget some things at least, Richard asked himself what he knew though and Muhan too. Did they know what happened in Adrestia? Did they know how Richard and Nayantai had changed because of it? Muhan at least didn't even ask about Richards father. Eventually Richard had to let go of Yujin in whoms embrace he found so much solace in. He could only nod when he was asked if he was cold, only to flinch by the sudden closeness of Yujin as he pressed their foreheads together. "Mhh...", he just made a noise to agree. he was cold, he had a fever and right about now he just wanted to lay back down, even though he felt slightly better after looking in that way too happy face. Richard wasn't even sure if he'd be able to walk all the way to the castle, but he'd let himself be dragged around by Yujin as if everything went back to normal that way. He was excited as ever and Richard liked to see it, yet he didn't smile himself nor did he say much, he just followed Yujin and Muhan. He'd have to apologize at some point though, didn't he?

    • There was some blabbering and Yujin tried his best to unearth some long forgotten knowledge in the mess that was his brain. Not only did he not recall who Richard was, or why his supposed reappearance made him cry, but he’d figure it out in due time, at least he assumed he would, and while his father seemed to be content with just lugging around Richards belongings, Yujin - at the very least - kept him silent company, as if to watch out that Richard wouldn’t fall. He held his hand, too, and if anything, they’d make it to the castle, whatever the stranger wanted to be there or no. Muhan seemed a bit more up in his thoughts, too, but Yujin didn’t ask - he was probably figuring out something silly anyway. “Are you hungry?”, Yujin suddenly questioned, once they’d arrived at the back entrance of the castle and his dad shooed both of them inside, almost as if they were little kids that had been out here for way too long, playing a bit too much with one another. “Yujin, how about you show him his room first and I’ll go get a doctor?”, his old man suggested, and the young prince nodded excitedly, his tears having dried by now, and his eyes just faintly red.

      “Let me give you a hand, recently, the stairs have been annoyingly slippery.”, he suggested and without waiting for much of an answer, helped Richard up the stairs, before he looked around. Hm, where was that room again? It was the only one that had a fireplace that was actively being used, he did recall that, but spotting it with icy blue walls was still a bit of a hassle. Wherever was that? Yujin opted for the guest wing and eventually located it - it wasn’t much different than all the other rooms, consisting of ice and nothing more, but even then, the fire wasn’t warm enough to melt any of it - it just was warmer in here. What a weird place. Yujins eyes fell on the bed, and the fact that he knew that one well enough - it looked similar to his own and it had curtains too, which made him chuckle. “That’s a nice bed, it might be a bit hard on your back, but it’s the same as mine anyway, so I doubt you’d have problems.”, he elaborated and for some reason, that sounded … weird? How would Richard know how hard his bed was anyway? Yujin was sure that his mind was playing tricks on him, one way or the other. After guiding Richard over to his bed and letting him sit down, before doing the same and pulling him back into a hug, softly stroking his back. “What’s wrong? Your eyes are glassy and you’re not just trembling because you’re cold, right?”, he asked. Maybe they’d have time until Muhan and the supposed doctor arrived, and Yujin wanted all of it to himself, but … at the same time he wished that someone would come in soon. “You’re so thin, too.” Maybe Richard always was, Yujin didn’t recall who he was, but he couldn’t go wrong like that. “Do you want something to eat? I can get you something. Or I’ll pester someone else to get you some.” Realistically, he needed to get out of here and question Muhan, but that could wait, Richard seemed tired enough to just fall asleep the moment Yujin let go of him - or did he?
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Richard tired and beat despite not moving for weeks, but as much as he didn't get up from bed, he also didn't eat much. Everytime he tried he got disgusted by only a few bites and would let it sit there to try later again. The fever he had didn't help either but he didn't complain, he just followed Yujin and Muhan who picked a generally slow pace for him anyway. He wasn't quite sure why they went for the back entrance, but Richard didn't want to be paraded around the streets anyway. Even if he had been, he wouldn't have said anything anyway. Instead his eyes were glued to the white and snowy road until they reached their destination. "N-no...", Richard answered, he wasn't hungry and got shoved into the castle by Muhan anyway. Going to his room sounded nice, so he finally could sit down. Yujin was so... loving and Richard didn't expect that to happen when they'd see each other again. He did't quite expect him to be overly mad, but maybe some yelling or some more crying, instead he was just his usual self. That was nice actually.

      The whole way Richard didn't let go of Yujins hand and he wondered why it gave him so much comfort, when his brother hadn't been able to do that for him. He slowly followed Yujin up the stairs, but he noticed he was a bit confused - so he still had troubles remembering things, which made it even more odd he remembered Richard. After opening one too many doors they finally found Richards room and Yujin led him to his new bed. There was a fire in here, something Richard hadn't expected, but the temperatures were still far below zero, keeping everything in tact. It did look like Yujins bed, but it hardly mattered and Richard didn't reply anything, he just let himself be led towards it and finally sat down. Soon after Richard was pulled into another hug and he slowly raised his arm a little to return it. Richard never wanted to let go again and he hid his face in Yujins clothing, pressing his eyes shut. "... not hungry...", he mumbled and instead grabbed Yujin harder. He didn't want him to go anywhere. "Aren't you mad at me...?", he then asked, he didn't want to know the answer, but he asked anyway.

    • Yujin felt bad for not knowing - there was something going on between them before, wasn’t there? It had to be something, a glimpse of a world that he wasn’t apart of anymore, but Richard held him comfortably close, was pulling on him as if the world would end if he shied away and Yujin let it happen. Like this, he felt strangely at peace, felt oddly wanted and needed, maybe even loved. Richard, however, was clinging onto an entirely wrong person - but Yujin didn’t tell him that just yet, it didn’t need to be said anyway; he’d just let him have this moment and he’d figure out something about the blonde stranger that made himself right at home in his arms and heart, as if he’d longed to be right here all the time that he wasn’t. The grip on him grew harder, and the voice more persistent in not wanting any food, but Yujin slightly shook his head as he stroked over Richards back. “I’m not going anywhere, but … what if I get hungry? Will you eat something with me?”, he questioned. He seemed like he could use some persuading and Yujin was happy to indulge him for now, even though he’d still have to question his fathers about that, didn’t he?

      One of his hands found the way into Richards hair, and as he stroked over it, he noticed some knots that someone should have taken care of long before any of this happened. “It’s gotten quite long, huh?”, he suddenly mumbled, and he wasn’t quite sure why he did - had it? It most likely did, but that commentary was something that he just instinctively seemed to remember, instead of actively recalling Richards old appearance - his hands were just more sure of what was going on. “Mad? I’m not, but even if I was, I might not remember - but it doesn’t matter. I’m glad you’re as fine as can be. But I’m here now.” He was, and while it would take time for him to figure all of this out, Richard would need time to heal from all of this, whatever it was. They lay there, just for a while, and Yujin had opted to softly stroke through some strands of Richards hair, trying to solve the knot that way, using his other hand to stroke over his back. “You need some warmer clothes … do you have any? Want some of mine?”, he offered up, knowing that he had a whole wardrobe to himself and he never wore it all anyway - and who knew it Richard had silessian garb. Before he could do anything else, there was a knock at the door, and as Yujin looked up, two familiar faces made their way in - Muhan brought Richards stuff, and Shuren a bunch of clinkering trinkets, some of which Yujin identified as medicine, others as probably just weird doctor stuff. “Good to see you again, Richard.”, Shuren expressed as he came closer, all the while Muhan was busy with putting Richards stuff aside - his clothes could to in the wardrobe, and the rest they could figure out another time. “Would you mind letting go of Yujin so I can give you a check-up? Muhan said you had a fever and a nasty cough, among other things.”, Shuren inquired, smiling at both of them - and if Yujin knew anything, that smile wasn’t genuine. Something was wrong here, but he didn’t put two and two together. “Richard, will you let my father have a look? He doesn’t bite, he just wants to help.”
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Richard embraced the hug and he didn't want to be anywhere else right now. There were so many things, so many feelings, thoughts and memories that flooded into his mind and he felt like sharing everything with Yujin. He decided not to however. It wasn't right to flood him with all of that, not yet at least and also albeit wanting to share, Richard didn't feel like talking. The few words he had sad scratched on his throat and his voice was weak and hoarse. He hadn't said anything on the journey, the last time he talked he said his goodbyes. Now talking felt almost weird and he rather kept silent. As long as they didn't talk nothing would be ruined, right? He wouldn't worry Yujin with what happened to him and Yujin wouldn't blabber out all the things he forgot about Richard. The blonde much rather returned into a world that hadn't changed as much as himself, as if the snow around Silesse was still the same and the time had stood still for as long as Richard was gone. Richard still didn't want to eat and he also didn't want Yujin to go anywhere, thus he only shook his head while also pressing it against the prince.

      The soft touches made a chill run down Richards spine. It wasn't a good one, more a looming feeling that he shouldn't accept this kindness that was handed to him, but he didn't move, nor did he make a sound. he was surprised when Yujin pointed out that his hair grew quite a lot though. It did, by now it almost reached the lower part of his back. Again he didn't say anything and instead of a nod, he just squeezed Yujin for a moment, but it got clear that there were things Yujin had forgotten. Richard should tell him, he should be honest about basically dumping him, for lying to him and vanishing only to fall back into his arms like a selfish little prick. He wanted to be selfish though, at least for today so he again didn't say anything - not for now at least. He wanted to be hugged some more, he wanted to be held, but he also noticed that his back had grown oddly numb, just feeling the presence of Yujins hand there, but not really a specific touch. It was way less apparent than the tugging on his hair which didn't bother him. "... don't have much...", he mumbled, since he cast all his things aside once he was back in Adrestia and he had none that Dayan could have packed in the castle. They were disturbed by a knock however, but Richard didn't pear up, even though he felt another shiver run down his spine. Richard was prompted to let go of Yujin and he hesitantly complied to sit up straight on the bed. He only shortly looked at Shurens face, at his smile - he never really talked to that man before did he? Although he always wanted to tell him to leave Yujin the fuck alone. Now he sat in front of him, but didn't say a word, instead his gaze fell to the floor.

    • Richard was an odd one, for as much as he was a sad one and Yujin couldn’t help but wonder what it was that connected them. Shuren, on the other hand, seemed fairly aware and did his best to keep on smiling - it came to him in some weird, natural way, but Yujin also knew that if anything, that smile wasn’t natural and he was just trying to make himself look good. No, why would he think that? His old man wasn’t a bad person, and yet, Richard hadn’t been here for long and Yujin was already doubting the basics of his life and what it had entailed. “Thank you.”, his old man spoke and then began his check-up, making it swift and touching as little spots as possible - he didn’t need to know much, he already got the gist of it from those damn letters he was bombarded with, and while he was reassured that everything would be fine if he kept in line, he knew the difference between whoever wrote the letters, even if all of them were signed with the kings name. Shuren sighed, before he dug some stuff out that he’d brought, looking at the scribbled on labels - some if these things were liquid, others solid, and he seemed to want to figure out what to give Richard without potentially harming him.

      “Listen up, you two. This here”, he held up a bottle with reddish-brown liquid. “Is for your cough. Take it three times a day and it should be gone in no time, a small spoonful suffices.”, Yujins old man babbled and he wanted to take note of that, but Muhan was listening and nodded, assuring him that he’d just do it for both of them. “This here”, he pointed at another bottle with somewhat pinkish powder. “Is for your fever, two times a day should be enough.” Yujin thought it’d be enough, but Shuren unpacked another one, a glass bottle of hastily pressed pills. “Painkillers, if you need any. One a day, you hear me?” And before he was done with that, he looked Richard up and down again, and figured that he might need something else as well, before he procured a blue liquid from what seemed to be his portable medicine cabinet. “Take this twice a day. You can and should take this one on an empty stomach, but you need something for the other ones. If you run out of anything, let me know. Or let Yujin know. If you’re cold, I’ll figure something out - or if you need anything else. That concludes my visit anyway, but I’d recommend some rest and some food. Lots of that, actually. Either way, if you need anything else, please feel free to ask for it - I’ll make sure to provide it, given that I can.”, Shuren concluded and then packed up. Ugh, Richard was clinging to Yujin again - and that fool didn’t even remember! Well, what did it matter - he was tasked with making Richard feel better and if that meant he’d have to postpone the wedding for a bit, so be it. “I’ll get someone to bring you some food and something to drink later, you’ll need it.”, Shuren elaborated and then made his line for the door. “Do you need anything?”, Muhan asked. Yujin just grinned. “Uh, can I have something to eat too? Oh, and can you bring me some of my clothes, dad? Richard needs some warm ones!” Muhan just nodded and then was on his way, and Yujin was the one that scooped Richard back into his arms. “Do you want to take a bath with me? I can get the knots out of your hair, I’m sure they hurt.”
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Shuren was smiling all the way, whenever Richard peeked up at him. It was almost odd, but he even thanked Richard he complied. There wasn't much tugging on him, just a short breathing exercise that made him cough, a touch on his forehead and a finger that was put under his chin so he looked up when he asked if he felt any pain. Richard shook his head, but it probably wasn't very convincing, because he did get some painkillers among other things. In Myriad they mostly gave him something that made him sleep, he didn't get something from Shuren, but that was fine. If Thria was more advanced in any regard it probably was medicine and if Richard was to believe stories about Shuren, he was especially skilled. He even helped Rain back in the day. Richard looked at all the bottles he got, not sure if he'd even remember any of the instructions. Additionally - and it was embarrassing to admit - he couldn't read the Thrian letters. he spoke their language perfectly fine, but reading was a whole other story. He'd just have to remember the medicine by color.

      Shuren talked and talked and Richard tried to remember, but his head hurt and the words escaped him as soon as they hit his ears. He felt like he should at least be a little bit polite, so he nodded a thanks, it was almost a Thrian typical little bow. Richards hand creeped unknowingly towards Yujins sleeve, which he held as if the young man needed to protect Richard from something. Food didn't ound too exciting for Richard and he grew sick of being offered some all the time. He felt like throwing up once he took a bite usually and he remembered Thrian food to be not to his liking anyhow. Shuren was about to leave and Muhan asked if Richard needed anything else. Yujin was the one who answered for him, Richard didn't mind that, and Muhan complied in bringing some warmer clothes for Richard. Once they were alone again Yujin hugged Richard once more and he closed his eyes. A bath together sounded odd to him, maybe Yujin truly remembered after all, or did he go for baths with all of his friends? Richard just held onto Yujins sleeve a bit tighter, whatever, as long as he was staying with him.

    • Muhan could remember that for them, or at least help Yujin a bit - his father could have given written instructions too, but he’d have to use that messy brain of his anyway. And Richard, on the other hand, needed someone to hold onto it seemed - which turned out to be Yujin, who was an idiot for not remembering and not telling Richard so in the first place. What would he even tell this little bundle of misery? That he didn’t share the feelings, didn’t know what they were and that Richard didn’t need to have any kind of false hope and that all of this was naught, but Yujin didn’t want to shatter his world that seemed so small and fragile, fragile like him. There was tugging on his sleeve again, the entire time actually, and Yujin smiled - genuinely - at Richard. “Hm?”, he crooned. “You don’t have to tug on my sleeves if you want to be held, or want a hug. Just come here and get yourself one.”, Yujin made clear. He found Richard to be somewhat cute, if not lost, and he wondered if this had been like that before, but he doubted that; he liked it the way it was right now, but he didn’t mind - he liked it, and he pulled Richard close. Did he miss him? His heart ached and Yujin himself felt confused, but having Richard so close now made him warm up and gave him comfort that he didn’t know he could feel - and he felt oddly … glad that Richard was … okay? Why wouldn’t he be? What happened before?

      “So that’s a yes?”, he chuckled, and he was happy - that would make it all a bit easier and he’d also get Richard nice and comfortable. Right now, the only thing he could do was cuddle him and wait for Muhan, who brought them the requested clothes eventually. “Is it okay if we use the bath?”, Yujin suddenly asked, and Muhan only snorted, somewhat amused. “Yes, it’s more than fine.”, his dad said and Yujin took his word for it. “Oh also, about the medicine …” “I’ll write down an instruction for you both, don’t worry.” What did they wait around for, than? His leg was fine, which seemed odd to consider, but he just grabbed Richard after his father was gone and lifted him out of his bed with him - he’d carry him, then, and on their way out he made sure to pick up the clothes Muhan had brought them. “Hold on tight, okay? It’s only a short distance, but I don’t want you to fall and hurt yourself - but I won’t let go anyway.” And with that, Yujin left the room that wasn’t all that warm, unfortunately, and brought Richard back down, all the way to their bathroom, that seemingly steamed from the hot water and the cold ice causing some sort of chain reaction, that also made the floors in here pretty wet. Yujin simply put the clothing he’d gotten aside and let Richard down, still holding his hand for comfort, as he rummaged through one of the cabinets for some towels. Once those were found, he looked back at Richard - and as if to get rid of any doubts for either of them, undid his own sash to then get out of his outer layers, but nothing else. This seemed oddly familiar. “Need help with your clothes?”, he asked, genuinely. “I’m sure the water will do you some good as well.” And Yujin would melt, but he didn’t mind that, he liked it - and he’d like it some more if it helped Richard.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Richard was probably acting like a child, tugging on Yujins sleeve, hiding behind him and letting him speak for him, but it was easiert hat way. He didn't quite know why Yujin made him feel more save, while his brother didn't at all, but maybe it was due to the fact that Dayan had changed so much while Yujin would always be the same old. Everything already had went to shreds when he met him, but since then he was simply the same, he'd always be. It gave Richard some form of security and while Dayan had tried to joke around, it never really connected. With Yujin it did, his smile was radiant and genuine and it was like he didn't believe that there ever was anything wrong anywhere. Why did Richard leave him? Why didn't he stay here with him and lived a happy life, without causing his brother so much trouble and without being responsible for his father breaking apart? He'd always get a hug from Yujin, everyone always did if they needed it probably and it was what saved Richard before. Maybe it would again. He was selfish though...

      Richard was tired and he was about to doze off in Yujins arms, but Muhan came back rather quickly, bringing some clothes that would hopefully keep Richard a little bit warmer. Muhans voice was surprisingly soft for a big scary guy and Yujin came right after him. Richard didn't quite fancy the thought of showing Yujin what had happened to him and how thin he truly was, but he remembered the steamy bath that always had a comfortable warmth for him. The last time they went there Richard made it bloody everywhere and he grabbed his own arm as he remembered. before there was any more talking or monologuing, Yujin simply picked up Richard who grew sow much lighter that it probably wasn't hard. "...don't have to...", Richard mumbled, but he didn't struggle, instead he put his arms around Yujin and his his face at his shoulder. Once they entered the bathroom Richards body softened up a bit. He was cold for what felt like forever. The warmth in this room made it better, but the cold dug itself so deep in Richards bones that he still shivered. Richard was let down and followed Yujin through the room while his hand got still held. Once the prince found some towels he turned around and started to undress while Richard just looked at him. Once their gazes met his eyes shied away as he held onto his own clothing. he hadn't cared about his looks, about the scars and the thin body that barely got any flesh on it, but now he suddenly was bothered by it. it would only upset Yujin... "I... I don't, I...", he stumbled taking a short step back and staring at the floor. Why was he like that? No wonder Dayan sent him away...

    • Yujin didn't mind - he still had to figure out plenty of things himself and something told him that, regardless of what it was that connected the two of them, he was only going to learn what it was if he stuck with Richard and made attempts to better his own memory, as if there was something wrong with it in the first palce and he was stuck pacing from left to right, figuring out what it was that haunted him even in the most dire times, when he didn't understand what it was that was going on. Silence befell not only him, but Richard too, at least for a while, in which they only kept looking at each other and seemingly taking note of one anothers existence, making sure that this was, in fact, very much a real interaction between them, and not made up from their dreams that both of them had. "I do want to.", he giggled, and now he had - Richard had made it to the bathroom with him, and Yujin enjoyed it - he enjoyed the fact that, if anything, Richard was about to experience some warmth and joy, given to him by someone that was the embodiment of ice, that lived here and spent all of his life out here, inbetween the frigid floes of Silesse that never melted.

      However, their next obstacle was fast approaching, and while Yujin put some of his own outer layers aside so they wouldn't soak up the water from the ever-wet floors and kicked off both boots and socks, Richard seemed to be getting uneasy about the small things, about undressing and show Yujin whatever was going on, but the wolf soon shook his head. "No need to worry.", he told Richard, grabbing his hand again. Reassurance was always nice and ought to do the trick, but often times, Yujin felt like he was doing the wrong thing for the wrong people - but this, this felt oddly right, as if Richard had just waited for him to show up and whisk him away, or as if Silesse made things easier for him, despite being so cold. "No need to hide from me, alright? We have plenty of time, and if you just want to soak up the warmth for a bit, we can do that instead." He did say all that with a smile on his face, bright and clear as ever, something that wouldn't change about him, ever, even if he couldn't recall who he was or what his name was supposed to be at some point. Yujin liked it here, he liked Richard here, and he was adamant about making him comfortable as well, not just in his embrace, but without it. "How about we start with taking off your boots and socks? You don't have to be afraid of showing me something - after all, it's still you, isn't it?"
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • Asking as to why Yujin was so adamant about helping Richard was stupid, he always was like this even when they didn't know eachother. Maybe he wouldn't have invited him to a bath right away, but he'd cuddle him if he had the feeling it helped Richard and he'd talk to him no matter what the reaction was he got. He didn't change at all, but it was hardly a year since they parted ways and Silesse was never much on the move, never much changing. Richard changed however, very much so, nothing was the same. He had been angry, loud and violent and much stronger. Now he barely spoke, barely looked at anyone and barely could make any decisions for himself. Shouldn't Yujin be surprised if he truly remembered? After all Richard was nothing like his former self, not at all, but for now he just wanted the hugs and the attention he received from him. It was odd, because the blonde was happy if he got left alone by everyone, only Yujin was an exception to this feeling. Richard hadn't appreciated him enough before he left...

      Richard looked up at Yujin who got rid of some of his clothes and now took Richards hand. It was right that Yujin has already seen ugly scars on Richards body, but it only got worse, especially his back. He hadn't seen it himself, he didn't get up to find a mirror, but Dayan saw it and commented on it. Richard could only see the scars on his arms and legs, and on his chest and stomach, ten of which he got from his very own father. Just sitting here and not getting undressed in front of Yujin seemed like the better option and so he nodded and let himself down on the floor and on his knees. The heat was getting to his already hot head, but it was nice being here. Maybe a glass of water would have been fine though. He followed Yujins suggestion however and carefully opened his boots so he could get rid of them, but even that was a task of its own for him, yet he didn't want any help. Yujin shouldn't be his nurse, it probably was what made Dayan send his brother away too. "Do you... really remember me...?", he asked however, he needed to know. Richard wasn't how he used to be, also not physically, just overlooking that fact seemed odd.