projectroxas | (no subject)

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[ he's not entirely certain if the day's gone by fast or slow; feels quick in certain moments, slow in others. when distracted by the preparations, there are not enough hours left in the day. when left alone to his thoughts, the seconds felt to be like weeks. ridiculous; he knows it's ridiculous, a mere trick of the mind. but it's not often he feels anxiety to this level. confidence is his default, the baseline, & a deviance from this is leaving him -- agitated. irate. quick to snap. it's to his luck that alicia & riku are the main sources of company during the day. the two understood, surely.

& it is the former that is standing faithfully by annabelle's door when the designated time arrives. his steps are rigid, calculated, thoughts so entirely elsewhere that when he makes the mindless (routine) motion of entering annabelle's room, he runs into the arm of alicia instead. makes him bounce back a few steps, a frown twisting his lips & the skin between his eyebrows creasing. what the hell, woman?

a short banter later, alicia is fixing robert's appearance -- the unkempt nature of the prince would most definitely raise the worry of the princess, would it not? do try to keep yourself presentable. then a softer smile, a roundabout manner of encouragement later:

a knock at the door. ]

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[ pause. ]

. . . It is alright to be honest. She cannot hear us from her post outside.

[ chuckles lightly, shaking his head once. ]

I am being honest, brother. She has been a great companion, as well as a protector.

Then I suppose her job is secure for another night.

[ lets out yet another chuckle behind his hand before he gently removes himself from robert, save for a hand that still links them together. begins to move towards his bed, shifting onto it comfortably when they arrive. looks up at him with a knowing smile, lightly patting the bed in a silent gesture for robert to join him. ]

[ follows along obediently, not too surprised by the destination. he sits without further encouragement, twining their fingers together in the space between them. leans against his brother lightly, head resting on a shoulder in silent contentment. ]

[ leans his own head on top of robert's, shutting his eyes to relish in the moment. after a while he moves again, gently prying himself away for the time being. lies his back against the pillows to prop himself up properly, motioning for his brother to place his head on his lap. ]

[ blinks at him briefly despite having correctly read the wordless message. then slowly shifts around so that he can position his body comfortably against the bed, with his head resting on top of annabelle's lap. a short pause, then his head tilts a bit (slightly awkward, due to it being resting against annabelle) as he gazes up at his sibling curiously. ]

[ smiles down at him in reply, lifting his hand to begin stroking his hair gently, slowly. keeps with the motions in silence, using his other hand to cup it lightly against the crown of robert's head, almost as a means of protection and security. ]

[ stills a bit when he first feels that, but quickly relaxes into it, his entire body going a lax against the mattress. eyes slip close again as he quirks another smile. ]

And what, pray tell, have I done to deserve such gentle treatment?

[ pushes some strands of hair away from his face, humming a bit. ]

Hmm... I wonder.

I must warn you that I am rather inept at guessing games.

[ shakes his head, leaning down a bit to lessen the space between them. ]

It is because I love you, of course.

[ opens his eyes at those words. tilts his head upward to lessen the distance from his end as well. ]

That alone makes me a fortunate man.

[ closes that distance to press a kiss to his cheek, a rare act of initiating such contact. nonetheless he murmurs against his skin: ]

I am glad that is enough for my prince.

[ raises his arms to somehow wrap them lightly around annabelle's head. whispers his own words. ]

Be safe in the knowledge that it always will be.

[ closes his eyes halfway, hands stilling for the time being. ]

It is my greatest wish.

[ tilts upward even further to brush his lips against an eyelid. ]

One that has already been granted.

[ shuts his eyes fully at that. ]

Forever?

[ doesn't miss a beat: ]

Yes. Forever.

[ presses their foreheads together, fingers gripping at him a little tighter. doesn't even seem to realize that he's crying, tears slipping down his cheeks while his eyes remain shut. ]

Thank you.

[ just continues to hold him close through it, allowing him a moment before speaking again. ]

There's no need for thanks, Annabelle. Not for this.

[ shakes his head gently, careful to not dislodge robert's hold. ]

I feel as if I do not deserve it. For you to reassure me... it gives me great joy.

[ releases the hold on his own account shortly afterward so that he can raise a hand to rest the back of it against a cheek. ]

Then I will happily give you a thousand reassurances. More, if you as much desire it.

[ leans into that touch, though shifts a bit to bring some space between them once more. moves his fingers again to begin stroking his hair at a slow pace as he watches him in silence, knowing that it would be fine to just leave it at that. ]

[ drops his hand away to have it rest on his stomach. cranes his head upward to glance up at him. keeps his expression neutral as he speaks. ]

What is it that worries you so? We have parted before.