A/N: Wow! I can't believe I managed to get a Tales of Graces section up on this site! That's...so awesome~ It feels so strange to be the first story on here too-maybe because I love Graces so much. Well...anyways, this story is post-game based strictly on the wii Graces and not Graces f.
Short days always felt much longer than they really were to Richard; even as an adult in recovery after Lambda. The feeling had existed since childhood when he first met Asbel Lhant as a twelve year old prince. His friend Asbel was an eleven year old trouble maker, son of the feudal lord. Despite Asbel's high social ranking the two of them were still meant to be separated because Lhant brought trouble wherever he went. Still, the younger friend always found a way to him and it inspired Richard to find ways to get to Asbel, even by hiding under a poofy green hat and under the guise of 'Tiger-festival'; a silly name he still held dear. A small smile formed over his weakened and bruised features at the memory and of course a warm feeling along with it.
Even though he was battered and bruised in bed he still found a way to be happy; memories. Memories that made his heart swell in happiness and emotion and his cheeks color in peachy ever so lightly. It's not the first time he's been in this situation, neither was it the first time he used memories as relief. He sighed, thankful he wasn't in as much pain anymore. What he felt now didn't really compare to a few days ago when he was still a mutated person. After settling that and getting back home he has been in bed rest. With the help of Sophie and Cheria healing talent, his body was beginning to recover just fine. There was only so much the magic could do, the rest was up to his own strength and the support of the others around him; namely Asbel Lhant's.
Currently he was patiently waiting for the return of Asbel to keep him company. He liked no other's company more than his. Even when Lhant sat still, the area felt alive. The young king was tired of his encounters with Asbel being so short and hoped that now they would be able to spend much more time with each other. He tried bending his legs upwards as he thought about walking to that tree with Asbel, but he groaned in pain at the action; they were still painfully stiff. He sighed and frowned at his covered legs, it was almost worrying as if he would never walk again at this rate.
"Ah, your highness, you shouldn't try budging just yet. It's only been two days, you know..."
The troubled man's heart skipped at the concerned voice of, "Asbel..." His beloved friend came into view and nodded with a kind smile in reply. Richard's golden brown eyes softened upon sight of Asbel and his kind smile. It made him forget his recent pain and relax more.
"Are you doing alright, your highness?" Asbel asked, resisting the urge to casually lean on the foot of the bed. He was still hardwired from school to be professional with the king, even if he was friends with said king in the past.
"I'm fine..." Richard replied, a frown slowly creeping its way back onto his features. Distance felt like it was already growing between them and he was hardly here for a minute. The professionalism and physical distance felt so unwelcoming; it was like interacting with any other person, not someone who he held with such feeling and importance like Asbel. He felt he couldn't bring it up again, that 'favor' he asked for way back when they reunited in the cave. He felt like a burden and it hurt a little bit that Asbel had forgotten and felt the need to put himself below him like this; it went against everything in childhood. Richard's blonde brows furrowed as his frown deepened; his body done this subconsciously.
Yet, it was already eating away at him not making this said.
"Your majest-"
"Richard."
"Huh- I-"
"Richard. That is what you will call me," he was stern as he stated this, and resisted the urge to bite his bottom lip for being moderately sharp with Asbel.
"R-right... I'm sorry," Asbel apologized and nervously brushed some of his brown hair back.
"Or Tiger festival."
Asbel was caught by surprise at the mention of 'Tiger festival'. He thought, "Oh how embarrassing!" As his cheeks colored in a bit at the reminder of his younger self. He murmured, "Oh that..I'm surprised you remember that..." He chuckled afterward. Richard nodded and smiled in reply. Asbel on the other hand sheepishly smoothed his hair down and replied, "I was a pretty bratty kid, really..."
"Please stop being so formal, Asbel. It's...unlike you," he added and batted his thick eye lashes that would surely do a good job to catch any slipping tears.
"Well...I wouldn't say, 'unlike me'... I grew up to be formal... But..."
"I...supposed that is true..." Richard murmured and puckered his bottom lip. "I'm sorry for the things I've said, then. You're right...we change as we grow older..."
"Richard, it's alright. We've been separated for several years!" Asbel reassured his troubled friend. "I'm here again!"
"Right," he replied mid-thought. "We could...'Catch up'?" He asked, trying to be casual in hopes it'll pick things up.
"Yeah, sure," Asbel replied with a wide smile and sat on a plush stool near the bed.
Richard smiled and sighed, "I'm glad..." His smile was a coy one as he continued his sentence, "we really have changed." He brushed some of his hair aside and added, "I'm not sure how I have, but...I'm sure I have in some way."
"Much warmer and stronger," Asbel answered. He crossed his arms casually and continued, "you used to be wary and cold. Not used to us," he chuckled and scratched his auburn hair. It always managed to move around everywhere. "I was determined to warm you up because I saw that nature in you, the one I see now." His expression was sullen but still warm, a physical form of bittersweet. "But... I didn't."
"You did," he was quick to correct Asbel. He was a wonderful friend and no way was he going to let Asbel feel like he wasn't a good person, an amazing person. "You gave me the most fun I ever had in my life, you've saved me in more ways than one, Asbel." He wasn't shy to pour this out to him, in fact, he waited for the day that he could. "My heart, my hopes, my life... even when far away, I just knew if I saw you again, which is what I dearly wanted, we would still be good to the other."
"Richard..." He was genuinely touched to hear this, unaware that Richard thought this way of him. He was actually surprised and confused by this. "Even though we hadn't know each other long, Richard?"
"You went out of your way to rescue me when you didn't have to, Asbel. If anything... it is I who should be asking you that question. You on the other hand...are very admirable. I admire your honesty, kindness, and friendliness. It inspired me to try to be as honest and friendly as I could, but...I still have hesitation towards meeting new people."
"You're just shy, then?" Asbel suggested with a slightly amused smile.
"I cannot afford to be shy..."
"Why not?"
"I need to be able to talk to cities and others if I am king, Asbel. I'm still adjusting to the fact I'm back here, needed to get things in order...while still being stuck in bed rest...I..."
"Hey, don't worry... everyone'll understand, Richard. You went through living hell and back and you can't even stand. Don't worsen your health by stressing out," Asbel murmured and gripped Richard's shoulder.
"I...surely hope so, Asbel," he replied as his worried frown deepened.
"And besides, we're catching up. So even more reason to worry less!" He saw Richard smile and chuckled, "There we go!" This was the Asbel Richard was looking for. But as he stared into his eyes... he also noticed that purple one. That red energy that changed one of the holder's eye color. His was somewhat burgundy, and Asbel's was purple. His large, pure eyes were still alluring to him despite their new odd appearance, but, he couldn't help but feel his heart sink; guilt. Asbel was alarmed that the smile fell so quickly and asked, "What, Richard...?" Full of concern, he leaned in towards Richard, examining his bruises and bandages.
As the caring brunette done this, Richard murmured, "Your eyes..."
Asbel winced and adjusted to face his solemn best friend.
"Well..it is close to my blue?" He joked.
"I...worry for you even more now."
"Richard, I'm fine-" He gasped when he felt Richard's shaky, cold hand cup the side of his face where the eye was purple. His finger tips pressed into his cheek bone, but not enough to cause discomfort or pain. He felt his thin, soft fingers trace his face, and his heart beat oddly at the gesture. He was somewhat nervous, but more so confused. He could see in Richard's brown eyes that there were sadness and some other emotion he couldn't place. "Richard..? Why?"
"I know that... there is a strong possibility that you could do it, but, I can't help but fear if only a little bit. It took several years to take a full blown effect on me." His worry softened when he saw Asbel smile widely.
"Lambda is calm and at peace. Remember, Sophie and I could touch! So I'm safe, Richard!" He chuckled and patted Richard on the head gently. "Don't worry, don't stress, don't over think...! How many times do I have to repeat it?" He kept his light hearted tone, rubbing his hand through his shaggy blonde hair that was also on the road to recovery to what it once was. When he heard Richard exhale heavily, he replied, "There...much better." He could feel that he was relaxing from the head petting.
"...Thank you, Asbel..." He murmured quietly as he felt his eyes get heavy. His breathing relaxed, and he was just about close to sleeping until he heard someone else enter the room. He felt safe and didn't feel a need to be startled by the foot steps; they sounded tiny.
"Asbel."
"Sophie?" He replied in question and tilted his head. "Came to see Richard too?"
"Um... I was requested to pick you up..." She replied and looked between the two. Richard still made her uncomfortable, even with Lambda out he still stirred her emotions.
"Huh? 'Pick me up'?" He asked.
"Cheria wants to see you..."
"Oh, alright," he said and got right up. He knew the longer he took the naggier she would get. "Though, Sophie...is something wrong?" The constant pauses between her sentences always meant she was bothered or in thought about something.
"Um... No. But you should hurry to her, she's not too far from here, Asbel."
He frowned with concern, wishing he had more time to prey into the matter of Sohpie's discomfort. He sadly could not and sighed softly, "Alright. Stay with Richard, Sophie," he ordered Sophie before he turned to Richard. "I'll try to be back another time," and then excused himself out of the room.
Any relaxation Richard felt quickly left with Asbel.
His brown eyes quickly darted to the corner where Sophie was to the window where the sun was shining through. For a few moments Sophie did not speak, and neither did he, until the silence was too unbearable.
"Sophie, if you don't want to be here you don't have to be..."
"Asbel wants me here, though..."
"Do you want to be here, Sophie...?"
"That...I am unsure of. I do not want to leave you alone, but..."
"You are uncomfortable?"
"...Yes."
"I am too..." Though he admitted this, he felt like the adult of this situation and propped himself to sit up and try to face Sophie. "But, I'm sure Asbel taught you that growing people overcome these things, right?" the girl nodded, her lilac eyes full of focus. "So we'll overcome this," he replied with a coy smile.
"How...Richard?" She asked, hesitantly stepping away from the door and more into the room. It couldn't hurt to try, she felt.
"Hmm..." Richard hummed in thought. "Do you...remember most of your memories now, Sophie?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Do you... remember my hat?"
"That... green one?" She curiously asked as she slowly tilted her head in question.
Richard laughed softly in reply and answered, "Yes, that one. It's in here somewhere...perhaps somewhere in the top of my closet. It's quite big, though...don't get lost, Sophie."
"I'm sure I won't..." she calmly replied and just as calmly headed over to the closet. Despite the calm demeanor, she accidentally ripped the door out of the slide closet. "Oh..."
Richard was surprised, even though he vaguely recalled stories from childhood about her breaking doors without entirely meaning to.
"D-don't worry about that, Sophie..!" He called from where he was. He saw her nod and go in that closet anyway. Hearing her shuffle and climb around it. "Also, don't make too much of a mess in there..!" The shuffling noises calmed down, but activity could still be heard. He exhaled heavily once again, his body loosening and relaxing. Already, they stepped over one level of discomfort, maybe they can keep walking over them. Her company was nice as well... Almost nostalgic, even.
"Richard..." Sophie spoke in her usual soft way. She held the hat up as she stated, "I've found it..."
"Ah, that's wonderful, Sophie," he replied in a gentle tone. She was pretty adorable when she wasn't tense. "Sit on that stool over here," he instructed. Chipping one barrier after another, bringing a friend back together. She did as advised and handed him the hat. He was hesitant on taking the hat back, but Sophie was insisting that he did by nudging his hands with it. Still hesitant, Sophie instead placed it on his head, a little bit roughly due to reaching for him and almost falling.
"There, Tiger festival bro..." She said and gave him her best smile.
"Heh...you're going to call me Tiger festival now?" She nodded in response and he replied, "Very well then..." A wave of nostalgia steam rolled over his senses and he frowned. Nostalgia always felt warming, but at the same time so saddening. Asbel wasn't here right now...so it still felt incomplete and bothersome. He started to frown once more.
Sophie saw his frown and thought of it as confusing. She remembered Asbel telling her when something was confusing or if something seemed wrong, to always ask.
"Richard...What's wrong..?"
"Oh...Asbel," he answered simply. She surely wouldn't be able to see the big deal of telling her.
"Is something wrong with Asbel?" She asked hesitantly with worry. She too wondered about him having Lamba in him even though he appeared fine and that they could physically communicate.
"No..." He replied with a thoughtful frown.
Sophie tilted her head and observed aloud, "The same face..." Taking in what she was observing, she murmured, "Cheria makes that same face..."
"What do you mean?"
"When she thinks about Asbel, she suddenly looks like the way that you do. Bothered." And then his expression turned into that of a pained one at that bit of information. Someone else felt the way that he does—similar to what he does, and it was not a comforting thought, but neither a surprising one; Asbel was a very likable man. "Richard?" Sophie didn't understand complicated emotions.
"Yes?" And Richard was trying to keep it simple as possible.
"Don't look so sad. You are... Asbel's friend."
"Yes, but..." He caught his tongue, figuratively biting down on it. He needed to be better at holding things inside.
"But..?" Sophie asked with growing concern at his facial expressions. Having no idea how to word what he would say next, his face reddened the more he thought about it, and his feelings on the matter. Sophie worryingly asked, "Richard, do you feel sick? You have a red face..." He replied by shyly covering his lower face with his hand. The action was confusing to Sophie who preferred to receive verbal responses. "Richard, you can tell me what's wrong. I am your...friend...as well." There was slight hesitation in her sentence, she wasn't sure if they were truly friends or not from the way they have fought in the past. Still, she would go with the assumption they were.
Richard on the other hand couldn't recall a time he's been so nervous like this before. He slowly lowered his hand from his face, frown in place as he started into Sophie's eyes.
"Asbel..." He debated again if he should admit it. "...I wish would stay by my side more often." Sugar coated, subtle, indirect.
"You want Asbel to be by your side?" Sophie pondered for a moment and then nodded, "I understand..." That response made Richard bite his bottom lip. He hoped she didn't understand what he meant behind those shielding words. Sophie tilted her head, a crease appearing between her slender eyebrows, "Richard..? You look more pained. Does something more hurt?"
"Yes...But it'll be fine in awhile..."
"Really..?" He didn't really know, honestly. The mention of Cheria made his pain worse. He shrank into his bed a bit, in an attempt to get sleepy. Sophie reached out and gentle patted the young king on the head. She didn't fully comprehend, but this was the best comfort she could offer.
"Thank you, Sophie..." He batted his eyelashes once more. They were good catchers.
"The same tears..." Sophie murmured softly.
Thoughts rang in his head, "How did you notice? Why did you have to notice..?" He couldn't catch them in time and shifted over to his side, his hat falling off but still being on the bed.
"Richard?" She felt empathetic pain of some kind, and it only grew when she saw him slightly curl up. She heard his breathing grow increasingly ragged with the action. He was close to sobbing, even if softly. "What is this pain?" She felt emotion flutter roughly in her stomach. "Please at least talk to let it out..."
"I'm sorry, Sophie."
"Why are you apologizing? Did you do something wrong?"
He chuckled sadly at her innocence on the matter. He replied, "No...Just the feelings that I have. They hurt."
"Feelings that hurt?" Sophie paused to process this and think, "Such as... pain and sadness? Are you sad?"
She only really knew basic emotions, and Richard knew this. He said, "I'm sad, yes..."
"Why?"
"I...don't know how to explain that."
Sophie stared quietly for a moment an nodded again and said, "I understand. I didn't understand my feelings either, but...Asbel and Cheira and the others helped me understand. Maybe...I could help?"
Her care actually made his heart puff up a bit, the feeling of having a friend who was there, but it also felt a bit painful as well. He was slightly envious of how blissfully unaware she was of more complicated emotions; carefree of these things. Still, he didn't want to reject her kindness or risk corrupting her with depression so he played along.
"Perhaps..."
"What is making you feel sad?"
"When he's not here with me, when I think he doesn't feel as how I feel, that we will only grow further apart. Inevitably..."
She shook her head, the most defiant she'd ever been, "You will never grow apart. For seven years, Asbel never forgot about me or you. Or our friendship."
"Yes...but...there's a thin link."
"Thin link?"
"Sometimes...it feels like the bond is not as very strong as I think of it as. It feels like an obligation..."
She frowned deeply and asked, "Why..?"
"It...never feels comfortable anymore. It feels stiff and professional. An interaction I would have with anyone else who would call me 'your majesty' and disappear." He paused and looked down to the floor, hair covering his face. "This...always happens."
"I don't really understand, but... Asbel is your friend. He never gave up on you, not even once. He always believed that we could save you, even when everyone else had doubts."
"I wasn't conscious for that..." He sighed sadly.
"Don't worry, Richard. Asbel...will always be your friend."
He nodded sadly in reply. He didn't desire to talk anymore and felt that he needed a break through sleep.
"Sophie...I'm tired and it's getting late. You should head to wherever you need to be, alright?"
"I understand," she replied and walked around the bed, heading for the door.
"Sophie..."
"Yes?" She asked as she turned around.
Richard reached behind him and grabbed his hat. He then reached for her hand, his smile weak and tired.
"Here."
"Why are you handing it to me?"
"I am giving it to a friend whom I appreciate."
Sophie smiled warmly and took the hat and placed it on her head. She didn't take the time to look at it in the mirror, but hurried out the door and this time, carefully closing it.
Every time he felt a warm, nice emotion, it always immediately left him...
And he couldn't understand why.