pawnstorm | [Open] It's getting hot in here

Entry tags:

[Open] It's getting hot in here

Who: Caren and anyone visiting the hot springs!
When: Post dungeon, could be right after fail/success, could be days after
Where: Hot Springs of course
What: There's a hot springs, so now there's a hot springs episode.
Rating: Could be a p-13 and beyond because some people are only wearing towels in this place.

[Win or fail, everyone needed a reason and a way to relax. With the fall of the towers, there was all sorts of good things to come from it. Some would say it was the birds; and others would say it was the hot springs.

The large, large pools of heated water. Sure, they could be used as a way to get all steamed up (or even steam punk) but after all that hard work, everyone deserves a break!

Bring your swimsuits, your towels, your drinks and snacks-who knows, you should be able to find them in the bazaars, or even on Airy. It's time to soak in the heat!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He could have moved away, easily. After all, she doesn't have years of training; no reflexes, fox like or no. Maybe he wanted the contact more than he thought.

...boys are so cute.]

Mm. It's not so terrifying, now is it?

[Her gaze softens, and her lips curl into a small smile. If he's interested in more...well. Did she really have to say it?]

I guess not, but.

[The words come slowly because he's actually thinking about them. Naruto has always been more focused on his goals than on pursuits in his personal life- there was always something else that needed to be done, things he couldn't slow down for, and then there'd been the very real possibility of losing his life, the reality of war. Compared to all of those things a kiss isn't frightening in the same way. And yet-

His brows crease, gaze seeking her own even as his hand returns to his side.]

Don't you want to be kissed by someone who really cares about you? Somebody who understands your heart, or is always thinking about your feelings?

[The softness fades from her eyes; for a moment, there's something odd in them, even unreadable. She sighs softly, and her gaze dips towards the springs, and the rippling water.]

There was someone, once but...I had to let him go. We had to let each other go.

[She's honest, perhaps more than she meant to be. Then again, the memories-the dance, the near sight in the illusion-had made that person so near and so far away.]

I hold no illusions. I can and will cause suffering, so I will not attempt to force my hand in such a manner. I have and will again divorce sex and romance.

There's less pain in a kiss then there is in a broken promise.

I don't know what that must be like. [It hurts, hearing something like that. Naruto isn't much for romance, so he knows that there's something to her experience that he won't be able to understand. But the expression that moves over her face, and the way her gaze travels to the water- that he knows. What it means to have a most important person, what it means to have someone like that leave you.]

Growing up I was always alone, and it wasn't until much later that I experienced my first real bonds. Even now I think they saved me.

When someone important to me left, he spent years trying to sever our bond. Looking back on it, sometimes I think my promise to bring him home was the only thing that kept me going.

[Naruto had gone to bed each night staring at that photograph on his dresser and he had dreamt over and over again, about a fight he'd lost in the final valley and about the way it had rained afterwards.

He doesn't think about taking her hand, he just does it- palm warm and uncalloused over her fingers.]

But you know, just like I learned back then- you can't stop someone from loving you. [Maybe she's right and people will always hurt one another. Maybe, like Pain had said so long ago, the suffering is inevitable. But there's more than suffering too. By going through those things, they can understand one another, and walk together into the future.]

People deserve to be seen.
I hope you let somebody see you, too.

It was the right thing to do. It would have happened eventually. But this way, it was his choice. Our choice.

[If she could have clawed out her heart, she would have. But hearing that this boy was always alone, a fool thinking that he could simply bring his friend back...as if he was some sort of pet bird, needing to be caged for its own safety.

His palm feels warm against the softness of her palm. It's warm, and there's something in her chest that twists, and lurches. People kept asking her one thing lately.

'Could I see them again?'

And she had one answer.

'It's possible'.

It wasn't supposed to be possible. Not anymore. She was starting to feel sick and uneasy from the very sense of hope.]

There was no problem in being seen.

[Her voice comes out cold, even harsh. She hadn't realized she had hunched over herself, until she realized how close she was to the water. She straightened, and her eyes continued to stare out at the springs, her expression going blank.]

Accepting what is seen and not trying to change it is far more difficult that you may know.

[Her grip on his hand tightened.]

Particularly when you think that person 'could' be better if they 'just' acted like this, did this. I don't want it.

[Its always been about change, for Naruto. A refusal to accept what he'd been handed, a refusal to accept that suffering was enough, a refusal to sacrifice the people important to him. He'd said as much to Jiraiya when he'd been confronted by his own weakness: of that was what it meant to be smart, to learn to let things go, then Naruto would gladly be a fool for the rest of his life.

Her grip on his hand tightens and Naruto makes no effort to pull away. It was his decision to do this. Like so many other things, he refuses to take it back. If she lets go of him, and when, is her choice. While her gaze stays on the water, his remains on her profile. Maybe the question he asks is the only one that matters.]

Are you happy?

No.

[It's a quick answer, but it's certain. This fool was supposed to be a quick mark, something that was supposed to be there and done. Maybe have a little sputtering, have him fall into the water.

Instead she's holding his hand. She's loosened it so the bones don't grind together, but she's holding it. She doesn't know who's the fool: him or her. Maybe it's the both of them.]

I don't feel anything at all.

Then I know you don't care, [It hardens in his stomach. This expression he's seen before. This resolve. This emptiness. Is it any different from Gaara who had found no use for love- a thing that only caused pain? Is it any different from the curse of the Uchiha clan, who can only become strong by losing the people they cherish most?

Naruto moves because he doesn't care what happens. He recognizes the selfishness of the act and he recognizes that she might forever think the worst of him- but he isn't the kind of man who can do nothing in the face of that kind of emptiness. She's small, and his arms go all the way around her, but the embrace carries the same kind of warmth that's always lived in him.] -But I'm really sorry you were hurt so bad.

[She would not see herself as anyone but herself. She would see Gaara, and make suggestions on how to kill better. She would watch in fascination at the Uchiha clan and their never ending pursuit for the perfect vision.

She's small in his arms. Delicate lines. If he hugged her too tight, he could even leave bruises. Her body shakes a little from mana deprivation and from the simple thumping of her heart. Her skin is warm from the springs.

And yet she stiffens in his arms. Her arms do not move to embrace him, but stay limp against her sides; confusion fills her face. What's happening...?]

Wh...what are you doing?

[She didn't say what she said for sympathy. She was just, as always, telling the truth. Why did he feel the need to embrace her? This is strange, and part of her wants to lash out with violence and spells. It makes no sense at all. None of this does.

It's funny. It's hilarious.]

I'm hugging you.

[The first and only time that Naruto had ever seen his mother, she held him this way. She apologized for his hurts and for how much he had to endure because of a choice that wasn't his own- but more than that, she told him something a secret. Kushina was able to have a happy life because she chose to fill herself with love.

Naruto doesn't have answers for all the problems in the world, and there are still many things he doesn't understand, but he's sure that this kind of loneliness isn't right.

Pain might be inevitable, but there should be more too.
There should be lots, lots more.

His embrace isn't hard. It isn't bruising and it isn't tight- just strong and enduring, like every other promise he's made. This close he thinks he can feel her heartbeat.]

You might not have much use for love, but I've got lots to give. I think it's sad you lost the person you considered important, and I'm angry that you feel nothing when you should be able to be happy.

Maybe you think that's wrong, but I don't care.

[Part of her wants to go duh. Yes, he was hugging her, and she doesn't understand why. Pain is something she knows; suffering is something she enjoys. There is something with it, that catches her interest and fascinates her, like a cat with a laser pointer.

This is just...strange. She can feel her heart beating steadily against his skin and she...

Just feels confused.]

It's not a good thing if I am happy.

[She's more baffled, even as she explains what's perfectly obvious to her. And...]

You're not offering to become my boyfriend or something, are you?

[His arms lower, apparently satisfied, and Naruto eases away enough to give her back her personal space. His smile disappears only because his chin drops when he shakes his head. It isn't self-deprecating, it's just acceptance. It's a weird situation is all. He's never had to explain that he wasn't trying to date somebody before.]

No I'm not trying to be your boyfriend'attebayo. It just seemed like the right thing to do- but I guess that was sort of impulsive huh? People are always telling me I run in too fast.

It was that.

[She's frowning at him, disapproving and still confused. What sort of person has she picked up? It's a relief that he doesn't want to smother her with love at least. That might have driven her up the wall.]

But I suppose it would have been just as impulsive to push my tongue into your mouth.

[She's still frowning, moving to fold her arms under her chest. She's accepting it but...in a judge-y kind of way.]

[Well, it's not his first disapproving look and it won't be the last- but it looks like she isn't about to punch him through a roof, so maybe she's forgiven him already?

And then she keeps talking, her arms folding over his chest, and Naruto's expression twitches. What kind of comparison is that even?! There isn't even a right answer to something like that!] Y-yeah, no thank you please.

[Well, he manages to get a chuckle out of her. Little more of a 'heh' but it's...something?]

I thought not.

[She considers him for a moment, head cocked. Well...there's something there. Something, even though they just met.]

So I'd rather you did not embrace me in such a way again.

[She's quiet again, her glance towards him drifting back towards the water.]

I felt the urge to become violent towards you. It's counter productive.

[The sudden sagging of his shoulders isn't sadness so much as it's- well, maybe closer to relief. Naruto's eyes shut and there it is, a helpless sort of smile.]

Well, it's not the first time I've heard that part either'attebayo.

Though actually, I'm not used to getting warning. Mostly Sakura-chan just screams my name and then everything hurts.

[She can see that relief. She can see that relief very well, and that little smile-it's almost painful to see.

She reached out to grab his cheek and pinch.]

Ah. I see that Sakura is a most generous soul.

[Wait a moment. That woman...]

Does this Sakura have pink hair? Medical training?

Ah- ow'ttebayo.

[Why is this happening. Why his face?
Naruto yields to the pressure immediately, tugged in by her grip on his cheek.]

You know Sakura-chan?

[Because she knows how to pinch a face. Call it petty revenge if you will.

...and she might want to see him squirm. He's too centred.]

We met examining bodies left by the dragons. I can approve of her. She's been trained well-though perhaps an older than I anticipated as a...companion.

[Squirm he certainly does, as Naruto's wriggling arms have him doing an impressive imitation of a jellyfish. At the very least he's used to being yanked around like this. It only confirms everything he's already known- girls are scary.]

Approve of her? Companion? [What does that even mean???]

Of course she's been well trained. We were on a team together when we were really small, and then she went and studied with a legendary sage. She's one'a the strongest people I know.

[She ignores his jellyfish impression. She's used to seeing it, it seems, or she's enjoying it. Caren is kind of scary. No one will deny this.]

I do not know if friend would be the right word in this situation. She's clearly older then you, even if she is one of the strongest people you know, and well educated to boot.

[She just. Isn't going to explain the approval thing because why would she.]

That's- That's just cause she's way ahead of me right now! Where I'm from she and Sasuke and me are all the same age! Well- almost anyway, but that's just by a few months. It was supposed to be my birthday the next day if I remember right...

And anyway, she really is my friend! Sakura-chan's much more than a comrade, or even just a teammate. She's one of my most important bonds!

Your birthday...hm.

[She considers this. They have bonds, and even age could even endure them, from what he said was true. That was kind of annoying. Just for that (and because Caren was petty) and leaned up to give Naruto's cheek a quick bite.

But after that, she let go.]

I see.

[It startles him, the teeth, but Naruto is no stranger to pain or the element of surprise in its delivery. He jolts and rubs at it reflexively, a frown of confusion pulling at the edges of his mouth.]

Is it always gonna be like this with you?

[At least she let him go? Even if he ends up with a bite mark on his cheek, even for a few seconds.]

No.

[She offers him raised eyebrows.]

It might be better. Or worse. Who knows?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Open] It's getting hot in here

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject