text; un: taka

[retsuden]

[ There has been a great deal of things that Sasuke has learned about in the few weeks he's been here just from talking to new people. All of them have been extremely confusing concepts, like therapy and the idea that people take care of children when they don't have anyone else to take care of them.

Some of these conversations where he's learned things have ended in more questions than answers. He could ask for more clarification from the few he's already made contact with, but the more possible answers he can get, the better. He thinks.

He hopes.

This could be a mistake. ]

How would you suggest someone improve their communication skills?

If your go to response is "talk to people", spare me. I'm only interested in more thorough answers.

Comments

[creationrebirth]

[ She holds up her hands in defense. ]

I just don't like pushing you is all!

[retsuden]

I'm asking you to.

[creationrebirth]

[ She sighs. Does he really wanna know how annoying it is to be poked in the forehead and then abandoned for another two years. ]

I really don't know that it's the best idea.

[retsuden]

Do you think I can't handle what you have to say to me?

[creationrebirth]

I don't know! Maybe, I worry I'll push you away. It's also that you've had a lot of people angry with you, you don't need my frustrations on your shoulders too. Especially when mine aren't so major that I can't deal with them.

[retsuden]

[ Aha. So he's right. She is angry with him. He knew he could feel the tension somewhere. ]

I don't care about those other people so their anger doesn't matter to me. I care about you.

[creationrebirth]

I promise I'm not that angry with you. If anything it's just that I don't know where I stand with you. You say you care, but that's not always clear. I'm just trying to figure you out and I'm afraid of losing you again.

[retsuden]

[ He's quiet for a moment because he's realizing... just... how much he's fucked up with her. He has to push her to be honest with him, she's afraid that if she is that he'll disappear, and he can't even make it clear he cares with his most important gestures.

Not for the first time, Sasuke is aware of what an asshole he's been, and he sure does hate it. But he can't change the past, he can only change the way he acts going forward. Which is what he's trying to do, right? ]

How can I make it more clear?

[creationrebirth]

[ That catches her off-guard. She's not even entirely sure how to respond. ]

Being around you, I see little changes already. I see it in the way you helped me that first day. I see it in the fact that you want me to stay in the same tent. I see it in how you check in on me.

I love you Sasuke, you know that, and that won't change. Just talk to me, don't leave me hanging, and if you have to be away from me send a note...even the briefest of notes, so I know that you are thinking of me or even just that you're okay.

[retsuden]

[ He listens intently to her words, not even blinking as he takes them in. He nods slowly once she's done, like he's relatively sure that he can do that.

I love you, Sasuke.

He swallows, not sure that he has it in him to say it back yet, even though he knows the feelings are there. He's still afraid of what will happen when he finally says it. Loving someone so openly always leads to pain. To hatred. Their messages buried so deep inside of him, he doesn't know yet how to overcome them.

It also means that he's not sure what to say in response. Does he say okay? That he'll try? Those feel flat. ]

I found a house. [ ... What...? ] You kept saying it was getting too cold to stay in a tent forever. We can move in at the end of the week.

[creationrebirth]

[ Luckily for him, she can read at least some of that in his expression.

She's still a little bit surprised by the change of topic. But then it just shows he's listening. ]

See you listen. [ She almost wishes they were face to face so that she could hug him. ] A house will definitely be warmer. Though I haven't hated sharing your warmth.

[retsuden]

[ What does that me—

... Oh.

Oh. Speaking of warmth, Sasuke can feel his face turning red already, wow. ]

I doubt it has the best insulation considering the era most of these homes seem to have been constructed, so we may still find sharing blankets necessary on particularly cold nights.

[creationrebirth]

[ Oh she hopes so, she really really hopes so. ]

Well, if you ever get cold...I wouldn't be opposed to sharing warmth.

[ Did she really just say that. She audibly groans. ]

That sounds so...perverted.

[retsuden]

[ God that is not helping his blush.

He gives it a second, letting the awkward silence after her groan linger, before he teasingly offers: ] That's because you're a pervert.

[creationrebirth]

[ Her face goes red and her mouth gapes open a bit at the call out. She's not even sure entirely how to answer but the fact that he's teasing her isn't entirely lost on her.

She stutters a bit before spitting out: ]

I'm not that bad...

[retsuden]

Oh? [ He snorts, crossing his arm over his chest. He wishes he had taken the prosthetic just for these moments, it's not nearly as strong a visual without two arms to cross. ] Have you changed that much since I saw you last?