Fic: Real Laughter
Title: Real Laughter
Word Count: 342
Challenge: Laughter
Bonuses: crazy, gaze(ed), heat
Summary: Kurenai had never heard Hinata laugh.
Kurenai had never seen Hinata laugh. Sure, she had seen the girl use that soft, nervous exhalation that passed as laughter (most commonly used when Kiba made a dirty joke). But Hinata had never let go and let out a real laugh, one full of emotion and mirth, and Kurenai figured that she never would.
That’s why she was so surprised when Hinata started to giggle.
It started out small, quiet, as if Hinata was trying to hide it. But slowly, like a swelling wave, it grew and peaked into a full fledged laugh. The girl had her head tilted head back, mouth wide open, laughter pealing out of her. Her teeth shone bright as her silver eyes, finally exposed. A faint pink blush tinged her cheeks, as if she felt guilty about expressing this emotion.
Hinata’s real laugh was probably the loudest sound Kurenai ever heard the girl make.
“Hinata…What are you laughing about?” Kurenai ventured, after the silvery laughter trickled down to giggles, and then finally silence.
Hinata stirred slightly, shifting in the crisp hospital sheets. The rustle of scratchy starched cotton magnified in the tiny room.
Hinata’s bandaged hands awkwardly manipulated the crude doll that she kept in her lap. Carefully she brought it closer, whispering. Kurenai strained to catch the soft words.
“…Thank you….Tousan…” Hinata clutched the doll closer to her chest.
Kurenai gazed at her student, unable to speak. Subtly, she tried to get a hold of Hinata’s hand, to tell the girl that she was there that Hinata didn’t have to be alone in her mind.
One of Hinata’s broken hands slid off her doll, and the girl’s face crumpled.
“I’m sorry, I tried. Wanted to make you proud. Tried…” Kurenai gently placed Hinata’s hand back on the doll, removing her own hand.
Sunlight streamed through the window, lighting the white a creamy yellow. Heat beat against the window, trying to force its way into the room.
Tears slid down Kurenai’s face; she didn’t bother to hide them, Hinata wouldn’t notice.
Hinata was laughing again.
Word Count: 342
Challenge: Laughter
Bonuses: crazy, gaze(ed), heat
Summary: Kurenai had never heard Hinata laugh.
Kurenai had never seen Hinata laugh. Sure, she had seen the girl use that soft, nervous exhalation that passed as laughter (most commonly used when Kiba made a dirty joke). But Hinata had never let go and let out a real laugh, one full of emotion and mirth, and Kurenai figured that she never would.
That’s why she was so surprised when Hinata started to giggle.
It started out small, quiet, as if Hinata was trying to hide it. But slowly, like a swelling wave, it grew and peaked into a full fledged laugh. The girl had her head tilted head back, mouth wide open, laughter pealing out of her. Her teeth shone bright as her silver eyes, finally exposed. A faint pink blush tinged her cheeks, as if she felt guilty about expressing this emotion.
Hinata’s real laugh was probably the loudest sound Kurenai ever heard the girl make.
“Hinata…What are you laughing about?” Kurenai ventured, after the silvery laughter trickled down to giggles, and then finally silence.
Hinata stirred slightly, shifting in the crisp hospital sheets. The rustle of scratchy starched cotton magnified in the tiny room.
Hinata’s bandaged hands awkwardly manipulated the crude doll that she kept in her lap. Carefully she brought it closer, whispering. Kurenai strained to catch the soft words.
“…Thank you….Tousan…” Hinata clutched the doll closer to her chest.
Kurenai gazed at her student, unable to speak. Subtly, she tried to get a hold of Hinata’s hand, to tell the girl that she was there that Hinata didn’t have to be alone in her mind.
One of Hinata’s broken hands slid off her doll, and the girl’s face crumpled.
“I’m sorry, I tried. Wanted to make you proud. Tried…” Kurenai gently placed Hinata’s hand back on the doll, removing her own hand.
Sunlight streamed through the window, lighting the white a creamy yellow. Heat beat against the window, trying to force its way into the room.
Tears slid down Kurenai’s face; she didn’t bother to hide them, Hinata wouldn’t notice.
Hinata was laughing again.