[Was totally helping Itachi make breakfast but isn’t the best in the kitchen - except for ramen or tea - so took the opportunity to just get out of the way and do a quick scan of the Hitomi.
... came across Akira's dream.]
Oy.
[And is now standing in the doorway of the bedroom, Hitomi shoved into his pants pocket, eyes on Akira. There’s something akin to quiet concern in blue depths.]
Hey, my cooking isn't that bad! [A huffy little sound. Of course, not bad doesn’t mean it's any good either.]
'Tachi's cooking.
[As though to say, so there, you'd better be hungry!]
I'm not staring at anything!
[But he is settling on the bed, and he is still watching Akira closely and his expression is softening ever so slightly and he is reaching over to give one of Akira's knees a gentle poke.]
[It's a good thing they're both married to Itachi, otherwise they might starve. Everything Akira cooks is burnt or dried out. He gives a single, businesslike nod - he always eats what Itachi cooks. And Sakura. And Anko. And Hakkai. Everyone in Konoha seems invested in making sure Akira is no longer puny.
He fidgets a little when Naruto pokes at him, but doesn't scoot away.]
action; 2/2ninjasecretsAugust 20 2009, 05:22:12 UTC
[But after that outburst, he goes quiet, his face flushing a little.]
...You want me here, don't you? I'm not in the way. I know Itachi would never say anything... but you can be honest with me. I mean, you two have helped me so much...
[Yelling he thinks, definitely hit a sore spot and Naruto winces at the volume and hey, this is familiar but he does not back off, even continues to look, gazing intently until-
Want him here--]
Moron!
[It’s not quite a shout, but it’s not exactly softly spoken either. Naruto scowls.]
[Akira doesn't uncoil his body, but he does bring his hand near Naruto's face to brush a stray strand away, then pulls his hand back like he did something out of line.]
Would you l--
[Can't say that word. Even though they've said goddamn marriage vows, it's different like this, when the words haven't been written out for him.]
Would you still want me here if you found out I was lying about something for a real long time and I didn't tell you?
[He can't try and meet Naruto's gaze after such a loaded question.]
I know how important telling th'truth is to you. But. What if you found out I was really gross or weird or something?
[He squirms a little. In his loose sleep yukata, the fact his binding's slipped in the poses of sleep might not be too noticeable. But he feels exposed nonetheless, in spite of the fact Naruto might not be able to notice.
His hand feels so small in Naruto's. Small yet protected. He hates feeling like that. Like he wants to depend on him.]
I never said I was going anywhere, idiot.
[His words lack the fire of before. His tone's rather affectionate, in fact.]
[Matter-of-factly, as he gives Akira’s hand a squeeze.]
And I’d love him.
[Naruto offers Akira a one shouldered shrug, the ‘love’ eked out awkwardly enough but sincere, and soft. Akira is not going anywhere. That is what counts to Naruto now.
He sidles in closer and nudges Akira’s shoulder with his own, settles down next to him but does not let Akira’s hand go.]
But you’re not weird. Or gross.
[And of course Naruto being Naruto has completely missed any loose bindings. Even this close.]
Bet I’m weirder than anything you could come up with.
... came across Akira's dream.]
Oy.
[And is now standing in the doorway of the bedroom, Hitomi shoved into his pants pocket, eyes on Akira. There’s something akin to quiet concern in blue depths.]
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[No Naru-tan, at least not at the moment. Akira looks a little bit like he's been caught at something. He's embarrassed.]
Did Itachi kick you out of the kitchen?
[It's so easy to resort to snide remarks - but it's loving. No, really.]
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No!
[Too loud, too fast and to vehement to be honest. He deflates.]
…maybe.
[Glances back and steps into the bedroom, watching Akira closely.]
You hungry?
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[He pulls his knees up to his chest, self-conscious, afraid to ask what he suspects.]
The hell you staring at? [Akira demands to know instead.]
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Hey, my cooking isn't that bad! [A huffy little sound. Of course, not bad doesn’t mean it's any good either.]
'Tachi's cooking.
[As though to say, so there, you'd better be hungry!]
I'm not staring at anything!
[But he is settling on the bed, and he is still watching Akira closely and his expression is softening ever so slightly and he is reaching over to give one of Akira's knees a gentle poke.]
Oy.
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He fidgets a little when Naruto pokes at him, but doesn't scoot away.]
What.
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Plus, the lack of scooting is good, although Naruto merely continues to stare at Akira for a moment further.]
You're happy here, right?
[Stare.]
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[Yelling is one of the few ways Akira really knows how to express his emotions.]
Idiot. [Grunts.]
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...You want me here, don't you? I'm not in the way. I know Itachi would never say anything... but you can be honest with me. I mean, you two have helped me so much...
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Want him here--]
Moron!
[It’s not quite a shout, but it’s not exactly softly spoken either. Naruto scowls.]
You think we'd let you go now!?
[Stupid- how can you be so stupid?]
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[And he’s shuffling closer, on hands and knees and still scowling but his voice is infinitely softer.]
Hell no.
You're not goin' anywhere.
[He does not add the: unless you want to. It is implied, but Naruto has no intention of letting Akira leave without a fight at least.]
We-- I want you here.
Stupid.
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Would you l--
[Can't say that word. Even though they've said goddamn marriage vows, it's different like this, when the words haven't been written out for him.]
Would you still want me here if you found out I was lying about something for a real long time and I didn't tell you?
[He can't try and meet Naruto's gaze after such a loaded question.]
I know how important telling th'truth is to you. But. What if you found out I was really gross or weird or something?
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You’re not really gross or weird, Akira.
[Somewhat flatly. He stares harder.]
You’re you.
I want you here- me and Itachi’ll want you here - and if you think anything you were lyin’ about could change that-
[He settles in close and grabs Akira’s hand, curls his fingers around it, tilts his head, eyes narrowed.]
I told you. You’re not going anywhere.
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[He squirms a little. In his loose sleep yukata, the fact his binding's slipped in the poses of sleep might not be too noticeable. But he feels exposed nonetheless, in spite of the fact Naruto might not be able to notice.
His hand feels so small in Naruto's. Small yet protected. He hates feeling like that. Like he wants to depend on him.]
I never said I was going anywhere, idiot.
[His words lack the fire of before. His tone's rather affectionate, in fact.]
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[Matter-of-factly, as he gives Akira’s hand a squeeze.]
And I’d love him.
[Naruto offers Akira a one shouldered shrug, the ‘love’ eked out awkwardly enough but sincere, and soft. Akira is not going anywhere. That is what counts to Naruto now.
He sidles in closer and nudges Akira’s shoulder with his own, settles down next to him but does not let Akira’s hand go.]
But you’re not weird. Or gross.
[And of course Naruto being Naruto has completely missed any loose bindings. Even this close.]
Bet I’m weirder than anything you could come up with.
[Somewhat introspectively.]
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[But... squeezes Naruto's hand back. And after a moment, leans on Naruto a little, and presses his lips to his clothed shoulder.]
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