040

[smokin_bomb_59]

[Maybe you've noticed it and maybe you hadn't, but a certain Storm guardian seemed by far more irritable than usual the past week or so. It seemed to take even less to set him off and as another odd little note, he seemed to be sleeping a whole lot more recently - though sometimes he just seemed entirely unable to sleep at night. He also had been

Comments

[sky_ringed]

[Had he been around, he would have already known just what was bothering you. Seeing as how there was a switch not long ago, though, all that's immediately obvious is that you're too tense. It's a cause for concern, but then again it's also to be expected in this place. Either way, now that he's found you, there's a light touch to your shoulder.]

Hayato?

[smokin_bomb_59]

[He actually jumped at your touch in an almost paranoid manner, but once he hears your voice he relaxes just slightly giving you a feeble little smile.]

"Yes, Juudaime?"

[sky_ringed]

[There's a brief, slight frown at that, but he's not going to comment on it directly. It was to be expected, besides.]

Just wondering how you're doing.

[smokin_bomb_59]

[He blinked a little at that, his smile a little more pronounced now.]

"I'm doing well enough - much better now that you're here."

[sky_ringed]

[There's a softer smile in return.]

Good to hear. Glad I could help, then.

[smokin_bomb_59]

[He decided to offer you a tiny kiss in response to this. Nothing too elaborate. . But. He felt it was entirely necessary. And you might have noticed something. . different. The scent of cigarettes was still there, of course - it was pretty much absorbed into his clothing. . . But it didn't quite seem as pronounced as usual. The difference was so slight that you might not have even noticed. Or maybe you had. Either way.]

[sky_ringed]

[He'll return that kiss with a brief one of his own and stay close. Being as near to you as he currently is, he can tell there's a difference. But as it's slight, he halfway wonders if it's just wishful thinking... It could explain the earlier tenseness, though. There's a hum--partly thoughtful, partly indecisive, and he leans a little more against your side.]

Have I missed anything?

[smokin_bomb_59]

"Not a whole lot really."

[He seems to be a little more relaxed with you so close and so he'll offer a slight nuzzle.]

". . . I've been trying to quit smoking. . . But I get the terrible feeling this is just going to get Takeshi killed."

[This last part is added in a hopefully joking manner.]

[sky_ringed]

He chuckles as that last part, draping an arm over your shoulders.] I'd better not leave the two of you alone for a minute then, hm?

...Though it would probably be a little easier if you eased off instead. [With you, it tends to be very...all or nothing. That is, if you chose to do something, you go all out. "All out" is rather literal in this case--or so he assumes by how high-strung you were.]

[smokin_bomb_59]

[He seemed a little more cheerful with you so close to him.]

". . . Mmmm. I didn't want to try to wean myself off of them. Just having them around means I might be tempted. . . So I'd rather just get rid of them all together. The withdrawal will pass, I'm sure. Just might take a little time."