retsuden | inbox

You don't...

[ She's about to tell him that he doesn't have to. She could get someone else to get her home, someone who might not view it as an inconvenience. Still, she's never turned down his attention, and much as it hurts, she can't now.

Her voice is quiet and filled with defeat when she consents. ]

...Okay.

[ Sasuke doesn't bother to reply through the device, letting the feed end abruptly before he goes to make his way across a few rooftops in order to get to her clinic.

He's dropping down in front of the main door not too long after, letting himself in without knocking. ]

Sakura?

[ She was seated out on the deck, feet dipped into the pool. She's feeling good that she at least knows her clinic well enough by now to get around. She was trying to get some comfort from the running water of the hot springs, leaning into its calming presence. Thankfully she'd sensed it was him letting himself in, so she hadn't been too scared. ]

Over here.

[ He goes to head out towards the direction of her voice, stopping when he gets to the edge of the deck. He stares at her for a moment, knowing she can't see him, even if she can sense he's close.

He doesn't know what it makes him feel, seeing her in the hot springs, with the steam rising around her and the moon shining on her. He swallows roughly, before clearing his throat. ]

Ready?

[ The water was relaxing, allowing her something solid to hold on to, the month had been very challenging and she's overwhelmed in ways that she doesn't want to vocalize. She hopes that he can't pick up on the fact that she's been crying.

She gives a small nod, going to take her feet out of the water but she stops. ]

Uhm. Actually, would you mind staying with me here for a few minutes. The water feels very nice.

[ He thinks about rejecting the idea, would have if he had his wits about him, he thinks. But he's still thrown off by the way she looked and the way it made him feel, that he simply gives a nod.

And remembers she can't see it. So instead he lets out a sigh before going over to sit next to her. ]

Fine.

[ She lets out a sigh, that carries the evidence of her acceptance. She swallows down the emotion that's settled in her throat. She always did that with him when he was in the thick of something, trying to approach him with warmth despite her own fear of rejection. ]

Do you want to go in with me? It's a little chilly tonight.

[ She pauses, her cheeks flushing a bit, as she looks in the direction that she thinks he's in. ]

Or you could just sit with me.

[ He's quiet for a moment as he digests both options, staring at the water rather than at her. It would be wiser to just sit. There's nothing overwhelming about sitting. ]

Which do you want?

[ If he was giving her the option, she figured she might as well just go for it. ]

I'd rather get in. No one else is here since I keep dealing with this afflictions, so there's no one around to see. I'd probably need some help getting in and out though.

[ He should've expected that. He walked into this and now he has to commit. ]

I can help you.

[ The offer makes her feel warm and safe despite, which is a welcome feeling amidst the sadness and fear that's been present since almost the beginning of the month. ]

Thank you.

[ She reaches out for him, but then pulls back, realizing what she's just suggested. It wouldn't matter if he remembered they were married, maybe even welcomed, but he doesn't. ]

Oh...I'm sorry. I forgot a swimming outfit.

[ Sasuke feels his face burn at the admittance and he almost says to forget it then. It brings back the memory of when he first awoke, her in nothing but that robe, and it makes him get a twist in his stomach he's not sure he understands. ]

Underwear works just the same, doesn't it?

[ She gives a nod. He was right that was basically the same. ]

If you are sure.

[ Pulling her feet out of the water, she goes to stand up and stretch out, proud of how she's doing with being blind so far. The pride is short lived because her foot catches the edge and she slips, flailing unattractively as she heads towards the water. ]

[ Sasuke reaches out to grab her on instinct, his arm wrapping grabbing hers as he yanks her back to solid ground, which mostly means yanking her against him.

At least he didn't get pulled into the water along with her. ]

You should be more careful.

[ This is the closest he's held her since he'd lost the rest of the memories of their being together. She's stiff for a moment before relaxing, though still embarrassed. ]

I know... I'm sorry.

[ She looks up in the direction of his face, but her eyes don't quite settle on him. ]

I guess this one won't be as easy as the others.

[ He sighs, before gently pulling back, keeping his hand on her arm after just in case. ]

We don't realize how much we rely on something until it's gone. You'll figure it out.

[ She nods and takes a deep, steadying, breath. ]

Do you still want to get in the water?

[ He goes to let go of her arm so he can tug off his own shirt. ]

You being a klutz isn't enough to make me say no.

[ That little bubble of hope builds in her chest again and she nods.

She can't see him, but she can sense him moving around. She goes to take off her own clothes. At least for this part she's familiar enough with her outfit that she can undo the ties and buttons.

She knows no one else is around, but as she slides her pants off and feels the cold air against her skin, she feels vulnerable, like she's being watched. ]

Sasuke-kun.

[ She reaches out her hand towards him. ]

[ Sasuke reaches out for her hand almost instinctively to steady her, though he doesn't know where that instinct comes from. It makes him stare at their interlocked fingers for a moment, forehead creased.

He'd taken off his pants by now and the September weather is downright frigid. He decides to shove any thoughts he's having to the side, tugging her towards the water. ]

Come on. It's fucking freezing out here.

Edited 2022-10-05 02:47 (UTC)

[ Despite the warmth that spreads through her at the feeling of his fingers weaving through hers, she's definitely still cold. She gives a nod and follows his lead into the water.

Each step in feels soothing in a way that she can't fully describe, because it feels like the water itself is healing her. She continues to hold onto him for as long as he'll allow it. ]

I knew this would be a good idea.

[ Sasuke doesn't go to pull away from her. He knows too well how vulnerable blindness makes you and he can't bring himself to just leave her to it.

Besides, the water does feel good. It soothes the aches in his muscles that have grown from all the fighting he's been doing down at the shoreline. ]

Mm. Too bad it'll feel twice as cold getting out.

We'll just have to stay in long enough that the cool air feels like the reprieve.

[ She laughs softly. Since he isn't pulling away from her, or letting her go, she moves in closer. ]

You found this place for me you know. Helped me build it.

[ He's quiet for a moment as he looks around the hot springs, ignoring the way her being closer makes him feel as much as possible. ]

Seems like I've done a lot of things for people.

[ There's something in his voice that makes her ache to see his face. She's always known the man she loves and married has been underneath all that anger and aggression. She knows the trauma that drives it all even better now that they've spent endless hours discussing it. This is the first time she's felt like maybe his edges are softening since his memory regression. ]

Mmm. You have. You have a lot to give you know...

[ She lets out a sigh and turns her head towards the sky, wanting to give him permission to change that subject. ]

Sasuke-kun, is the moon out tonight?

no subject

-> action

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