17 - [voice] Return to the land of the living

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[Zuko turns his communicator on, but there is only silence for a long time. He doesn't really know what to say. After a while, he speaks, voice quiet and flat.]


I'm... back.


[.......]



I apologize for having worried you.


[And that's it. The communicator shuts off with a soft click.]

Comments

[commentlog \o/] A book-shaped one? ...and wasn't that kinda the point? LOL XD;

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[It takes a few minutes, but after a while, the boy's tears finally stop, his shuddering breathing slowly quieting down to normal. Face buried in Minato's shoulder, he doesn't look up for a long while, completely still and silent. He might have been mistaken for asleep if not for the way his fingers were still clenched tightly around the material of his pants, though his fists had stopped trembling in his lap.

After several more minutes, he finally shifts slightly, pulling his face away and looking down, in the opposite direction. Hastily, he brings up a hand, wiping the traces of his breakdown away on his sleeve, still silent, and continues to keep his face hidden, scrubbing at his eyes.

There's nothing to say. He's never been in this kind of situation before, and he's completely at a loss. He wants to apologize for letting anyone see him like this, but he knows Minato wouldn't accept it. He wants to say thank you, but that doesn't even begin to cover it. He's exhausted, emotionally and mentally, and words just aren't coming to him, so he sits there awkwardly cleaning his face and says nothing.

But he doesn't move away, Minato's arm still around his shoulders.]

[commentlog \o/] AND BOOK SHAPED GUMMIES FALL OUT ... XD And uh, yes. Sorta!

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[Minato is a bit surprised when Zuko presses his face against his shoulder, and then he smiles sadly. Zuko really was letting the emotions run their course. The former Hokage is simply glad that he can help him recover from his ordeal. Even with this, Zuko won't have dealt with it sufficiently--but he'll bring the emotions down to a level that he can handle on his own... or with friends, if he so chooses.

Eventually, the boy--no, young man--calms down and begins wiping away his tears. Minato leans back and closes his eyes, letting Zuko have a bit of privacy in that moment. But he still doesn't let go.

He does eventually open his eyes again, however, and shift his hand on Zuko's shoulder so that he can muss with Zuko's hair again. It has a double purpose--to show comfort and to allow Zuko to pull away from Minato, if he so chooses. The pride of a teenager is a very tempermental thing.]

... Before you even get to worrying about it, I won't tell a soul about this. I want you to be able to come to me if you need to.

[commentlog \o/]

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[His face sufficiently dry again, Zuko finally looks up as Minato ruffles his hair again gently. The thought came unbidden--and would probably remain unvoiced--but he suddenly realizes he's beginning to like that gesture. It's comforting, for some reason he can't explain, and he doesn't mind. Not that he's going to tell Minato or anyone else that. But the fact that he doesn't move away kind of shows it anyway.

Minato's promise had already been assumed, but his decision to voice it comforts Zuko anyway. Trust. He wants to trust Minato, keep trusting him, actually. There aren't many people he trusts unconditionally, but maybe Minato's earning his way onto that very short list.

A tiny smile forms on Zuko's lips as he gives Minato his answer. It's only a word, but his tone speaks volumes more. It's a thank you and a shy apology, a promise and a leap of faith all in one.]

Okay.

[commentlog \o/]

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[It's just like Naruto, really. After the first few times, he really only was annoyed for show. But Zuko is far more tolerant... for now, anyways.

Minato returns his smile, then returns his arm to the back of the couch where it had been earlier. Zuko probably had so much of a tolerance for his personal bubble being violated. Teenagers.]

... Good. [Minato grins wider.] You don't wanna argue with me. You'd lose.

[commentlog \o/] - Gah! Fail? What fail? *facepalm*

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[Zuko settles back against the couch as Minato moves, shifting several inches away, but this time not clear to the far edge like he'd been before.

He pats his hair down from Minato's messing with it, scratching the back of his neck a little sheepishly, then smiles some more, though his attempt at a teasing tone is still a bit weak.]

I don't know. I'm good at arguing too. But I'll take your word for it for now.

[commentlog \o/] ???? *Doesn't see any fail. XD*

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[It wasn't surprising that Zuko took a bit of space of space for himself, which is why Minato tried to make it as naturally as possible for him to do so.

When Zuko makes his comment, Minato chuckles.]

All young men your age are good at arguing. Now whether they're good at convincing arguments--that is another thing entirely.

[commentlog \o/] Yay~

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[Zuko chuckles quietly, still a little timid but slowly settling back to normal--since it was in no way "normal" for Zuko to be timid. Blinking, he rubs his eye again, realizing suddenly he's exhausted. He hadn't really slept since... waking up.

Oh, well. It's the middle of the afternoon. Stupid time to be sleepy.]


Okay, I'll agree with you there... though I happen to think I'm good at both.

[Now he's just arguing for the sake of arguing, something that seemed relatively everyday.]

Re: [commentlog \o/] Yay~

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[Minato grinned widely at Zuko's response.]

I'm sure I'll get to find out about that eventually. But for now, it sounds like you could use a nap. I wore you out, didn't I?

[commentlog \o/]

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[Zuko blinks at Minato for a second before registering the man's words. Oh yes, he's very tired. But he's going to deny it to the ends of the Earth---or wherever Discedo is.]

No. I'm fi--

[Aw, crap. He will not yawn. He refuses.

...okay, so he can't exactly refuse to yawn, but he can try. The yawn wins.]


...maybe.

[commentlog \o/]

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[Minato chuckles, but avoids outright laughing even though he wants to. Zuko's pride can only take so much.]

Sounds like it's two against one. You'd better go and get some sleep.

[commentlog \o/] OMG is this beast of a commetlog finally almost over? XD

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[Zuko scratches his neck a bit sheepishly and nods, getting up with the intent of seeing Minato out and then maybe probably collapsing on his bed for a long while.]

Hey, uh...

[He pauses, looking anywhere but at Minato and wondering why it was so awkward to say one little word. Probably because he sincerely meant it.]

...thanks.

[commentlog \o/] ... I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. :O

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[Minato smiles widely at Zuko, and gives him a wink.]

It's no problem! Was the least I could do~

[commentlog \o/] XD

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[Zuko smiles back, the expression tired but genuine, and walks Minato to the door.]

Guess I'll see you around?

[commentlog \o/] HOLY CRAP ALMOST THE LAST ONE?!

[foxtamer.livejournal.com]

[Minato continues smiling, although it grows more fond. He lets Zuko walk him to the door without complaint, wanting him to get some rest.]

There's no "guess". You will see me around.

[commentlog \o/] THE LAST ONE~ *throws a party*

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[Zuko stifles another yawn but manages to smile anyway, leaning against the doorframe and waving goodbye.]

Of course. See you later.