used_friendship | 005

[He'd sympathise if he knew. Mom really is something when she wants to be.]

[There's also a pause here. The longest pause, as he debates whether saying something. Minato may know the answer, since he's Dad and all cool and knowledgeable about everything, but it's also hella embarrassing because he's Dad.]

Those things you said, that's kinda how I always felt about Sakura-chan. But she likes Sasuke.

[Yeah... He had a feeling that particular line of questioning had more to it than just an interest in his and Kushina's relationship.

There was a hint of a smile on his expression, both at Naruto's confession and leftover from his own previous line of thought. But Minato listened to his son, exhaling a thoughtful hum before he spoke.

Shit, he'd always thought he'd have a few years before he'd have to dole out relationship advice.]

You're all still young Naruto, your interests today... they could be something completely different tomorrow. Whether it's a hobby or even the person you're attracted to.

[Says the guy that knew he'd marry a certain redhead when he was like ten. A WOMAN'S HEART IS AS FICKLE AS THE AUTUMN SKIES~

He'd heard something similar from Jiraiya when he'd muster up the courage to talk about his feelings for Kushina... and he'd hated hearing it every time, just as much as it probably irritated Naruto now. Still, there was some merit to what his Sensei had tried to make him see (Plenty of women out there Minato! Why settle for just one?)- that you really needed to think about this sort of thing, and know completely what you were getting into. That you had absolutely no doubt when it came to the person you were planning on spending your life with.]

But... [Because he was sympathetic to how his son felt, the confusion, the frustration at not knowing what to do.] sometimes that feeling lingers, and grows into something you can't ignore. Your mother and I were very lucky to find each other, but we certainly had our fair share of arguments and stumbling along the way.

If you believe it's meant to be... it's worth fighting for, isn't it?

[It's a bit difficult talking about such things, but after all the only person he'd had around before to offer such adice was Jiraiya, and everyone knew what he was like when it came to girls.]

Yeah. [A pause, as he decides that he definitely agrees with that.] Yeah, it is.

I mean not that stuff like that even matters anyway right now, you know? [Gotta save the world! And be Pokemon master! All these other things to do that come before romance. Still, it's something he thinks about now and again.

Another short pause- and a random change of topic.]

You know there's hot springs in Blackthorn? We should all go some time. [Actually that... isn't entirely unrelated to the talk of girls and Jiraiya. oops.]

Mmn.

[A hum of agreement as he stood, pausing to ruffle Naruto's hair on his way to the now whistling kettle of water.

Phew. Didn't screw that one up, one dad point for Mini.]

You have plenty of time to worry about it.

[He turned the stove off, a bit quiet as he set about pouring water into the cups of ramen and setting the kettle back on a cool eye. Hot springs, huh. Maybe it wouldn't be so terrible to relax for awhile, after they finished any business in Violet.

Distractions never hurt.]

And I don't see why we couldn't make a trip up to Blackthorn, provided the others agree to it.

[Aaaaand he's bringing their late dinner back to the table, setting one cup down in front of his son before returning to his seat with his own.]

I'd like to fly down to Goldenrod first though, but if you guys want to go ahead it wouldn't take me long to catch up.

Goldenrod?

[Blink blink. The incoming ramen distracts him for a moment- grabbing some noodles and blowing on them a second before eating them.

Oh right-]

Actually maybe I'll go too. Well- I dunno, I'm going to ask Sakura-chan what she wants to do, but I was thinking of picking up some of those changing stones for my pokemon, you know the ones I mean?

[As much as his mood had improved from talking with Naruto Minato still wasn't all that hungry, more poking at and swirling the noodles around than eating them.]

That's why I wanted to stop there before we go anywhere else, some of my team will need them soon. ...Maybe some TMs too, depending. Either way it would be a short trip.

[Naruto on the other hand is rather hungry now that food is in front of him, as he begins to wolf it down.]

Mmmhmm, Yeah, me too! I gotta look it all up though to see what I need.

We'll make a list before we head out, the others probably need a few things too.

[He was glad to see Naruto's appetite return, even if his own was still rather non existent.

He knew there was a high chance Kushina would show up again, that the current distance between them was temporary. But he still felt like he was in a daze, going through the motions- how long had it been since they were separated for any length of time?]

Yeah, sure.

[Back to eating. He's concentrating on the noodles instead of anything else. Usually he'd chatter his way through the entirety of dinner, btu today is different.

Today, Mom isn't here.]

[She'd left behind a lot of silence, hadn't she?

He decided to give up on forcing himself to eat, pushing back from the table and standing, ramen cup in hand.]

We'll be alright. Kushina wouldn't want us to mope around, hm?

[That was offered a bit awkwardly, Minato not sure what else to say to his son. Their whole conversation had been a bit awkward really, both trying to convince themselves, and each other, to stay positive.

Still, he remained in the kitchen, dumping the remains of his dinner and rinsing off utensils in the sink.

She'd probably yell at him for wasting ramen.]

[She had.]

Yeah, she'd probably smack us over the head if she saw us like this.

[A sigh, and he smiles back. He had to force himself, but he can't sit here moping.]

We'll just have to wait for her to get back.

Maybe fuss at her for making us wait.

[That was Obito's thing, y'know.]

Will you be alright if... do you mind if I call it a night? It's been a long day and I think some rest would do us all good.

[He doubted sleep would be easy to find, but Kushina's things still littered their- his room, and putting off packing them up would only encourage a desire to mope.]

[He looks up, surprised that Dad would want to go to bed so early. He can understand it, though.]

Yeah, it's fine. I think Sakura-chan's still out, I might go check up on her.

[He stepped over behind Naruto's chair, hand reaching out- and hesitated, still unsure of the right things to say.

He'd tried to stay in a role he thought Naruto wanted, needed, from him. A source of strength, a milestone to surpass. Quietly encouraging from the background... Kushina was the one that brought out loving warmth for their son, the one who wasn't afraid to bare her heart and draw them both into her arms. Not that he kept a cold distance, but balancing the role model with dad had been tricky, and it was something he'd just have to learn as he went along.

But he never wanted his son to doubt whether he was loved by both parents, to not be comfortable enough to seek him out for comfort.

So he crouched a bit, slipped his arm around Naruto's neck and shoulders, and rested his forehead lightly against the back of his son's head.]

I love you.

[Offered simply, quietly. While he could be almost overly affectionate with Kushina at times, Minato wasn't always a demonstrative man when it came to these things. He had to be that strong pillar of support, the one to guide and encourage, because it was what others expected of him.

But he was still a man, a father, who valued his family above all else. And he couldn't let an opportunity to ensure his son knew that slip past him.]

If you need anything... you know where I'll be.

Edited 2013-07-11 03:33 (UTC)

[The move startles him at first. It's soon followed by a wave of embarrassment- not because of it happening but more that because Naruto looks up to his Father so much, just being acknowledged in this way is- he doesn't know how to describe it. It fills him with happiness and he feels like a dumb kid for doing it but he finds himself twisting around in the seat, clinging to his Dad's arm.]

Yeah, I. I love you too. [More than anything. Mom too, obviously.]

[He wished he had the words to explain just how much Naruto had brightened both their lives, how they had excitedly counted down each day until they could finally meet the little boy that had kicked against their hands each time they spoke to him. How being a father had been the most important thing Minato had ever accomplished in his life, no matter how brief their time together had been.

When Naruto turned so did he, Minato shifting his hold more into a proper hug as he moved beside the chair, leaning in instead of crouching. Naruto's grip, fingers curling in and bunching the fabric of his sleeve, made his smile a little wistful, regret for a son that had never really had the luxury of something as simple as a hug from his parents.

Even if he didn't have the words he could still offer this, a quiet moment shared with his son, his unwavering support.]

[For the moment, he's content with getting a well-needed hug from his Dad. It's bad enough that Mom's gone, but it's struck him that the possibility is there that he could go too. And Minato would be alone, or worse- he would go and Naruto would be parent-less again.

He doesn't want to think about it, instead he's just going to hug tightly for a few more moments before letting go (even though he doesn't want to.)]

[He stayed still for as long as Naruto would let him, the hug just as much for him as it was his son- and when Naruto pulled away he didn't try to stop it, though was a bit slow to straighten back up himself.]

We'll start those cooking lessons in the morning, hm?

[Life would continue on no matter how they felt about it, returning to some sort of normalcy, a routine, would be good for all of them even if it was difficult.

It was also his quiet promise that he would still be there in the morning, even if he knew he had no right to make it- there was no telling what the morning would bring, but Minato had no intentions of leaving without a fight.]

Ah.. yeah. I was gonna try making pancakes too, 'cause of some friend that said I should try 'em.

[Cake pancakes and ramen pancakes bu details. It's not important right now.]

Night, Dad. See you in the morning, yeah? [They will both still be here in the morning.]

Pancakes are simple enough...

[He mirrored the suggestion back quietly, a bit amused.

Had to start somewhere, he guessed.]

Mmn. Good night, Naruto.

[And with that he walked out of the kitchen, rounding up the still snooping Luxray on his way back to his room.]

005 - Video

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sob boys

i know qq

:<

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