strongroots | [thecity] inbox

[ Oh to be young and innocent, a young lady who just trip-dipped a young man to let him know he could trust her or to just do it for the heck of it, a play on sweeping him off his feet, perhaps...!

But then he's upright again and laughing and they're grinning at each other like idiots and he just--kisses her.

There's quite a lot that goes through her mind, a little too fast for Tsuruno to process, beyond oh and something like keysmashing and a small part of her wondering if this is still a friend thing, do friends kiss on dates, but she's aware her face is already flushing just from that very fleeting bit of contact so she does the mature thing of...

... Plunking her forehead against his shoulder so he can in no way tease her for blushing. ]

[ There's a few unexpected reactions here, but Robby's still in the high of whatever that friend-dip put him in, and his own bold actions. He isn't sure on a deeper level what any of this means, only what he would like to do.

And when she rests her forehead against his shoulder? Well, he guesses he'd like to wrap his arm around the back of her shoulders, place the other against the back of her head, and stand like this for the moment that Tsuruno wants to; angling his cheek so it touches the tip of her hair (good thing she ditched the hat for this), and taking some comfort in embrace he's given.

He could tease her, but he won't. He might not even say anything, unless they're like this for too long. Then he might just say, a smile in his voice: ]

I like handling this.

[ Her, if this is what being able to handle Tsuruno Yui means.

(He'd actually like to kiss her again, but, you know.) ]

[ She'd only ditched the hat so she didn't risk it falling on his face when she'd implemented the dip plan, but this is actually kind of pleasant. Her genius(?) plan had worked; he's not teasing her, just holding her, which is not really doing anything for the way it feels like her pounding heart is rising from her chest into her throat like it's on an escalator.

Ideally, she'd say something cool in response to his comment, but Tsuruno is way better at sincerity and blurting things out than anything suave or flirtatious, which gives Robby the advantage here. Instead, she lifts her head slowly, catching his eye.

The immediacy of the blush has died down at least, but she still looks a little dazed, eyes lowering to his mouth almost instinctively before lifting again.

Okay. It's fine. It's fine? Maybe she'd actually imagined it (she knows she hadn't). ]

Yeah? Sure that's not just the blood rushing to your head?

[ Maybe people just do weird things when they're giddy?? She says it softly, though. Whatever this is, whatever this moment is supposed to be, they're still in it. ]

[ She lifts her head, and Robby moves his head and the hand on the back of her head to allow her room; the hand dropping somewhere around the small of her back, and his head tilting to look at her. A valid question posed, really, but it doesn't put Robby off. ]

I won't regret anything. [ There's a certainty, if softened by his sincerity, to his response; gaze dropping to her mouth, but returning onto her eyes. But this isn't just about his wants, or his decisions. ] If this doesn't feel right later on, I'll still stick by you.

We're finding out. [ Right? asks his tone. ]

[ Finding out. Okay. So it's like having a hypothesis and testing it out by introducing several factors to it and if the hypothesis doesn't hold water, then it's not as though anything necessarily changes. So the hypothesis is... what? Robby being able to handle her in a context that isn't exactly friendship? Tsuruno figuring out her feelings regarding the guy who whapped her with a milk bottle a few months ago?

Is she worried about this? A subtle shifting doesn't mean anything fundamental has to change. Robby just said it himself, that he won't regret it. If she thinks--no, if they think it doesn't feel right, their friendship shouldn't have to fragment.

There's a lot to think about, but maybe it doesn't have to be right now. It's hard to think when Robby's right there anyway and they're gazing at each other and this is probably all her fault for initiating this in the first place, but--

What happens if this does feel right and that doesn't change? What's past the stability of friendship?

Tsuruno takes a breath. Later. ]

I do want to. Find out, I mean.

[ Right, her tone answers. ]

[ There could be outliers to why this is happening: the blood to Robby's head, the heavy conversation that came before it, their state of minds not entirely in the right place. Or it could be simpler: an easy attraction that neither of them considered until a dip in a pool and an argument, an accidental train of thought that led them all the way here, to this spot.

It could be loneliness, it could be solace, and seeking it. But Robby's sure that he won't regret this the next day, even if Tsuruno does: putting whatever they choose now for them, for this moment, and it's fine if it doesn't carry into the next day, or next week. No names, no labels.

They're stuck here, with nothing to lose. What's wrong with a kiss? What's wrong with two?

And Tsuruno isn't giving him any signals of wanting to pull away, or to take a step back. He'd been playful with the first kiss, not asking for anything more, a gift that didn't have to be more than a thank you, a mistake at worst. But this is different now as Robby looks at Tsuruno now, picking his hand up to brush his fingers against her cheek, to cup it, lean his head in a way that asks permission in how he pauses, then moves forward if she doesn't pull back.

To take her lips properly against his, to kiss her gently like a first kiss should be, he thinks.

As long as she's alright with it. ]

[ He'd know. He'd definitely know if she wasn't and while a large portion of Tsuruno's brain is currently preoccupied with a great deal of confusion and uncertainty as to the nature of all of this, she trusts Robby. If he's so certain he won't regret it, then she's sure she won't, either. She's not that type of person.

It's why once she's acknowledged it and Robby gives her pretty much all the time in the world to move away or change her mind or protest, she doesn't do any of those things. She'd meant it, what she'd said about wanting to find out.

So he cups her cheek and she leans just a little, into the curve of his hand, meets his eyes when he pauses, and when he leans in, she moves in to meet him.

She's pretty sure now that he's got much more experience with this than she does, but Tsuruno is nothing if not a fast learner and it isn't hard at all (surprisingly easy, actually) to relax when their mouths actually meet, to kiss him back just as gently with her eyes closing because she's pretty sure she read something in a magazine once about the only people keeping their eyes open to kiss being serial killers--

It's nice. It's really nice, and she's not sure whether that's a good thing or not, but once they part, Tsuruno's smile is a little softer.

(She's still so confused, of course.) ]

Figured anything out?

[ His eyes only open once they part; and he's aware, making sure to be, of her reactions, her smile. Robby wanted to be careful after Tsuruno's reaction when he'd suggested their date in the first place (playfully, yes, but it was still a suggestion!), but he's not seen much of that same fluster. Colour to her skin, and a softness to her voice, like now.

Delicate and Tsuruno Yui don't go together, and Robby's glad for that, if simply because of how she's been enjoying herself too.

He's figuring that out. And there's still plenty more to figure out, but: ]

I'd like to keep kissing you. [ There's a sliver of a playfulness there; not trying to be funny, but there's a giddiness under the low hush of his voice, aware of their faces still close. But kissing Tsuruno? Yeah, that's high on his list. ] I'd like to keep going 'til you want to stop. As far as you want to.

[ He's not going to attempt to be suave here, or suggestive. Rather, he'll make sure, because he wants to be certain they're on the same page: ] Is this your first time?

[ When you are a girl with a friend who was originally very angry at you (out of worry) and then said friend teases you about romantic implications that you honestly had never thought about before and then suggests actually following through on said romantic implications that you had never thought about before, everything involving that was bound to get a very frazzled reaction.

Or so she would say, if asked, though maybe not in that vein of things.

There was no real way to predict any of this and she still feels as though this is some kind of fever dream and she's going to blink awake any minute and find herself in bed with a compress on her forehead that she'd applied seven hours ago--

Because hearing Robby talk about how he'd like to keep kissing her, continuously, is not doing anything to make her feel less warm and before she can even respond to that, she has to focus on the question and she sort of ducks her head a little in embarrassment. ]

Yeah. I mean... I was always so busy with school and helping out the teams and tutoring and then the restaurant and that was all before the Magical Girl stuff even became a thing and so I never really thought about it...

[ Seventeen and never been kissed until now. Robby might find that weird. But she speaks as honestly as she usually does, or at least as straightforwardly, because what's the point in lying about it? ]

Everyone's got their own stuff going on. [ It's an easy answer, lacking judgment, especially after Tsuruno feels the need to explain herself. It wasn't on her mind, she didn't have time, and it doesn't hit Robby as a fact that had to be surprising. He already figured she wasn't used to it from a boyfriend, maybe, or anything serious, but now he knows for sure.

And Robby knows, too, that most people who have a set idea of how people should be or what they've experienced, are usually the ones who care too much about other people's lives. ]

We can always catch up. [ That he says playfully. ] Here--unless you wanna go somewhere private. 'Case someone shows up.

[ Even if they've been lucky so far about that. But it's a possibility, and he doesn't want her to get spooked if they get interrupted. ]

[ It's true that she's still on the verge of being an easily spooked wild animal in the headlights of an oncoming car--or just completely innocent person walking by. And she'll have to think this through properly, but it doesn't have to be right now.

Truthfully, after explaining almost everything to Robby, Tsuruno can't help but think it might be nice to shut that thinking off a little bit longer and just go with impulse right now. Impulse within reason. ]

Someplace private sounds like a great idea.

[ For a little while, at least. The idea of kissing Robby more than once (or twice) is already a little too appealing, but the last thing she wants is to get too carried away here. But he'd said it first--as far as she wanted to go. Until she wanted to stop. ]

We can take an empty apartment, near yours or mine. [ Easiest option with so many free rooms around. ]

I've got a roommate. [ Oh. ] --do you?

[ He only actually thinks to ask right then, but is going to her own place too intimate for her? You never know, and the idea of considering if Tsuruno has a roommate doesn't actually hit Robby until then.

Honestly, his other thought was a skate park, but given the spooky vibes this city loves to have hovering around the outdoors...

It's already enough that he'll need to wait to keep this up, wherever they go, but he'll be good; already moving back half a step, taking his hand from her shoulder and dropping it down her arm. He'll need to move away completely, but let him enjoy this while he can. ]

[ She shakes her head, after a short pause. She hadn't run into anyone who needed a roommate or was even looking and everyone had settled so quickly it had felt... sort of like being an annoyance if she asked. ]

No roommate, so we can go to my apartment for a little bit.

... [ With a theatrical sigh, smiling up at him, half to dispel her own nerves. ] I was going to walk you home, but if that's how it ends up, you'll have to text me when you make it back to your own apartment. Okay?

[ Well, her place it is, then. Robby will back away finally--while taking up a hand, thank you!--with his eyebrows raising at that last request. ]

Sure. If you mean you don't invite me to stay over?

[ That's what she was implying, right? Totally not something way more innocent or anything, about them ending up at her place anyway. ]

Well, because walking you home would be--

[ Again, she answers before realization hits, which is not a habit she should cultivate when talking about stuff like this, and Tsuruno kind of chokes and sputters a bit, even though her grip on his hand is firm. Time to busy herself with collecting her hat off the bench and waiting for him to grab his demon ferret so they can start walking to the subway while she's trying not to be flustered and failing spectacularly. ]

Not like that!! [ HELP. ]

I'm not gonna be able to think if you're right there the whole night, geez--!!

[ The demon ferret is right there, all it takes is a single hand to scoop up as his evil companion. Evil eye everyone along their way, friend! Even if Robby is perhaps the true enemy here, by that reaction from Tsuruno.

And all Robby does is laugh. ]

Think? [ Honestly, wow. Sorry, but this is news. ] I was just talking a normal sleepover. What're you thinking?

[ Tsuruno? Where is your brain going, huh?? ]

[ Nowhere, because Robby Keene has short-circuited it with his everything tonight!!

And she just shoots him a Look, because why does he always have to get a laugh at her own expense-- ]

I could just leave you in front of my apartment. I really could.

I'll behave! [ Look, his free hand palm showing in a sign of surrender! ] No funny business, promise. I'll stay as long as you want or don't want me to.

[ There, is he in her good books again? He doesn't even mean it teasingly when he says. ]

You just don't hear every night you could be keeping a girl up thinking about you.

[ It's cute, really... ]

[ She's suffering. She's truly suffering here. ]

I know this doesn't have to mean anything, but... [ Her brows furrow, slightly. ]

I'm someone who wants to give the important things enough attention. So I at least want to think about this properly when I can.

[ He gives their hands a friendly wave, just to go with a lightened mood. ]

That's alright. I understand. [ He can give her the space when it comes to this. ] But we'll still be friends, so if you ever want the company...

[ Well. He huffs, a sound amused sound. ] Unless you're going out making dinner plans with people, I should invite you over to mine. How about it? Mister LaRusso's always making dinner because he's used to having his whole family around. He likes a full table.

[ He leans in, just slightly, as they walk. ] I can get him to give up some nights so you can cook for everyone instead, if you want.

[ But maybe Robby is getting the vibes that she says that delight of cooking that Mister LaRusso does, too. ]

[ Oh. Well, nothing perks Tsuruno up faster than the offer to eat with (and maybe cook for) other people and her entire countenance brightens immediately and hopefully.

Robby may know her a little too well. ]

Really?? I'd love that!

[ He does laugh at the way she perks up, but it's a good laugh! The one that crinkles around the eyes. ]

Cool. I used to live alone a lot of the time, but [ a beat ] if I'm honest, it's more fun with company.

And I don't even have to try and cook.

[ ...which isn't his goal here (he wasn't cooking anyway), but between Mister LaRusso and Tsuruno? His stomach is set for life! ]

It's... yeah. [ Whew. ]

This is my first time living alone, so it's been... [ really lonely ]

... A little weird. So you're right, it's way more fun with company!

[ And his laugh is definitely better now, prompting another smile out of her.

To the subway!! She is very much relieved she's someone who keeps her apartment more or less clean and tidy. ]

[ They can talk about food along the way!! Wasn't the restaurant a family business? What prompted the Chinese food angle to it? Which is what Robby remembers about it--and Tsuruno liking heat! in her food.

A totally different subject from kissing. And you know, since Tsuruno had been asking to learn more about Robby: ]

I actually lived with Mister LaRusso for a while-- uh, when my mom had issues with making the rent. They have one of those really nice houses up in the rich side of town. With a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Me and my mom can't cook, but sitting down around the table was a big thing in his house. Was it ever like that for you?

[ She said her mom and grandma have left, but who knows what the family life had been before that. ]

[ She's happy to explain that her great-grandfather had wanted to stand out among a bunch of other Japanese restaurants so had opted for a different kind of food entirely and that was how Banbanzai had come into existence, though she's just as attentive when listening to Robby talk about staying with someone else, gaze turning sympathetic when he talks about the rent.]

A swimming pool and a jacuzzi... they really must have had some great parties.

But yeah, kind of! It used to be my grandparents and my parents and then me and my sisters. Right now, it's just me and my dad since one of my sisters is studying abroad and the other one is out of the house... though I think my mom and grandma will come back when the money runs out. [ and try to sell sentimental items. ]

But a friend of mine has a villa where she took in a few other girls and I visit there a lot and we always eat together around the table. It usually gets pretty loud. [ fondly. ]

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