strongroots | [thecity] inbox

[ Pictured: Tsuruno and Robby making sympathetic faces when the other brings up a Shitty Home/Family Situation. Though Robby doesn't feel as bad about his situation--it's mostly calm going now, these days. He certainly doesn't have a mom and grandma out there living it up. ]

Yeah? Perks of having well-off friends. [ Lucky! ] My dad announced he and his girlfriend were having a baby before I showed up here, so I guess I'm gonna be a big brother one day. But I've always lived away from my grandparents; my mom and dad were separated before I was born, so my dad and his side were never around. And my mom... didn't really like going to see hers. They argued. [ Well. ] Kinda? She didn't like listening to them.

[ It's said with a wrinkle of his nose, his expression not severe, but definitely one that says 'It's complicated'. Factors he isn't sure if to bring up, but he doesn't want to make it sound that bad. ]

It sounds complicated.

[ thoughtfully, giving his hand a squeeze. ]

So you probably weren't used to things like that until Mister LaRusso, huh?

... I'm really glad you didn't end up alone here. And maybe there's enough younger kids to give you some big brother practice.

[ He's in a good mood despite however complicated it might seem, squeezing Tsuruno's hand right back. ]

Got any pointers? I mean, seeing as you lived with a sister. Anything I should watch out for?

[ Gonna give away what a menace younger siblings can be, Tsuruno? ]

Yeah, don't tell them anything you don't want them repeating at the absolute worst minute. And be prepared to have them think you know absolutely everything, probably more than the adults do.

I think I also remember trying to ask my big sister for help when I did something I knew I'd get into trouble for, because we'd both get in trouble if our parents found out. And my little sister picked that up, too.

[ Ah, sisters.

But also we're getting off in District 2! ]

[ District 2, here we are...! Hopping off the train with Robby's laugh. ]

Wow, okay. So from what I'm hearing, I should be glad I'm probably gonna be out of the house by the time the baby reaches the age they can get me in trouble.

[ Good to know, good to know. ]

What about your dad? What kind of man is he?

[ Is Robby absolutely intrigued by this family dynamic? You bet. ]

[ Tsuruno takes the (slight) lead here, glancing over at him as she walks. ]

He's really caring but he gets overwhelmed pretty easily and he's sort of got his head in the clouds so I usually have to double-check things for him.

One time his prescribed laxatives accidentally got mixed up in a customer's food when it was left in the kitchen and I had to find the right plate before they ate it and got sick.

[ Spoken like a loving daughter though. One who has definitely made Sacrifices. ]

If you hardly see your dad, I'm guessing you're not too close? Or did that change?

[ Damn, okay, Robby is making a face at laxatives getting into a customer's food. How. How.

That's some next level head in the clouds that Robby isn't sure he wants to think too deeply about. ]

We're better these days. [ Said...slowly. Okay, okay, he's getting over the laxatives. ] I was staying with him over the summer, so we were getting to know each other. I'm still figuring him out--he's...trying. He can be blunt and he doesn't always say the best things, but he's working on it.

I watched him break a surf board over a guy's head who tried to steal and fight us.

[ How about that for making him sound cool? ]

[ Good thing she didn't go into detail about what she did to keep the customers from finding out about it, it was a Rough Time. ]

... Whoa. [ after a little intake of breath, considering. ]

I'm glad he's working on it... you deserve it. [ And he has Daniel, at least, but having your real dad work to improve himself is also super promising.

They make it to the building and thankfully, her room's on the ground level, so it's not long at all to get the door open and lead Robby in.

It's not terribly decorated but she's added a lot of warmer colors to the place, soft oranges and yellows with the rugs and couch pillows.

Taking him into her room sounds like a bad idea right now, so to the couch! ]

[ Robby should also do the bare minimal in terms of decorating his apartment, other than the bits and bobs he leaves all over the place. His roommate has possibly left some cat-shaped item around their shared space....

But nevermind that, and more minding this. He slips down comfortably on the couch, or about as much as one guy can. Of course there's some nerves, but he can play them off; they're more giddy than anything, wondering if Tsuruno might not be as interested after the interval, but--that's her choice, too, if the mood isn't there anymore.

(Kind of hoping it is, though.)

But being kinder on her is why Robby holds back on the joke about not being left outside her door that occurs to him--or, maybe that's more for himself, and focusing on the purpose of being here. Instead, Robby sits with his body turned to face her on the couch, hands tucked beside him, for now.

Before they start, there's something else he wants to mention. ]

I meant what I said about not taking this further unless you want to. If you're curious about something -- tonight, or some other day, I'll hear you out.

You can even boss me around a little, when you like.

[ It's a joke, but it's said softer, more playful than anything strong. He'd rather not lose the sincerity of what he's saying, keep them on the same page.

And if he's going to show a girl how to really kiss, she should feel like she has control of the reins, too.

(His reins, apparently. And that has him interested way more than he'd like to--

well, okay: maybe he wouldn't mind admitting it.) ]

[ Tsuruno hears him out in relative silence, her expression a little unreadable (when usually her face is its own canvas of various emotions), but she's thinking and processing his words at the same time.

Robby may tease her way more than she personally thinks he should, but he's been incredibly attentive to her reactions when he thinks there's more to them than just fluster. He's willing to take things at her pace, which she greatly appreciates when she doesn't even know what kind of pace she wants here and maybe if he had kissed her well before she'd sprung all of that backstory (and current situation) on him, she would have drawn back a little more.

There's still no real answer as to why things have shifted between them now, to this extent, but Robby clearly still wants this, even after knowing the complications she'd been trying to keep from him.

It's, again, a thought for later, and his care with her is appreciated, but Tsuruno's true nature is not a shy, fluttering and delicate individual. She can be honest with him and she can act on what thoughts aren't confused.

There's no real warning on her end, beyond shifting closer, until she's actually maneuvered herself onto his lap, turning to meet his eyes as she leans forward to press their foreheads together. Quietly, but firmly-- ]

A little further. I want you to kiss me like you'd want to if it hadn't been my first time back there.

Because it's not just about me--it's about us, right? So hit me with your best shot and let's see if I can handle you, too.

[ It's a little more challenging than she means it to sound (probably), but she's smiling at him, fondly. Even with all the nerves and confusion, the simple fact remains that this is still Robby, her friend and someone whose company she's been comfortable with for months. ]

[thecity] inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject