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-What? Yeah.

Hang on-

[This moment of confusion is brought to you by N, for Naruto. Who opens the door to his place while wearing boxers with a frog print on them and holding an unhappy Taco Salad by the scruff of the neck.]

[ Incredible. Bolin is actually dressed like a functioning member of society when he greets Naruto, Yun tucked under his arm (as the sheep fixes the blonde with a glare that promises undeserved retribution).

He takes a moment to take in the younger boy's ridiculous underwear before cracking a small smile and shoving his way into the room. ]

Nice boxers.

[ Okay, maybe he would buy boxers with cute print too if he saw the opportunity!! Whatever!!

For now, he just yawns and falls onto Naruto's bed, letting his Carrier scamper away and violently headbutt one of the nightstands. ]

I couldn't find any other designs'attebayo. Back home I had some with hearts on 'em.

[He isn't really following what's going on- why Bolin is here or what they're supposed to be doing (are they supposed to be doing something? did they have a plan he forgot about?) but he isn't all that worried about it either. Naruto may be a relative stranger to visits from friends, but it's still a nice experience. Besides, he likes Bolin. If they're here to just hang out he's fine with that.

The guy sinks down onto Naruto's mattress as if it's as familiar to him as his own while his carrier tries to fight the nightstand. Naruto, is still holding Taco. Taco is screaming incoherently. All of this is normal.]

You can just come in next time yanno. You don't gotta call first.

[ Grabbing one of Naruto's pillows, Bolin shoves it over his face at first—in a comfortable way, not a suffocating way, though he drops it to reply to the blonde. ]

Is that okay? What if you're in the middle of something?

[ Speaking to Naruto while he addresses Taco, wondering if he can get Yun to knock the Carrier out. Unfortunately, the sheep doesn't like picking fights with creatures much smaller than herself. ]

Any time I'm training I'm outside anyway.

I guess I'd be in here if I was reading, or sleeping or something.

[He turns his back on Bolin just long enough to go padding back to the side of the bed. R.I.P. second jacket this month- why can't his Carrier stop peeing on everything? Why is it always so angry??

Naruto picks it up between finger and thumb and sulkily carries it to a bucket he's got in the corner, full of soapy water. He's getting a routine at this point. Deposited on top of an unused nightstand, Taco runs in small circles.]

It wouldn't bother me.

If you say so. I don't want to bother your roommate or anything though.

[ For example, Saber would not appreciate someone that she doesn't know just barging into their room. He's not particularly worried about her, but he knows how she deals with unwanted visitors. (Brute force.)

Turning his head to the side, he watches Taco Salad run in circles, smiling a little, and amazed that there's a Carrier more troublesome than his own. Even as Yun lets out a thunderous BAAA and slams into the door, demanding to be let free so that she can wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the Hall.

He might let her out later.

The pillow comes back up then, pressing against his forehead to cover his face, but not suffocating him, the smell of use surrounding him. ]

One of my roommates went back home.

[ SINCE THEY'RE ON THE TOPIC... ]

[Oh yeah, his roommate.

Naruto's gaze moves reflexively to the other occupied bed. He'd only shared a space with one person before now and that had been his first roommate- they'd left really fast. He's halfway back to his ridiculous Carrier when the words literally stop him in his tracks. His fingertips linger on the edge of the nightstand.]

-Were you friends?

[ That's a strange question, and Bolin lifts the pillow again to shoot Naruto a puzzled stare. ]

Yeah, we both arrived at the same time. I mean, he was kind of grumpy, but he was my friend.

[ Though really, most of the time he forgets that Adrasteius had been prickly at all when they'd first met, given how warm he knows the other man to be now. The elf hadn't been too impressed with him at first, but he was the type of person that couldn't go too long without finding himself caring about others. If he's honest, Adrasteius was probably selfless to a fault, but Bolin still admired him. ]

[He doesn't think of it as strange solely because of his lack of context. It seems natural in retrospect for two people sharing a space to get to know one another, but Naruto isn't really in his own room very often- just enough to pass out dead to the world and enough to get dressed in the morning. He and his roommate have been like ships in the night. He hadn't even gotten the chance to get to know the old ones.

Naruto sinks down onto the mattress, right beside Bolin's knee. Even when they don't need to, somehow they're still always in one another's space.]

I'm sorry.

I mean, I guess you're probably a little happy for him, but if it was a friend of mine I think I'd be sad too.

Yeah, it's pretty lonely.

[ He says easily, because it is, and that seems natural to him. It hadn't been at first, he'd sort of just taken the news with nod, a tinge of sadness, but relief that his friend was back home while settled in his bed.

It hadn't been until Saber had stepped out and Bolin was alone in their room that he realised that that was it. He'd had his time with Adrasteius and that was it; it's over because the chances of seeing the other man again were slim to none. It's a strange kind of isolation, because it's not as though the other man has passed away or something but he's still—entirely, irrevocably gone. The same kind of distance that he feels from Mako, a severed tie that shouldn't be there, he should be able to see his brother, but he can't. And it makes sense, the elf had become like a brother to him. It had been just the two of them in their room for a while before Saber came along.

For now, he nudges the other boy where Naruto's settled by his knee and smiles. ]

I figured I'd come see you to cheer up. So let's hang out.

[ In the room or in the town, he'd have as much fun going on an adventure as he would just watching the hot mess that is Naruto's Carrier wreak havoc in the room. ]

[His sunflower, just freshly beginning to bloom, creates an odd halo behind Bolin's head. Naruto listens to his answer, really listens to it, and for the first time wonders about what those circumstances would mean for him in Caissa. What if Bolin himself went back? Or Hime-chan. What if it was Sasuke or Sakura? His stomach clenches. It's fear, he realizes, as the intensity ebbs. This thing that would be good for them, the ability to return- it would also mean losing people he cares about. That maybe they wouldn't be able to see each other again.

The smile he offers isn't forced, but it isn't as bright as some of the others he's offered up. Maybe that's to be expected. It's bittersweet. Hang out-]

I was gonna go look for some plants, like a flower shop or something.

D'you know any?

[ A flower shop? Bolin's gaze wanders over to the sunflower, and he wonders if Naruto's a fan of gardening. ]

Yeah, I do actually.

[ As a happy coincidence. Bolin himself isn't particularly partial to gardening or looking after plants, but Adrasteius had been crazy for it, so most of what he knows, he knows through osmosis. He can't given the teen any concrete information, but he can probably point him in the direction. ]

Well, [ he starts, setting the pillow aside, ] I actually just know one. But I can show you? Are you going to turn this place into a forest?

Yeah yeah, just lemme find some pants'attebayo.

[Because that's a normal conversation. Who doesn't casually talk about getting dressed while walking around in their underwear? Just bros being bros. Less normal is-]

...I think I left them behind the trash...

[The rooms aren't exactly spacious, and they don't come with a bunch of places to hide for the sake of modesty- not that it's really a factor for him anyway. Naruto digs around and sure enough, pulls a pair of loose pants loose from, of all things, a second garbage can. Best not to ask.]

Ano, it's not gonna be a forest or anything. I only got that one 'cause Hime-chan gave it to me, but I had some plants back home. I guess it reminded me that it's a little weird not having some now.

We can get some for you too!

[ That's definitely not normal. Not the fact that Naruto is in his boxers and getting dressed while Bolin lounges around - he'd already met the other boy in the hot springs, after all. But it is pretty weird that Naruto keeps his pants in the trash. It gets the earthbender to squint a little in confusion, but he doesn't really say anything.

Naruto's kind of whimsical like that, a guy's gotta learn to roll with the punches. ]

Hime... Oh, Sakura? [ He remembers that Naruto adds some kind of suffix to her name. ] She gave you flowers?

[ A little something to think about as he looks over at the sunflowers blooming happily on the bedside table. The brightness of the colour is enough to bring a smile to his face, and he can just imagine Sakura nervously trying to figure out what to give the boy. She is an incredibly thoughtful person. ]

That's cute. And sure, I can take care of a plant or two.

[ Maybe just one to start off with. ]

[It doesn't take him long to get dressed- years of practice scrambling together at top speed have made him efficient if nothing else. It wasn't that he had a habit of sleeping in, or that he was running late, but instead that Naruto was just enthusiastic. His head is inside one of his shirts, not yet popping out at the hole where his neck is supposed to be, when he starts to answer.]

Yeah! Actually it really surprised me.

[They're not impressive little guys just yet, but in time they will be!]

Once they're bigger I'll have to find somewhere to take 'em. Sunflowers can get real tall, taller than us!

[ Staring at the blob that is Naruto for a second, Bolin notices for a second his skinny body and surprising muscle tone, at odds with such a youthful face. It's just a surprising development to discover when looking over Naruto's body, like finding out the book you're reading isn't actually a comedy a couple of chapters in.

—Anyway. Getting up himself, he walks over to pick up Yun, hoisting her under his arm where she goes still. She's looking a little tired anyway, and will probably nap if he leaves her int he courtyard. (Or rather, collapse, since Yun doesn't often rest of her own accord.) ]

Maybe you could plant it in the Hall of Glory's garden? [ He frowns, thinking about it and hanging around the door. ] Or, if you buy your own place, you could put it anywhere.

Edited (typos...) 2016-08-17 03:14 (UTC)

My own place... [What a thought.

The idea seems to take him for a moment. As often as he and Bolin have talked about the possibilities of their future, about what it would mean to go home one day or to be stuck here forever, it's strange to think about something as big and permanent as that. His own place. He hadn't even thought that was possible here. Maybe after everything, Naruto himself hadn't been thinking it through.

He catches sight of Bolin's face around the corner, where he tucks the sheep under his arm- and he stops short.]

Bolin- are you sure you wanna go?

[ To be honest, Bolin hadn't been aware of it either. And he wasn't sure why anyone would get their own place until Adrasteius had—it is better for people that prefer privacy, he supposes. The place had been comfortable, though Bolin had been surprised the elf had enough things to fill a house, he barely has enough to fill his chest in their room.

He's not sure what's going to happen to that house now. Maybe Gilgamesh would take care of it, since they're boyfriends(?) or something? Regardless, it would feel awkward to visit. ]

What? [ He tilts his head at Naruto's question. ] Yeah, why not?

I just thought- [He hasn't bothered to go looking for Taco, much less to pick him up and tuck him under his arm in turn. Naruto knows he isn't always the most observant guy. There are lots of things he doesn't pick up on right away- he's all heart and not enough head. But there's something about the dynamic between them right now, the way they're sharing the space maybe, or that they're hovering here- on the edge of his bed, that reminds him of a few nights ago.

One hand moves to the nape of his neck, rubs there thoughtfully.]

Maybe you just wanted to be together for awhile.

We don't gotta do anything, if you're feelin' sad.

I haven't really lost any friends here yet so I can't really know what you're going through. But.

[ It's been a long time since Bolin's really lost someone. He's been so lucky these past years of his life, gaining more and more people that he could rely on. It hadn't entirely occurred to him that's what had happened with this disappearance; that he'd had his time with Adrasteius and that's it now. It's over. ]

Yeah, you can't. [ His answer, like his expression, is distant.

He can't even be too upset because it's a good thing that his friend had gotten to go back home. It's what most of them are hoping for sooner or later. So he's just sad, but it's a quiet, empty sadness, not the type that usually welled up in his chest.

But he's not being distant to keep Naruto at an arm's length, moreso because he's uncertain of the depth of his own feelings. ]

I am feeling pretty down, but is sitting around and moping going to help?

[ The confusion there is obvious, brows furrowing, and one hand rising and falling helplessly. He doesn't sound convinced by the logic, but it seems like it should ring true. ]

[They're close enough that if one of them sat back down, their knees would bump. Sharing space with Bolin is a natural progression, one of the many ways they've grown together. Naruto doesn't always know how to say the right things- actually he thinks he pretty much never says what he's supposed to- but instead he speaks through the set of his shoulders or the weight of his hands, elbows and eyes and exhales.

It's a complicated situation, he thinks. Could he be happy if it was Bolin that was gone? The man is his friend. It'd be hard to be left behind, to know he might never see that person again- but he also knows that Bolin loves the world he comes from- that there are family and friends he's missed terribly. It probably feels selfish to miss someone that way.]

I don't think anything really helps.

[It's an admission of a kind, in his own limited scope.]

When you miss someone, you just miss them- no matter what you do.

[ If Naruto wants to take the conversation in that direction, Bolin's not about to resist, falling back onto the bed, uncaring of the way that he hits the blonde on his way down. Yun wiggles free of his grasp, landing back on the ground with a growl and a glare before flopping over, much like her owner.

He scratches a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what he wants to do; something between just letting himself wallow, and also wanting to take his mind off it.

He wishes that Adra hadn't left, that Korra hadn't left either. He wishes that his brother was here, even if it would strip him of his bending and his purpose, and he doesn't need to ask someone to know that it's selfish. ]

Yeah. I should probably try to be a little happy though. [ He furrows his brows, trying to reconcile the reality of his emotions from what they should be. ] I mean, he got to go home. That's the dream.

[ He rubs his cheek next, fidgeting because it sucks, it sucks. ]

[Like he's been hit by a puff of wind, Bolin falls back onto his mattress, weight knocking him off balance on the way down. His gaze follows Yun- brows creased as she growls and... also flops over. He knows that their carriers aren't quite like the animals he's known back home, but even after all this time, seeing them do stuff like this still surprises him a little.

Naruto's arms stretch out in front of him and he eases down onto the edge of the mattress- his back is to Bolin, but at this angle he's still able to look at the man over one shoulder.]

Would you be happy if you left?

[ The answer should be obvious, and there's a smile on his face just thinking about it, gaze on the ceiling as he imagines being back home. ]

Well, yeah. I'd get to see Korra, my brother, Asami, and Pabu... I could get some noodles from Republic City, and earthbend again. It'd be great.

[ The smile tempers a bit as his gaze drops away and to the side, forming a slightly regretful frown instead. ]

I mean, I'd miss everyone from here too, but that's just how it's meant to be, you know. [ He looks over at Naruto and nudges him. ] You've got friends you want to see back home too, don't you?

[There are lots of honest answers to that question- but none of them feel like they fit quite right; it's the same way that a puzzle is made up of a bunch of different pieces but each of those can only link to one or two others. They've had a conversation like this once before- close to it anyway.

Bolin smiles at the ceiling and Naruto thinks that no matter what happens, Bolin definitely need to go back home. Everyone he loves is there. Everything he knows. This Republic City is part of him.

But man-]

When you go back, I'm really gonna miss you.

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