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[acknowledges]

Taco Salad is not happy to help you. Taco Salad hungers for justice, and for a bite of whatever you're eating.

Comments

just gotta

[acknowledges]

[One hand combs through his hair, and then as if he's had the shortest mental debate ever, he continues walking over- sitting cross-legged in front of his carrier. It isn't the first time Bolin has brought this up, he just can't figure out why this is such a big deal to him. Maybe he and his friends had time to worry about those things back home, while they were trying to save their city and everything- but Naruto is hard pressed to think of any of his friends that might have pursued a romantic relationship. It's probably another shinobi thing. They all had to become so much stronger in so little time, there just wasn't a chance for anything else.

He sighs.]

None of us really did. And anyway, the person I liked had somebody else in her heart.

[His cheek rests in one hand, leaning his weight onto it heavily.]

How come you're so worried about it'attebayo?

[sediments]

Because you’re my friend. [ And this is without ulterior motive. He’d had this conversation with Saber as well, startled when she told him that she couldn’t be happy while they’re waging war.

But there’s always some enemy; some war; or some purpose. Bolin’s lived too easy of a life to really understand. ]

And we’ve got time, the girls here are nice. [ He quirks a brow. ] Or you don’t think that kind of thing would make you happy?

[ Which is fair. Mako was going through that phase where he “wasn’t ready” for a relationship. ]

[acknowledges]

I don't think it really works like that'attebayo. [This doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to him. Naruto has never thought of relationships as things to make him happy- they were just things that happened when people cared about each other. It hasn't occurred to him to go out looking for one.]

But if you think so, why aren't you dating one then?

[sediments]

Who says I’m not trying? [ Sorry he’s not oozing charm like this brother!!

Anyway, this isn’t about him. Bolin is enough of a well-adjusted person that relationships aren’t that big of a deal for him. Naruto is a different case. ]

What I’m saying is—it’s like the letter! There are sides to people here you might not notice unless you think in a different way.

[acknowledges]

[Because Bolin decided that Naruto isn't well-adjusted??]

But I don't wanna think about people in a different way.

I wanna see people the way they are.

[sediments]

[ He thinks about that for a moment – wondering if Naruto has a point, though it doesn’t seem like Naruto’s entirely grasped what Bolin’s trying to say either. Or maybe he’s just going in a different direction with his thoughts.

If this were Mako, he might’ve rolled his eyes and told his brother to stop being obtuse, but he’s dealing with a different creature here. Romance and dating are different beasts for Naruto than they are for him, and he should roll with it. ]

Okay, if you say so. [ His tone shifts away from something that’s trying to forcefully lead somewhere to genuine curiosity. ] So what do you think about a fifteen year old going out with a twenty-three year old? It’s seriously weird for me but Sakura and Jae-ha seem to think it’s normal?

[acknowledges]

[There's conversational whiplash, and then there's this.

Naruto is equally concerned and confused- mouth working silently for a moment before he starts sputtering.] Wh-

What?! Who- What?!

[sediments]

[ That reaction means that Naruto's thinking is probably similar to his right?

But he glances away, vowed to secrecy. ]

I can't say... But what do you think? Does it sound normal? Sound I keep my nose out of it? Sometimes you have to be... [ he squints, pained ] accepting of differences?

[acknowledges]

Well.... [This isn't a situation he's ever been in before. No one back home would ever think to ask him, of all people, for advice- let alone romantic advice. Well, except maybe Sai, but Sai really was clueless. His head shakes.]

Are you only gettin' involved cause of you, or is it cause the younger one's in trouble?

[sediments]

[ Bolin looks away rather guiltily. ]

Just because of me. [ His eyes go back to Naruto then. ] But only because I care.

[acknowledges]

I dunno... I think if you care then maybe you also gotta care that it's something that makes them happy right now, right?

1/2

[sediments]

I just don't want her to get hur—

[sediments]

[ He stops, realization hitting him like lightning. ]

Oh man... I'm turning into Mako.

[acknowledges]

Is that


Bad??

I thought you liked your brother?

[sediments]

I do! [ He does! ] But this is exactly the kind of thing that was so annoying about him! He was always like "that's not a good idea, Bolin" or "I don't think you should do that, Bolin" or "Bolin, can you please be serious?" even when I was being serious!

And now... I'm doing the same thing!

[acknowledges]

Oh. Okay.

[What whiplash]

So does that mean you're gonna leave 'em alone?

[sediments]

[ He's wearing an extremely unwilling expression despite his revelation. ]

Should I? I still think you'd make a better boyfriend.

[acknowledges]

I don't know what kinda boyfriend I'd be, I've never been a boyfriend before.

[sediments]

It's not that hard. It's basically like being good friends with someone, but with [ he stifles a grin here ] slight differences.

And you're a good friend, so I have faith in you.

[acknowledges]

Well you're a good friend too...

I still don't really understand why you're so worried about me having a girlfriend and not you though.

[sediments]

I'm not worried. [ Not about Naruto anyway, Sakura is a slightly different story. He wouldn't care if Setsuna wasn't so old. ]

Are you trying to say I should focus on myself?

[acknowledges]

Is it working?

[sediments]

[ He sighs a little, his shoulders rising and falling. ]

I don't know, I'm trying.

[acknowledges]

I should'a guessed it be hard for somebody like you, huh?

You're always thinking about everyone else.

[sediments]

[ Is that a compliment or an insult...? ]

Why would that make it hard for me?