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Aburame Shino ([info]strongsilentype) wrote in [info]last_stretch,
@ 2009-11-22 17:57:00


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Entry tags:closed log, sakura, shino

[closed - ongoing | if you're happy and you know it]
WHO: Sakura, Shino
WHAT: Apparently people take breaks when they're studying. Sakura attempts to enforce this onto Shino by offering him a heaping helping of silly.
WHERE: Library-- and then wherever Sakura drags them.
WHEN: 22.Nov.09


He didn't fully understand why there were so many women in his life these days. His phone, which had only ever held family contact information and the occasional lab partner, now received frequent texts from two female classmates. His evenings were beginning to be interrupted by girls who wanted to go for walks and 'be silly,' whatever that meant. Perhaps it was because he'd had so little female influence in his early life, but even simply the few female friends he had rather suddenly acquired since the beginning of this year were beginning to feel overwhelming.

If Shino were completely honest with himself, the real tension hadn't started until his night out with Yamanaka. She wasn't someone he knew well to begin with, which had been disconcerting enough; spending class time with Sakura was clearly beginning to push him in the direction of a more sociable person. Sociable or not, he had been in no way prepared for the experience of a night out partying with the princess. The crush of people, the overwhelming stench of cheap beer, the overly familiar way she'd latched onto his arm and planted a sloppy kiss against his cheek; it still brought twitches to the corners of his eyes and tension to his fingers.

Sakura was probably right. He needed a break.

Seeing Tenten had felt like a break. The relief of watching her lips twitch into little smiles had taken a good deal of the weight off his shoulders. Still, relaxing through it was, studying for his next literature exam all day hadn't actually done much to improve his mood. A walk would help. If only for that reason, he found himself loitering outside of the library where he usually worked, tugging his collar up a hair more against the chilly air and smoothing a finger over the face of his cellphone, waiting.



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[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-23 03:35 am UTC (link)
"You'll do well because you're a thoughtful person," he rebutted in his usual slow monotone. "There's no reason to believe a person with your skill level and obvious powers of retention won't perform well in this sort of situation. Don't worry about it," Shino tacked on as an afterthought, shoulders loosening into what was meant to be a reassuring position of comfort and ease.

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[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-23 03:54 am UTC (link)
It was impossible not to feel pleased by that judgement. He seemed to have a talent of putting her at ease, even though he was as awkward as he was sometimes. "I don't. You shouldn't either. Overdoing it with your studies will just make everything jumble up."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-23 04:15 am UTC (link)
The slight smile tugged a hair wider for a moment on his lips before he nestled deeper into his collar, more or less hiding his mouth from view. There wasn't much else to be said; only the comfortable silence to settle back into peacefully.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-23 04:22 am UTC (link)
She allowed him that, a small smile playing on her lips as they kept walking. It really was starting to get darker. Hopefully, by the time they reached the park, all the children would be gone, and they'd be able to do what she had planned. She only hoped that he would agree with her plans.

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[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-23 04:30 am UTC (link)
Walking quietly beside Sakura was... really rather lovely. She wasn't a demanding person to walk with--no hand-holding or unbearable amounts of idle chatter. Listening to the way their footsteps fell in and out of step was lovely. He had longer legs, which quickened her step every now and then, or made his own pace slacken when he realized that he had no idea where they were headed.

Perhaps she was right. Perhaps relaxing like this was important.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-23 04:33 am UTC (link)
The more they progress, the more she smiles, unable to stop herself. When they're at the park's entrance, she gives him a mischevous smile, before picking up speed again.

As they draw closer to the playground itself, she notes that it's empty at this hour, and gleefully starts to run to it, only stopping when she's at the swing. She turns around to face him, see him as he approaches, and sits down on the swing, starting to move on it.

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[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-23 04:47 am UTC (link)
Shino didn't need to break the silence when they arrived at their apparent destination. There weren't really words for the fact that she'd brought him to a children's playground to help him relax.l

He couldn't remember the last time he had been to a playground. It was possible that he'd never really spent time in one. Their arrival at the swing set simply brought a more fully bemused expression to his face, brows knitting together a little as he gave his head a slight tilt to the right.

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[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-23 12:12 pm UTC (link)
For the moment, she wasn't moving too fast. As he drew closer, she offered the challenge: "Swing with me."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 04:48 pm UTC (link)
There didn't need to be a verbal response. Even someone who wasn't accustomed to reading faces would surely understand what a sudden severe arch of an eyebrow meant, particularly when coupled with a slight bemused parting of the lips and quizzical sideways tilt of the head.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 04:56 pm UTC (link)
She laughed slightly, and jumped off the swing while it was in mid air, rushing to him. "Too inmature? You'll have fun. Honest," she said, insisted, and even went as far as lightly touching his wrist. Testing the waters, so to speak, to see if she could get away with touch.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 05:01 pm UTC (link)
As often, being touched sent a little, barely noticeable flinch up Shino's spine. Whatever good progress Sakura had made up to this point acclimating him to the fact that touching wasn't a sign of violence or disrespect, his night out had entirely destroyed. Hours of being pawed at and bumped into, culminating with such a highly invasive act as being kissed on the cheek, had done nothing for his psyche but throw him back into total confusion.

"...how will this be fun?" he asked in a soft drone, face relaxing into a less extreme but still quizzical expression.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

GDIT INO RUINED HIM
[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 05:05 pm UTC (link)
"The rush of the air on your face, the fact that we're two young adults having a go on the swings, and maybe a little competition to see who gets higher, too...It's just us two," she replied, as if it was explanation enough.

She did note his flinch though, having grown used to taking note of the small habits he had. It had been a while since he'd done that. Her hand hovering over his wrist, not touching, she asked: "Can I?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

this is the price for making Shino realize that he likes girls D:
[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 05:12 pm UTC (link)
It was a less than convincing argument. True, the pink-haired girl was right that he needed to take a break and get outside for a bit. No, he did not actually intend to go through with the mandate that they needed to give themselves in to silly things for the sake of silliness itself.

The more pressing question was her apparently thoughtfulness about touching. It was reassuring, the way it had been reassuring to see Tenten's smile after the weeks she'd been gone, the way it was always reassuring to hear his father's voice over the phone. With a little bit of a shrug, he shot a glance away from the girl before responding. "If you must."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

D:
[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 05:35 pm UTC (link)
She hesitated at that, putting away the issue with the swings for a moment and focusing on this. Her fingers brushed over the skin there, not even closed to a touch, and she took a step closer, until their toes touched.

"It's not a must," she murmured. "I just want to...But I don't want to impose. I'd prefer it if you were comfortable with me touching you, too..."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: D:
[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 05:44 pm UTC (link)
"It's not you," Shino responded by default, pulling his hand back fully to reach up and fix his glasses into place. They tended to slide down his nose a little when speaking to those shorter than he was at such amazingly close distances. "It really isn't anything personal for you to be concerned about, Sakura."

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[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 05:48 pm UTC (link)
"Too late~." She tilted her head to the side, but did not pull away. She simply let her hand fall at her side, because leaving it there hanging would've been awkward.

"I don't mean to pry--okay, I actually do mean to pry, because people usually mean to pry when they say 'I don't mean to pry', but...did something happen, when you were little?"

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[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 06:05 pm UTC (link)
Both hands safely back in his pockets, glasses snugly in place, Shino refocused on the young woman still standing just a hair too close for his usual range of comfort. Not that it was easy to explain to her that this in and of itself was a major step in a positive direction and a personal distinction for his level of comfort with her.

That would just sound crazy.

"Did something happen?" he repeated as though by rote. "Something such as?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 06:09 pm UTC (link)
"Well...to make you flinch when it comes to touching. Or people being close to you..." she dared to ask. How much he would tell her, that was his own choice.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-25 07:13 pm UTC (link)
Had it been any other person, the direction of the conversation would likely have been clear. As it was, Shino spent a moment on his default blank look before tilting his head slightly to the side and digging his hands deeper into his pocket.

"Have you read the Harlow 1960's study on touch deprivation?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-25 08:36 pm UTC (link)
She shook her head, "No," the honest answer followed. But there was that look in her eyes that said You tell me. And she hoped he would.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-11-26 02:10 am UTC (link)
Like most things about the world, the explanation was rational, quick and simple. Bowing his head slightly to collect his thoughts, Shino responded to the inquisitive look with his usual calm slow fashion.

"In the 1960s, American psychologist Harry Harlow performed a series of experiments pertaining to maternal-separation and social isolation. They discovered that when monkeys are touch-deprived from infancy onward, they develop highly antisocial tendencies. Although the monkeys raised in partial isolation tended to be able to be socially rehabilitated, it was often a difficult process, impossible for monkeys raised in total isolation." Shino paused briefly, glancing briefly at the sky before continuing. "We didn't touch, in my family. It wasn't my father's way. It has made it... difficult for me to become completely socially acclimated. That's all."

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[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-11-26 02:51 pm UTC (link)
Good -- good that he was trusting her with this fact, and good that it wasn't stemmed from some deep childhood trauma. Though, she paused, then spoke, her voice low.

"I don't think I could imagine that... My parents may have many faults, but at least they gave me the pats on the head when I did something good, and the hugs on my birthday." A pause, as she considered his condition. "It must be chaotic for you, then, to be in a busy university, and...anything that would have to do with the public, or a crowd. Now I'm glad I didn't extend an invitation to Naruto's party."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-12-02 02:24 pm UTC (link)
"...I would hardly call this a 'fault' of my parents."

It was the only thing he could think to say. Shino had done what had been asked of him; he'd fully explained the root of his aversion to touching. That aspect of the conversation was now closed. There was no need to drag through the mire of his emotional life and the way he interacted with the rest of the world. He and Sakura were working out the boundaries of their personal relationship as it involved touching. There was no reason to fully explicate his life for her.

There was, however, plenty of reason to object to that judgment of his parents and their method of raising him.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]goodwithscalpel
2009-12-02 02:26 pm UTC (link)
"Oh--no, no, I didn't say it was a fault... I was just...putting myself in your shoes, and those words popped out... Okay, I guess...I fail a little bit."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]strongsilentype
2009-12-02 02:33 pm UTC (link)
It was the sort of moment when a different person would have started fussing, reassuring the pink-haired girl that she hadn't offended horribly and probably patting her on the shoulder or brushing at the two strands of hair that were slightly out of place on her cheek.

As established, Shino was an individual.

Head tilting to the side a little, the young Aburame offered a slight lift of his left shoulder and a slight tensing of his lips in what might have been a reassuring smile if it had extended a little further. One hand reached up to carefully readjust his glasses, and the moment was over.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 02:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 02:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 02:46 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 02:51 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 02:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:23 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:28 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:35 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 08:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 08:59 pm UTC
...........I see where you're going. :| - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:03 pm UTC
no you don't. /blinds you - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:05 pm UTC
M-MY EYES. ARGH IT BURNS. - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:13 pm UTC
/holds your blinded face - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:15 pm UTC
*gnaws fingers* - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:22 pm UTC
ok that's kinda hot - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:25 pm UTC
Re: ok that's kinda hot - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:30 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:38 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 09:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 09:59 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 10:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 10:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 10:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 11:06 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 11:12 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-02 11:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-02 11:40 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-03 01:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 10:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 10:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 10:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 10:44 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 10:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 10:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 10:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 10:54 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 10:57 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 10:59 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:02 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:03 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:14 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:20 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:21 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:25 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:32 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:44 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:46 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:48 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:51 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-05 11:55 pm UTC
...no don't hang out with NAra D: - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-05 11:57 pm UTC
why do you encourage the antisocial. :| - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-06 12:02 am UTC
BUT NARA IS NARA AND NARA IS EVIL - [info]goodwithscalpel, 2009-12-06 12:04 am UTC
ilu . . <3 - [info]strongsilentype, 2009-12-06 12:29 am UTC

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