{open} It was a beautiful morning.

[youngesthokage]

He was in a wonderful mood. He'd gotten in later than intended due to the rather long talk with his mother, which had been oddly easier with this one than the one from home ever was anymore, and by the time he'd made it home is good mood had returned and he'd settled right to bed.

Morning, on the other hand, had brought the flowers and he found himself looking out the window in curious fascination at them, mussed from sleep and somewhat bewildered.

Since when did snow bring flowers?

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[bunsofsteel]

Her lips twitched as she glanced at him, then raised a hand to lightly brush his bangs. "Hey... that's not to say they didn't happen, okay? Mine just... wasn't all that." Peaceful. Nice. "...Domestic. There was no family involved."

[youngesthokage]

"It wasn't all nice. There was one reality where I was a self exile guarding a village. There were ones where I was sent away never to see home again and was essentially a glorified guard slave. There was another where I was ordered to sleep with a woman for the sake of the family reputation. There were more. They weren't all domestic or soft. But reality is how you perceive it and they were not real, as you say."

[bunsofsteel]

"I'm... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." She knew better than to bring up the Hotel. Tenten brushed her fingers through his bangs and cupped his cheek, then leaned forward to kiss his forehead in apology.

[youngesthokage]

He lifted his gaze to hers, his eyes so much heavier than they'd been. "...But you truly believe that to be so."

[bunsofsteel]

She stayed quiet for a long moment, then closed her eyes. "I don't want it to be real. I had to do things I'm not proud of. It's... so much easier to pretend they didn't happen."

[youngesthokage]

"Pretending it didn't happen just strips it of any value it might have had, doesn't it?"

[bunsofsteel]

She sighed. "There... wasn't any value to be had from it."

[youngesthokage]

"There is always value Tenten." It was a murmur, and he pulled back, lifting his chin. "But this was not our topic of discussion."

[bunsofsteel]

"Tell me what value there is to being a whore, then? Being used and discarded like old clothes by people you don't even know?" She grabbed one of the flowers and ripped it up, squeezing the stem in one fist.

[youngesthokage]

"It gives understanding." He reached over and plucked the flower out of her fingers. "If it's toxic that would get the oils on your fingers. Now then. We were discussing what experiences could be applied in useful manner to our sex life. I can say wax is not to my liking. It's... boring."

[bunsofsteel]

She made a small sound of discontentment, but rubbed her fingers in the snow to try to rub it off. "Wax," she repeated, brow furrowing as she tried to jump to the new topic. "What's that supposed to do? Why would you...?"

[youngesthokage]

"One of the timelines in which I got married off, my wife tried hot wax, for something new. She was quite put out that I reacted, if anything, less than normal until she got it up near searing hit." He hitched a shoulder. "It wasn't to my taste."

[bunsofsteel]

She flinched at the word 'wife,' but managed not to respond further than that. "Sounds more like a torture device than anything else," she mused thoughtfully, shaking her head. "So then what do you think would be?"

[youngesthokage]

"I liked the process of getting it off, it left my skin sensitive and light nail application felt far sharper. There wasn't any burning involved." He waved it off. "I know the minor electrocution situation wasn't exactly pleasant when it happened." He considered this. "But it wasn't exactly bad either. Sadly the only experience I have with being cut up was with someone who clearly had no sexual motivation."

[bunsofsteel]

"Uh-huh..." She nodded, filing it away, then flushed. "I... kind of want to try that. The wax thing, if it doesn't actually burn." Then a small, amused smirk. "...You could see if Sasuke would be willing to oblige for that, hm?" Swallowing hard, she answered the last one, "I... don't think I would enjoy cutting you."

[youngesthokage]

He cocked his head to the side. "Giving wax might be funner than getting it." He paused a moment. "I... shall not ask you to try things you do not wish to do."

[bunsofsteel]

"I'd be willing to try that, at least." She sighed quietly again, this time with a small, contented smile, and brushed her fingers over his cheek. "I know, you'd said that before. And like I've said before, you can ask and I'll see."

[youngesthokage]

He tilted his face into her hand. "I am willing to try most anything Tenten."

[bunsofsteel]

"I just don't think... I keep my weapons sharp, and I'm no medic. None of us are. I don't want to end up seriously injuring you, that's all."

[youngesthokage]

He paused for a moment. "I know some basic medical jutsu." It was a murmur.

[bunsofsteel]

She stared at him. "...Why didn't you mention that before?!"

[youngesthokage]

"...There were no injuries that needed attention." He blinked at her.

[bunsofsteel]

"Itachi-sama..." she all but groaned, clapping a hand to her head. "That would have been nice to know, though!"

[youngesthokage]

He huffed a breath. "Well, you know now." He paused a beat. "Does this mean you've gone easy on me in bed to avoid severe injury?"

[bunsofsteel]

Her cheeks flushed a darker pink as she met his eyes. "Maybe."