SasuHina Revolution Week 2018: Words
Kintsugi
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2. Haecceity
The essence of a particular thing that gives it its unique particularity: the "this-ness" of a thing - its individuality, specificity, the essence of what make it what it is.
There is something very "Sasuke" about Sasuke.
Hinata smiles at the simplicity of that thought, and laughs at herself; something so inarticulate would undoubtedly annoy Sasuke. If Naruto had said such a thing, he'd react, but with her? He'd probably resort to side-eyed disdain, and no comment.
Not that they interact directly very often; he has made it clear that he does not care for her company.
And yet she can sense the ache of loneliness in him, so while she does not seek him out, she can't quite bring herself to avoid him altogether.
She is highly observant, and gradually she learns things about him; not particulars, really – just hints of things she finds she knows.
He prefers not to talk (and she is grateful, because she hates being the main conversationalist) but still finds things to say when he has the need to say them.
He does not care for sweet things.
He loves tomatoes.
He probably has no idea how much he smiles around Naruto and Sakura.
He is patient when no one expects him to be, and he is unerringly kind to children. (not in a 'get-down-on-their-level-and-talk sort of way, but in a 'I-will-quietly-reassure-you-in-such-a-way-that-literally-no-one-would-notice-ever' sort of way.)
He is subtle.
Except when he decides not to be.
He clearly does not like her, but he tries to be polite for their friends' sake.
"That's just Sasuke," Ino leans over and whispers when they are all gathered for a meal and he has not spoken to her even once. "You can't let him bother you."
And she doesn't.
Hinata understands silence and introspection.
She understands loneliness and loss.
She understands fitting together the broken pieces that never quite align to make a whole.
She understands returning home and wondering if it was ever home in the first place.
Hinata wishes there was a way to make him feel more comfortable, but the part of her that bent to the need to be liked or accepted by others died in the war.
Now, she stands on her own.
In many ways she is an island, watching as everyone else weaves their lives in their new patterns while she sits at the loom choosing her threads.
"Sorry that took so long," the storekeeper bustles out from the back, flushed. "There was a mixup – we were supposed to prepare another order first, and we did yours instead and he is so particular and…" she shuddered. "Let's just say that Uchiha-san was less than pleased."
Hinata understands instantly.
"I am headed that way," she offers gently. "Would you like me to take it by to him."
"Would you?" she asks, and her gratitude is almost comically hopeful.
"Of course," she nods and oddly enough it is Sasuke's voice she hears when she thinks "Perhaps you aren't as done with pleasing others as you thought, Hyūga Hinata."
The woman hurries to the back and brings her the parcel.
Hinata looks it over and tries not to smile.
Somehow, she is completely unsurprised that Sasuke is also a purist when it comes to tea – it seems like a very "Sasuke" thing to be.