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Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View
Chapter Seven: Balancing the Odds
""Heaven has given human beings three things to balance the odds of life: hope, sleep, and laughter."
― Immanuel Kant
Once he caught sight of himself in the mirror, Neji couldn't fault Tenten for assuming he needed a shower. He'd neatly laid the clothes from the tote bag out, and raised an eyebrow at the unopened pack of men's boxer briefs in that same vibrant green.
"Is everything green here?" he asked no one in particular.
A shiver sliced through him, and he hurried to get out of his wet things. As instructed, he neatly piled his folded clothes into the laundry basket (And held his breath as he quickly placed it outside of the door but there was no one there) and put the emptied contents of his pockets into the totebag for safe keeping. Pleased that his phone's case had protected it, he paused only long enough to reply to Hinata's text and assure her she was fine before stepping into the bliss of a hot shower.
Much to his surprise, the water pressure was excellent, and the bath products provided were minimally scented. Fatigue seeped into his bones as the steam rose in the air, but he did not dawdle to indulge in the comforts around him. He finished and dressed quickly, grateful for the clothing, and belatedly grateful that he hadn't had to borrow Naruto's underwear (because he wouldn't have, and he would've had to remain in his own uncomfortable garments, and it would've been a trying experience to say the least.)
He emerged bathroom, dressed with a towel draped over his shoulders to keep his hair from soaking through his borrowed t-shirt, with tote bag in hand. Tenten was sitting at the old secretary desk, writing. When he entered the room, she closed the notebook she was writing in, and looked up with a smile.
"Better?"
"Much, thank you."
"Your clothes are in the wash," she tucked the notebook in the desk and closed the lid. "You are welcome to head downstairs, or stay up here until you can go back down in your own clothes."
"I hate to intrude."
"It's no bother," she shrugged. "However," she leaned back in her seat and studied him. "You may want to stick with your current look. No one would ever guess it was you – especially if you put the hoodie I grabbed on."
"Tempting," he chuckled, "And not as uncomfortable as I might have thought."
"You and my brother are close in size," she nodded to his clothes. "He's deployed right now, but when he is home, he is usually pressed for time. I keep things here for him to make it easier for him to visit."
"I didn't know," he blinked, toweling his hair.
"That's him," she nodded to the mantel. Neji wandered closer to see a framed, formal army photo, next to several others – one of which was Tenten and her brother covered in mud but proudly holding up some kind of medal.
Neji looked curiously at the photo. "Older or younger?"
"Older. By four months."
Neji was too polite to ask, so she added, "We're both adopted."
"It sounds like you are close."
"Very," she said, her eyes on her brother's picture, her voice warm. She considered him, a tiny line between her eyebrows. "You sound tired."
"I am," he surprised himself in admitting. "It has been a long day."
"Mm," she nodded to herself. "Help me."
She strode to the double papasan on the opposing wall, and he followed. They pulled it closer to the fireplace, and she nodded to it.
"Get in."
Neji frowned at the furniture. "I'm not sure I know how."
"Here," she sat in the middle then curled into the corner. "Like this."
He continued to stare, so she stared back.
With a sigh, Neji sat gingerly on the middle, and carefully adjusted himself to occupy the other corner. Tenten watched, but did not laugh, as he settled into the seat, but did not curl up like she did.
"Not bad," he allowed.
Tenten tapped his leg as she stood up. "Stretch out."
His single, arched eyebrow had an unexpected effect. She laughed.
Her smile was bright and transformative, and Neji was taken aback by how different it made her look.
"I won't let you fall," she held the side of the papasan. "Stretch out and get comfy."
Neji tentatively adjusted himself until he felt he was at least secure on the furniture. Tenten had him lean forward as she put a pillow behind his back, which instantly made him more comfortable.
"There," her eyes danced. "I recognize that look. Here." She tossed a blanket over his legs.
Better?"
"Quite comfortable," he agreed. "Although, I am not certain I can get out of this thing by myself."
"It takes practice," she shrugged. "But you don't need to worry about it right now. You look like you are going to drop over, and the metro is massively busy tonight. Take a rest, and I can run you home when I leave for the airport."
"Airport?" he blinked, his eyes growing heavy. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Just dropping someone off."
"It's not exactly on the way."
"That's alright," she shrugged. "I'm always up for a night drive. It helps me clear my head."
"I don't want to impose," he smothered a yawn, as his fatigue seeped into the warmth of the blanket, anchoring him in place.
Tenten's smile was gentle. "It's not an imposition, Neji. Take a break. I'll be up with your clothes in an hour or so, ok?"
"Take your time," he heard himself say, and then the world became pleasantly warm, dark, and silent.