Day 6: Kilig (Tagalog) : The feeling of butterflies you get in your stomach when something romantic happens.
Tenten was exhausted. She's been working her ass off so she could take her annual trip with Lee and Neji. She didn't mind because she'd do almost anything for her boys. After another 15 hour shift, all she wanted to do was sleep. That's what she intended on doing until she received a call from Neji. He had a big presentation tomorrow on behalf of his Architecture Firm. He needed to look his best. So the brunette agreed!
"You just want me to wash it and trim the ends right?"
"I want you to cut it" he indicated around his shoulder.
"Are you sure?" Tenten suggested cutting it. But in a joking manner.
"Yeah, but what would you recommend?"
Tenten uncovered her double sink in her kitchen, siding the metal cover from one side to the other. Pondering his question before she answered. The brunette didn't want to come off too eager but she was excited as a muthafucka. She's wanted to style him for a really long time. He..just never…let her.
"You know I've always been partial to your long hair but if it was up to me. I'd go shorter. A little passed your ear"
She cut on the faucet and guided neji back in the chair. His long jet black falling into the tub behind him. Making sure to get it good and damp before lathering his head with shampoo.
"To your shoulder would look nice too though"
She rinsed out the shampoo and lathered him up for a second time. Gently massaging his scalp making sure to catch every strand. The sound of running water filled the air in between them. A few muffled huffs from Neji.
"Why are you so quiet?"
Tenten rang out the extra water. She poured some conditioner into his hair and rubbed it all over his head. Now she needed to let it sit.
"Can't I just be tired? "
"Tenten"
"I was just thinking about how this feels like old times. I used to wash your hair all the time" she patted him on the shoulder playfully. "It's still nice and healthy too. Mind sharing your wash day routine?' she chuckled lightly.
He missed this too! Truth was, he couldn't remember the last time they were this close. Figuratively and literally. It felt very nice - very intimate.
"Your technique has gotten a lot gentler though" he teased, trying to lighten the mood. Tenten huffed, he rolled her eyes at the jab.
"I'm serious. It felt nice" only response he got was a running faucet and his head being dipped back into the sink once again.
'i believe you. I believe you. Come on, its getting late" she said after wrappint a towel around his head. Gently patting his shoulder.
Neji followed her into the living room.
The walls were painted a off white color. A dark gray color love seat sat in the middle of the floor. A large maroon colored pillows. Not too far away was her favorite chair. A dark green terry cloth covered recliner which was a house warming gift from Uncle Gai. There was also a small dining table stashed in the corner.
Her living space wasn't void of personal touches either. Neji was surprised to see that the plants he gifted her were still alive. Her favorite katana and few other sharp objects adorned the walls. Photographs of friends and family were displayed throughout the room as well. Casa de Tenten was just as pragmatic and colorful as she was.
"What's the matter? Whatever it is. You can tell me"
Neji sat down in the chair set up for him before grabbing Tenten's hand and gently squeezing it. Hoping to encourage her!
Tenten nodded her head in understanding. She pulled a wide tooth comb out of her pocket and parted Neji's head into fours. It'd be easier to manage this way , as she got to work blow drying his hair.
Tenten stayed quiet and he occupied himself by scrolling through his phone. Checking his work email, text messages, and anything to calm his wandering mind.
"Lee says he's on his way" Neji managed to deliver over the noisy dryer. " He was heading to my place. I told him I was over here. I hope that's not a problem
"Nah, it's all good" She shut off her blow dryer " Mind if I take a little break?
"Of course not".
Tenten excuses herself for a few minutes before coming back and flopping herself on the love seat.
"Hey Neji, have you ever felt lonely?"
Not when I'm with you is what he wanted to say buy replied with a Yes instead.
"well, I was with the girls recently. To make a long story short. We started talking about romantic gestures. expensive dinner dates, extravagant gifts, and that type of stuff. When they asked me, I said that I didn't need any of that stuff and they told me I was crazy"
"Well, what does matter to you then?'
She was surprised he asked.
" I want someone who actually cares about me and isn't afraid to show it. Like it's the little things that matter to most. I sometimes get so wrapped up with what I'm doing that I forget to eat. I want someone who's gonna ask me if I ate. If I get stuck late at work. I want someone who's gonna come get me. Surprise me with my favorite food…"
Just like you do Neji. This went unsaid but the implication was loud and clear.
Butterflies in his stomach were going crazy. A light blush tinted his cheeks. He did those things because he wanted to make her life a little easier. Not because he had any ulterior motives.
" I guess the convo got heavier than I intended. Ino looked me dead in the eye and told me that I needed to get laid" Tenten lightly chuckled
"You know what? I think she's right." she laughed it off some more before standing up.
"If the human ice cube can get lonely. I guess I can too, right?" she rubbed the back of her head nervously.
"But enough of all this depressing talk. Have you decided what you want to do with your hair?" Tenten asks
"As you wish. I trust you"
Tenten walked across the room to chair she left Neji in.
"You'd be okay with a bowl like Lee?" Tenten ran her fingers through his mane ruffled it. Before stepping back to examine his face. "I can give you a fade on the sides too"
"Tenten"
She laughed. "I'm just messing around" she really couldn't resist. Neji was so easy to rale up.
"I'm cut it short in the front. Give you some bangs. leave it a little longer in the back. Then make it curly. How does that sound? "
Tenten crossed her arms across the breastbone and looked Neji in his face. He nodded.
Tenten handed Neji a handheld mirror. He sighed as felt a comb run through his locks. He could hear the snipping that followed.
"So Neji, tell me something. I've been asking to style your hair for years. What's with the change of heart?
"I have a meeting tomorrow"
"Don't give me that. I just shared something really personal with you. Don't leave me hanging"
Tenten bite down on her lip. Maybe she should just be quiet. Tenten focused her attention on the back of his head. Combihg and snipping. They sat in silence as she worked her way around his head. Stealing a glance every now and using the mirror. Working her way from the front to the back.
Tenten smelled nice, like lavender and hibiscus. Between that and the hem of her tank top riding up when she moved. Neji found that he couldn't take his off of her. She was only mere inches away. The words that followed surprised the man even more.
"Well,what if I told you it was just an excuse to see you?
"I'd call bullshit. Why would you go through the trouble when you can just ask?
He couldn't elaborate without embarrassing himself. So he wouldn't. Neji pulled lighting on the bottom of her shirt to fix it.
Tenten stepped back, to check out her work. She grabbed his chin and examined both sides of his face. Shaving floated in the air around them falling to the floor. She brushed off what sat on his shoulder and lap.
"I'd still like to style it a little more but take a look. Let me know what you think? I'm gonna go grab something from the kitchen"
Neji stood up, stretched, dusted himself off before following her into the kitchen. Neji shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned on the door frame when he got there.
"Oh Neji, what is this? Can I have some? "
Tenten opened the container and found her favorite dumplings.
"I figured you might be hungry"
Tenten popped them in the microwave. Practically ran over to Neji. She reached out for the biggest hug she ever given him. The warmth spreading through her chest and into his as well. He couldn't help but hugged her back.
"Oh my god, I fucking love you. Are these from Ichiraku's? I haven't had this months"
He nodded and Neji shared the smile that was reserved only for her. "you're welcome"
Kilig