::Closed RP for A and Kurama::

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A was somewhat... confused, about River.

Not emotion-wise. He was quite clear on how he felt emotionally.

It was other feelings he was questioning, of a rather more physical nature.

Feelings that were becoming persistent, and not entirely unwelcome.

He did, at least, have several mentor-figures to turn to. He sent an owl -


Professor Kurama,

Would you meet me in the gazebo? I need to talk about something.

A

Comments

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama hoped deeply that this wouldn't be another conversation about L, but went regardless, bringing with him new tea samples that he was sure A would enjoy as a little gift, sending a short acceptance note ahead of himself.

He waved when he approached the gazebo managing to act cheerful despite the little bit of apprehension he felt.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A already had a plate of little cookies laid out, and waved eagerly at Kurama. He was nervous about what he was going to ask, but pleased to see his teacher nonetheless.

"Thank you for coming!"

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Kurama grinned back, handing him the small package of tea. "This is for you, by the way. You are well, yes?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A smiled as he took the little packet. "I will brew some for us." As he bustled about with the teapot, he said, "I am, I'm well. I, I, I don't need to ask about being well. It's not that."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

He managed not to sigh with relieve, but relaxed instantly. But, what would A want to talk about, then? Hazarding a guess, it was either about lessons or River, and the nervous way A bustled around (and the fact that he could smell River very strongly all over A) likely answered that question. But, there was a level of politeness that must be observed, so Kurama sat and kept on his face a serene smile. "What is it you'd like to talk about, then?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

Perceptive Kurama is perceptive.

A bit his lip and averted his gaze. "When I, when, when I was upset, River came to see me. She was very kind, and talking to her made me feel very much better. And, and then, then we lay down on my bed for a nap."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Oh, he was pretty sure he could see where this was going. Poor kid. There really wasn't a way to be delicate about this, was there? "Did something happen?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure," he said with a faint frown. "I know it, it was so nice to have her there, and it felt good to be holding her. I, I think I might have had a dream but I didn't... when I woke up it wasn't, I wasn't..." He swallowed hard, hoping he'd gotten his point across. "But it, it felt like more than a nap."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Ah," Kurama nodded, understanding completely. "I see. So, a little more than just the dreams, correct?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure," A said, frustrated. He handed Kurama his tea. "But I, oh, I, I think I would like there to be."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"You think you are ready for that?" He smiled inwardly and took a sip of tea. He didn't think things would progress so quickly, and was pleasantly surprised (on top of being extremely amused) about the situation. Teenagers, of all people, shouldn't be repressed. "Does she feel the same way?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I would like there to be something," A said thoughtfully. "I don't think, I, I, maybe not, not, not everything yet," he forced out, blushing furiously. "But I, I, I don't know how to ask her."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"More than just cuddling and a few innocent kisses, yes? That's very good." he leaned forward a little, smiling at A. "Going further doesn't have to mean going all the way, A. You can ask her if she'd like more," he was probably right in assuming River wouldn't object, "and when she says yes, you can both see how far you're willing to go until it feels uncomfortable."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A tried to quell his rising embarassment by taking a sip of tea. "I don't, I, I, how do I ask that? I don't want her to think, I, I, I don't want to hurt her or make her feel bad..."

He was still somewhat conflicted on the subject, even if his normal desires were beginning to take hold.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Knowing what I do about River, if she had even the tiniest inkling that you'd do anything to hurt her she'd have walked already." He couldn't quite keep a little laugh from escaping. "The best thing you can do is ask. It's embarrassing, yes, and sometimes very frightening, but if you don't ask, if you keep pulling back and away, it might strain your relationship a little." Or a lot. Girls were very particular when it came to such things.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I don't want to pull away from her!" He laughed nervously. "I want to be very close to her. Even if she doesn't want to, to..." A's imagination, which had been in fevered overdrive, refused to provide him with any tolerable euphemisms for the images it had been serving up. "...to anything, I don't want to pull away. I love her and I want to be close to her. I don't," he flushed again, "I don't just want to touch her."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Of course, and like I said, that's a good thing. I know and you know and she knows that you wouldn't force anything on her, but letting her know that you want more can only work in your favor." Kurama spread his hands, shrugging slightly. "if she says no, it just means a little more waiting and more exercising your imagination. If she says yes, then you can move on to see just how much closer your relationship can get."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I don't..." He gulped down the rest of his tea and poured more. "I don't, I, I, I don't know what to do. I don't know how to, how to learn how to, if she says yes I don't, I don't want her to be sorry she did."

He looked down at his feet, blushing furiously.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Normally, if it had been anyone else coming to him for this kind of advice, Kurama would have skipped the middleman and taken the student to a brothel to learn what needed to be done. Most of the whores he knew were more than willing to lay down what should and shouldn't be done for first-timers (with or without demonstration, depending) and very practical on the subject. He had a very strong feeling, though, that A wouldn't exactly be encouraged by that.

He thought a moment, considering the best way to approach this.

"You already respect her, yes? As an equal as well as your girlfriend?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Of course!" A stared at him in surprise. "She is at least as smart as I am, and she can hear plants sing. She has gardened with me and cooked with me. She knows how to dance and how to swim, and the cats love her." Embarassment faded as he spoke fondly of his girlfriend. "River is clever and talented and kind and lovely. Of course I respect her!"

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama smiled. Of course he'd already known this, but having A say it aloud would make it easier for the boy to connect respect and love with sex.

"And of course, because you respect her, and love her, the next step is to explore with her. When she agrees, let her guide you to where she wants to be touched, and guide her where you would want to be touched as well. Just take the time to become more comfortable with each other and your own bodies, and the rest will follow, after a time."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Like cooking without a recipe?" The analogy made him smile. "She will tell me what she thinks will 'taste' good and I will tell her what I think will 'taste' good?" Thinking about it in those terms made it a little less intimidating. "And we will find 'dishes' we both like?"

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama had to bite the inside of his cheek, and he was about a second away from destroying A with laughter, but managed to keep a gently serene face on. "Yes, exactly like that. Relationships are very much like cooking together. Over time, and with a lot of experimentation, you find the perfect recipe. Some things might not... 'taste' the best, and others might be too much or only for every once in a while, but eventually you'll find that balance."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

Following the cooking analogy was helpful; it was familiar ground, and a failed cooking experiment jut meant trying again. If sex could be as straightforward and fun as that, maaybe it didn't have to be so scary.

"I, I, thank you for talking to me about this. I'm sorry I had to ask you."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama's smile widened. "Don't worry about it, kiddo. I don't mind at all." Endless amusement factor plus being liked enough to go to for help? Special bonus points, there. "I'm here when you need me."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I just, I, I want. No. I need this to be right. I need for River to be happy, for it to make her feel good to be with me. It, oh, the world is better when she is smiling."

He spoke very earnestly, but he was smiling as he said it. It was important to him to make River happy, in any way he could.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"You're sweet, A," he said, just about going to pieces on the inside. "And I know that, however this progresses for you, it will end with mutual satisfaction."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I will listen to her," he said intently. "When she tells me what I should do. Even if what she says is not to, I, if that is what will make her happier." Relaxing, A smiled warmly. "Thank you, I, you, talking to you has helped."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"You are very welcome," he grinned, holding out his hand to A. "If nothing else, you deserve knowing that you're on the path to a good place."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A took Kurama's hand, returning the grin. "Good is what make, what, what makes River and I good for each other, what makes us happy with each other. And you, I, I, I think you have helped."