How do they respond to physical affection? (from each other or others)
💮 Kabuto isn't used to being touched. It's been a long time since he's experienced such a kind gesture.
💮 But sometimes he vaguely remembers Nonō's touch. He remembers her touch on his hair, the first time she gave him his own glasses.
💮... Then he remembers the blood on his hands, and then his mind goes into chaos again, wondering if it was ever real.
💮 Back to that...in my opinion, Kabuto isn't clingy in a "sweet" way. In most cases, he sees touch as something more pragmatic.
💮 This doesn't mean he reacts violently when someone touches him. Most of the time, however, he wonders what the other person's intentions are. He usually reacts calmly. Unless someone is overreacting, Kabuto simply smiles and tells them to stop.
💮 Occasionally, however, Orochimaru will place a hand on his shoulder when praising him or trying to guide him. Kabuto usually takes these gestures as something... personal, though he can't explain it more precisely.
💮 Noa also hasn't experienced good touch for a long time. Sometimes it wasn't good. However, thanks to people she trusts, she's not as withdrawn when it comes to touch.
💮 But contrary to appearances...it depends on many factors and the state she's in. When she's in a better mood, she has no problem with touching and sometimes adjusts people's collars or sleeves with a smile.
💮 However, as her condition worsens, she becomes more irritable. She can become snappy and ask, "What do you want?" when someone touches her arm.
💮 But regardless of her condition, she doesn't like it when someone grabs her without asking. She's very direct and tells them to take their hand away.
💮 She, too, is overwhelmed by the touch, which is too "joyful," too intrusive. (*cough* Might Gai 😭) It's just not her style and there are too many triggers, even though she has nothing against such people. They're charmingly disarming.
💮 By the way, she herself is more inclined to offer touch. Rather than someone touching her, she doesn't care about it as much.
💮 As for them being together, it was quite complicated at first. After their meeting after years, they both didn't really know what they should do or what they should feel. At first, Noa was a bit embarrassed and frowned when Kabuto grabbed her wrist once.
💮 When Noa gently grabbed Kabuto's hand the first time, he felt as if he were about to fall apart. He didn't know how to react or why this gesture had evoked such feelings in him.
💮 Kabuto enjoys stroking Noa's hair, especially when she's focused on something. Over time, he'd probably also gently touch her cheeks.
💮 Noa sometimes wonders how soft Kabuto's hair is. So sometimes, when he's not paying attention (or pretending to), she nibbles at the ends of his hair. Of course, she sometimes encourages him to let it down.
💮 Sometimes I imagine them leaning back to back, sitting somewhere. Or maybe they're both sleeping under a tree, leaning against each other. Or maybe Noa is just sleeping, and Kabuto isn't, and sometimes he watches her, wondering about...many things.
💮 Even though things will get complicated in the future, I think the touch between them is quite fragile and ambiguous. But at the same time, it's the most human and kind they can manage. I think so.