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"Lots of reasons. Many i have to deal with everyday..."
Austin sighed, then leaned back against the edge of the springs to take a seat.
"For one. The Akatsuki is after me for...something i have. And, what with the outbreak in crime recently, I can only be a bit worried. On TOP of that, i worry even MORE about the well-being of my family. not only because the akatsuki can take them hostage to get ahold of me, but because my parents are having a hard time dealing with my little brother. They both work jobs, and have difficulties finding things to do with him while he's home. Without me around, things have gotten much harder. Emotional support, home maitenance, babysitting. All of it flew out of the window when i left. Also, i worry about my parents. They're obviously stressed with worry for me, which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Good side being that i know they care. bad side being that they worry to an unbelievable extent..."
Austin's usual facade of coolness and indifference melted away as he spoke. Bags appeared beneath his eyes. The corners of his mouth drooped a bit, becoming heavy. His eyebrows became narrowed in a frown. It was obvious now that Austin had been fighting to maintain his appearance of neutrality amidst a war of emotional discomfort. And now that he'd let his guard down, his body becae a living expression of the worries he felt.
"Aside from that. I'm having trouble with my band, which i've worked on for three years of my life. Everyone has a big head now that we've become big enough to make a decent haul every show, and they wanna split off and become a solo artist. And i've finally let go of the girl i've spent years chasing after. I swore i wouldnt. I swore i'd keep working until i got ahold of her. And as soon as i'd gotten ahold, i wouldn't let go, no matter where she took me. I spent high school loveless, all because i'd sworn i would have only her...And now i'm here. Alone. Only my family of friends. It's all...such a huge mess."
Austin sank into the water now, his face matching that of an old and defeated hound dog now. He submerged half of his face beneath the water, leaving only the upper bridge of his nose above. He blew bubbles with his mouth in frustration.

Austin stood there, blushing and inable to move. His arms would simply mimic Kia's by holding her as well, and that was it. He drank in her words. His expression lightened slightly as she continued on.
Eventually, Austin found the courage to speak.
"You should talk.."
He actually stifled small laugh. a VERY. small laugh.
"We're not too different, Kia. I can see that you have your own burdens of life. I can see that you HAVE had hopes. You wanted to belong to something. Or someone. Or someplace. You wanted to justify it. Your purpose for staying. And when you found nothing besides prejudiced hatred, you felt like collapsing. didn't you? I know the feeling. To be hated with no real bias besides race..It hurts deeply. I know how you must hurt on the inside. You're not pathetic. You're far from it. You're amazing. Anybody else would just give in...But you didn't. You're here, despite the pains people caused you. And i can see you have your interests, too. Things that you like. That you enjoy. that make you happy. And you have your opinions. And you stand up for yourself. And I think that..."
Austin stopped. He didn't know what to say next. The words were just slipping from the heart to the mouth, and now his heart was stopping. Why? fear. fear of rejection and loss. He'd lost vixie. What if he lost Kia too?

It finally just slipped. His heart couldnt stop itself. He had her there, and if he said nothing she would slip away, just like vixie did.
"I think i love you, Kiamani."
Austin whispered in a faint, quiet voice. He didn't understand it at all. He'd only known here for a few weeks. And usually it took longer than that to fall in love. With Austin, at least. And here he was, spilling his guts right in front of her.

Suddenly, Austin didn't care how cliche or "stolen from a romance" his next action would seem. It was just what he felt. And so, he wiped the tears from Kia's eyes, and then planted a soft kiss on her lips.
His mind was riddled with questions and worries now. Was he too forward? too bold? Did he just ruin their friendship? Did he hurt her feelings? Questions bounced around as he waited for a response.

Austin became worried when they seperated.
Oh no! She..She doesnt..
Wait, scratch that. He received a kiss back after a light utter, and ended up flush.
He didn't move much. He simply received the kiss and returned it with equal affection.
"..We should go. It's getting late."
Austin lightly grabbed her hand afterwards, and led her out of the springs to ther dressing rooms.
"Meet me back here in a sec, okay?"
And with a soft smile, he disappeared into the changing room.

Austin re-emerged from the bath house dressed, seemingly thoughtless and blank. He held no face. He softly would grab Kia's hand, and continue to lead her along the way to his dorm, quietly and wihtout speaking.

Austin trudged down the muddy stone pathway, which was decorated now with silt and other fine grains of dirt that'd been moved down hill by the rain. He didn't bother changing. He simply walked over absentmindedly and basically fell into the pool of hot water. He rolled over and allowed himself to breath while he floated, and for the rest of the next three hours he simply let himself sit. Thinking. Contemplating. Creating mental blocks and limits for his actions. He was Kazekage now. A simple misinterpereted gesture could start an entire war. He had to know what he could do and couldnt do now.