Chapter Text
"Seriously, Sasuke-kun, it can't be that difficult. Do you even know how to do a search in your inbox?"
"It's not like I don't know how to, I just can't find the fucking tickets." His eyebrows knit together as he continues to stare at the screen. "Why are they in my email inbox and not yours?"
"Well for starters, you bought the tickets. I was working and you were the only one that could be in front of a computer at the time." Sakura explains as she joins him on the couch, plopping careless just an inch away from him. He bounces with the force and grunts in disapproval. "You know how these things sold out faster than you can say tickets."
Sasuke knows that, he remembers the struggle very well. They buy the tickets every year – it's their tradition – but every year, Sakura is the one taking care of the purchase and technicalities, making sure that they have the best seats for the season, and they buy it in time before everything is gone.
They met each other almost four years ago, at a Leaf hockey game of all places. She was there sitting in his seat, eating a hot dog, cheering like a mad-man and cussing like a sailor. It was amusing, almost more entertaining than the game itself.
Well, it was his own fault, he was late. He didn't leave work with enough time to avoid traffic. In the end, the pinkette had moved over to his seat because someone was blocking her view on hers.
It was reasonable, he thought. However, it was still his seat and now he was there. They spent the first half of the game arguing about the seat's ownership (it seems as he ran through the hallways and down the stairs, he had dropped his ticket; thus, he was unable to prove the truthfulness of his statement).
Their squabbling got the attention of pretty much everyone around them. Still, to this day, they don't know how they ended up on the kiss cam. It was probably all the noise they were making, or the fact that they were both standing there jabbing each other, not watching the game.
The big screen zoomed in on 'their seat' as they both stood, puffed chest brushing puffed chest, almost breathless. Suddenly, there was a chorus of "kiss, kiss, kiss" and they finally noticed the attention they'd drawn to themselves. They both looked around each other, not believing that this was actually happening.
It was on the nth "kiss" that Sakura reached up, grasped the hair on the back of his neck, and pulled him towards her, smashing their lips together. It was not a surprise that, in the end, they shared that damn seat with Sakura sprawled on his lap sideways, stealing kisses as they watched the end of the game completely wrapped around each other.
Sasuke knew she was the one since that eventful day.
"It's supposed to be here then," he says but it sounds like a question.
"It is."
"But it's not."
"You bought them weeks ago, did you scroll back to the right date?"
Silence. It's not like he doesn't know how to use a computer… it's just that technicalities, dates, emails… those are Sakura's things and since they got together, she's the one doing them for him. He tries to remember when he bought the tickets, but no number comes to his mind.
"Month?"
Now she's mocking him and he gives her that look 'I'm not that dumb', because they both know by heart when the ticket sales start.
"Come on, give me give me." She urges him to slide the laptop from his lap to hers.
She grabs it before he has the chance to lift the device, and her fingers are already posed over the keys, one finger sliding expertly on the touchpad.
"Ok, so we just filter your inbox by month," she starts, narrating her actions as if she was teaching him all over again. The patience and the kindness in her words bring a silly, amused smile to his lips. "And then, we press the search icon, type in the keyword 'order' and..."
As she trails off, he watches the bright screen while the computer indexes the search string. It should only take a second or two; it's not like he orders tons of things online.
They are both looking at the screen expectantly when a couple results show up. The first one makes them both freeze in place. The email is dated two weeks ago and the subject reads "Order confirmation: ready for pick up."
Nothing to worry about, right? Except, the name of the sender: "The One Jewelry Store – The best rings in Konoha."
SHIT. FUCK. SHIT.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
She seems calm while he looks calm, but internally he's panicking and swearing and thinking of one hundred and one excuses.
He almost chokes on his own spit as she continues to type the word "Leaf" and "Hockey" in the search bar, the incriminating email disappearing between the new results.
Is he relieved? A little. Should they talk about it? Don't know, should they?
Maybe she didn't notice; she didn't open the email after all. This is what he tells himself, but then again, that is a pretty famous store and they only sell two things: wedding bands and engagement rings.
They are not married.
Sure, it feels like it, after years living together. Sasuke kind of moved himself in (slowly to not scare her or himself, because what they have started so abruptly). So, in increments, he moved in and never left.
But then, that means that she probably knows what he 'ordered' and 'picked up' two weeks ago.
Oh, shit.
Sasuke visibly flinches, waiting for a blow of questions or something. He opens his eyes, only now realizing that he had closed them in the first place. He notices that she's still typing, moving her finger around, clicking here and there.
The printer comes to life with a beep in the other room and he hears as it starts to print their confirmation email for the season's tickets.
"Ok done!" She says so quickly that he almost doesn't understand both words. She smashes the lid closed and hands him the laptop.
Sakura gets up, humming some crappy romantic music she picked up from the radio last week and hasn't stopped listening to ever since. She disappears in the corner of the hallway, only to come back two seconds later, folding the papers they need to show the box office to pick up the tickets tomorrow. She leaves the papers by the front door, on the shelf beside their keys.
Sasuke watches, still astonished, as she passes by him without a second glance, completely avoiding eye contact.
He's still on the couch, unmoving, ten minutes later when she comes back from her shower, hair damp and in her pajamas.
She turns on the TV and goes to the kitchen. Sasuke narrows his eyes and chews his bottom lip. He's not sure if he's happy that she's avoiding the elephant in the room or not. Does she even know?
The uncertainty is eating him alive, but he continues to feign nonchalance even when his girlfriend bakes four batches of cookies. She does this when she's antsy or anxious, waiting for something important, he knows all too well.
Sometime later, he can't say how long, Sakura finally joins him back on the couch with a bowl full of cookies. He almost snorts, because it's too adorable, but thinks better of it.
"Cookies?" She offers, and he reaches for one without chocolate chips.
A movie starts and they watch it in silence. The comfort they usually have around each other returns, and Sasuke is finally able to relax. Instinctively, he circles her waist with his arm and brings her closer.
Half way into the movie, he notices she's glancing at him every now and then. She smiles even though it's a horror movie, and he catches the faint giggle that escapes her lips. Something inside his chest squeezes in reflex.
"Why are you smiling like that? You look stupid." He genuinely wants to know, kind of guesses it already, but decides to tease her anyway.
"It's because I'm stupidly happy," she singsongs before a real, full giggle escapes her.
"Oh, why?" There is mischief in his eyes and he's sure she can tell.
"Well, no reason, really." She curls a finger around a pink lock, twirling her hair playfully. "You're here, with me, FOREVER, so I'm happy."
"You're crazy," he says, ruffling her hair and she pouts. "But you're my crazy." His voice is soft and it's that tone he reserves only for her. She bumps her shoulder to his arm, retaliating lightheartedly.
She giggles and he chuckles, and in no time they are both laughing. Sakura is wiping a tear when he asks, "Why are we laughing?"
"I don't know."
"But you do know, right?"
He pinches her chin, urging her to face him. They lock eyes, and he searches for anything that confirms that she understands what's happening. Her green, green eyes sparkle as it catches the TV's wavering light, and her whole face lights up. She gives him a coy smile.
He can't help but kiss her, because he loves this damn, silly woman that argues over stolen seats and bakes cookies because she can't sit still when something is on her mind.
He presses their lips urgently, and her hands are in his hair as she moves into his lap. There's barely any space left between them, and there's so much passion that Sasuke can't think of anything else than this woman: this annoying, infuriating woman. This gorgeous, beautiful woman that stole his heart at a Hockey game, two minutes after they first met.
And he knows, that his decision is the best one he's made in his entire life. He also knows that is long overdue; he should have asked her to be his, and only his, years ago. The kiss slows down to a sweet and sensual dance that makes him fall in love all over again.
His wife.
She is going to be his wife.
They part for much needed air. Sakura smiles and plants a peck on the tip of his nose. He can't help but mimic the gesture.
"So, can we play hot and cold?"
"Get the ice and meet me in the bedroom." He winks at her, then smirks smugly.
"No, not that hot and cold, pervert!" She slaps his arm playfully and he gives her a boyish grin. "So?"
"Absolutely not." No, he's not playing her game, she's not going to ruin what he's planned.
"Sasuke-kun!" She whines sweetly, "but, it's here, right?"
He averts his gaze, because he knows that he's incapable of lying to her, but the move probably gives the answer away. "You're a smart girl, you can figure this one out."
She groans, frustrated. She moves away from his lap, standing up and placing both hands on her hips. She twirls around herself; scanning everything, but looking for one thing.
Sasuke only observes as she stalks to their bedroom. Another groan follows. She's probably continuing her search, knowing that there's a ring in their apartment, just waiting for her to find it.
He sighs, slouching back on the couch, thinking over his plan. He knows exactly what to do. He can only hope that the stubborn woman in the other room won't ruin it.
He pats his back pocket thoughtfully, sighing in relief as he finds the lump there.
He smirks.
Game. On.