Work Text:
(to the stars) the moon pleaded:
There wasn't a definitive moment when Sasuke Uchiha realized his feelings for the woman in front of him. Sasuke was given the task of managing the village's library for a whole year before he was allowed to go out on regular missions and perhaps it was the amount of time they spent together, getting to know each other as the days accumulated and the quiet moments between the two were suddenly filled with small conversations. He learned a little more and more about her.
He knew that her food preferences, her phobia of shellfish that he finds absurd, her hobbies included knitting and flower pressing. He knew that she loves her family and adores her younger sister. He knew that she was insecure about her capabilities. He also knew that she wanted to be a teacher instead of working as a kunoichi.
He rather enjoyed her company because she wasn't chatty but held a good conversation, interesting ones in his opinions. It also does help that she is probably one of the only girls in their friend group who can cook. She would bring in Bento boxes for the two of them to share. She would add more tomatoes in his box and knew the way he liked it.
She knew things about him. When you talk to each other and spend a lot of time alone, conversations would start to drift from small talk about work to personal life.
Sasuke was thankful that she wasn't intrusive and kept things respectable. She wouldn't drive too deep into things, asking only things about him and not his family, his painful past, or brother.
She knew his food preferences (look at the tomatoes), his taste in books (she recommends some to him), his hobbies are rather lacking. She knew about some of his travels from when he was a runaway (traitor was not a word she wanted to use). She often asked him to spar if he would like but he declined.
Perhaps it was the lunch breaks they spend together was when he realized he liked her. In a romantic way.
Or maybe the quiet moments at the library that they sit together and read books.
Or maybe it was the late nights that he walked her back home.
Sasuke had an aching feeling he felt something for the dark-haired woman in front of him. Sometimes he looks at her and the edges of his lips want to pull up.
There were moments when they get rather close and he would catch a whiff of her flowery scent. She told him that it was lavender and chamomile with a hint of vanilla. A sweet scent that enticed him to get closer before he stopped himself.
When he wasn't thinking about something like training or work, his thoughts would trail to her. He finds himself having silly thoughts like how would her small, dainty hands feel in his rough, scarred one.
Analytical as he was, Sasuke wasn't quite sure when he really snapped out of it and realized how he felt.
He was walking her home again. It was late with the sky dark beside the specks of light from the full moon and stars.
It was a rather windy night, loose grass and leaves flying in the air.
She stopped in the middle of the road. He looked at her with an arched brow and inquisitive look, questioning her pause in their walking.
"The night sky is quite beautiful isn't it, Sasuke-san."
She looked up that night sky, her pale eyes seem to bounce the moonlight.
"I suppose so."
The black-haired girl closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the breeze.
He watched her do this, taking in her appearance and how her light skin made her look like she was glowing basked in the moon and drawing him into her.
His hand lifted by itself to catch a few strands of her hair, his fingers feeling it and sliding down her soft locks.
"Sasuke-san?"
She had opened her eyes and looked up at him, questioning his actions.
"There was a piece of grass in your hair," He had replied to her silent question. "Let's go."
He walked ahead, knowing she would follow. And she did with the sound of her footsteps following him closely until she was back in her spot next to him.
That itching in his hand came back again as he could feel the presence of her hand close to his. But he held it down as the sight of the manor appeared, signaling that they were close. Their moment alone was coming to an end.
The guards nodded at him, seeing the Uchiha walking their lady home. Their stiff appearance still showed him that he wasn't fully accepted, something that he was going to get used to as he continues to stay in the village.
"Thank you for walking me home, Sasuke-san." She bowed politely and he nodded in response.
They were just able to part ways when she called him again. "Oh, are you going to attend Naruto-kun's birthday party? It would mean a lot to him if you come."
That's right. That's the reason why he pushed away from such feelings that he was realizing he had for this woman. This brilliant, intelligent, gentle, beautiful woman was his best friend's girl. Off-limits.
It wasn't like anyone would want someone like him anyway.
"Sure," He said and he could see her eyes brightened at his answer. "Goodnight, Hinata."
"Have a good night!" And she went inside.
Sasuke walked away from the vast manor, stopping for a moment to look back. It was moments like these when he feels an ache in his chest and something stuck in the bottom of his throat. Like a word was trying to come up but wouldn't. He would continue to push them back. She wasn't someone he could have. No matter how much he wanted her to.
stay