Work Text:
“Mmarudo-chum…. mmvwhat are you jooing?"
"Hold still. Just ooone mooore... There! Gotcha!" said a giddy voice. "You're seriously so photogenic, Hinata."
Naruto scrutinized the digital camera's screen with a huge smile before flipping it over to share with her. The pride that radiated from him was so great, it was practically tangible, almost like he was the artist responsible for exactly how Hinata turned out on camera.
Hinata's eyes widened the moment she caught a glimpse. Hurrying to swallow, she shook her head. "Pho...photogenic?"
Apparently Naruto was convinced that a picture of the Hyūga - mouth full and bulging with the last of their fruit, eyebrows lifted, and head tilted to the side - was the epitome of elite photography.
"Heeyy, don't be so humble. Hands down, this is your best photo yet!" Snickering at her mild scowl, Naruto relented. "Alright, alright, I'll delete it. But for now, lemme just take a few more, pleeease?" Cue the puppy eyes.
Hinata wore a tiny smile as she played with the grass that poked out through the checkered picnic blanket they sat on as she watched Naruto squint into the viewfinder. He twisted his torso at every possible angle to capture every existing thing around him, moving and unmoving.
Ever since they'd officially started dating, Naruto had picked up photography as a hobby, and his love for it only seemed to grow with each passing day. Never had she seen him anywhere near a camera for as long as she'd known him.
'Grabbing little pieces of passing moments is just so...underrated, ya know?' had been the answer Hinata received when she asked about the sudden interest.
And it made sense. After the Hanabi rescue mission and battle against Toneri Otsutsuki nearly five months ago, a greater appreciation of the present was birthed within a lot of them involved. Nothing in the future was certain.
She knew that every moment in life was precious just as well as she knew Naruto was full of surprises.
One of those surprises being what he'd packed for their picnic. Or lack thereof.
Despite her efforts not to, Hinata once again found herself staring down at the now foodless picnic basket, imagining that its previous food items were still in there; a miniature apple for each of them and one banana to share. That had been all. For someone who’d skipped out on breakfast, Hinata was wanting more to fill her stomach. However, watching Naruto continue to take photos in peaceful oblivion with childlike wonder sparkling in his eyes…urged Hinata to remain silent.
…But after several more minutes passed by, it was inevitable that she felt the threat of her stomach preparing for another quiet growl. So she casually reached into the basket just to see if she could trick her mind into thinking she was about to eat.
Instead her fingers caught something else.
She pulled them out to reveal several markers.
She recognized the design and a sense of nostalgia hit her. "These are the same brand of markers Hanabi always used growing up,” she mumbled.
"Oh, yeah? I forgot about those." Naruto chuckled sheepishly. "I bought ‘em a while ago to label food, but found out the ink doesn't stay on the stupid plastic wrap I use for picnics very well. Just never got around to switching them out for permanent markers."
Hinata nodded but suppressed a laugh. Hanabi had always used the markers for paper while Naruto used them for food-labeling, all the while the markers were actually made for something entirely different; Hinata remembered the packaging had always said so. It looked like Hanabi wasn't the only one who overlooked labels.
Smiling, she gently took Naruto's arm. "Let me show you how you're supposed to use them."
Seconds passed in silence as Naruto watched Hinata spread bright blue ink against the canvas of his forearm. The blue stuck out against his skin vibrantly. She continued a little longer with the blue before replacing it with black.
It was soon apparent that she was drawing an eye. A single eye that looked shockingly similar to Naruto's own. It stared back at him, looking as though it would blink to life at any moment.
Naruto whistled."Whoa...I didn't know you were a tattoo artist, Hinata."
When his only response was a steadfastly focused look on her face, Naruto reached for a neon orange marker that was closest to him. "But I guess you should know I've got even better skill!"
A hand made contact with her back right near her shoulder blade where the strap of her sundress was inches away. Soon the marker was digging into that area of skin.
"Hmm, now, what to draw..." Naruto said as he began his work. "Hey, and try to be still, okay?"
"You too." Hinata caught Naruto's rising arm and giggled at his subconscious attempt to use the arm she was drawing on to better draw on her. He flashed her an apologetic grin and she smiled again, turning her head back around to continue. "We'll see who's the best,” she said, forgetting her hunger.
As they continued, the sky grew dim as dusty clouds formed in clusters overhead. Hinata glanced up, brows furrowed. She’d double-checked the forecast and had seen no signs of any bad weather. She refocused on the drawing for longer but soon felt a raindrop shortly before thunder erupted.
"Um, Naruto-kun? I think it might..."
And rain fell. Pour is the better word. It was pouring with such intensity, Hinata felt as though the droplets were rubbing sharp knuckles against her skull. Within moments the rain picked up until it was hard to see anything clearly.
Naruto yelped, grabbed the trash around them, while Hinata took the markers and basket. He balled the blanket up and grabbed her hand. "C'mon!"
They ran down the hill they'd been on, jumped through trees, and within minutes they were once again in the bustling streets of Konoha. Other villagers, too, were scrambling to find shelter and save their neatly pressed summer clothes.
Hinara shielded her eyes to look up at Naruto since they'd come to a stop in the middle of a street. "Where should we go?"
Naruto seemed to falter before gently tugging her arm to the left. "Uuh...this way!"
They continued running, and before anything more could be said, they'd ducked under the plastic entrance of a familiar tent; otherwise known as Naruto Uzumaki's second home.
"Naruto, my boy! And if it isn't Hinata!" the manager and head cook, Teuchi, cried as soon as the flickering lights of Ichiraku Ramen hit their faces. "Whatever the reason you came, rain or hunger, or...whatever, doesn't matter! What a lovely surprise. Been a couple weeks now, hasn't it, Naruto!"
"Yeah I guess it has - heh...I've...just been so busy, ya know," Naruto said as he ran a hand through his soaking hair.
"Ah, excuses, excuses, ya stranger," Teuchi said.
"Well…" Hinata hesitated, the shop's aroma causing her stomach to reboot its complaints.
“We’ll take some ramen, old man,” Naruto spoke quietly before Hinata could utter the words.
Teuchi nodded with a faint smile. “Of course. What kind are you going for this evening?”
Deciding her stomach's next growl was one of thanks, Hinata slid herself into one of the front booth seats, eyes scanning the above menu. Realizing the seat next to her remained vacant, she glanced back to see Naruto shuffling about, looking oddly out of place.
Before she could open her mouth, the blond slowly moved and sat down beside her, glancing at the chalk menu as well.
"Alright! We'll order today's special, on me,” the blond finally said.
Teuchi gave Naruto a thumbs up and disappeared into the kitchen.
Once they were alone Naruto turned to Hinata, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah…by the way, I’m sorry about the food. I guess I got too excited about the picnic and completely forgot to pack the main event. I'm an idiot, huh? Total moron, heheh..."
The Hyūga shook her head quickly. "No, o-of course not! Don't worry about it, Naruto-kun. I—"
"But still, you must be starving, really, really starving! Well, it's coming - just you wait!"
“R…Right…” Hinata trailed off as she watched her boyfriend's hardly noticeable, but still unsteady hands as he began fiddling around with the buttons of his camera, twisting the lens and clicking it on and off with such vigor, Hinata became concerned.
"Naruto-kun? Are you okay?"
"E-Eh? Yeah!" Breaking eye contact, Naruto focused again on his camera screen, suddenly perking up. "...On the bright side, it's a good thing this thing is waterproof, ya know? No destroyed photos! All right!"
Hinata gave a confused smile, but placed her head on his shoulder nonetheless, staring past the damp midnight strands that fell into her eyes. Her smile fell when she saw Naruto's arm. The blue and black ink that made up her unfinished tattoo was now a blob of smeared ink, some of which had latched onto her fingers. "It...smudged so easily..."
"Oh." Naruto's face twisted into a pout, but then shrugged. Hinata lifted her head from his shoulder when he suddenly twisted to brush her hair away from her shoulders. He inspected it dramatically, first peering from a distance and then so close that the Hyūga could feel him breathing on the skin.
"What is it?"
"What do ya know? Your hair pretty much saved my masterpiece! Or maybe I just chose a better color?" Hinata swore she saw Naruto's chest puff out by a few inches but when she turned to view him in full, the only thing that had changed was his expression, which now held a proud, cheesy grin, accompanied by a slightly red, glowing face.
Hinata placed a palm on his forehead. "Naruto-kun, you feel really warm. Are you sure you're okay?"
"What do you mean? It’s just a lil humid in here.” Naruto's hand cupped the one on his forehead and he slid their hands down to the table.
Due to the rapid wind and the water that clung to her, Hinata felt more of a chill than anything, but Naruto's face only seemed to be steadily warming up. Her concern grew, but before she could say anything, a steaming bowl of ramen was in front of her.
"Eat up, enjoy, and hurry so you can get outta my shop. We're closing a little early tonight," said Teuchi with a wink before ducking back into the kitchen.
"Thanks, old man."
During the past five months the two had been together, they'd gone on many ramen dates; they'd even had eating contests, all of which Hinata won. Because of this, both of them knew each other's favorite ramen orders like the back of their hand. And when Hinata looked down at her bowl, she realized it was her signature order. When she glanced at Naruto's bowl she saw he had the same thing.
"Naruto-kun, I thought you ordered the... " she paused and caught sight of the menu board again all to realize that there was nothing written under the ‘Specials’ menu for the day. "...Special? "
Naruto glanced at her. "Whatdoya mean? It's pretty special to me."
Hinata stared. One thing Naruto had always made clear was that her favorite order of ramen was not his. Yet there they sat.
No matter how intently she eyed the two dishes that were embedded with chopsticks ready to eat, there was nothing different about them.
She turned her bowl in circles and even as Naruto dug in, she plucked up a noodle with her pointer finger and carefully ate it. It tasted the same as always and her stomach grumbled with glee. She smiled at Naruto's strange taste bud preference change and brought her chopsticks up for more, wondering what, exactly, was
She choked on a squeak that died in her throat. Her chopsticks - a few loose noodles and all - flew from her trembling hand.
Her mouth remained agape as the cause of her shock became airborne as well. It sparkled like a mini, falling disco ball. Flipped and turned and fell until it landed into the palm of Naruto's hand.
"This moment's what's special."
The Hyūga's wide gaze latched onto Naruto. His voice was low as he stood from his seat. "Hinata, hear me out... I wasn't planning to do this until a week from today...but I told old man Teuchi that next time I brought you here, it meant I was ready." A bark of nervous laughter followed, his expression a mix of calm, and warm, yet vulnerable. "But I guess mother nature told me to stop being a baby and get on with it already, ya know?” His eyes flickered down to the camera resting against his chest. “Take advantage of today…’cuz tomorrow’s not promised. Dammit, I sound kinda cheesy, b-but... "
All Hinata could see was his almost cautious but steady, blue stare; the depth of its intensity was one she hadn't quite seen before, even after the countless passionate looks he'd given many over the years.
All she could feel was the blood from her pounding heart rushing and beating fiercely through every vein within, streaming wildly against her ears.
She struggled to snap out of her dizzy state. But as her battle to remain at the forefront of her mind continued, Naruto began lowering himself to the ground.
"Hinata... I-"
She snapped out of it just enough to get her weak legs to break into a run.
She didn't know where she was running. There was no one else around and the rain nearly blinded her as it collided with her face. All she knew was what had just happened, and her mind was still attempting to process whether or not she was simply imagining things.
"Hinata! Hinata, wait!"
It happened. It was happening, and she wasn't sure what was happening, but she was pretty sure what was happening was really happening, and she was fighting to breathe properly, and she was struggling to refrain from fainting, and...and he was chasing her.
"Hinata! Hinata, come back! Hin— AAAHH! "
Hinata halted in her tracks, whirling around the moment she heard a curse followed by a thunderous smack to see Naruto several yards away from her, face down in a large puddle of mudd. The pouring rain didn't let up and was steadily assaulting the fallen form.
Hinata stumbled to his side, muddy hands slipping and struggling at first to turn him over. "N...Naruto-kun?"
His eyes shot open; like blue beams, they lit up his completely brown and dripping face. "Is... is my camera broken?" he rasped.
Glancing down at the camera that was strung around his neck, caked in clumps of the slimy soil, Hinata handled it cautiously. She wiped the lens and snapped a picture of the first thing she could. The flash hit Naruto's face and served as enough confirmation, so she sat the camera down.
"It's working," she mumbled. Guilt consumed her and her entire face was aflame. "Naruto-kun... I'm so sorry. I... I was j-just a little overwhelmed, a-and I—"
"I love you, Hinata."
Like a chain reaction, the Hyūga's muscles tensed on their own. She forced them to settle. She'd heard those words come from him multiple times now, but the impact it had was always the same; those three words were like invisible bullets slipping right through her being to latch around her heart, causing it to tingle and accelerate.
Naruto-kun
Naruto sat up so they were eye to eye, his smile faint.
"Hinata, please listen," he said. "I love you. I love your bravery. I love your courage. Your humility, and gentle strength, it's the best. I...I love your insanely kind spirit and your loyalty... I love your laugh, and I love how beautiful you are, even when you cry, ya know?" He sat up even more, fighting against the stubborn mudd attempting to keep him down. His clay-caked hands found hers.
"...I love how you always put up with me - no matter how stupid I am." Naruto glanced down at the camera that bumped against his chest and grinned. "I love that picnic picture of you...and I love your blushy face." His smile turned a bit playful, but the serious depth of his gaze remained.
"I love how you loved me in the beginning, back when no one else around did. Hell, even when I didn't have a clue you did. You did," he shook his head. "All this time."
Reaching into his pocket, he then unfurled his fist. The ring shimmered strikingly through the wall of rain and darkness around them. Two sets of eyes met and locked once more, but this time, Hinata stared into...watery ones.
"Now it's my turn. Lemme start loving you like I should for the rest of my life."
Hinata recalled the first time she saw him like it was yesterday. That day he'd stood up for her - a stranger amongst bullies - and had taken the bullet of their harassment with fighting arms. That day admiration was birthed within her. And as time passed, that admiration developed and blossomed into something deeper, all at such a tender age. He had no idea it was his loving act of bravery that started it all.
For years she grew alongside him from a distance and hoped that one day he would see something in her that was perhaps at least half as amazing as what she always saw in him. Her certainty of one fact had only gotten stronger with every passing year: Naruto was the one she wanted to do the rest of her life with.
Hinata placed her palm over his, and after giving her a tentative look, Naruto moved his other hand toward her.
The moment the cool metal encircled the skin of her delicate finger, a burst of warmth erupted in her, spreading rapidly throughout her entire body like the rising of a hidden sun, and she was grinning so much it almost ached, brimming with inexplicable, radiant joy.
"Just...one request," the Hyūga finally managed to find her voice as she took the camera from Naruto's chest. The second she found the one and only picture taken by her, she couldn't contain her quiet laughter. Eyes full of mirth, she showed Naruto the picture which turned out to be of his mud-covered and alarmed face. "We make this the cover photo of our wedding invites?" she teased.
Naruto cheesed so wide it could have gotten stuck. He shook the camera to rid it of more mud.
"It's a good thing this thing is water proof, huh?"
Hinata pushed the camera out of his hands, throwing her arms around his neck, and closing the distance between them until their faces were mere inches apart. With her heart leaping with incomparable joy, never did she think that staring into her fiance's eyes would cause salty raindrops to form in her own.
"Yes," she whispered. Yes. A million times, and forever. Yes.
Naruto responded by dirtying her lips with mud.
That night Hinata watched the remains of the mud swirl down her shower drain before wrapping a towel around herself and stepping out. Her humming quieted as she neared the bathroom sink. Atop the counter sat her tiny diamond ring.
She slipped it on and stared at it directly before slowly swiveling her hand around to look at it through the reflection of the mirror. Memories of Naruto slipping it on mere hours ago caused butterflies to flap about in her stomach and up into her chest.
She resumed by twirling her wet hair into a separate towel before turning to leave.
She had her hand on the bathroom light switch when bright orange in the mirror caught her eye. She turned her head a little more to get a better view of the ink she'd never seen and had completely forgotten about right by her shoulder blade. She was taken aback by the fact that the markings were now only slightly faded but still completely legible. Her eyes widened at the vibrantly colored doodles of smiley faces with their tongues sticking out surrounded by words sprawled there that read:
Stuck with me :P