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Sasuke was dying for a shower, feeling mud and blood caked on his skin. His clothes still smelled like the river he had been thrown in during a fight on his mission even after setting them to dry out by the fire all night.
He really wanted to just escape to his apartment and not come out until he’d slept for at least a day. But he and Naruto had promised Sakura a long time ago that they would always check in with her after missions if they were injured. While Sasuke wasn’t as intimidated by Sakura’s wrath as Naruto, he figured he owed her at least this much.
It hadn’t always been easy between them, even after the war and everything had settled down. He’d gotten away with being pardoned to house arrest for a year and regular therapy visits for probably the remainder of his life. But he supposed it wasn’t that bad. He tried to be better, at least for the people who mattered to him. As for the rest, he held onto the faith that Naruto would really turn Konoha on its heels when he became Hokage. Kakashi was already doing some of it.
Sakura and Sasuke’s relationship had been stilted for a while. Her obsessive crush on him had faded into something closer to what Naruto felt for him. But he supposed that first year, most of his relationships had been awkward, all of them relearning how to act around each other. At the end of it, though, he had two best friends that he felt knew him better than anyone ever would.
Even outside of the promise, Sakura was his go to medic. She was one of few people who neither fawned over him or gave him distrustful glances. Everyone else seemed to be split in the village, but it had stopped bothering him long ago.
He dragged his feet to the front desk of the hospital. The desk medic gave him a polite smile, indifferent - how he preferred. “Uchiha-san? Here for Sakura-sama?”
While Sasuke had quickly learned how far Sakura had come a while back, he always felt that sense of pride for his teammate given such high respect.
He nodded. “If she’s available.”
The medic glanced at her computer and then, someone cleared their throat nearby. They both looked up to see Hinata standing nearby. She smiled at them, then left her eyes on Sasuke. “Sakura-chan’s in a surgery that probably will last another two hours.”
“Ah.” Sasuke nodded and leaned back. He could come back tomorrow. He wasn’t in that much pain.
Hinata nodded her head to the doors behind her that led to the shinobi care wing. “But if you don’t mind, I can take a look over you.”
Sasuke paused for a moment before shrugging and stepping towards her. “Might as well since I’m here. Maybe Sakura won’t tear my ear off if I at least see you.”
Hinata laughed softly, tucking her long hair behind her ear. “Alright. Follow me, Sasuke-kun.”
Hinata led him to an examination room and Sasuke tiredly got up on the table, shrugging off his cloak. He wasn’t one for idle conversation but felt the question come out of his mouth as Hinata stepped towards him. “I don’t think I knew you worked here.”
Hinata had that easy smile on her face as she pressed a glowing palm to his forehead. “I’m not here a lot. Maybe just a few times a month. There are some issues that are easier seen with a Bakyugan so I like to help out where I can.”
Sasuke nodded and let Hinata continue her examination. Her hands trailed to his left arm and paused. “Is your prosthetic giving you trouble?”
Sasuke glanced down at it, feeling a dull throbbing. “Yes, probably a pinched nerve or something.”
He watched curiously as Hinata activated her Bakyugan. Her fingers moved to the exact spot that was giving him pain, then she pressed down hard and quickly. Sasuke couldn’t stop the gasp of pain that escaped his lips and Hinata’s eyes went to him. She was almost eerie looking with the raised veins on her face but he supposed there was something beautiful about it too.
“Better?”
Sasuke hesitantly moved his arm, twisting it this way and that. “Much.”
Hinata nodded and told him quietly as her hands went to his chest. “You had a blocked chakra pathway where the arm connects, like a pinched nerve almost. Probably hit it wrong or something. I cleared it, though, so it shouldn’t give you any more trouble.”
Sasuke attempted a small smile as he felt warm chakra slip between his ribs, healing the third one he’d already guessed he’d cracked. He had a sharp intake of breath as the bone mended back together. Hinata didn’t comment on it, though, and took a step back. She tilted her head at him as her face relaxed back to normal.
“Was there anything else?”
Sasuke shook his head, grabbing his cloak and sliding down from the table. “Thank you, Hyuuga.”
Hinata walked with him to the door but grabbed his arm gently before he could leave. “Sasuke-kun, we’ve known each other long enough. You can call me Hinata.”
Sasuke chuckled and told her, “Then, just Sasuke is fine, Hinata.”
Hinata simply nodded with a smile, a light blush dusting her cheeks as Sasuke slipped away from her and into the hall.
***
“Snake, I’ll take first watch.”
Sasuke looked up from where he’d been resting against a log by the campfire. Dark locks slipped over her shoulders as she leaned over to meet his eyes through the mask.
Sasuke smiled behind his mask and shook his head. “I’m fine, Rabbit. Wouldn’t be able to sleep anyways.”
He was too wound up from the fight, adrenaline still coursing through his veins from pulling one of their teammates out of the range of a blade - a blade that was on fire, who does that? Said teammate was resting in the tent nearby. Hinata had done what she could for the burns, but she couldn’t let her chakra get too low or they’d be at a disadvantage.
Hinata sighed, then moved to sit beside him. Sasuke relaxed at her proximity. He trusted his ANBU teammates, at least enough to not backstab him in the middle of the night or for an accident to happen on the battlefield. But there was something about the Rookie 9 that made him feel more at ease. While he knew he wouldn’t be good friends with some of them, he knew at the end of the day none of them hated him. He always preferred having them on missions, even though only Hinata, Ino, and Shino had joined the ranks. Naruto had been on for a while, but he was too soft-hearted for some of it and decided to resign to go on more diplomatic missions for Kakashi.
He was surprised Hinata had lasted so long, but she was able to keep her kindness through it all without breaking. He figured Shino would probably stay on longer, but Ino would most likely leave as soon as she got more experience under her belt. He knew she wanted to take over T&I at some point.
“I hope you don’t mind the company. I don’t think I can sleep either.”
Sasuke shook his head. “Just sleep when you can. We have a long trek ahead of us.”
They sat there in silence for a moment, listening to the sound of the animals in the forest and watching the fire crackle in front of them.
After a while Hinata reached over for her pack and dug through it. Sasuke glanced at her boredly, then she pulled out a roll of compression bandage. He raised an eyebrow at her, which she somehow sensed. She answered quietly, “My wrists are sore.”
Sasuke didn’t think before reaching out and taking the roll from her. She gave him an odd look but placed her hand in his when he held it out to her. Sasuke couldn’t explain his thought process, only that he’d wanted to help her. He reasoned he would’ve been annoyed watching her struggle to do each hand by herself if he didn’t.
Her voice was soft as he unwrapped her old bandage and rubbed tenderly at her wrist. “Thank you, Snake.”
Sasuke simply shrugged and asked, “Did you sprain them?”
“No, just overuse.” He could picture her easy smile when he glanced up to see lavender eyes looking back at him.
She remained quiet the rest of the time it took him to rewrap her wrist and Sasuke enjoyed the content silence.
When he was finished, Hinata settled back next to him. Maybe closer than before, but Sasuke didn’t mind.
***
Hinata thought herself and Sasuke were more similar than some might guess. Both introverted, preferring the quiet over loud. And while she could only assume, Sasuke seemed like the kind of person that loved deeply, going further than the average for those he cared about. At least based on her own conclusions she’d drawn. She liked to think she could see that in herself. She felt a strong loyalty to certain people that was difficult to explain.
When they were younger, she’d felt nervous around Sasuke like she did with many other people. He’d been so closed off, easy to irritate though he liked to hide it behind indifference. While he still wasn’t the most open person, Hinata found him easy to talk to. Along with their joint missions, he’d become comfortable to be around. She hoped he felt at least that much with her.
She’d been thinking about him off and on since they’d come home from their mission. Every time she felt a twinge in her wrist and rubbed some healing chakra into it, she thought about how warm his hands were when he massaged them. Even his prosthetic, wrapped protectively in bandages, had felt gentle if not slightly warmer than usual from their fire.
Almost as if the passing thought of him had summoned Sakura by extension, she caught her on the street as she was walking. A nervous hand wrapping around her wrist. “Hey Hinata, are you busy?”
Hinata smiled at her, shoving down the worry she felt at how nervous Sakura seemed. She hid it well, but Hinata had always been good about picking up on those kinds of things. Quiet kids seemed to have a knack for it.
“No. Did you need something, Sakura-chan?”
Sakura shrugged, dropping her hand from Hinata. “Well, I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch? I’ve been trying to catch you for weeks, but then you went on that mission. There was something I… wanted to talk to you about.”
Hinata’s eyebrows pinched together. “Sure, but is something wrong?”
Sakura held up her hands with a small chuckle. “No, no, just… something I need to get off my chest. Some girl talk.”
Hinata nodded and let Sakura lead her to one of the tea shops that had private rooms. Hinata held back a comment on what could need such privacy and acted as normal as she could. Sakura seemed anxious enough.
After they ordered and the waitress brought them their teas, Sakura simply stared into hers. Hinata waited patiently, picking up her cup for a careful drink.
She waited a moment, Hinata watching her as she built up her nerve. Then, Sakura blurted out a little rushed, “You know you’re one of my best friends right?”
Hinata blinked at her in surprise. She didn’t argue that Naruto and Sasuke were clearly closer to her, or even Ino. Sakura wasn’t one to lie to butter someone up, though, and Hinata felt affection stir in her chest. She nodded. “Yes, Sakura-chan, you’re a dear friend of mine too.”
Sakura nodded along with her, biting her lip. “Well, I hope you know I wouldn’t do anything to outright hurt you. Honestly, I just - there’s some things you can’t help and I - “
Hinata interrupted her, reaching out across the table to grab Sakura’s hand. “Sakura, I promise, it’ll be okay. What is it?”
Sakura dropped her gaze and let out a breath, before looking back up at her. “I’m not in love with Sasuke.”
Hinata waited but when she didn’t add anything else, she started unsurely, “Okay. I had guessed that much a few years ago.”
Sakura nodded and then said, “I’m in love with someone else.”
Hinata felt herself smile and squeezed Sakura’s hand. “Really? That’s great, Sakura-chan.”
“It’s Naruto.”
Hinata’s lips parted in surprise as she stared at her. She waited for that familiar ache but it wasn’t there. She felt a blush come to her cheeks anyways, now understanding what this was about. Sakura tried to pull her hand back, giving her a worried expression, but Hinata tightened her grip.
She caught her eyes and gave her a smile, shaking her hand. She paused to think of the best response to ease her mind, then said, “I think that’s wonderful, Sakura.”
It was Sakura’s turn to be surprised. “You do?”
Hinata laughed softly then looked down at her tea. She finally let Sakura’s hand go as she spoke, “You don’t have anything to worry about from me, Sakura. If that’s what you’re waiting on.”
“But Hinata - “
Hinata sighed and glanced out the window. She began quietly, “You know I haven’t talked about Naruto in years like… I used to.”
“Yeah, but I just thought… thought that you were - I don’t know - pining quietly?”
Hinata shifted in her seat as she opened her mouth and closed it again. “I don’t want to make this about me. You brought me here to talk about your feelings.”
“No, no, please do. Make it about yourself.” Hinata looked back to her to see Sakura giving her an encouraging smile. “I want us to be on the same page. No hard feelings.”
“I know you may not believe me, but I don’t think I was ever in love with Naruto. I just felt so… inspired by him. He was everything I wanted to be as a person. Courageous, determined, with his whole nindo way . I mistook it for something else. I do love him, quite a lot. Because he…” Hinata paused and tried to put her feelings into words. She’d never talked this outloud with anyone besides Hanabi. “He helped me become who I am today. Even indirectly, without knowing. I can never forget that.”
Sakura was quiet for a moment, then smiled down at the warm cup in her hands. “I never thought about it that way. I always thought he was it for you like how I used to think Sasuke was it for me…”
Hinata chuckled. “Sometimes it takes time to figure yourself out.”
“Yeah.” Sakura snorted. “Also helps if you’re not a hormonal teenager.”
Hinata laughed with her, relieved the brief tense atmosphere had dissipated. She asked her after a moment, “Are you going to tell him?”
“Who? Naruto?” Sakura blushed as Hinata nodded. She bit her lip, looking off to the side. “I want to. I’ve felt this way for a while. Probably longer than I realize.”
“And?” Hinata prompted, feeling second handedly giddy at the prospect of Sakura confessing. It was fun to talk like this with Sakura. When she was younger, none of the other girls really paid attention to her. She didn’t have a whole lot of experience with girl talk until she became better friends with Sakura and Ino when they were teenagers. Sure, she’d always had Hanabi but that was different.
Sakura groaned, throwing her head back. “Oh, I don’t know! You know how many times that guy has confessed to me since we were kids? And I always rejected him. I just - what if he doesn’t feel the same way anymore? I can’t even remember the last time he asked me out or flirted with me.”
Hinata held back a laugh but couldn’t stop her smile. She shrugged and thought about it before answering. “Hm, maybe it’s been Naruto doing that quiet pining you were talking about earlier.”
Sakura bit her lip - must be a nervous habit of hers - and gave her hopeful eyes. “You think so?”
Hinata sighed, telling her fondly, “Only one way to find out.”
Sakura blushed again, nervous at the idea of boldly confessing. Hinata couldn’t stop her chuckle and consoled her, “You can take your time with it, Sakura-chan.”
Sakura let out a breath, then grumbled into her tea.
***
Hinata didn’t think Sakura and Naruto got together, but they were at least spending more time together. It made her feel warm inside when she looked at them smiling at each other. There was an ache in her chest, but it was new and different. She felt longing in her heart but she couldn’t specify for what.
It also made her eyes wander to Sasuke when they were all together, out having drinks with the rest of their friends. He didn’t look any different, but Hinata couldn’t help but wonder if he was lonely. If he felt that ache in his chest like she did.
***
Sasuke had been walking home from the convenience store when he saw her. Sitting alone on a swing at the nearby playground staring up at the sky. He didn’t question his feet as they walked over to her without thought.
Hinata didn’t look at him when he stopped in front of her but he didn’t doubt she knew he was there.
“The moon or the stars?”
Hinata smiled softly, her pale eyes glancing at him then back to the dark sky. “The moon.”
Sasuke nodded, then turned to sit in the swing next to her. She didn’t comment on it, so he assumed she didn’t mind.
“I find her calming,” Hinata told him with a sigh after a moment.
“The moon?” Sasuke clarified and Hinata nodded.
He couldn’t help the small quirk of his lips. “You seem like someone who would prefer the moon over the sun.”
Hinata folded her hair behind her ear. “You do too.”
Sasuke hummed in response, then reached into his bag as he remembered something. He grabbed a popsicle then hesitated before shrugging and breaking it in half. He held it out half for Hinata to take, who gave him a bashful smile before doing so.
She commented after getting a taste, “Strawberry?”
“I like the color red.”
Hinata chuckled softly and Sasuke felt something warm stir inside his chest at the sound.
Sasuke thought back to earlier that day when he saw Naruto wrap his arm around Sakura’s waist while they were walking to lunch. He had his guesses and knew them well enough that they would share it with him once they were ready. He figured it would be some time soon with how much more obvious they had been. And they thought they’d been subtle.
His next thought was about the woman next to him. Hinata had always been observant, he doubted it had gotten past her. Some distant memories flickered in his mind and he wondered if there was still any reason for it to bother her.
Naruto and Sakura would always be his most important people along with Kakashi. They’d been through enough together that even though he knew there were times they might have given up on him, they were family. At the end of it all, they welcomed him back. He was happy for Naruto and Sakura and while he doubted it, if they didn’t work out, he knew they could come back together as friends.
His team might be his priority, but he felt like Hinata was becoming a closer friend to him than the rest of their group. So, the question slipped past his lips carefully.
“Something weighing on your mind, Hinata?”
She glanced at him, then returned her eyes back to the moon. She bit into her popsicle and his teeth ached at the sight. “Are you asking because of Sakura and Naruto?”
He snorted. “Well, maybe, but you’re also sitting in the middle of a park in the dead of night.”
She huffed and kicked him in the shin playfully. “May I remind you that you’re also sitting in the middle of a park in the dead of night?”
Sasuke smirked at her and shrugged. “Hey, I was on my way home. I just stopped to keep you company.”
“Uchiha Sasuke keeping me company - who would’ve thought?”
Sasuke rolled his eyes at her and sighed, looking up at the sky himself. “I wouldn’t have a year ago.”
She laughed and they drifted off into the silence. Sasuke let the subject drop, not wanting to push her. But then she spoke up after a few minutes.
“It doesn’t bother me since you’re asking.”
Sasuke looked at her and she gave him a small smile. “I’m not in love with him.”
“What changed?” Sasuke asked her. He admitted he hadn’t paid a lot of attention to their peers growing up, but Hinata’s crush on Naruto had been more than common knowledge even then.
“Nothing, really.” Hinata kicked her feet at the ground to give her swing more sway. “I just realized it wasn’t Naruto as a person I was attracted to, it was his beliefs. I loved his ideals, his determination and courage. I thought he was inspiring.” She added with an almost mischievous look, “It didn’t help that I thought he was cute too. But it wasn’t romantic what I felt - at least more than a childish crush.”
Sasuke hummed in thought. “I could see that.”
Hinata met his eyes. “It’s the same for you, isn’t it?”
Sasuke hesitated, not used to any type of vulnerability. But he was surprisingly comfortable on that swing, a gentle breeze blowing through his hair and the crickets chirping in the bushes. Hinata’s gentle smile made him feel oddly safe, like something was loosening in his chest.
“Yeah, Naruto has that effect on people.” He added after a pause, “Though I don’t know what’s cute about him with that atrocious orange he’s so fond of.”
Hinata laughed and teased him, “Weren’t you the one who showed up to the chunin exams in a romper?”
Sasuke held back a grin. “Hey, I was twelve . Naruto is a grown man and still tries to incorporate orange into all of his wardrobe.”
“Okay, okay.” Hinata relented, her laughter trailing off.
***
Sasuke had just turned the corner when he heard the hushed - loud whispering - conversation becoming more heated. He would’ve ignored it and carried on with his day because it wasn’t like it was any of his business.
But then he saw it was Hinata and well, lately, he seemed to be making her his business.
“You don’t understand anything about how he felt!”
Sasuke was taken back by the harsh tone slipping from Hinata’s lips. He couldn’t recall a time he’d seen her so upset.
The man she was arguing with - another Hyuuga by his looks - sighed heavily at her. “Hinata-hime, this is how this is supposed to work - “
Hinata stepped closer to him and Sasuke worriedly noted chakra coating her hands as they curled into fists at her side. He quickened his pace to her.
“How dare you speak to me about what should be and what shouldn’t? You didn’t know him. You certainly do not know me and - “
Sasuke reached out for her, grabbing her hand in a steady grip. There was a flash of pain as Hinata released her chakra and turned to look at him, her eyes still clouded with anger.
“Hinata, I’ve been looking for you. Weren’t we supposed to meet at that tea shop over twenty minutes ago?”
Hinata’s eyes flickered between his, her face relaxing some. But there was still an ugly emotion twisted in her expression when she dropped her eyes to his chest. Her breathing was heavy and she simply nodded.
Sasuke took that as a queue and threaded his fingers through hers. He sent the man a glare, who was turning redder by the second at being interrupted. Sasuke smirked at him, not caring in the slightest, and tugged Hinata away down the street. She didn’t look back.
They’d only gone around the corner, before Hinata pulled him into a narrow space between two buildings. Sasuke’s mind barely had time to catch up before Hinata was wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.
There was a slight tremble to her shoulders and Sasuke realized she was crying or at least on the verge of it. He put his arms around her with a sigh and pulled her closer to him.
“Don’t let idiots bother you, Hinata.”
She gave him a wet laugh and squeezed him tighter. She swallowed thickly before mumbling, “He said Neji did what was expected of him.”
Sasuke only had what he knew of the Hyuuga clan and snippets he’d heard from Naruto about his side of the war. But it was enough to get the gist of things. From what he understood, it was another case of a loved one’s sacrifice. Even Sasuke wasn’t naive enough to believe it only had to do with following clan orders.
He tsked, “What a jackass.”
Hinata’s fingers tangled themselves in the back of his shirt. “He didn’t - he had a choice and I may have a hard time believing he chose me - but he said, Sasuke, he said - “
Sasuke shushed her, pulling back from her to bring a hand up to hold her face. Hinata looked up at him with foggy eyes and tears that threatened to spill over. A rush of anger flooded through him at the sight and he took a deep breath. Anger wasn’t what Hinata needed - even if it was on her behalf.
Hinata looked at him so helplessly and he wished he had more experience at this whole comforting thing. He felt at a loss but he tried. “Hinata, your cousin wouldn’t give a damn what that asshole thinks, would he?”
Hinata bit her lip as it trembled and shook her head.
“He knew what his sacrifice meant and so do you. Isn’t that enough at the end of the day? What he needed?” Sasuke had no idea about Neji’s beliefs and thoughts. But he could surmise from the little he knew, at least from how Hinata felt so strongly about him.
Hinata nodded, letting out a breath as she fell back into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. Still upset, but less so. Sasuke counted it as a win.
He brushed his lips against her hair as she sighed out. “Thank you, Sasuke.”
***
Hinata sat next to Sasuke at their next get together with the rest of their friends. No one seemed to think anything of it, though Hinata felt nervous for reasons she didn’t want to think about. Sasuke’s smile was subtle but there as he glanced at her when she sat down.
When everyone got together - especially, when everyone was able to make it - they were an unsurprisingly loud and disruptive group of shinobi. But with the amount of war heros at their table, most of the bar patrons didn’t seem bothered.
Ino was gossiping about the latest drama she had and Shikamaru was pretending not to be invested and offering little additions here and there. Lee - forever the lightweigh t - was trying to teach Sai one of his favorite songs. He was failing miserably, but Naruto and Sakura were getting the biggest kick out of it, falling into each other as they laughed.
Everyone was involved in their own conversations and Hinata couldn’t help but focus on Sasuke. He was quiet as usual, like her, mainly joining in when he was spoken to directly. But she was sure he shared the same sentiment that he was simply enjoying being there with everyone. She wondered if he realized how often he smiled when Naruto and Sakura would rope him into one of their conversations. How he’d soften if either of his teammates glanced at him to check if he was having a good time.
After taking a drink from his glass, he turned towards her and asked quietly, “What is it?”
She fought down a blush at being caught staring and asked him back, “Are you going to keep your hair this long?”
Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at her and leaned closer towards her, making her heart skip a beat. “Is there something wrong with it?”
Maybe a few years ago, Hinata would’ve denied it and been the meek girl everyone thought she was. But something about Sasuke brought out her playfulness. She reached out to brush a lock of hair out of his eyes and raised an eyebrow back. “Really? It gets in your face every time you move. How can you even see?”
Sasuke rolled his eyes at her. “You know I think I’ve had enough criticism about my hair to last me a lifetime.”
Naruto, catching at least the end of their conversation, didn’t pass up the opportunity to mess with Sasuke. He leaned his arms on the table across from them with a laugh, looking at Hinata. “Oi, are you making fun of Sasuke’s hair? Can I get in on that?”
Hinata laughed as Sasuke glared at him. “Shut up, dobe. Like you have any room to talk. I still can’t believe you let Sakura cut your hair last year. You looked like an old man for months.”
Naruto threw a chopstick at him, which Sasuke didn’t even bother to swat away. “It was for love!”
Sakura blushed beside him but acted like the comment didn’t affect her. She tugged on Naruto’s hair lightly, the golden locks almost falling into his eyes again. “Hey, I did my best! Besides, it grew back.”
Before Sasuke could retort back, Sakura leaned across the table to squish his face in between her fingers. She shook his head side to side and cooed at him, “And Hinata’s right. You keep hiding this pretty face behind all this hair.”
Sasuke knocked her hand away, making her laugh and fall back to her seat. He looked to Hinata almost as if for support. She laughed with a shrug. “What? You want me to deny you’re handsome behind all of that?”
The sentence left her mouth before she could think better of it. But the light pink on Sasuke’s cheeks made up for any embarrassment she felt.
She caught Naruto’s eye and he winked at her before saying, “Hey, hey, Sasuke, are you going to go back to looking like a duck’s ass?”
Sasuke leaned forward with a hand on Hinata’s knee, “I did not look like a duck’s ass , dumbass.”
Their bickering continued on, Naruto sporting a wide grin while Sasuke failed to bite his back. Hinata drowned out their voices, distracted by the warmth on her leg. Her dress was cut just above the knee and Sasuke’s palm rested against her bare skin.
It made her chest feel tight, but not in an unpleasant way. Something like knots twisted in her stomach but they were different from when she was anxious. She decided she didn’t mind the feelings when they were associated with Sasuke.
Moments later, as if barely realizing what he’d done, Sasuke pulled his hand back. Hinata chased after the warmth - maybe emboldened by the little sake she’d had - and grabbed his hand to place it back.
Sasuke looked at her in question and she covered his hand with hers under the safety of the table, curling her fingers around his. She met his eyes, her heart beating anxiously in her chest. He searched her face for something - she didn’t know what he found - then chuckled softly.
The exchange only lasted a few seconds despite how long it felt to Hinata. Sasuke turned back to Naruto with another retort and she relaxed back into her seat. She felt his thumb tracing a line across her skin a second later and smiled into her cup.
They didn’t let go of each other the rest of the night and after Tenten and Lee had left for the night, Sasuke leaned in close to her ear. “Let me walk you home.”
Hinata was not only a shinobi but an ANBU member and had no reason for a man to walk her home. She didn’t say any of that, though, and simply smiled at him, nodding her head with a light blush to her cheeks.
Sasuke slipped out of her hold and stood up from the table. He nodded his goodbyes to anyone who caught his eye then left the bar without another word. Hinata waited a few seconds before catching Sakura’s eye and speaking louder than usual as she stood up, “I think I’m going to head out.”
Sakura smiled at her as Naruto whined - the most overworked shinobi, but always the last to leave , “Already, Hinata? It’s only - hey, when did Sasuke leave?”
Hinata bit back a smile as Sakura rolled her eyes. “Just now! You’re so oblivious.”
“I am not - “
Hinata smiled and ducked away as the couple started to argue.
Sasuke was waiting for her outside, leaning against the wall of the bar looking up at the starry sky. His lips quirked up into a small smile when he saw her. “Your moon’s out tonight.”
Hinata glanced up as she stepped towards him with a chuckle. “I don’t think I have a monopoly over the moon, Sasuke.”
He hummed in response and held his hand out to her as he leaned off the wall. “Still a nice night out.”
Hinata smiled softly at him as she grabbed his hand. “It is.”
Sasuke smirked, lacing their fingers together as he stepped into the street. Hinata ignored her racing heart and leaned against him as they walked.
They didn’t say anything as they walked but neither of them had been people to fill the silence with mindless chatter. Not that Hinata minded it, though. It was an enjoyable night though, with Sasuke beside her.
He wisely stopped them a bit from the Hyuuga walls, probably not wanting to incite any rumors about him dropping her off at her door late at night.
Hinata’s feet turned towards him, her heart skipping a beat at how close he was. His other hand came up to gently tuck her hair behind her ear. Shivers ran through her when his fingers grazed her skin, her eyes fluttering before she looked up at him.
Sasuke’s eyes were dark as he met her eyes. Something deep living in that blackness. They made her feel curious, like a child getting lost in the forest. A nervous smile appeared on her lips, making him smile back at her.
A warm hand was holding her face as another tugged her closer. Sasuke leaned his head down as she tilted her head up, then she felt warm lips pressed against hers. She closed her eyes and pressed back into him, her lips parting. She felt his smile before he kissed her slowly.
When he pulled away, he did it slowly. His eyes watched her as they opened again, a soft smile on his lips that made her heart race as almost as much as the kiss. Hinata missed his touch the moment he stepped backwards.
His voice was smooth in the night, quiet and only for her. “Goodnight, Hinata.”
She smiled warmly back at him. “Goodnight, Sasuke.”
***
Hinata wouldn’t say Sasuke was a cuddly partner. But the way he welcomed her touch so eagerly reminded her how touch starved he might be because of his childhood. He wasn’t big on public display of affections, though he never complained when Hinata reached out for his hand to hold. He was usually the last to pull away too.
Hinata adored him. How she could fall into his arms and he would simply hold her until she wanted to let go. He made her feel so wanted, and she was getting addicted to the feeling.
She was lightly dozing on his chest as he held her on his couch. His fingers stroking up and down her back as he read from a book. He hummed after a while to get her attention. “Hey, what was it you brought earlier?”
“Oh.” Hinata slipped out of his arms to reach for the small woven basket she’d placed on his coffee table. She turned to him as he sat up and held the basket out to him. She moved beside him as he peeked inside and pulled a cookie out. He bit into it as she grabbed one herself.
The taste hit her tongue at the same time she watched Sasuke’s face twist. He was quiet and Hinata looked at him in amusement as she took the basket from him. “You can say they’re bad.”
“They’re horrible.” Sasuke blurted out and swallowed thickly, then looked at her with a wince.
Hinata laughed. “It’s okay, Sasuke. I didn’t even make them. They’re from a bakery down the road.” She looked inside the basket to see a majority of the cookies were burnt. “Though, I’m still surprised. They’re usually good.”
Sasuke hummed, then told her, “I would’ve expected you to be the baking type.”
Hinata shook her head with a chuckle, leaning back into him. “Oh, no, I don’t even know how to.” Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her and she continued, “I don’t know how to cook either. I wasn’t… raised to be a housewife. I was raised under the expectation I’d have servants to take care of things like that since I would be the head of the clan.”
Sasuke’s voice was soft as he said, “But that will be your sister now, won’t it?”
Hinata nodded with a sigh, then shrugged. “I probably could argue for the title back, but I don’t want to. I’m happy where I am.”
Sasuke smiled at her, brushing her hair over her shoulder. He stared at her for a second, pursing his lips before he stood up, grabbing her hand on his way. He tugged on her. “Come on.”
Hinata looked at him curiously, but was smiling as she let him pull on her. “What?”
Sasuke didn’t reply as he led her to the kitchen. He dropped her hand to open up a cabinet. “I’ll teach you how to bake cookies that you can actually eat.”
Hinata laughed and leaned against the counter to watch him bustle around his kitchen grabbing random ingredients. She looked at him fondly. “Oh? Is Uchiha Sasuke a secret baker in his free time?”
Sasuke rolled his eyes at her. He grabbed her waist and pulled her in front of a large mixing bowl. “Mix everything in here after I pour the sugar.”
Hinata nodded, watching him measure out different things. She was trying to fix everything to memory when he shared with her, “When I was little, my father was always busy with Itachi - training him or preparing him to take over the clan, I don’t really know. But I spent a lot of time with my mother because of it.”
Sasuke’s voice was warm as he spoke about his family. Hinata knew there must still be some mixed feelings there, but he was trying to remember the good parts. It made her heart feel full that he wanted to share them with her.
She turned back to the bowl when he tapped her wrist. “I bet she liked having you with her.”
Sasuke’s eyes softened and he smiled before reaching over for a cookie sheet. “I think so. Though I was always itching to go train with Itachi.”
Hinata chuckled. “Funny to picture you tumbling after anyone.” She started plopping cookie dough onto the pan as Sasuke did. “I’m sure it was adorable.”
Sasuke snorted as they emptied the bowl. “Anyways, she liked to bake and at some point I just started helping her.”
Hinata told him quietly, “I’m surprised you can remember it.”
Sasuke hesitated as he put the sheet in the oven. “I don’t really. She kept a recipe book. I found it after… it was how I learned how to cook.”
Hinata looked at him apologetically but he shook his head, clearly not wanting any sympathy. Hinata shoved past it and asked him after he set a timer, “What now?”
Sasuke smirked at her, then there were hands on her waist as he stepped closer to her, pressing her against the counter. He leaned in close to her and Hinata’s eyes fluttered in response. His voice was smooth. “Now, we have eight minutes to wait out.”
Hinata felt herself giggle as his lips skimmed her neck. A blush warmed her skin as she teased him, “Oh, what will we do with the time?”
Sasuke kissed her and told her, “You’re too sarcastic sometimes.”
Hinata hummed against him with a smile, “You like it.”
“Maybe,” he relented and kissed her again slower.
***
Hinata felt him slip out of the bed, but didn’t think anything of it and drifted back to sleep. Then some time later, there was a hand on her shoulder gently shaking her.
“Hinata.”
Hinata opened up her eyes and blinked at Sasuke leaning over her. His face was lit up by the moonlight seeping through the window. She noted with disappointment that he was dressed in his ANBU uniform.
Sasuke smiled at her, one of his hands coming up to hold her face. She relaxed against the bed as his thumb stroked against her cheek soothingly. “I’ll be back soon.”
Hinata turned her face into his palm to press a kiss there. She let out a sigh. “Okay, Sasuke, be safe.”
He nodded and looked at her another moment before gently taking his hand back. Hinata looked back at him with a sleepy smile. He stepped away from the bed and she closed her eyes again, sleep ready to take her back down.
Then, she felt a kiss pressed against her cheek and soft words whispered to her, “Stay as long as you like, Hina.”
Hinata hummed in response, then heard his footsteps fade as he left the room. She turned her face into the pillow, sinking into the bed. She clutched the comforter to her chest, enjoying the warmth from Sasuke while it lasted.