Work Text:
Every speck of dust or misplaced scroll had been banished from Tenten’s apartment, leaving her counters and shelves sparkling. Tall, white candles flanked a small vase of multicolored flowers. Soft music drifted from a stereo, serenading her as she tossed beef and vegetables in a pan. Everything was perfect, exactly according to her plan.
Someone knocked on the door. She quickly set down the pan and turned the heat lower. She yanked off her apron, revealing the white dress with red flames underneath. She smoothed her hair down, fixing a stray lock back into the braid flowing down her back. She grabbed a lighter from a drawer, carefully lighting both candles on the table. Then she ran to the door and tore it open.
Her face lit up as she found Sakura on the other side, a faint blush on either side of her nervous smile. Tenten tried to say hello, but her tongue tripped over itself, her intended greeting coming out in a garbled stammer. Sakura laughed softly, trying to hide her amusement behind her hand. “Hey there.”
“Hey yourself,” Tenten managed, stepping back and opening the door wider. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Thank goodness,” Sakura said, slipping off her sandals. “I’m starving.”
Tenten returned to the stove, giving the stir fry a toss. “Long day?”
“Somewhat. Certain patients of ours give me grey hairs every time they’re admitted.”
“Let me guess, Lee?”
Sakura laughed. “An excellent guess, but no. Lee has been on his best behavior recently.”
“Okay, good.” Tenten scooped the rice onto their plates. “Though if he gives you any more trouble, I’d be happy to give him a talking to.”
“Believe me, you’ll be the first to know.” Sakura peered over her shoulder. “What’s for dinner?”
“Stir fry.” Tenten ladled the veggies and meat over the rice. “I know it’s not too fancy, but…”
“It looks perfect,” Sakura assured her. “Thank you.”
Tenten’s face grew warm. “No problem.”
Sakura beamed, then scanned the rest of Tenten’s kitchen. “Anything I can do to help?”
“No, you don’t have to worry about that,” Tenten replied. “You’re the guest tonight. I’ve got it.”
“Yes, but I would also like to help my...girlfriend.”
The word shot through Tenten like an arrow. Her hands shook with giddiness, sending droplets of sauce flying from the pan. “Shit!”
Sakura darted to the sink, soaking a paper towel. “I’ve got it.”
“Thank you,” Tenten said, her face red as Sakura cleaned up her mess. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine!” Sakura smiled warmly at her. “Really, I’m happy to help.”
Tenten could have kissed her, but the very thought just made her face burn hotter. “What do you want to drink?” she asked, hastily turning to the fridge.
“Some water would be great, thank you.”
Tenten nodded, grabbing the jug and pouring each of them a glass. Sakura carried their plates to the table, her expression awed at the candles and flowers. “All this for me?”
“Well, yeah,” Tenten replied. “I know we wanted to start with something low key, but it’s still our first...date.”
It was Sakura’s turn to blush, the same pink as her hair dusting her cheeks as she sat down. Tenten knew she wasn’t much better, sitting across from Sakura and whispering a quick thanks before digging in.
Sakura daintily took a bite. “Oh wow, that’s really good,” she said. “What did you put in it?”
Tenten relaxed, her shoulders releasing some of their tension. “Thank you. And just basic stuff – garlic, ginger, and such. I’m just glad I’m home in my own kitchen; the stuff I used to make on missions isn’t nearly as good.”
“I’m sure it’s just fine,” Sakura replied. “I’ve eaten bark and bugs. Actual food would have been more than welcome.”
Tenten grinned. “Well then, if we ever get called for a mission again, I’ll be sure to make you some.”
Sakura returned her smile. Tenten’s heart melted in her chest, filling her with warmth. She lowered her eyes to take a bite, then chanced a glance up as Sakura did the same.
Sakura wore a beautiful red dress over white tights, very similar to her usual attire. But somehow, she looked lovelier than ever in the soft candlelight. Her flowing pink hair sat perfectly above her shoulders, and her bright green eyes glowed like the finest emeralds. Tenten felt rather ordinary next to her, like an underwatered daisy with a blooming rose. She could scarcely believe that Sakura was here, that she had patiently waited through Tenten’s nervous stammers until she got out that she wanted to be Sakura’s girlfriend, or that Sakura’s response had been an enthusiastic “ Yes! ”
And yet, here Sakura sat, sitting at Tenten’s table and eating the dinner that Tenten had prepared for her. It was a dream come true.
They passed the conversation back and forth as they ate. The continuing success of Sakura’s mental health clinic. Tenten’s new ideas for her weapons shop. Their shared nostalgia for missions, which were few and far between in times of peace. All topics that they had visited before while they were just friends, now feeling fresh and new in the wake of their changed status.
After the last scrap of rice had vanished from their plates, Sakura gathered their dishes from the table. “I promise, it’s fine,” Sakura said as Tenten started to protest. “You made all this by yourself. The least I can do is help clean up.”
Tenten sighed, leaning against the counter as Sakura turned on the sink. “Fine, but I’m returning the favor at your place.”
Sakura winced, soap squeezing from the sponge between her fingers.
“Sakura?” Tenten asked. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…” Sakura said, shaking her head as she resumed scrubbing the bowl. “I’m just...not the greatest cook. I could never do anything like this.”
Tenten sighed with relief. “That’s it? Sakura, don’t scare me like that.”
“I’m sorry,” Sakura said, her cheeks burning. “But I can’t return the favor. I’d give you food poisoning.”
Tenten picked up a towel, drying the bowl that Sakura handed over. She hummed quietly, mulling over what Sakura had just said. Then she looked up as she sat the bowl aside. “Sakura?”
Sakura glanced over. “Yes?”
“Now, I don’t want to presume anything…” Tenten’s cheeks flushed pink. “But, would you be interested in a second date?”
Sakura didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
Tenten tried to ignore how her heart leapt with delight. “Then, how would you feel if I came over and gave you a cooking lesson?”
Sakura laughed. “I mean, you can try, but I’m a woefully inept student.”
“I don’t believe that,” Tenten countered. “You can do anything. That’s one of the reasons I lo –.” She cut herself off. “Like you.”
Sakura dipped her head, her long pink hair falling like a curtain in front of her face as her cheeks caught fire, a smile stretching across her face. Tenten’s eyes darted back and forth to Sakura, her own smile a mirror. They busied themselves with the dishes, but the silence that fell between them was comfortable, like a soft blanket settling over their shoulders.
A few minutes later, Tenten placed the last dish back on the shelf. As she shut the cabinet door, she felt something warm gently wrap around her waist. She looked up to see Sakura a breath away. The air in her lungs evaporated. She slowly turned, drowning in Sakura’s green eyes.
Sakura rested her hands on Tenten’s waist. She slowly leaned forward, brushing her lips against Tenten’s cheek. Tenten shivered, her eyes fluttering closed.
“I like you too,” Sakura whispered, her breath warm on Tenten’s ear. Then, more hesitantly, “Is this okay?”
“Yeah,” Tenten said, her voice barely a whisper. She opened her eyes as Sakura pulled back. Her hands moved on their own, one resting under Sakura’s chin while the other wrapped around her shoulders. Her head tilted towards Sakura. Their noses gently bumped together. Their lips hesitantly brushed. Tenten gathered her courage as she closed her eyes, then firmly pressed her lips against Sakura’s.
She had sometimes dreamed of what her first kiss would be like. She’d pictured a myriad of people in varying circumstances; a handsome man in a warm meadow, or a beautiful woman on a moonlit stroll. The reality, as Sakura and Tenten’s mouths found each other over and over, as they scrambled to pull each other closer until there was no space left between them, was so much better. Sakura’s skin was warm and soft under her hands, her lips full and delicious. The little gasps Sakura made were as intoxicating as sake, and Tenten’s body caught fire as she sought ways to conjure more.
Sakura tugged her from the counter, her arms wrapping around her. Tenten gasped as she crashed into her. As her mouth opened, their kiss grew deeper, and Tenten’s legs trembled underneath her. Her hands reached around, clinging to Sakura’s back. The world spun around them, and she feared if she let go, she would be blown away.
After what could have been a moment or an eternity, Sakura barely pulled back. Tenten’s lips tingled as she caught her breath, her chest rising and falling with Sakura’s. Sakura watched her tenderly, her finger caressing her cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Tenten panted. “Are you?”
Sakura nodded, her smile painfully sweet. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
Tenten laughed. “Not as long as I have.”
“Is that so?” Sakura leaned closer. “Does that mean I can do that again?”
Tenten’s smile was too wide for her face. “Please do.”