Arabella

Rules for requests

- I mostly write Character x Reader, yet I don’t mind Character x Character too.

- For smut specifically I don’t write about :

1. NonCon

Exception: I can write it for the plot buiding, not in a romance way, expecially between the pairing.

2. AgeGap

Exception: Resonable distance.

3. Incest. Minors.

No exception.

Side note 💌 : Probably it happens to be against more TW tags. Still, I’m a dark romance enjoyer, so don’t get tricked that I’m vanilla (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶). For me, dark romance ≠ noncon :) Still, I don’t judge any writer based on what they want to write.

Update:

It really depends on the context where I could touch these themes, but I also don’t write about: CNC, SW (including strippers, OF, camgirl/camboy), Age Regression, ED, Self Harm

If you want to be anonymous, but you want to show me that you are someone who writes often to me, you can use a specific emoji to help me remember you. 🫶🏽

.ᐟ If you ever find your artwork here (I usually specify the source), dm me and I’ll delete it immediately!

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IMPORTANT

1) Not a native speaker unfortunately :(Mistakes or weirdly phrases will probably happen sometimes. Don’t be mean. Also, anly hateful comment will be ignored/blocked.

2) I put my heart and soul into requests. Don’t bother to ask it like it’s a demand (I’m a human too) or not even leave an small appreciation after I’ve made it. Writers are not robots. :)

Being kind is metal as fuck :) Much love💜

26. she/her

Sasuke slowly lifted his head, making eye contact with the not-so-serious guitarist he had—unfortunately, his friend too. Naruto’s blue eyes met his, glinting with trouble. Then, the guitarist lifted his arm, dangling the grocery bag in the air like a prize.

“Look what I got!” he grinned, showing off the beers like he had won the lottery and bought something nearly impossible to find, not even considering how stupid drinking before a show was. “Here.”

Sasuke glared and Naruto shrugged, mumbling an unapologetic, “Suit yourself,” before walking over next to him. The cap clattered carelessly to the floor, which only made Sasuke more annoyed. Naruto gulped down almost half the bottle, letting out a heavy, satisfied sigh.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone more reckless than you,” Sasuke groused, growing more irritated by the minute.

Naruto placed a hand over his chest as if wounded.

“What?! Over a beer? Oh, come on! Live a little. I just want to get over the stress.” Sasuke rolled his eyes, unimpressed by his friend’s reasoning. “What should I do, huh? Sit over here brooding like an edgy teen, counting down the minutes until my next cigarette like you?”

Naruto’s tone wasn’t mean or anything, just teasing his friend, but for a second Sasuke forgot it wasn’t socially acceptable to hit someone. Not that he was a violent guy. But with Naruto...

“I’m not brooding.”

“Yes, you are.” Naruto chuckled, glancing at Sakura as if asking her to confirm his little theory, and that was exactly what she did. “Sakura?”

Sasuke briefly looked at Sakura’s face. She nodded in agreement with an almost pitiful expression, moving the lollipop inside her mouth. Sasuke scoffed and looked away, ignoring his friends acting like they had their shit together when they absolutely didn’t.

Naruto always mumbled more than usual before a show, chewing the skin around his fingernails raw. Sakura repeated the same drum pattern over and over until she practically hypnotized both of them it was the only sound they had ever heard in their lives.

He knew all their little habits in detail—how they dealt with stress, how they had fun, how they behaved in different situations. Their bond was strong enough that Sasuke didn’t care much about pretending to be someone else around them. He had nothing to prove.

Only to himself. And he felt pathetic because of that.

—

The last thing of your mind was to attend anything that includes social interaction, even more to be dragged to a concert to a band you don’t listen to. ‘Disconnected Youth’, eh? Sounds like an edgy wanna-be name that some rebellious adolescent plucked out of thin air after two many cups of sake at 3:00 am in the morning.

But after Hinata, your childhood friend, tried to convince you to do anything outside of your shell, hiding for too many weeks between closed curtains after your last contract that ended without another offer with some pathetic excuse about ‘We don’t have any funds to give you the appropriate salary a person with so much experience you have’ — you couldn’t escape her concern. Bullshit. 'You’re too good for us! We don’t wanna make you stagnant in your profession life. You deserve more than we can offer!' These. These shit really put a tool on your mind and you own skills in the work area you wanted to work in.

Applying, applying, applying to any new position was exhausting. Still, if you really needed to hang out now, you preferred something more between close doors activity, but you couldn’t refuse your friend’s proposal after she tried so hard to receive free tickets for a show her artist crush is in. You remember her talking here and here about out them, not her first interaction with this band since Kiba, her university friend, work here as a part-time bodyguard.

Now, here in the front of the underground venue, anxiety started to dig a place between your ribs.

“Come!” Hinata’s soft smile always manage to take you out of your mind, a pure energy that could warm any cold soul. You nod, letting her put her arm around yours, ignoring the glares from people that stayed in the lines.

“Oh, look who it is. My favorite dancer.” Kiba’s mouth twitch, a familiar glint in his eyes, meeting Hinata for a hug. He bowed slightly when he saw you, knowing who you are due to Hinata’s little, most likely, embarassing stories about her past, recounted to her university colleagues. Kiba looked somewhere else, where a typical ruffler begin between people that probably want to come early to have a good spot. “Hey! You! Yeah, you. Don’t let me come here!” He looked back apologetically at both you, whining a little. “Happens way too often.” Kiba’s hand comes behind Hinata’s back, urging both of you inside so people stop shouting 'Why they can go and we can’t? What’s taking so long, man?!' that you were supposed to feel bad about it.

Kiba’s turned his body slightly, shouting over his shoulder with a teasing, annoyed tone. “Have fun with that stupid crush of you.” Hinata rolled her eyes, giggling before stepping inside.

You looked all over the place, taking all in as you try to ground yourself, speaking to your friend. “You know he likes you, right?”

“Kiba? No! He’s just a good friend from university. He just doesn’t get along with…Naruto.” Her cheeks blushed and you just want to pinch them. Cuteness aggression it's a disease sometimes.

You breathe out a laughed. “You just don’t wanna accept the true.” Hinata frowned her eyes slightly, annoyance visible between her eyebrows for a person that knows her for years. “But hey, maybe he has a good reason to don’t like your little guitarist…boy.” The words flatten on your mouth, gulping down the feeling of being in not a good moment in public.

Hokage’s place is a gritty, two-level basement venue specializing in punk, metal, and rock. Located in the heart of Amerikamur, Osaka. At first level you have a little scene, at the end of it. It was supposed to create an atmosphere where the 80-120 capacity crowd and artists become one, while the bar and merch tables on the second level provide breathing space to decompress between sets. But apparently, the place made enough profits and a good reputation to make the place bigger than before, double in space. Shikamaru, a highly skilled contractor to convince them that their band is cool enough to sing here. Giving that his best man, Choji, will work on the technical side, on music infrastructure and lights system, bought them easier.

The aesthetic is pure no-frills basement, no many decoration at sight, despite the flyers of the band you come to see, images to blurry to discern much, but it would have been a nice head-up if you saw it before, preventing the shock you’ll be in no longer.

Currently, you’re focused to don’t curse anyone that doesn’t have any spacial awareness, hitting you without means, but annoying enough to want to leave the place.

Besides door tickets, ear to the ground methods usually helps a person find concerts like this. Yeah, small flyers in record stores Sasuke chose, or Sakura’s favorite coffee shops too. Maybe the crowd was much bigger because Naruto’s foolish idea to put flyers all around the training sports place at his University, but so what? Naruto didn’t know people admire his basketball skills so much, they’ll be interested on what type of music he likes and sings! He is innocent here!

“[Name]! Don’t lose my hand!” Hinata tried to rise her voice over the others, gripping your hand tighter.

A loud, annoucing sound come from the scene ahead, from a medium-height guy, with a funny haircut and bowl black one with white silver strainds of hair, looking like a headband. A few bracelets placed over the long white bandages, under his green T-shirt, or better said top, since his waist was bare, on a belt attached with chains. His wide smile flickered like a candle flame in the dark. By the sudden stopped of people speaking, followed by a sync cheerfulness of people, Rock-Lee seems loved here.

Hinata suddenly start moving between bodies, saying apologies as she run to the front lines, showing her tickets to anyone complaining too much as you just followed her, trying to shield her by the look in your eyes that only said ‘If you touch her, you’re dead.’

Rock-Lee start speaking, but you heard only pieces, the heavy atmosphere make the noise blurring.

“The young, energetic band you all waited for is here. The ones reviving the old, raw, and pure rock & roll genre that we love it too much. Our garage rock is presenting to you tonight, their new album!” His voice dragging, lowering the last words, Rock’s words joyful enough to shake any crowd. “Come on! A round of applause for them! Dis-con-nect-ed Youth—In life and flesh!

Your vision was hazy, sizing up three figures as the public burst into loud, disorderly clapping and cheering. A vaguely discernible person seemed closer to the rail’s stage. You could see only half his face as his head inclined toward the platform, spiky, dark hair falling over half his face. At the sudden push of others, your legs stumbled to the side. Your mouth can be shut, but facial muscles are another story, displaying a brief outward sign of irritation. “Can you mind?” The random girl next to you definitely didn’t have an ounce of shame; a pure, admiring expression could be seen in her childlike stare, focused on the band in front of you. Before taking their usual spots, Naruto and Sakura made sure to wave at everyone as much they could. Now, Naruto was next to Sasuke, wielding his guitar, nursing it as he held the instrument closer to his chest—a second-hand Aria Pro ZZ Professional one, his recent proudest acquisition. He even customized it to have splashes of orange color! Truly awesome, really. Sakura took her place between her pearly crystal drums too, clicking her sticks as an appreciation. Sasuke was now in the middle of the stage, his face closer to the microphone. For him, all of this was paralyzing and consuming. A common fear of performance clouded his mind, making him feel like an impostor. But Sasuke couldn’t ignore the rest of it, the released serotonin putting a small smile on his face. He heard Naruto, glancing at him when he said an enthusiastic “Hello!” and followed his friend’s gaze until it landed on a familiar figure. Ah. But Hinata wasn’t alone. All of this happened in the blink of an eye. He saw you. He watched you, seeing the displeasure, the frown on your pretty face. You murmured something under your breath, but he didn’t catch that, only seeing how you struggled to create some distance with your elbow from the people next to you, but they didn’t seem to budge even an inch, looking straight at the band. His heart drummed for a fleeting moment when you quickly looked at Hinata as she smiled sweetly at his friend before you finally looked at the scene. Your eyes lock in an instant. Sasuke wasn’t sure why his eyes didn’t leave yours from the start; maybe it was the way you paused mid-breath as you looked at him, your lips parted slightly, with a shade he actually liked that he didn’t know, but it was a dark cherry shade. His mouth twitched. Sasuke was the one to break up the eye contact, looking in front at his public.

"Thank you for coming."

Sakura's stick hit the drum, and the vibrating, thumping sound started their intro.

It was a lie. Of course it was. Making fun of their band, the genre, what kind of music they probably produced. The problem was something else—your avoidance of feeling anything. And music... well, it forces you to. A cognitive enhancer of what you already have hidden here, between your ribs. What music does to a person has been heavily studied, and you dislike being an experiment, a proof of it.

Disconnected Youth didn't help your case. They know how to build tension, Naruto withholding an expected chord, Sakura's rapid rhythm that needs to be released with a firm thud of her sticks, both of them revolving in a harmonious beat. It's hard not to remain mesmerized, thrilled. And when a room full of people hears the same beautiful rhythm, your minds can even sync, creating a shared, deep-rooted sense of social connection. It was the last thing you thought would happen—to be part of them. Together, together.

And Sasuke? God, his voice. A heavy, smooth voice with a slightly nasal tone. It's like it vibrates deep in your soul, a crooner style adding to the most intimate parts of the song, and you swear you know it means something for him the same way it means something for you. It's like his voice accesses an ancient reward pathway in your brain that no one else has touched until now.

At least that's what you tried to tell yourself when your gaze couldn't leave the stage, couldn't leave the singer in front of you. And if you weren't hypnotized enough, Sasuke looked at you. One, two times when you caught him. You thought you did.

And it was true. Sasuke indeed watched you. He was even surprised by how you looked, not that he usually cared about superficial matters like that. After all, he only had on a black T-shirt, loose pants, and a studded belt. For you, it was annoying how a man could literally dress in all black and look so attractive. Sasuke noticed your graphic tee with a singer he enjoyed too. Kinda disrespectful to wear one at another band's concert, huh? Your waist was slightly visible, with a tattoo he couldn't see clearly, a belt similar to his own, and some loose cargo pants, more of a casual look. Small accessories, a cute nose piercing, nothing extravagant, like him with his snake bites. Nothing much about your hair, just that it was annoyingly sweaty, especially since you actually danced to the beat, but he could tell you weren't a regular. By the way you looked so attentive to whatever they did, absorbing it all.

Sasuke was amused. He didn't have any explanation for what he did next, didn't think much of it because that would not let him do it, and he likes to stop his mind from overthinking, from putting a feeling to it. He usually hate it.

So when he heard Sakura's drums starting one of his songs, the last song, he made sure to put his soul into it, to make people feel him. To make you feel him.

He glanced at you, and now it was clearly intentional because it wasn't a fleeting glance, no, it was impactful, drinking you in.

This time she's gonna fix her heart and make it bulletproof.

That if I’m looking for love, then she doesn’t need my groove.

His mouth twitched as he sang when he watched you searching around to see if he was looking at someone else. No. I'm looking at you.

But her gaze doesn’t scream, “I’ll stop looking at you.”

So what really surprises me is that I don't really want her to

It seems like she wants to be tapped into my mind and soul.

He broke the eye-contact, turning his body swiftly as he let his voice drag to the end of it.

I can’t control.

A temporal illusion, a trick of the mind, or whatever you want to call it happened, making time feel like it was slowing down as onyx eyes kept maintaining your gaze and everything became silent—not the cheering of others, the voices of them singing along with him, the sounds of the floor being danced on at the same time from multiple fans, or your friend speaking to you. No. Only this moment existed as he finished the last song on the album. Sasuke glanced back to the crowd, then, like the moment didn’t happen and you actually dreamt of all of this. Imagining all. You barely registered them closing the concert, barely hearing ‘Encore! Encore!’ only the awareness setting over you when Hinata grabbed your arm, chuckling in your ear as she spoke. “Are you still here with us? On this planet?” Hinata was sure she wasn’t the only one catching your moment; otherwise some people around you wouldn’t glowered at you now — some displeased, some ecstatic, and some wanting to think they are the one Sasuke looked at. You stole one more peek at the band leaving the scene after bowing to the crowd, Sakura waving, Naruto giving air kisses to the public (and you saw him giving one to your friend too), or Sasuke looking straight ahead before you looked back at Hinata. You asked, still dizzy and troubled “Yeah?” She shakes her head. Actually, Hinata was amused to see her friend enjoying a concert you bet you wouldn’t like, complaining her ear off all week. But, but—she was perturbed for another thing, too. It’s too soon to think about it. Although, Hinata may be polite and sweet — until she’s not. “You’re such a squirrel sometimes! So easily distracted.”

You gasped, offended, but let her lead you away. “Excuse me?!” “Come!” You focused on staying alive as people started pumping into each other, either wishing to receive some autographs or a picture, to go see the band or wishing to leave the place. Hinata quickly managed to push back everyone gently (If that was possible. For her, somehow it happened.) until you saw a familiar face. The first boy from before, the one announcing the band, sits here near a door that probably leads to the backstage while he places his hands up in surrender, smiling all brightly, but the sweat drops on his forehead that screamed ‘Send help’ were visible as he apologized to the people trying to get in. Hinata came straight to him, and he glanced once, like a side attack might happen, before he glanced again in recognition, raising his arms now to encourage Hinata to hug him. “Rock-Lee!” “Oh! Hinata! Hey!” You dared a glare at the people not letting your friend have her moment. Fuck off, respectfully. Lee turned to people one more time before he opened the door for both of you to follow him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll send them your sweet words to them. I promise! They will sign off the autograph in no time! Just wait patiently. We love you! Have a good night for now!” Lee closed his eyes as quickly as the door shut, his back against it as if life depended on it. He let out a breath. “I love their energy, but God, it’s so hard!” “Hard to please everybody?” Rock Lee opened his eyes, nodding before he started moving slowly along the cable valley. “Exactly that!” He glanced at you then, giving his hand as you let him shake yours with too much enthusiasm. “Sorry! Hello, I’m Rock-Lee. Well, I think Hinata told you already. You can call me Lee.” “Hello, Rock-Lee. Nice to meet you.” You couldn’t stop yourself from offering a small smile at his intoxicating one. Using his full name felt uneasy to do it so soon, so you keep it to the basics for now. He bowed in acknowledgment before starting to speak as he walked along with both of you. “I get them. I really do.“ You observed the tightly taped cable paths run along the edges of the stage. Probably to connect microphones and instruments to the sound desks. You didn’t know, but the technical team involved just one man, Choji, sitting in a sub-mixing station situated just off stage.

“It’s the first concert of their new album, so of course they expect some fan interaction!“ He placing his badge over a scan ID device to go to another door. For a small place like this, it sured had what it needed. “But precisely because of that, the pressure on them was harder than before. Shikamaru was really insisting these past weeks.”

Leading now to a small dressing room, preceding then to the small catering zone, you were closer to Shikamaru’s production office and Ino’s. “I’m sure they will do some fan meetings the next few days, right?” Hinata asked. “Yes, definitely!” Lee nodded his head at a figure coming out the office room. “Speaking of which.” You both looked into the direction. “Hey! We just talked about you.” Shikamaru said lazily, making you snort. “Only bad things, I hope.” His gaze softened when he saw a familiar face. “Hello, Hinata.” Hinata gestured with her hands playfully, letting out a small chuckle. “Sort of. Hello, Shikamaru. Great show!” “Thank you.” He glanced at both of you as you also nodded in agreement. Another person who wants to shake hands. “Hello, you are Hinata’s friend, right? I’m bad with names, sorry.” “No worries. Yes. Great show, I agree.” “Thank you, thank you.” He let out a sigh. “Oh, right. I assume you’re here to see the rockstars. Disclaimer: They are anything but full of energy. Except Naruto.” Lee laughed, adding. “Of course. Naruto is something else.” “Just like you, Lee.” Hinata replied.

Both of them looked at her with a knowing look after she just talked right after mentioning Naruto, but no one said something directly, just laughing it off.

“Anyway, I’m done for tonight.” Shikamaru announced, waving over his shoulder as he walked. “Bye.”

“Bye!! Have a good night!” Rock Lee replied as you waved to Shikamaru — not like he could see you all. “Let’s see the rockstars.”

Why am I here? Feels wrong. You thought, trying to find any explanation that could calm your nerves. You glanced at your friend and suddenly remembered, seeing the blush on her face or the tremor along her arms while she gripped your hand tighter.

You could hear voices from their resting place as you looked over the boneyard — a place used to store empty guitar cases, shipping containers, and road cases while the band performs.

“Can you stop doing what you do?”

“Eeeh?” Sakura turned swiftly towards Sasuke. “Doing what?! I need to pack them in order!”

Naruto chuckled, lazily moving his leg over the chair, his position anything but comfortable as he gestured with his hand.

“Come on, Sasuke. You know her routine by now. Her sticks need to be organized by every color, vibe, mood blabla…”

Sakura glared at them before she heard the door open, closer to where she was.

“Oh! New people? What do we have here, Lee? Hello!”

Sakura came to hug Hinata briefly, but tightly. Sakura put her hands on her hips as she looked at both of you, letting out a much needed exhale. You spoke then, giving a small smile.

“You were incredible out there. All of you. First time seeing a woman playing drums.”

“Aw, thank you.” Her smile widened. “Right?! Small representation in the music industry, but I’m glad to be one of the few.”

As you spoke to her, you could see him in your peripheral vision—staying on the black couch, one leg falling off it, one hand over the ice bag placed on his forehead, his eyes closed. But you quickly averted your eyes to Naruto, stumbling a bit off his chair with a big grin on his face.

“Hinata!! I’m so glad you managed to come here.”

Hinata’s blush accentuated, and it was amusing to see her in this light, infatuated with someone. It had been a while.

“Naruto!” She chuckled, letting him take her hands in his as their gazes locked. “Rock Lee needs to be thanked for that.”

Rock Lee put a hand behind his head, shrugging, embarrassed, suddenly the center of attention.

“Not a big deal. Not a big deal at all.” He gestured toward some wooden chairs. “Sit, please. Sorry for all this disorganization.”

Sakura added, “Yes. Hard to take care of their lazy asses. Sasuke is excused since his headache appeared again. Poor boy.”

Speaking of which, Sasuke’s eyes opened when Naruto spoke his crush’s name, assuming he was not alone. His vision was obscured at first, but he could see the legs of more than one girl.

You risked a glance at him, observing how he slowly tried to move, sitting up straight on the couch, his head falling and his face covered by the ice bag. His spiky hair didn’t help either.

He has changed now. There was something so effortlessly casual about the way Sasuke was dressed. Wearing a pair of black trousers and a black button-down, his necklace falling with gravity, making your breath catch. He genuinely looked like a model.

Naruto replied, pointing at the little cut on his finger.

“Poor boy? I’m the poor boy! The plectrum forthe guitar messed with me all night!”

Sakura raised an eyebrow. “Oh, learning new words?” Naruto glared teasingly at her.

“Oww. What happened?” Hinata took his finger to inspect, and you let out a chuckle. She sent you a small glare too, but continued nursing Naruto, who was very much as red as a tomato.

“Hmm. It should be around here.” Rock Lee spoke as he turned around the room. “Ah! Got it.” He took a medical kit from under table, probably used for serving food by the open snakes, probably finished by Naruto.

“Thank you, Hinata.”

Naruto smiled genuinely at her. The shared lovely glance between them after she patched him, making you look somewhere else, feeling like you were interrupting something, and you locked gazes with Sakura, who gave you a funny, knowing look. “Now I can give you as many autographs as you want.”

Rock Lee invited himself into their conversation.

“Actually... lots of people are waiting for you guys to sign your posters....”

Sakura sighed. “Yes, we need to do it fast before we leave.”

Sasuke lifted his head finally, and you felt his instant gaze on you. He placed the ice pack next to him. He could see how you fidgeted with your fingers, not really finding your place here. Sasuke knows that feeling very well.

“Do you want one?"

At his sudden voice, you gave him a short look, but it felt longer. Sakura blinked twice, and Naruto furrowed his eyebrows. They didn’t meddle yet.

You had been agitated since coming here, and you hated how your heart leapt as he spoke to you. First. Initiating something. Or not. You were confused about the end of the concert, about the moment you shared, whether it was intentional or not, or what it meant. But that didn’t make you a fangirl overnight.

You realized you hadn’t replied to him yet.

“Ah, no. Thank you. I don't…usually listen to your music. People outside are really waiting for them.”

Naruto glanced up at you as he scribbled his messy signature and gave it to Hinata with a big, sweet smile.

“You don't?! How dare you!” His offended look actually made you chuckle, dissipating the tension in your bones. You shrugged.

“Not my style? I’m not sure.”

Not that he was an arrogant person, but Sasuke thought you were lying. Otherwise, why had you seemed so close to crying back there?

He didn’t say anything back.

You stayed there for at least half an hour. Nothing much happened, feeling... disappointed? By the childish expectation you had since Sasuke sat on his phone most of the time. Duh, he is a singer. What, if he looked at you and sang something? It could only be a fan-artist interaction. Not a fan, though.

What does it matter anyway? A fleeting moment shouldn’t take this space in your mind for too long. You have your own stuff to deal with, already scheduling in your head the next week. You tried to enjoy their presence, you really did, offering a small reaction here and here, yet their conversation blurred now.

Hinata saw your lost look, lost in your thoughts. She raised from the chair placed until now next to Naruto.

“I think we will leave, guys. It’s already late and we don’t wanna interrupt your work.”

Naruto finished another autograph more clumsy than before as he quickly got up from the chair, hugging Hinata. “You don’t interrupt anything, Hinata.” He looked at you. “And you! Hey! Next time I see you, I want to believe you know our songs. You'll be a fan, I'm sure!”

You only smiled, bowing at Sakura before glancing one more time at Sasuke, who was already looking at you. Or both of you. You didn’t want to know.

“Wait a minute!! How are you guys getting home?”

Rock Lee was almost upset he wasn’t the one who thought about it first, but Naruto!

“Yes! It’s pretty late.”

You paused in your tracks, waiting for Hinata to reply.

“We will take a cab, I think?” She looked at you, and you nodded. “Yes. That’s probably what we will do.”

“Do they have a woman driver option?”

You replied to Sakura  and regretted it for a second since silence settled in.

“Yeah, but it’s rare to find one.”

Sakura bit her lip, thinking.

“We shouldn’t take long here. Am I right, guys?” Sakura looked at her friends. “You can come with us.”

“Definitely. With our car.”

“Your car?” Sasuke lifted an eyebrow, making Naruto groan. “Also... Didn’t you drink, Naruto?”

Naruto rolled his eyes, yet he was visibly embarrassed. Shut up, teme…

“Yeah, yeah. Your car. What does it matter?”

Hinata addressed Sasuke for the first time, and it was surprising for you to see that her tone was almost... too neutral. Compared to the others.

“If it’s not an inconvenience for you, we would appreciate it a lot.”

Sasuke sized her up briefly before giving you a glance, speaking right after.

“It’s fine.”

You swallowed, feeling a lump in your throat as you followed your friend back to sit in the same position you were in before, waiting as they prepared to leave and close the place.

—-

The wind of the night ruffled your hair as you exited through a backdoor, behind the others. It was such a contrast from the high temperature from today, a bit too cold. Sasuke’s car headlights springed to life when he pressed on the key fob. A black Nissan Armada with at least 8 seats was here. Convenient, you thought.

Naruto snuck a glance at both of you.

“Cool, right? Shikamaru rented it for a year at a lower price. The car also has a badass moonroof!” He opened the car door while Sasuke went straight to the driver's seat. “Ladies first.”

Hinata looked behind her at you, reminding herself.

“Oh, you have motion sickness, right? I forgot since you are the one usually driving us around.”

Hinata was just thoughtful, but you felt mortified. No need to ask for more since they even ride you two home—

“It’s fine.” You shake your head, but Sakura switched places, rushing to the backseat's door.

“Oh, no! Take my place then in the front.”

“No, no. It’s really fine!”

Sakura gestured dismissively, going inside the car, then Hinata and finally Naruto followed. You watched the front door open, waiting for you to enter while Sasuke’s shadow was waiting, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel. Oh, for God's sake. You sighed, following after.

The engine started as soon as you closed the door. You struggled with the belt, and Sasuke assessed the awkward movements of your hands while his arm stretched over the top of your seat, turning his body swiftly to look in the back for more visibility as he backed the car.

“Why don’t you use the guidance on the smart screen, huh?”

“It’s easier this way.” Sasuke replied shortly.

“So performative.” Naruto added, and the girls chuckled in the back. Sakura spoke too.

“Sasuke is just doing it old-school. The familiar ways are the safest ones."

When his car was in a good position to enter the central road, your hand lifted instantly when he placed his on the belt, dragging it in to put in the locker between the seats in a swift movement. You murmured and he only nodded in return.

“…Thank you.”

You felt so tense all drive sitting here, feeling displaced. Only their conversation helped you focused on something else. You really want to go home and finish this day. You glanced at the car’s screen. 0:00. So late already. But you remember you don’t have a job now, so what’s the stress?

“Why did you guys choose the name ‘Disconnected Youth’? I never asked.”

Sakura replied to your friend’s question, saving Naruto for probably a terrible definition.

“We were sitting in Sasuke’s garage from his home a couple of years ago and realized we don’t really have a name for the band. It wasn’t really the best period of our music since it was in the beginning. Sasuke was always fighting with—“ Sakura’s words were cut off when she realized, glancing shortly at Sasuke through the front windscreen. She continue like she never said anything. What did she wanted to say? “…Everyone suggested a name or more names, it took way too long.” Naruto laughed at the memory. “And eventually we decided to leave it to it. Sasuke chose this. It like…being unplugged from the grid? Sometimes feeling isolated or invisible, trapped in some traditional environment, slowing your process to achieving your potential by your own standards.”

Not like Sasuke cares about others opinions, but he was excused when he searched for yours, looking at the right vent glass for ‘direction.’ You looked in the front, not giving much of a reaction for him. He couldn’t read you.

The definition could made sense for anyone in different ways. That’s exactly why you wonder what kt meant for them and what they went through. What Sasuke went through since it was his choice. Your mind wandering about why this concept can exist.

How much creativity is taken away from a young child without proper guidance and support, such as from school, by striving to scrap every creative idea, whether intentionally or not. Nearly palpable frustration growing inside you at the mere notion of knowing you cannot create here, that you would be compelled to think and act just like everyone else. Like a glasshouse designed to "make you grow," it just ends up robbing you of all your creativity. It was the classic debate between individualism versusthe collective. Not much for cultivating a more unique persona — especially in Japan's schools. Even with a child's firt randoseru bag and school uniform, it becomes apparent that they are subtly attempting to create a homogeneous environment among students who are anything but. To mold each child into a perfect, productive member of that collective. And then there are the parents,  whenever you have more parental figures, one or not at all. And that could heavily influence you. And then there are the people around you, and how — God— the society puts pressure on you, weigh down your shoulders with how you should be bases on their likings. But it’s so subjective and so ambiguous , especially for the young generation—

“Yeah, yeah. I still think mine was cool too.”

Sasuke deadpanned. “The Ramen Rebels?” He cringed just by saying it lout.

Naruto's flush intensified, but Hinata's small giggle and lack of judgment in her melted eyes quickly alleviated his nerves.

“Or Ramen Lovers?? Come on, no one shows this much of appreciation for Ramen!”

Sakura laughed, her voice teasingly.

“Just like the millions of ramen places here in Japan.”

Sasuke didn’t participate again since it’s not like it’s the first time they have this conversation.

“Hinata!! Aren’t we close to your place? Stop the car Sasuke.” Sasuke winced at his yelling friend, but it was no point to scold him tonight. He will get a free pass only today.

“Sorry, Sasuke.” Hinata spoke robotically to him, before she adjusted her tone. “You shouldn’t! I live close to Naruto so I could’ve walk.”

Naruto blinked confused.

“No?! I’ll walk.”

You smirked at Sakura’s observation. Not subtle at all for you.

“Naruto, but you leave far away too so you will walk a lot. I’m sure Sasuke doesn’t mind leaving you both. Right, Sasuke?”

Sasuke sighed.

“So? Do you leave the car or not? I can’t stay stopped here for too long.” It was right since his hazard lights are on, waiting on the street.

Naruto took Hinata’s hand softly and guide her out the car. “We’re good. It’s fine, Hinata. Right?”

You meticulously unbuckled your belt, but at the same time you realize it is not a wise choice to don't give them a little time alone. Hinata simply caressed your shoulder and kissed your cheek and you didn't have time to reply before Sakura spoke.

“Let’s leave, Sasuke. Leave me at the konebi near my house. Hinata told me you leave farther right, [Name]? I think Sasuke is in the same direction.”

“Yes, but it’s fine.” You adressed Sasuke. “You can leave me whenever is okay for you.”

Sasuke’s onyx eyes studied yours.

“Buckle your belt.”

Right. Now you know how to. He start driving again until the lights of the konebi flashed in front of the car. Sakura almost fall asleep in the backseat and Sasuke knows how tired she was after the concert, giving her another treatment like he would give Naruto, probably honking the car for him to wake up. He spoke softly.

“Sakura, we are here.”

She shakes her head confused for a second, lifting her head from the window. She had a small smile on her lips while she gives you a…half-hug? And you touched her hands placed now around your collarbones at the sweet, unexpected gesture.

“Bye, [Name]! It was nice to meet you. Thank you, Sasuke.”

“Yeah, bye. Night.”

You turned your head toward the backseats.

“Nice to meet you too. Keep up the good work.”

Sakura was outside as she made a heart from her hand before she waved, going in the store direction.

You breathed out, looking after her for some time before Sasuke spoke.

“Where do you live?”

“Oh. Yes, sorry.” You bend your back a little to reach his phone placed on a magnet with the app maps opened, wanting to type your address.

“You know I can see your address in the history after, no?”

Your eyes widen, realizing that you almost used his personal phone. It’s not like you to use other people's stuff without even asking first. But Sasuke didn’t really care now; he was just amused by the sudden clumsiness. Besides that, his eyes didn’t miss your top rising, enough for the tattoo he couldn’t see before that apparently matched your t-shirt to be seen more clearly. Dead Signal, huh?

“Sorry. I didn’t realize.”

He typed the address, thinking you’re not so far from here, roughly 10 minutes away. His fingers pressed on the car’s screen, opening his music playlist again, letting the songs fill the silence in the car.

Sasuke didn’t pick the song first; it would be too deliberate for his style. And he saw your eyes searching for the name of the song after barely 2 seconds, a knowing sneer on your face. But you didn’t say anything. So he listens to this music too.

That’s your preference, Sasuke thought. And it means something since you even have a tattoo for this. It somehow fits you even if he barely knows you and he is not sure if he will ever see you again after this night. So why not let himself act how he wants?

Their music is for his tastes too. They are not some modern, popular troupe, and they don’t need to be; it’s not a genre for anyone. Subgenres of rock exist for a reason, Sasuke thought. And Rock in general is different in some aspects. Rock’s diversity spans the spectrum and is intrinsically tied to rebellion. It was built primarily for entertainment and escapism rather than social activism, but along the lines, it’s clear it's making itself a frequent vehicle for this too.

Is this a reason for your preference? Respect.

He finds himself asking.

“Did you like it?” He gave you a side-eye. “The concert.” His voice lacked the curiosity he had by how neutral his tone seemed.

You averted your gaze from the window to him.

“Yes. I think I said it when…we were in backstage.”

“You didn’t tell me.” You blinked, a little surprised by what he said. “I’m saying…I didn’t hear." He gestured to his ears with one hand, the earplugs still here.

“Is your headache gone?”

He nodded and found himself speaking more by your curiosity, seeing you shyly retreated in your seat while you asked more questions.

“Does it happen often? Why?”

“Yeah.” He finds himself explaining. “Sensory overload.”

“It was a big crowd indeed.” You offered him a smile, and his eyes lingered on it.

You didn’t even realize you arrived home until he stopped the car, parking next to your apartment. He watched you then as you stumbled, trying to take your belt off once again.

“Thank you. I mean it. I owe you one.”

He raised his eyebrows, looking as you left the car, head lowering to see him.

“No need.” You nod, acknowledging before you stop closing the car’s door when he speaks again. “Or you can pay by coming to the next concert.”

His face didn’t betray anything, but he cursed himself a bit. Something about watching your reactions was more intriguing than having his own psychological warfare he usually gets into before and after the concert.

You barely managed to break the eye contact.

“I don’t promise anything.” He didn’t miss the musing glint in your gaze. “Thank you again. And good luck for…you know, the future concert.” You sighed. “Ok, good night.”

His mouth twitched, murmuring a "Night" as you closed the door.

Are you making things up?  You looked down befuddled at the porous asphalt while you stepped on it. You let out a much needed breath when you finally arrived at the 7 floor. You closed the door, leaning your back over it.

The phone screen illuminated againt your pocket's pants. You smiled when you checked the notification along the other since you left untouched for so many hours. Touching grass today, it seemed.

Hi!! I’m home now. Hope you arrived too! Text me. ❤️

You quickly text Hinata back, then come straight to take a short bath, letting the exhaustion carrying you to bed no longer after.

—-

It will be a blatant lie to say you didn’t do. what Naruto told you to. Meaning…listening to their song.

In fact, that gradually became a night routine before bed. One, two weeks passed by and you almost forgot his face— blurred, hazy now in your memories over how much time passed. His annoying, beautiful face.

Now, on a random morning, sinceyou didn't want to disrupt your routine just because you didn't have as much activity as previously due to a lack of work, you scrolled down, reviewing a draft of a past project while swallowing the last remaining sip of coffee.

“Shit.” Your hand shake on the cup when your phone ringed, some drops slipping on the mousepad. Unknown number.

You placed the phone on your ear hesitantly.

“Hello?”

The girly voice from the other side comes shortly.

“Hey! You respond so fast.” Desperate, right? Ino chuckled. “I’m Ino Yamanka. Manager of the band ‘Disconnected Youth.’ I called you because I was reviewing the applications we received from the last month. If you remember, we had a position open if we possible need in the future a Publicist. It’s seemed like we need one now. Your experience is very well-put. Are you still interested?”

Disconnected Youth. Your mind catched later, right after you replied.

“Yes, I’m still interested.”

Did I apply to them? It’s much possible since you applied to so many positions and you clearly didn’t know about the band before, just applying for everything available. Surprising. Since it’s summer break, it’s hard to find an available job these period.

“Oh, great! Well, we are very much available for an interview. When can we schedule a meet with you? I’ll be leading the interview and the next step will be to meet our band.”

“My schedule is free, so everything works fine for me.”

“Yeah? This is great news. In fact, wait…” You could hear on the other line the sound of papers ruffling. “Do you have any time today? I know it’s short, but it’s still early in the morning and I thought why not?” Ino giggled, letting her legs go over each-other, stretching a little in her chair from her office shared with Shikamaru. “But don’t worry. I can schedule other time too.”

“No. It’s fine.” You lift from the chair, agitated. “Where should we meet?”

“Do you know Kasadomart Building? We are closer to this music venue our band performed recently.”

Hokage’s place where the concert was.

“Yes. I was here that time. For…Disconnected Youth concert.”

Ino parted her mouth. “You know the band? That’s even better! You make my job easier then, to let out the introduction part.” She chuckled. “Well, dear…” She looked over your application job. “Dear [Name], I will not be hard on you and let you prepare enough until the interview. Is 12:00 PM working fine for you?”

“Yes. I can manage. Thank you.”

“Great. See you soon. Can’t wait to meet you!”

“See you soon!”

Ino closed the call, grinning at herself for managing an interview this fast. She sighed pleased, closing her eyes with her arms behind her head as she hummed.

On the other line, you watched the call ending, the beeping sounds in rhythm with your heart. What were the odds?

You really need to call Hinata.

—

The drive here was horrible since it was peak hour for the traffic in Osaka. You choose not to take your car now. You really need to calm your nerves until the interview. It couldn’t be that bad. Sure, your self-esteem was hurt after the last project ending so quickly, but your passion didn’t disappear overnight.

You managed to say a "thank you” to the taxi driver as he left quickly after that while you were already studied at the big building in front of you. The receptionist was kind enough to guide you to the elevator, seeing the option for floor 3, marked above with the small company’s name—Dai Nana Han.

As you take the elevator, following the directions from Ino’s email, you could see two familiar people waiting for it too.

That bright smile did wonders to your anxious thoughts.

“Oh! Hinata’s friend? [Name], right?” Rock Lee shook your hand with the same enthusiasm you remember from that concert night.

“Hello. You’re here for the interview, right?” Shikamaru watched you from the side, assessing your professional suit. Cloth pants. White, immaculate shirt. A small, delicate chain with a small red gem set in the middle. Hair styled. Small nose piercing still present. Too professional can't ruin a person's own style.

“Hello! Nice to meet you. Yes. It was surprising for me too. I…applied some time ago. I didn’t even realize it was for your band.”

You all come inside in the elevator. Rock-Lee spoke again.

“If I knew from Hinata about your work experience, I'd definitely have helped you before.”

Shikamaru nodded. In fact, he spoke with Ino before she called you. He was surprised himself that he remembered your name. Shikamaru makes decisions only based on his intuition and his logical mind. Your past experience helped too, but he didn’t miss, neither that time nor now, the fiery determination that glinted in your eyes. You seem like you know what to do.

“It will be short if Ino doesn’t start splitting hairs like she does or speak about anything else but the job.”

“Don’t sell her so short, Shikamaru. You know she’s good at what she does.”

Shikamaru hummed approvingly. You smiled at their encouragement, thanking them for guiding you to the correct office where Ino was.

Lee gave you a thumbs-up with both his hands. “You got it! I hope we will see you later!”

Such a nice guy.

You knocked once, and it was enough for Ino’s voice to be heard, opening the door with enough force to make you step back a little.

“Oh, hello! Come in, come in. You’re exactly on time. That’s nice. To be honest, I thought I'd be the one making you wait.” She chuckled, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk. “Please sit, dear.”

Is anyone here so kind and soft-spoken? Well, not everyone… And you don’t realize how true you’ll be about your assumption until later this day.

She looked over your application again.

“So, I will not lose time with basic interview questions that don’t really help. Questions like "What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?" You can lie. I can lie. It doesn’t help anyone. It’s not my style anyway.” She placed her hands together on the desk, looking with an assessing, enthusiastic glint in her eyes. “Tell me why you wanted to be an artistic publicist. I saw you tried multiple types of jobs—“

“Ahm…” You adjusted your voice.

“Don’t worry.” She waved her hand, cutting you off. “I don’t care. People should be free to try anything until they actually take a path they enjoy and are passionate about.”

You nod your head in agreement. It was much easier to say your thoughts loud, unfiltered.

"An artistic publicist usually manages their public image and secures media coverage, but that wasn’t really the factor behind my choice of taking this path. My honest opinion about media is conflicted. It can help with promotion and more recognition, but it also has downsides. Being a buffer between the band and the media means not letting public perception be involved in anyone’s life, not just an artist's. A band like ‘Disconnected Youth,' which I could see acts sometimes as a catalyst for social awareness and tangible community action, can be helped by an artistic publicist in many ways. And I think they deserve more recognition.”

And it was true; you didn’t sweeten your words. You did your research before the interview about their partnership with small organizations, giving a part of the profit for volunteering individuals regarding human rights. And it was clear that the band wasn't subtle in their songs; the rebellion was exactly against any sort of social problems ignored by the government. Besides…the songs the singer writes about himself are riddled and hidden between particular songs.

You left out the part about why this not-so-known band needs an artistic publicist, but Ino was fast to clear this up.

Ino smirked as you spoke, delighted as she nodded in approval.

“I think that’s one of the best answers I had until now.” You gave her a thankful smile but didn’t speak out loud. It wasn’t a good idea to show a slight insecurity at an interview, chasing the praise. “Now, I suppose you wonder why we need one.”

She smiled as she realized she got you right.

“They worked for this new album for at least a year. The small public our band knew was on hiatus, and they were indeed for personal issues, but our singer surprised us all when one day he came with multiple starting songs that he wanted to practice along with his team. I think it’s their best time speaking about recognition because the album managed to catch other record labels’s eyes. We received multiple offers, including them participating in a summer festival in Osaka in a month, and we took the offer. Even the last concert, I think, when you went...? That night it piqued people's curiosity on the media after a particular event during the show. Ino blinked twice, suddenly looking at you weirdly all over your face. “Oh my God. Wait.”

Your pulse spiked at her urgency as she grabbed the phone.

“You are in the video too!”

What? Your mouth parted, flabbergasted. Your head lowered as Ino came next to you, placing her phone on the desk.

You assessed the description of the photo and the video. Shit.

‘Disconnecter Youth' rocked the Hokage’s venue last night. Sasuke Uchiha, the singer of the band, overcome himself!’

The video was pretty clear, filmed behind you and your friend—focusing first on Naruto Big's smile, eyes furrowed, looking down in concentration as his hands moved faster on his favorite guitar. Sakura’s hitting her drums in an unpolitical way, driven by Sasuke’s voice, whose body was inclined, looking straight at someone, you, as he sang over his microphone before the song finished and the crowd erupted. You could see the side of your face was seen a little, knowing it was exactly on that part when you looked around to see if you really were the one Sasuke signed to.

Ino grinned at your shocked expression.

“I didn’t see it…”

“Don’t worry about it. I have good eyes, that’s why I recognized you, but your face is barely seen.” She sits back on the chair. “So you were indeed here. Wait, did you know the girl next to you?”

“Hinata? Yes, she is my friend.”

“That’s so cool! We went to the university together. You know, the Osaka University of Arts? Right, she is a dancer now, no?”

“Yes. In the performing art of aerial silks.”

You are really proud of her.

“Oh God, I really want to see her.”

“I can speak with her when it's her next show.”

She took your hands in hers, and your muscles tensed at the sudden touch.

“Please, do! Now come, let’s meet the band.”

Ino took a... meal from her desk? Then, you rose from the chair too, following her as she spoke over her shoulder with a smile.

“Ah, right. You passed the interview. It’s only your choice if you want to collaborate with us. But I hope you do.”

Your heart beats faster. Do you?

"Ah, and…” She had an apologetic look on her face. “I hope you're not the kind to be discouraged fast.”

And you will find soon what she meant by that. For now, you’re too focused to calm your nerves. You’re going to see them—him—again.

The walk here was blurring; you didn’t focus on anything, just mindlessly followed them until she opened the door.

“Sweet, sweet. Practicing as you should, guys." Naruto lifted her head, and so did Sakura. Ino comes straight to Sakura, giving a kiss on her cheek.  Hm? “As much as I love you and how good you are with your little drums, I’m pretty sure you didn’t eat anything by now.” Sakura tried to speak, her cheek flushed by the lovely peck. “Nah. Don’t say a word.” Ino gives her the meal. “Your favorite." She winked at her before she came into the middle of the training room. Her eyes furrowed at the lack of light due to the curtains being closed off.

“You again!” Naruto comes to greet you, pointing his finger at you. “I hope you listened to your song as I told you.”

You raised your hands in surrender, letting out a soft chuckle.

“I did, I did!”

Only then did Sasuke lift his head from the guitar in his hands. He usually tests notes to help Naruto achieve what he wants.

Ino scolded him friendly.

“Don’t scare her, Naruto. She’s here to work.”

You looked at Sasuke then, and you didn’t miss the subtle arch of his eyebrows, a little bewildered. You offered just a small greeting.

“Hi.”

Naruto interfered.

“Wait? To work?” He scratched under his chin. “I remember you saying something about it, Ino."

“I can see how much you listen to me, Naruto.”

Naruto’s mouth turned into a shy line. Sakura asked. “For the artistic publicist role, right?”

“Yes, love.”

“Artistic publicist?” Naruto asked, confused, and Ino looked at you, and you sensed she wanted you to speak about it.

You gulped down, feeling your throat tighten. But it was necessary for the switch inside your mind to happen.

Your work personality came when you needed it.

“An artistic or creative publicist is primarily focused on promoting an artist’s work, in your case, the band’s work, and shapes their public image. But also to secure interviews, reviews, and features and coordinate press announcements for new projects, exhibitions, or tours.”

Sasuke’s eyebrows furrowed at your words; his eyes lingered on the person in front of him, different from what he knew until now. But his priorities lie further than that, ignoring immediately these irrelevant thoughts.

“We don’t need one.”

Ino offered, speaking directly with him as you flinched internally at his sharp tone.

“We do, Sasuke. The offer we received is very good.”

“Is it?”

Ino sighed, trying to find a common ground.

“You know we have accepted already the festival offer to perform there. And we received many other offers. We talked already about this.”

Sasuke thinks this shit will only discourage the band’s purpose. Just thinking about the possibility that he will align with other artists at the festival, becoming one along with the others and following the common road, he is heavily skeptical, wanting to avoid too much exposure that can do more damage than good. Just like it happened to someone very close to him. ‘Close’ is a big word in the present moment. Not anymore.

“You can hire what you want. I will not be a part of it.”

Sakura tried to maintain a soft-spoken tone.

“We need to cooperate a little, Sasuke. If Ino and Shikamaru agreed and hired [Name], it means it’s a good choice. They never failed until now.”

Naruto scolded. “Of course you’ll say no.” Sasuke rolled his eyes, letting his guitar rest on the closer bench as he walked straight to the other door, leading to a small resting room. He spoke as his back was turned.

“Do what you want. I don’t care.”

The door closed abruptly. Such a dramatic exit, you thought.

Ino looked at you, and you didn’t let her see your real thoughts about what you think regarding their little singer—despite the irritation building inside of you, seeing the side of him you didn’t expect.

“That’s what I mean when I told you to not get discouraged.” She waved her hand dismissively. “But it’s fine. We will convince him eventually like we always do, and obviously, he will see for himself how serious you are. Of course, if your answer is yes.”

“I’m not discouraged at all. But yes, I’ll let you know. I need more time to think about it.”

They looked at you and gave you an understanding look.

—

The ride home was silent, only your mind was anything but.

Is this really a good choice to work for them? With him? Sasuke? You didn’t receive the offer yet on the email, Ino will probably give you soon. You don’t expect a big salary or anything, not that is your top priority.

It felt like a challenge, which is probably why you intended to say yes. Shaping a band from the ground up is more complex, especially if it is small, but it has the ability to flourish and shape itself into something remarkable. It also didn't help how their music impacted you. However, this is not the most effective way to seek your answer.

One week. One week and you’ll decide if ‘Disconnect Youth’ resonate enough with your  path to take the risk.

You’re not a fool. You know how Megumi is. You wouldn’t want anyone else but him, either.

Yet, you can’t help but feel an agitated, insecure feeling deep inside your heart.

Yeah, he checks on you, especially when you are on a mission. He makes sure to plan a date or two when both of your free time isn’t so tight. He opened up to you about his past. He doesn’t shower you with compliments or affection all the time. He has a habit of scolding you for not taking care of yourself enough to show his care. But... you can’t help but feel that Megumi may not really be in love with you. Sure, love can be shown in many ways, and the word’s standard definition isn’t a point of reference for you.

Still, Megumi never lost his composure over the way he feels about you.

Of course, you were friends before. You saw how he is with his friends, how his self-sacrificing tendencies are always on the line whenever there’s no other way in the moment.

But would he ever be heartbroken if you broke up?

Does he love you at all? Like you love him?

You’re not sure. You never told him what you felt either, for so long. You’re sure he knows. But you didn’t want him to feel any pressure to say it back. It was wrong. You know it. You shouldn’t stop yourself from expressing your love.

Your sadness, stress, and anxiety stemmed from Megumi not texting you today. It was a first he didn’t do it. And it quickly turned to anger when you called Gojo and heard he was fine since he had checked out of the hotel he stayed in.

Now, it was late at night, and not a soul could be heard along the Jujutsu corridor. So, when Megumi knocked, it was pathetic how you almost jumped on the bed, groaning at yourself for being scared by just that.

You dragged your feet toward the door, exhaustion plastered across your face. Your red, swollen eyes betrayed the hours you had wasted crying. Your heart pounded in your chest because, at the same time you believed there was no other person who could be here thank him, you couldn’t believe it would be your boyfriend. Megumi, late at night? Knocking at your dorm room door? Yeah, sure.

His ice-blue eyes found you in a second when you opened the door steadily, discreet not to wake someone.

“Hey.”

Megumi almost sighed in relief at the sight of you. Hell, he was finally back.

Although, Megumi didn’t miss the unfamiliar glint in your eyes as they lingered on him. You greeted him with a slight nod, making space for him to come inside.

He expected you to at least hug him. Megumi even craved your embrace.

“Tea?”

He raised an eyebrow as you left his side, turning toward the small open kitchen. What the fuck is happening? A heavy, constricting dread settled in his lungs. Aren’t you glad to see him like he is?

Megumi didn’t reply. He just followed behind you as he watched you move around. He saw how your hands trembled around one of the two cups. His cup had been in your dorm for a long time, distinguished by the two small dogs you had painted to resemble his shikigami.

“Did something happen while I was away?”

“No.” You replied short, adding quickly. “Tea?” You looked over your shoulder, forcing a smile he didn’t like at all. He felt more on alert than he had during the fight earlier today.

“Don’t lie.”

Your cup was placed a bit harshly against the wooden table, followed by his, which you managed to set down more slowly before you passed by him, irritated by the lack of you persevering your own composure. You headed to the couch and Megumi almost think you run from him. He sat down hesitantly, a distance between the two of you—the same distance you both felt inside your hearts.

He thinks it’s the first time the silence he usually feels comfortable with around you has been excruciating. Until you broke it.

“Megumi, what do you really feel for me?”

“What?” You glanced at him before you averted your gaze toward the small window, where the moonlight was the only source of light in the room. Megumi didn’t like where this was going. He already felt irritated. “What’s that question for? We’re together, aren’t we?”

You made sure to show your displeasure with the glare you sent him, subtly saying: Not the time for a passive-aggressive tone.

It was the last thing Megumi would have thought would happen tonight. He felt the urge to leave. He was tired.

“It doesn’t feel like it.”

Oh. Yeah, he would fucking leave.

He stood up from the couch, already making up his mind that the last thing he wanted to remember was how he shouldn’t have even allowed himself to be in a relationship. He was not made for it, apparently.

“Is it such a pain for you to speak with me?” Megumi flinched at the tone. At the trembling tone. He slowly turned around toward the couch. Are you... crying? He wasn’t sure he had ever heard you cry. “That... that you want to leave already?”

You felt so embarrassed. Your eyes burned again, blurring your vision as you could still see the shocked expression on your boyfriend’s face while he searched every inch of it to make sure what was happening was real. You already felt resigned that he would leave, wrapping your arms around yourself as some sort of warmth for your shivering soul.

When you felt him sit back down, you were the one surprised as you lifted your gaze from the floor to look at him.

“No. It’s—You reminded me why I shouldn’t have done this.”

Megumi glanced in another direction when he could see a tear on your cheek. His hands trembled at his sides because of the torturous sight.

“Why? Because I was afraid of how your mission would go? That I missed you and I’m not sure you... you did? When you even stopped texting me?”

Megumi’s head turned sharply. Goddammit. He was such an asshole. He had completely forgotten to tell you what had happened when he came inside your dorm since he had been taken aback by your reaction. He inched closer to you uncontrollably, stopping himself right away so he wouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable.

“No. I... My phone broke.” You blinked through the tears, and you were sure your breath stopped. “Fuck. I’m sorry.” Megumi’s eyes held nothing but an apologetic look, matching his words. “That’s why I came straight here. I just arrived.” He exhaled hard, dragging a hand over his face. “I’m an idiot.”

“So it wasn’t intentional?”

He looked back at you, seeing how your tears didn’t stop falling and how your voice had become so small. He hates what is happening. He fucking despised it.

Fuck it. Megumi’s hand lifted, testing the waters as you didn’t move an inch, following his movements until his thumb brushed your cheek, wiping your tears away.

“…Don’t cry.”

But you couldn’t. You felt so relieved, yet still vulnerable, still hurt by what you had thought.

“Can you...”

Megumi didn’t lose any time, instantly knowing what you meant as he leaned over, towering above you until his arm came around you, hugging you tightly. His other arm came behind your head, his hand pressing you against his chest.

“Shh. Please…stop.”

You nodded, yet it took you a few moments to calm your breathing. You heard his own heart pounded violently, and that alone gave you courage.

“Megumi.”

“Hm?” Megumi brushed your hair, replying to your muffled voice.

“I love you, Megumi. I’ve loved you for…some time.”

Megumi’s eyes were wide open at the sudden confession, his muscles tensing as his hand stopped moving. You bit your lip in distress, slipping out of his arms to look at him, feeling like you could die at any moment from how afraid you were.

You didn’t expect to see the way Megumi’s eyes glinted softly.

You asked, confused, as he leaned over you until your back hit the couch.

“Megumi?”

Your mouth was parted in surprise. His hand came up to touch your face, his eyes following the gentle gesture, lingering on every inch of your skin. You weren’t sure what to do with yourself. And when Megumi leaned in, you closed your eyes, but it didn’t happen the way you thought it would. Megumi’s lips pressed a soft yet firm kiss to your cheek. His hand cupped it then as his next kiss landed on the other one. Then your closed eyes, then your forehead, your nose—everywhere except your lips.

You felt like crying again for a whole different reason. His touch was so intimate, so loving, that it made your ears ring, your throat sore. It was as if he had shown every feeling, every thought he truly had about you. You couldn’t help but smile at his short, gentle kisses.

When you opened your eyes, your chest clenched at his sad expression.

“I’ve wronged you so many times...”

Can’t say he isn’t right.

Your hand came to rest behind his neck, playing with his spiky dark hair as you glanced down at his lips before lifting your head, and he met you reluctantly, feeling your soft lips against his. Megumi let you guide it, not aure if he deserved it before he exhaled through his nose, deepening the kiss to show you that he had indeed missed you too.

He pulled away, not because he wanted to, but because he didn’t want to communicate this late too. Megumi rested his forehead against yours as he looked at you, forcing himself to maintain eye contact despite how vulnerable he felt expressing himself so openly.

“I love you too.”

Only then did he kiss you again.

It was colder than it should have been for autumn. The perfect season for the short, delicate purple perennials that bloom around this time. There were dozens of them, but none seemed dangerous. Neither you nor Kakashi noticed the creamy-yellow pollen bursting from them, leaving a heavily scented trail behind the path you had just walked.

Soon enough, you felt as if something had widened your blood vessels, improving blood flow. The rush came out of nowhere, and it had nothing to do with chakra. Maybe your body was adjusting to the forest’s conditions?

Your nose scrunched, your steps feeling heavier.

“Something’s wrong.”

“Hm? Based on what exactly?”

“On my intuition.” You could hear his skeptical thoughts. “I swear. It’s... Forget it. Can you just trust me?”

“Of course. What’s the purpose without trust between shinobi?”

“Fuck you…” Your words faded as something else caught your attention.

The yōkai tree that looked like an ordinary tree made you step closer to it, hands on your knees as you leaned toward it.

“Wow, this actually looks cool.”

Kakashi grabbed your arm sharply at the same moment the plant moved slowly toward you, slowly as if it were hiding its urgency.

You glared at him as he dragged you along behind him. Kakashi looked completely unfazed as he spoke, his hand leaving your skin.

“If you want to be drained of blood, I’ll let you go.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Vampiric tree. It’s said to bleed like a living creature. They usually grow on former battlefields.”

You raised an eyebrow as you followed him, murmuring to yourself.

“And why are they here?”

Kakashi shrugged. He looked around the vast wilderness. The unnatural layers of canopy blocked out most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor into a permanent, gloomy shadow.

The undergrowth was incredibly dense, making navigation difficult and concealing potential threats. He spoke while trying to choose the most reliable path.

“That’s why your intuition tells you something’s wrong?”

You shook your head. His teasing tone irritated you enough to maintain your annoyed expression.

You looked ahead before him, analyzing the path he had chosen as both of you lowered your heads beneath the massive plants, until you spotted one you recognized from its characteristics. A Keyaki? A deciduous tree native to Japan, with a vase-shaped crown and intensely serrated leaves. In a forest like this, you weren’t sure it was much different from barbed wire if it made impact with little skin.

“Kakashi.”

He slowed his pace until you moved in front of him, cutting away the serrated leaves with the kunai that was rested next to your knees, before they could brush against his body. When you turned to glance up at him, Kakashi’s eyes lingered across your face.

“Move away. It has thorns. Don’t touch it.”

He held your gaze for a second, and it left you dizzy, momentarily unaware of where you were until you turned around and continued walking ahead of him. Kakashi murmured something in response, but you ignored it.

“Mhm. Thank you.”

At least he isn’t Mr. Perfect, you thought.

Still, your focus wasn’t here—not on him, not even on yourself. It felt as though it had drifted somewhere else entirely. Something was happening, but what? Was this how you felt as a child during those exams? No, this was completely different. This was unexplored territory.

You glanced up, jumping onto a tree as you followed Kakashi, barely looking back at whatever little creature had just let out a growl, hidden closer to both of you. You didn’t want to know.

You weren’t far from the other side. Shouldn’t the destination be closer?

In fact, the problem was that you were only in the middle of the forest.

🍃

Being an ANBU member was not as validating as it seemed, despite being handpicked by the village head, chosen for your individual capabilities and specialized kills. There were apparently no true ranks within the ANBU either, only divisions. Kakashi's and yours was Team Ro. Well, before that, the two of you had a brief stint in Root—the worse one. You suspected that's why you were assigned to this mission specifically. Having served in both worlds, the mission didn't seem too dangerous, nor too easy.

The decision to remain in ANBU was because it was an elite tactical squad operating under the direct command of the Hokage. Not because you liked the Hokage or anything. You couldn't stand him. Still, after Orochimaru's infiltration during the Chunin Exams, no one wanted to let all of it go to waste without reinforcing the village's safety. That's why both of you needed to find one of his hideouts, to gather more intel. Once inside this massive forest spanning a 10-kilometer radius, Orochimaru had shed his disguise, blended into the dense, perilous wilderness, and infiltrated the kids' exam. One of them was now literally cursed because of it.

Another reason you remained on this team was because Kakashi was its captain. Annoying as it sounded to admit out loud, he was a good ninja with far more experience in the shinobi world. Respectable, right? Yet, Kakashi managed to get under your skin in more ways than one. First, every time he spoke, he manages to always irritated you somehow. And the other... you weren't particularly proud of. To admit something like this? You will probably need a very hard drug to do it so.

Coming back, you knew you should head northwest of Konoha. That was where other comrades had found traces suggesting one of Orochimaru's hideouts might be located, roughly 300 to 500 kilometers away, approximately a two-to-three-day journey on foot for a standard shinobi, somewhere near his possible base in the Land of Grass.

As you tried to gather your thoughts, mapping the route and sensing your geographical position, you could feel your mind blurring, barely finishing a sentence, let alone formulating a plan. What the hell is happening? Should you take break? Since when do you need a break? For what? Walking 1 day and a half? Impossible. It was more concering when the shadow that just appeared before you was noticed only as it passed by, not beforehand as it should have been. You watched the next movements as though time had slowed, seeing a hand place an explosive tag on a tree. Kakashi had disappeared long ago, and you…only now, you reacted.

You exhaled, trying to regain some semblance of control, hands pressed against the ground, one knee striking the earth. Your reflexes still responded, tilting your head instantly once—a shuriken flew past. Twice—the second shuriken followed as you vanished from the spot again. How many they are?

From his concealed position, Kakashi analyzed the situation, counting five shadows so far. They wore dark robes, their faces hidden beneath hoods that obscured nearly everything. Five? Wasn't the Sound Five team eliminated during the Chunin Exams? Or were they Orochimaru's clones, meant to throw you into confusion? More importantly, where were you? He hadn't sensed your chakra nearby the way he had expected after the surprise attack.

Kakashi was certain they were getting closer to the source, that they were on the right trail. Otherwise, this ambush wouldn't exist. He quickly glanced toward the sudden noise, tracking the movements around him until he saw the scene unfolding before him—or rather, beneath him, since he was perched in a tree.

Two shadows farther back. One shadow closer, on the adjacent branch, moving toward you horizontally. Two more on another parallel branch.

The shock Kakashi felt came when, unexpectedly, one of the figures in the rear hurled a sickle, splintering the hardwood so violently that the branch cracked nearly in half. The chain attached to it wrapped around the branch above you, enough to throw you off balance. One of the shadows bend enough for your leg to be touched by a kunai, but you retreat. He watched as your hands—almost as if they were trembling, because otherwise he couldn't explain it—moved far too slowly for a shinobi toward the twin chakra-infused sickles secured in the straps across your back. By the time your hands reached behind your head and your fingers curled around them, it was already too late. His Sharingan did not lie.

The shadows nearly collided. One second they were attacking you, the next you had vanished completely, one of the figures forcing the already unstable branch until it plunged into the void below.

Kakashi looked down at you, noticing your dilated pupils, probably from the adrenaline. He couldn't say anything yet. No. They needed to leave. He didn't know if he could take all of them down without knowing what they were capable of, and with you in this condition, the risk was far too great. Kakashi couldn't ignore the unexplicable fear he felt when you saw you there. Not even know, when he glance at you once in a while as your face was hidden in his chest for a reason he doesn't understand.

🍃

It’s bad. It’s really bad.

Kakashi jumped over the furthest three he found, loosening his grip around you when one of your legs hit the massive branch. You pressed one hand against the wood, bending your body slightly as you tried to catch your breath.

“How is it possible you didn’t deflect that?”

You could only manage a small scowl, too disturbed for anything else. Your ears started ringing like the whole forest was infected with a whistle genjutsu, carrying disturbing high-frequency notes meant to disorient the enemy’s senses. Or just a really bad bird song.

“Shut up—“

You hissed at the sudden uneasy feeling in your body, scrunching your eyebrows as you bent down, hair falling toward the distant ground that promised a completely unwelcome fall from this height. Just a fleeting movement and Kakashi’s hand found your arm again, stabilizing you in a second. Something was wrong. With you.

“What’s happening?”

At the lack of an answer, only the sound of your heavy breathing, Kakashi guided your arm over his shoulder as his own came behind your body, supporting your back as he took you down with him, jumping on the ground. He placed you down as gently as he could, but he felt the way you had gripped his clothes until now, your form now resting against the enormous tree.

“Are you hurt?” He looked over the small cut from the kunai, staining your training pants with blood. “Here?”

It’s really just a scratch. The tension in your shoulder muscles was more painful from the hit you had taken. But Kakashi had already ripped the fabric of your pants, his hand moving swiftly to locate the medical kit in his pack until his fingers found it.

Your eyes widened when his mask was lowered to his chin, his teeth tearing through the bandage and pulling off a long strip—enough to wrap around the wound one, two, tree more times — after he poured disinfectant over it. His fingers were warm as they brushed against your bare leg. He inspected the injury while you gasped at his touch, and he glanced at you, assuming it was because of the—pain?

“Kakashi, stop—It’s not—”

Kakashi pressed the back of his palm against your forehead, feeling the elevated heat of your skin.

He had never seen you like this. Kakashi had witnessed your wounded expression only once before, during an ANBU mission at the very beginning, and it had been nothing like this.

“What is it? Was their weapon poisoned?”

No, for fuck’s sake! You had felt this sensation simmering inside you even before the ambush, but your tongue refused to cooperate long enough to form coherent words. Your only focus was to breathe and breathe—

“No!”

“But what?”

“Hell, it’s so fucking embarrassing.”

He was so close that it made your heart pound wildly.

“What? What is it embarrassing? You need to tell me."

You moved away as much as possible, which was hardly at all. Your head resting against the tree trunk, your hands disturbing the earth beneath you from where you sat.

"I’m fucking… I’m fucking aroused, Kakashi! Okay? God, I wanna die. From all the goddamn things—to be here with…no, fuck!”

Kakashi’s hands stopped in an instant; his whole body froze as you continued rambling. You swipe the sweat over your face, leaning more on the three behind you, your body twitching against the ground.

“It’s like I took 3 bottles of aphrodisiac. It’s similar! I tried before, okay? I’m sure it is—“

You hissed as your thighs suffocated the heat between your legs, where the problem is. His shocked expression makes you feel he is taken aback, mostly disgusted by the way your mind is fragile. Unaware that Kakashi was indeed taken aback because it was the last thing he expected to hear from your mouth.

This is not good. He shouldn’t be here. No, you shouldn’t be here in the middle of the forest. Kakashi glanced around; the Copy Ninja seemed like he was going to pieces. Never thought about you like this. He never speaks with you about things like this. Yes, he heard you talk vaguely over a glass or two of sake about some hook-up with some jōnin from other villages with different rank names he doesn't remember now. Rating the experience, complaining, or praising based on their skills or—but it wasn’t his business. Not his place to talk about his own personal experiences and indulge in a conversation.

Still, he is also a liar.

He was younger that time, struggling with hormones a person could have, feeling guilty enough to have such a depraved thought about his comrade, no matter the gender. But he shut down that door inside his head pretty fast, not indulging in any filthy fantasies, repriming his urges in general, especially towards you.

His attention comes back to you, aware again and aware of your lack of air.

“We might not be the closest, but I trust you, okay?” What— “I trust you enough to not die here so pathetically from this fucking jutsu—or what the hell is this! I need to—Fuck!”

His eyes widen when you start putting your shirt over your head while his own turn so quickly in shame.

“[Name]—“ He looked around, feeling so stuck his own heart was leaping so hard.

“I really need to do something—please, leave me alone for a second. I don't—"

"No," Kakashi wet his lips. You shouldn’t be alone here. “You shouldn’t be alone. It’s dangerous and—“

“Kakashi, I need to touch myself like right now. Can’t you understand?”

His own breath was enough when his own mind betrayed him.

“Do you want me to help you with that?"

Am I hearing things?

“W-What? Why…why should I let you? It's clear you feel disgusted, and I’ll never force—"

“I’m not. I’m not disgusted.” He’s not at all. You don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s not the problem. “We need to resolve this fast, to get out away from this.” But you’re not conscious of consenting to such things, and he feels so damn guilty. “I’ll stay here. I’m not going to look—“

“Are you insane? I could ever—Oh! Fucking hell—I will, fuck—“

Kakashi's eyes lingered on the way your own hands try to give some sort of comfort by letting faint touches fall on your body. He catches himself, glancing back at you.

"Can you help me do a barrier ninjutsu?"

You tried to understand the meaning behind his inquiry, but all you could feel was fear. You swallowed harshly when Kakashi's hands grabbed yours, trying to ground you more in the present as his dark grey eyes messed with your mind.

"What…what are you saying?"

"Focus on me, please. We need to limit access here. Now."

More specifically, the seal will manipulate a specific point of space. The realization freaked you out even more.

"To trap me in a void here? With you? No—"

Kakashi let out a deep breath.

"[Name], trust me. Please."

The invisible sphere that seals away any opening has the possibility of being destroyed; however, doing so would require a tremendous amount of effort.

Kakashi moved your elbows into the position of starting basic hand seals as a first step.

"You remembered, right? What I showed you?"

You eventually nodded, listening to him. As both of you complete the hand signs, you struggle to channel a steady stream of chakra to your hands and touch the group. Kakashi put his hand over yours, transferring his chakra outwards, weaving an invisible barrier mesh across the perimeter of the area. He made a final hand sign, a mental command to seal the deal. The problem is, your chakra is already destabilized, and it will clear very quickly, so that remains for Kakashi to use almost all this chakra to maintain both of you here, as he was more plausible to remain conscious to concentrate.

“F-Fucking hell.” You start unzipping your pants, hands trembling in need.

“[Name],” Kakashi moistened his lips, catching only a glimpse of your panties. “Breathe. I’ll turn around.” You struggled to let out a laugh, not a hint of amusement in it. Your hand comes right between your thighs, struggling against the tight little space, not patient enough to undress yourself completely. You hissed at the first touch with your pulsating clit, not even teasing with light touches, circling around but pressing to feel more, your arousal already soaking a big spot on your underwear. Hell, they are not even your best panties. You spread your folds before trying to focus on a satisfactory rhythm, but it was so torturous—your blood burning and pumping in your veins, feeling jittery all over your body. Your foot pressing into the ground harshly, seeing your own legs with a diplopic vision. Your half-lidded eyes were open, seeing Kakashi’s back as you glance down at the pumping veins on his arms, hands — placed on the ground, hidden under that fucking attractive black blouse he usually wears in missions, tightening against his toned body.

He tried to literally ground himself, almost like he could’ve let him gather a high concentration of his lightning chakra, breaking the ground under him. The squelching sounds of your pussy drive Kakashi mad, feeling like an intruder, like he shouldn’t be here. His eyes closed as he heard your moans, blaming the universe for not even having the possibility to use Kamui since his chakra is needed here. You cursed under your breath, letting your hand from between your legs fall to the side, mirroring the other one as you breathed out agonizingly. “Turn around.” He flinched, his head shifting imperceptibly. “Please, Kakashi. H-Help me.” Kakashi took his time, looking in front of him before slowly, torturously turning around. Your eyes eat him alive, forcing him to look at you and see how dishevelled you are right now, with your top long gone and your breasts straining to slip off that bra, luring one to bite the skin above, to suck it, to worship it. He sizes you up, but how couldn’t he? When do you look so devilishly beautiful? “Will you f-fucking help me?” Your hand comes around your breast, squeezing it for any form of relief as he follows the motion before he drags himself closer to you. “[Name], there’s no going back from…this.” He let you take his hand to come touch your breast, placing your own on top of his. “I only want you to feel good.” He swallowed hard at your taunting tone. “Yeah?” He palmed your breast slowly, his mouth parted as he watched how you let out sweet notes of pleasure. “Then make me feel good, Kakashi.” You lifted as much as you could to be closer to him, looking up at him as your eyes fell on his lips and then on his cautious eyes. “Kiss me.” Fuck. He couldn’t even speak or even try to stop you when his brain was intoxicating enough to lower his head at the same time you move, feeling your soft, dry lips against his for the first time. Kakashi’s knees dragged against the ground as he draw closer, inclining his body to tower over you. One hand squeezed your breast, the other coming behind your head, deepening the kiss. Your teeth grazed his lower lip before tugging it, and it only made him more aroused, gripping your hair slightly just for you to moan against his swollen lips. He gave you a short glance before kissing you again, feeling your shuttering breath, his tongue slip inside your mouth.  Kakashi kissed you gently, carefully, but it wasn’t gentleness you wanted, not now, not after all this time, and as you knotted your fists in his shirt, you pull him harder against you. He groaned against your mouth, not interrupting for even a second. Slowly, cautiously, he draws a path over your shivering body, letting his fingers brush against your bra straps, letting them fall over your shoulder. Going further between your breasts, down to your belly, squeezing, caressing the heat of your skin on your waist as your hands come over his shoulders, giving him no chance to breathe.

You whined, biting your own lips as you started panting, no longer capable of kissing back because his hand came to touch your thighs, between them, hovering, and then shortly above your waistline. It was too little space for his liking, but he still felt hesitant to continue.

“Should I take them off?” You nodded exasperatedly, your hands coming on both sides of your body, leaning over the three as you saw him taking your pants off, gentle in his movements while he looked up at you. When you part your legs, he felt ashamed for looking shortly after at how soaked you are, at how erotic you look right now, giving him your trust for him to take care of you in such a vulnerable state.

He comes to his previous position, a hand cupping your jaw, and he starts kissing you again when you desperately, insistently search for him. Kakashi was devastated by how you moaned every time he touched you, felt you, or tasted you.

On the other hand, you felt terribly lightheaded, feeling a tingling sensation down your spine while your body was so exhaustingly needy for any relief you’re not sure what could help you, and the way Kakashi kissed you didn’t help either. He didn’t kiss you like it was the first time. He kissed you like he’s been waiting for a long time for this exact moment. And you know that was impossible, but how can you explain the way he watched you right now? Like everything you say, directly or not, it’s a mental note for him to take care of. Or how his mouth parted, sighing sharply when his fingers came slipping past your waistline, coming to feel the radiant heat against them. The first touches of his fingertips make your hips twitch. “F-Fuck…” “Feels good?” His moves were fast and quick, knowing there’s no way to torture you by the way you are soaked. You hummed in agreement, eyebrows scrunching, eyes shut off to focus on his touch. You breath out, barely conscious of your words when you looked down at how his hand between your legs, fingers moving in circles around your clit. “I can’t believe you’re touching me when I’m like this. Why did it happened this way—“ Your own moan cut you off, eyes opening wide.  ‘Why did it happen this way?’ You’re intoxicated. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Kakashi put a hand over your hips to immobilise you, knowing you are already closer to orgasm. “God, you’re damn annoying. You never looked at me before—” You wanted him to look? He swallowed down the aggravating feeling in his chest, closing the distance as his face was inches apart, lips brushing. “Shh.” “You don’t believe me—you think I’m a fucking liar—” He cupped your cheeks to stop you.  “I believe you.” He doesn’t. He can’t. “Focus on me, [Name].” Your breath catches, opening your mouth in an ‘O.’. “Mhm. Like this. Let go.” His fingers dragged your orgasm over your clit until your muffled screams against his chest, his head lowering down toward your neck. Your heavy breath against his sensitive spot, your tight grip against his arm muscle, the scent of your arousal glistening now visible on his finger as he just slowly start slipping in and out of your pussy, testing your entrance—everything drives Kakashi madder. “Mhmm—” you whimpered, feeling him stretching your insides so fast by how soaked you were that he needed to add another one. “Please...” You gasped when he hit that tight, sweet spot, making you involuntary spasm in his embrace, lifting your head until he glanced down to see your fucked-up, but very beautiful gaze. Kakashi swallowed, his own breathing betrayed him, telling you directly how affected he is. “Put your hands like this.” His arm comes behind you, taking you closer until your own weak ones come over his shoulders, his head promoted next to your neck, nipping the skin there between your lovely sounds that you gave him. “Fuck, Kakashi—” you moaned as his rhythm turned faster, the end of his palm giving you friction against your clit at every flapping sound made by his deeper, ruthless fingering. “It feels…I can’t—I can’t explain!” He licked his lips, breathing out. “Tell me.” He turned his head to whisper against your ear. “Tell me how it feels.” “I never…Oh, f—” Your eyes roll into your head, feeling a tension in your bones starting to build. His arm gripped yours tighter, his fingers didn’t stop pumping inside. “I feel...like a—p-pressure down there!” “Mmm. You do?” He straightened himself, letting you fall back gradually onto the tree, knees rising slightly as legs parted for him more. His thumb came to add another stimulation over your clit, and his rhythm faltered for a moment when he glanced at you and then at your belly. Kakashi knows what you mean. Yet, it seems you don’t. “Kakashi, w-what—”

He puts his other hand over your belly, near your waistline, adding a pressure you didn’t know you needed. Or you don’t. You didn’t know what you were feeling, a mix of fear and need for something you didn’t experience; the overwhelming sensations made your head numb, wanting release again as soon as possible. Your name falls from his lips, trying to open your half-lidded eyes to be here with him. “I’ll make you feel good like I promised.” When he crunched down, enough for you to understand what he would do, only giving you a quick look, your hands were too late to stop him, instead gripping his hair when Kakashi started eating you out. One of your palms comes to rest over one of his, pressing on your belly. “Fuck, fuck, fuck—”

Kakashi pulled back to pant for air, avoiding your gaze to don’t let it stuck with him forever. He grunted and his tongue flicked faster, his forearms flexing as he held your trembling thights down. He licked your pussy with broad, slow strokes first before beginning to devour you once he felt yout clit swlling against his tongue. With his vigorous, repetitive thrust, his tongue lapping and sucking over your clit, and the added pressure you already felt before all this, your thighs come in an instant around his head, trapping him here as you scream. It felt surreal, like you were high on drugs, and not on the ones you were already on while a colorless, fluid come all over his mouth. You didn’t realize at first, seeing stars behind your eyelids, now shut completely. Only the way he was cleaning you up, lapping all the juices of your squirt and orgasm, made you conscious again, tugging his hair with the faint trail of power you had.  Your hand fell from his hair, your fingers brushing over his face, his cheek, as you were completely perplexed by Kakashi, his mouth, his chin—all soaked.  But his eyes, God, his eyes were so fucking entrancing, like the only person in this world that he could desire right now is you. Did you just…? No…you never did. But it was the best, intense orgasm you had. Your senses were so clouded, still so clouded, that you felt if he wasn’t here with you from beginning, you wouldn’t know what to do.  His mouth parted when one of your fingers grazed his lips, and you felt your pussy clenching when he swirled his tongue around it, taking your hand to sit still as he sucked now on two of your fingers.  He is so fucking good.  Your eyes glanced slowly, seeing how tight his combat pants were in the middle.

Kakashi sensed the way you feel, like a subtle hint a cat might attack him by the manacing, predatory gaze in her, either because she likes him or because she doesn’t. And right now, it’s definitely not the second option. A jolt of electricity runs down your spine, like your chakra that kept both of you hidden (long gone before your first orgasm) was now only supplied by him when hou over him, knees resting on both sides to sit on his lap. His hands come quickly to rest on your waist. “[Name]—” You cupped both of his cheeks, your mouth finding his, shutting him off, barely letting him breathe between your kisses. “How…d-do you feel?” He hissed when you grind right against his leaking tip, propping his shorts. The fact is, Kakashi felt himself ashamed for indulging so much previously in how beautiful you reacted to him that now he has a bad conscience.  “Better.” “Then we should—” “Now I want to make you feel good.” Your tongue slips inside his mouth again, making his terrible life more struggling by how your naked body grinds on him and your other hand comes under his skin to touch everywhere you can. You stopped the kiss, letting others, wet and hot, fall down his neck. “You don’t need to. I only want you to feel capable enough to…”  Kakashi’s words fall off his mouth when you start lowering yourself more and more until you play with his pants, your body bending, ass rising in the air. Hell, thank God you are protected, only seen by him. But the thought it’s not not for too long make him more alerted. Kakashi doesn’t have infinite chakra, and he would really need to preserve it. What if the ambush happens again after you both want to leave and— “But I want to. Can I?” He glanced down at you, seeing more clearly your intoxicated gaze and your rushed, desperate movements, like that cursed pollen didn’t even get completely absorbed into your body but to be eliminated. His hips buckled when your fingertips move around his bare waistline, giving him a soft peck here. “Can I, Kakashi?” He’s completely done. You’ll definitely hate him, won’t you? Still, he tried again to stop you. “I’d…rather make you feel good.” His hand came on your shoulder when you nuzzled your face here, feeling the urge to escape the prison of your seductive spells. “I want to feel you inside my mouth, please. I need it.” Kakashi’s eyes widen, more aroused by the way you speak and look at him, playing with the edge of his trousers.

He didn’t realize he nodded.  Kakashi didn’t even hear the rustle of the leaves swirling in the wind, his knees scraping the ground, or his pants’ zipper being dragged down—only an agitating, ringing sound in his ears, his grey eyes totally bewitched by you. Kakashi groaned at the same time you moaned when you licked the wet spot with his precum imprinted over the shorts, taking his dick in your hand. He’s still surprised he didn’t cum yet after he ate you previously. Kakashi will definitely not forget that image of you getting off his face, letting him swallow every drop. He was too focused on making you release the toxins from your blood, too focused to make you scream. And now? He feels pathetic in your hands. All control vanished from him as he let you free him of his shorts; the faint coldness of the air barely touched his dick before you warmed it up already, swirling your tongue over his tip. “Ah…” His deep voice was all you could hear and want to hear, and his taste was all you wanted to eat right now, to taste him on your lips as you kiss his dick from the bottom to the top until you couldn’t wait to take him in your mouth.

You hummed inch by inch, letting it still inside your throat to make him weak a little before slipping away. You stroke him as you watch him unravel. “God, I wish you were like this instead of me.” Kakashi closed his eyes, breathing heavily. You whisper before coming to take him in your mouth again. “To see you more like this.” He throbbed in your mouth as you sucked him on and on without stopping, making his hand come to rest on your head and sending vibrations down his veins when you moan— saliva slipped down your chin from the sloppy deepthroat you start to give him. He tugged your hair at the feeling, only spurring you to choke on him again. Making you more lightheaded than you already were. When Kakashi glances down to make eye contact with you, you come to your senses for a moment by the look he gives you, realizing your position. “Y-Yes? Would you like me to lose composure like that for you?” Is he teasing me? He is as aroused as me? No. It might be from my intoxication. It sure is. Damn, you want him so fucking bad. All of him. You glanced away, focusing on making him cum, but Kakashi didn’t have any intent to do so, trying only to offer you what you wanted with his body, not like he wasn’t feeling extremely pleased by the fact you were just kneeling between his legs with his dick in your mouth. He is despicable, isn’t he? As he tried to provide you more pleasure, touching your breast, your back, your face—his whole body stuck him in place, incapable of doing more when you didn’t relent, sucking the life out of him until he filled your mouth deep enough to make your throat bulge and your wall tightness to grip his tip enough that he was sure he would cum now if he didn’t stop. “[Name], please—stop. I’ll—” He tugged your hair a little, not to hurt, but to try to signal he might cum; his other hand came to cup your face, but Kakashi was completely finished when you glanced up at him one more time before his cum spilled inside your throat, your mouth working to swallow all he gave you.

Kakashi’s face was so intimate you felt your chest pumping violently, and not because of the sex. You’re not sure who was more desperate to lap the other’s cum by the way you clean him off, licking his balls and kissing his dick one more time before you came to kiss him, coming over him.  Kakashi hugs your form, glitching a little when you sit over him by how overwhelmed he is by the way you behave. He can handle you. Of course he can. But you lost precious time to make him cum when he was the one supposed to take care of you. You don’t realize any of this right now, and his guilt only accentuates every time he has a second to breathe. Not that you let him. You take his hands to come over your ass, letting him squeeze it, your breast touching his lean chest as you eat each other out. You stopped only to breath against his lips. “Strip your clothes off.” His amused glint was here by how demanding you sounded, yet Kakashi was also…afraid. Still afraid. You are both naked. In the middle of the forest. His chakra is at his limit. And the next step will literally dig his grave further. But how could he tell you? He let his shirt fall over, and by the way you looked at him, Kakashi’s breath rested in his throat for a second by your words.  “You’re so beautiful.” Did you really mean all you told him until now? Since when do you feel about him like this? Or will you react the same with other men in this condition? He feels agitated just by the thought of some asshole having the chance to see you so open.  His bad luck comes from the fact his mask couldn’t save him both times today. You thought you imagined it when you saw his face flustered. But he didn’t when he saw yours. Kakashi comes to hug you again, squeezing your ass before lifting you more over his lower abdomen as his head comes next to yours. “You’re more beautiful, believe me.” He didn’t realize he only riled you by the way his fingers caressed your back. “Very beautiful and alluring.” Or by the way his hoarse voice whispered praises in your ear.

Kakashi only hoped you’d come to your senses until he heard your voice. “Kakashi… Please, I need you to…” He brushed his lips over yours, pleading with his eyes for you to not say it. “To what?” You kissed him slowly, sensually, nipping his bottom lip between your teeth. You lowered yourself on him, feeling his dick twitch at the movement. “To feel me.” He looked in another direction, trying to blink away the desire you light inside of him. “Are you sure? Do you want to...” Your hands come over him, your forehead rests against him as you try to make him look at you. “Don’t make me humiliate myself more, Kakashi. Fuck me, please—” His eyes widen at your words, feeling the urge to wipe them off with his lips pressing against yours. “[Name], you’ll hate me if—” “I’m the one taking advantage!”

He swallowed, shaking his head, yet his grip tightened on your thighs as you moved slowly.  “You’re not in your right mind—“ No. This is worse. He looked at your desperate, lustful yet hurt expression and felt a pang in his chest. You lowered your head over his shoulder as you mumbled. “S-So you don’t want to…”

His hand comes to take your face in his hands, pecking your lips.  “I do.” He let his lips leave his love marks against your skin, showing his care. “I’ll do it.” Not even a condom in his useless backpack could be found. Not like he would ever think to bring one in a mission with you. That thought was completely nonexistent before. Your legs trembled as you felt his hand come under your body, taking his dick as he started sliding his tip between your folds. He circled at your entrance, his eyes only glancing up at you or at your lips. He whispered, not sure where to look first to gather his answer. “Can I?” “Yes. Do what you want. Inside me, please—“ His dick started entering you, and Kakashi’s lungs had no air left at the feeling, still he focus was on all your faces.  “F-Fuck.” You’re so wet, yet his girth makes you struggle from this position. He grasps you tight, whispering encouraging, sweet nonsense in your ears. “I’m here. I’m here.” You whined, breathing hard as you clamped down his dick, feeling your legs tremble little by little. Kakashi felt at the brink of death when he felt your tight walls giving a warmth he was not sure he could resist. Or resist against it.  “Please, relax. It’s going to hurt if you don’t—”

You head rested against his, both foreheads covered with little drops of sweat. “I don’t care.” You take him all in in that moment, making your head fall back and him groaning at the addictive feeling. “Take me.” How could he not respond to that?

He raised his hips, hitting exactly where you want him to. “Oh God—“ Your legs burn so sweet as you ride his dick. “Y-Yes, yes—Like that.” His dick feels so good inside you. You tremble in need, filling his ear with your cries. And Kakashi was not better. “I need more. Baby, p-please.” Baby? His heart can’t take too much of this. Kakashi’s arm rested high on your back, now his hand come around your neck. “Don’t move.” He lowered you on the ground, slipping slowly in the process. He looked over your face, assessing how aware you are.  “Kakashi, I swear to God—“

There’s no point of stopping now. “Spread your legs for me. Can you do that?” You almost bite your lip, your cheeks flushed instantly as your closed legs now start spreading for Kakashi. He is sure he shouldn’t be allowed to deserve this. Your arms over your chest were quickly set aside by him before one rested on his elbows. “I’m sure you’ll hate me.” “I can’t hate you—“ He stopped you with his dick coming back inside you, not yet used to the incredible feeling. Kakashi can see you better now, and he’s not sure if it’s a bad thing or not. For his blood pressure sure is. He starts feeding you more, thrusting inside as he watches you cry for him. You want to feel him forever. You’re sure. And it’s not because of the toxins. You already felt you sweat at least half of it out. Kakashi’s gaze followed how you bite your lip, by how deep he is inside you, tears threaten to fall on your cheeks, and they do when he moves faster, his body so close you almost seem fused together. You felt his warm breath against your face, your lashes fluttering when you felt his lips on your cheeks, kissing the tears away. “Here?” “Mhm!” His hand comes to find a way between your bodies, letting your skin breathe only for a singular purpose. You nod frantically when he starts grazing your swollen clit, helping you reach closer to your orgasm. And truly you didn’t need long. Soon enough, air left your lungs at every harsh, deep thrust until he started going faster, nodding frantically at him. “I’m going to cum again— Kakashi, please!” He claimed your lips. “Do it. You can do it.” He whispered against them. “I need you too, sweetheart.” “Oh God—Mhmmm! You feel so good. So fucking good. Do I feel good for you?” “Y-Yes.” Like heaven. “So good.”

You’re so damn talkative. Who would’ve thought? You want to literally rewind his brain forever? You came all over his dick, crying against his chest, your orgasm only triggering him way too close to resist the temptation. And when your legs trap him and he realizes that’s really a dangerous zone he will force himself out if necessary. He gripped one of them to lower it down, and you begged against his lips so sweetly. “Baby, no. I’m on the—“ You could be. That’s not a problem. That’s a thing he should speak when you’re in your right mind. If this were ever to happen again. Kakashi hopes it will. It will crush him if not. He realized he doesn’t want anyone else. In any way. He begged you back, his eyes compelling you as his dick was punishing (pleasuring) your insides. You’re not sure. “Please, listen to me.” He places both of your hands above your head with his on top of it, shutting you off with his lips and his harsh, deep pounding. Your eyes roll in the back of your head, your legs completely falling from your waist. He thrusts one more time, pressing his lips against yours before he slips off your pussy at the same time his mouth leaves yours. Kakashi didn’t let your eyes fall off him as he stroked himself between your legs until you could feel some of his warm release between your thighs. He groaned so much at his cum didn’t stop spurring that you’re sure you never heard something so attractive. You didn’t have time to have a small, tiny intrusive thought as reality finally start setting in when he came back, pestering your face with soft kisses as he took you from the ground, your body placed vertically on his lap.  “You’re feeling okay?” His lower, deeper voice, like a cradle song. “Tell me, [Name].” Kakashi left a kiss on your forehead.  “Mhm, mhm.” He turned his body to search for a vest, his backpack with his sleeping bag, or anything to hide both of your bodies in. You murmured, exhausted. “Do you like me, Kakashi?” He paused his wandering hands over the ground, completely taken aback.  You’ll probably not remember his answer. That’s his hope. But he didn’t look at you when he said it. “I do.” You murmured against his chest one more time before your body slowly let you fall asleep in less than a minute. “Your heart beats so fast.” He sighed, tugging you against him so you wouldn’t get cold, or…for other reasons too. Kakashi mumbled, resting his head on yours.  “You should hear yours.” A flicker of chakra was all he felt inside of him, sensing the barrier exposing your presence at the same time the pieces of clothing were thrown on both of you, vanishing instantly.  🍃 In a simple, hidden cave that served as a subterranean room used to rest, stash scrolls, or hide from tracking ninjas, you stayed unconscious until now. You flinched as you woke up, aware of how stiff your body felt. A blush spread across your cheek as you felt your bare body, warmed under Kakashi’s blanket—which he’d probably use for his missions. You struggled so much to get dressed that it felt like it took an hour, using whatever clothes were still wearable—that is, pants and a top. Your underwear was hanging on a wire, stuck deep into the rock so it wouldn’t fall. Thoughtful of him? Yes. Embarrassing for you? Yes.

What did you do? A sigh escaped your mouth as you managed to come outside the hideout, making Kakashi glance briefly from where he was patrolling until now while you slowly came to sit next to the small fire, close enough to where you had rested. You avoided his eyes, and he knew it. “How do you feel?” You put your elbows on your knees, raising yourself slightly into a more comfortable position. For the first time, you looked at him, forcing a smile that was still genuine. “Surprisingly, I feel much better than I did before the mission. You took care of me,” you added, your voice lowered a tone. “...Thank you.”

Kakashi hummed, not mentioning the fact that helping someone shouldn’t be praised for having common sense. You moved a stick through the ashes that spelled the end of the fire, as if you wanted to fill the silence around you with anything that could make it bearable. His way-too-early question surprised you, making you stiffen. “Did you mean what you said?” You groaned while both your palms tried to hide your face, too red to blame on the fire. “Can we not speak about it? It was humiliating.” He answered shortly, much like your response. “Did I make you feel bad?” “No.” “Good.” He shared a faint smile with you. Then, you bit your lip in distress, wondering if you should risk it. After all, you could play dumb, minimizing all of your big, so fucking obvious, confessions. You were drugged, right? But you were not a liar. “...Yes. I meant it.” You glanced in another direction, your chin resting on your hand. Your eyes wandered mindlessly despite your spiraling thoughts and the heart that threatened to escape your constricted ribs. “Quite surprising.” You looked at him, confused. Kakashi slipped his hand into your backpack, and you only now noticed he had been handling it. He threw you a bottle of water, and you caught it smoothly, taking a much-needed sip to relieve your dehydrated mouth. A flashback of you screaming his name flooded your mind, but you swallowed down the intrusive image with another gulp. “How so?” His tone was amused, dissipating the tension in the icy air the night provided. “You were not exactly the friendliest person before. I usually catch it quickly when someone is interested.” You placed your hands on either side of your body, leaning back as you snorted, a mirthful glint in your eyes. “I’m sorry that the perceptive Kakashi Hatake himself didn’t uncover my feelings. You’re not so easy to read either, by the way.” He breathed out a laugh, not retorting for once. Kakashi wasn’t the only one curious about what had happened, about what you had both said. You started carefully. “How were you not affected by the pollen?” He took part of his mask between his fingers, tapping it back against his face. “I made some changes to it. It’s now enchanted with a material that blocks toxins in the air.” “That’s cheating.” “Don’t tell anyone.”

The corner of your mouth twitched, suppressing a smile. Yet how could he have been so affected? Did you remember it wrong? The way he touched you, tasted you, and fucked you? More like... made love to you? Spoke so intimately, so sweetly to you? You caught yourself speaking, and this time Kakashi was visibly tense. His eyes suddenly became very interested in the ground beneath him. “Did you also mean what you said?” His answer came after a minute. “...In a way.” Oh. He glanced at you then, seeing how you had switched places from how you had been before your question—you weren’t here with him anymore. And shinobi were skilled enough to anticipate when a threat lay ahead. A fight, maybe. For him, the discussion had already been difficult enough. He wasn’t prepared for more than this. Although, when you spoke again, he felt caged between his own walls. What used to be a familiar feeling had now slowly transformed into something he wasn’t as comfortable with as before. “So it was only sexual?” Kakashi realized by the trembling tone in your voice that you had understood him in the worst way possible. “No, [Name].” His eyes widened, distressed, as he saw half your face, a tear tracing your cheek. “Don’t...” You turned away, and he had the urge to rise to his feet. He did. It was too late to step back. You only saw his shadow approaching. He crouched down, and slowly, hesitantly, his hand settled over yours, and you fought the urge not to pull away. “That’s not what... I meant.” You wiped the tears away with the back of your hand. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you say.” Kakashi sighed, and it only made you feel worse, like a parent trying to make a child understand something simple. Not knowing how conflicted Kakashi was, how he needed to detach himself from his own discomfort to speak openly about things he didn’t understand yet. “It’s... I didn’t consider this before. It was surprising for me.” “Okay.” He sat down beside you now, taking your hand in his and playing with your fingers, turning the little ring you used to twirl whenever anxiety got the best of you, now using it himself to distract from the intrusive thoughts that surfaced whenever it came to his own vulnerability. Being honest was all he had to offer for now. At least, that’s what he thought. “I wasn’t unaffected like you think. Not only in the way of having you like this.” You furrowed your brows, tilting your head but still not looking at him. “So you meant the other parts or not?” You both spoke so vaguely that if anyone else listened, they wouldn’t understand a thing. “...Yes.” You scoffed, letting out a harsh breath. “I don’t know what to believe.” He didn’t know either. “I understand,” Kakashi admitted eventually. “I never... tried before.” “What? A relationship?” You looked back, your eyes meeting for a second. Fuck, wrong move. Your gaze lingered on his expression, one you hadn’t seen before. He nodded, and you found yourself turning until you faced him fully, both of you sitting on the ground. “I can’t say I’m much different. You know what assholes I’ve met before. But... you’re not that kind of asshole.” His warm chuckle made your heart leap. Only now did you realize how close he was, close enough to hear his slow breathing and to crave his warmth again without being so hot and bothered. “God, if you say this to anyone else, I swear—” He shook his head, cutting you off. “Don’t worry. I’ll never do something like that.” You whispered, searching for him without realizing it. For that part of him you needed now. “I get the feeling you wouldn’t.” When he met your eyes, Kakashi regretted it, forced to weigh your words. How could you see him for what he was? It unsettled him. He needed to do something. Good or bad, he didn’t know. “I don’t want to raise your hopes for nothing.” You studied his face. His words sounded like a rejection, but his tone and expression didn’t match them. You tried something else. “Okay. I get it. You’re allergic to feelings.” He chuckled. “I guess I am. But...”

You tilted your head instantly. “But?” “I’m not sure. I felt something once and never found it again until... you.” You gulped. “What does that mean, Kakashi? Do you want me to be your...” No. That wasn’t the appropriate question. He should be the one. Kakashi interrupts you. “Do you want to be my... cure?” “Yes.”

Your heart has a mind of its own, otherwise you couldn’t explain how or when you leaned closer to Kakashi, softly pecking his lips. He was just as startled as you.

Only for a moment. Kakashi glanced shortly at your lips, then at your eyes one more time before he leaned in back, his lips meeting yours, licking his way into your mouth. The tip of your tongue brushed against his. Just the wet press of his mouth and the quick faltering of his breath make your fingers tighten at his neck, a dizzy drop is present in your stomach every time he comes back for more. A shuddering breath escaped him. When his eyes opened, his innocent gaze was almost gone, swallowed entirely by his pupils. His voice was hoarse, finally feeling at peace for showing without guilt how much he feels for you. “Kakashi, we really shouldn’t—”

“One more time.”

Kakashi pressed his lips against yours, unwilling to wait another second. His tongue writhed deeper, tangling around yours, tasting greedily more and more of you. When he pulled away, both of you looked wrecked by it—cheeks flushed, lips swollen, eyes glistening.

You licked your lips, not daring to see things yet, breaking the spell. When your mouth twitches, failing to stop a smile forming, Kakashi finds his heart violently pumping inside of him, taking your hands in his, glancing away. But you’re sure now of what you see and feel, and his subtle smile didn’t go unnoticed.

At least the tension in his body finally left after the two of you coming to a discussion.

Aware now of your surroundings, you glanced around the darkness spreading around the forest. The small fire is long gone; probably need to make another one until tomorrow. You looked back at Kakashi. You slept until now; he really needs a break from taking care of you all day.  “Come on, let’s switch. I’ll stay awake until morning.”

His answer is coming shortly.

“No, don’t worry.”

Your threatening tone wasn’t missed. “Kakashi.” He didn’t respond, not until he saw the concern between your eyebrows, the unspoken pleading words all over your face. And of course, now he can openly see the lovely glint inside of them. For him. Only for him. “Then, we stay together.” You nodded reluctantly. But not long after, as your fingers carefully play with his soft, silver hair as his head rested on your lap, Kakashi fell asleep. One of the few times in his life, he felt safe enough to be vulnerable, to trust someone.