#ssm20d11

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It’s been a lazy day. Sasuke has just finished running some errands when he decides he’d take it easy the rest of the day. He sits on the couch, eyes wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

It’s the most peaceful he’s ever felt in a long time. He looks over to the table on the side and lingers on a photo frame. It’s their first picture together as Team 7. Sakura gleefully smiled in the middle while Naruto and Sasuke were brooding beside her, and then there’s Kakashi standing behind them with his hands on their heads. He smiles at the fond memory.

It didn’t use to be this fond. He remembers darker times when all he ever wanted was to tear that photograph into pieces and burn it. His gaze lingers at the pinkette and he thinks at how she managed to grow up to be such a fine warrior, woman, friend, companion.

In all honesty, he’s never been so glad to be proven wrong. The life he chose, the life he thought was the only path, turned out to be his biggest mistake. And he has those people in that photograph to thank.

Now, he can’t imagine what life would be like without them. He hates to admit it, but he’s grown to enjoy their presence over time after the war. He’s began to build his life with them in the picture.

Now, there’s just one thing that’s still weighing him down. Guilt.

He’s always been on the receiving end. He believes he’s never done anything to make them happy. He’s heard Sakura say how much she cares about him, how much she loves him a million times. But has he ever said it back to her? He only assumes she knows how much he cares about her. He never thought it was necessary to make that explicit. After all actions speak louder than words. Right?

Heck it’s the only way he’s been raised. No words of affirmation. Even his brother, the only thing he ever did to show his love was through a poke on the forehead.

He feels worry starts to pool at the pit of his stomach.

Being a shinobi has only made him realize that life has an expiration date. You’ll never know when you get to spend time with the people you love. Your life can always end right there and then. There are countless people out there who are not as lucky as them. Who had their life snatched away at such a young age.

He’s not going to take this second chance for granted. Until he’s told her how much he loves her, he’ll always be filled with regret.

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He doesn’t know why three simple words can be so heavy. It’s not supposed to be this hard.

They’ve just finished dinner and Sakura is off doing the dishes in the kitchen. Sasuke stands at the arc that leads to the living room, leaning against the wall. He admires every part of the woman standing in front of her. He takes in her figure, her beauty. All his to admire.

“Sakura.”

“Hm?” Sakura hums in response. Her attention still focused to the task in front of her, the sound of running water filling the room. He comes up behind her and puts his arm around her waist. He feels her lean back to him as he buries his face in the nook of her neck, taking in her scent.

He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. It’s like something is lodged in his throat.

“Nothing.” Pathetic.

He’ll try again another time.

Getting ready for bed, Sakura sits on her side of the bed with a book in her hand. Sasuke steps out of the bathroom, turning off the lights behind him before he takes his place on the bed and shifts to lay his head on the pillow.

Sakura sets her book at the nightstand before turning off the lights. She shifts to a comfortable position, pulling the covers over her torso.

“Night Sasuke-kun.” She turns to her side, facing him. Sakura might be ready for bed, but Sasuke’s mind is still as alert as ever. He keeps staring at the ceiling, heart beating faster than a train.

Should I say it now? She deserves to hear it.

“I love you.” Heart doing somersaults, he half hopes she didn’t hear it, but half hopes she did.

Apparently, she did hear it, because now she’s propping herself up on the elbow and reaching to the lamp to turn it back on.

“What did you just say?” Sakura asks again, trying to make sure she didn’t hear wrong. With the dim light from the lamp, she can now take a good look of his face.

“You heard me.” Sakura’s smile spreads from ear to ear. Oh, she clearly heard him loud and clear. She just needs to hear it again. She nods a few times.

“Say it again.” Sasuke chuckles at her. He turns to his side and looks her straight in the eye.

“I love you.” He makes sure he articulates every syllable. Her smile still in place, she leans forward cupping his cheeks and taking his lips in hers.

He places his free hand on her waist, trailing up her side and landing on her cheek, pulling her closer. He relishes in the way their lips fit together. He’s always loved her and now he finally made sure she hears him say it.