"You're an idiot."
"She was hurt!" Naruto defended.
"You're doing this to yourself." Shikamaru chastised him for letting Sakura do what she did. Naruto's sulking was now prolonging this rehearsal.
"From the top!" The instructor clapped ending their conversation.
-...-
"And so here I am to humbly ask..!" Naruto was standing in the middle of a half empty meeting hall with Shikamaru and two middle-aged councilmen in charge of preparing him for the festival speech.
"You're reciting again." Shikamaru warned him lazily. He really didn't think Naruto was cut out for this.
"This is ridiculous!"
"Use intonation Narutooo." Somewhat effeminate, tall and younger of the two instructors, gestured elaborately trying to emphasize what they mean.
"I am!"
"Hokage Naruto, with all due respect from now on you're going to spend most of your life in the public eye. Get used to it." The other one warned him.
"I'm not! I'll spend it anywhere people need me! I won't sit here and memorize someone else's speeches while the entire country suffers… We have a war knocking on our door and we're idiots if we think a popularity contest is going to stop it from happening. We'll stand together not because of me, but because we're a family, every last one of us, shinobi or not! And all I have to fucking do, is make sure we continue living in peace!"
"Bravo!" The younger councilor started clapping, while the older stared in surprise.
Naruto looked at them confused and Shikamaru smiled looking proud, as if Naruto did something really good. "Heh.." Naruto scratched the back of his head with a light blush.
-…Entrance to the Dessert near the border of the Land of Fire; 2 days later, 12:23 pm…-
Sasuke and his teammates knew they were being tracked for half a day now and were about to set up a trap when Sasuke recognized the pink haired pursuer after them. Sakura landed on the sand just in the nick of time for her not to lose their trace. Sasuke could tell she worked really hard to catch up to them and decided to wait. He doubted this was official, for they would have sent an ANBU instead of a medic.
Sakura stood in front of him, no hello, no nothing... "I love you." It sounded like a declaration of war, not a confession.
"..."
Her eyebrows furrowed. She was familiar with this silent response, but that wasn't going to cut it today. Yet all the anger got stuck in her throat when she saw Sasuke's piercing eyes fixed on hers. Her lips parted, all her determination draining away. "Do you hate…me?" She still chickened out on what she really wanted to ask, her voice failing her at the sight of him.
"I don't love you." Sasuke responded to the unsaid question.
She looked down at the ground hiding her eyes, a blush still on her sad face. "Thank you." She turned to walk away, and Sasuke instructed the two behind him to head out, disappearing himself right behind them.
-…-
But Sakura found herself unable to move. She kept taking an insecure step here and there… That son of a..!
The powerful, pink haired kunoichi landed in front of them for the second time, stopping all three shinobi in their tracks. This time she caught up with them pretty deep in the dessert and Sasuke didn't like that fact. She obviously knew where they were going, to be able to track them this far. But she was alone… Even for a shinobi, such a stunt under right weather conditions can mean death. They waited in silence for a few moments until Sakura finally got the courage to ask. "Are you in love with someone else?" She looked very serious about her question, blatantly ignoring the two ANBU besides Sasuke, who stood there calmly as if two faceless statues.
Sasuke stared at her irritated, but finally realized he has to deal with this once and for all. He looked at one of his ANBU in the corner of his eye and nodded ever so slightly in the direction they were traveling, signaling to go on ahead and wait at the first checkpoint. They immediately disappeared. "It doesn't matter." He fixed his eyes back on Sakura.
"… Are you in love with Hinata then?" He paused and with each new second Sakura grew more scared of the answer.
This time she angered him despite the initial temperance he intended. "I'm doing you a favor, leave it alone."
"A favor?! I waited..! I waited for years!" She stepped forward angrily. "You went on a date with me, you kept telling me you'll return, y..! I deserve an answer Sasuke!" He voice was low and angry, even if her eyes filled with tears.
And that was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"I was considering using you." Sasuke stared her down and took a step forward as well. "I needed to prolong my clan. One kid would be enough. Just so it doesn't end with me." Another step. "And I would leave you. Stepped into my brother's shoes and become a spy for Konoha like I planned." Another step. His voice was calm, low and just loud enough for Sakura to hear. "Because I didn't want to stay with you. You would get nothing from me, not even affection... Sex, maybe?" Another step. "If I was ever forced to come back." He was now standing right in front of her and slowly leaned forward, purposely creating an intimate space. "Is that what you want? Sakura…"
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Liar. You wouldn't do that…"
"No? A few rationalizations were enough for me to try and take your life. Three times." His eyebrows lowered as he continued. "This? You're so desperate I didn't even feel guilty until we went out. Thank your lucky stars I had enough decency to immediately end our date." Now, Sasuke was pretending to be angry and the venom out of his mouth reflected back on him. He began to hate himself, and Sakura for forcing him to do this. For using what was selflessness from Naruto, a light that once brought him to the surface mid drowning, in the most selfish way. She was still a child. This girl who, thanks to Naruto, got to have the luxury to remain this vulnerable after everything they've been through, who still thinks she can step toe to toe with him and make demands.
"I hate you." She lowered her eyebrows and whispered as tears streamed down her face.
"Good." He stepped back.
"Hinata loves Naruto…" Sakura added angrily, now beginning to really cry.
Sasuke paused looking at her, but said nothing before he disappeared.
-…Land of Wind side of the border, the Dessert; 3:55 pm…-
Sakura struggled through the wind as she slowly progressed forward into the caves on the other side of the border. Suspected sand storm came down much harder than worst predictions would indicate and took the poor girl off guard, forcing her to run into the direction of The Vilage Hidden in the Sand, hoping to find the so called Puppeteer's Cave she saw marked on the maps on previous missions. The border was no longer guarded and she simply walked in, in an attempt to save her life. Now safe, alone and making fire she yelled at herself as she angrily piled wood in the middle of the cave. "He can die for all I care!" In that moment the only thing left to hate was the fact that her whole being still cried out for her to go find, and protect Sasuke.
-…Kazekage Mansion, The Village Hidden in the Sand; the next day, 6pm…-
"You're late." A sand shinobi warned them as they entered one of the briefing rooms.
"We got caught in a sandstorm."
"It'll be reported. Proceed upstairs, kazekage wants to see you."
Sasuke and his two men bowed.
"Before you go, we're holding an infiltrator as prisoner. Claims to be Konoha. Do you know this person?" The captain lifted Sakura's picture of the table and showed it to Sasuke.
"She's harmless and a close ally of the hokage. Release her. If she's here, it's over your head."
"Nothing's over my head. I am the second in command." The man objected.
"Then I'll talk to the kazekage myself." Sasuke walked out as if indifferent to the man's offense and the sudden tension in the room.
-…Hokage Mansion, The Village Hidden in the Leaves; same day, same time…-
"And I wanted to spare her the hospital." Naruto smiled a little, covering up the worry on his face before the subordinates who were trying to gauge what is going on.. "Tell them not to let her go alone, she has to wait inside Suna and return with Sasuke and his team."
"Yes sir." An ANBU bowed and exited Naruto's office.
"You have to stop that Naruto." Shikamaru looked at him irritated.
"Stop what?"
"Letting her walk all over you." Shikamaru added rather resentfully, Naruto not even realizing this anger had nothing with either him, or Sakura.
"I don't feel it's like that. Sakura is my friend."
Shikamaru just stared.
"Dude I can't…" Naruto sighed shaking his head, attempting to explain.
"Whatever." Shikamaru picked up the files from his desk and was about to leave. It clicked this was not really his forte.
"I'm thinking of asking someone else out! I know I'm not exactly… Moving on." Naruto stopped him.
"And you're trying to drag me into it…" Shikamaru was suddenly feeling twice as tired.
"Well you're the only friend who had a real girlfriend!"
"Uhh…" He regretted not leaving immediately. "Ok fine… Who?"
"Hinata."
"You like Hinata?"
"She's cool. She's brave. Kind, smart, honest... I like people like her. I think she likes me too."
"You think…She likes you?" Shikamaru stared at Naruto as if this one was a mentally challenged monkey.
"Yeah… Right?" Naruto asked looking worried all of a sudden.
"Yes… She likes you yes." This one barely restrained himself from abusing the poor guy.
-…-
"So talk to her and then kiss?"
"Yeah, but… Don't just kiss her. It's Hinata… She'll probably pass out. Just… Prepare her or something. Ask."
"So ask and then kiss her!" Naruto snapped his fist on his palm, a plan crystallizing in his mind.
"No, no, talk to her, touch her, ask and then kiss her."
"All at the same time?!"
"Oh God." Shikamaru whispered and turned away. "Just leave me alone. Wrong person."
"Wait Shikamaru! I get it, it's just… How fast do I..?"
"Geez… I am not paid for this."He complained.
"Help me, who else can tell me this stuff?!" Naruto knew how to play the pity card.
"Ughhh. You're not that dumb! You can talk to girls, I've seen..! Just don't just spring it on her or she'll pass out and you'll be fine!"
"So talk and touch so she gets used to me and stuff…" Naruto was recapping what he understood so far.
"Yes. And get closer, sit closer. Get her to talk about herself. Things like that!"
"After I touch her waist?"
"You can't be this retarded." Shikamaru was genuinely angry at this point.
"I've never done it!"
"Yes you have! You've done it to Sakura every time she didn't punch you for it!"
"But that was..! Oh..." It clicked. "I just wanted to be closer to... Oh, ok!"
"Just go slow, don't force anything. She won't punch you, she'll pass out." Shikamaru emphasized one more time.
"Thank you!" Naruto grinned content with his newfound understanding.
This one smiled in amusement and shrugged. "You're welcome." And picked up his stuff relieved he gets to end this conversation.
-…Battle above Suna; 12:13 pm, 6 days later…-
The opponents they were afraid they would be seeking far and wide came right to the village's doorstep. They had some of the Leaf rouges in tow inside the army that followed, but most of all, they had only one objective. Take down the Sand village. Kakashi was forgotten, not a trace of him in sight. Sasuke's mission got relieved by the war emergency alarm. The way they bent time and space, rinnegan eyes in each, floating above ground, made the small supporting army they brought seem like a fashion accessory.
It was no longer than 5 hours until the attack entered Suna gates. They used the sandstorm to infiltrate this close and now, only 4 opponents of immeasurable power were tearing down 100 year old walls before Sasuke's eyes. No one had any idea how powerful these people were, but the village with Sasuke and his team in tow defended with full force. Sakura found herself among the medics on the front lines, having to already summon her slugs, her seal being quickly drained away on the people under the rubble. Sasuke disappeared in and out of dimensions as he fought, but his opponents followed effortlessly. He cornered them in the wrong direction, but it was too late. It was Gaara on the line, he had his back turned and Sakura was healing him when the kunai shaped rock, summoned from the sky the size of a mountain hurled towards the two. She jumped away, the large object exploded with incredible force that melted the material world like paste. Gaara cocooned and sank into the ground. Sasuke could now make a small force field to isolate only one of them from the majority of the blast, only one chance to save…
-…-
"Sakura is he stable? We need you on the second floor." Temari approached Sakura who still had passed out, heavily injured Sasuke wrapped in the green healing light.
"I'm sorry, get someone else!"
Temari disappeared as Sakura urged the nurse to rewrap Sasuke's attached arm for inspection and administer more medication into his IV bag.
-…-
The image of Hinata made his heart skip a beat. She was setting up the grill and a little brown haired girl was holding onto her skirt, reaching for the table, attempting to help out. She briefly looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. Everything looked so bright and vibrant. His chest felt like it would burst with love. She was perfect, like an angel in a light yellow summer dress, moving around the grassy campsite barefoot. Naruto was over there with Kakashi and Sakura, all of the rookie 9 seated, walking around, playing with children. Shikamaru who caught his gaze smirked and lifted a paper cup as if toasting for Sasuke.
"But daddy, I don't want to!" A little boy stomped his foot on the ground snapping Sasuke's eyes right before his feet.
"Was I asking?" Sasuke sternly looked at what seemed like a 3 year old version of Kato. Only the child's hair was black as were his eyes…
"Mommy says I don't have to!"
"Don't talk back to me!" Sasuke raised his voice.
"I'm sorry sir." The kid froze in fear, his eyes slowly filling with tears.
No... I'm sorry. "Act properly. I don't want to yell at you…"
"I know!" The kid grinned all of a sudden. So suddenly it was unnerving.
"What?"
"It's because your daddy yelled at you! HAHAHAHA!" He pointed at him. And now Sasuke sank, a dark abyss that stretched out into infinity opened. The scene melted into complete darkness while he was falling, his body never hitting any ground, but gently cushioned into soft warmth, slowing down into total stillness. It was her. He hid his head in her chest and she had her arms wrapped around his head while they embraced. It was safe and soft and it smelled like her. He wrapped his so far relaxed arms properly around her back, brining her a little closer. She was awake, running her fingers through his hair, she whispered: "I love you." Sasuke started to cry and she landed gentle butterfly kisses on his head, forehead, cheeks, ears many times, rubbing him softly, giggling.
"I love you." He responded, and she lightly kissed his lips.
"Please come back." She pleaded looking at him with loving eyes.
"I'm here." He was a bit out of breath, his heart suddenly climbing into his throat.
"Please come back Sasuke…" She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him. He began to sink again, there was less air, but he didn't want to go, he held onto her. She felt so brittle, too skinny, as if she was melting in his hands. Hinata… "Please Sasuke."
-…-
"Please, Sasuke, please, please no... Damnit!" Sakura desperately massaged his heart herself until the medic adept at using electrical jutsu ran in to resuscitate. Every machine in the room was going off.
"Get the crash cart!"
"I'll prep for surgery! YOU! Keep him alive!" Sakura yelled as she ran out the door threatening a younger doctor on her way out.
-…Konoha streets; 12:18 pm, same day, during the date…-
"I was thinking we can go get some tea."
Hinata smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't say ramen."
Naruto blushed, not expecting this low key teasing to come out of Hinata of all people. He was nervous enough as it is. She was in a white dress, the usual air of purity and elegance accentuated even more. Rain was lightly falling and he held the umbrella for the two of them trying to walk a bit closer ever so slightly. But she didn't react, even though nervous herself. Their accidental touch was as uneventful as any would be. Her blush was light, gentle, she was looking ahead. Her deep sadness always covered by a small, automatic smile. "Hinata?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yes." She nervously smiled even more, trying to save herself from being seen trough.
"I'll cheer you up I promise!"
"I'm sorry Naruto. I am really glad you asked me out... I-I know you will." She comforted him.
"So! We better go get some ramen and all will be well!" He suddenly wrapped his arm around her.
Uhm..Tea." She blushed a bit more.
"Tea!"
Hinata looked at him gratefully as he slightly shook her by the shoulders as they walked… Her smile brightened already.
-…-
She couldn't believe when Naruto approached, nervously invited her for an afternoon date. Hinata spent the whole morning a bit dazed, wondering if this was really happening. Her heartache was pushed aside for a moment. For a moment there was hope, but that hope was now slowly draining away.
"Ino told me it's a big mission. Ten days at least." She took a sip of her tea.
"I can't really tell you, I just hope she comes back safe…" Naruto attempted to redirect the conversation away from Sakura as quickly as he could.
"I'm sorry you're worried." Hinata responded genuinely.
"I'm naaaht! I'm fine!"
She just looked at him sympathetically not buying it all. Naruto could also tell.
"She's a friend, she's always been there for me you know..."
Somehow this peaked Hinata's interest. Not for what Naruto had to say, but for the weird fact that she no longer felt any heartache upon hearing how much he cared for Sakura. For the first time she got to really listen to Naruto with a clear mind and it deeply intrigued her. She's never truly been able to see him before. He was so goofy, vulnerable, kind, brave, but also too intense for her spirit, unyielding about most things she cared little for, of a flashy disposition that did nothing to appeal to her now. Suddenly his mannerisms lost all their magic and he was just a kind, admirable friend. This has to be a joke... She suddenly smiled as he was talking.
Prompted by her reaction, Naruto figured talking about friends would cheer Hinata up, which would finally help him kiss her. ".. so when she's around, it's like there is ten times of me, you know? Like when I thought you died, or when Sasuke ran away, I become more than I normally am! But it's just if she's there, it's just… Being there and I can do anything. You know?" He grinned.
"Yeah…" Hinata nodded with a bright smile and her eyes watered a little.
"Hinata..?"
"No I'm sorry, it sounds so beautiful." She blinked back the tears, pushing down emerging memories of Sasuke.
"Well… Yeah it is." Naruto smiled back. "And she's sane in all the places where I am not. Her strengths really come in handy.. For the village too I mean. And in all the ways I need her to be, she is. And she says I help her out too. But she's the only person where I don't feel like I have to become something special, or big. I'm just Naruto and she always has something to teach me too. She's really smart." Naruto finally caught himself grinning from ear to ear...
"I'm sorry..!"
"You two would make a great couple." She responded calmly, watching him with undrstanding tenderness.
Now it just honestly slipped out along with the pain he was hiding. "I don't think Sakura would agree."
"You can't give up Naruto, that's your ninja way. Remember?"
"Yours too!" He grinned and his eyes filled with tears, just like hers did before. His heart agreed with Hinata so strongly, he could no longer hide how much it hurt. Even from himself.
"Thank you for borrowing it." She bowed a little over the table. "But I think it's time I made one on my own..." She responded looking down at the table melancholically.
"I'm sorry..." He felt like he did something wrong, though nothing than this already present, permeating melancholy, indicated he has.
"No." She quickly interrupted what he wanted to say.
He paused. It was ok. She really understood. How did she understand? "Thank you for liking me and going out with me!" He got up and bowed deeply.
Her sudden giggle surprised him. "Anytime, Naruto…" She responded sweetly and picked up her umbrella as she prepared to leave the tea shop.
Did I just break her heart?
What happened here?
-…Suna hospital; 11 days later, midnight…-
There is a misunderstood danger to health with dullness of the four hospital walls slowly closing in on you while you you're not allowed to move. One might just kill themselves! What's even worse, Sasuke had all the time in the world to ruminate on his dream and the fact that missing Hinata was beginning to genuinely suffocate him. Apparently romantic love is torture... This shit is unbearable! That made him feel like even more of an ass, for the way he treated Sakura. She would every so often come around and check upon him, her demeanor obviously restrained. She seemed uncomfortable, conflicted, no longer blushing... He wanted to apologize, but she knew what he did to save her. She stopped him mid sentence proclaiming "they're even". That helped a little. It freed up space for a complete identity crisis and hollowness he's never felt before. Sasuke began counting the tiles. He got to 134. At 135 he missed Hinata so much, he realized this was actually making it worse. So he counted backwards. He had to take back every tile…
-…-
"Where is the patient?!" The nurse who, after extensive knocking, opened the small bathroom door, realized Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. On the floor, on the other side of the bed, an opened summoning scroll, a baby snake in the corner.
"He's reverse summoned himself." Irritated Sakura concluded after running in amidst the panic and examining the room.
"Should we write to Konoha ma'am?"
"Naruto will know..." Sakura responded calmly. "Yes, do write."
-…Uchiha household, living room; 1 am…-
Slowly he limped inside soundlessly closing the door behind him. She was on the floor of the living room on a tatami, her books spread out on the table next to her. She seemed like she moved into this room since he left. The fire pit was still warm. The blanket covered her up to her waist. How are you still asleep? Sasuke smirked, silently mocking her inability to awake at sounds of intrusion as he kneeled at her bedside. "Hinata." He whispered staring at her.
Despite his gentleness she was jerked awake, staring shocked at Sasuke who was now lightly bleeding, in hospital pajamas, covered in band aids. "You need to go to the hospital!" Her eyes widened and she raised her hand to touch him the spot on his forehead where he was bleeding.
"I've been." He took her wrist stopping her, slowly leaning forward, smirking, his face now inches above hers.
"Sasuke." She turned red, helplessly losing to his ruthless shamelessness as usual.
"Please." He obviously had little energy to tease her, and just collapsed on the pillow right next to her, keeping his face as close as possible as he laid on top of her blanket.
She shook with nervousness, fighting embarrassment as she reached out with the other hand and slowly turned to her side to face him. It took a while before she dared to touch him and he opened his eyes, immediately taking hold of her and pulling her into a hug. His face was pleading, his movement jerky and unsure. Ultimately, he was back next to her, he was home when he lightly leaned on her and slowly exhaled with relief. A few tears leaked out and she hugged him back, bit by bit, both holding on tighter and tighter.
He realized she was crying and looked into her face. But there was no indication she wanted to push him away like before. He was important to her, he felt important to her. Am I delusional now? "Do you mind this?" He observed her surprised.
"What happened?" She gently smiled trough the tears, soundlessly allowing him to stay. All her resolve about detaching and growing up was pushed aside. The heart takes no prisoners.
"Gaara is missing, presumed dead. It's my fault."
Hinata now slowly touched the cut on the side of his head that was bleeding, beginning to heal it. Sasuke rested in this silence. He wasn't going to speak for a while. Hinata who has finished looking at his bandaids recognized Sakura's signature wrap, and felt at ease that he was well taken care of. With one of her palms now gently resting on Sasuke's neck, she moved her finger behind his ear daring to caress his skin. Her face was red, feeling his breath, indulging in this bittersweet pleasure she didn't try to understand. "Why did you say it was your fault?" She finally whispered wondering if he has fallen asleep.
"I let him get attacked to save Sakura." He opened his eyes now looking at her as if she could somehow help him.
"You saved a medic, a friend..." She just understood that look.
"I let a kage get killed. I didn't think twice."
"You didn't betray Naruto. He would have…"
"Killed himself before making that choice." Sasuke finished her sentence.
"Well you're not Naruto." Hinata's eyebrows furrowed.
"He's the reason I am anything at all."
Hinata said nothing. She spent her whole life reflecting Naruto's light, having no other source of energy. She knew very well what Sasuke meant right now.
"I knew you would say that though." Sasuke added after a while.
"How?"
"With you I'm something else..." His voice lowered. His heart beat even faster. "And that person made a choice I don't understand."
"Me too." She added quietly.
For the first time the two reflected in someone who made them real, made them them... For the first time Naruto was irrelevant and neither one had an answer. All that was left were these secrets being whispered in the dark.
"I'm the reason Kakashi took us on. I gave Naruto my food when we were banned from it in the bell test. And ever since then I wondered what the hell I was thinking. I didn't see trough Kakashi's plan. And I knew full well he could easily catch me."
"You're kind."
"I'm not kind."
She smiled at the nervousness in his quick denial, as if he was being accused. It was almost childlike.
He's cute… And now she was really crying.
"I'm sorry I was cold a…" How many times did I apologize? Recognizing himself was getting ever harder.
Her attachment to Sasuke was very obvious to her now. She has missed him every moment of every day during the time he was gone. No one else could relieve this new, intense, almost unbearable feeling of loneliness she has never known before. This person who somehow became her home, who somehow saw into her, left creating a hollow emptiness inside Hinata.
Sasuke moved away looking at her a bit confused. He didn't understand, he assumed it was him, or maybe Naruto she cried about? Maybe he rejected her? But her pain hurt him so viscerally. "Hinata... Hey." Seeing her curl into herself upon being released, he immediately lowered and hugged her as if that way, he could take the pain for himself. This was an instinct that was there for a reason, as she immediately calmed down whenever he held onto her. He knew that on some level after all this time.
He watched her move her head closer to him and pressed his lips on her cheek, lingering there. She was quiet, immediately started relaxing. A gesture like this one, previously so alien to Sasuke finally surfaced as a perfectly natural reflex. She completely buried her face into his shirt. His chest felt like it was being stabbed, a million new feelings his heart has never had to learn to deal with before. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." He repeated. Sasuke, you bitch.
After a while of trying to calm down, she slowly turned her head and looked at him shyly. "One can't control things like that... It's not your fault." She smiled trough the tears. She just didn't want him to feel bad.
"Will you stop crying?" Sasuke couldn't hide his own hurt at this point. Please…
Hinata nodded still smiling, but then started crying even more. He took her face and tried to wipe the tears away, he was afraid he was going to start crying himself at this point. She put her palms on his. "I just felt a little lonely without you. I'm sorry."
"A little." He stared at the round crying face in his hands, not believing the word. This was the exact feeling that almost choked him to death in that Suna hospital. He was alive only once he stepped back into this house. Now she wiped her eyes herself, breathing in more deeply, curling her hands to herself as she looked at him with all the love two eyes can express. "It will pass." I promise. Don't look so sad…
It wouldn't have to pass if you fell in love with me like everyone else. Sasuke squeezed her cheeks, playing with her face. He was amused with his new situation, despite the pain that stung behind it all. She kept her palms on her chest, turning red and beginning to smile as her tears dried.
"You ffhshoul' real go to hosphital." She was still worried about the way he looked.
"It'll pass." He laughed a little.
Author's note:
This chapter got updated 2 days after being posted for minor (and major) writing mistakes on account of me being an idiot. If you read it right after coming out, I apologize. :3
Fun fact: The picture used for this story is designed for dark background/white letters contrast mode.