Grass blades bend as rain continued falling. The day was dreary, painted in dark gray clouds and rushing winds. Sasuke stared outside his vine laced window, elbows used to propped against the sill. He enjoyed the fresh rain scent and inhaled it deeply.
It would storm tonight.
Eyes lifted to the sky and wondered what it was like just above the heavy clouds. Maybe a sunset? Deep hues mixing effortlessly?
"Uchiha-san," a small voice called from his opened door. She, the brave woman that walked into his home, shook her umbrella off on his makeshift porch, then rain boots and the matching coat were abandoned beside the door. All the time, his eyes watched the woman enter.
Her smaller hand held a basket. “I hope you don’t mind?” Her head tilted to the side, a silk ponytail fell over her shoulder.
The Uchiha pocketed his hands. “I never have.”
::
They sat for tea. Her fingers cupped the small thing for its warmth. Sasuke always had it cold in his house. “But that’s about it. I live a rather monotonous lifestyle,” her smile was sad, or rather disappointed.
"Do I bring you thrill?" He posed.
Her smile grew in happiness. A shallow dimple showed at her left cheek before disappearing. “Maybe,” she decided to tease him today. “You a-are interesting.”
He rubbed the area just beneath his Rinnegan colored eye. Hinata looked away from him then. Her smile curled under. She hated his eye. Sasuke didn’t bother with that motion, instead he looked out the night’s sky. “It’s late.”
She followed his line of vision to the darkened sky. The sound of rain slapped the window. “It is…” She agreed.
"You’ll stay here," it was an absent thought. His eyes were still on the weather. "It’s too dangerous." He finished and finally took in her whole being. Hinata refrained from telling him that she was a fully capable ninja. He knew that very well.
She smiled knowingly. She agreed. He didn’t make a face to whether he was pleased or not. He wouldn’t. Sasuke pushed the wooden chair back, scratching the floors in the ear piercing process. “I will sleep on the couch.”
This was an old argument. Hinata stared at the older male. His eyes were dull and tired. He seemed so tired these days. Hinata supposed he deserved a lifetime of rest. Tonight and only tonight she wouldn’t argue. “O-okay.”
::
Sasuke knew when he heard his bedroom door open that she was still that stubborn woman he had been introduced, or forced upon (depending on the day), by the blond bastard. Her bare feet padded across the icy floor and finally made the way to him. Sasuke turned only his head to see her standing innocently over him.
Hadn’t he destroyed that innocence? Hell, he tried. The faded bites that littered her collarbone told a story.
Sleep deprivation called for him to simply roll onto his back. Hinata found some way to lay comfortably on his chest. His steady heartbeat, slightly weaker than before, drowned out the pouring rain. It lured her into a dream state and she followed without question. Three words she couldn’t quite catch were whispered into the air.
They had been said before in different tones, in different ways, in occasional settings. Hinata recited them, unaware of herself. Her sleepy mind wouldn’t let her say it like she wanted.
It was fine. They were just fine.
::
Tangled limbs, bedroom eyes and muffled giggles filled the morning. “You’re feet are freezing,” gritted Sasuke.
Hinata trailed them along his calf muscle and ankles. “Really,” she mused childishly. “I’m sorry.”
She wasn’t.
Sasuke sits up just enough to rub his aching neck. Hinata awkwardly replaces his headband. Damn, she fell in love with the silkiness of his ebony tresses. After she finishes, Hinata lays back into his chest and he wraps strong arms around her.
"I miss looking into your eyes," it was random for her to say. Sasuke couldn’t figure out why she of all people would miss it. They didn’t talk when he had two matching onyx orbs. "I wish I could have." Hinata corrects herself.
"I miss them too," he confesses and that’s the only time she will hear him say that.
"Do you miss home? Your home?"
"No." He answers.
Hinata is silent for a moment. Sasuke could almost feel her skin warm with new frustrations. “C-come home with me,” she turns to him and says his name like never before. It drills holes into his chest. “Sasuke, come be with me…in Konoha?”
Clear as day, “No.” He hadn’t thought about it or maybe he had. Maybe he always thought about it.
Hinata balled her fist and sat up. Sasuke followed her actions. He watched her emotions swim through opal orbs. “I should go…” Navy hair curtained the rejection that was just handed to her.
"If you want," he told her.
She stood and got ready. Hinata went to the front door but before she could leave—
Sasuke took her wrist. “You are my home,” he strained. She was shelter, warmth and love. She was strong and built with a solid foundation. Her voice, eyes, lips…
Damn those fucking lips of hers.
She was his home and he’ll make memories with her. Deeply rooted memories like the ones of his past. “So don’t make me find false happiness with a material thing.”
Hinata smiled. Bright and growing. Always warm. “You’re my home, Sasuke.”
He nodded once and kissed the captured wrist. “See you later.” The second kiss muffled her goodbyes because if Sasuke was being honest with himself.
It was the one thing he hated to hear.