Chapter 15

-Sakura's POV-

Gaara and I shared a surprised look as we watched Sasuke and Hinata sneak upstairs. We expected them to eventually become comfortable enough to relax around one another again, but we definitely didn't expect it to be so soon and in a building full of so many people that were acutely aware of them both, no less.

"Holy shit! They really are together!" Deidara laughed, tossing an arm over either of our shoulders with his blue eyes trained on the staircase.

I leaned into his half hug, "Them making out in front of everyone earlier wasn't enough to convince you?"

The blonde man scrunched his nose, gazing at me with a grin, "Nah. Making out is child's play when alcohol's involved."

Kisame suddenly spoke from my other side, and we three turned to see him pouting, "This is Hinata we're talking about. She fainted when I kissed her, remember? If I tried to kiss her like he did in front of everyone, she'd probably fall into a coma, drunk or not."

I pulled him closer so he could join our group, smiling apologetically, "Did you still have your hopes up?"

Deidara hissed as though he was whispering, but his voice didn't lower all that much, "I'm gonna let you two in on a little secret that I thought was obvious." Gaara and I shared another look, confused. "Almost every guy in this building has been crushing on her since the day she debuted, not to mention almost every guy at the agency, too."

Gaara smiled warmly, the alcohol helping stifle his usual nervousness, "Good for her. She deserves it."

I nodded but teased the blonde Akatsuki member, "Does that mean you like her, too?"

"Of course! Do you know how hard it was not to make a move on her when we went on that date?"

Surprised by his honesty, I narrowed my eyes, "That's kind of fucked up, Dei! She trusts you!"

The man nodded, defending himself, "Think whatever you want. It's not like I'll ever tell her. She's the type of girl you fall for completely, and I'm the type of guy that doesn't want to be tied down like that."

Kisame added, sounding as disappointed as he looked, "I would've given up long ago if I'd known it was Sasuke all along. It's impossible to compete with an Uchiha, especially him and his brother."

Gaara laughed, leaning into Deidara's other side with a teasing grin, "Haven't you been trying to shoot your shot with Itachi?"

The blonde in question groaned dramatically, "Hell yeah, I have! If he's half as good as the rumors say, it'll be the best night of my life." His eyes widened in realization, his grin widening as he turned his attention onto me, "You should give him a message for me. Tell him I just want one night; that's all! One chance, Itachi!"

Laughing, I shook my head, "I won't because if he says yes, then I'll have to live with the knowledge that I'm responsible for whatever you plan on doing to him."

"Aw, are you mad because I said everyone likes Hinata? Everyone likes you, too. It's just that no one wants to hurt cute little Gaara by trying to steal you away!" Deidara teased.

I rolled my eyes. He's annoying enough when sober, but I can't help but love the guy.

A few hours later, everyone was either asleep or lying near someone and quietly talking to not disturb others. I hummed happily as Gaara slid under the covers beside me, holding back an excited little squeal when he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. He's already sweet when sober but gets extremely doting when drunk.

As if my thoughts had been spoken aloud, he mumbled sleepily into my hair, "Did you know that I love you with my whole heart?"

I wrapped my arm around him, burying my face in his shirt with a big smile, "I did, but you can tell me as many times as you want."

A warm hum vibrated his chest, and we were silent momentarily. I began falling asleep, only for him to grumble, "My brother's acting weird."

Half-awake, I moved my hand lower on his back to slip it under his shirt, gently rubbing his warm skin in a weak massage, "He's been hanging out with that Matsuri girl all night, right?"

"Yeah, and he didn't try to grope her even once. Do you think he's sick?"

My eyes shot open as I realized Gaara wasn't aware of how the two had met, "...Baby, there's a good reason he's acting like that."

He made a soft sound to encourage me to continue.

With a furrowed brow, I recalled seeing the brunette girl looking like a trembling mess in the backseat of my car, holding Hinata's hand for dear life, "He and Hinata found her after Hidan assaulted her. Your brother likely doesn't want to accidentally scare her away."

Gaara froze before pulling back to meet my gaze with tired, concerned eyes, "I had no idea…."

I nodded, leaning in to drunkenly kiss him before snuggling into his chest again, "It's alright. Since he's being so respectful, maybe they'll hit it off. Kankuro could use an actual girlfriend instead of a fuckbuddy like Ino."

The redhead scoffed, "I feel sorry for that girl if she ends up dating a douchebag like him."

We both snickered, knowing that deep down, he was just joking. Sure, Kankuro's a big flirt, but he's a good guy at the end of the day. He rescued me, after all.

When Gaara found out about that, he almost got into a fistfight with his older brother for not telling him about it. Then, after I intervened and explained that I'd begged him not to, he came around and thanked Kankuro for getting me and Hinata home safely.

-Sasuke's POV-

My eyes opened to land on the ceiling of a dark room. I groaned when I realized how much I needed a glass of water, especially since I was still a little drunk, but I froze when my mind registered a warmth against me.

Looking down, I finally recalled my reason for being in this bedroom.

Hinata.

Unlike how we've slept together lately, carefully to ensure she wouldn't get uncomfortable being in bed with a man, it seemed she'd thrown that idea right out the window. Maybe it was the alcohol. Either way, she was almost entirely on top of me with an arm around my middle and her cheek pressed to my chest. Our legs were tangled, and her hair lay messily, wildly over my arm.

A smile tugged at my lips as I bent my arm to finger a strand of it, studying her relaxed face.

Fuck, I missed this. Sure, the sex is fantastic, but this was great, too. Having her prove how comfortable she was by allowing me to see her like this provided an unparalleled sense of pride.

Anyone can fuck someone, but it takes absolute trust to appear so vulnerable. I should know. It's a battle I've struggled with since even before we began dating. Only in the past few months have I started to comprehend how and why I feel the way I do.

"Sasuke?"

I blinked, having not realized in my daze that pearl-colored eyes had opened and were staring back. Hinata grinned, snuggling closer. It was apparent she was still very drunk, but I'd never turn her away, especially when she's feeling bold.

"Were you watching me sleep?"

Smirking, I relaxed against the pillow rather than looking at her face and closed my eyes, "Go back to sleep, Hyuuga."

"Mmm…. Hey."

My eyes reopened when she suddenly moved, only to see her straddle my hips. In the moonlight, her appearance was bathed in blue. I took in the breathtaking view in silence, waiting for her to say whatever was on her mind.

She ran a hand up my neck to caress my jaw, long black hair falling over her shoulder like a curtain. "You're so pretty, Sasuke."

A scoff left my lips, and I grinned amusedly, "Pretty?" Listening to her talk when she's been drinking was always entertaining. Not only is it rare for her to say so much, but she admits to things she'd never tell anyone when sober.

My brows raised as she kissed me softly, watching in awe as she pulled away to study me carefully, "Pretty. Beautiful. Handsome," she hummed warmly, eyes glittering excitedly as her voice lowered as though it was all she could do not to lose her composure, "Hot! You're hot! You wanna know how I know?"

Doing all I could not to laugh, I nodded, "How?"

"Because I think you have a nice butt!"

That was it. I laughed, which made her follow suit.

"No, I'm serious! I've never understood how a butt could be cute, guys' or girls', but now I do!"

I asked between laughs, "So you think I'm pretty because I have a nice ass?"

Hinata giggled and cupped my face between her hands, "Not just because of that, obviously, but yes!"

My grip on her hips tightened as I fell into a fit of laughter again. After a few moments, I sighed, satisfied with my entertainment for the night, "Alright, enough. Sleep."

The woman didn't leave my lap but fell forward to cuddle into my chest. The scent of her shampoo wafted up, making goosebumps rise on my skin as I wrapped an arm around her so she wouldn't fall to the side.

I thought she'd obeyed and decided to go to sleep, so I closed my eyes with a content sigh, only for her to sleepily mumble, "I only want you, Sasuke. No one else."

My eyes opened, and I looked down to see the top of her head, a warm feeling rising in my chest. Annoyed that she could fluster me even while trashed, I wrapped my other arm around her and whispered, "Quit flirting, Hyuuga."

A tiny laugh came from her in response before the room became quiet and stayed that way.

-Hinata's POV-

I woke up and groaned, tightening my arm around Sasuke's hips and snuggling closer as though doing so would grant me more rest. A headache throbbed against my temples.

Long fingers trailed through my hair, pushing it out of my face before resting gently on the back of my head to hold me there. It all felt so lovely compared to my hangover, and a soft sigh left my mouth. When I tried opening my eyes, though, I felt awful. Groaning weakly, I comprehended that Sasuke was chuckling.

I pressed my forehead to his side, voice hoarse, "Good morning."

The Uchiha man teased, "You went overboard last night. I bet you're regretting it now, huh?" His already attractive voice was lower and raspier than usual, making a blush lift to my cheeks.

Peering at his toned torso through half-lidded eyes, I ran my thumb over his pelvic bone, "Not entirely."

It was apparent I meant that I was happy we were able to get back to how we were before the arranged marriage mess. He seemed to understand that and simply offered a warm sound in response.

Things feel entirely normal again for the first time in many weeks. Sure, my head is pounding, I'm exhausted, and I could probably drink my weight in water right now, but I'm overcome with relief and happiness. Growing weary, I ran my hand up to his waist before allowing it to rest there and pressed my lips into his skin before closing my eyes and trying to fall asleep again.

Everything was so comforting; I could die in it. Sasuke's scent was all around me, and the warmth of his skin against mine was familiar and welcome. No one else could keep me calm like this.

"Hyuuga."

I made a sound telling him to continue with whatever he wanted to say.

The hand on my head gently ran its fingers into my hair, Sasuke's voice uncharacteristically softening, "Thanks for last night."

Snip-its of our heated hookup last night played through my head, increasing the heat in my face. I hugged him more tightly and attempted to sound unbothered as I mocked what he always says to me when I address him as he just did me, "Wh-What did I say about thanking me? Don't do that."

A moment passed before the Uchiha man snickered, and his voice returned to its normal teasing tone, "If that's how you wanna be, then should I remind you of the conversation we had last night?"

I pulled back, confused, and scooted up to rest my head on the pillow to meet one another's eye, "What are you talking about?"

"You're hot. Wanna know how I know?" He mocked my voice in a purposefully irritating way, his lips turning into a mischievous smirk when it was clear I'd recalled what he was speaking of.

Humiliated, I covered my face with my hands, "I-I thought that was a dream! It really happened?"

"Am I just an object to you? I'll have you know there's more to me than a nice ass."

I peeked through my fingers, unable to stop myself from laughing at his amused face, "Shut up! I'm embarrassed enough already."

Finally, Sasuke gave up holding back his grin, chuckling softly before rolling onto his back with a big sigh, "I'll let it go…for now."

Following his footsteps, I turned to stare at the ceiling with a tiny smile. I can't wait to see what our life will be like from now on.