Title: for thoughts unheard
Day/Theme: 13. Noise has one advantage: it drowns out words.
Character/Pairing: SasuSaku
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Note: This was written for day 13 of the 31 Days LJ comm.

.

It is, strangely enough, a dim basement that we spend most of our time in. His. The sofa we sit on is leather, something I was disgusted by at first but have slowly grown accustomed to. There's so much more to pay attention to, after all.

.

"It's going to rain tomorrow."

"Yeah, I saw. I'm so happy, too. I love the rain."

[grins and a shake of my head to move my pink hair away from my eyes]

.

Like the larger-than-life images on one of the biggest TVs I've ever seen, and the wall-to-wall shelf of DVDs illuminated by the bright pot lights embedded in the stucco ceiling.

Like the soft humming of the air conditioner.

.

"Are you cold?"

"No. You know I love the cold, Sasuke. What about you?"

[an exasperated stare and a warmer feeling]

.

Like my heartbeat, startlingly clear in the loudest noise of all―the silence wrapped around the both of us like a quilt. It tickles our ears and pushes down on our shoulders, making me feel lethargic.

.

[murmurs from the anchorwoman, syllables lost in daydreams]

.

But there's music softly playing from behind a closed door in the background now, and the electronic melodies of the synthpop are soothing.

It is through the rhythmic beats that we glance at each other again.

.

[he won't say it, I won't form the words―]

.

It would be easier, I suppose, if he was better at talking and I was better at the silences.

It's never awkward, not between the two of us. No matter what, uncomfortable silences didn't exist for Sasuke and me.

.

"Sakura, when are you going to come over again?"

"Mm...I dunno. When are you free?"

"It doesn't matter. When do you want to come over?"

[subtle emphasis on 'want', and just like that, i have a choice and an opening]

"Sasuke, you know I love―"

[coming over? being with you? you?]

"―being out of my house. I'll come over the soonest it's okay with you. It's...fun talking with you."

[subtle lift of the corner of his mouth]

"We can talk about anything."

"And I love that so much."

[that's right, sakura, just drop that word every chance you get. we all know it's from not being able to say it to―]

.

Of course, our conversations are better still. There are no arguments, no harsh words. Our beliefs and thoughts mesh together when they don't overlap completely, and it fits.

.

[i want to say it so bad, but the words won't come out. he's looking at me sometimes, and looking determinedly down at the fading patterns on his hoodie at others]

.

For all the perfect moments and feelings, there are still some subjects we never touch upon, despite claims of unlimited topics. [We've tried for hints, but they leave me confused and hurt.]

.

"Sasuke..."

.

But now, the words are screaming to come out, and I give in.

They escape in muted whispers, too quiet to be heard, I hope [or fear?].

.

"I like you."

[and i apologize to understatements for abuse and to my heart for making a farce of it]

.

The music is still quietly playing

and the woman is still mocking tragedies

and the air conditioner is still going

and my heart is

still

beating.

I know Sasuke hears these things [except for my heart] and nothing else. If noise was ever good for something, it was for drowning out words.

.

[we part and meet again...]