Prompt 1: Use the lyrics of your favorite song as the basis for a short story.

Pairing: Sakumo x Tsubaki Hikari (OC)

*Edits: I didn't like how I portrayed the third confession and fleshed it out a bit more. Sakumo isn't that creepy I promise. Also added the lyrics of the song that inspired this drabble. I'm In Love - Bobby (iKon)

When I'm next to you

The world plays a song for me sometimes

The first time Sakumo asked her out Hikari had saved his squad.

It wasn't the first time they met but it was the first time Sakumo actually saw her. He had been badly injured and watching her heal him while her fire and wind manipulation kept the rogue nin at bay left him in awe. She made quite a sight with the green glow of her healing but to add the light of the flames around them with her long brown hair dancing in the wind, he knew at that moment she was special.

The first time Hikari rejected him she didn't give any reason. Simply shook her head as she rushed him into the operating room.

Baby I'm in love

A love that won't ever come to me again

I'm in love yes I'm in love with you

The second time Sakumo asked her out Hikari had been sleeping in a tree.

He hadn't seen her in months since she lived outside of the village. As soon as his nose found her scent he took to the roofs and ended up at a large willow just outside of the village. Muting his chakra he moved until he was on the branch next to her. She began to stir from his movements and her lashes fluttered gently against her light complexion. Sakumo was stunned and at that moment wanted nothing else but to see that very sight every morning for the rest of his life.

The second time Hikari rejected him she clearly and firmly declined but still didn't give any reason.

I might give you a hard time baby

But after time, when you look back

I hope you'll be smiling, my baby

So I can be your last that no one else was

So come and take my hand

The third time Sakumo asked her out he was desperate.

He had been venting to his civilian childhood friend Chi at her family's store when he caught whiff of her scent. Scanning the crowded marketplace he found her staring at them with the gentlest look in her eyes. For as long as he had known her, Sakumo had never minded the mask she wore on her lower face. At that moment he desperately wanted to see what kind of expression she was making. Then she disappeared.

Days, weeks, than months passed before he saw her again. He had been meeting Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru for drinks in the Village of Tea when he saw her at the bar. In seconds he was caging her in his arms and asking her to give him a chance. Since the first day they had met she had never left his mind. If she truly had no interest in him and asked he would leave her alone forever. But he didn't feel that was the case at all.

She was the one treating him each time he was at the hospital. The nurses had gossiped how if she wasn't the one leading the surgeries, she would come in half way, or be waiting outside to step in if needed. Their hushed whispers included nightly vigils during critical monitoring and frequent checks on his file seemingly to track his recovery. With such vested interest in his health and well-being he couldn't help but believe she held some feelings for him as well.

I'll hold onto you

When you're about to collapse

I'll be your shoulder

So you can rest

I'll walk with you

When no one's there

I won't let go of your hand

I'll keep telling you

Baby I'm in love with you

The first time Hikari agreed to go out with him there was confusion in her eyes. Sakumo didn't mind. He only needed a chance to show her he was completely in love with her.