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Day 4

First Sleepover

His heart was racing and he couldn't quite catch his breath. He doubled check if his whole apartment was clean and made sure that he didn't leave any boxers in the bathroom. He made sure that it smelled nice and he was positive that he had enough food for the both of them.

So why was he so nervous? He's been dating Hinata for two weeks now. Was this normal? He doesn't know and he didn't have time to go and ask Sakura either. There was a knock on his door and in that moment, his nerves seemed to vanish. He bounded to the door and his whole being couldn't contain the happiness he felt when he saw her. She stood wearing her civilian clothes with her bag clutched tightly between her hands. Behind her the sun set beyond the horizon and the orange hue gave her a glowing look.

He embraced her immediately and he felt her arms wrap around his torso, bringing him closer. Feeling her close to him made him feel both delighted and warm. He breathed her in before kissing her cheek.

"I missed you, Hinata," he blurted out, scratching the back of his head afterwards.

"Oh, Naruto-kun, I missed you too," she whispered, staring at him with tender eyes.

"Y-You don't have to say that," he said embarrassingly. "I just saw you yesterday."

"But I do mean it!" she said, looking down and placing her hand on her chest. "Every time I'm not with Naruto-kun there's a pain on my chest. But I endure it because I know that I'll see you soon." She looked up and gave him a smile. "Right?"

He blushed and looked everywhere but her. 'Why is she so cute? Does she do this on purpose? Is this how couples talk?' he thought.

"Y-Yeah, you're right! I feel the same way too," he said with a happy smile. He thought that he was probably being too clingy but she just reassured him that it was normal on her account too. "Come in, Hinata! Are you hungry?"

"A little," she admitted quietly, still holding onto her bag.

"I bought some stuff from the store but…" He closed his eyes in thought. "I don't know what to do with them."

She giggled and Naruto gazed at her with both awe and wonder.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"It's nothing," she replied, another giggle escaping her lips before moving onto the kitchen. She dropped her bag on his couch as she passed by and she rolled up her sleeves.

"Tell me," he whined, sticking out his lower lip.

She blushed and quickly looked away. "It's just…Naruto-kun's face looked so…cute."

Both of their ears began to turn red but it was Naruto who recovered quicker.

"Thanks, Hinata. I think you're face is cute too." He wondered if that was appropriate to say.

"Thank you." They stood still for a minute, looking at each other, before Hinata realized what she was doing and turned around. She opened the refrigerator door and looked over the items he bought. But while she was looking at the grocery, he couldn't stop staring at her. She emitted off this glow that drew him in and just seeing her—in his home, preparing him food, doing it because she wants to—pulls his heartstrings in a painful way. He's never experienced this and doesn't know if what he feels was normal or not.

"When I see you, I feel a pain on my chest," he blurted out, making Hinata turn around in surprise. "Wait, I didn't mean like that, dattebayo!" he scrambled to say when he saw her hurtful look—really it was just confusion. "You see, every time I see you I get so happy that it hurts. My chest just feels tighter and I feel like I need to make you happy or you'll leave. I don't want you to leave because…" He blushed and scratched his cheek. "I love you."

"Oh, Naruto-kun." She put down the bowl she had and hugged him tightly, placing her head on his chest. "There's nothing wrong with that. I get that feeling too. Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually your girlfriend. Sometimes I want to wake up if this is a dream. It'll be so painful if it is. I don't want it to be…"

"Hinata, it isn't a dream! Look!" He placed a kiss on her lips quickly and gave her a large grin. "See! You felt my kiss, right? So you're not dreaming! We're both here and we're both a…couple." Again he became bashful and looked elsewhere but her.

She closed her eyes in delight and once again placed her head on his chest. "I know. Thank you, Naruto-kun." She let go and grabbed the bowl once more. "Would you like to help me cook?"

"I'm not going to burn down the kitchen, right?"

She giggled. "Don't worry you won't. I'll be right here beside you."

He smiled at that. "Good. What do I do then?"

Their neighbors were probably hearing their laughter but they didn't care. It was them right now and they were alone and with each other. That's what matters. The food was amazing, as he recalled, and watching movies with his girlfriend—he felt a large smile on his face—was probably the best he had ever felt in a while. It was night time now and as custom for Konoha, the night was cold and ruthless. Unfortunately Naruto did not own a heater so the couple decided to warm up in an alternative way: cuddling with each other under the blankets.

When Naruto first said it, he regretted it immediately. What if Hinata thought he was just some pervert trying to have sex with her? But after a few seconds, she said yes and really, he doesn't regret his suggestion one bit.

She was so close and feeling her body pressed against his felt amazing. Holding her with his arms made him feel like he's able to protect her from anything. He was able to kiss her temple whenever he wanted—and she didn't seem to mind—and burying his nose in her hair was something he was doing every second or so. He closed his eyes and placed his leg on top of hers.

"Is, uh, is this okay?" he asked.

"I-It's fine," she stuttered, from what he doesn't know. But he felt her place her head under his head and her nose touched his neck. He felt his face burn but said nothing as she wrapped her arms around him to pull him close.

"I like this," she said suddenly. "I like having you so close. It's something I've only dreamt of. Thank you, Naruto-kun."

"I should be thanking you," he chuckled, already knowing what she was thanking him for. She always seemed to do that. Making sure he knew how loved he was by her. How important he was to her. She always seemed to know when to say it, how to say it. Sometimes he thought she was too much for him. He's been too greedy and what if one day she just leaves him? He couldn't handle that. He can still remember what Sai told him one day, so nonchalantly, "Did you know that once you start dating someone, you either live the rest of your life with that person or you break up. I read it in a book once—" He can't remember the rest but that stood out. What if she doesn't want to be with him anymore?

"Naruto-kun?"

He hummed in response, trying his best to push away his troubled thoughts.

"Is it selfish of me…to want this forever with Naruto-kun?"

"No, it's not Hinata!" he exclaimed, pulling her away only slightly so he can see her face. "It's not selfish at all. You love me, right? So isn't it normal to want to be with the person you loved forever?"

"Yes," she smiled hugging him close once again. "I'm happy that we think the same."

He evened his breathing and suddenly he realized that maybe—perhaps—Hinata had a feeling what he was thinking about. She always had a knack of knowing such things. But it was true. She did love him and he did love her with all his heart. And if she wanted to leave him, he'll beg for her to stay—he decided then. He won't let her go so easily. Before they knew it, they fell asleep tangled up with each other.

At some point in the night, their hearts began to beat in sync.