She awoke to the sound of the shower running, and was instantly mortified. She briefly stared at the ceiling, having a miniature panic attack, before throwing off the bed sheets.

Her panties were still securely in place.

She remembered everything. Being wrapped in Sasuke's arms. Kissing him for hours, like they'd done when they were younger and too modest to go through with sex.

Hastily grabbing some clothes from her bureau, Hinata slipped out of the bedroom, unwilling to confront him. She messily got dressed in the corridor, and scrambled downstairs into the free bathroom. She glanced in the mirror, hastily brushing back her disheveled hair, then paused to stare at her reflection. Again, she slowly drew back the locks.

Hinata trudged into the kitchen, feeling defeated.

"Why did you-" She sniffed. "I-I can't believe you-" She stopped to wipe her eyes.

Sasuke was seated at the circular kitchen table drinking coffee. "I was being assertive," he reasoned coolly.

Hinata stood across from him and pulled her hair over her shoulder. "You never did this before," she managed.

Sasuke paused to examine her neck, and the collection of bruises decorating her cream colored skin. "I was never that horny before," he mentioned blankly.

He was strangely convincing.

Hinata dropped into the seat across from him, placing her face in her hands. "You shouldn't have – I don't want you to do that next time."

"So you're suggesting there will be a next time?"

Hinata slowly looked up from her hands, her eyes wet. "You're – mean." It was such a flat, hollow statement. She was helplessly upset.

He finally lowered his mug, looking just slightly remorseful. "You can do it to me," he offered.

Hinata stared at him. "A-a-ano – t-that's – that's ridiculous." She quickly looked away.

"You can conceal your marks with make-up. I'd have to devise an excuse, and it'll be inevitably bad."

She snuck a glance back at him, her wet cheeks forgotten. "W-would you e-enjoy it?"

"No."

She inhaled. "Really?"

"I promise."

They stared at each other in silence for a moment.

She'd enjoyed it.

She had at first awkwardly leaned over him, until Sasuke scooped her into his lap. Despite her stinging eyes, she curled to the side of his neck, beneath his ear, and planted a kiss gently against his pale skin. Hesitating briefly, she parted her lips, nipping, sucking, softly at first, then harder, and harder, until she felt Sasuke's body stiffen. Deeply blushing, she pulled away, and watched as purple blotches slowly formed on his impeccable skin.

A decent enough hickey.

She blinked back her tears and briefly traced the bruise with her fingers. Catching herself, she pulled back.

She didn't notice how tightly Sasuke was holding her until she tried to climb off his lap. He compliantly released her, and she hurried awkwardly out of the room.

Hinata left the house that day refusing to look back at him. She felt more pleased than embarrassed...which just made her embarrassment all the worse...

Throughout the morning, Sasuke had consistently reached up and scratched the mark as though self-conscious. And he was right. His was obvious on his pale skin, whereas she'd managed to conceal hers. What were people going to say?

"Kinky," Naruto grinned.

They were collecting their uniforms in preparation for a mission that afternoon. Ino was gaping and whispering to Neji, who seemed strangely speechless for once. Kiba and Shino looked downright scandalized. Kakashi, meanwhile, had given him a thumbs-up by the lake that day.

"I appreciate your input," Sasuke responded impassively as he pulled his turtleneck on.

"So I take it things are going well with you and Hinata?"

"Actually-" the Uchiha paused. "Yes."