and i hold onto this pride because these days, it's all i have / and i gave you my best, and we both know you can't say that / you can't say that / i wish you were a better man / i wonder what we would've become if you were a better man / we might still be in love if you were a better man / you would've been the one if you were a better man

- better man, little big town (written by taylor swift)

"performing her latest comeback single, better man, please welcome—sakura."

there's a deafening cheer across the stage as a single spotlight shines on her figure. she sits on a stool holding a guitar, and the cheers died down as she strums her first chord. the entire stage is her world, and the rest of the audience is her universe. we're all just measly inhabitants of it.

at least that's what sasuke thinks as he sits in their living room at home and watches her on the start of her promotion for her new album. he already heard the entire record and even though he isn't familiar with her craft, he knows that this is sakura's best work so far.

he watches as she sings wholeheartedly to the audience and to the camera, her green eyes captivating even in the silly resolution of the camera. nothing could ever top the real deal but her beautiful face occupying the entirety of their 43" television slightly makes up for it.

when she released this song yesterday, the social media blew up. there were a lot of speculations about them splitting up based on the lyrics. when she played it for him on a guitar right after she finished writing it, he was also scared. she has written a lot of songs based on her experiences, the majority of them about her past and dreams. he recollects his memories of when he heard this song right here in their living room.

memories of him being rendered speechless because of the fear he felt when he heard the words; and her realizing his thoughts in a split second before she reassures him that it's not about him at all; and the pride he felt when he told her that it's one of her best songs he's heard of her.

sasuke knows he makes her happy; sakura never fails to remind him every day. he doesn't exactly know why she does that, but it's probably for his sake more than hers. despite the stature of his name and the confidence of his gait, sasuke is an insecure man deep inside. behind the power and the wealth lies a young boy who loved for the first time, afraid that he can't love enough.

there's power in knowing the truth, and his truth comes with loving her.

he looks back at his tv, now seeing sakura as she sat with the host of the show she was on, answering some silly questions that made the audience laugh. he smirked, knowing that she has everyone wrapped around her little finger.

"so, let me just address this now because you basically just blew up the internet yesterday," the host said. sakura let out a chuckle. the host added, "my sister actually texted me and said 'did they break up? do you know about this?' to which i replied that she should just wait for your guesting today."

"if i was your sister, i would've slit your throat."

"well before you do, can you let us know about this song? how did it come up? when did you write this? who's it about? are you and sasuke still together?"

sasuke watched as sakura jokingly said, "i don't owe anyone any explanation about my art but since i don't want your sister to commit murder then maybe i can say a few."

"please, the whole world needs to know!"

sakura smirked, "all i can say is that i'm happy, very much so, and my label is also happy knowing that i can still write sad breakup songs even while i'm happy."

sasuke remembered the day she got home, furious and frustrated, telling him about how those old coots in her label doubted her songwriting ability. it was also the day he found out the best way to distract her mind when it's in a frenzy, and how he paid the price because she had twice as much energy than normal. it was a glorious night for him, nonetheless.

he looked at her now, beaming with mirth as she addresses the host and every people who watch her every move, "at this point in my career, i learned the hard way and i am thankful for that. people can continue to speculate about my stuff. i haven't dropped names but if the shoe fits, then wear it. the real people will recognize my own truth and for me, that's the only thing that matters."

applause was heard after that and the host even commended her for it. she looked at the camera and he knows she's addressing him directly, "besides, i got the better man already." he shook his head as he looks at her teasing face and cupped the back of his burning neck. only sakura can make him shy even through the tv screen.

at the end of the show, she was already trending worldwide and her song became number one in several countries. proud is an understatement and he couldn't wait to welcome her home. as he walks to the kitchen to prepare their dinner, he dialed her number. she picked up at the third ring.

"hi," sakura softly said. "to what do i owe this pleasure, mister uchiha?"

she was still in a playful mood and it makes the corners of his mouth go up. "you're on your way home, right? what do you want for dinner?"

"if i say it's you, would that be okay?"

his smile is full-blown now and he was glad he's alone in their house. he decided to tease back, "you know i'm always yours for the taking."

sasuke heard the girlish giggle from his girlfriend and he decided to make her laugh like that for as long as he could. "why are you so cheesy?" she asked him. "now i want some ramen with cheese."

"don't let naruto hear you," he said as he gets a pan. "the idiot will come bursting through our doors when he learns i'll be cooking his vice."

he heard another chuckle, "mhm. i can't wait to get home now."

picturing her at the back of the car as she leans back tiredly on the seats, he leaned back on their kitchen counter to speak with her softly. "i can't wait to welcome you back." he pictures her smiling and closing her eyes as her head finds the window of her car, looking outside as the busy streets pass by.

there was a comfortable silence before sasuke asked her again, "did you mean that?"

"hm? mean what?"

he put his other hand on the pocket of his sweatpants, looking down at his feet as he mulls over his words. "when you said you got the better man now... am i? am i really the better man?"

sasuke's keen ears heard shuffling from the other end, and her voice rang true among the loud beats of his pumping heart. "no. you're not."

he blinked once, caught off guard from her answer, and fear started to creep up his throat to choke him. he was about to ask why, ready to beg if needed, when sasuke heard her again.

"that's because you're already the best, sasuke-kun."

love blooms on his heart and spreads all over him, spilling on the kitchen floor and the entirety of their home. there is love within the walls and love falling from the ceiling above, and he is surrounded by their love for each other. his eyes closed to feel it even more.

"please remember that," sakura concluded.

he nodded his head, knowing that she doesn't see him, but he knows that she knows. i love you, sakura.

he will remind her every day that to him, she is also the best. but first, her ramen. they said their see you later's and he prepares to work.

~fin~