Closing his eyes for a quick break from sharpening his weapons, Sasuke searched for something.

It's a habit of his that he didn't even realize he had until Sakura pointed it out last week. You usually stop at what you do and just close your eyes to listen, she said while cooking their dinner on the fire he made. I don't know what for but it's cute.

A small smirk formed at the corner of his lips with the memory and he thanked whoever it was to thank for that Sakura was currently taking a bath down the river a good distance away so she wasn't able to see the flush on his cheeks.

They have been traveling together for two months now and every day he reminds himself to hold back. From what, he wasn't even sure- for tucking her hair when she helps at a local hospital, or for touching the small of her back to keep her beside him amongst a crowd, or for gathering her in his arms when they sleep next to each other?

Sasuke slightly shook his head, forcing his mind to not think about those things. It takes time, he thought to himself. One day.

He took his time to focus on his surroundings by listening around. He could hear the wind howling from the north, carrying a warm air that touches his skin. He could make out the fluttering of wings somewhere in the east, along with the chirping of their owners as they fly through the night. There was a small hiss underneath a bush from the west, then a crunching sound as it devours its prey.

As a shinobi, it's a requirement to have sharp senses. And as an Uchiha, his own was close to none. An unwanted image of the idiot he calls his best friend flashed before his eyes and he refused to admit that the blond's senses could easily rival his.

And with the sound of a twig snapping from the south just behind him, he also remembered that his pink-haired… companion… could also be a candidate.

"You're doing it again," she commented. She didn't laugh but Sasuke could hear the laughter in her voice when she said it. "What are you listening to now?"

He waited until she sat beside him in front of the small fire. "Nothing," he murmured. "I was just waiting for you."

Sakura stretched her arms upwards and gave him a beaming smile, "I had a very good bath, Sasuke-kun. I feel fresh and ready for another adventure tomorrow!" Her smile turned into a shy one, "Thank you."

His brows met, "What for?"

"For bringing me along," she whispered. Her eyes turned to the logs currently crackling under the fire. The glow of it reflected on her emerald gaze and Sasuke couldn't look away. "For letting me be with you."

Sasuke didn't understand. She always does this- thanking him every chance she gets. Maybe not in words but in her subtle glances and small actions for him. She said thank you with the way she washed his clothes for him. She said thank you with her warm chakra kneading his tired muscles after a long day of traveling. She said thank you with her softening gaze at him when he shared memories of his family with her.

To him, asking her to come along with his travels was the barest of the minimum he could do for her. And with the way she looks at him right now, it seemed that she doesn't mind it at all.

Sasuke looked away and grumbled under his breath, "It's nothing."

He could hear the pout in her voice, "No, it's not nothing."

"You deserve more than this."

He was met with silence. Sasuke swore he could even make out the sound of his thumping heart inside his chest as he waits and waits.

"I think I deserve to be happy," she finally said.

Dark eyes sought her green ones again, and he could see it gleaming under the blanket of stars. The moonlight broke through the leaves of the trees and it cast beautifully on her face. Her lips were smiling at him, like it always does, and his heart stuttered.

"And are you?" he countered, eyes still locked on her face. From her eyes to her nose and mouth, up to the seal on her forehead that indicates her power, back to her eyes that never failed to speak volumes. He already knew the answer to his question but he asked nonetheless. "Are you happy? Are you content with this? With what we have now?"

Are you happy with me?

Sakura moved closer to him, and Sasuke didn't have the nerve to move away. He just silently took her in, slowly approaching him, and didn't move an inch.

Her hands found the back of his head and pulled him to her, his forehead meeting hers gently. He could hear her breathing, slow and shallow. She was never this upfront. She always respected his distance and never crossed any of his lines, though there was never one in the first place.

Sasuke could tell she was nervous so he wordlessly reassured her by pressing his forehead against her a little harder. His eyelids felt heavy but he kept them open, not wanting to miss the look on her face, especially this close.

Warm breath touched his lips as she speaks, "All I've ever wanted was to be with you." She closed her eyes and smiled, whispering her words of love, "I've never been happier, Sasuke-kun."

Now's the time, his heart whispers back to him.

Sakura had taken her leap. It was time to take his.

In response, Sasuke leaned down to press his ear against her chest. He heard a small gasp of surprise from her mouth and he couldn't help but smile in return. Beneath her bones was the wild thumping of her beating heart, in sync with the rhythm of his own.

He closed his eyes to relish the feeling of being in someone's warmth. This is Sakura— the only woman he cared about maybe after his mother, the only woman he could picture being with him in this moment, the only woman he could see being with him for as long as he's still breathing.

His lone arm lightly wrapped around her small form and he could hear the breaths she was taking as she runs her fingers through his hair.

"I'm happy, too," he murmured against her shirt. He burrowed himself further as he breathes her in. "Thank you, Sakura."

They were looking at the stars, ready to rest for the night, when Sasuke realized something.

"It's midnight," he said under his breath. He looked at Sakura to let her know that it's her birthday. "Hap-"

But she was already asleep, her lips in an upturned curve resembling a smile, and her pinky finger linked to his. Sasuke's eyes softened with the sight.

Carefully, he boldly intertwined their fingers together, making his cheeks heat up. He fought the urge to raise it and kiss the back of her hand, but he gently squeezed it as he whispered his greeting. "Happy birthday, Sakura."

Tomorrow, he promised himself, he would indulge her. Whatever she wants, he would give. Wherever she goes, he would go. Whatever she says, he would do.

But for now, he would stare at her ethereal beauty under the cacophony of the forest and the faint sound of her breathing. He would bask in the silence of his reverence for her and the loudness of her love for him. He would rest for the night knowing that in the morning when he wakes up, she would be there.

Just like the rest of all his mornings to come.

~fin~

a/n: i was supposed to write something raunchy but if you're following me on twitter, you've heard of my mini-breakdown on how to write porn and write it well lmao i can't seem to find my groove in writing a scene about 2D people porking each other so here we are with this. i hope this would suffice for now :p

i have another one for today since it's my queen sakura's birthday so i think it would compensate for the lack of smut in this. in sasuke's bday maybe? idk ehehehehe thanks for reading as always!