A/N: Not really sure how much clearer I can make it but no, they won't be having sex before Sakura turns 18 (again). In fact, they'll keep waiting for a bit per Sasuke's request.

Before he knew it, it was Sakura's birthday. She would've been 27 before, but now she was turning 17 again and Sasuke had no idea what to give her. What did girls her age even like?

Being the straightforward person that he was, he decided he might as well ask for at least a hint. But Sasuke quickly realized he had landed himself in some deep shit.

"I want a kiss," she said with sparkling eyes. Did she have to tease him so much?

"You know I can't give that to you."

She shrugged, "You asked me what I wanted. That's what I always wanted."

It was true; she had made the first move when they were younger and she expressed love in a lot of ways, one being always wanting to kiss him. Before, Sasuke had no reason to complain, but now he was obviously conflicted. When he couldn't put his feelings into words, he put them into actions, including his kisses, so their situation made him feel like he was leaving so much to be desired.

"So what are you gonna get me then?" she prodded.

Impatient as always, but good that she accepted not getting a kiss. "I'll have to think of something. Is there really nothing you want?"

Another shrug, "I'm back here with you, I can't ask for much more." She spoke casually, but he knew her words were sincere.

And he was so endeared by her, so filled with gratitude that yes, she was here with him, that he couldn't help himself. "Sakura. Would you maybe...be interested in a kiss that's not on the lips?" He felt like a shy 16 year old testing the boundaries again. This would be fine, he told himself. Chaste and quick and nothing more.

She nodded eagerly, already coming closer to him. Like lightning, he could feel the attraction between the two of them and it pained him.

He put a hand on her shoulder and brought her a little closer, "Happy early birthday. And thank you." He pressed his lips to her forehead, keeping her in his grasp for only a moment before releasing her. When he pulled away, she was blushing from head to toe.

"My turn?"

He was a little confused, but still nodded. He even bent down so she could reach more easily. While he expected a forehead kiss in return, she placed a noisy kiss to his cheek and pulled away almost immediately, squealing with her hands drawn into her chest. Standing there in his kitchen, reduced to blushing messes over a simple forehead and cheek kiss, Sasuke definitely felt like a teenager again. He ruffled Sakura's hair to purposely break the moment. It was all he could give her for now.

Even if their situation was complicated, he could always count on Sakura to make him smile.

He ended up buying her a weighted blanket and a huge teddy bear. If she couldn't cuddle with him, she could at least be comfortable with something else.

She loved it, so of course, he was happy. Except when she would send photos of herself all snuggled up with the blanket, he felt like it would have been inappropriate to save the photos. She just looked so cute. Damn, he needed a hug.

She asked in the car of all places.

He should've seen it coming. She was like any other teenager, yearning for freedom and a sense of adulthood. Plus, the end of the school year was coming up quickly, so she would want to spend time out with friends. But at the same time, she was not at all like any other teenager and he couldn't figure out how to treat her without raising suspicion.

There was no reason for her not to want to learn how to drive.

But Sasuke had every reason to not want her to get back in the driver's seat.

"It's like riding a bike: once you learn, you never really forget, right?"

"Wrong."

"Well I did perfectly fine on the written test, so I already have my permit. How hard can it be?"

"You can wait longer."

"What's wrong?" she whined, "Do you really not want to teach me how to drive? Do you think I'm gonna be terrible or something?" Maybe he was just trying to avoid being stern with her, as she suspected driving lessons required. She was almost certain that her parents would be worse, so she hoped Sasuke could teach her a little before she had to deal with those two obnoxious backseat drivers.

"No, it's not that," he said, but he seemed distant. She didn't think she was asking for anything too significant, considering that they technically were husband and wife. From her memories, she was able to gather that Sasuke simply would have done anything for her. Why was this so different? After a long silence, he spoke carefully, the stress evident on his face despite his attempt at composure, "It's not that I don't trust you behind the wheel. But other drivers who share the road are not so cautious—in fact, they're dangerous."

"But you drive everyday."

"Sakura, that's not the point."

"Then what is the point?" she cried. "Why are you being weird about this? What's the problem?" She was starting to get seriously frustrated.

By this time, they had pulled up to his house. Sasuke parked the car before he answered. He turned to her, "Do you really not remember?"

"Remember what?" Now she was confused, did they talk about this before? She hated the feeling of not remembering, it made her feel like she was letting him down.

"How you...left."

Oh.

She chewed her lip, "No, I've tried to go back to some of my, uh, last moments, but I don't remember at all. Is that what this is about?"

Determined to do good on his promise to never let her know what really happened lest he trigger painful memories, he quickly added, "I'm just being cautious. It's nothing, really. I'm sorry."

She knew it wasn't just nothing. She knew Sasuke, despite how different he might think she was now. There were some things she couldn't forget, some things that couldn't be unlearned. How to deal with Sasuke was one of them.

She changed her approach. She spoke gently, "I won't say I understand, because I don't. But if you don't want to, I won't force it." She could tell he was in pain and this wasn't worth having a fight.

But as always, he caved. He hated when she was unhappy with him, it felt like a waste of their time. He sounded exhausted when he spoke, "If you really, really want to, we can go around the neighborhood tomorrow. Slowly, very slowly." He was honestly dreading it, but Sakura looked so pleased that he felt marginally better.

Take it day by day, he reminded himself, day by day.

A/N: Next chapter might have less angst? Tbh idk yet! I've got a few fun scenes planned but that's it so far, so maybe we'll just employ some handy time skips