When they arrived at Naruto's, he welcomed her and kicked off his shoes by the door. While Hinata removed her own shoes, her curious gaze scanned around the front room. His place wasn't very big (few had a house as grand as the Hyugas), but it was nice. The decor was rather modern and masculine. It kind of had a bachelor pad vibe with its dark woods and flat-screen tv.
"What does your godfather do?" Hinata asked when she realized she knew next to nothing about the man. Her gaze passed over a full bookshelf to spot a picture on the wall of a young Naruto getting his hair ruffled by a large man with wild white hair.
"Oh, well right now he's working on his research. Whatever that means," Naruto chuckled.
"Research? Like scientific research?" she asked as she followed him into the kitchen.
Naruto burst out laughing and Hinata wasn't sure what was so funny. "Yeah, no. Definitely not scientific research. He's an author."
Her face lit up, Hinata loved reading. "What kind of books does he write?" she smiled.
"Oh umm…" Heat spread across Naruto's cheeks.
"What? You haven't read them?" Hinata asked with a furrowed brow when she noticed his hesitation.
"No actually… I mean, I have… it's just…" Naruto's eyes darted around the room nervously. "Are you hungry!? I'm hungry! What are you in the mood for?" he blurted and turned around to dodge her question. Hinata was confused but didn't press further.
Naruto opened one of the kitchen cabinets to reveal an ungodly amount of instant ramen. "We've got ramen… or uh, ramen?"
"Actually, do you think you might have any ramen?" Hinata giggled. Naruto shot her an amused, little smile that made her heart flutter.
"Do you have a favorite flavor?"
"I'll have whatever you're having," she replied as she made her way over to the kitchen table and began pulling her schoolwork out of her bag. Naruto filled a kettle to heat up some water for their instant ramen.
Secretly she was thankful he didn't suggest studying in his bedroom. Just the idea of being alone in his room together was enough to make her light-headed.
Naruto settled into the chair next to her, scooting close, as the water warmed up on the stove. "So, what do ya got?" he asked, leaning even closer as he looked over her papers. The proximity was making her nervous heart beat faster.
She watched him quietly as he flipped through her textbook. Those gorgeous blue eyes scanning over the pages. Was she being silly? Was she wasting this perfect chance to finally say something to Naruto about her feelings?
But what was she supposed to say?!
'Hey, Naruto I like you so much!?' 'Hey Naruto, want to be my boyfriend?!' Hinata shook her head, even in her mind she sounded stupid.
Would it be ridiculous to just wait and hope he says something first? It feels like something is going on between them. Their friends seem to think so.
But what if he doesn't actually feel like that about her?
What if she confesses her love only for him to say he doesn't feel the same. And then she makes things totally awkward and weird! And then she has to keep seeing him every day at practice! And she'll have to find someone new to give her rides home! And gone would be the days they had fun, laughing and getting snacks and goofing off together at his tumbling lessons...
If he doesn't feel the same, she could ruin everything...
"Hinata?" Naruto spoke her name with a hint of concern.
Pale eyes refocused on him. 'Shit! Had he been talking to me?!'
"I know Calc is boring, but try not to fall asleep on me!" he chuckled. Naruto peeked over his shoulder at the stove, before getting up to prepare their ramen.
Hinata tried to get her brain to focus on the study guide in front of her and listen to Naruto's advice as they worked through the problems. He was good at Calculus and actually very helpful in his explanations.
As if she needed another reason to adore him...
They ate their ramen and made progress on her work, but Hinata was still struggling to stay on task. Every small thing - him leaning close to look over her notes, their legs brushing up against each other underneath the table, his praise as she correctly remembered a concept - reminded Hinata of her dilemma.
Her mind wavered back and forth between saying something about her feelings or waiting for him to say something first. Surely he would. Right? She couldn't possibly be making this stuff up?!
Right?!
When Jiraiya walked into his house, the first thing he noticed was a small pair of distinctly female shoes placed neatly next to Naruto's. He smirked to himself at the discovery. He was a little proud to find that Naruto was entertaining a woman, but that wasn't about to stop him from embarrassing the shit out of his godson.
"Naruto! I'm home!" Jiraiya hollered, his loud voice booming through the house. "If you guys are fucking upstairs, you better wrap it up!"
Blue eyes widened in absolute mortification. His gaze flickered to Hinata who was stunned into silence by the suggestion and the vulgarity. A red hue stained her cheeks, her eyes looking anywhere but him.
Naruto slammed his head down into the textbook in front of him to hide his face and groaned in annoyance.
"You're doing it in the kitchen?!"
Naruto's head shot back up lightning quick. "Stahhhp!" he whined, in the way embarrassed teens do. "We're not doing anything!"
Jiraiya popped his head into the kitchen to find Naruto sitting up to the table with an adorable dark-haired girl. "Oh thank god, I eat in here," he chuckled.
Jiraiya was grinning, all too satisfied to see Naruto and his lady friend flustered. That'll teach him to have friends over without permission.
Naruto ran his palm over his flushed face. "We're just studying, you old perv! So leave us alone!"
"Hey watch it," Jiraiya pointed at Naruto with mock seriousness. "It's my pervy-ness that puts this roof over your head!"
"Oh my god, please just get out of here!"
"What?! You're not even going to introduce me to your girlfriend?!"
"She's not my girlfriend!" Naruto shouted, absolutely so over his godfather's teasing. He was so caught up in his own embarrassment, he didn't notice the way Hinata recoiled at his rather aggressive denial that they were any more than friends.
"Fine! Fine! I'll leave you be!" Jiraiya sighed, before giving a little wave to Hinata. "Nice to meet ya, cutie." Then he retreated into the other room.
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath before turning his attention back to Hinata. "I am so sorry about him… he just so…"
"No, it's fine," Hinata mumbled as she fidgeted with her pencil in front of her. Unable to make eye contact.
Was it really so terrible to imagine her as his girlfriend?
Maybe it really was better that she hadn't confessed. All the evidence Hinata built up in her mind to support Naruto's mutual feelings started to crumble. He was just a nice guy. She was being ridiculous, reading too much into his words, and making his actions into something they weren't.
"Anyway, let's just get back to the problem," Naruto said, trying to pretend the most awkward experience of his life didn't just occur, even though his flushed cheeks wouldn't fade.
It was several moments before Hinata got up the courage to ask the question that was itching at the back of her mind. "Um, what did he mean his 'pervy-ness' puts this roof over your head?"
"What? Oh, uh…" he stuttered and scratched his cheek nervously. "I told you he writes books…" Hinata nodded. "Well, he writes, ya know, like… adult books."
It took a moment to register what he meant, but when it clicked Hinata's ears burned as her blush spread over her whole face. Suddenly a dozen more questions — like what his research entailed if that was the kind of stories he wrote — flooded into her mind, but she turned back to her school work to save them both the embarrassment.
It was Friday after school and Naruto was standing at his locker packing away his books for the weekend. Other students buzzed past him, eager to get out of the school and start their weekends.
Naruto jerked back when his locker slammed unexpectedly. A group of guys he didn't know snickered as they passed, one roughly shoulder checking him and bumping him into the wall of lockers.
"Watch it, queerleader!" one of them sneered.
Naruto just stared at the group with shock and confusion. We're these guys for real?!
Naruto was a nice guy, a funny guy. He skated through most of his school years without ever being messed with by pricks like these guys. Maybe the 'Konoha Cheer' printed boldly on the back of his jacket was the equivalent of a target.
"What did you just say?" Naruto scoffed.
"I said, you were in my way faggot!"
His eyes narrowed in irritation and distaste. Naruto was not a small guy, in fact, he was on the tall side. And with cheer, he'd been working out way more than ever. Hell, he threw Hinata in the air like it was nothing. He entertained the idea of beating the shit out of these guys, even though it was three versus one.
He opened his mouth to reply, to tell these douchebags to fuck off, but suddenly his name was called.
"Naruto! There you are, baby!" All the boys turned to find Shion beaming at him, showing off her long, smooth legs in the tiniest pair of short shorts. How did she not get dress coded?
Wait? Did she just call him 'baby'?
Naruto didn't even have a moment to contemplate the pet name, before Shion stepped right up to him, pressing herself against him and grabbing the collar of his jacket with both hands.
Holy shit, he could feel her boobs squished against his chest! Just when Naruto thought the situation couldn't get any more confusing, Shion pulled him into a searing kiss.
Blue eyes widened in surprise. What the fuck was happening?!
But as her soft lips caressed his own, he unconsciously began reciprocating. His hands found purchase on her slim hips and his eyes fluttered closed.
Shion pulled away sooner than he would've liked, but when he looked down at her he was reminded that he had no clue what was going on.
Shion. just. kissed. him… but why?
"My parents are going to be out of town this weekend, so I was thinking we can hangout in the hot tub and do more of that," she practically purred.
Naruto blushed at the insinuation. What the fuck was happening?! Her voice was so…
"I have a new bikini I'd love to show you." Naruto glanced down, his confusion was set aside to imagine her ample chest in such little covering. "Or if you're good, maybe I won't wear anything..." Shion added.
Naruto swallowed as his grip unconsciously tightened on her hips. What was she even saying?! What the fuck was happening?!
His cheeks were heated and his head was spinning. Before he could ask her if one or both of them had amnesia, Shion turned to the group of bullies Naruto had completely forgotten about and gave them her meanest glare.
"What the fuck are you clowns staring at?" she sneered. Naruto turned just in time to see them picking their jaws up off the floor.
"Lucky bastard," one muttered as the group walked away, scoffing and whispering amongst themselves.
Suddenly the dots were connecting.
Naruto looked back down at Shion, who was wearing a satisfied grin. He remembered himself and let his hands fall from her hips, but she didn't step away.
"I don't think those assholes will be bothering you again," she smirked.
"Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks for…" his eyes glanced briefly at her lips. "For that."
"You know, Naruto," Shion began, her gaze looking him up and down. "I never noticed you're actually pretty hot."
"Really? Ya think?" Naruto asked, way too eagerly. Maybe he was still high on getting randomly kissed by one of the prettiest girls in school, but it was surprisingly validating to be called attractive by her.
He always felt like he struck out with girls. Sakura turned him down the few times he had asked and with other girls, he could never build up the confidence to ask.
The only girl he found easy to talk to was Hinata, but she doesn't… she would never… it's Hinata! She's too pure and innocent… too perfect and sweet…
Too good for him if he's being honest.
She had become so precious to him in such a short amount of time. They were friends, really good friends, he didn't want to risk making things awkward if she didn't want to try for something more, so he never said anything.
But neither did she…
He was starting to believe maybe no girl would ever show interest in him, but there he was with Shion of all people pressed against him.
"Do you think I'm hot?" Shion's question brought him back to reality.
"Well duh, everyone does," he shrugged.
"Ooh, good answer." Shion smiled mischievously. "My parents really are out of town if you want to come over for a little bit. I think we could have some fun."
"Oh um… sure," Naruto nodded. He could barely think straight as she led him out of the school. He was about to go over to Shion's house? Presumably to hook up? Was this real life?
What the fuck was happening?!
A/N: not the kiss you were expecting? lol. here comes the drama...
thank you all for reading and your very sweet comments! your encouragement gets me excited to write and helps keep me motivated to update frequently so I appreciate it! I can't wait to hear what you think of this twist! please, don't be mean!