Sasuke finally proposes to Hinata? Maybe?
(requested by dattebayo—ne)
Naruto and Sakura's wedding had been a spectacular event. From the vows, to the kiss, to their first dance at the reception – Hinata could hardly hold herself together.
She had seen Sasuke throw glances towards her throughout the night. He had been especially cautious towards her, as if he could sense she was on the verge of a breakdown. And it wasn't entirely untrue. Naruto and Sakura's wedding had left her an emotional wreck.
At twenty-three, Hinata was in no rush to get married. Sasuke wasn't either, as far as she could tell. It fact, Sasuke seemed to have no interest in marriage at all.
They had been dating for a year – which was six months longer than Naruto-kun and Sakura had been dating. And thus far, Sasuke had expressed no interest in deepening their relationship in the near or distant future. He made sure to keep his teammates at arms-length from him, and Hinata was beginning to suspect he treated her in a similar way. He never opened up to her. Even throughout the ceremony, there had been signs that their relationship was doomed. Sasuke had peered at the happy couple as they kissed during the reception. He had glowered at children in borderline disgust. He had stared blankly at people who had dared to ask if their wedding would be "next." Beside him, Hinata would redden and redirect the conversation.
Even a week prior, in the midst of a spar, she and Sasuke had ended up on the ground together, panting and sweating in exhaustion. Hinata had unthinkingly leaned down and pressed her lips to his, craving intimacy beyond Sasuke's careful contact with her.
He had been the one to stop it, after kissing her once, as though indulging. His eyelids had begun to lower, but then raised up again. "We have work to do," he muttered, causing Hinata to pull back, blushing in embarrassment. He reached up and pulled a lock of her hair behind her ear, scrutinizing her vulnerabilities as he might opponents and obstacles.
Maybe she was just another hurdle in life he wanted to triumph.
If that was so, Hinata was not sure why he kept her around. At present, they stood on the veranda outside her house. He had walked her home, as any good boyfriend would. He was dressed in a black kimono, and she, in a lavender one that trailed along the ground. With her back turned to Sasuke, she leaned on the railing and stared at the night sky.
"Our wedding won't be so garish," Sasuke noted, almost to himself.
Blanching, Hinata turned to him. "What wedding?"
He raised his brow. "Our wedding."
Hinata felt color returning to her face. "I w-wasn't aware we were getting married."
"What?" Sasuke seemed confused by her remark. "Of course we are."
Hinata's heart pounded as the two continued to exchange wary looks. "Y-you never e-even asked me!" she said.
Sasuke opened his mouth, as though to retort, but then closed it, looking thoughtful. "Hn."
"I'm n-not your property," Hinata said, storming passed him in an effort to go inside, but Sasuke caught her hand, stopping her.
"Right," he said, still seeming rather discomposed. "I'm sorry. I forgot to ask." He pulled her closer, despite her resistance, wrapping his arms around her, where Hinata buried her face against his shoulder despite herself. She felt stubborn, tense, and an overwhelming sense of relief she would never let on.
"I love you," Sasuke muttered against her temple. It made her feel as though spiders were running down her arms. "I want you," he said, causing her cheeks to burn. "Will you marry me?" He proposed to her easily, never deviating from his impassive tone.
In fact, it was too easy. Why did Sasuke get away with everything? Why did she want to say yes and attack him with kisses?
She remained still in an effort to challenge his calmness, but when she felt his hold on her tighten, she nearly broke down. Any sign that he was diffident only worsened her resolve, so Hinata continued to stare over his shoulder, not trusting herself to meet his eyes. She would not give him the pleasure of making her cry, so with her voice muffled against his kimono, she assured him, "Maybe."
