One of the first things that Naruto learned very early on in their relationship was that Sakura did not approve of the idea of him buying her things. At least in theory.
But he was the kind of guy, who since he cherished and was such an ass about his money as he was, felt that by spending on her he could also try to convey his feelings. Perhaps a shallow concept, but to him, it made sense. He thought money was important—therefore he could show she was more important by using it on her.
Bringing it up though? Bad idea. He usually got a swat and a scowl and a stern 'don't you dare,' which he couldn't find it in himself to understand. The reluctance to accept the gifts, he felt he could kind of comprehend. Neither of them had very stable financial backgrounds as kids, and now it was a major 'thing' for them both to be able to be independent when it came to the monetary field. But that didn't stop his tendency to get her little things that he thought would be important, even if they didn't hold much real value.
Sometimes they'd be walking around the mall, and she'd look at something she really wanted—a silly shirt with a cool design, or a book at the bookstore near where she worked, and he'd watch as she made that face—the one where she would fight herself not to buy whatever it was—and he'd make a little note in his head. They would leave, and she would sigh over the loss, but also know that in reality she didn't necessarily need it, even if she really wanted it. Maybe next paycheck. Maybe when there was a sale.
That mental note would stick with him. It would stick with him until he walked her to work and kissed her goodbye, smiling as she waved him away before going to change for her shift, stuck his headphones in his ears and walked to the store—out of the way or no—and browsed around until he found it again.
In this particular case—a book.
The latest installment in a series she loved, and even though it was thirty percent off as it was, she had talked herself out of getting it.
He picked it up and walked to the check-out, regardless of the slight bite of worry he felt thinking about her reaction. Maybe she would be mad at him for it. Maybe she would get angry at him for going against her wishes, when she had previously made it known she didn't want him to buy her things.
Well, he supposed it was a good thing he was pretty bad at listening anyway.
Despite the trouble his credit card gave him while paying for the book (apparently the machine was pretty faulty anyway) his mission was a success. With a quick stop to the grocery store to pick up cat litter, he walked back to their shared apartment and felt rather good about himself. He was a pretty awesome boyfriend, if he had to say so himself. Not only taking care of the girl, but also the cats, which was obviously the quickest way into the girl's heart.
So after cleaning the room and tidying the rest of the house (note the use of the word tidying and not cleaning, because what he did wasn't really cleaning so much as giving off the illusion of cleanliness), he set the book on the bed and spent his day waiting with the internet until he had to leave and get her. Another thing he... just did. An assumed one, yes—and they were planning on seeing a movie right after her shift anyway, so it wasn't like he was just walking there and back.
The movie was good—but what happened towards the end? Not so much.
After being texted by a former roommate about an argument over a damage deposit that was apparently holding the potential to be blown into a case being filed in court, the anger the roseate was exuding was borderline frightening—he didn't even know what to say except to walk close next to her as they trudged home within her cloud of fury, holding her hand when she reached for his, and agreeing on the former roommate's status as an absolute douchebag.
But then they got home, and she went to sit on the bed and suddenly turned to him.
"You idiot! You got it for me!"
It took him a long moment to realize what she was talking about—but then his eyes found the book on the bed, and he offered a lopsided grin, and scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck.
"Well, you said you wanted it, so..."
And then she was on him, hugging him close with a smile on her face—it comforted him, after seeing her raging for the past hour.
"Why are you so adorable?" she asked into his shirt, and he laughed softly instead of countering her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head.