Happy 4th of July, I hope all of you stay safe!

"Remember the time I explicitly told you to not pick a fight with Orochimaru?"

Sasuke hummed to himself as he shuffled through hazy memories. "Vaguely, I recall."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. Somehow, his most talented employee was the one with the worst ability to listen to instructions. "Either way, your visa renewal was denied due to your little stunt. You know where this is going."

"I don't see the problem." Sasuke crossed his arms and tapped his fingers along the seam of his dress shirt. What a waste of time. "I can just work from Konoha while I solve that issue if I must."

Kakashi's gaze softened, becoming apologetic. Sasuke braced himself for the possibility of sappiness coming from the older man. "This publishing company was founded here in Suna. If I continue to employ you, both of us would get into a lot of trouble and your chances of renewing the visa later on become null. As much as I'd rather keep you, it's not worth it."

That was much worse than a sudden bout of sentimentality from Kakashi. Not that his role in Sasuke's life went unappreciated but there was a limit to what he was willing to handle in the aftermath of a disastrous youth.

"You're firing me." Not a question.

Kakashi sighed. "I'm temporarily suspending you, Sasuke. For now, Kabuto will take over your post as editor-in-chief."

As if he just remembered something unimportant Sasuke tilted his head. "The Kabuto I just fired?"

"He is rehired," he muttered. "I don't have the time to look for a new hire and Kabuto is the only editor with the experience to fill in for you."

Sasuke clicked his tongue. His pending deal with Jiraiya would go straight to the trash under Kabuto's jurisdiction. Four months worth of work would be wasted and he would have the satisfaction of being brought back and promoted. To top it all off, the man would also inherit Hinata as his personal assistant. The idea of it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Her efficiency would be wasted on him.

"You can't do that," Sasuke said plainly.

"Do you have any solutions, genius?" Kakashi loved the kid. Truly. But his casual approach to deportation was really something. No one but Sasuke would prioritize keeping a lazy coworker out of a job over his potential clash with the government of Suna. "I think you need to give this matter a little more consideration. For now, I'll help you find a place in Konoha and recommend you to a publishing company over there, I'm sure you won't have trouble finding a job."

A knock.

"Excuse me, forgive the interruption." Hinata peeked in, hiding half of her body behind the door. A small pendant of a leaf glinted in the sunlight provided by the window that encompassed the entirety of a wall. Like him, she was also a native of Konoha, but at some point in her life she acquired citizenship of Suna. perhaps he could also… "I need Mr. Uchiha in the conference room. The new author… I— I'll be waiting outside."

"Hold on." Sasuke glanced at the space beside him. Come over. "Sweetheart."

Hinata blinked owlishly between Kakashi and Sasuke. She approached with wary steps and Sasuke pulled her to his side by the hand and snaked an arm around her stiff shoulders. Her acting skills were poor, but he was confident that he didn't need words to ensure her cooperation. She was bright and he was once again reminded how she would be wasted on Kabuto.

"See, the reason I'm not concerned is this," Sasuke said. A pause. "We are getting married."

Hinata's eyes filled with terror and Sasuke was tempted to roll his eyes. How very Hinata of her, but right then what he needed was for her to play along.

"Who's getting married?" Hinata murmured absently.

"We are," Sasuke said sweetly.

oOo

Kakashi rested his chin on a hand and looked between the two of them with a raised eyebrow. "You and Ms. Hinata are getting married?"

Sasuke looked around the office with exaggerated gestures. Hinata's lips twitched. He was covering his unnatural movements by picking a fight. "I don't see anyone else around here, do you?"

"Lying is a sport for you, Sasuke," he said with a grin and Hinata internally half agreed with the evaluation. "I can't see how someone so agreeable and lovely like Ms. Hinata is apparently settling for…" Kakashi paused and hummed to himself. "You."

Sasuke scowled. "How it happened is none of your business."

Kakashi didn't deign to answer him. Instead, he turned to Hinata who flinched in Sasuke's arms. "Really, Ms. Hinata?"

Hinata turned to Sasuke for the correct answer. He only gave her an approving nod and rebellious spiky bangs brushed her own. The faint scent of detergent reached her nose and Hinata just knew her face was set aflame. "I— I, yes?"

"Yes," Sasuke repeated with a deceitfully charming smile. Hinata glanced at him as his grip on her arm tightened faintly. "We're getting married."

Hinata's face twisted into what she dearly hoped was a similarly charming smile (doubtful, she internally scoffed). "Yes, married," she said. Perhaps the world was coming to an end, she already figured as much the minute Sasuke's semblance showed anything other than absolute calm.

Kakashi clicked his tongue. "This wouldn't happen to be a ploy to avoid deportation, would it? I don't need to remind you that It's entirely your fault that your visa can't be renewed."

"You think too lowly of me, Kakashi." Rightful dejection laced his voice. Lying really was a sport for Sasuke. "We have been working together for almost four years and we make an excellent team. It's only natural that we would… develop feelings."

Kakashi remained seemingly unimpressed at the Oscar worthy speech. Another point for Kakashi, that was impressive. "To me it looks like you're harassing your subordinate into giving you a fiancé visa because you decided to poison someone."

"It was for work and I would do it all over again."

"Without a visa I can't continue your employment, Sasuke," Kakashi warned and Hinata's flushed face paled. Without Sasuke around, the one who would probably take over his post as editor-in-chief would be… "I'll have to replace you with Kabuto."

Without Sasuke in the picture, Kabuto would surely get rid of her. She had spent too many years by Sasuke's side for Kabuto to trust her. All those late nights and all the hard work she put into working for him, gone. No Sasuke meant no promotion for her.

Kakashi pressed his lips into a stern line. "I don't want to do this, but the post has to be filled. Ms. Hinata, is Sasuke harassing you?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, sir."

"Aren't you his…"

"My PA," he supplied shamelessly. Hinata felt as if her face were on fire and she unsuccessfully hid it behind her hands. Just when she was feeling a little more level headed. The last thing she would describe Sasuke as would be monotonous but this was a completely new level even for him. For a moment she was inclined to feel concern for his mental state.

"Isn't that convenient… that's a violation of the company policy."

"Look who's talking," Sasuke scoffed. "Hinata and I are adults who are perfectly capable of understanding consent." Hinata could only nod along mechanically. Sasuke was a reasonable man (not really), there had to be a sound explanation for the nonsense he was spewing (not really) because they wouldn't actually get married. Right?

Kakashi gave them a long stare before laughing and walked around his desk to pat Sasuke's shoulder and offer Hinata a warm smile. "I'm just messing with you, congratulations to both of you. I really can't say I didn't see this coming. This is great timing."

"Yeah," Hinata mumbled absently. Her twitching fingers rested against Sasuke's back and away from Kakashi's sight. "Thank you, sir."

"Hinata and I will drop by the immigration office today so don't do anything stupid," Sasuke muttered darkly as he pushed Hinata towards the door

"Heard," Kakashi said with a wave. "When will I get an invitation?"

Sasuke and Hinata glanced at each other before a smile returned to her face. "Soon, when we have sorted out the details."