As Sasuke crossed the threshold into the house, a bottle of wine cradled in his arms, his eyes met Hiashi's wide smile, which conveyed genuine warmth.

"Ah, Sasuke! It's a pleasure to see you, my son!" Hiashi exclaimed, extending his arm to wrap it around Sasuke's shoulder and giving it a friendly pat.

Sasuke stood there, his lips curling up ever so slightly, finding comfort in seeing Hiashi in this lighthearted state rather than his usual stern demeanor.

"Thank you for the invitation," Sasuke responded, appreciating the gesture. Hiashi released his grip, leading the way towards the inviting dining room. As they walked, Hiashi attempted to strike up a conversation, inquiring about Sasuke's work. A weary sigh escaped Sasuke's lips as he replied, "the usual, Mr. Hyuga." His voice reflected the exhaustion he felt from his professional endeavors.

Hiashi turned his gaze back to Sasuke as they reached the dining table. Taking his seat at the end of the table, he gestured for Sasuke to sit next to him, his eyes shining with a glimmer of hope. "Please, Sasuke, I thought we've moved past the need for such formalities; call me father. You are practically my family," Hiashi requested, his desire for a closer bond evident in his words.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. The thought of calling Hiashi "father" felt too personal, too intimate, and it didn't come naturally to him. He had never even referred to his own father that way. Nevertheless, Sasuke decided to give it a try, to bridge the gap that separated them. With a slight nod, he respectfully replied, "I appreciate that, father." As the word escaped his lips, Sasuke couldn't help but curse himself for stuttering.

Just as the tension between them lingered, the dining room door swung open, revealing Hinata and Hanabi gracefully entering. Their arms cradled trays of delectable, steaming food. Hinata's gentle smile radiates warmth, bringing a sense of calmness to the atmosphere. With careful precision, she placed the trays onto the table, the enticing aroma filling the air.

"I never thought you'd actually show up," Hinata teased, to which Sasuke shot her a small glare.

"I said I would," he retorted.

Hinata shrugged, replying, "how was I supposed to know? You often say you'll come and then cancel at the last minute."

Sasuke scoffed, trying to prove his point, "I don't."

Hanabi hummed before interrupting their conversation, "Actually, you do that sometimes..." She looked away as Sasuke glared at her.

Hiashi couldn't help but laugh, "Hanabi, Hinata, give him a break. He's been working hard."

Sasuke gestured towards Hiashi while looking at Hinata. "See? He understands."

Hinata stuck her tongue out at him, prompting Sasuke to playfully grab it with his chopsticks.

"You always find a way to tease me, don't you?" Sasuke remarked with a smirk, releasing Hinata's tongue from his grasp.

Hinata giggled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It's just too much fun," she replied, her voice filled with playful affection.

Hanabi rolled her eyes, clearly used to their antics.

As they enjoyed their meal together, the tension eased, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Hiashi looked at the group, his gaze filled with pride. "You both have come a long way," he said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "I remember when you were just children, and now you've grown into remarkable individuals."

Sasuke and Hinata locked eyes, their gazes filled with a mixture of familiarity and playful banter. With a confident smirk, Sasuke couldn't resist a moment to boast. "You know, Hinata, if it weren't for my guidance, you'd probably still be the same weakling you used to be. Consider yourself blessed by my influence," he declared, a touch of cockiness lacing his words.

Hinata's eyes narrowed, a playful gleam dancing within them. She couldn't let Sasuke's comment slide without a witty retort. "Oh, Sasuke, be careful. Your ego is starting to overshadow your talents," playful sarcasm dripped from her words.

The exchange elicited a round of laughter from those around them, including Hanabi, who had witnessed their dynamic countless times before. Even Hiashi couldn't help but chuckle at the lighthearted banter between the two.


Hinata walked Sasuke to his car, her playful nature shining through. "Hey, why don't we go to the club tonight? You really need to loosen up. That stick up your ass seems to have reached epic proportions. I can almost see it coming out of your mouth," she quipped, her laughter filling the air.

Sasuke opened the car door and leaned against it, contemplating her invitation. "Not tonight," he responded, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "I have work tomorrow and important meetings to attend."

Hinata, not one to easily give up, grabbed his sleeve, stopping him in his tracks. "Please, just this once. I want to introduce you to someone," she pleaded, her eyes brimming with irresistible puppy dog charm that she knew Sasuke found hard to resist.

Sasuke averted his gaze, attempting to maintain his resolve. "Not tonight," he repeated, struggling to ignore the hopeful look in her eyes.

Hinata let out a playful whine, pulling out her secret weapon: persistence. "Please!" She begged, her earnest plea causing Sasuke to finally glance back at her.

He sighed, defeated by her unwavering determination. "Fine, but only for an hour," he relented, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Hinata's face lit up with joy as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a warm hug. "Yay!" She exclaimed, planting a sweet kiss on his cheek before releasing him. "Give me your phone." She held her hand out.

"What for?"

"You don't know which club I'm talking about, I was just going to put in the address." She reached into his pocket knowing that it would be there.

With no protest from Sasuke, he watched as she opened his maps application and entered the address before handing his phone back to him.

"See you at nine, don't be late!" She called out as she began to walk back to the house.

Sasuke watched her retreat, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and ran a hand through his hair. "Fuck," he muttered softly to himself, acknowledging the undeniable effect Hinata had on him.


Hinata glanced down at her phone as she entered the club. The time flashed at the top of the screen, it was just past nine and Sasuke had yet to send her a message letting her know about his arrival. Sighing, she looked around the room and pushed past the sweaty bodies of some dancers as she made her way to the bar. Sitting down on the stool, she tapped her fingers against the table softly and looked around.

The buzz of her phone made her smile; expecting it to be her Uchiha best friend, it faltered for just a moment. Looking up from her phone at the entrance, she craned her head to see the familiar blond hair of the person she was waiting for. Waving enthusiastically, she beckoned them forward with a smile.

"Naruto!" She stood up and held her arms open.

"Am I late?" He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "God, I hope I'm not late."

She shook her head and sat down. "No, he's not here yet. Surprisingly, you're the early one."

"I don't know if I should be happy or not. Are you sure he didn't cancel on you?" He called the bartender to order them some drinks for now.

"I'm sure Sasuke would let me know if he couldn't make it — he always does." She frowned and looked back at her phone.

A few more minutes must have passed of her constantly checking to see if she got a message from Sasuke. Naruto was already on his third margarita whilst she had no interest in drinking anything more than a shot of tequila.

Amidst the blaring music, Naruto raised his voice to be heard above the noise. "Nothing yet?" he asked, concerned.

Hinata shook her head, disappointment evident on her face. She scanned the crowded venue, straining to catch a glimpse of the raven-haired man among the sea of people, but to no avail. Letting out a sigh, she gently tugged Naruto's hand, indicating her intention to step away for a moment. "I'll be right back." She whispered in his ear.

Naruto nodded understandingly, "I'll head to the booth we picked so no one takes it."

She hummed and left him. Hinata sought out a quieter area of the club before dialing Sasuke's number. After a few rings, he finally answered. Hinata covered her free ear to block out the surrounding noise. "Hey!" She greeted him. "Where are you at?" A warm breath brushed against her hand, causing her to turn and discover the source.

There he stood, Sasuke, his presence commanding. "Here," he replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Hinata's own smile widened as she gazed up at him. "I have someone I want you to meet!" She exclaimed, taking his hand and leading him through the vibrant club.

Sasuke's sarcastic remark about meeting another "loser" fell on deaf ears as Hinata was determined to introduce him to Naruto. With excitement in her voice, she dragged Sasuke towards the table where Naruto awaited.

Spotting their destination, she released Sasuke's hand. "Naruto!" Hinata called out, her smile beaming.

Naruto rose from his seat and walked over to them, his gaze shifting upwards to meet the taller, raven-haired man standing beside his girlfriend. "Hey, the name's Naruto. You must be Sasuke," he greeted, extending his hand for a firm shake.

"I am," Sasuke replied, reciprocating the handshake with equal firmness.

Naruto then glanced back at Hinata, his enthusiasm undeterred. "Looks like it's just us. My friend bailed. Let's go sit and chat!" He suggested, motioning for them to join him at the table.

As they took their seats at the table, the atmosphere shifted, brimming with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Hinata observed the two men, her heart filled with a hopeful anticipation of their connection deepening.

Naruto, ever the conversationalist, started off with a lighthearted remark. "So, Sasuke, Hinata told me a lot about you. I hope you're ready for the Naruto experience!" He exclaimed, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, his expression momentarily inscrutable before a small smirk curled on his lips. "The Naruto experience?" He mused, his eyes flicking between Hinata and Naruto. "Interesting. This is the first time Hinata has mentioned you," Sasuke remarked, his tone slightly teasing.

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, turning to Hinata for confirmation.

She raised her hands in a defensive gesture. "That's because Sasuke has never shown much interest in my dating life," she explained, a playful glimmer in her eyes.

Sasuke looked at Hinata, his smirk deepening. "Well, you do have a reputation for dating people for a few months before moving on," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement.

Hinata playfully nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, this time it's different," she retorted with pride. "I'll have you know Naruto and I have been together for almost half a year now."

Their conversation was momentarily interrupted as the waitress approached their table, asking for drink orders. Sasuke and Naruto both opted for beers while Hinata requested a screwdriver.

Sasuke's gaze lingered on Hinata for a moment. "Well, congrats on making it past the three-month mark," he said, a touch of sincerity shining through his words.

Hinata's smile widened at his words, a mix of gratitude and joy in her expression. "Thank you, Sasuke," she replied warmly. Hinata held Naruto's hand tightly, a radiant smile illuminating her face. "I truly believe you guys will get along great," she expressed with optimism.

Naruto returned the gesture, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before leaning in to kiss her. The kiss, initially sweet, quickly turned passionate, causing Sasuke to feel a tinge of awkwardness. He averted his gaze, feeling like an unintentional intruder in their intimate moment.

Unbeknownst to the couple, the waitress returned to their table with their drinks, carefully placing them down, only to go unnoticed amidst the lovers' fervent embrace. Sasuke sipped his drink, his eyes scanning the club's surroundings before inadvertently settling on Hinata. Even though she was in the midst of kissing Naruto, Sasuke couldn't help but watch, captivated by the intensity of their connection.

Shaking his head to break free from the spell, he cleared his throat, interrupting their amorous exchange. "I'm leaving," Sasuke announced, finishing his drink and rising from his seat.

Hinata and Naruto broke apart, their gazes shifting towards Sasuke with surprise.

Naruto's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, sorry, man!" He exclaimed, realizing their moment had been oblivious to Sasuke's presence.

Hinata's lipstick had smudged onto Naruto's lips, accentuating their forgetfulness. She reached out and grabbed Sasuke's hand, her voice filled with a hint of pleading. "Please, Sasuke, stay a little longer," she implored, hoping to salvage the evening.

Sasuke shook his head, "I told you that I couldn't stay long since I have work tomorrow," he replied, his tone tinged with regret. "But I'll talk to you later." With those words, he began to walk away, retreating into the crowded club.

Hinata watched him depart, a faint feeling of disappointment settling within her. However, as Sasuke faded into the distance, her phone vibrated, catching her attention.

She retrieved her phone from her pocket, glancing at the screen to find a text from Sasuke. "He's a loser…," the message read. Hinata couldn't help but smile at the simple yet profound words.