Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at /works/45129091.
Additional Tags:
Canon Compliant, Fluff and Humor, Domestic Bliss, Introspection, Established Relationship, Short One Shot, Married Life
Eye of the beholder
by ArfisraR
"Sarada has your eyes, Sasuke-kun!!"
Her husband arches a fine eyebrow at her, the corner of his mouth tilting upwards in a smirk. "Obviously," he drawls.
"Ughh noooo, that's not what I meant!" Sakura whines, annoyed at her husband's teasing tone.
"I meant, she is always watching me, all the time, just like you!"
Like a hawk!
Sakura watches with a satisfied smile on her lips as Sasuke coughs into the scroll he's reading, and tries to purse his lips together in a poor attempt to stifle the blush spreading on his face. He makes no attempt at denying that fact and puts his scroll to the side, turns to face her properly and locks his eyes with hers, silently asking her to continue.
She takes a deep breath.
Sasuke and Sakura's eyes have always been drawn to each other, like moths to a flame, like the opposing poles of a magnet. Eye contact has always been Sasuke's preferred method of communication with her, and Sakura has always been a quick learner. Over the years that have passed between them, this locking of the eyes and the silent conversations that follow has become their thing.
But Sasuke was also watching Sakura even when Sakura wasn't looking.
For all her smartness and her intelligence and perceptiveness, it took Sakura a long time to become aware of Sasuke's watchful eyes. And even then, Sakura charted this uncanny behaviour as a by-product of having one of the most powerful eyes known to shinobi-kind.
Of course he's hyper-aware of his surroundings, it would be silly for an Uchiha to bump and trip on his feet now wouldn't it, Ino-pig?
You should've seen how he was looking at you, Forehead. Back then, when I was fixing your hair, after you pulled that stunt with the kunai. I saw it then.
But he looks at you too Naruto!
Sasuke doesn't look at me with the same eyes, Sakura-chan. I've seen how he looks at you. Even back then, I saw his look, and I knew it then.
Sasuke looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars.
That their daughter would inherit the same trait and manner of looking shouldn't come as a surprise to Sakura. She has been the primary caregiver for the majority of Sarada's short life. And the bond between a mother and child is much more different and special than any other bond, Sakura truly believes.
But where Sasuke has been content with letting his eyes do all the talking, Sarada asks questions. Innocent ones at first, "Mama what are you cooking? Mama is red your favorite color? Mama what's that purple thing on your head?" And then as her age and perception increases so does her inquisitive nature.
"Mama where is Papa? Why doesn't he live with us like all the other papas? Mama why do you look so sad? Mama have you ever kissed Papa?"
And lately, on the verge of teen-hood, and with her Papa finally back in her life, Sarada has been making these sly off-handed comments and observations that make Sakura's face flush with embarrassment.
"Mama you still act like a newly-wed wife. Mama you look happy now that Papa is back. Mama your skin is glowing."
"Honestly, living with you two is like having two surveillance cameras focused on me at all times!" Sakura exhales out her annoyance. "You know those cameras that Ino has in her Intelligence Department that allow her to watch all over the village at all times through multiple giant screens?!"
Sasuke blinks his eyes slowly, as he finally understands the point that his currently pouting wife has been trying to make.
(His darling wife that carries her heart on her sleeve for the entire world to see).
He surreptitiously surveys their living room and when he senses no one around, (Sakura rolls her eyes inwardly at the traditional upbringing of her husband), scoots closer to Sakura, taking her chin in his hand and rubbing his thumb over her lips to smooth out her pout.
"Have you ever considered this, my dear wife, that the reason we look at you the way we do is simply because you are our entire world? Both mine and Sarada's" Sasuke whispers fondly.
"Like I hung the moon and the stars?" Sakura whispers back, leaning into her husband's touch.
"Yes," Sasuke answers in the same affectionate tone.
A breath passes between them as they look into each other's eyes deeply, slowly drawing closer. And then...
"Papa you are so cheesy, I cannot believe you just said that to Mama."
Sarada is standing behind the couch like she's been there the whole time, giving her furiously blushing parents a smug smirk.
"Well I'm off to Chou-Chou's place, see you guys later!" And with a casual wave and a twinkling smile their daughter disappears from their view.
Apologies for any errors in grammar, tagging and formatting. Consider leaving a comment if you like my writing '
"Yes, I see now", Sasuke replies. He makes a mental note to have a talk with his daughter later to be gentler with her mother's feelings.
For now though, he is content in having his world in his embrace, near to his heart, and within his view. As long as he has sight in his eyes he will continue to watch Sakura. And when she's not in his view he will look for her in the greens of the leaves and the pinks of the flowers. Sasuke will always watch Sakura.
End Notes:
Felt like writing some domestic fluff with a hint of introspection, sasuke and sakura have such a peculiar relationship that is based almost entirely around non-verbal communication. I hope it wasn't too cheesy at the end.
Apologies for any errors in grammar, tagging and formatting. Consider leaving a comment if you like my writing '