Author's Note: Here's another one! Enjoy!


Navigating your way to the couch with a blanket draped over your shoulders, you attempted to balance your open laptop in one hand and a steaming mug of tea in the other. Having successfully dodged both of your two cats, you plopped yourself down onto the soft cushions, setting your mug and your laptop down onto the coffee table in front of you. Right in time too, as your screen flashed to notify you of an incoming video call. Quickly doing your best to fix your hair, you accepted the call and waited for the chat to connect. The screen flickered and there was Kabuto, two time zones and what felt like an entire world away, smiling back at you. The video quality could have been better, and there was a slight lag, but you could see him and hear him, and for now, that was enough.

Noticing Kabuto was still in his scrubs with his hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, you took a moment to gauge the time. "Did you just get back from work?"

"Yeah."

The corners of your lips twitched upwards into a sympathetic smile. "Long shift?"

Kabuto chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "Always."

After a month into the outbreak of COVID-19, Kabuto had made the decision to move to Suna in order to help aid in the treatment and containment of infected patients. Suna had been hit harder than Konoha, and Kabuto wasn't the only medical worker to take the trip over. You knew Sakura and Ino had also traveled to Suna together only a week after Kabuto did. From what he had told you, The Kazekage had graciously provided him with proper housing and whatever pre-requested equipment they were able to get him.

However, the uncertain situation meant it might be a while until he could come home, and neither of you knew how things would progress. You had been doing long distance for almost two months now, and with each passing day, your apartment felt lonelier and lonelier. As a professor, you were lucky enough to be able to work from home, your university mandating a shift to online classes. It was definitely a challenge, and you were worried about your students, but everyone was doing the best they could.

"How're you holding up?" You asked, reaching for and taking a sip from your mug.

"Better than we were two weeks ago. Things have started to look a bit better, at least where I'm working." He hummed thoughtfully. "Self-isolation rules are stricter here than in Konoha. Masks are mandatory when going outside, many non-essential businesses are closed, and there's restrictions on particular items in stores. Konoha could learn a thing or two about keeping numbers low."

"True. But things haven't been as bad here. Tsunade's been keeping the main hospital stable, and from what I've heard, Shizune's practically drowning in paperwork, poor thing."

"In times like these, you can never be too careful." He chided playfully. "Suna's not a bad place to stay, minus the virus, of course. Hotter than Konoha, that's for sure. Not to mention the apartment I'm staying at feels too quiet. It's strange not having the cats wake me up at four in the morning- never thought I'd miss that."

You snorted into your mug. "Must be nice. Your absence hasn't stopped them from harassing me, isn't that right, Soba?" You questioned, turning your head to look at the brown stripped cat perched on the arm of the couch. "You don't have to worry about them," You assured, resting your mug in your lap. "Udon's been getting into as much trouble as he always is."

"Is that good?" Kabuto questioned, raising an eyebrow. You shrugged, his somewhat concerned expression making you giggle.

"I have no idea."

The two of you shared a laugh before settling into a comfortable silence.

"Sorry I can't be home for our anniversary." Kabuto blurted out sheepishly, averting his gaze and rubbing the back of his neck. You blinked, brows furrowing in confusion for only a second before realizing.

"Oh, that's right. It's tomorrow, isn't it?"

"Don't tell me you forgot."

"In my defense, every day feels the same."

"Hm. That's fair."

You were surprised Kabuto remembered. Not that you expected him to forget, just that everything had been so hectic recently. Between your new teaching and grading schedule coupled with Kabuto's unpredictable on-call status, not to mention the stress and uncertainty that came with the virus, your anniversary was probably the last thing on your mind. You took a moment to consider it. Tomorrow would mark your five-year anniversary. Five years.

"Did you want to try and plan something?" You asked tentatively. With your equally hectic work schedules, it was unlikely that you'd actually be able to organize something substantial. Kabuto pursed his lips before shaking his head.

"Unfortunately, I don't think that would be possible," he said apologetically. "We're both too busy for that."

"I suppose you're right."

"As always."

That got him a dramatic eye roll.

"Careful, if you roll them any harder, they might fall out." Kabuto teased. You fought the urge to spite him, instead giving him the sourest look you could muster. You were rewarded with a snicker before you relaxed your expression, taking another sip of tea. "Well, even if we can't do anything together, I did have a surprise planned." That caught your attention.

"A surprise?"

"If I tell you, it wouldn't be one anymore- okay okay." Kabuto put his hands up in surrender as you shot him a look. "This isn't really panning out the way I imagined it, but I guess nothing is right now." He tapped his chin. "You know that oak bookshelf, the one near the big window upstairs?"

"The one that was a bitch to get into the apartment when we moved in?"

"That's the one."

"What about it?"

"On the second shelf from the top, behind the carved owl Sasori sent for birthday last year, there's a small box. Can you get it and show it to me?"

"Sure, one sec." You set your mug onto the table before heading upstairs and making a beeline for the large bookshelf. Getting up onto your tip toes, you reached behind the statuette, fingers brushing a small angular box. Taking hold of it, you quickly made your way back downstairs, settling back down onto the couch and holding the box up to the camera.

"Yeah, that's it." Kabuto confirmed. Before you could ask him what it was, he cleared his throat. "You know, this isn't how I pictured I'd be doing this but, _ _, we've been together for half a decade and I," He swallowed, voice wobbling a little. "I love you more than anything else in the world and it would be an honor to spend the rest of my life with you; will you marry me?"

Your eyes widened to saucers as you stared at your palm, clutching the small black box in your hand. With trembling fingers, you slowly cracked the box open. Inside, positioned neatly on a small velvet cushion, was a ring. A platinum band, not too flashy, with a small diamond in the middle contrasted starkly with the dark fabric of the box. Piecing it together, and finally comprehending what Kabuto had asked, your heart nearly leapt into your throat.

Eyes suddenly burning, you tore your gaze from the box to stare at your computer screen, where Kabuto was nervously shifting in his seat. You blinked furiously, vision suddenly blurry and your shout of excitement spooked Soba who jumped from her spot on the couch. "YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!" You quickly glanced between the ring and your boyfriend, his expression a mix of fear and relief at the same time.

"Well, go on then, put it on!" Kabuto said impatiently, tone giddy as he smiled at you, eyes shining. Carefully, you plucked the band from its cushion and slid it onto your left ring finger. It fit perfectly.

"Oh Kabuto," You breathed, chest tight. "It's perfect."

"We'll ah, have to work out the finer details later but, we're getting married." He said it like he couldn't believe it.

"We're getting married..." You parroted dumbly, still in shock from what just happened. "We're getting married!" You couldn't stop the excited and happy squeal that tore from your throat.

"_... I love you."

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.


End of Chapter 10

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed! See you in the next one! Bye!