As the morning sun gently streamed through the curtains, Hinata and Naruto slowly opened their eyes, finding themselves wrapped in each other's arms. They exchanged sleepy smiles, basking in the warmth and comfort of their embrace.
Hinata's eyes softened as he kissed her forehead, chuckling when he heard her squirm and hide under the covers. "It's too early," she whined, peeking her head out from the blanket.
"It's almost noon; we should get up," he replied, sitting up. As she peeked out, her gaze caught a glimpse of his back, and her eyes widened in concern as she sat up to touch the marks.
"Oh Kami, does it hurt? Where's your first aid kit?" Naruto exclaimed, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. They wobbled on the floor, and before she could fall, Hinata caught her.
"Hey, it's fine, but you need to take it easy. You're going to be sore for a few days," he said gently, helping her toward the restroom and carefully placing her on the toilet.
"But your back—" she started, but he silenced her with a kiss. She pouted when he pulled away, only for him to kiss her again. "You can put the ointment on my back after we take a shower."
Naruto nodded, still pouting with her arms crossed and her head held high. Hinata shook his head with a smile and pressed a kiss against her cheek.
He smirked at the blush blooming on her face as he moved to the sliding door, turning on the water and adjusting it to a warm temperature.
Hinata helped Naruto stand on her shaky legs, guiding her toward the shower...
She let out a sigh of relief as the warm water ran down her back. She raised an eyebrow when she saw him close the door.
"Aren't you getting in?" she asks while rolling her neck, He tries not to stare but the marks on her neck and skin make him feel a sense of pride.
"In a minute, I'm going to find us some clothes" Naruto nods as she closes her eyes. Naruto let out a small sigh before flinching as hands grasped her hips.
She turned her eyes meeting Hinata's before leaning back into his hold, she moaned softly as Hinata massaged her hips.
"Better?" She nodded softly, Naruto turned and squeezed some mint coconut body wash onto the scrubber and started scrubbing his chest.
"I'm sorry about your back" Hinata smirked as he held her chin.
"It's fine, you couldn't help yourself with all the pleasure I was giving you" Naruto slapped his chest lightly.
"Okay Jackass you can scrub your own back," She says while turning her long hair and smacking him in the face.
"Hey don't be like that" he moved her hair to slightly drag his lips down her warm neck.
Naruto and Hinata stood beneath the warm cascade of water, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic pattern of droplets on the tiled floor. The steam enveloped them, creating an intimate cocoon in their shared sanctuary.
Hinata reached for the shampoo, his fingers briefly tangling with Naruto's as they exchanged a knowing smile. He lathered her hair with gentle strokes, the scent of jasmine filling the air. Naruto closed her eyes, relishing the sensation as his hands massaged her scalp.
She did the same, while gently scrubbing his back that was marked because of her, she would kiss every mark softly, and Hinata's heart would swell with every kiss. Drops of water glistened on Naruto's skin, a testament to the intimacy they cherished in these stolen moments of togetherness.
As the water cascaded down, Hinata traced a trail of kisses along Naruto's neck, the intimacy between them deepening. Within the confines of their private world, the symphony of water and hushed whispers.
Naruto stood as Hinata helped dry her hair, she couldn't help but focus on the rapid beat of her heart, he had never felt this way except for Ino and it wasn't as intense. She was afraid to ask where this relationship was going but he did say he wanted strings.
But did he mean as a sneaky link? Or as an actual relationship?
When Hinata stopped drying her long hair, Naruto did this while standing on her tippy toes, her towel holding everything together as he was on his waist.
"Do you have a blow dryer?" Hinata gave her a look and she laughed while he reached for his college sweatshirt and joggers, offering them to her. "Here, you can change into these," he said with a soft, affectionate voice.
Naruto gratefully accepted Hinata's clothes and began changing. She slipped into the oversized sweatshirt and joggers.
"Thanks, and you're okay with me borrowing these? Even your boxers?" she whispered the last part, He smiled and leaned into a kiss against her cheek, causing her whiskered cheeks to glow.
"Yes it's fine and I figured you would be more comfortable with something rather than nothing, and I can ask next door if they have a dryer" Naruto smiled and leaned on her tippy toes to kiss his lips.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." He smiled and pulled on his top and a pair of joggers. Naruto was secretly hoping his neighbor wasn't a girl or gay, because of the way his muscles ripped and flexed with that tight shirt, she didn't want others to see.
Yet he did have a few hickey's on his neck so she didn't mind as much.
Naruto slipped into the clothes Hinata had lent her, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Among the items he'd handed her was her bra from the previous night—her good one, no less. She would have preferred her sports bra, but here she was.
When Hinata returned, shaking his head with an amused smirk, Naruto shrugged nonchalantly, flipping her damp hair over her shoulder to dry it.
Leaning casually against the doorway, Hinata studied her. Something about Naruto seemed different. His gaze caught a glimmer of red hidden in the roots of her hair.
"I've noticed how long you keep your hair—it's beautiful," he said, curiosity lighting his tone. "But is that… red? Do you have red hair peeking through?"
Naruto turned to him, her expression softening. "Yeah. I was born with red hair on half of my head. But after my parents passed, I started dyeing it blonde." She hesitated, her fingers grazing the strands. "Ino told me I'd look prettier that way."
Hinata's eyes widened briefly before his expression shifted to one of understanding. He stepped closer and gently cupped her cheek. "Naruto, you're stunning just as you are. Your natural hair is part of who you are, and it's beautiful. You don't need anyone's approval to be yourself."
Naruto's lips curled into a genuine smile as she pulled her hair into a messy bun. Once finished, she grinned and threw her arms around Hinata's neck.
"Wanna see what I looked like before I dyed it?" she asked, teasing.
"Absolutely." He grinned, resting his hands lightly on her hips.
Naruto smirked. "Fine. After you put the sheets in the wash, we can grab breakfast. Sound good?"
Hinata laughed and kissed her. Without warning, he scooped her up over his shoulder, earning a surprised yelp.
"Hey! What are you doing?" she protested, laughing as she kicked her feet.
"Carrying you to the car," he said with a smirk, grabbing his keys and wallet. He set her down gently, slipping sandals onto her feet.
"You're ridiculous," Naruto muttered, pouting.
"And you're adorable when you pout," Hinata teased, kissing her lips before holding out his arm.
Naruto huffed but linked her arm with his. They made their way outside, with her grumbling the whole way to the car.
At the diner, Naruto looked around with delight. She loved the retro vibe of the place. The two slid into a booth, and Hinata watched her with an amused expression as she scanned the menu.
"So, are you going to show me that photo?" he asked, raising a brow.
Naruto chuckled, shaking her head before pulling out her phone. Her eyes softened as she swiped through her gallery. She stopped on a picture that brought a wave of emotion.
It was her first day of preschool, and in the photo, she was holding both her parents' hands. Her father's eyes were red from crying, while her mother waved with a bright smile. Naruto's own smile was big and toothy; she hadn't cried that day. She hadn't been alone.
She quickly wiped her eyes before Hinata could see, but he noticed her change in demeanor. He gently reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"You look like your mom," he said softly. "She's gorgeous, just like you. I would've loved to meet them."
Naruto bit her lip, her eyes misty as she leaned into his shoulder. "They would've loved you too. Though my dad probably would've tried to intimidate you—until my mom told him to behave."
Hinata chuckled, tilting her chin up with his thumb. "I'd have taken the intimidation if it meant getting to know you."
Naruto smiled, and the two shared more stories about their families. She talked about her parents while showing Hinata pictures, and he opened up about his home life. He spoke of losing his mother, his father becoming stricter afterward, and his little sister, who thankfully had a gentler upbringing.
"What about hockey?" Naruto asked as she took a big bite of her pancakes. "How does he feel about that?"
Hinata grinned, wiping whipped cream off her lips with his thumb before licking it. "He was thrilled when I picked it up. He played in college, so I think he was proud. But he gets nervous—it's dangerous, after all."
Naruto frowned. "He has a point, Hinata. Hockey can be brutal. I don't want you getting hurt."
Hinata's heart skipped at her concern—and her use of the nickname. "You have nothing to worry about, Naru. I'll be fine."
Naruto wasn't convinced, swatting the back of his head lightly. "Promise you'll tell me if you get hurt?"
"I promise," he said, kissing her forehead for the umpteenth time that morning.
The conversation was easy, filled with laughter and little moments of sweetness, like when Hinata confidently ordered a cinnamon frappuccino.
"Cinnamon?" Naruto teased, raising a brow. "I thought you were more of a black coffee guy."
Hinata smirked. "I like to keep you on your toes."
The two finished their drinks and made their way back to Hinata's car. As he pulled up to Naruto's dorm, he parked and walked her to the door.
"I had a great time with you today," he said sincerely, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'll get your clothes back to you soon, promise."
Naruto smiled, her cheeks warm. "I'll hold you to that."
Before leaving, Hinata leaned in and kissed her, soft and lingering. As he walked away, Naruto stood there, watching him go with a mix of happiness and bittersweet emotion.
Returning to her dorm, she kicked off her shoes and hit play on the answering machine. Familiar voices filled the room, pulling her back into reality.
Naruto moved her neck around as she took sips of her coffee. Naruto shimmers off the joggers as she listens to different voicemails.
"Hey crazy night huh?, look I'm sorry for what happened yesterday I was drunk but you had no right to slap me, you also did it in front of everybody"
"Hey it's Shika, I hope everything is okay please call me when you get this"
Naruto closed her eyes while rubbing her temples. She felt guilty for not calling Shikamaru and Ino filling up her answering machine made it worse.
She pressed off the answering Machine and sent a quick text to Shikamaru before dropping into her bed in nothing but Hinata's boxers and his sweatshirt.