Naruto :: And Counting :: G :: Sasuke/Sakura
Title: And Counting
Fandom: Naruto
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura
Rating: G
Genre: Romance
Word count: 431
Spoilers: No
Summary: Sasuke is paranoid and Sakura, fortunately, is both patient and sympathetic.
"I don't want you fighting."
Sakura looked up, predictably surprised, her chopsticks pausing above her bowl. "What?"
His own meal relatively untouched during his last few minutes of deep thought, Sasuke leaned back in his chair as he regarded her. "On the way back, we'll probably encounter more resistance. If that happens, stay out of it." It wasn't a hint, and it wasn't a request - it was an order, the first he'd dared to give her in a long time.
Normally, Sakura would argue. Normally, she'd be angry at his suggestion that she couldn't handle herself, least of all against whatever inexperienced mercenaries might intercept them again, and Sasuke's somewhat coarse display of compassion would lead to another fight - but, unlike normal, she only smiled a small, knowing smile and glanced away.
"I was thinking the same thing about you."
His expression didn't budge at the joke. "I'm not telling you to run. Or hide. Just stay back."
She sighed slightly, but seemed to think better of objecting after a short pause. He'd caught her in a good mood. "So you want me to stay behind you, and you'll be the man and take care of anyone and everyone who comes calling?"
The wound to her pride was obvious, along with her effort to take his point of view into account; just a hint gentler but no less serious, Sasuke corrected in the misleadingly apathetic tone he used for just about everything else, "I'll protect you." Her eyes softened, and this time her smile was almost shy.
"You're really that worried." It wasn't a question, and he didn't respond - he only looked down at the tabletop, or rather where her flat stomach was beyond it. Pushing her food back, Sakura stood and made her way around the table to him, where she slid comfortably into his lap and kissed his forehead. "I knew I should have waited a few more days to tell you," she teased. "But... fine. For now. But in return-" She found the hand he was resting lightly on her hip and pressed it firmly against her, her expression skeptical. "-stop acting like you're afraid of hurting me every time you touch me." When he still said nothing, she pushed, "All right?" until he finally gave an acknowledging grunt to please her. "Good." Easing up on his hand, she instead slipped her fingers under his, and after a moment he returned the gentle grip. "Because being pregnant - possibly pregnant," she emphasized, "doesn't mean I'm suddenly made of glass."
No, Sasuke agreed, but it was close enough.
Fandom: Naruto
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura
Rating: G
Genre: Romance
Word count: 431
Spoilers: No
Summary: Sasuke is paranoid and Sakura, fortunately, is both patient and sympathetic.
"I don't want you fighting."
Sakura looked up, predictably surprised, her chopsticks pausing above her bowl. "What?"
His own meal relatively untouched during his last few minutes of deep thought, Sasuke leaned back in his chair as he regarded her. "On the way back, we'll probably encounter more resistance. If that happens, stay out of it." It wasn't a hint, and it wasn't a request - it was an order, the first he'd dared to give her in a long time.
Normally, Sakura would argue. Normally, she'd be angry at his suggestion that she couldn't handle herself, least of all against whatever inexperienced mercenaries might intercept them again, and Sasuke's somewhat coarse display of compassion would lead to another fight - but, unlike normal, she only smiled a small, knowing smile and glanced away.
"I was thinking the same thing about you."
His expression didn't budge at the joke. "I'm not telling you to run. Or hide. Just stay back."
She sighed slightly, but seemed to think better of objecting after a short pause. He'd caught her in a good mood. "So you want me to stay behind you, and you'll be the man and take care of anyone and everyone who comes calling?"
The wound to her pride was obvious, along with her effort to take his point of view into account; just a hint gentler but no less serious, Sasuke corrected in the misleadingly apathetic tone he used for just about everything else, "I'll protect you." Her eyes softened, and this time her smile was almost shy.
"You're really that worried." It wasn't a question, and he didn't respond - he only looked down at the tabletop, or rather where her flat stomach was beyond it. Pushing her food back, Sakura stood and made her way around the table to him, where she slid comfortably into his lap and kissed his forehead. "I knew I should have waited a few more days to tell you," she teased. "But... fine. For now. But in return-" She found the hand he was resting lightly on her hip and pressed it firmly against her, her expression skeptical. "-stop acting like you're afraid of hurting me every time you touch me." When he still said nothing, she pushed, "All right?" until he finally gave an acknowledging grunt to please her. "Good." Easing up on his hand, she instead slipped her fingers under his, and after a moment he returned the gentle grip. "Because being pregnant - possibly pregnant," she emphasized, "doesn't mean I'm suddenly made of glass."
No, Sasuke agreed, but it was close enough.