Through the Darkness To You (Sasuke x Reader)

Chapter 14: Closer Than Before

"You didn't have to jump in front of me, you know."

"I know."

"Then why did you?"

A pause.

"Because I didn't feel like watching you die."

Blunt. Cold. So Sasuke.

And yet, somehow, it made my heart flutter again.

I muttered, "I'm flattered."

"You should be."

"Was that... a joke?"

"Maybe."

My lips parted. "Wow. Sasuke Uchiha just made a joke."

"Don't get used to it."

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. That tiny smirk on his lips made it worse. Or better—I didn't even know anymore.

"You're not as cold as you act," I said, teasing. "You pretend not to care, but you do."

His gaze slid toward me.

"You think you know me?"

"I notice things."

"...So do I."

My heart stuttered.

His eyes lingered on me. Calm. Sharp. Close.

Wait—how did we get this close?

His face was barely a hand's width from mine.

My breath caught in my throat.

"You're... staring," I whispered.

"So are you."

The silence between us crackled. My pulse was thunder in my ears, and still—he didn't look away.

I should've leaned back. Pulled away.

But I didn't.

And neither did he.

His eyes dropped to my lips for just a second. My stomach flipped. I panicked. Looked away fast.

Get a grip, girl.

This couldn't be happening.

Not me.

Not him.

"You're infuriating," I mumbled, trying to collect myself.

"Hn."

But he didn't move. He was still close.

"...You were scared," he said suddenly.

I blinked, thrown. "Huh?"

"During the fight."

My chest tightened. "I thought you were going to die."

"You cried."

"You noticed that?"

"It was hard not to."

I groaned. "I must've looked like a wreck."

"You did."

I smacked his arm lightly.

He didn't flinch from the touch. Instead, his eyes flicked to where my hand brushed his sleeve.

His voice was lower now. "You always stand in front of Naruto."

"That's what you're supposed to do for a friend," I said.

He didn't say anything, but he didn't look away either.

"And you," I added, quieter now, "you didn't let me die. That has to mean something."

Another pause.

"I didn't think I'd care," he said. "But I did."

My heart stopped.

"I don't get you," I whispered.

He looked at me again.

"You smile even when you're hurt," he said. "You act like nothing bothers you, but it does."

I turned my eyes away. "Why are you paying so much attention?"

"I told you. I notice things."

I risked a glance at him—and caught him looking at me again.

Too long.

Too direct.

The air shifted again.

I looked away fast, my heart skipping like mad.

What is wrong with me?

These feelings weren't normal. Not for someone like him. Not for someone like me.

I couldn't even name what I was feeling... but it scared me.

Still, I found myself saying, "Thanks... for protecting me."

He didn't respond right away.

When he finally spoke, it was quiet.

"You don't need to thank me."

"I want to."

He was quiet again, but his eyes stayed on me. His gaze didn't feel cold this time. It felt... curious. Like he was studying me. Trying to figure something out.

And maybe, just maybe, he was just as confused as I was.

Neither of us said anything for a while.

But the silence wasn't awkward.

It felt like something unspoken was building. Something new.

Something neither of us dared admit.

Not yet.