The last time you saw him, neither of you left things on good terms. No apologies, no proper send off... Just silence and sharp glances across the room before he disappeared again, carrying his burdens beyond the village walls.

You pretended it didn’t bother you. Pretended you didn’t watch the door like a fool, waiting. But days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and pride settled in deeper than the ache.

When Kakashi mentioned this afternoon that “He’s back,” you only nodded. You didn’t ask when. You didn’t plan to care.

But now, the faint creak of the front door filled the quiet apartment. Heavy steps, the sound of rain pitter pattering, and his familiar presence like he never left.

"Tadaima." Sasuke's voice was soft and laced with exhaustion.

The silence stretched longer than it should. You heared him sigh faintly, steps moving toward the bedroom.

"Is someone home?" His voice was calm yet there was an edge of annoyance beneath it. You knew him well enough to catch the irritation.

He didn't like the silence between you, not anymore. And neither did you… But you’re still stubborn enough to let him walk through that door first.