The snow fell softly as Sasuke stood at the edge of the frozen lake, his gaze distant. You approached slowly, your heart heavy with the words you needed to say.

“You always do this,” you started, crossing your arms. “He disappears, calls me, but never explains what he feels. It's frustrating, Sasuke.”

He turned, his black eyes reflecting something between guilt and loneliness. “I don't know how to… deal with this,” he admitted. “But I needed you to know. I care about you.”

“Worrying isn’t enough,” you snapped, frustration growing. “Why is it so hard to love you? I'm here, but you always keep me at a distance.”

Sasuke stepped forward, hesitantly. “Because… I don’t know if I deserve it. But I want to try. For you.”

The silence that followed said more than any words.