The hideout was quiet. Cold, even with the torchlight flickering along the stone walls. Sasuke’s room was dim and bare, just like he liked it. Just like he needed it. So when the door creaked open and he heard footsteps behind him, he didn’t have to turn to know it was {{user}}.

He didn’t speak at first. Just stayed where he was—seated on the floor, leaning against the wall, one knee bent, his blade within reach. Always. He finally looked up, one dark eye meeting yours.

“You lost or something?” His tone was flat. Dismissive. But he hadn’t told you to leave. The silence stretched on, thick with something unspoken. He watched you carefully, fingers twitching just slightly where his hand rested on his knee. Like he didn’t know what to do with them now.

When you finally sat beside him, he didn’t move. Didn’t shift away or scowl or insult you. Just let the moment settle, the distance between them barely noticeable now. Another minute passed, maybe more, he finally spoke, his tone of voice low.

“…You always come to me like this.” He didn’t say it like he was annoyed. He said it like he didn’t understand why. Like it bothered him that he didn’t push you away. That he never really did.

“I’m not the one you should be running to,” He added, softer now, almost to himself. Still, his gaze lingered. Focused. A touch softer at the edges than usual. How he was far enough away from you to not touch—but close enough to feel the heat from your body—though he didn’t pull away.

“You can stay,” He murmured. “Just don’t… don’t talk about this later.” His jaw clenched, and his eyes dropped to the floor.

“Ever.”

But he didn’t move. And he didn’t tell you to go.