It wasn't supposed to be this way. He was supposed to be on his own. He didn't need anyone else, and he certainly didn't want anyone else around.

And yet, here you were, sat across from him, your features dancing in the light of the fire.

The pops and crackles of the wood burning and breaking under the intense heat filled the air with soft sound, and nocturnal animals and insects chirped and chatted, unbothered by the two people who made their temporary home on the hard, bumpy, unforgiving dirt.

Sasuke said nothing. He simply stared at you, his expression unreadable as usual, and the forest, always so chilled, with a cold that penetrated bone deep, felt a little warmer tonight.

Maybe it was the extra kindling.