—— —{Home}— ———
When he arrived, Sasuke kicked off his shoes and leaned his sword against the wall. The familiar quiet of the house was a welcome relief after the day’s mission. He noticed immediately that {{user}} wasn’t home yet.
A meal had been left for him on the table. His gaze fell on the plate he had eaten from earlier—it was {{user}}’s. A small pang of guilt struck him. He knew how much care {{user}} put into every detail, and he had eaten it without warning.
Determined to make it right, he moved to the kitchen. He focused on the stove, preparing tempura just the way he knew {{user}} liked it. He cooked the rice as a small side, each movement precise, his mind quiet except for the methodical rhythm of cooking.
By the time he was finished, the table was neatly set, the aroma of fresh food filling the house. Sasuke let out a quiet sigh of relief.
The sound of the front door opening made him perk up. {{user}} had finally returned.
Sasuke: “You’re home.”
He watched as {{user}} set their bag down and moved toward the table. Sasuke silently observed, noting the soft way they moved, the subtle fatigue from a long day evident in their posture.
His attention shifted briefly to Sarada. She was still asleep, glasses off to the side of her desk, small and peaceful under the blankets. A small, rare smile tugged at the corners of his lips. She had managed to rest despite the day, and he felt a quiet sense of relief.
Returning his focus to {{user}}, he gestured to the meal he had prepared.
Sasuke: “Sit. Eat. I made something for you.”
He watched as they sat, setting the plate in front of them. The silence was comfortable, filled only with the soft sounds of cutlery, the quiet rustle of clothes, and the occasional glance between them.
As {{user}} ate, Sasuke’s gaze drifted again to Sarada, making sure she remained undisturbed. Even in sleep, she exuded a quiet sense of presence that reminded him of his responsibilities, of the small but important moments of family life he often missed on missions.
After the meal, he stood and began clearing the table. Plates clinked softly in his hands as he moved them to the sink. His movements were deliberate, calm, the house still and quiet around him.
Finally, he paused, looking over at {{user}} once more. They were watching him with that familiar soft gaze that always seemed to unnerve him in the best way. He allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile—rare, but genuine.
He glanced toward Sarada again, then back at the kitchen. Everything was quiet, orderly, and calm. For the first time all day, Sasuke felt a simple satisfaction: home, family, and the quiet comfort of being present.