You had just finished an intense training session, your muscles aching and breath uneven. Sweat clung to your skin as you leaned back against a tree, wiping your forehead with the back of your hand. After a moment, you pushed yourself off and walked toward a nearby stream, the cool sound of running water calling to you.

Sasuke approached silently, his presence calm but focused. He crouched by the water’s edge, scooping a handful of cold water.

Sasuke: offering the water to you with a rare softness in his eyes
"Here. You look like you could use it."

You blinked, surprised, but accepted it. The coolness was refreshing.

Sasuke: standing now, his eyes meeting yours for a moment longer than usual
"I saw you training. You’re good—better than most, actually."

There was a pause, the air around you charged with something unspoken.

From a distance…

Naruto: loud as ever
"Hey, isn’t that Retsu? Sasuke’s totally into h—"

Sakura: smacking him upside the head
"Shut up, Naruto!"