Beyond The Camera: The Sequel

Chapter 4

-Hinata's POV-

As exhausted as I was once Sasuke and I were finished, I couldn't bring myself to fall asleep. Not when I know he'll be gone when I wake. The man looked dead on his feet when he walked into this room, but he, too, remained awake.

I never bothered getting off of his lap. Instead, I simply collapsed against his chest and stayed there. He didn't seem to mind and wrapped an arm around me, his hand resting on my lower back, where it occasionally moved slowly up and down.

It's been almost half an hour since our tryst ended. Neither of us said a word.

As though thinking about it set things in motion, long fingers suddenly brushed my hair over my shoulder, and I sensed Sasuke was looking at me. I lifted my head, meeting his eye. As handsome as he was, there was no denying how tired he looked. At least he wasn't in tears anymore. The look on his face earlier will haunt me for the rest of my days. I never want to see it again, especially when it was my fault it arose.

"I don't hate you. I never should've said that."

I nodded but couldn't find the words to say because he already knew I forgave him.

Beautiful, dark eyes searched my face silently. I tried to memorize his, too.

Slowly, he lifted his hips and turned onto his side so we faced one another. My hand moved on its own, lifting to gently brush his jaw, my thumb running softly over his bottom lip. Sasuke just watched me. As I took it all in, his scent, warmth, and appearance, tears began to well in my eyes again.

My voice sounded hoarse and unfamiliar, "Thank you for finding me."

His eyes narrowed. Rather than immediately respond, he gently lifted a hand to catch mine and brought it to his lips so he could kiss it. He spoke into my palm only after closing his eyes, "Tell me why you're doing this so I can get you out of it. I'll find a way."

I shook my head, tears overflowing when he reopened his eyes. I knew he would ask; I just didn't know when.

"Sasuke, I can't. Y-You...." My chest tightened, and I had to pause, take a deep breath, and offer him a pleading look, begging him to understand, "I don't want you to interfere."

His fingers curled around my hand as he pulled it slowly from his mouth, his eyes narrowing.

I cut him off before he could speak, "Losing you....Losing everything I love is far better than what'll happen if I don't."

"And what is that exactly?"

My mouth clamped shut. Just by the look on his face, I understood he never expected me to answer the question, but that didn't mean he wasn't angry about it.

We were silent for a long time, multiple minutes, before he closed his eyes, "Are you really going to marry him?"

I was reminded of Toneri's visit earlier in the day.

Panic began to arise again, but I attempted to mask it by also closing my eyes, "I-I don't have a choice."

The room became quiet again. I thought we were done talking for the night, but Sasuke surprised me with an uncharacteristically honest statement, "I know you mean it when you say you love me, but I.... How are you okay with us breaking up?"

My eyes shot open to lock onto his, "I'm not okay with it."

Sasuke released my hand and frowned, "That's not what I meant."

My brow furrowed as his expression gradually fell into the tragic one from earlier, where he was almost in tears.

"I don't know what I'm going to do."