Kairos | SasuSaku

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The smell of caramelized onion wafted through the small kitchen as Sakura chopped up the vegetables, neatly lining them up on the chopping board as she moved to season the broth.

She hummed as she worked, enjoying the rhythmic flow of the domestic activity (an activity she rarely divulged in), as she listened to the sound of children playing outside.

The food was almost done, and she checked the handles of the worn out clock just as the door handle rattled, the familiar sound enhancing her mood even more.

"Sakura?" Sasuke stepped into the kitchen, depositing his cloak on the back of the dining chair nearby.

"Welcome home, Sasuke-kun. I finished up early at the hospital today, so we're eating curry for dinner. Is that okay?"

"Hmm," he hummed, walking over and bending down as he rested his head on her shoulder, whispering a quiet "I'm home" as he did.

She scooped rice and a healthy serving of curry into two plates (making sure to get plenty of vegetables in Sasuke's), handing them both to him to set the table. Sasuke did so wordlessly, and before long, they were both seated opposite each other at the dining table, recounting their day like they always did.

This had been their routine since they'd moved into this quaint little seaside village. Initially, they had only wandered in to get married officially and obtain the necessary documents. After exchanging their vows in front of an officiant, they had explored the tiny village, and before Sakura knew it, they were signing a lease for this small apartment situated near the small cliff overlooking the beach.

"We can afford to take a break from the usual," Sasuke had said when she had voiced her concerns. And when he saw her face when she'd seen their apartments, and later, when they had gone out for a more thorough exploration of their would-be village, he'd reassured her that they could stay for as long as she wanted.

Sakura knew he'd do anything for her, but she also knew this was something he wanted. Needed, even. After all, she's seen the look on his face as well. Hopeful. Happy. Ready to start a new chapter in his-in their lives.

And so, they stayed. Sakura took up her job at the hospital, while Sasuke helped the men around the village with manual labor.

She looked at him now, his cheeks fuller, no longer hollowed out, his hair in desperate need of a trim. He walked toward the rice cooker and served himself a second helping, offering her some as well.

After dinner, Sakura carried the plates to the sink and turned on the tap, watching the sudsy water rise up as she deposited the dishes in them. She heard Sasuke shuffle behind her as he wiped the table down.

"Your hair's gotten long," he commented.

"Has it?" Sakura shook her head a bit, watching the pink strands fall below her sternum. She hadn't trimmed it in a while. It was hardly a distraction anymore. "Does it look bad?"

She heard him move around as she scrubbed the plates down, tiny sud splashes dotting the front of her apron. "That reminds me, your hair definitely needs a trim. I could do it tonight, if you'd like?" She heard his footsteps come behind her, his warmth at her back as he hummed languidly.

She felt his long fingers brush through her air, slipping down her back, as he traced the Uchiha clan symbol on her back.

"It suits you," Sasuke said, moving next to her as he grabbed the dish cloth to wipe the clean plates Sakura was stacking up.

As he busied himself in storing the clean dishes away in the cupboards, Sakura tried to calm her racing heart. She still didn't quite know how to handle this affectionate side of him, despite their marriage being three months old now.