Time-Twisted Melody (Boruto - Twinkling Watermelon AU)

Chapter 39

Third Person POV

Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong.

Sarada groaned as the doorbell rang for what felt like the hundredth time that night. It was already late—far too late for anyone to be stopping by unannounced. The persistent ringing grated on her nerves, and she stormed toward the door, ready to tear into whoever thought it was a good idea to disturb her peace.

"Who the hell is crazy enough--" She yanked the door open but the words died in her throat as her eyes landed on Boruto who was standing on her doorstep with a sheepish grin.

"...!" Her annoyance instantly gave way to shock.

"Boruto?!" Sarada's eyes widened, her gaze sweeping over him. He looked like he'd just crawled out of a chicken fight—his clothes were wrinkled and disheveled, his hair sticking out in odd directions, and there were smudges of dirt on his face. Had he gotten into a fight? Did a truck run him over?

"What the hell happened to you?" she exclaimed, her mind racing with possibilities.

Boruto scratched the back of his head, his grin faltering under her scrutinizing gaze. "Uh... hey, Sarada. I know it's late, but..." He hesitated, shifting on his feet before continuing, "I was kinda hoping I could... stay over?"

Sarada's heart skipped a beat, her mind suddenly blank. "Stay over?" she repeated, her voice rising in disbelief. "You're joking, right?"

He was serious.

"What—are you crazy?! I thought you already left!" She stared at him like he had lost his mind.

Boruto only shrugged, still grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, well... I kinda didn't."

Sarada's pulse quickened. This was not how she expected her night to go, and the sight of Boruto, looking like a hot mess and asking to crash at her apartment, was freaking her out more than she cared to admit.

Sarada's pulse quickened, panic spreading through her like wildfire. Sure, she had teased Boruto before about staying over, but she never expected him to actually take her up on it! Now, here he was—standing in her doorway late at night and looking like he'd been through a battlefield. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what to do next.

"Boruto, what happened to you?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended, though it was laced with concern. But Boruto just shrugged, brushing her question aside like it wasn't important.

"It's nothing," he said casually, though the look in his eyes told her otherwise. "I just, uh... I can't go back to the Hyuga estate looking like this. Hinata would freak out." He glanced down at himself, then back up at her, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "So, I was wondering if I could stay over. Maybe borrow some of Sasuke's clothes?"

Sarada blinked in disbelief. "You want to borrow Sasuke's clothes?" she echoed, her tone incredulous. Her mind flashed back to the promise he had made her earlier about giving her a date she'd never forget. Now, he was giving her a night she'd never forget—for entirely different reasons.

Before she could respond, Sarada's eyes caught a glimpse of something—his hand. A red scar ran across his palm, stark against his skin, and her breath hitched. Without thinking, she reached out, grabbing his hand gently but urgently, pulling it closer to inspect the wound.

"Boruto!" she gasped, her eyes wide with worry. "What happened? Did you get into a gang fight or something?!"

He winced slightly but still gave her that same easygoing smile, trying to play it off. "It's nothing, Sarada. Just a scratch, really."

Sarada didn't buy it for a second, but she bit her lip, trying to calm herself. "Jeez, you're hopeless. Just come inside," she said softly, her grip still on his hand. "Let me treat that."