Naruto One Shots

Minato x Reader | Confessions

Word count: 1,914

Requested by: Qorinajulianti

*~*~*

Her head was spinning, though her body felt light and airy. A lazy smile crept on her face, her chin cradled in her palm as she blinked away the blurry spots in her vision.

"I'll take another," she slurred, flagging down the bartender. He gave her a wary look, reaching forward to remove her empty mug, before glancing behind her.

"It's about time you showed up," he grumbled, turning his back to begin scrubbing the counter. "She's about run the bar dry. Cut her off hours ago, been giving her water but she can't tell the difference. She's got to go."

The woman heard a soft sigh behind her before a gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder. She peered up at a familiar mass of blond hair and grinned, leaning drowsily into her friend with a slur of unrecognizable words.

"Come now, (F/n). I think you've head enough," Minato said gently. With a graceful swoop he gathered her in his arms, carrying her bridal style towards the exit. "I'll be sure to get her home safely," he called behind him.

The bartender merely grunted in response.

*~*~*

The streets of Konoha were barren in the early hour, with dawn quickly approaching. A sleeping (F/n) rested comfortably in Minato's arms as he approached her front door. The frown had not left his face since the bartender sent for him, especially upon observing the drunken state of his childhood friend.

With a soft sigh, he nudged open the door and entered her house, making his way through the dark halls to find her bedroom. The frown returned as soon as he opened the door.

The place was a mess.

Half-eaten takeout containers scattered the floor. Drawers had been upended, with their contents scattered about and abandoned.

But it was the emptied bottles of liquor that concerned him the most. (F/n) had never been much of a drinker before, nor had she given any inclination over the past few weeks that she'd developed such a habit.

Until tonight, at least.

An uneasy feeling settled in Minato's stomach as he made his way carefully to her bed, stepping around piles of clothes and trash to lay her gently on the mattress. From the floor, he untangled her comforter and sheets to pile them softly on top of her, tucking her in as though she were a small child, and not a fully grown, fully trained kunoichi.

What had happened, exactly, that had broken her spirit so? Minato chewed his lower lip as he pondered this. As far as he knew, things had been going quite well for her. A new promotion, a blooming relationship, always surrounded by friends – every time they crossed paths, she had a sunny air about her and a brilliant, effervescent smile on her face. And although they hadn't spoken nearly as often as they used to – what, with their busy schedules and all – she had been happy. Hadn't she?

He stared down at her, his frown increasing as he took in the tangles of her hair, the streaks of makeup around her eyes. He crouched beside her, ignoring the ache in his heart as he watched her sleep.

"What has happened to you, (F/n)?" He whispered sadly, pushing aside the tangles of hair from her face. In her sleep, she leaned into the warmth of his hand. Minato pressed his forehead to hers. "I wish things were different," he muttered, more to himself if anything. And it was true.

But those were thoughts best kept hidden.

With a sigh of resignation, he pressed his lips softly against her forehead before standing to leave. As he approached the door, he heard a slight rustle in the covers behind him.