AN: This is nothing original, but please enjoy anyway. :)

Edit (Jul 26, 2015): I decided to revisit this story the other day and was appalled to find so many typos throughout the chapters, so I'll probably do a bit of a cleanup. The language should flow smoother and sound less pretentious this time around.

Also, if you happened to like these the first time around, I'm writing more extended NaruHina AU called Over The Hills And Far Away. Please check it out if you have time! Thanks for checking in, and as always, reviews would be greatly appreciated!

She woke up to find the blanket fitted snugly around her shoulders and a warm cup of green tea on the dresser. She heard the shower running, so she waited and fidgeted, unsure of herself as always and unsure of what was expected of her. Should she leave?

She peered out his window. It was raining outside. His small apartment was warm, inviting her to overstay her welcome.

She could not blame the alcohol because she knew she didn't have much. And she didn't just let him use her as an outlet for all his anxiety, because, really, she didn't regret it. Ten years of being in love with him and the closest she got to confessing her feelings was a night of passionate coitus. She blushed upon remembering the details, slightly ashamed that she had fantasized about doing unmentionable acts with and to him hundreds of times before last night. Except in her dreams, he had fallen in love with her and courted first. In this case, she was unlikely to be more than a tryst, a product of strange circumstances. Dreams only came true for princesses, and she was only an heiress by virtue of being born first.

But her traitorous heart soared and rebelled against her better senses. I cannot believe I spent the night with him. What they had shared, even if meaningless to him, had birthed a memory that had a life of its own. And, she bargained, it was probably better than waiting for an opportunity that would never come. For many people, perfection lasted only a moment. She got an entire night. Even if he will never be hers, no one can take this memory from her.

She heard him turn off the shower and tried to prepare for the worst. Would he stammer out apologies while trying to explain that last night was a mistake? Would he she see guilt and pity if she looked into those eyes that that had given her strength? Maybe she should thank him and leave before he could say anything. But did it sound strange and desperate for a girl to thank a boy for sex? Just say 'I was just about to leave. Thank you for last night,' and go.

But when the door opened, her words died stillborn in her throat. He stood by the doorway with a towel around his waist. His eyes were bright, brilliant, and blue, despite the dark circles underneath them.

"Hey." He smiled, but this time he looked shy, unlike last night and unlike his usual self.

"You didn't drink your tea." He looked like a small child asking for approval.

"Thank you" was all she could manage, and her brain couldn't figure out the right words to say because her heart was too busy melting.

He walked toward her and peered down at her. She was so strange. He reached out to touch her hair (it always looked so shiny), but drew back. Blood rushed to his face when he remembered the sparks that flew last night. Most girls he'd been with had been like a lump of clay in bed. They felt lifeless and barely moved, as though they were bestowing him with the most generous blessing by letting him touch them. He could feel their disdain even if he couldn't see their faces in the dark, and asked himself why they even bothered. Being beautiful didn't keep them from being a bag of crap in the sack. But Hinata was different. She had given herself fully. There were times when she looked fragile, but last night, she held him close and it felt like her small arms protected him from the world. For once he felt wanted. And he wished he knew more about her.

"Say, uh," he scratched his head and bit his lip briefly. "Would you wanna have breakfast with me?" He laughed nervously.

"W-What? Oh! O-of course!" Why did she always look pleasantly surprised when he talked to her? He laughed again, full of mirth this time.

"Hey, I think that's the first time I've seen you smile. I mean, really smile."

She blushed and averted her gaze. I suck.

"Awesome, nothing beats Ichiraku on a rainy day." He stripped off the towel to put on some real clothes. She turned away to give him some privacy (though he hardly cared for any). She jumped slightly when she felt him put one of his jackets around her shoulders.

They left the small apartment with Hinata wondering how often were people nervous about going on a date with someone they had already slept with. And Naruto briefly wondered if this fluttering feeling was heartburn, but quickly decided against it since it felt too good. And that was the new way of things.