Jealousy Game||sasuke · Y/n story by @plamy2603

The bar was dim, warm, and loud in exactly the way a celebration should be. Bottles clinked. Someone—Kiba, probably—was already arm-wrestling Rock Lee at the corner table. Naruto was waving a pitcher of sake around like it was a trophy.

Naruto

Alright, alright! Everyone get a drink! This mission was insane, we almost died like twelve times, and we’re all still standing. That deserves a toast!

Sakura

raises her glass dryly To not dying.

Ino

And to Kakashi-sensei actually showing up for once.

Kakashi

from somewhere behind his book I heard that.

The group dissolved into laughter and scattered conversation. People grabbed seats, slid bottles across tables, and shoved each other for the good spots near the snacks.

Sasuke

quietly, from beside you There’s one.

You glanced over. He was already seated at the end of a long bench, arm resting lazily along the back, one empty spot next to him. He wasn’t looking at you. He was looking at the room. But the space was clearly for you.

Naruto

already halfway into his second drink HEY! Come on, Sasuke! Save some room for the rest of us, yeah?

Ino

smirks, sliding into a seat across the table Or maybe he just doesn’t want to sit next to you, Naruto.

Naruto

Rude!

The noise swelled again. Someone turned on music. Hinata was laughing quietly at something Shino said. Sai was sketching the chaos with a faint, unsettling smile.

Gaara

from across the table, voice flat You two are sitting remarkably close.

Sasuke

We’re sitting at a bench.

Gaara

And yet.