Unspoken Comfort
Neji woke up earlier than planned, the sky still heavy with darkness. No trace of sunlight yet — just the dim, muted haze of early morning creeping in through the window. The room was quiet, still, and colder than he expected.
His gaze drifted to the bed beside him. Sasuke was still fast asleep, his face softened in a way that Neji rarely got to see. Neji found himself pausing. It was rare to see Sasuke so unguarded, his usual sharpness softened by sleep.
A small, almost imperceptible smile crossed Neji’s lips. Without thinking, he reached for the blanket, tucking it a little closer around Sasuke. He knew he had to leave for the Hyuga compound, but he didn’t want Sasuke to wake up and find him gone without a word. Quietly, he took one of his scrolls and placed it beside the bed—an unspoken message that he would be back.
Stepping back, he took one last glance at Sasuke before silently exiting the room.
The Hyuga compound was eerily quiet at this hour. The usual presence of guards was missing, but Neji knew where they were—stationed at the outer gates, away from the inner quarters at this time of morning. The emptiness made the compound feel even more suffocating.
He walked through the corridors without hesitation, his feet carrying him on familiar paths. He didn’t need to be cautious—this was still his home, at least in name.
When he reached his room, he pushed the door open, and for a moment, he just stood there.
It was the same as always. Clean, organized, but lifeless. A space that had never truly felt like his.
His eyes swept across the room, searching for what truly mattered. He didn’t need much. He gathered his clothes quickly, folding them with practiced efficiency, but his hands slowed when he reached the small wooden box on the shelf.
Inside, neatly stacked, were the only things that truly meant something to him—photographs. The most important one being the One of his father, captured in a rare moment of warmth. Another of his team, a reminder of the bonds he had once formed despite his strict upbringing. These were the things that mattered, the things that carried meaning beyond duty and bloodlines.
Holding them for a moment, he let out a quiet breath.
This room had never been a home. It had been a place to sleep, to train, to exist. But never to belong.
And now, as he turned to leave, he knew—his home was no longer here.
The Hyuga compound felt distant as Neji made his way back to the Uchiha district. The bag slung over his shoulder wasn’t heavy, yet it carried everything that truly mattered to him. His footsteps were light, purposeful, as he approached the house where Sasuke rested.
When he opened the bedroom door, the faint creak of the wood stirred Sasuke from his sleep. Sasuke’s sharp instincts had him stirring almost immediately, one eye cracking open as he caught sight of Neji standing there with a bag.
For a moment, there was only silence. Sasuke blinked once, then lazily lifted a hand, signaling at the bag with a questioning look.
Neji shifted slightly before answering, his voice calm. "My clothes. A few things I needed."
Sasuke didn’t say anything at first, just stared at him for a moment longer. Then, without hesitation, he turned his head slightly and gestured toward the cupboard. "Keep them there."
Neji froze for a second.
It was such a simple statement, but coming from Sasuke, it meant something. He wasn’t just tolerating Neji’s presence—he was making space for him.
Without another word, Neji walked over and opened the cupboard. He noticed that Sasuke's things were already neatly arranged on one side. Respecting the arrangement, he placed his own items carefully on the other side. Despite his usual precision, he took a moment to make sure everything was in order, folding his clothes neatly, making sure the photos he had brought were stored safely.
A part of him still couldn’t quite believe it—he was here, living in the Uchiha compound, with Sasuke.
After setting his things in place, Neji turned back to see Sasuke shifting slightly, as if trying to get comfortable. He didn’t seem inclined to get up just yet, so Neji decided to take care of the next task—breakfast.
He made his way to the kitchen, pulling out the diet chart Tsunade and Shizune had provided. His eyes skimmed over the carefully planned meals, ensuring that everything met the required nutrients. His movements were efficient as he boiled some tea, the warmth of the steam rising in soft curls, filling the space with a calming aroma.
As he reached for the ingredients, his eyes landed on the scan picture tucked within the chart.
Neji paused.
He picked up the small image, looking at it properly for the first time. The grainy outline of the fetus was faint, but it was there—proof of the life growing inside Sasuke.
A soft, almost unrecognizable smile crossed Neji’s lips. He had seen countless missions, endless battles, but this—this was something fragile, something entirely different.
Carefully, as if treating something precious, he placed the scan picture on the fridge. Somewhere visible. Somewhere it wouldn’t be forgotten.
He returned to preparing the meal, but there was something different in his movements now. A quiet sense of purpose.
He knew , he wanted to be here for the Baby & Sasuke.
Neji heard the quiet click of the bathroom door closing. Sasuke was awake.
He glanced at the tea he had just finished preparing and poured a cup, setting it aside for Sasuke. The morning air was still cool, and the quiet of the Uchiha compound was oddly peaceful. It was a different kind of silence than the Hyuga compound—less rigid, less suffocating.
The bathroom door creaked open after a while . Sasuke stepped out, still toweling his damp hair. His sharp eyes landed on Neji, who was leaning casually against the bedroom wall, arms crossed..
Neji raised an eyebrow. "Took you long enough."
Sasuke scoffed, tossing the towel over his shoulder. "Unlike you, I actually enjoy hot showers."
Neji smirked faintly. "I was starting to think you’d drowned in there."
"Sorry to disappoint," Sasuke muttered dryly.
Neji shook his head, pushing off the wall. "Tea’s ready. Thought I’d check if you were still alive before drinking it all myself."
Sasuke snorted. "You’d never survive Tsunade if you let me skip a meal."
"True,"Neji smirked slightly . He turned toward the cupboard and slid it open, revealing his neatly arranged belongings. "By the way, I took the other side. Hope that’s fine with you."
Sasuke stepped closer, inspecting the way Neji had organized his things. "Hn." He then shot Neji a look. "You fold your shirts like an old man."
Neji narrowed his eyes. "It’s called being efficient. Unlike your ‘folding’ technique—if you can even call it that."
Sasuke smirked at the challenge. "I don’t waste time on pointless things."
Neji huffed but didn’t push further. Instead, he jerked his head toward the tea waiting in the next room. "Come on before it gets cold."
He didn’t wait for a reply, already making his way to the dining area. Footsteps followed a moment later — Sasuke, hair still damp, padding silently behind him.
Sasuke dropped into the chair opposite Neji, watching as Neji slid a cup of tea toward him.
"Still warm," Neji said smugly.
Sasuke picked up the cup, eyeing him suspiciously. "You sound proud over something that requires zero skill."
Neji shot him a dry look. "I had to time it perfectly between making breakfast, and checking if you were still breathing in there. I’d say that’s impressive."
Sasuke snorted softly. "Sounds like you’re angling for a medal."
"Just some gratitude would do," Neji said with a smirk.
Sasuke took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth settle in his chest. "Hn. Don’t hold your breath."
Neji chuckled, shaking his head. "Didn’t think I’d get it anyway."
Sasuke didn’t answer, but the fact that he kept drinking said enough.
Once Sasuke finished his tea, Neji stood and moved back to the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with a neatly prepared breakfast tray. Neji placed the tray in front of Sasuke. The meal was simple yet carefully prepared:
Miso soup – Light, easy on the stomach.
Tamago kake gohan – Rice with raw egg and soy sauce, a staple breakfast dish.
Grilled salmon – Cooked just enough to bring out the flavor.
Steamed vegetables – Prepared as per Tsunade’s diet chart.
Sasuke eyed the meal before looking up at Neji. "You really followed that diet chart, huh?"
Neji shrugged, sitting across from him. "I’m not getting scolded by Tsunade because you decide to be stubborn."
Sasuke let out a small ‘hn’ but didn’t argue. He picked up the chopsticks and started eating. Neji watched as Sasuke took a bite, waiting for a complaint.
None came.
Instead, Sasuke just kept eating.
Neji smirked. "You can just say it’s good."
Sasuke didn’t look up. "You talk too much."
Neji chuckled.
-
After breakfast, they stepped outside for a walk.
Neji had never paid much attention to the Uchiha compound before, at least not beyond its historical significance. But now, as they moved through the garden paths, he realized something surprising—it was beautiful.
The grounds were well-maintained, the stone pathways clean, the trees pruned with care. The koi pond reflected the early sunlight, the water clear and undisturbed. Rows of wisteria and plum trees lined the edges, their delicate petals shifting in the breeze.
Neji turned slightly toward Sasuke. "You take care of all this yourself?"
Sasuke, who had been walking with his hands in his pockets, glanced at him. "Who else would?"
Neji hummed in thought, glancing at the carefully arranged plants. "Didn’t take you for a gardener."
Sasuke smirked. "Didn’t take you for a housewife, yet here we are."
Neji scoffed. "Tch. You wish."
Sasuke let out a quiet chuckle at that, barely audible but there nonetheless.
The Uchiha compound didn’t feel empty.
After their morning walk, Neji prepared lunch — onigiri with pickled plum and chilled soba noodles served with a light dipping sauce. The simple meal was met with Sasuke’s usual stoic silence, but Neji caught the faintest flicker of approval in his expression.
"You’re not bad at this," Sasuke muttered between bites.
"I’ll take that as high praise coming from you," Neji replied dryly.
The afternoon passed in lazy stillness. Neji found an old film tucked away in Sasuke’s sparse collection — some classic Konoha-made samurai drama.
"Not this again," Sasuke grumbled.
Have you even seen it before?" Neji asked, already setting up the reel.
"No," Sasuke admitted, "but I can tell it's going to be ridiculous."
"Don’t judge it before you watch it," Neji shot back as he settled onto the couch beside Sasuke.
The film opened with a dramatic clash of swords, sparks flying as two samurai locked blades beneath a crimson sunset. The lead warrior — dressed in armor far too elaborate for battle — glared fiercely at his opponent.
"Did he spend his entire war budget on that cape?" Sasuke quipped.
Neji snorted. "I’m more worried about how he’s supposed to fight with that jewels and that armour it's not even covered fully "
"He’s going to get that thing caught in a branch and lose the whole fight," Sasuke added dryly.
Both of them chuckled — brief, but genuine.
As the film progressed, the two samurai entered yet another exaggerated battle. The hero delivered a dramatic spinning slash, sending half a dozen enemies of superior strength flying .
"That’s not how sword fights work," Sasuke muttered with disgust.
"Clearly, you’ve been doing it wrong all this time," Neji replied with mock seriousness.
Sasuke shot him a flat look. "Next time we spar, try spinning like that. I’ll knock you out before you finish turning."
Neji smirked. "You’d have to keep up first."
"Tch." Sasuke scoffed, but there was no real bite behind it.
The movie continued, and despite its melodramatic plot, they both found themselves drawn in. Some of the swordplay was so exaggerated that Neji couldn’t help but laugh, and Sasuke — to Neji’s surprise — laughed too. A real laugh, not his usual sarcastic scoff.
"I can’t believe he dodged that," Sasuke said between chuckles, pointing at the screen as the lead warrior avoided an arrow by flipping through the air like an acrobat.
"Maybe you should try that next time you fight ," Neji teased.
"Yeah, and I’ll break my neck in the process," Sasuke muttered, but his smirk lingered.
For the rest of the film, they kept trading remarks — critiquing the absurd dialogue, mocking the Hero & villain’, and shaking their heads whenever a fight defied every rule of logic.
Somewhere between their conversation and laughter, the room felt different — lighter. Easier.
When the movie ended, Neji leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms with a content sigh.
"I didn’t think you’d sit through the whole thing," Neji admitted.
"I didn’t think you’d talk this much," Sasuke shot back, but there was no irritation in his voice — just something quiet, almost amused.
They sat in silence for a moment, letting the lingering warmth of laughter settle.
"You know," Neji said after a pause, "we have more in common than I thought."
Sasuke glanced at him, one brow raised. "You mean excellent taste in bad movies?"
Neji chuckled. "No... I mean this." He gestured vaguely at the room — the relaxed air, the easy banter. "I don’t think I’ve talked like this with anyone in a long time."
Sasuke didn’t respond immediately. His gaze shifted slightly, lingering on nothing in particular.
"Yeah," Sasuke said quietly. "Me neither.
By late afternoon, Neji had just finished preparing tea when Sasuke suggested another walk — this time through the quieter paths at the back of the compound.
The air smelled faintly of earth and flowers, crisp from the cool evening breeze. As they walked, Neji found himself admiring the beauty of this side of the Uchiha grounds. The stream flowed quietly, its surface reflecting the soft hues of the sunset. The cherry blossom trees stood in full bloom, petals drifting lazily through the air like falling snow.
Sasuke paused near the stream, gazing at the water with an expression that was... softer.
"You look calm," Neji observed.
Sasuke exhaled through his nose. "I don’t always have to be on edge."
Neji let that linger for a moment before speaking again. "You’ve done a good job with this place."
"It’s better than leaving it to rot," Sasuke replied.
There was something more in his tone — something unspoken yet heavy.
"It doesn’t feel empty anymore," Neji said quietly.
Sasuke turned to him then, eyes sharp yet strangely warm. "Maybe not."
When they returned home, Neji prepared dinner — a light yet filling meal of oyakodon — chicken, egg, and onion simmered in a savory broth over rice.
"You’re starting to cook like an Uchiha," Sasuke remarked between bites.
"And you’re starting to complain like a Hyuga," Neji shot back.
Afterward, Sasuke retreated to the bath while Neji cleaned the kitchen. By the time Neji had his turn in the bath and returned to the living room, something caught his eye — his father's photograph sitting on the high shelf where Sasuke kept his family photos.
Neji froze. His father’s picture had always been tucked away in his belongings — never displayed openly, especially in the Hyuga compound. The branch family didn’t get that honor.
He turned to Sasuke, who was sitting on the couch, towel-drying his hair.
"What’s this?" Neji asked quietly, his voice uncertain.
Sasuke barely looked up. "It’s your father. He doesn’t belong stuffed inside a cupboard."
For a moment, Neji couldn’t speak. Something in his chest tightened — something painful yet oddly warm.
"He wouldn’t be on display at the Hyuga compound," Neji said softly.
Sasuke’s expression hardened slightly. "Then they’re idiots."
Neji swallowed hard. He didn’t know how to respond — not in words. Instead, he simply nodded.
"...Thank you," Neji said at last.
Sasuke didn’t answer, but when Neji looked over, he saw Sasuke glance his way with a rare, quiet understanding.
Later that night, Neji returned to the bedroom to find Sasuke already lying down, back turned to his side of the bed. It had become routine by now — Neji tucking Sasuke’s blanket closer before settling into his own.
Tonight was no different. Neji carefully pulled Sasuke’s blanket up over his shoulder.
"You’re predictable," Sasuke muttered sleepily.
"And you’re stubborn," Neji shot back, grabbing his own blanket and lying down.
They both faced each other — a habit neither had intended, yet one that had naturally developed.
Neji’s gaze drifted to Sasuke’s face. His hair had fallen loose, dark strands curling slightly across his forehead. Before he could stop himself, Neji reached out and brushed them aside.
Sasuke’s eyes flickered open — sharp, tired, but surprisingly calm.
His gaze fell to Neji’s forehead — to the faint, cursed seal that marred his skin. Without a word, Sasuke reached out and traced the lines of the mark with his fingers. His touch was gentle, barely there, but it lingered longer than Neji expected.
Neji didn’t flinch. He didn’t move away.
Their eyes met — a silent conversation neither could quite put into words.
For some reason, Neji smiled softly — not out of amusement, but something... deeper. Sasuke’s fingers stilled, his expression unreadable.
He started to pull his hand away, but Neji caught it — fingers curling around Sasuke’s hand, holding it lightly yet firmly.
Neither spoke. Neither needed to.
They lay like that — quiet, breathing in the same rhythm, Sasuke’s hand still resting against Neji’s chest.
Eventually, Sasuke’s eyes drifted closed again. Neji kept his fingers entwined with Sasuke’s just a little longer before finally closing his own eyes.
For first time in years neither of them felt alone.