The first hints of spring clung to the air, bringing with it a new kind of energy. The snow that had blanketed the fields had long since melted, and now the garden you and Sasuke had tended together was alive with growth. The tomato plants you'd planted weeks ago stood proudly in their rows, their green leaves unfurling under the sunlight and their fruit heavy on the vines, almost ready to be picked.

You crouched near one of the plants, inspecting the tomatoes carefully. "This one looks ready," you said, tugging gently at a plump, red fruit until it came free. You turned and held it up for Sasuke to see, a grin spreading across your face.

He glanced at it and gave a small nod. "Not bad," he said, but his tone was softer than usual.

Sasuke was kneeling a few feet away, his attention on another plant. He moved with quiet precision, plucking only the ripest tomatoes and placing them carefully into the basket beside him. You couldn't help but notice how serious he looked, even while doing something as simple as picking tomatoes.

"Relax, Sasuke," you teased, setting your tomato into the basket. "We're not on a mission. They're just tomatoes."

He shot you a sidelong glance, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he shrugged. "If we're going to do it, we might as well do it right."

You rolled your eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. That was Sasuke for you—always putting in effort, even when it wasn't necessary.

The two of you worked in silence for a while, the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the air. Every so often, your hand would brush against a vine he'd just picked from, and you'd mutter something about him hogging all the good tomatoes. He wouldn't reply, but you caught the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.

By the time the basket was nearly full, you flopped down onto the soft grass, stretching your arms overhead. "We did it," you said with exaggerated satisfaction. "Tomatoes for days."

Sasuke stood, brushing dirt from his hands. He glanced down at you, his expression thoughtful. "You're not bad at this," he said quietly.

You blinked, caught off guard by the rare compliment. "Uh, thanks?"

He shrugged and looked away quickly, his ears tinged with pink. "Don't let it go to your head."

You laughed, leaning back on your elbows as the warm sun shone down on the garden. "Whatever you say, Sasuke. But I think we make a pretty good team."

He didn't respond, but as he bent to pick up the basket, you caught the smallest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

(A/n) : y'all this is what happens when I have a week to prepare these chapters and not crunching them all in one day, like OMGOODNESS this chapter is perfect. I feel like I kinda went off the readers personality and Sasuke's but I don't really know. Let me know your thoughts ! Or not... either is fine lol. Next chapter is coming today so stay tuned !

(549 𝘞𝘖𝘙𝘋𝘚)