Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hinata has been a constant presence in your life for as long as you can remember. Since the two of you were little kids, her soft-spoken, shy nature always seemed to seek out your calming energy. She was your best friend, your person. The kind of soul who made you feel understood without needing to say much at all.

You knew everything about her: her quiet determination, her awkward quirks, her not-so-subtle admiration for a certain loud, blonde-haired ninja, the tiny stutter in her voice when she got too nervous, and all of her most embarrassing secrets. You’d grown up together, side by side, always in tune with one another.

And she knew everything about you too. She knew how reserved you could be; an ambivert by nature, measured in your energy, opening up only to your most dear friends. In Hinata’s eyes, you were amazing. A strong, composed, and smart kunoichi who carried herself with quiet confidence. Someone who inspired her. Someone who could make her laugh until she had to hide her face behind her hands.

Yes, she knew all of you.

Which included your very obvious, very persistent, very hopeless, big fat crush on her cousin, Neji Hyuuga.

You wouldn’t consider yourself an unlucky person, not really. If anything, fate had been a reliable ally, showing up for you In your hardest moments, the universe had a strange way of nudging things in your favor.

But for some reason, whenever Neji Hyuuga was in the vicinity, the universe seemed determined to humiliate you.

And you weren’t a shy person either; just quiet. Calm. Grounded. You weren’t shy. Not to the point of full-blown blushing or tripping over your own words—no. You weren’t Hinata levels of flustered. But still, around Neji, your thoughts tangled. Words escaped you. Logic? Gone. And somehow, without fail, you always ended up in the stupidest, most awkward situations that made you look like a complete idiot .

And Hinata? She knew.

She knew everything. She knew how you overthought every accidental brush of his sleeve. How your gaze would flick toward him in crowded rooms, only to dart away the second he looked back. She had first handed witnessed your slow descent into silent emotional chaos, and to your horror, she found it… utterly endearing…?

Which was dangerous.

Because when Hinata found something endearing, she got ideas.

Like today, for instance.

You had been looking for her, just her. You even brought her a bento box with her favorite sweets as a thank-you for helping you train the other day. A quiet gesture. Simple, thoughtful. That was the plan.

But instead, there she was… Walking down the sunlit street with him . Neji. Tall, composed, unreadable. And as always, he carried himself like he was born to make other people feel useless just by existing.

Your steps slowed the moment you saw them.

“H-Hinata?” you called out, cursing the stammer that hadn’t touched your voice in months . She turned quickly at your voice, her expression brightening the moment her eyes landed on you.

Your name rolled off her tongue like something warm and familiar. That sound, that sweetness —it helped your feet move again.

“I was looking for you,” you said, jogging up to them, ignoring the way your pulse spiked at the sight of Neji standing beside her. His pale eyes met yours briefly, unreadable as ever, before sliding away in disinterest.

Hinata’s face lit up even more. “You were? What for?”

You hesitated, trying not to mess up as you pulled out the carefully wrapped bento box from your pouch.

“I wanted to give you this,” you muttered, eyes focused on Hinata and definitely not on the beautiful man standing behind her. “You helped me out the other day with chakra control. Thought I’d say thanks.”

She blinked in surprise, and then her expression softened into something tender. Her hands reached out and brushed against yours as she took the box, gentle and grateful.

“You didn’t have to,” she said softly. “But thank you. That’s really sweet of you.”

You gave her a small shrug, starting to feel even more aware of Neji’s presence just behind her. Noticing the way he shifted his weight behind her; It was subtle, just a small movement, but his eyes lingered a second longer than it should have.

He was watching now. You could feel it. Not in an interested way. Not in a he-likes-you-back way. No, more like: why is my cousin’s best friend acting weird again?

You glanced at him and immediately regretted it. His pale eyes met yours, unreadable but clearly focused. Your heart thudded painfully in your chest.

You were starting to feel sick.

“I… I should go,” you blurted out quickly, already turning halfway away. You weren’t about to humiliate yourself in front of him . “I just wanted to—drop this off.”

Hinata could see right through you—how you were trying to escape the situation before it got worse.

But she wasn’t having it.

Not when the most brilliant idea had just popped into her head…!

And maybe it was a little selfish, but she didn’t want to let you go. She just wanted to help you. You were her most precious friend, after all. And this?

This was the perfect opportunity.

“Wait—!” Hinata’s hand reached out and gently closed around your wrist, stopping you in your tracks.

You paused. “Hmm?”

She saw it immediately—the flicker of panic in your eyes as they narrowed. Guilt tugged at her chest, but she stood her ground.

Hinata took a small breath. “Please… stay a bit longer,” she smiled softly, attempting to convince you.

You blinked at her, caught off guard. “Why? I thought you were heading home…” There was a slight waver in your voice, suspicious. Your brows furrowing as you tried to read her.

Her fingers tightened just a little around your wrist. She offered a small, almost sheepish smile. “I—yes, I was.” she admitted, her voice dipping into that familiar quiet tone. “But…” She hesitated for a moment, then looked at you with something sweetly mischievous in her eyes.

“I just wanted to talk with you for a while… I missed you,” she said in that sweet tone of hers. “Neji and I were about to have our afternoon tea at the compound… Why not join us?”

Her gaze held yours, soft but unwavering. It was a question—but not really. You could tell, by the way she asked it, that she already knew her answer.

You blinked. Your brain struggled to process what she was saying because there was no way she was actually doing this to you right now. Your gaze snapped to her in disbelief.

Girl, are you trying to kill me?

You swallowed hard, trying not to look as nervous as you felt. But Hinata’s grip on your wrist tightened just slightly, encouraging you.

You exhaled in quiet defeat. “…Alright.” you muttered. And Hinata smiled warmly in excitement.

The walk to the Hyuuga’s household was strangely quiet. You kept your eyes fixed ahead, doing your best not think about Neji’s presence. Who, unfortunately, had taken a position just slightly behind the two of you. Close enough that you could feel his presence every step of the way.

When you reached the compound, the familiar gates opened to the quiet, traditional courtyard inside. You followed Hinata into a side room where the tea would be served. The tatami floors were freshly cleaned, the scent of roasted tea and matcha drifting warmly in the air.

You knelt at the low table, ready to pick the furthest corner seat—and then Hinata very deliberately patted the cushion beside you.

“Neji-nii-san, here,” she said sweetly.

You turned your head in slow-motion, eyes narrowed.

She did NOT just do that.

Hinata busied herself with the tea set like nothing was out of the ordinary, humming softly as she arranged the cups and pulled out the bento box, placing it on the table.

You sat beside Neji, stiff as a board, every breath suddenly feeling louder than it should.

You shot her a look—pure betrayal. But she didn’t even flinch.

Just kept pouring the tea.

And smiling.

That sly, innocent little smile.

Hinata placed the teapot down gently, the soft clink of ceramic echoing in the quiet room. Her hands moved with grace as she began serving each cup with care. The aroma of the steeped tea was warm and earthy.

Then, with a small, delighted sound, she unwrapped the cloth covering the bento.

“Oh! These are the ones I love…” she murmured, smiling to herself. “You really do remember everything I like.”

You offered a shy smile, your fingers twitching in your lap. “Of course I do.”

She glanced between the mochi and the two of you, then began placing them delicately on a small lacquered tray. “Let’s have these with the tea,” she said, setting them in the middle of the table. “You made my day with this, you know.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but her next move stole your words.

“Oh no..!”

She looked to the side dramatically, like she’d just remembered a state secret.

“I forgot—I was supposed to bring out the seasonal senbei too…”

She stood up way too fast to be believable.

“I’ll go grab them! You two go ahead and start.”

You blinked. “Hinata, I can go with you—”

“No, no! It’s just in the other room,” she insisted with an innocent smile. “It’ll just take a second.”

And with that, she gracefully slipped through the door, sliding it shut behind her.

The sound of the door closing ringed loudly in your ears.

You stared at the empty doorway.

She left you.

Alone. With him.

The silence that followed was… violent .

You sat rigid, the quiet between the two of you stretching thin.

Neji picked up his teacup with the elegance of a man who’d probably never spilled anything in his life, and the soft clink of porcelain made you flinch.

He took a sip.

Said nothing.

You didn’t dare look directly at him. Instead, you focused hard on the tray in front of you, on the sweets you had once so proudly packed but now couldn’t bear to eat.

Okay. Just breathe. You’re sitting next to him, not being interrogated by the ANBU. It’s just tea. Maybe you could try and break the silence…?

You scratched the back of your head, voice barely more than a whisper. “So…”

What now?! Finish the sentence, idiot!

“The tea’s good…” you muttered weakly, immediately regretting being born.

Neji blinked at you. Then, after a pause, raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, “Yes. It is.”

You stared at him.

BITCH.

That’s it?!

Really? He wasn’t going to do anything to break the awkward silence, wasn’t he?!

Unfortunately, this poorly worded attempt to break the silence did wonders to worsen your panic.

Your brain clearly could not tell the difference between being hunted down by Orochimaru’s favorite pet snake Manda, and talking to a hot guy.

The silence in the room grew even more palpable. Time seemed to stand still. The only sound being the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.

Then—finally—he spoke.

“You’re unusually quiet today.” He points out casually.

“Hm?” Was all you could croak out.

He raises an eyebrow, calmly sipping his tea. “You’re not usually this quiet around Lady Hinata.”

Oh no.

Has he… noticed?

You blink at him. He doesn’t elaborate. Just goes back to sipping like he didn’t just crack open your ribcage and look inside.

You shifted. “Sorry if I’m intruding,” you mumbled. “Hinata just… pulled me in out of nowhere.”

There was no immediate response. Just the faint sound of wind against the shoji screen.

“You’re not intruding.”

Your eyes lifted slightly.

Neji hadn’t looked at you, his gaze was fixed somewhere ahead. His tone was softer than usual. Calm.

You stole a glance at him, taking in the sharpness of his profile, the way his brows sat relaxed for once, the gentle fall of his hair brushing against his jaw.

“She cares about you a lot.”

You gave a small, nervous laugh. “Yeah.I guess she does…”

Another pause.

“She once said you make those sweets yourself.”

You swallowed.

She talked about you to him?

“Mhm..”

Neji’s fingers rested lightly on the rim of his teacup. “They’re… good.”

He really thought so?

He also ate the sweets you often gifted Hinata?

You slowly turned to look at him. Neji glanced at you briefly, then away again, as if embarrassed by his own words.

There was another beat of silence. Then, very quietly—so quietly you almost missed it—he added:

“You’re thoughtful. The way you care about her.. It’s admirable.”

You paused, your stance softening.

He wasn’t looking at you. In fact, it seemed like he thought you weren’t really paying attention anymore. Like he had said it more to himself than to you.

Something about that made your chest tighten a little.

He respected you?

Your fingers tightened around the rim of your teacup as you tilted your head.

Just then, the shoji door slid open again.

Hinata reappeared with a plate in her hands and that same innocent smile on her face. “Sorry! It took longer than I thought.”

You swallowed your stunned expression and sighed in relief as she sat down in front of you again, placing the extra snacks on the table.

“Did I miss anything?” she asked, not-so-innocently.

You glanced briefly at Neji, who had already returned to his quiet composure. Then you turned to send her another nasty glare. “No, Hinata.”

“Mm.” She gave a little hum, like she was trying not to laugh. “Neji-nii-san, did you try the mochi yet? It’s her specialty.”

He turned to you slightly. “It is?”

You furrowed your brows. “I— It’s nothing fancy—Im not an specialist.” You explained.

Neji’s eyes flicked to you again, slower this time. “You should give yourself more credit.” he said.

“…It’s very well made.” he added quickly, eyes flicking back to the tea.

You raised an eyebrow. “Um. Thanks,” you managed to say. “Glad you think so.”

Hinata chewed slowly on a piece of mochi, pretending to look at the tray like it was the most interesting thing in the room. She was definitely not watching you two like it was live entertainment.

“You know,” she said suddenly, voice light, “Neji-nii-san always avoids sweets unless he really likes them.”

Neji glanced at her, clearly unamused. “Hinata.”

She just smiled. “What? It’s true.”

Eventually, the tension in the room began to ease. Just a little at first, like a knot slowly loosening. The heavy awkwardness gave way to softer conversation, and to your surprise, it was Hinata who carried most of it.

She chatted with a gentle warmth, asking about your week, bringing up small memories from when you were kids, even teasing Neji now and then in her quiet way. And the breath you hadn’t even realized you were holding finally released.

You found yourself relaxing into it, smiling more, the weight of your nervousness lifting piece by piece.

When the tea was finished, Neji stood up with a quiet motion and began gathering the cups and plates, his sleeves brushing the table as he moved. Without a word, he began to clean up, his movements smooth.

You moved to stand too. “I should get going now…”

Hinata looked at you with soft eyes and nodded. “Thank you for staying. It was nice…” She stood up.

You smiled, adjusting the sleeves of your jacket. “Yeah. It really was.”

Neji glanced over his shoulder at you. Just briefly. “Take care on your way back.”

It was simple. But the sincerity in his voice made it feel like something more.

You nodded. “Thanks.”

Hinata accompanied you toward the exit of the Hyuuga compound, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

But the moment the two of you turned the last corner—out of Neji’s sight—you whirled on her.

“ Hinata !”

She flinched at your tone, but only just. That tiny smile was already tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Yes?”

You gawked at her. “Don’t you ‘yes’ me. You set me up! That was a trap ! A very polite, matcha-scented ambush!”

Hinata’s eyes sparkled. “Oh? I thought it was just tea.”

Your eyes narrowed. “Liar.”

She tried to keep a straight face but failed, her giggle bubbling out like a guilty bell. “I just thought you two might… enjoy each other’s company.”

“Enjoy—! Hinata!” you hissed again, flustered beyond belief. “You left me alone with him ! I nearly had a heart attack!”

“You survived,” she said sweetly. “And I noticed you smiled. A few times.”

You groaned, covering your face with both hands. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

You peeked at her through your fingers. “I should.”

She tilted her head, that same innocent smile still playing on her lips. “He said nice things, didn’t he?”

Your heart did an involuntary flip at the memory. The softness in his voice. The way he almost smiled.

You looked away. “…Shut up.”

Hinata linked her arm through yours with a light laugh. “You’re welcome.”

You didn’t reply. But as the two of you stepped out into the street and hugged her goodbye and you started heading home, the corners of your mouth tugged up—just a little.

She definitely saw it.

The soft clink of porcelain echoed through the quiet kitchen as Neji rinsed the last teacup. Meanwhile Hinata busied herself with placing the sweets inside a container.

“You should do this more often, Lady Hinata,” he hummed quietly. “Invite her over.”