Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hinata had always loved the summer festivals. As the heat simmered down, the paper lanterns were lit, music started, the humming of voices of people joined the night. It was people of all ages, walking the lines of stalls from the shrine down to the harbour. They were buying food and sweets, watching musicians and dancers, and she wanted to join them too. She had no one to go with this year however, usually Neji and Hanabi joined her, but Neji had finally asked Tenten out, and Hanabi was going with a larger group of friends. 

She didn’t want to miss out though, and had decided to go by herself. She would enjoy it regardless, and perhaps head home a little earlier. She wouldn’t want to miss the fireworks, but perhaps she’d walk up to the shrine and watch them before heading home. 

With her wooden sandals on, and the same purple yukata she’d worn for the past three years on, she headed out. It felt a little tight this year. Maybe she’d need a new one for the next summer festival. Maybe she could use one of her mother’s. 

She passed the loud taiko drummers, stopping to watch them for a moment. The beat made her smile, as did the range of ages of the drummers. A few were boys her age, some were older, one was a younger boy. She walked on, peering into the different stalls. Groups of friends were playing games, goldfish scooping, target shooting and ring tossing. She noticed Hanabi, smiling widely as she cheered for her victory over her friends. 

Hinata shrunk back into the crowd, happy that her sister was enjoying herself. She didn’t want to be an embarrassing older sister though, so she made sure she wasn’t seen. Instead, she noticed another familiar face. By a ring tossing stand, Naruto was talking animatedly, focused but loud. Hinata smiled, and indulged in watching him for a moment. He tossed, and got two out of three onto the pegs. No price.

He turned, and their gazes caught. Hinata felt herself flush. 

“Hinata!” he cheered, and she waived awkwardly at him. Naruto made his way through the crowd, stopping in front of her. He was in a yukata too, orange with black patterns. It fit him well. “Hi!”

“Naruto, hello,” she greeted. “You were so close to winning.”

“Yeah, but no prince for me!” he said with a shrug. “What are you up to? Where’s Neji and Hanabi?”

Hinata felt something warm fill her chest. She didn’t know he knew who she usually went with. She usually bumped into him at some point during the festival, but was surprised he had noticed her and her company. “I’m here alone this year,” she admitted, feeling a little embarrassed about it. “Neji is on a date, and Hanbi is with some friends.”

“Oh!” he said, blinking in surprise. Surely he must think that she was weird. “Well that’s no fun! Do you want to hang out with me? I came with a group of friends, but I don’t know where they are right now.”

“Sure,” she said, feeling butterflies flickering in her stomach. “What do you want to do?”

“I haven’t eaten yet, have you?” he asked, and Hinata shook her head. Naruto grinned. “Great, let's get everything and see what’s best.”

So they did, collecting savoury takoyaki, yakitori, okonomiyaki, and sweet taiyaki, kakigori and candied apples and strawberries. Hinata had never bought so much food, and they sat at a bench to share them. Naruto was as lively as always, and she watched him as they ate. It was a very sticky meal, and so good. 

After, they moved up to the shrine, shoulders brushing. Hinata felt like this had been the best summer festival she had ever attended. They looked at the stalls there, and then Naruto cleared his throat. “You know, you can see the fireworks really well from my apartment,” he said, fretting a little. She blinked up at him. “The balcony has the best view really. If you want… we might make it in time if we go now?”

Hinata’s heart raced. “Yes,” she said, without any doubt. “Let’s go.” 

She knew the way of course, even though she had never been to his apartment before. Still she let him lead her, lulled in warmth by the conversation and attention. The space was small and a little messy, but not dirty. 

“Here,” he said, showing her the way out onto the balcony. The air was starting to cool in earnest, and she felt a shiver race up her arms. Naruto closed the door behind them, and then they stood shoulder to shoulder on the small balcony, peering up at the dark sky. “Are you cold?” he asked. She looked up, and he smiled. “You’re shivering.”

“Oh,” she said, embarrassment flooding her chest. “A little,” she admitted. Naruto nodded, and then wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side. He was so warm. “T-thank you.”

“Hey, it’s no trouble on my end,” he said, and then the sky lit up, a cascade of colors exploding. Hinata sucked in a breath, and beside her Naruto cheered. They stood there, sharing warmth and commenting on each fireworks going up. 

After a moment, Hinata looked up at Naruto’s face, and found him looking back. “Hinata,” he said, and then licked his lips. Hinata’s gaze fell to it, and then she snapped her eyes back up. “Could I- would it be okay if I- if we… kissed?”

Hinata felt like her head was spinning, like she was dreaming, like it was a parallel universe. “Yes,” she said regardless, because this was not something she would ever pass up on. Naruto’s face spread into a wide grin. Then his free hand came to tip her chin up, before he lent down and pressed their lips together.