#stolen glances

[ultravioletbrit]

“prank” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 234 words

Regulus is sitting in a secluded alcove on the far side of the courtyard when James finds him.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” James asks, gesturing to the spot across from Regulus.

“Why?” Regulus narrows his eyes skeptically.

“Because this is a nice place to read, and I’d like to sit with you.” James smiles.

“Is this a prank?” Regulus glares at James. “You’ll sit here and distracted me then my brother will jump out and do something ridiculous?”

“No.” James shakes his head with a sweet smile. “Not a prank. I just want to sit with you.” He shrugs and Regulus continues to glare. “I’ll be quiet, I promise.” James adds.

“Fine.” Regulus sighs after a moment.

James smiles at Regulus, and it’s bright and beautiful and Regulus feels like he could melt.

Then the most unexpected thing happens. James sits in the alcove across from Regulus, takes out a book and reads quietly and… nothing happens. No pranks, no brothers, just comfortable silence.

They read for a while and Regulus can’t help stealing small glances at James. At one point, Regulus looks up and James is already looking back. James smiles sweetly and Regulus bites his lip to try and hide his own smile. They gaze at each other for several moments before turning back to their books.

They continue to read and… nothing happens. But Regulus also feels like something might be happening.

[jukti-torko-golpo]

Soft Romance

Stolen glances, casually held hands, faces held gently as if the hands are holding a dream in them, words....so many words spoken through eyes....Two very different threads seamlessly interwoven with love.

[beargyufairy]

NaLu Headcanon Pt. 2

Camping.

It’s their thing and everyone knows it. Whether it is to relax after coming back from a long job or just to have some alone time, Natsu and Lucy go camping. They change the location to keep the energy alive. Sometimes they stay near Magnolia or go into a far away forest. Natsu builds the fire to keep Lucy warm throughout the cold nights. He also hunts for food if Lucy doesn’t pack ahead of time. Lucy enjoys watching the evening sky fade into darkness. She watches the fire flicker in the night. There’s something poetic about the flames reaching for the stars above. She thinks about Natsu (fire dragon slayer/demon) and her (celestial mage), how despite their differences, everything just makes sense.

During their time in the forest, Lucy uses the serenity of the wilderness to think about what she wants to do going forward. And the answer is always the same: have endless adventures and memories with the man that keeps her darkness at bay. She recalls her life before meeting Natsu. Days used to go by without anything worth remembering or living for. Days surrounded by the same four walls of a place she once called home. She now knows that home is where her heart is. With her guildmates and especially Natsu and Happy. She can’t imagine moving on with her life without them in the picture. Nothing is more precious than them.

Natsu, on the other hand, enjoys eating the meat of wild animals. There’s something extraordinary about the flavors and the hint of smoke. He won’t admit it, but he is filled with pride when Lucy compliments his skills. There’s something about his flames being used for mundane things such as making food for Lucy or creating a campfire for the night. He can’t explain the feeling, just that it’s worth more than beating his opponents. Natsu knows that his fire is known to be destructive and chaotic, so he likes the change of pace. Something only Lucy can provide for him. He’s always attentive to her, even when she doesn’t realize it. He appreciates how she watches the flames he created. Natsu also notices the soft smiles and stolen glances from Lucy when she’s deep in thought. He doesn’t disrupt the silence until she’s ready. He knows how being away from everything helps her calm down and gather her thoughts.

Camping. It’s their thing. Some of the nights are embraced by comfortable silence, the warm fire, and sounds of nature. Other times, the night seems to never end. Laughter and conversation echo through the forest. Some nights are spent stargazing. He does his best to pay attention to Lucy but he’s usually distracted by her eyes. The way they light up as if she has a personal connection with each individual star. Sometimes they watch the sunrise early in the morning. Lucy’s always reminded of Natsu when she watches the red hues of the sunlight peak through the curtains of darkness.

No one at the guild knows exactly what happens during Natsu and Lucy’s camping trips. All they know is when they return, they’re more enthusiastic about going on a job. They look recharged but mostly at peace. As if nothing in the world can take away what they have. And the truth is that they won’t let anything attempt to take it away from them.

The poetic love between flames reaching to grasp the night sky and kiss the stars. The love between Natsu and Lucy.

[nameuserlee]

you are the apple of my eye. 💜✨

[random-xpressions]

A sin so sweet that it almost became a virtue...

Random Xpressions

[sessakag]

NaruHina Month Day 28 Prompt: Stolen Glances

Short but sweet, enjoy!

AO3 Wattpad FF.net

[powerful-niya]

— (вεтωεεη υs.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚hαppч nαruhínα mσnth єvєrчσnє!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟹𝟷: 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗 𝙶𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜 + 𝙲𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝙸𝚗 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚒𝚗 - (𝙽𝙷𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝟸𝟹)

Link To Oneshot Below ↴

Wattpad | AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡If you had to choose between doing what you love and being with who you love, could you make that choice?

Naruto and Hinata, the top figure skating duo from Japan, have effortlessly conquered every challenge they've encountered on the ice together. But now, they're up against a new challenge—one that's found in their hearts, rather than on the ice.

This challenge is a love unplanned—a love constrained by a strict contract, putting them both in a very difficult position.

Regular Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Caught In The Rain • Competitive Skating • Competitive Sports • Contract • Contractual Obligations • Costumes • Drama • December 28 • December 31 • Figure Skating • Forbidden Love • Friends To Lovers • Heavy Angst • Hurt & Comfort• Ice Skating • Love Confessions • Modern AU • Mutual Pining • Partner Skaters • Pretending • Professional Skaters • Romance • Sports AU • Stolen Glances • Tryst • Unplanned Love • Work Partners to Lovers • 2023. 

NSFW Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Body Worship • Bus Sex • Butt Groping • Celebrity Bus • Cock Worship • Couch Sex • Dirty Talk • Desperation • Desperation Sex • Fantasies & Fantasizing • Flexibility • Longing • Loss of control • Love Making (at first) • Marathon sex • Multiple Orgasms • Overstimulation • Praise Kink • Pussy Worship • Riding • Rough sex (soon after) • Sex in a crisis situation • Size Difference Kink • Spanking • Stripping • Striptease • Stockings • Unprotected Sex  • Vaginal Sex  • 2023. 

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚17.1K

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚4.3K

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Pretending can be a tricky game. 

For some people, it's a breeze—they can slip in and out of different personas as easily as flipping a switch, putting on a convincing act at the drop of a hat or a snap of their fingers. 

Some people actually have a closet full of masks for their pretending, ready to wear whichever one fits the moment perfectly to hide behind. They switch between these masks as easily as changing clothes, effortlessly adapting to any situation like it's second nature.

Like if it was nothing, nothing at all. 

For others, pretending is a struggle—a constant effort that takes a lot of trial and error before they finally get the hang of it.

But for Naruto, pretending wasn't just difficult. It wasn't a minor bump in the road he'd get over soon. It wasn't something he'd get used to or get good at with time or a bit more effort.

No. 

He didn't have the luxury of switching between masks or hiding behind them whenever he wanted, like some people. Pretending wasn't a game or something he did for fun—it was a draining, relentless battle that wore him down every single day.

Pretending was, without a doubt, the hardest thing Naruto had ever faced—the toughest challenge he'd ever had to endure.

And he'd faced plenty of challenges.

As one of the top Japanese male ice skaters in the world, he'd been put through the wringer more times than he could count.

Countless hours of grueling practice, intense competitions, and crushing expectations had pushed him to his limits time and time again, demanding that he give nothing less than his absolute best. 

Each session was a test of endurance for him, and every routine was a shot for him to outshine the competition.

After all, Naruto was a pretty driven man, always pushing himself past the limits set by others to prove himself and excel. And on top of the grueling physical demands, he also had to confront the doubts cast on him as a male skater—doubts that seemed to shadow every step he took.

It was tough. 

Really tough. 

Every time he laces up his skates and hits the ice, he's up against a challenge. But it's one he actually enjoys—the ice, the skating, the music, the cheers, the sweat, the exhaustion, and, most of all, proving everyone wrong.

He loves proving all the doubters wrong—naysayers who said he couldn't do it and the debbie downers who whined that ice skating was a women's sport. 

Naruto even gets a kick out of showing up the critics who claimed he was confused about his identity, out of touch with himself, and that ice skating made him less of a man.

Indeed, proving those people wrong by doing what he loved was fun.

Naruto has spent countless hours on the ice—skating was all he'd ever known, the rhythm of the blades, the chill of the rink, and the thrill of the performance were deeply ingrained in him. Every glide and spin had become second nature, an integral part of who he was.

But there was one thing that stood apart from all of that…

Or rather, one person.

Hinata Hyūga. 

His skating partner.

Naruto stood in the designated waiting area near the rink, his eyes fixed on her as she skated across the ice gracefully. He watched Hinata from the sidelines, waiting for his cue, the precise moment when the music would signal him to join Hinata on the rink.

But for now, it was just her. Just Hinata.

And Naruto watched her in awe. 

He was always in awe of her. 

The blonde skater watched almost in a trance as his partner performed with her opening solo for the prestigious "ISU Grand Prix Of Figure Skating" in Hollywood, LA, California. 

The intensity of the competition was palpable, and the stakes had never felt higher.

The entire arena was hushed, with only the soft scraping of her white skates on the ice, the sweeping classical music, and the occasional gasps and murmurs from the crowd breaking the silence. Every spectator, even the judges, held their breath, captivated by Hinata's mesmerizing performance, all eyes glued to the rink.

Naruto's included.

Hinata's costume dress was a breathtaking piece, its fabric fluttering around her like the delicate feathers of a swan gliding through a gentle breeze. The lights from the arena overhead danced off the glittering embellishments of her costume, causing her dress to shimmer and shine. 

Her costume was the perfect fit to the competition theme: Black Swan. 

Hinata's dress was a striking blend of black and white, split down the middle. The left side was a deep, velvety black, adorned with shimmering sequins that caught the arena's light with every move she made. 

The right side of her dress was a pristine, snowy white, contrasting beautifully with the dark side, adorned with tiny sparkles and swirls. 

Her long gloves followed the same theme, one black and one white, each decorated with delicate sparkles that extended from her hands up to her forearms, matching her dress perfectly. Her usually long, midnight blue hair was elegantly styled into a neat bun on the top of her head, completing her flawless look for the competition. 

Naruto wore a matching outfit to hers, of course. 

He wore a one-piece costume that began with a pristine white at the top, gradually transitioning into a deep black down his toned torso and legs, with white swirls accentuating the color shift.

His right sleeve was all white, while his left sleeve was solid black, creating a striking contrast similar to Hinata's costume.

His costume fit the theme, sure, and it matched his partner's costume, but it was nowhere near as spectacular as Hinata's.

No way.

Hinata seemed to nail the theme perfectly, gliding in sync with the music—a classic piece that everyone would surely recognize.

"Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. 

She surely embodied a swan, her every movement smooth and graceful, just like a swan gliding effortlessly across a lake. The way she floated across the ice, her costume shimmering with each turn, made it look as if she was dancing on air.

Naruto couldn't help but be completely mesmerized by how beautifully Hinata brought the theme to life. 

She was utterly breathtaking.

Graceful yet powerful—that's how Hinata always skated. 

Watching her was like peering straight into her soul with each performance.

She poured everything into her routine. 

She always did. 

From her delicate facial expressions to the emotions that flowed through her movements, and the graceful sweep of her arms as they reached out and then drew back—each performance was a stunning story told through her skating.

This time was no different.

As Hinata performed her solo tonight, she told a powerful story about the strength that comes from being vulnerable. Her movements to the music spoke of the courage it takes to expose one's true self, capturing the delicate balance between strength and authenticity.

It was truly extraordinary.

And on top of that, Hinata made the routine they'd been perfecting for months—through countless rehearsals, late nights, and early mornings—look so damn effortless. 

Hinata glided smoothly from one move to the next, transitioning seamlessly between spins and jumps, just as they had practiced together, just as she had come to memorize down to the finest detail.

Her spins were flawless. 

Naruto watched in awe as she effortlessly transitioned into a fast-paced layback spin, finishing with a graceful camel spin that left delicate circular marks on the ice. 

Her jumps were just as stunning, with perfect double axels and triple lutzes that had her soaring and spinning through the air, leaving the crowd breathless.

She landed on her blades with a satisfying clank each time, back on her feet like a true professional.

Hinata nailed every move flawlessly, putting on a jaw-dropping performance that would definitely set the bar high for the other skaters and likely earn them both some serious points with the judges.

But Naruto wasn't thinking about the competition at all. 

He wasn't thinking about their potential scores. He wasn't concerned about the judges' opinions or even his routine when it was his turn to join Hinata on the ice.

No, he wasn't thinking about any of that.

Naruto's focus was solely on her, the woman dazzling him from the ice, whose lavender eyes occasionally met his own. 

Once. 

Twice. 

Frequently, Hinata glanced at him as she danced across the rink, her lavender eyes seeking him out from the waiting area, hidden from the audience.

Each time their eyes locked—deep blue meeting soft lavender—it felt like the world around them melted further and further into a blur…

…until it was just the two of them. 

The audience's loud wows and awes, the judges' scrutinizing looks, the flashing cameras, the bright arena lights, the announcer's voices, and even the stadium itself—all of it just faded away.

It was only them—just them.

And soon enough, Hinata wasn't skating for the crowd but for…

…him.

It was always like this between them: fleeting, longing but secretive looks where their gazes created warm, private moments just for them. 

Every time they performed together, whenever their hands touched or their bodies brushed close, they were drawn into a private world of their own making. 

Those looks they exchanged, every second of every day, were a silent yearning for something they both desired but couldn't fully embrace—a longing that always seemed just out of reach.

Naruto couldn't ignore what he felt. He couldn't pretend. 

Sure, he could try. 

Sure, he could push his feelings aside. He could convince himself that what he felt was just a passing phase, and that he will just get over it soon. 

Sure, he could try to act like it didn't bother him and play along, but deep down, he knew he'd only be lying to himself.

The feelings he had been struggling with for so long were impossible to ignore now.

A mistake that's come to consume him. 

When Naruto first teamed up with Hinata, he signed a contract that was clear about one thing: no intimate relationships. 

As long as he pursued ice skating professionally with a partner, he wasn't allowed to fall in love or let emotions get in the way of his career.

He knew that.

They both did. 

Naruto always understood what he was signing up for, knew the strict rules, and was clear on what was expected of him.

Because of this, he knew he shouldn't be feeling this way and was fully aware of the risks of letting these emotions take over. He knew exactly how his coach would react if she found out—what she'd do if she discovered his secret.

Their secret. 

Naruto knew the stakes. 

If their secret were ever discovered, it would mean the end of their figure skating careers.

Everything they'd worked so hard for—the endless hours of practice, the sacrifices made, the competitions won, the fame they'd gained, and their very dreams—were at risk of being ruined.

All because love had somehow crept in and gotten in the way.

Suddenly, the music built to a crescendo, growing louder and louder all around, snapping Naruto out of his thoughts.

His cue to take the ice. 

"Damn it," He muttered, shaking his head to snap himself out of it. That was a mistake—a big one. 

He couldn't afford to space out. 

Not here. 

Not now.

He took a deep, steadying breath, pushing aside the swirling thoughts and annoying emotions that clung to him. 

Then he exhaled, letting it all go.

It's showtime. 

Naruto rubbed his hands together to shake off the tension, and took one more calming breath.

"Here goes." He whispered to himself, before finally, darting out onto the ice.

The icy chill of the arena hit Naruto instantly, chilling his face, body, and legs. The cold air blended with the crisp, slippery feel of the ice beneath his skates. 

Naruto could never grow tired of it—the ice. It was a feeling so familiar, as natural as breathing to him at this point. Every time he stepped onto it, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend he always looked forward to seeing again.

And it felt that way now. 

His taut calf muscles tightened with each powerful push he gave his legs, his black skates carving a swift, graceful path across the ice.

The ice hummed a satisfying, almost musical whisper under Naruto's skates, grounding him in the moment. He mentally rehearsed his routine, syncing with it as he joined Hinata on the rink.

Hinata was already in position, gliding effortlessly across the ice toward him. In that moment, Naruto could see nothing but her—her radiant smile, the rosy flush on her cheeks from the cold, and the sparkle in her lavender eyes. 

He met her in the center of the rink with a big grin, and they seamlessly slipped into a synchronized spin. They twirled around each other, close yet so far. 

They didn't touch—just gazed at each other, eyes locked the whole time. 

Blue meeting lavender, once again.

The sight of Naruto and Hinata finally skating together, their chemistry ignited instantly, sending fireworks of excitement across the entire arena. Their connection was evident even on the arena's TVs, causing the crowd to instantly erupt into a frenzy. 

Gasps and cheers merged into a collective roar that filled the entire space.

The announcers, just as thrilled, could barely contain their excitement over the intercom.

"And here he comes, folks—Naruto Uzumaki, joining his partner Hinata Hyūga after her stunning introductory solo!"

"The way they connect is absolutely breathtaking. Just so breathtaking. This is partner skating at its finest, and we are in for a treat tonight, folks!"

Now together, Naruto and Hinata instantly transitioned into their routine, as they'd done it a million times before.

Just for this moment. 

Hinata took the lead, maintaining their synchronized spin as she gracefully lifted one arm to the rhythm of the music, watching as Naruto mirrored her movements flawlessly. His arm swept down and up above his head in a sweeping arc, just like hers, as if she were looking into a mirror.

She moved her other arm the same way, and Naruto followed suit. 

Next, Hinata extended her hand toward him this time, her fingers forming a dramatic claw before slowly curling into a fist as she pulled away, and Naruto mirrored her.

But they never quite touched. 

Each time they reached, they always pulled back. 

Reach. Retreat. Reach. 

Closer and closer, but never quite touching. 

Like a cycle. 

A painful one.

This part of their routine always spoke to them. It shouldn't have—really. It shouldn't have had any impact on them, but..

…it did. 

It perfectly mirrored the feelings they had for each other, always managing to leave a poignant ache in their hearts—a longing for something they both wanted but couldn't have.

No matter how many times they repeated it. 

No matter how many times they practiced it.

The ache remains.

Naruto's eyes revealed such pain, such raw emotion as he watched Hinata glide backward from the center of the rink, moving away from him and further along the ice.

She kept her knees slightly bent, her legs extending and crossing each other like the delicate sway of a ballet's legs. Her skates traced elegant arcs on the ice as she spiraled backward, leaving a long trail behind. 

But even as Hinata drifted away from Naruto, her hand stretched out toward him, her eyes pleading for him to take it. 

Naruto followed her, reaching back.

His arm stretched out through the cold air, determined to bridge the gap between them.

They reached for each other, incorporating a few individual spins where they spun perfectly in sync, even landing together, before turning and reaching out again.

They drew out the moment for dramatic effect, with Hinata gliding smoothly backward and Naruto advancing just enough until their hands finally….

…met.

But when their hands finally touched, it seemed to ignite a powerful rush of warmth that pulsed through their gloves and into their palms like a heartbeat, spreading through their bodies in soothing waves.

The sensation felt incredible—better than anything they had experienced before. 

They had touched countless times, but this..

This was different.

The moment Naruto's large fingers slid between the gaps of Hinata's smaller ones, and curled around her hand, a deep, unparalleled warmth unfurled in both of their hearts. 

The surprising intensity of the warmth made them both gasp softly. Their fingers instinctively tightened around each other, the connection so strong and reassuring that they couldn't bear to let go. 

Not now.

Not so soon. 

Keeping her hand in his, Naruto guided Hinata's arm over her head and twisted her in a graceful spin perfectly in sync with the music. He skated himself over in a smooth glide, positioning himself directly behind her like her shadow. 

Close behind her, he began sliding his hands gently along her arms, and Hinata couldn't hold back the slight moan that escaped her lips. 

Naruto touched her now, and he took it slow.

Along her chest, his gloved fingers brushed the fabric of her costume, feeling the rise and fall of her breath. His hands moved down the gentle curve of her torso, tracing the contours of her muscles, and he felt her body react to his touch almost instantly, with soft shivers and quivers.

Finally, his hands reached her waist, holding her hips firmly yet gently.

Even in the cold of the stadium, with a chill all around them, Hinata felt warm beneath his fingertips.

She was savoring the moment, just as she always did, whenever she was in Naruto's arms.

His touch was always gentle, but now, to Hinata, it felt almost heightened. Every brush of his fingers felt like a trail of fire on her skin, each caress sending electric shivers down her spine.

It was like time slowed to a crawl, and all she could feel was Naruto.

His breath as it brushed against her ears and cheeks, warm and steady. The heat of his toned body as it pressed so close to hers, making her acutely aware of every inch of him...

And his touch...

Hinata always treasured the moments when Naruto touched her. 

Those fleeting instances when his hands met her skin always seem to send a delightful warmth coursing through her body, radiating like a beacon. Whether his strong yet gentle hands glided along her arms, gripped her hips, or lifted her into the air, a soothing, irresistible heat enveloped her whenever he made contact with…her body.

It shouldn't have felt this way, but it did—like a perfect antidote to her touch-starved dreams.

Hinata glanced back at him with a breathless look that made Naruto's heart skip a beat. Her lavender eyes drew him in every time, their expressiveness saying more than words ever could. 

And as he gazed into them now, they seemed to speak to him, whispering…

"Please touch me more, Naruto-kun. Touch me."

It was a gentle, unspoken plea, a tender whisper in her eyes as she looked over her shoulder at him, standing tall behind her.

Naruto bit his lip. 

Truly, he wished he could touch her more. 

Her body always responded so beautifully to his touch, expanding and contracting as if he were the air she breathed, always returning to him with a graceful, magnetic pull. It was intoxicating.

He craved more. He craved—

The blonde skater took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. Again. 

Reluctant as he was, and how good it was to hold Hinata, he knew he had to put an end to it.

After all, this was a serious competition.

With that realization, Naruto broke away from their intimate moment, shaking off the titillating effect of touching Hinata, and his expression turned serious again. He refocused and shifted his attention to the next part of their routine. 

But when he did, it seemed as if time snapped back to its usual pace, flowing normally like it did for everyone else.

Naruto grasped her waist firmly, and as if on cue, Hinata bent her knees, poised and ready, just like he was. 

The split-second cue he had been waiting for.

With a smooth lift, he sent her soaring into the air in a high twist. Her dress billowed out around her in a perfect spiral, drawing gasps from the crowd as it fluttered like a blooming flower.

Naruto watched as she flew high into the air, spinning gracefully. And in that quick moment, he caught a glimpse of her smile. 

There was an unspoken trust in that smile, a deep trust in him. Because she knew that whenever she fell, he'd always be there to catch her.

Just like now. 

As Hinata began her descent, Naruto was ready. He lifted his arms high and, with practiced precision, caught her around the waist.

He felt that familiar rush of relief and joy, knowing Hinata was secure in his hands after her aerial stunt. Safe and sound. 

Naruto held her close for a moment, savoring the warmth of her body against his, before gently lowering her back to the ice.

As they continued skating together, the audience seemed to blur further and further away until it was only the two of them, as if no one else existed. 

They looked into each other's eyes and suddenly...

Time didn't matter.

The competition didn't matter.

The judges or their scores didn't matter.

It was just them.

Just like in all their performances, Naruto and Hinata stunned the crowd with their chemistry. They moved together on the ice with such closeness, showing raw emotion through their every move and expression that the audience could actually feel. 

It left everyone breathless. 

The music was captivating from start to finish, flowing through every part of their routine. Every spin, every lift, and every glide of their skates across the ice, the music was there, as if guiding them. 

Hinata's grace paired perfectly with Naruto's strength, like yin and yang. Their choreography, whether synchronized or solo, blended together on the ice, revealing not just their countless hours of practice but also the deep understanding they shared. 

Their love. 

It was evident, no matter how hard they tried to hide it.

Their synchronicity was almost magical, like they were of one mind, one body, one soul. 

When Hinata jumped, Naruto was right there to catch her. 

When she spun, he spun, matching her moves perfectly. 

Whenever she reached for him, he was always ready to clasp her hand and guide her.

There was no escaping what they felt. 

The longer their performance went on, that feeling between them seemed to intensify.

It was new and exhilarating, different from anything they had felt before in previous performances or practices, as if it began anew the moment they first touched tonight.

Every time their hands touched or their eyes locked, that feeling inside them just kept growing stronger.

But reality would ruin it for them each time, reminding them that no matter how strong their feelings were, they couldn't act on them.

They couldn't.

They shouldn't.

They…

Hinata couldn't take it anymore. 

As their routine continued, she began to feel the full weight of everything. 

The unspoken feelings she'd been holding in, the constant longing to be close to Naruto, and the pressure to maintain their perfect image—it was all starting to overwhelm her.

She'd managed to keep it together for so long, but even she had her limits.

Tonight, she reached her breaking point.

As they approached the end of their performance, instead of the usual thrill that would sweep over her, she was overwhelmed by a deep, profound sadness.

Naruto sensed it immediately. 

He knew her too well not to notice. 

As the music began to wind down and the final chords echoed through the arena, he drew her into a tight embrace at the center of the rink. Their bodies were pressed close, the warmth of their breath mingling with the chilly air. Their faces were so close he could feel her every breath on his skin, and their eyes met, saying everything words couldn't express.

They held their position, panting and sweating, mostly satisfied, until the last notes of the music faded into silence.

But as soon as the music ended, the applause from the crowd surged through the stadium, a thunderous wave of sound that echoed endlessly in their ears.

With that, Naruto and Hinata reluctantly pulled away, masking their true feelings behind the broad smiles they had perfected and displayed time and time again.

They waved to the audience and the flashing cameras, even taking a hand-in-hand bow to mark the end of their performance.

The announcers' voices boomed through the speaker in no time, hyping up their performance with excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what a show! Let's hear it for Japan's premier ice skating duo, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyūga! 

"Give these two a big round of applause for another unforgettable performance!"

The announcers gave them one last shout-out, showering them with praise and cheers that would've made Hinata feel overjoyed on another day—grateful, accomplished even. 

But not now.

She didn't know what had came over her.

She didn't know why she had done it. 

Yet, she turned to Naruto, her face showing a sadness she couldn't keep hidden anymore. Her eyes, usually so bright and joyful, were now clouded with a deep sorrow that instantly wiped the smile from Naruto's face. 

And before he could even speak, to react even, she spoke to him, whispered to him. 

She whispered one word, and he heard it clearly. 

"Gomennasai."

Hinata let go of his hand and sped off across the ice, leaving him behind before he could say a single word. 

He gasped and reached out toward her retreating figure.

"H-Hinata-chan!" Naruto called out, but she didn't respond. She didn't turn back or slow down; she just kept skating, moving further and further away from him until she vanished through the designated gate leading backstage.

The blonde stood there, frozen, as the cheers of the crowd faded into the background. Yet, even now, he could still feel the warmth of Hinata's touch lingering in his outstretched palm.

Naruto frowned.

'Pretending is difficult for you too, isn't it, Hinata-chan?'

Continue Reading On Wattpad Or AO3.

— (⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆)

[tomyfriend]

we went from stolen glances to ‘i never want to live without you’.

[amalthea-felsblood]

・❥・"Love is a flicker. It's that hidden desire. It's the words you're afraid to say. It's stolen glances. It's the passive-aggressive hints. It's the mixed signal. It's the first brush against his hand."・❥・

[madamadragon]

I was rewatching the concert and i notice THIS

LOOK AT XIAO SHUNYAO

The way he's looking at Cheng Yi

This is clearly how Di Feisheng looks at Li Xiangyi in the whole drama

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT, MY MAN IS IN LOVE

[abbatoirablaze]

Stolen Glances, Ari Levinson

Word Count:  794

Your eyes met his from across the table, “I can do it.”

“Well, that’s very kind of you honey, but I think we got it covered,” your husband smiled gently as he put a hand on your thigh, “though, I’m sure Ari appreciates it, right Ari?”

“Hmm?” the large man hummed, looking at his best friend.

“Samantha was just offering up some time to your little cause...”

His breath hitched in his throat, and you knew he was thinking about the very same thing that had crossed your mind.

“Don’t do it baby,” he begged, his fingertips gripping your waist almost painfully, “don’t do it.”

“Ari, I-“

“Run away with me!”

“You are my future husband’s best friend,” you argued, fighting with yourself over your conflicting thoughts, “we can’t-I can’t-Ari...please don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

“He’ll understand,” he begged, pulling your hips firmly against his, “he’ll be angry for a bit, but Sammy will understand eventually.  He knew that night we saw you at the bar that there was a connection between us.  That-“

“Ari, you were married to your wife.  You’re still married to your wife.”

“And your child is mine!”

Your heart felt like it stopped beating. 

The both of you had known that your son belonged to him. 

That deep down he wasn’t supposed to have been given the surname Navon. 

“Ari...”

“Please, Samantha...”

“Honey?”

“I-I think I should go check on David!” you offered quietly, giving the man you loved since first sight a final glance.  You could see the pain behind his quiet, stoic demeanor as you raised from the seat.

“Honey, Ari’s over...and David is asleep.  Come on.  Enjoy the company...”

“Sammy...”

He sighed and put his napkin over his plate, “I’ll check on David.  You catch up with Ari.  We haven’t seen him since last year at our wedding.”

Before you could say anything your husband left the dining room and you were halfway standing up from your seat.

“I should probably get dessert...I-“

“Samantha-“

“Ari, don’t...”

His jaw clenched. 

“The little assignment that I need him for...it’s not a simple mission.  It’s not doctors without borders, and it’s not something safe,” he admitted after a moment, “I know that he said that it was, or that he told you we’d only be gone for a few weeks tops...but I don’t know if we’re ever coming home.”

“Wh-why are you telling me this, Ari?” you asked.

“Because if we don’t...I need you to know-“

“Ari-“

“Damn it Samantha, I need you to know,” he growled, cutting you off, “I have a safety deposit box for David...she doesn’t know about it.”

“What...are you trying to give me hush money now if whatever half-cocked scheme you’re getting Sammy to sign up for doesn’t pan out?” you growled back.

“No...I’m doing it because of our son...”

“He’s Sammy’s son.  Not yours, Ari.”

“On paper,” he reminded you, “he’s only Sammy’s on paper.”

“And what about your wife?” you hissed, “does she know about how you have another child then?  Does she-“

“We split up,” he announced, cutting your words off in your throat, “I left her the day that you and Sammy got married.”

“You what?”

He nodded, “that morning...when I begged you to come with me, I left her.  Gave her the house.  Gave her everything and just walked away...”

“Ari-why would you-“

“He’s still asleep,” your husband chirped, coming into the room, completely unaware of what was going on.  He sat back down and looked between you and Ari, and his expression dropped, “you told her, didn’t you?  You told her that we’re going to-“

“He didn’t tell me anything,” you said quickly as you grabbed your plate and your husbands, “I was just getting up to bring out dessert.”

He looked between you and Ari for a moment, not entirely believing it. 

“I told her about how I left Sarah and Maya...”

“Jesus, Ari.  You left Sarah?”

“Apparently on our wedding day,” you said dryly, “Ari said that he was in love with someone else, and left his wife and daughter to go chasing after her.”

“Well?” Sammy asked curiously as he sipped on his wine, “what happened?  Did you go after the woman you’re in love with?”

“I did...”

“And?”

“She already moved on,” he frowned, giving you another look, “I check up on her every once in a while...she’s got a child with another man...I suppose that I didn’t mean as much to her as I thought I did.”

“Bullocks!” Sammy frowned, shaking his head, “shame about Sarah...she was a good girl...but you’ll find someone new eventually Ari...you always do.”

“No, I don’t think I will, Sammy,” he frowned, continuing to eye you down, “she was the love of my life.”

[rosaacicularis]

Oh? 👀

-🍂

grian and bigb are soulmates, scar and ren are soulmates

grian, regardless of finding his soulmate, hangs out with scar and tries to help him find his own soulmate (desperately wishing the universe paired them together, desperately wanting an excuse to love scar as much as he does). scar eventually does and they go their separate ways (scar knew his soulmate was ren, saw him take damage, he just didn’t want to believe it wasn’t grian, it had to be grian, they were fated).

grian and scar always find some silly little way to leave their soulmate alone, and find even sillier ways to be together. their hearts were vibrating in their chest when they found the enchanting table. they had a death grip on each other’s hands, neither said a word because if they did, they’d be forced to acknowledge it for what it is.

scar asks grian to kill him, he’s on his last life and he only trusts grian to do it. it’d be just like the desert, scar reasons, it’ll be fine, grian would make it easy, painless, somehow loving. grian refuses, he can’t hurt scar, not again, not after everything. he still has the phantom feeling of scar’s blood on his knuckles, dried under his nails.

grian does end up killing him, via ren and scar dies with a smile on his face, it didn’t even hurt. grian gets reckless after that, nothing else to live for (winning echoes in his mind, as does his soulmate, he doesn’t care, it was scar). he gets himself killed, gets bigb killed and says just the right words to make everyone believe it was an accident (scar would’ve been able to tell, scar taught him that trick after all).

[centre-cannot-hold]

In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-Wai, 2000

“The Staircase”, New York, 1968. By Saul Leiter.

[random-xpressions]

I must admit,

I'm guilty of gross crimes,

of stolen glances,

at you...

Random Xpressions

[casthefallenangel]

Larry

[x-uno]

Stolen Glances and Culinary Charms.

Pairing: OPLA!sanji x fem!reader

summary : your lingering gazes prompt playful remarks from usopp, and eventually, Sanji catches on.

| 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 >> | 𝙼𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃

YOU FOUND YOURSELF CAPTIVATED BY SANJI, gaze fixed on him without even realizing it. He was in the midst of preparing a delicious meal, his skilled hands moving with grace and precision. As your eyes trailed over him, you couldn't help but admire the way he moved—the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the way his lips curved into a satisfied smile as he perfected each dish. His passion for cooking was evident in every movement, and it was nothing short of mesmerizing.

Unbeknownst to you, your staring had not gone unnoticed. One of the crew members nearby, Usopp, nudged you playfully and whispered, "You've been staring at Sanji for quite a while now. Can't blame you, though. He is quite the cook." 

Startled, you blinked and turned your attention back to your fellow crew member, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Chuckling nervously you replied, "I, uh, didn't even realize I was staring. Yeah, he's an amazing cook."

He grinned knowingly and patted you on the back. "Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. Just try not to let Sanji catch you. He might get a big head about it."

With a shared laugh, you tried to be more discreet in your admiration of Sanji's culinary skills, although the memory of the handsome chef's talent would linger in your mind long after the meal was over.

Despite your best efforts, the moments of unintentional staring at Sanji continued to occur. It seemed that no matter how much you tried to be discreet, your eyes had a mind of their own when it came to the charismatic chef. Each time it happened, you found yourself lost in admiration as you watched Sanji work his culinary magic. His passion and skill in the kitchen were a sight to behold, and it was impossible not to be drawn to the graceful way he moved.

Sometimes, it was a subtle glance when he wasn't looking, other times it was an unabashed appreciation of his talent as he whipped up delectable dishes. You simply couldn't help it, and secretly, relished these stolen moments of admiration. 

The crew members had caught on to your recurring glances, and they often shared knowing looks and playful nudges when they witnessed you gazing at Sanji. It had become a lighthearted inside joke among the crew.

And while you might have been embarrassed each time you were caught, there was a part of you that secretly enjoyed these stolen glimpses of the chef. After all, there was no denying the allure of Sanji's culinary artistry and the captivating way he moved in the kitchen.

Today was no different; Lost in your thoughts, you found yourself staring at him again, completely oblivious to your surroundings. 

Sanji, who was in the middle of preparing a dish, had noticed your lingering gaze though. He had a way of sensing when someone was watching him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of flattery at the attention.

With a sly grin, Sanji continued to work but subtly shifted his position, allowing him to steal a glance in your direction. When he saw that you were indeed staring, his grin widened.

Finishing up the dish, Sanji carried it over to the dining area, where you sat. He placed the plate in front of you with a charming smile and said, "I noticed you've been watching me cook. Enjoying the show, madam?"

You felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment as you were caught red-handed. You stammered slightly, "I..I didn't mean to... I mean, yes, your cooking is amazing."

Sanji chuckled warmly, his blue eyes filled with amusement. "No need to be shy," he replied, his tone gentle, "I'm flattered that you appreciate my skills. If you ever want to learn a thing or two in the kitchen, just let me know."

The playful encounter left you with a mixture of embarrassment and intrigue. Perhaps your unintentional staring had opened the door to a new connection with the charismatic chef.

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