PAIRING : Naruto Uzumaki x Introverted!Reader
SUMMARY : A quiet, introverted reader whoโs honest and affectionate with Narutoโalways holding his hand, staying close, inviting him over to play games or taking him to Ichiraku just to spend time together. | the request
CONTENT WARNINGS : None ( This story is soft, wholesome, and fluff-centered. No angst, violence, or triggering content. )
You werenโt the loudest person in the village. In fact, most people barely noticed when you were aroundโalways soft-spoken, always staying near the back of the room, watching more than you spoke. You werenโt shy, exactly. You just didnโt feel the need to fill the silence. You liked quiet things, gentle smiles, soft spaces.
But when it came to Naruto Uzumakiโฆ
Well, you were a little different.
Everyone else was used to his loud voice, his energy, the way he lit up any room he walked into like sunshine with legs. He made people laugh. He made people groan. And for you? He made your heart beat faster, every single time.
You didnโt have the courage to confess right away. But you did love him. And when you loved, you showed it.
Maybe thatโs why every time you hung out with him, you couldnโt help but reach for his hand.
You were sitting on a bench just outside the Hokageโs office, the sun warm on your face and your hand resting between you both on the wooden seat. Naruto was talking excitedly about a mission heโd finished the day beforeโsomething about an exploding squirrel and a cart of vegetablesโand you were smiling softly, not saying much.
He turned to look at you, his grin wide and happy.
โโฆand then the squirrel launched itself at Kakashi-senseiโs head! I swear it had a grudge, believe it!โ
You giggled, cheeks heating up. โThatโsโฆ actually really scary.โ
Naruto blinked. Then he laughed. โYou always say the funniest things in the softest voice.โ
Your fingers brushed his knuckles. It was almost automatic nowโthe way your hand inched closer to his whenever he was near. The way your pinky hooked onto his gently, as if asking Can I? even though youโd done it a hundred times before.
Instead, he turned his palm upward and let you slide your hand into his. And then he held itโcarelessly, casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Your voice was barely above a whisper. โI like when you talk to me.โ
Naruto looked at you, really looked, and his grin falteredโjust a bit. He wasnโt sure if it was your soft voice or your honesty, but somehow, you always managed to say things that caught him off guard.
โI like when you hold my hand,โ you added, squeezing gently.
There it was againโthat look in his eyes. That boyish wonder, that shock, like he couldnโt believe someone was saying something kind to him.
You liked being close to him. Not just emotionally, but physically, too. If he was sitting on the couch, you were right beside him, knees touching. If you walked together through the market, your hand was always searching for his. It wasnโt out of neediness. It was justโฆ the way you loved.
The first time you invited him to your house, you were nervous for days.
Youโd cleaned everything. Set up the pillows in your room just right. Picked out a few games he might like to play. You even practiced how to ask him, pacing in your kitchen whispering the words to yourself like a mantra:
โHey, do you wanna come over to play something?โ โHey, my place is cozy, wanna come by?โ โโฆWanna hang outโฆ with me? At my place?โ
When you finally asked, it came out clumsy and softโbut he lit up instantly.
โYeah! That sounds awesome!โ
He sat on the floor of your bedroom that evening, cross-legged, holding a controller and shouting dramatically every time he lost. You were curled beside him, tucked under one of his arms, legs over his lap. At one point, he paused the game.
โYouโre always so close,โ he said, almost teasingly.
You looked up at him with wide, blinking eyes. โDo you want me to move?โ
โNo!โ His answer was too quick, too loud. He scratched the back of his neck and laughed. โNah, I was just sayinโ. I like it.โ
You nodded once and leaned your head against his shoulder.
โI like you,โ you whispered.
You didnโt even seem to notice his reactionโyou were just speaking your truth, like you always did. So quiet, but so honest it made his chest ache. He didnโt know what to say.
But your hand was in his again, warm and gentle.
Naruto got used to your affection like it was something heโd always needed but never realized he could have.
He started to notice the way your eyes lit up when he reached for your hand first. The way you smiled against your bowl whenever he took you to Ichiraku and let you steal a piece of his pork. The way your shoulders relaxed when he leaned in closer while you were walking.
You werenโt loud about your love. You didnโt need grand declarations or drama.
You just wanted to be near him.
And honestly, that hit him harder than any poem or confession ever could.
One night, after a particularly long mission, you were both walking home under a moonlit sky, the streets of Konoha quiet and peaceful.
โI missed you,โ you said softly.
Naruto blinked. โBut we just saw each other yesterday.โ
You gave him a slow blink, as if that was the dumbest thing heโd ever said. โThatโs still a long time.โ
Naruto laughedโbut his ears were pink. โI missed you too.โ
You tugged on his sleeve. โCome to my house?โ
You made him tea. Gave him your softest blanket. You even let him lay his head on your lap while you played with his hair, gentle fingers brushing through blond strands while he closed his eyes and melted into your touch.
โHey,โ he said quietly. โWhy are you always so sweet to me?โ
You tilted your head, confused. โBecause I love you.โ
It wasnโt a confession. Not the way most people thought of one. You said it the same way you said everything elseโwith simplicity, truth, and softness.
You didnโt even hesitate.
โI love you,โ you repeated, brushing his bangs back. โSo I want to take care of you.โ
Naruto opened his eyes slowly. โYou really mean that?โ
โI wouldnโt say it if I didnโt.โ
And thatโmore than anythingโwas how Naruto Uzumaki knew heโd fallen in love with you, too.
Not because of a grand moment. Not because of a fiery kiss.
But because of your quiet affection, your soft honesty, the way you always held his hand without asking, and the way you told him the truth like it was the easiest thing in the world.
Because love, from you, was steady and gentle. It didnโt shout. It whispered.
And somehowโฆ it still echoed louder than anything else in his heart.
BONUS : A few things Naruto now loves thanks to you
โข He reaches for your hand first now. Every time.
โข He has a permanent craving for your homemade tea.
โข He sometimes fakes being tired just to lay in your lap.
โข He brags about you taking him to Ichiraku like itโs a romantic vacation.
โข He tells everyone, โYeah, sheโs quiet, but she loves the loudest. Believe it.โ