Archive of Our Own

The sun is setting, bathing Konoha in its warm orange embrace, when Sasuke dismisses Boruto from their evening training. He’s sporting an awful headache, so instead of heading directly home he sits down under the lonesome tree growing on the hill that’s become their favorite training spot and closes his eyes, taking in the peaceful silence. Who knew teaching kids would be this exhausting. 

Sweat is sticking on his forehead and the hot air warms his throat when he breathes it in.

His breathing is a little heavier today. Boruto even managed to land a few hits. Another couple of months and Sasuke will have to start getting serious if he doesn’t want to lose to a kid

Sasuke’s headache feels much better now and with his wet shirt plastered to his back, he’s really looking forward to indulging in a  long, scalding bath. At this time Naruto is probably busy getting dinner ready and making a mess of his kitchen, so Sasuke begrudgingly decides to take his time going home.

If you asked anybody to describe Sasuke Uchiha in one word, the majority would probably answer criminal, somebody would unwillingly say skilled and the rest would probably be torn about answering stoic or level-headed. Well, Sasuke agrees with all of them. He thinks these words describe him pretty well, in general anyway.

But maybe, cohabiting with the guy you’ve been in love with since you were thirteen and that you kept loving even when both of you got married, had children and then divorced five years apart, is not very level-headed of him. And definitely not one of his best ideas.

But two weeks ago Naruto had showed up after his apartment was flooded and Sasuke hadn’t found it in himself to say no. After all, it has become increasingly difficult to refuse Naruto anything, especially when he turns his pleading  blue eyes your way. Sasuke is sure more than half the village has experienced said situation and has found themselves giving in

Sasuke does have to admit that he had expected this cohabitation thing to be way easier. Sharing the same living spaces is not news for either of them and ten years is a long time to learn how to hide the very non platonic feelings you have for your best friend. Plus, Naruto is super fucking dense

It’s the sense of domesticity that comes with it that complicates things the most. Not Naruto strutting around the house in only a towel after a shower, not him being touchy-feely when they’re watching a movie on the couch, but the small things. The quiet intimacy.

Seeing Naruto first thing in the morning, still in his pajamas, his hair a mess, his eyes half open. Coming back from a long day at the Academy and always finding Naruto busing himself in the kitchen, trying out new recipes and cooking Sasuke dinner even if he’s just as tired. Waking up in a cold sweat after one of his usual nightmares and finding Naruto at the edge of his bed with a glass of water and comforting words.

Sasuke can’t ignore the fact that a big part of him is loving this. This small domestic life he used to fantasize about on occasion, before he had screwed everything up and revenge had become his daily bread.

That is why, since Naruto has shown up at his door, he has been annoyingly reminding himself that all this is just a temporary arrangement. Drawing a clear line between what’s real and what’s not would be impossible otherwise.

Like before, the only thing Sasuke is allowed to do is want. Want what he can’t ever have. Nothing more, nothing less. Want so much that he’s sick with it, but it’s okay. He has abandoned Naruto so many times before, put him in second place and hurt him. So even if he has to live the rest of is life just looking from the sidelines, but still looking nonetheless, he thinks he got off with quite the light punishment

—-------------------

Sasuke tries to stall for time as much as possible. 

He may be enjoying this situation a bit too much, but sometimes even he needs some breathing room. Just to redefine that line between fantasy and reality

Sasuke first stops by the bookshop to browse the shelves for a good thirty minutes. There’s a new updated edition of “Kunai, Shuriken and other weapons” that picks his interest, but he decides to not buy anything in the end and leaves just around closing time, something which earns him a withering stare from Kinoka-san, the owner, who everybody knows hates it when people come in right before closing time and leave empty-handed.

He stalls by Ichiraku’s entrance and debates if he really feels like having ramen, especially knowing Naruto would probably be disappointed to know he went and didn't invite him. He spends probably a good five minutes lurking near the main doors before an irritated Ayame scolds him for terrorizing customers and pleads him to leave. 

Sasuke ultimately sits in an empty booth at Lighting Burger, wasting time while sipping on his jasmine flavoured kombucha until he sees the sun finally set behind the horizon. The sky is darkening fast and the place is slowly filling up. 

Sasuke decides he’s stalled long enough and heads home

—----------------

His apartment sits on the outskirts of Konoha and is part of an ugly building complex that’s probably as old as Tsunade. The once bright yellow plaster has fallen off in some places and the outside staircase is so rusty, you better off not touching the handrail unless you wanna be washing red off your hands for two days.

Because of the not so optimal conditions, most of the apartments are empty and in the almost six years he has been living here, Sasuke has met just one of his neighbours, Kato. He lives downstairs and he works as the head nurse at the Academy's infirmary. He’s also a tea connoisseur. Sasuke is addicted to the special brew of white tea Kato has recently introduced him to.

Naruto has tried multiple times over the years to convince Sasuke to move somewhere else, but the rent is cheap, the place it's quiet and he kinda loves the way he can watch the sun rise and set without other buildings blocking the view, so he has always told Naruto he’s happy where he is

When Sasuke finally opens his apartment door, he’s welcomed by the smell of something burning and Naruto muttering curses under his breath.

“Would it hurt you to not set off the smoking alarm for once?”, Sasuke asks while entering the kitchen, just to find Naruto wearing the obscene fake-abs apron Sai had gifted him on Christmas ten years ago, and only a pair of short grey boxers. Naruto really doesn’t need a fake abs apron, but he wears it just to annoy Sasuke, who has tried more than once to burn the awful thing

“Sasuke, you’re back! I was starting to worry”, Naruto replies, his usual beaming smile in place and not at all shy to be standing in Sasuke’s kitchen half-naked. 

“You were worrying about the strongest shinobi in town?”

“Well, you've been having those awful headaches as of late and refuse to rest, or take any medicine for that matter. I thought something had happened. And that is why I’m making my famous shijimi miso soup”, Naruto says, turning to stir said soup, which is overflowing and staining Sasuke’s precious marble counter. 

“Naruto, that’s supposed to be hangover soup”

“You get headaches when you’re drunk”

Feeling that it’s pointless to argue any further, Sasuke heads to the bathroom and finally takes that long awaited bath. 

—--------------

Dinner is filled with Naruto’s chatter. 

He tells Sasuke all about the special secret mission nobody but the Hokage and the Council should know about and that he is so behind on paperwork that the elders had almost scolded him to tears. 

“Like, I’m the Hokage! Why should I do paperwork? It’s definitely beneath me! Don’t you agree Sasuke? Of course you do, you know I’m right”, Naruto continues without giving Sasuke a chance to answer while dipping a slice of half-burned bread in his soup

“You’ll help me, right Sasuke? Please?”. Naruto pesters him, fluttering his eyelashes and giving Sasuke a big pleading look. Those azure pools that do unspeakable things to his insides get impossibly bigger and Sasuke tries not to cave in. He takes a deep breath and successfully keeps his stony facade on

“No way. I don’t think I need to remind you that I’m already busy supervising the organization of both the Chunin exam and the Kazegake visit, which are happening on the same week by the way … you asked me to remember?”

“I know, I know. But that’s because you’re the only one I can trust with that. You’ll forgive me, right?”, Naruto says while covering Sasuke’s hand with his and intertwining their fingers. 

Sasuke’s entire body locks in place and he feels like his hand will soon go on fire with how hot it is. Naruto’s hands are calloused and warm and fit perfectly against his, and Sasuke busies himself with thinking about unpleasant things, like Shikamaru ugly mug, to distract himself from the fact that they’re holding hands at the dinner table while chit-chatting after eating an homemade meal Naruto has cooked because he was worried about him and he's the only one overthinking this

“Maybe you should start expanding your friend circle then”, Sasuke says, miraculously getting his mouth to work again and taking his hand away. He grabs their empty plates and moves them to the sink where he starts scrubbing them in a circle pattern. The repeating motion gives him a sense of calm and his heart finally settles down too

“C’mon, Sasuke, you know you’re the only one for me”, Naruto teases, following him to the kitchen sink and sitting down on the counter

“Mmh”, is all Sasuke says while rinsing one of the plates and laying it on the drying rack. In his peripheral he can see Naruto’s tight boxers riding up his tanned tight and soft, white skin peeking from underneath. He immediately looks away, his breath itching in his throat.

“Anyway, I was on the phone with Boruto before you came back and he was bragging about how much he has improved. Of course I told him that’s possible only because he has the best teacher ever”, Naruto continues, playfully elbowing Sasuke

“I’m still not helping you with the paperwork”, Sasuke says, heading back to the table to grab the empty soup bowl

“It’s not because of that! I really think so!”

“Right, right. Thank you o so much, great Hokage-sama”. Naruto makes a nasty face when hearing that, which makes Sasuke laugh

“Ugh, I hate it when you call me that. It sounds so… weird”

“How is it weird? You are the Hokage”, Sasuke asks, drying his hands now that he’s finished with the dishes

“I know, but… ugh, I guess it just feels strange hearing you say that. It’s so formal, makes it seem like we haven’t known each other since we were kids. Like we’re strangers. I really don’t like that”, Naruto answers, his voice pensive

“It’s not that deep”, Sasuke says, trying to disperse the heavy air that’s just descended on them. “I guess not”, Naruto shrugs, giving Sasuke a smile, but it’s fake and Sasuke knows he has said the wrong thing

He was never good at reading Naruto after all

“I think I’ll head to bed”

“I thought we were seeing a movie. It’s Wednesday, remember?”, Naruto says, brows furrowed. Right. It is Wednesday, which means it’s movie night. Since that fateful day Naruto had decided showing up at Sasuke’s house on Wednesday to see a movie should become a thing, they have never skipped one once 

But today Sasuke doesn’t really feel like sitting down on the couch trying to focus on whichever movie they’re going to watch, while Naruto eats candied almonds with his head resting on his lap

“Yeah, sorry. I’m not feeling too good. Let’s do movie night tomorrow?

“Oh, okay. Sure. Is it a headache? Should I get you some medicine?”, Naruto replies, definitely worried. He closes the distance between them and places a hand against Sasuke’s forehead to check his temperature

“It’s nothing much, don’t worry. Probably just need to rest a little”, Sasuke replies, moving away 

Naruto doesn’t seem convinced and follows after Sasuke when he heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and is still following him when Sasuke opens his bedroom door. 

"Didn't I say not to worry?”, Sasuke asks, turning around to look at Naruto leaning against the bedroom doorway

“How can I not? I don’t like it when you’re sick”, Naruto replies, coming closer once Sasuke slides under the covers. He sits downs and tucks some stray hair behind Sasuke’s ear 

“It's just a nasty headache Naruto. I’m not going to die”

“Don’t joke like that”, Naruto says annoyed, flicking his forehead

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Please have mercy, Hokage-sama”, Sasuke jokes and Naruto flick him again 

“I hope you’ll feel better after some rest”, he continues and Sasuke just hums in response, feeling a little guilty. If he had known Naruto would have gotten so worried he never would have faked not feeling well. 

“Okay then, I’ll leave you to rest”, Naruto says, getting up from where he is sitting on the bed and leaving the room, but not before glancing back to look at Sasuke one last time

—------------------

That night, Sasuke’s sleep is troubled. 

He keeps tossing around in bed, his back drenched in sweat, with no recollection of whatever it is that shakes him awake every time. He just knows it must be something very intense because at one point he springs up with his mouth open in a silent scream. 

His heart is beating wildly against his ribcage and his cheeks are damp with tears

Just before Sasuke can lay back down, his bedroom door is suddenly thrown open and a worried Naruto rushes in. 

Well, maybe that scream was not so silent after all. 

“Naruto…I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you”, Sasuke says, trying to clear his parched throat. 

“Water, you need water”, Naruto says, running to the kitchen before Sasuke can stop him. It’s the dead of the night and the tap running is the only sound in the otherwise quiet house. Sasuke’s clock has just struck one

Naruto comes back and sits on the edge of the bed to hand Sasuke the glass

“Thanks”, he says, taking it  with slightly trembling hands

Naruto doesn’t answer and just stares while Sasuke takes in big gulps of water and the shaking in his hands subsides

“Should I stay here tonight?”, Naruto asks all of a sudden, breaking the silence

“There’s no need. I’m fine”

“You’re clearly not”, Naruto replies, his tone a bit piqued. He seems to regret it though since he speaks again, this time softening his voice a little, “Let me Sasuke… please”

“I really don’t want to bother you. I’m fine”, Sasuke replies, trying his best to give Naruto a genuine smile. Naruto doesn’t buy it though

“Bother me? I was the one who asked… Please… If I leave now I would just worry and would’t sleep a wink”, Naruto continues, taking Sasuke’s hand in his and giving it a squeeze

“Okay. Okay. Stop crushing my hand already”, Sasuke answers, trying to take his hand back, but Naruto just grips tighter

“Thanks”, Naruto replies grinning, like Sasuke has just done him a big favor. 

Naruto lets go of Sasuke’s hands only for the short time it takes him to lay down under the covers. As soon as he’s settled he looks for Sasuke’s hand again and wraps it in between his, bringing it closer to his chest and Sasuke with it

Once he’s s sure Sasuke won’t be taking his hand back anytime soon, Naruto loosens his grip and starts to trace calming patterns over it

Naruto’s warm fingers are impossibly gentle against Sasuke’s skin, dragging up from his wrist to his knuckles to the tip of his fingers and descending down to start again, but instead of calming down, Sasuke feels high strung and ready to snap. Naruto’s affectionate touch is sending shivers down his spine and they’re so close that Sasuke can feel his warm breath against his exposed collarbone

Naruto’s eyes are focused on Sasuke’s hand, his teeth worrying his pink lips and Sasuke is drinking him in like a starved man. He wants, he wants so bad it’s killing him

“That’s enough”, Sasuke whispers suddenly, since Naruto doesn’t seem to want to let go any time soon. He’s bound to make a mistake if this goes on, like taking Naruto by the back of his head and smashing their lips together

Naruto kinda looks disappointed, but he doesn’t protest and drags the covers over them both, trying to tuck Sasuke in even though he’s laying down

Their hands are still resting between them and Sasuke is painfully aware that he would just need to move his hand a couple of inches to meet the warm skin of Naruto’s chest, his hard muscles, the small scar just above his belly button, the thin trail of blonde hair disappearing under his pants.

He hadn’t really thought about how much having Naruto in his bed would have tempted him.

“What are your nightmares about?”, Naruto whispers all of a sudden, reaching out for Sasuke’s hand again, but just to link their pinkies this time

“I don’t know, It’s never clear after I wake up”, Sasuke answers, softly smiling at the childish gesture 

“I wish it’d be the same for me too. I can never seem to forget.”

“You have nightmares too?”, Sasuke asks

“Yeah. Too many if I can say so”

“What are your nightmares about?”, Sasuke asks and immediately regrets it seeing the displeased expression on Naruto’s face at remembering. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to”, Sasuke continues, tugging on Naruto’s pinkies with his, trying to offer comfort

“It’s fine. I want to”, Naruto replies, tugging back

“Every night is different, but usually, a person I love is in danger… and I try to save them. I try so fucking hard”, Naruto starts, wetting his dry lips before continuing, “I give it my all, really, but just before I can reach them…they disappear. They don’t die, they just… vanish… and I’m left all alone again”, Naruto whispers, avoiding looking at Sasuke

Sasuke can’t help but reach out to brush a hand through Naruto’s hair, who leans into the touch 

“You’re in a lot of them, Sasuke”, Naruto says, placing his hand on top of the one Sasuke’s still has in his hair and bringing it to his lips. They’re rough and chapped against the back of Sasuke's hand

“Me?”, Sasuke says low and strained. He doubts Naruto has heard him

Sasuke’s heart is breaking, breaking at the thought that Naruto is afraid. Afraid that Sasuke is going to leave him again, so much so that he has nightmares about it. 

“Naruto, I’m not leaving”, Sasuke continues, clearing his throat so that his voice comes out a bit louder this time.  He wants to make sure Naruto hears him.

“You promise?”

“I promise”

“Mhm...I’m sorry Sasuke, but I really can’t bring myself to believe you”, Naruto replies with a pained smile, surely because he thinks he’s at fault for that. But how can it be Naruto’s fault? In retrospect it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the only thing Naruto has seen Sasuke do is leave. Leave the village, leave his family, leave him

“That’s okay. I haven’t given you any reason to believe me, but I’ll make it up to you. I promise” , Sasuke says, bringing their foreheads together

“Okay”, Naruto replies, smiling. His blue eyes shine so much brighter in the darkness. The thin veil of unshed tears unable to hide their light

And what follows his silence. Not the awkward kind, but the comfortable one that settles between two people who have known each other for so long. A silence they spend just looking at each other, without worrying that the sun is already visible over the horizon or that they have to get up very soon and face the long day ahead with just a couple of hours of rest. 

A silence so comfortable that Sasuke doesn’t realize how close they have gotten until his eyes fall down to Naruto’s lips and find them a mere inches away from his. So close he can feel Naruto’s warm breath caressing his cheeks. 

“Better go to sleep now, I have a mountain of paperwork waiting at my desk tomorrow”, Naruto says, breaking the silence, and the moment is gone. He turns on his back, away from Sasuke, and goes to sleep like everything is normal

“Right”, is all Sasuke says before turning his back to Naruto, his breathing heavy with the knowledge of what he was about to do. He deepens his breathing, pretending to have already fallen asleep, and just when he’s sure Naruto is actually sleeping does he turn back around.

He slowly traces Naruto’s profile with his eyes, not daring to touch him. Starting from the black long lashes brushing over his cheeks to then move to the slope of his nose and to lastly stop at his mouth, always so close but never close enough

Sasuke sometimes wonders how things would be now if they had been different people. If they hadn’t been two orphaned boys shunned for similar circumstances and forced to grow-up before their time, but regular kids. Lucky enough to grow up among loving relatives and showered with affection. Maybe Sasuke wouldn’t have chosen revenge over Naruto then, maybe now it would be easier for him to express his feelings instead of bottling them up if he had. Maybe Naruto wouldn’t have nightmares about loved ones leaving him. Maybe Sasuke wouldn’t have been a coward and let Naruto slip through his fingers 

Or maybe circumstances would have still lead them to the same decisions and everything would have still been the same

“You know, sometimes I wish we had never met”, Sasuke whispers in the quietness of the room, eliciting a mumbled hum from Naruto

Who am I kidding

—---------------------------------------------

Sasuke is woken up by the first rays of sunshine flowing in through his bedroom window. They’re warm on his skin and for the first time in a while he doesn’t want to leave his bed 

Naruto is still asleep. His soft snores are the only noise in this otherwise quiet morning. He has his head pillowed on Sasuke’s outstretched arm and there’s a line of dried drool leaving his mouth. Sasuke thinks he’s the cutest thing ever.

Careful not to wake him, he gently pulls his arm away and spares another glance toward where Naruto is laying in his bed before leaving the room

In the kitchen, Sasuke starts to prepare breakfast. He’s an awful cook, but even he can scoop up some rice from the rice-cooker and heat up the miso soup leftover from yesterday. He sets the table up and since they still have a couple of hours before they have to leave the house he lets Naruto sleep even when everything’s ready.

Since he’s supposed to meet up with Shikamaru and Sai to discuss the preparations for the Kazekage upcoming visit, Sasuke takes his time going over the “to-purchase” materials list once again, and scribbles some notes on the side of the list about which suppliers have yet to be paid

The date for the Kazekage visit is nearing and there’s still so much to do. 

Why would Naruto burden him with such an important task is still beyond him, especially since he has a capable entourage of organizers who are there precisely for this. 

And just to add more stress upon him, the Kazekage visit coincides with Naruto’s 8th year as Hokage, which of course deserves a celebration as well. As per Naruto’s request, they have decided to just organize one event to commemorate both, but that only means it’ll have to be as grand as if they were having two separate ones

Just thinking about the hell of a meeting that is expecting him, Sasuke lays his head in both his hands and loudly groans

“Morning to you too, sunshine”, the culprit of Sasuke’s current predicament says, walking into the kitchen. Sasuke glances at the clock and finds it’s later than he thought

“You woke up on your own? It usually takes me half an hour to coax you out of bed”

“The bed was cold without you”, Naruto replies while sitting down at the table

And thanks to that Sasuke’s face is already on fire at 7 in the morning. To distract himself from thinking about them sleeping in the same bed, Sasuke gets up to get Naruto’s plate and pours him a cup of coffee.

“You could’ve woken me up. I wanted to have breakfast together”. Oh my god he’s pouting

“We can another time”

“Mhm’, Naruto replies, taking a sip of coffee

Sasuke tries not to laugh at Naruto’s upset expression and goes back to his bedroom to get ready

—------------------------------------------

A warm sunny morning greets them when they step out of the house.

Though it’s still early morning, Konoha is already awake. Kids are loudly yapping to their mothers on the way to school and most shop owners have already opened up their doors to the lively crowd filling the main street. 

“Sasuke, let’s stop by Gintoki-san’s shop. I’m sure he already has a batch of his freshly baked taiyaki ready for us”

“No, we’re going to be late if you keep stopping by every shop”

“It’s not my fault they all love me”, Naruto jokes, winking at him

“Or maybe you’re just delusional”

“Sasuke!!”

It’s true though. Every citizen of Konoha loves him. 

There's a group of middle-schoolers who patiently waits by the school gate just to say hi to him every morning and Naruto really doesn't need to bother preparing breakfast because Gintoki- san and Shimizu-san always remember to pack him something to eat on the way. Kids look at him like he’s the strongest superhero in the whole world and scheming housewives have been trying to snatch him up for their daughters since his divorce a year and a half ago. There’s actually a betting pool going very strong at the moment about who’s going to be the next Miss Hokage.

Sasuke finds it ridiculous. Not a long time ago everybody in the village was eager to see Naruto gone, but now that he has power, now that he’s the Hokage, you would be hard pressed to find anybody uttering anything but praise for their “amazing Hokage”. Not that Sasuke can judge them. He has treated Naruto just as awfully, but he can at least be happy he has never done it because he considered him a monster. A fool surely, but never a monster. 

“Good morning, Hokage-sama”, an old woman says, stopping to greet Naruto 

“Shizuka-san, good morning to you too. You look as beautiful as always”, Naruto answers, taking the woman’s frail old hand in his and giving it a kiss, like a knight would do with his princess. This elicits a laugh from the old woman, her eyes sparkling with mirth

If Naruto isn’t blaming them, then who’s Sasuke to do so. In the end Naruto has forgiven him like he did all the rest of them, he really doesn’t have the right to feel above them

—--------------------------------------------

They do stop by Gintoki-san’s shop in the end, but just because his taiyaki are to die for and Naruto kept begging him

When they get to the Academy the hall is quiet and there’s muffled chatter coming from behind closed classroom doors. The receptionist behind the desk greets them with a bow when they enter. 

“Good morning Hokage-sama. Uchiha-san”

“Yuji, why so formal. You’ve been working here for ages”, Naruto replies, giving the young man playful slaps on the back. Yuji looks so uncomfortable and at a loss for words that Sasuke decides to take pity on him and drags Naruto away by the arm

“Shouldn’t you get to work already, Hokage-sama?”, Sasuke asks, letting go of Naruto’s arm and turning around to giving a condescending look

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going, look. No need to be jealous”, Naruto replies, smirking

“Jealous my ass”, Sasuke says, flipping him off

“I will see you later then”, is the last thing he hears before he turns the corner to head to his office

—---------------------------

Technically, Shikamaru is the official advisor for the Hokage, but has multiple times refused to have a personal office, saying he was of much better use on the field than relegated behind a desk, and since nobody had anything to say to that, the matter was dropped.

Unfortunately, after that, Naruto’s attention had shifted to Sasuke. It had already been years since Sasuke had become the Hokage’s shadow and took on all the most difficult missions he could find, sure that would help him atone, when Naruto had proposed he become an advisor too 

Sasuke had vehemently refused and they fought about it for weeks with Naruto insisting he take the position and Sasuke trying to explain how laughable would have been for him of all people to become one of the Hokage’s most trusted men

After weeks of just yelling at each other and making the tension in the Academy unbearable to bear, Naruto had finally made Sasuke cave in. 

“What’s the difference between helping me from the shadow and helping me while standing beside me?”, had said Naruto. “You want to atone? Great. Do it where everybody can see you, isn’t that way more difficult?”

Sasuke had been at a loss and ha found himself accepting the Hokage’s kind offer with a heavy heart. He couldn’t exaclty tell Naruto that standing by his side felt less like a punishment and more like a blessing

So, that's how the famous war criminal Sasuke Uchiha has found himself occupying the office just around the corner from the Hokage’s 

—-------------------------

When Sasuke opens the door to his office he finds that Shikamaru and Sai are already inside and have made themselves at home. The latter is sprawled on the new leather chair he has just gotten delivered, busy reading a book he probably took out of Sasuke’s bookshelf, while the former is sitting on the windowsill, lazily basking in the sunlight pouring in through the windows

“You’re late”, Shikamaru says as a way of greeting, jumping down from his spot near the window and claiming the only other available chair, leaving Sasuke standing in his own office

“Don’t start, I know”, Sasuke replies, kicking Sai out of his chair and taking his place

“Since none of us want to be here, I suggest we get moving”

“Well, if it wasn’t for your boyfriend, we wouldn't be here”, Shikamaru teases 

“You’re more than welcome to leave”, Sasuke replies, knowing damn well that even the great Shikamaru Nara hates disappointing Naruto

“I went over the layout for the stalls with the owners this morning and talked with Ayame-san about the informal lunch. She agreed to it, but at the condition it takes place before regular business hours”, Shikamaru starts, ignoring Sasuke’s offer

“Perfect, and tell Ayame that’s fine for us. Sai, any luck with those fireworks?”

“Not yet, but I have heard there’s plenty to be found in Hoshigakure. An acquaintance of mine it’s traveling there tomorrow,  I’ll keep you updated” 

“Okay, so we’re basically done. They’re going to sign the alliance treaty, have lunch at Ichiraku and end the day at the festival. The Hokage is gonna give an awe inspiring speech and everything will end framed by mighty fireworks. All according to plan”

“All according to your boyfriend’s plan. If he was going to order us what to do to the last detail then couldn’t he have done it by himself?”

“Naruto’s busy”

“And you’re always busy defending his ass”

Sasuke is about to jump over the desk to headbutt Shikamaru when Sai gets between them and stops him

“Since we’re done here we should leave Shikamaru”, Sai says, his hand still outstretched towards Sasuke, afraid that he’s still ready to pounce

“Yeah, we should. I have a sweet and loving wife expecting me at home and I better not keep her waiting”, Shikamaru says, getting up from his chair

“Simp”

“What did you say?”

Shikamaru is the one ready to pounce now. Sasuke teases him with a playful smirk from behind his desk, waiting for him to make the first move so the blame for punching the daylights out of him won’t rest on his shoulders, but Sai gets in-between them again and the much awaited fight doesn’t happen, again

“We’ll leave you to it then”, Sai says while forcefully pushing Shikamaru out of the room. The latter drags his steps all the way and gives Sasuke the middle finger before muttering a “bye, asshole”, under his breath and finally leaving Sasuke alone

—-------------------------------------

With the two gone the silence that fills the office is almost suffocating, but much appreciated. Sasuke speed dials all the vendors he’s been chasing for more than a week and can finally tick all the boxes on his “to-do” list. The only thing left now is reporting to Naruto to get his approval to formally finalize everything and make sure the idiot has actually started working on his speech

Seeing the early hour, Sasuke grabs himself a cup of coffee from the vending machine and  decides to lose some time skimming over reports and correcting Boruto’s terrible essay on Konoha’s founding history before stopping by Naruto’s office, sure he’ll only bother him if he were to go now. Only when he has corrected the same error for the tenth time does he choose to call it quits. 

He tidies the documents strewn on the desk, gulps down his cold mug of awful Academy coffee and leaves the office.

—-----------------------------------

“Hokage-sama, can I speak frankly?”

Naruto’s office door is open and Sasuke recognizes the voice as that of Minamoto something-something, the Council of Elders spokesperson and a vehement Naruto opposer. When he’s involved it’s always about Naruto not behaving “Hokage-enough” or some other stupid reason for why Naruto is not fit to be leading Konoha

Since Sasuke isn’t very knee on listening to bullshit, he decides to just come back later or just talk to Naruto at dinner

“The Council is quite displeased with how much the rogue shinobi Uchiha has been involved in Konoha’s administration”

At that Sasuke stops right on his tracks. He leans his back against the wall and reasons it’s definitely his right to eavesdrop on this

“What?”, Naruto replies with a confused tone, probably because this is the least thing he was expecting the Council to be bothering him about 

“We understand that the Hokage has kept a good relationship with him and considers him a friend, but, Hokage-sama, Uchiha Sasuke is a criminal, responsible for conspiring against Konoha! It is preposterous to involve him in the organization of an important event like the Kazekage visit. And even more to have him supervising the Chunin Exam. What example are we giving our young shinobi? For all we know that despicable man could be planning to kill us all!”

“Are you done?’

Naruto is angry. No, scratch that. He’s furious. Sasuke has seen Naruto angry multiple times, been on the receiving end of such anger just as much, but never has his voice sounded so cold. His blue eyes have probably darkened to a heavy blue by now, like the ocean during a storm, and his soft mouth stretched into a thin hard line. 

Sasuke can hear the elder falling to the ground, probably bowing in apology, and  muttering nonsense under his breath. He’s scared. Sasuke can feel it.

He can also feel Naruto’s towering presence from behind the thick wall and a shiver of cold runs down his spine. His body is tensing up, just like it does when preparing to step foot onto the battlefield.

Bullshit, this Naruto we’re talking about

Sasuke’s body is terrified, but it’s just a shinobi natural reaction to a powerful threat. Sasuke’s mind, and his heart, know that there’s nothing to be afraid of, because this is Naruto. His sweet, loving, Naruto 

“I dare you to say more”

“Hokage-sama, we’re just concerned…”

Since it doesn’t seem like this damn elder has any surviving instincts left in him, Sasuke decides to spare him and, after taking a breath to rid his body of the tension enveloping it, knocks on Naruto’s office door like he has just arrived

“Am I interrupting?”

“Sasuke!”, Naruto says, his cheerfulness back on. If Sasuke hadn’t been here to witness everything unfold he wouldn’t have believed Naruto was just on the verge of flaying into a blind rage

“Of course not, Elder Minamoto is just now leaving”, Naruto continues, coldly glancing towards the elder and daring him to say another word

The elder seems to hesitate, but for whatever reason leaves, but not before glaring at Sasuke.

“Sasuke, are you heading home?”, Naruto asks, getting out of his seat and walking towards Sasuke, who is debating whether to come clean about having heard everything or keep quiet.

It is not the first time this has happened. Different people have complained about his reintegration into Konoha’s society either publicly or in the privacy of the dingiest bar of the village multiple times, but nobody has ever confronted Naruto about it. Or at least none have as far as Sasuke is aware. It would be just like Naruto to keep things like this to himself

Sasuke knows the wrongness of it all, of letting the man that had once planned on destroying Konoha, stand beside the man that’s supposed to protect it, is completely lost on Naruto. He has, at this point, given up trying to explain it and just resolved to try his best to make the people warm up to him, if even a little bit. More for Naruto’s sake than his

He’s looking for forgiveness, but only from the people he cares about, the one he really regrets hurting

As expected the plan is as hopeless as he thought it would be. While some people have accepted that he isn’t the same person he was before and other people have acknowledged that he’s unfortunately a permanent fixture here in Konoha now, most of them still hate him. And Sasuke doesn’t blame them at all. What he has done is unforgivable and will be his burden to bear for the rest of his life, but it’s his burden, not Naruto’s. 

“Sasuke?”, Naruto calls his name again and takes Sasuke’s hand in his to get his attention

Since this is his burden to bear, Sasuke decides that confronting the elders directly would be the best course of action if he doesn’t want Naruto involved

“Sorry, I’m just tired. I was just stopping by to report to you that we've finally finalized all the details regarding the event. I apologize if I’ve interrupted you”

Sasuke doesn’t feel really comfortable with lying to Naruto, but if he were to tell him he’s heard everything, Naruto would take matters into his own hands to make sure Sasuke doesn’t worry about it and just worsen the situation. 

The Hokage is still the most powerful figure in Konoha, but having the Council against you isn’t really a good image even if Naruto has the people’s support.

“Don’t worry about the report. If you’re tired you should just head home. I still have a couple of things to go through, but I will be home soon. Wait for me, okay?”

“I’ll just wait here then”, Sasuke says, taking a seat on the sofa in Naruto’s office

“You sure?”, Naruto asks, concerned

“Sure”

Naruto seems to believe him. He takes a seat behind his mahogany desk and starts to  make quick work of the documents in front of him while Sasuke quietly stares at him from where is sitting on the sofa. He doesn’t care that he’s being everything but subtle, getting to openly watch Naruto while there’s nobody else around is too good of an opportunity to pass on.

The way he scrunches his eyebrows when he’s confused, the way he bites the corner of his bottom lip when he’s concentrating, the way he absentmindedly bounces his leg under the table. Sasuke drinks in every little detail, like a thirsty man when he chances upon a hidden oasis in the desert.

Thinking that he’s the only one who gets to see this sends a thrill down his entire body. Nobody, not even Hinata, has ever been permitted to be in here when Naruto is working. 

Nobody but him

Sasuke feels drunk on this feeling. But this feeling is as intoxicating as it’s dangerous. Just like a man who hasn’t had a drop of water for too long would die if he were not to pace himself

This jealousy, this envy, this need to know he is special, make him ashamed. For all his talks about redemption and atoning and being fine with watching from the sidelines, he’s just as greedy as everyone else, just as wretched 

Luckily there is one thing that has kept him from throwing any caution to the winds all these years, and that thing is fear. Because Sasuke wants and he yearns, but most of all he’s afraid of losing Naruto forever, of Naruto hating him. 

What does it matter if he’ll never get to know what Naruto tastes like? What if he’s just another one of the adoring people begging for Naruto to look their way? As long as he keeps these feelings to himself he’ll get to continue living this peaceful life beside the only man he has ever loved. Most people are not that fortunate

“Stop, staring”, Naruto says suddenly in the quiet of this office taking Sasuke’s mind back to the present. There’s a slight pink coloring his cheeks and Sasuke can see Naruto is visibly embarrassed

“I’m sorry”, Sasuke says while clearing his throat and looking away. “I should probably go”, 

“Y-you can stay… if you want, that is”

“I really should go, I don’t want to bother you. I will see you at home”

Naruto opens his mouth to say something in return, but he stops himself and just nods instead

“I will see you at home”, he concludes, sending a tentative smile towards Sasuke 

“Yeah”

—---------------------------------------------

That evening at dinner the atmosphere is back to normal and Sasuke finishes reporting to Naruto over a plate of steaming lasagna. 

“What do you mean you still haven’t got to it?”

“Sasuke-chan, don’t look at me like that. You’re scaring me!”

“Naruto. What do you mean you still haven’t written the speech? The Kazekage is coming the day after tomorrow!”

“I know! I swear I tried, but everytime I bring my pen to the paper, I can’t think of anything to say!”

Sasuke sighs and digs a finger into Naruto’s chest. “You better start thinking really hard then. If you don’t bring me at least a draft by tomorrow I’m handing in my resignation”

“No! You can’t! Sasuke, please!”

Sasuke turns away from a begging Naruto to hide an amused smile and pours himself a cup of plum wine

—---------------------------------------------

That night Sasuke wakes up from a pretty nasty nightmare, but since Naruto doesn't barge into his room to check on him, Sasuke is stuck staring out the window until the first rays of sunshine peek out from over the horizon

Since it’s clear he won’t be getting any sleep, he gets up and goes out on a morning run. 

Even though summer is approaching, the air is still chilly and Sasuke is glad he decided to wear an extra layer. He starts slow, just a couple of laps around the apartment building to warm himself up. Once he feels ready, the leisurely pace gives in to a more hurried sprint until it breaks into a full out run.

Sasuke leaves his apartment behind and runs in the direction of the village borders, directed to the usual hill he and Boruto train on. The trek up the side of the hill makes his breath come out in heavy puffs and there’s a pleasant burning in his muscles when he reaches the top and sits down under his treasured tree to watch the sky painted in hues of red and yellow 

Sasuke has discovered the pleasure that comes after a good run just recently. Nothing else has ever given him the sense of freedom he gets by just running through the places he has known since forever but that seem so much different when you’re just sprinting past them. The fulfillment you feel when your breath is scraping your throat and your legs burn hot

“Feels good”, Sasuke says out loud to nobody in particular

He stays laying on the dew wet grass looking up at the clouds until chills start running down his arms and he realizes it’s time to go back home. 

On the way back he notices that most of the shops are already open and the streets are not so empty anymore

Damn, I wasted too much time

He hurries home, hoping they won’t be too late if they leave now, but finds it empty when he opens the door. He peaks into Naruto’s bedroom and, expect clothes strew all over the floor and an unmade bed, doesn’t find anything

Not wanting to lose any more time, he gets under the shower head without even waiting for hot water to come out and runs out of the apartment with his shirt just half buttoned up, almost tumbling down the stairs on his way down

People keep staring at him on his way to the Academy, probably because he must look like a madman, speed walking through the village with his hair still damp and failing to slip his coat on with just an arm while not stopping. There's a fresh red cut on his hand from when he tried to stop his fall before and he doesn’t have enough caffeine in him to deal with anything at the moment

The day seems off to a beautiful start

He finally gets to the Academy just a half an hour later that usual and thankfully there’s no annoying Shikamaru around to point it out

“Uchiha-san. The Hokage asked that you go to his office as soon as you got here”, Yuji, the receptionist, says once he sees Sasuke speed by the desk

“Tsk. Of course, thank you for telling me”, Sasuke replies, trying to be polite even though he’s feeling very irritated as it is. It’s not like Naruto will scold him for being late, but Sasuke hates making mistakes

“Hokage-sama”, Sasuke says while knocking on Naruto’s office door

“Didn’t I say not to call me that”, Naruto says, opening the door himself. He looks over Sasuke and raises an eyebrow in question upon taking in his appearance. Sasuke awkwardly coughs to get Naruto’s attention away from his awfully ironed shirt and to hide his embarrassment

“You wanted to see me?”, Sasuke says, walking inside Naruto’s office. He heads to the big glass windows and tries to tidy himself as best as he can. While looking, he notices he has missed a couple of buttons at the end of his shirt and proceeds to open it up again to button it back up properly this time.

“Yeah’, Naruto answers, his voice sounding a bit strained, but when Sasuke looks back to see if there's anything wrong with him, Naruto doesn’t meet his gaze.

You weren’t there when I woke up”

“Yeah, sorry. I couldn't sleep, so I went for a run”

“You couldn't sleep? Did you have a nightmare?”, Naruto asks and this time his voice sounds concerned. 

“Yes, but nothing too bad”, Sasuke answers, trying to reassure him. Now that he looks at least a bit presentable, he takes a seat on the windowsill and register the faint fragrant smell permeating the room. 

“You should have woken me up”, Naruto continues, coming closer and brushing a hand through Sasuke still damp hair.

“Then neither of us would have gotten any sleep and we both would have been late”, Sasuke teases

“Still”

“So, is this all you had to discuss with me?”

“Not all. Since you can’t cook to save your life”, Sasuke snorts at this, “I presumed you hadn't had breakfast before leaving the house, and so I graciously bought you something to eat. From Ichiraku”, Naruto says and Sasuke’s eyes widen

“You did not”

“I did too”

“Naruto, I swear to God, if you’re joking…”

“Sasuke-chan”, Naruto drawls, “how could I joke about this?”

“You’re telling me, you miraculously got your hands on Ichiraku’s to-die-for curry pork buns without having to stand in line for hours, or fight angry, ferocious housewives and their perfectly curated nails?”

“I am. I know how much you love them. And, as it happens, Ayame’s house fence was in desperate need of a new coat of painting, so…”

“So, you offered to paint her damn fence just to buy those?”, Sasuke asks, finger pointing to the small bag he can see sitting on Naruto’s desk. He now knows what that delicious smell was

“Yeah”

“Ayame’s fence is a big ass fence”

“I know”

Sasuke’s heart is so full, he’s afraid it’s gonna burst and make a mess all over the pavement

“Thanks”, he whispers, trying to hide his smile behind a carefully crafted cough, but judging from the amused expression Naruto’s sporting, he’s unsuccessful

“Why don’t we eat this first and then I take a look at your hand?”, Naruto says, glancing at Sasuke's hand, where the cut is still glowing a fiery red. He hadn’t even noticed it had started bleeding

“My hand is fine. It’s just a small cut”, Sasuke says, rolling his eyes and grabbing an handkerchief from his breast pocket to wipe away the dried up blood 

“Doesn’t seem like just a cut to me. If you want these”, Naruto says, waving the bun’s bag in front of Sasuke, “then you have to let me take a look”

Sasuke rolls his eyes again, but reluctantly agrees

—----------------------------------------

The pork buns are as delicious as Sasuke remembers. The exterior is soft, but not chewy, the pork is flavored just right and the curry is shining through without being overpowering and the secret sauce only Teuchi-san knows the recipe of, is the missing piece tying all of it together to bring your taste buds to the heavenliest climax

Sasuke lets a very indecent moan escape his lips, but has the decency of looking embarrassed when he opens his eyes and remembers that Naruto is still in the room with him. He’s standing in front of the cabinet where he keeps the first aid kit and looking at him with an inscrutable expression. Sasuke almost apologizes, but then thinks that that will only make things more awkward and shuts up

Naruto doesn’t say anything, small mercy, and just walks to where Sasuke is leaning against the soft cushions of the couch to treat his hand, which doesn't really need to be treated. The cut is rather shallow and the only thing he should really worry about is not contracting some kind of disease with how rusty that old staircase is, but Naruto had insisted using his Hokage voice and not even Sasuke can argue against that

Once he’s seated beside him on the couch, Naruto takes his hand into his and starts swabbing at the cut with a cotton pad to disinfect it, his tongue sticking out in concentration, before gently applying a small portion of cream to soothe the burn. His fingertips are rough to the touch, but so so gentle and kind, and Sasuke’s skin burns under it

Nobody is supposed to look that good while annoyed that the Cinnamon Roll themed plaster he has just applied is crooked

“There”, Naruto says, after he’s finished

“I guess I should thank Himawari for the wonderful plaster”, Sasuke deadpans 

“’It’s cute. It suits you”

Sasuke splutters. Uchiha Sasuke and cute don’t go well together

“Idiot”. Sasuke shoves Naruto off the couch hard, his face a blushing mess

“Mean”, Naruto whines from where is sprawled on the floor, his shirt raised slightly to show a thin expanse of toned and smooth skin. Sasuke is feeling so hot he has to unbutton the top of his shirt

“Sasuke, a hand please”, Naruto says, asking Sasuke to pull him up, which he does, but in a complicated sort of way. He kinda puts too much force into it and while he does pull Naruto off the floor, he also pulls him into him and now they’re laying on the sofa in Naruto’s office, bodies flush together, their faces inches apart and Sasuke forgot how to breathe, because Naruto’s eyes are so blue seen from here and he smells faintly of Sasuke’s shampoo

They stare at each other for maybe fifteen seconds, but it feels like hours and Sasuke should really try to play all this off with a laugh before Naruto can pick out how loud his heart is beating against his ribcage, but his tongue is heavy in his mouth and all coherent thoughts have left him

There’s only the way Naruto’s weight presses against him, but it’s not suffocating, how their hands are still intertwined from when Sasuke helped Naruto off the floor, and really he could just push his neck up a bit and finally know what Naruto tastes like. 

Sasuke bets he tastes sweet

“Sasuke, I-”

Naruto doesn’t finish his sentence, because they hear footsteps in the hallway and Shikamaru's clear voice chastising Sai about something and the doorknob is turning as they scramble away from each other. 

Sasuke should be very glad about the interruption, because this could have gone wrong in too many ways… he really should be

When Shikamaru enters the office followed by Sai, he just greets the both of them without supplying unnecessary comments and Sasuke sags in relief. Everything is normal, just two friends lounging on the couch before work. Nothing to see here

“Shikamaru, Sai”, Naruto acknowledges, clearing his throat, “What brings you here?”

Shikamaru looks at Naruto like he just grew two heads

“You asked us to come… yesterday…”, Naruto still drawing a blank if the expression on his face is anything to go bye

“To discuss the annual budget prospects”, Sai finishes

“Right, right. Of course”. Naruto doesn’t seem really convinced. Shikamaru sends a questioning look Sasuke’s way, but the latter only shrugs

“I’ll leave you to it then”, Sasuke says, getting up from the couch. 

“You’re leaving?”, Naruto asks

“Last I checked, boring accounting stuff was not among my duties”

“Yes, please leave. You’re stinking up the place”. Sasuke doesn’t deny Shikamaru of a response, just gives him the middle finger while walking towards the door

“I’ll see you later”, Naruto says after him. Sasuke nods and shuts the door behind him

—---------------------

Once Sasuke is alone in his office, it seems impossible to concentrate on boring reports, seeing as his brain is just too busy replaying what happened in Naruto’s office earlier. In his opinion, that had been a bit too close for comfort. Sasuke doesn’t dare think what would have happened if Shikamaru had been a second late. 

Usually he’s very good at controlling himself around Naruto. 

They haven’t been that close to each other in years and all because Sasuke policy after accepting that there was never gonna be a “getting over Naruto” phase had been “you’re allowed to stay close, but not too close” and he had been following that rule religiously to this day

The small consolation is that whatever it was that happened back at the office hadn’t been his fault, but just an isolated accident. Or at least Sasuke will make sure it is, because he’s not sure he’ll be as lucky next time

Trying to clear his mind, Sasuke leaves his office to get himself a cup of coffee, which albeit awful is just what he needs right now.

On his way back, he passes by Naruto’s and notices that the door is still closed and there’s muffled voices coming from behind it, indicating that they’re still busy discussing the budget prospect. Sasuke is glad he missed out on another useless headache

When he opens the door to his office his good mood flies out the door though, because sitting behind what is supposed to be his desk, is elder Minamoto. 

He’s surveying the pile of paperwork Sasuke has already gone through and at hearing the door open, he looks up at Sasuke like his presence alone has deeply offended him, which is most probably true

“Uchiha”. No honorifics, no use of his given name, only his clan, the word sounding like an insult coming out of the elder’s mouth, but Sasuke is used to this. He takes deep breaths, counts backward from ten and politely bows. “Elder Minamoto”

“No need for fake pleasantries. I know you heard us yesterday”. Sasuke frowns at the words, not sure if he should be relieved. Truth be told, the elder has done him a favor coming to see him personally and speaking so candidly since Sasuke was still trying to figure out how to confront the Council without having to barge into enemy territory with no plan whatsoever and having Naruto hear about it

“So Narut-”

“The Hokage does not know”, the elder interrupts him, putting emphasis on how inappropriate he thinks it for Sasuke to use Naruto’s given name

Okay, so Naruto doesn’t know. Sasuke is still not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. He’s scared he’s just going to make the situation worse by talking to the elder alone, but he doesn’t want to drag Naruto into problems that are not his to solve

“Prehaps the elder would like a cup of tea?”

“Uchiha, the Council asks you to do the right thing and leave the village”. Sasuke’s right eye twitches, but he takes more steadying breaths and succeeds in reeling in the nasty answer resting on his tongue

“Elder, I understand that the Council is not happy with me aiding the Hokage in his duties, but leaving the village seems like a drastic measure, don’t you think?”

“The problem is not your involvement, Uchiha, but your influence on the Hokage. As long as you continue to live here he will never be free”. 

Sasuke is taken aback at this. This is nothing like what he was expecting

“With all due respect, elder, but Naruto is not as weak as you make him out to be. He has risen to his position because of his achievements and character, the people love him and our enemies fear him. What makes you think a man as great as him could be influenced by anybody? And especially by someone as lowly as a Uchiha? Surely you’re not suggesting anything like it”. Sasuke says, his voice loaded with barely concealed anger and a taunt. 

He’s trying to get the elder to back down. If Minamoto admits he is indeed concerned the Hokage is easily influenced, that could be seen as a great disrespect against the Hokage, if not as an attempt at treason since the elder had decided to take said concern to a person belonging to the Hokage’s inner circle and not the Hokage himself

“Of course not”, the elder answers, getting up from Sasuke’s desk. “I would never think something like, seeing as I know and trust our Hokage more than anyone else, but can we say the same of the common people Uchiha? They’re simple, selfish creatures, those ones. If word of this should ever get to them, who knows what will happen”, Minamoto continues, placing a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder

“The people are not as stupid as you make them up to be, elder. Plus, the problem is easily resolved as long as neither of us ever spoke of it again, don’t you think?”, Sasuke answers back, raising an eyebrow in question

The elder’s lips stretch into a thin displeased line, but he nods and Sasuke’s shoulders sag in relief. Minamoto seems to have exhausted all words as he walks towards the door, but just when Sasuke thinks the matter is closed, the elder stops with his hand on the doorknob and looks back at him.

“If I were you, I would reconsider our offer, next time we won’t be as generous”

Before Sasuke can inquire as to what he really means to say with that, the elder leaves. The mischievous smile he sent Sasuke before slipping out the door filling him with dread

—------------------------------

Sasuke tries to focus on work, but every time his concentration slips a little bit he finds himself thinking about all the terrible things that could happen and a terrifying unease consumes him.

After going through the same document thrice without understanding a single word of it, Sasuke gives up and throws the precarious tower of paperwork on the ground. He slumps on his chair and brings a hand on his face to shield his eyes. 

If this had been just about him, Sasuke wouldn’t have worried so, but the fear that something will happen to Naruto because of him….

Realistically the Council doesn’t hold power over the Hokage, they’re supposedly there to aid the Hokage govern the village, but don’t have the final say on anything really, so technically Minamoto’s words should be just empty threats, but then why can’t Sasuke shake the feeling that they’re anything but?

“Someone’s in a bad mood” 

Naruto’s sudden voice startles Sasuke from his desk chair. He’s lining against the doorframe of Sasuke’s office and has an amused smirk on his face

“No bad mood, I’m just stressed”. At that Naruto’s smile disappears and a concerned expression replaces it. Naruto closes the door behind him and walks into the office towards Sasuke. 

Once he’s standing directly in front of him, he turns the chair Sasuke is sitting on towards himself and crouches down on his knees, taking Sasuke’s hand in his. He gently massages it and the motion is enough to make Sasuke forget about all his current problems. Naruto always knows what to do to calm him down

“Something I can help with?”, Naruto asks, and Sasuke is grateful, but he really doesn’t want to involve Naruto in this

“You’re already helping”, Sasuke answers, giving Naruto’s hands a light squeeze

“Tell you what. Why don’t we leave early and I cook you something nice at home?”

“It depends. What are you cooking?’

“I was thinking some grilled Kusaya”

“Naruto, you hate Kusaya”

“Yeah, but it’s your favourite. Even though I still don’t understand how you can eat it. That thing’s smell could kill a bison herd”

“If you would actually try it, you would know”

“Never”

“Then keep guessing”

Bantering like this with Naruto makes Sasuke relax 

“Don’t you have a speech to write?”, Sasuke asks, teasing

“You worry too much, Sasuke-chan”, Naruto teases back, earning himself a playful kick to the shin. Naruto pretends to be hurt and rolls around on the floor imploring for mercy. 

The earlier tension has all but left now and Sasuke is ready to call it a day. He will think about a solution tomorrow

—-------------------------

On the way back, they stop by the store to buy some ingredients and it’s only when the sun is setting that they get home. Naruto starts preparing everything right away while Sasuke hangs in the back pouring both of them a glass of wine

“Can I help you?”, Sasuke asks suddenly, feeling bad that Naruto is doing so much for him 

“I don’t know if I trust you near a stove”, Naruto teases

“I meant, like, helping you chop the vegetables or cooking the rice. Like, basic stuff”, Sasuke answers, rolling his eyes

“Okay then, come here”, Naruto beckons him

“Just chop this and then throw them in the water boiling over there”, Naruto says, indicating the big pot simmering over the fire

It’s just chopping carrots, nothing difficult Sasuke

Turns out cutting carrots is way more hard than he thought because he can’t seem to be able to get nice, round pieces at all and if the grimace on Naruto’s face is anything to go by, Sasuke is doing something terribly wrong

“Here, I’ll show you”, Naruto says taking pity on the poor carrots

Sasuke sucks in a breath when he feels Naruto settling behind him and taking Sasuke’s hand in his to guide his movements. Sasuke’s back is flush against Naruto and he can feel Naruto’s breath caressing his nape every time he exhales. Damn, he couldn’t care less about cutting vegetables right now

“Sasuke-chan, do you understand?”, Naruto whispers right into his ear and his deep voice, heavy with teasing, is sending shivers down Sasuke’s spine. Since he doesn’t trust himself to speak, he just nods.

“You’re doing a great job”, Naruto says while still keeping his hand on Sasuke’s, but letting him do the work. He leans his head on Sasuke’s shoulders and hums a little tune while supervising. He’s the picture of relax, while Sasuke, one of the best shinobi in the nation, has to hyperfocus on the task at hand to avoid cutting one of his fingers off

“I think I got it”, Sasuke says, trying to put as much distance as he can between him and Naruto while the latter is crowding him against the kitchen counter. Another second of close proximity and Sasuke won’t be responsible for his actions anymore. 

His ass is sitting perfectly against Naruto’s dick and he can feel it through the thin sweatpants Naruto is wearing and he thinks how easy it would been for Naruto to bend him over and just take him har-

Pure thoughts, Sasuke! Pure thoughts! Angels, kids playing, the nice old lady next door, fucking church bells…

Naruto seems to get the message because he goes back to prepping and leaves Sasuke to his vegetables

“So, tomorrow is finally the day”, Sasuke starts 

“Yep, finally dare I say. I’m tired of all this organizing”

“Naruto, you haven’t done any of the organizing”

“Semantics. I told you who to call and you called them. It was a team effort”. Naruto laughs when Sasuke glares at him

“You remember the plan for tomorrow, right?”

“Yes Sasuke, I remember the plan we have been going over for three days straight”

“I just want to make sure everything’s okay”, Sasuke mutters

Naruto puts down the knife he was using to cut the fish and turns towards him. “Sasuke, everything will be perfect. Want me to tell you how I know that?”. Sasuke nods and Naruto continues. “ Because I trust you and I know that you’re good at whatever you do”. Sasuke scoffs at this, but feels the pressure on his chest get lighter. “Now finish cutting those carrots or we’ll never eat”

“Yes, chef”, Sasuke answers and Naruto snorts

—-----------------------------

Dinner is as delicious as always, but even though Sasuke swears this is the best Kusaya he has ever eaten, Naruto refuses to try even a single bite. 

They wash dishes side by side, Sasuke washing and rinsing and Naruto drying. He tells Sasuke how excited Hiwamari is for the festival, especially for goldfish scooping. “She’s been training for weeks, can you believe it? I told her if she wanted a fish I could just buy one for her, but she was all "But Daddy, it’s more special if I catch it”, Naruto says and his Hiwamari imitation’s terrible. Sasuke tells him so and gets his cheek pinched in return

“Hey, what about that movie you promised me?”, Naruto asks, once the kitchen is spotless and everything tidied up

“You sure you’re up for it? Tomorrow is gonna be a busy day”

“Totally. You know how I love movie night”

“Okay then”

“Yeahy!”, Naruto exclaims, grabbing his favorite candied nuts from the cabinet under the counter and the bottle of wine and jumping over to the couch. Sasuke follows him and settles down on the other side, leaving some space between them. This doesn’t last too long though since Naruto brings him closer and lays his head down on Sasuke’s tight while turning on the tv and choosing a movie

“I feel like watching a romance movie today, what do you say?”, Naruto asks, his voice sounding weird around the nuts filling his mouth

“Sure”

“Great”

The movie is pretty boring. Just the same old story reproposed in a different setting. The popular girl and the loser guy hate each other, but then discover they’re actually compatible, become friends and fall in love and live happily ever after. Sasuke doesn’t remember how many similar movies has Sakura made him watch with the excuse that they were classics and cinematic masterpieces. Like just admit you’re an hopeless romantic, girl 

Turns out that just like Sakura, Naruto is also an hopeless romantic with the way he bawls his eyes out when the guy says no to a fantastic job opportunity to run to the airport and declare his love for the girl in front of hundreds of strangers

“Are you being serious?”, Sasuke asks, looking down at Naruto’s puffy eyes and wiping away the tears sliding down his cheeks

“You’re just heartless, Sasuke”, Naruto says, dramatically blowing his nose 

“Ah-ah”

“C’mon, you can’t tell me that you don’t feel anything watching this”, Naruto continues, pointing at the couple passionately kissing on screen

“Yeah, disgust”

“Jerk”, Naruto replies, slapping Sasuke’s chest. The cute pout on his face makes Sasuke laugh. 

“I guess I’m happy for them”

“Right?”

Naruto seems content with that and doesn’t cry again. Once the movie is done the stay on the couch chatting

—------------------------------------

“And that’s when Chōji stole Kiba’s bowl without knowing he had ordered the spiciest Tantanmen ramen Teuchi-san has ever made. You should have seen his face, Sasuke. It was sooo red and”, Naruto stops himself to stifle a yawn, which prompts Sasuke to look at the clock  and notice it’s already two o’clock in the morning

“Naruto, it’s time for bed”

“Noo, I like talking to you. I wanna talk more”, Naruto slurs, the wine he’s been drinking taking effect

“I know, but you have a big day ahead of you later. You should rest”

“I wish you could be there too”. Naruto shuffles a bit closer to Sasuke where they’re sitting on the couch and starts playing with the frayed end of Sasuke’s wool blanket. Naruto had given it to him a couple of birthdays ago. 

“The elders would throw a fit if they knew I was present during such an important event”, Sasuke answers, taking Naruto’s wine glass away before he can make a mess and placing it on the small table beside the couch

“I don’t really care what the elders think”

“Well, maybe you should”, Sasuke continues, thinking back to Elder Minamoto’s words

“Since when have you been such a goody two-shoes?”, Naruto teases, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth and the dimple on his left cheek peeking out. He looks ethereal illuminated only by the moon shining through the windows of Sasuke’s living room

“What, you don’t like me when I’m a goody two-shoes?”, Sasuke teases back, bumping his foot against Naruto’s shin. Naruto catches it before Sasuke can pull away, his movements fast even when slowed down by the wine. 

“I always like you”, he says with a  serious tone and the atmosphere in the room is suddenly too heavy. The wine is making Sasuke’s head spin and Naruto’s intense gaze has him pinned against the couch. The hand Naruto was holding Sasuke’s foot with, moves up onto his ankle, leaving goosebumps in his wake. Naruto’s palm is searing hot against Sasuke’s naked skin.

“We should go to bed”. It takes Sasuke all has to say these simple words, his breath coming so ragged he’s surprised he hasn’t fainted yet, but they are enough to break the tension that had built up. 

“Yeah, we really should”, Naruto agrees, letting go of Sasuke and getting up to clean their glasses off the small side table. 

They walk down the hall together in deafening silence, breaking it only to bid each other goodnight

Once the bedroom’s door is closed behind him, Sasuke feels a shiver breaking down his spine and has to check that Naruto’s scorching hand hasn’t left a handprint on his ankle since he can still feel it wrapped around it. He changes into his pajamas and slides under the covers knowing he’ll end up spending the night wide awake 

—------------------------

Just as he thought, It is impossible to fall asleep when he’s mind is running a mile a minute, so Sasuke sneaks into the living room to pour himself another glass of wine and watch whatever silly tv show he can find airing at 4am

He decides to give the show Sai has been talking his ear off about a chance. Sasuke thinks it’s pretty stupid to marry someone without having never seen them, but it’s either this or a documentary about the mating rituals of ants, so.

Half an hour in and he’s hating the fact that he’s loving it. 

It’s stupid, but also very deep, and it’s pretty fucking romantic to choose someone because of their ideas and similarities rather than what they look like. It is also very easy to get deceived though, Sasuke thinks. 

Naruto would definitely be popular. He’s not only kind, strong and kind of smart, he’s also handsome and pretty and has the sluttiest waist known to mankind. It’s like hitting the damn jackpot

“Sasuke?”

Almost as if summoned by Sasuke thinking of him, Naruto appears at the doorway connecting the living room and the bedrooms, making Sasuke jump. His voice is rough from sleep and he’s adorably rubbing his eyes

“Naruto? What are you doing up at this hour?”

“Getting a glass of water. My throat is dryer than the Sahara”

Sasuke smiles, turns off the tv and gets up to pour a glass of water for the both of them. “C’mon, let’s go”, he says, coaxing Naruto to go back to bed. Naruto follows without complaint and thanks him when Sasuke hands him the glass of water once he’s settled under the covers

“What were you doing in the living room? Did you have a nightmare?”, Naruto asks, placing the empty glass on his bedside table 

“No, just couldn’t fall asleep”

“C’mon then”, Naruto says, patting the space next to him and making room for Sasuke under the blanket. Sasuke hesitates before settling beside him. 

The bed is warm, courtesy of Naruto’s off the charts body temperature, and seems much more comfy than his own, even though he has just bought a new mattress. “Night, Sasuke”, Naruto says, wrapping one arm around Sasuke’s waist and pulling him towards him. He’s asleep before Sasuke can say anything. 

With his back against him, Sasuke can feel Naruto’s heart beating through his ribcage and its steady rhythm lullies him to sleep

—----------------------

In the morning Sasuke wakes up to some shuffling and Naruto cursing in a soft voice.

“You’re late, aren’t you?”, Sasuke says from the bed without opening his eyes 

“Sasuke, did I wake you?”, the shuffling noise stops. “Go back to sleep”, Naruto continues, this time closer. He kisses the top of Sasuke’s head and gently tucks him under the blankets

Sasuke just hums and let’s sleep take him again

—----------------------

Sasuke doesn’t know how long he sleeps for, but when he wakes up the sun is already high up in the sky   and he feels more rested than he ever has. He walks into the kitchen to find a table set up for breakfast and a small note from Naruto to remind him to meet him later at Ichiraku.

Since it’s almost noon according to Sasuke’s clock, he forgoes breakfast for a freshly brewed cup of coffee and stores the omelette Naruto has cooked for him in the fridge for later. He dresses himself in his usual attire and leaves in the direction of Ichiraku

When Sasuke gets there he’s just in time to catch Naruto and Gaara walking out of the restaurant, probably just finished with their lunch. Naruto has his back to him and is talking to Gaara. He must be saying something funny since Gaara is smiling. 

Actually, scratch that, Gaara is always smiling when Naruto is involved.

The two of them, Sasuke and Gaara, have never mashed quite so well. 

First of all because they’re both strong headed people, stubborn to a fault, and second of all because they have always been in a sort of childish competition for Naruto’s attention. Sasuke secretly respects him for crushing for as long as he has. 

When Gaara spots him over Naruto’s shoulder, his smile falters and he sends him a glare that would’ve intimidated anyone else. Sasuke is quite used to Gaara glaring at him though so he continues walking towards them undeterred.

“Why don’t you show me the village, Naruto?”, Gaara suddenly says, grabbing Naruto’s arm and dragging him in the opposite direction, away from Sasuke, who stops actually stunned. Gaara smirks at him and Sasuke’s eye twitches

“Gaara, you come here every year”, Sasuke hears Naruto say, but he still humors Gaara and stirs him in the direction of the Academy. Before Sasuke can follow them or grab Naruto’s attention, his stomach grumbles and he decides that lunch comes first. 

Since he’s already here, he stops at Ichiraku

“Sasuke, you just missed your boyfriend”. Unfortunately for Sasuke, Shikamaru is seated at the counter, accompanied by Temari, and is digging into his ramen. 

“Hello, Temari”, Sasuke says, leaving two empty seats between him and Shikamaru and promptly ignoring him. He gives Ayame is order and asks Temari how Shikadai is doing

“I know you can hear me, asshole”, Shikamaru continues, Temari slapping him across the head and chiding him about cussing. Sasuke snickers behind his hand and Shikamaru looks ready to murder him. The only thing stopping him, aside his wife’s death stare, his Ayame pleading with him to avoid fighting in her establishment as “is bad for business, Nara-san”

“So, how did everything go?”, Sasuke asks, digging into his ramen 

“Oh, so he talks”, Shikamaru grumbles, making Sasuke roll his eyes

“Everthing okay. They signed the thing, ate three bowls each and are now walking around the village. Weird that you missed each other, Naruto mentioned he was gonna wait for you”, 

“I bet Gaara had other plans”

“You two still going on with this stupid rivalry? You’re grown ass adults!”

“None of your business”, Sasuke says, placing his chopsticks on the counter. “Any idea where they could’ve gone?”, he continues, closing his tab and grabbing his cloak

“Nope, but I bet your boyfriend will come around when he starts missing you too much”

“Do you want me to kill you now or later?”, Sasuke asks, his eye twitching in annoyance

“I’d love to see you try”, Shikamaru answers. getting up from his seat and getting into Sasuke’s space, the both of them staring each other down. Ayame’s pleading falling on deaf ears

“Woah there” and suddenly Sasuke is being pulled back by a hand around his waist. “I’ve been looking for you”. 

Sasuke looks up and comes face to face with Naruto. He’s wearing a more formal attire and looks more stunning than usual, which is fucking with Sasuke’s brain chemistry. He’s swapped his orange sweatshirt for a long sleeved teal shirt tucked into black slacks and he has donned his familiar white cape. And luckily he’s not wearing his horrible sandals, but a pair of sleek black boots. 

Sasuke is too busy seizing Naruto up and down, taking in every detail, that he kind of forgets where they are until he hears someone clearing their throat and realizes he’s still leaning heavily into Naruto and that the latter still has an arm curled around his waist. Face flushed, Sasuke sneaks out of Naruto’s embrace and avoids looking at him. 

“You said to meet you here, so here I am”, Sasuke says, finally answering Naruto

“Here you are”, is Naruto’s intelligent answer

Sasuke forces his gaze away from the interesting spot he’s been checking out on Ichiraku’s wooden floor to look at Naruto, but meets Gaara’s glare in the process and his face morphs into a scowl. 

“Kazekage”, Sasuke greets him, a strained smile on his lips. “Uchiha”, Gaara answers, his face telling Sasuke he would choose getting impaled over and over than make small talk with him. As much as Sasuke would love to put him out of his misery and stab him through his non-existent heart, Naruto physically hurts when the two of them fight, which is why they’re still both very much alive after all these years and not tearing each other’s throat out as soon as they see each other

“I was just giving Gaara a tour of the village”, Naruto says interrupting their stare down, probably sensing the rising tension, and Sasuke decides not to comment over how Gaara knows every nook and cranny of Konoha better than him. 

The guy visits more than necessary.

Once he had shown up on Naruto’s doorstep with the excuse of a sudden business trip and had proceeded to spend said business trip plastered to Naruto's side doing everything except working. 

At this point everybody has already seen through him and doesn’t even bother to say anything anymore. Well, everybody expect Naruto, but the guy is as dense as they come, so Sasuke can’t fault him too much

“And I would like to get back to it, please”, Gaara says, grabbing Naruto’s arm and steering him towards the door, but Naruto doesn’t budge, he keeps his gaze steadily on Sasuke. 

“Join us” he says, more than asks. 

Sasuke doesn't particularly want to. He has better ways of spending his afternoon than trailing after them and watching Gaara swoon all over what's his (okay, figuratively his)

Unfortunately for Gaara, Naruto’s looking at Sasuke with bright blue eyes and a soft smile gracing his lips, a smile Sasuke can never say no to, so much to his and Gaara’s chagrin, he agrees

They wave everybody goodbye and leave Ichiraku. Naruto’s beaming as he takes them along the village main street, probably headed for the Hokage Rock, and fills the silence with idle chatter. Sasuke is content to trail behind the two of them and makes the most of this opportunity, indulging in openly staring at Naruto. He’s talking animatedly and gesturing more than needed while telling Gaara that Mina’s dog, the part-time assistant librarian at the Academy, has just given birth to six puppies. Sasuke is sure that Gaara couldn’t care less about any of this, but he takes this information in like Naruto is telling him important state secrets and it makes Sasuke laugh. He only laughs harder when Gaara flips him off over Naruto’s shoulder 

Getting to their destination, which is indeed the Hokage Rock (It’s Naruto’s favourite spot, so Sasuke kind of figured), is taking them longer than expected, what with all the people stopping Naruto on the way there. Konoha’s main street is crowded with shopowners bustling about with the last preparation before the festival tonight, busy setting up their stalls or stressing about the finishing touches and they all make sure to stop the Hokage to shove whatever they can into his empty hands. Unsurprisingly Naruto doesn’t refuse any of them and actually makes it a point to eat everything and give extensive feedback. Sasuke grumbles that it’s not actually feedback if he keeps saying delicious to everything

“But everything is delicious, Sasuke. Here”, Naruto says, handing him a bag of candied fruit an old lady had gifted him. Sasuke is not a fan of sweets and Naruto is well aware of this, but he keeps waving the white paper bag under Sasuke’s nose and there’s a challenging smile on his lips. Without breaking eye contact to make sure Naruto understands that the challenge is accepted, Sasuke reaches into the bag and grabs a piece of candied mango. He eyes it carefully, fully knowing this is going to give him cavities, and brings it to his mouth.

As soon as the candy is sitting on his mouth he feels the need to spit it back out. Sweet is an understatement, the thing is cloying. His left eye starts twitching the more he keeps the fruit on his tongue and Naruto must notice because his teasing grin grows bigger. Sasuke curses the part of him that always raises to whatever challenge Naruto issues and, taking his eyes back to Naruto’s, swallows the thing without chewing and just for good show, opens his mouth to swipe his tongue over his index finger and lick it clean of the excessive sugar the candy left behind

He thinks he hears Naruto’s breath itch, but before Sasuke can question him or gloat, Gaara comes back from where he had stopped at a previous stall and he loses his chance

They resume walking, trying to speed things up since the sun is beginning to set and they’re running out of time. From where is following behind them Sasuke can hear Gaara asking Naruto if he’s okay, but he doesn’t hear his answer. He tries to get a glimpse of Naruto’s face, but except for a slight flush he seems to be fine so Sasuke shift his attention back to the way the sunlight shines just right on Naruto and tunes out their conversation

—---------------------------------

They finally get to the Hokage Rock with the sun still visible over the horizon, meaning they have plenty of time to get back home, change into something a bit more festive and join everyone at the festival tonight. 

Naruto is explaining the monument’s history to a visibly interested Gaara, and really he surely has already heard this story a thousand times. Sasuke rolls his eyes at the display. Realistically he knows that this rivalry they have is pointless, childish and if not, quite disrespectful towards Naruto, but Sasuke can’t help the annoyance rising back his throat when he thinks that when he was away, Gaara was here, with Naruto, helping, supporting him, fucking babysitting his children. 

He also knows he has no one to blame for it, but himself. 

Still, jealousy, like love, is not really a thing of logic. Sasuke knows Gaara feels the same way about him, because Sasuke is the one lucky enough to wake up everyday in the same village as Naruto and not him. It’s probably because of this, that even though they act like cat and dog, they don’t really hate each other and would rush to each other side if the other was ever in need

“We should get back”, Sasuke tells them, getting up from where he’s sitting on the grass. Naruto looks a little disappointed to have to go back so soon, but nods, noticing the sun is about to set. He glances at the Hokage Rock one more time, his gaze resting longly on his father's visage forever etched in stone, before turning around and leading the way back.

Sasuke advises against passing through the village’s centre again lest they get sidetrack  once more, so Naruto leads them along a less known street, still very much in a festive atmosphere, but more subdued. There’s still people calling out to Naruto in greeting, but nobody beckons them close and they get back where they started in half the time it took them to get there. 

At the intersection in front of Ichiarku, Naruto turns left in the direction of their Sasuke’s house, but Sasuke stops him, “You should walk Gaara back”, he says and can see Gaara’s eyes widening slightly behind Naruto’s shoulders. “But my yukata is back home”. The way he says home while referring to Sasuke’s house almost makes him weak in the knees. “Shikamaru dropped it there yesterday. You should arrive together at the festival”, Sasuke continues. 

“Okay, but what about you?”

“I’ll change at home and join you later”

Naruto doesn’t look too convinced, but nods and turns to head to the Kazekage’s entourage sleeping arrangements with Gaara in tow. The latter turns to look at him and Sasuke makes sure to flip him off to let him know this is only him being a rational right hand and nothing else. Gaara smiles anyway and flips him off in return. 

—-------------------------

Sasuke wastes too much time getting ready and checking that everything is running smoothly that by the time he joins the festivities the sky is fully dark and he probably missed Naruto’s speech

Konoha’s streets are illuminated by paper lanterns strewn above and noisy with the sounds of people having fun. A group of children runs around playing catch, an elderly couple sits by one of the wooden benches sharing what looks like a crepe and the marionette show seems to be fairly popular among people of every age. Sasuke feels his heart swell at the sight, especially knowing he had a hand in making this happen. 

He wades the crowd in search of a familiar head of blonde hair and for once he doesn’t feel any stares follow him. Tonight he’s just one in a million, not the traitor, not the criminal, not a Uchiha, just a boring man too old to be this excited about a festival. 

While on the lookout for Naruto, he spots Sakura hanging by the dango stall and heads towards her. Sarada is nowhere to be seen, but if he knows her at all she’s with Chōchō causing mischief somewhere. 

“Hey, please tell me Naruto did actually give his speech and that he somewhat made sense’, Sasuke greets once he’s close enough

“Hey. Yeo, he did, yep it was as awe inspiring as you wanted it”, Sakura answers, taking a bite of her three colored dango. She takes in his outfit and comments, “You look nice. Trying to impress someone?”, she teases, winking at him. Sasuke rolls his eyes and playfully bumps their shoulders together. 

After the divorce people have often questioned the dynamics of their relationship and Sasuke can easily understand why. It’s not everyday that a divorced couple manages to stay friends. And not just regular friends at that. They’re family and willing to lay their lives for the other. Sasuke likes them more like this. He loves Sakura, but not like he loves Naruto

With Sakura it was a warm familiar feeling, the urge to protect, a comfortable companionship. With Naruto…is chaos. With Naruto, Sasuke feels too much and all at once. With Naruto a single glance sets him alive. He feels like a stranger into his own skin, he burns with the urge to touch and devour and rip his heart out and give it to him on a silver platter. 

And at first he felt guilty. 

Because Sakura, patient, kind Sakura, has always cared for him. It didn’t matter that he had been an asshole to her their whole childhood and teenage years, at the end of the day she was still there waiting for him to love her back. And he did, just not the way she wanted him to and she knew that. 

Told him she didn’t care, that she didn’t need him to love her back. And so they got married and he managed to screw that up as well, but Sakura never regretted her decision. “I understand”, she would say when he would leave on yet another mission to make up for his past mistakes. “I understand”, she said when he wasn’t at her side when Sarada was born. “I understand”, she said when after almost ten years of marriage he had asked her for a divorce

He’s going to take this guilt with him forever, no excuse good enough for all these mistakes, but he’s trying to make amends.

This seems like my life’s recurring theme

“Get that smirk off your face”, Sasuke says, pulling away from his musings. “Please, I have never seen you this dressed up in all the years I’ve known you. And, unfortunately, I have known you for most of my life”, Sakura continues, amused since teasing Sasuke has quickly become her favorite pastime. They settle into their usual banter and Sasuke’s chest warms when he realizes how lucky he is that this amazing, strong woman, is still willing to put up with him after everything he has put her through

Sakura must realize what he’s thinking about because her playful smile turns into a serious one and she levels him a stare that would scare even the most deadly assassin. “Sasuke, I can see the wheels going off in that pretty head of yours and I command you to stop them”. They’ve had this conversation many times. Well, It’s mostly Sasuke trying to apologize and Sakura cutting him off before he can start. “Have I or haven’t I told you that I don’t want to hear any more about this?

“You have. Multiple times”

“Great! So stop”

“But-”

“No buts, it’s done, finished, kaput”

Seeing Sasuke's unconvinced expression, Sakura sighs. “Listen, have you made mistakes? Yes. Have you apologized for said mistakes? Yes. Too many times for my liking. When I married you, was I aware you were already in love with someone else? Yes. Did I think you would still be in love with him after all these years? No. But Sasuke, it is not your fault. You feeling guilty about it is just going to make you miserable. I’ve already made peace with everything”, Sakura finished, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze

A moment passes where they just stare at each other, relishing the quiet moment of companionship, but then Sakura ruins it when she shoves a taken aback Sasuke into a nearby bush. Thanks to his shinobi reflexes Sasuke regains his balance before falling down and ruining his yukata. He glares at Sakura who only laughs, and her contentment is so infectious that it brings a small smile to Sasuke’s lips as well

“Oh, I just spotted your boyfriend”, Sakura says suddenly, pointing behind Sasuke’s shoulders. Rolling his eyes at the nickname, (she spends far too much time with Shikamaru), Sasuke turns around and searches the crowd for Naruto. He finds him hunched over the goldenfish scoping stall, Hiwamaru at his side.

Sakura bumps her shoulder against his as encouragement and leaves right after, headed for who knows where. 

Straightening down the front of his yukata and blushing when he catches himself doing so, Sasuke heads towards Naruto, who still hasn’t noticed him since he has his back to him. Sasuke stops just a couple of steps behind him and watches him as he tries to scoop a blueish-grey goldfish up. Hiwamari is at his side, too focused cheering her dad on to do some scoping of her own. 

Naruto has caught the little goldfish and is grinning in triumph, but just before he can dump the small fish in the plastic bag he’s holding with his other hand, the thin paper of the scoop tears and the goldfish falls back into the water with a plop. Naruto softly curses and Sasuke quietly laughs behind him. Naruto goes in for another try, but this time he can’t even get the fish onto the scoop and makes a frustrated noise the second time the same blueish goldfish slips off the paper

“You suck at this”, Sasuke says, finally making his presence known

Naruto’s expression seems to brighten at hearing his voice, probably glad to have an excuse to give up

“Sasuk-”. Naruto starts to say his name, but stops mid sentence, his face contorting into an indecipherable expression. “Y-you’re wearing a yukata”. Sasuke raises an eyebrow at this. “You’re wearing one too”, Sasuke continues, not seeing the point. 

“But…you look…so…pretty”, he says, the last word almost a whisper. Sasuke’s face flushes bright red at the compliment. He crosses his arms just to have something to do and makes a conscious effort to not squirm under Naruto’s watchful gaze.

Sasuke can feel Naruto’s gaze wandering. Rising up from his toes to the tip of his head and he’s suddenly very conscious about the exposed skin of his collarbones. Sasuke feels like someone has just lit him on fire, but he’s not particularly inclined to put it out. 

“You look nice too”, Sasuke contributes, finally gaining back basic control over his mouth. And Naruto does. Look good, that is. He always does, but the simple orange yukata he’s wearing hugs his shape especially nicely, accentuating the contrast between his broad shoulders and his slimmer waist. “Thanks” is the only thing Naruto says, still staring a hole through him. Sasuke is flattered, but if Naruto keeps looking at him like that ,he’s going to have a stroke and ruin this beautiful festival, so please somebody help him

“Daddy, daddy. I caught it!”. Thank God

Naruto seems to wake up from whatever stupor has overtaken him and turns away from Sasuke to praise Himawari. The little girl giggles excitedly when the stall owner hands her the plastic bag containing the fish she has just caught. It’s a simple orange goldfish, nothing special, but Himawari cradles the plastic bag to her chest like it’s her most prize possession, which probably is seeing as she’s just ten years old and hasn’t discovered the value of ryo yet. 

“Sasuke-chan, look!”, Himawari gloats, showing him the fish. Sasuke kneels down to better look at the goldfish and praises her ruffling a hand through her hair which earns him a “Sasuke-chan, I’m not a kid anymore”. Naruto snickers at this and just to prove that she’s still a kid takes her into his arms and spins her around while Himawari laughs unabashedly. 

“Where’s Gaara?”, Sasuke asks Naruto when he doesn’t spot the Kazekage anywhere. “Browsing the stalls with Temari”, Naruto answers putting down Himawari who’s eager to hit the next game. “Want to come with?”

“I don’t want to intrude”. Naruto makes a strange face at this. “You’re not”

“Yeah, Sasuke-chan, you have to come, daddy sucks at games”. Naruto splutters at this and Sasuke bursts into laughter. 

“Okay, then”, he agrees, taking the hand Himawari is offering and letting himself be dragged around.

The next stall they hit is the ring toss, where Naruto challenges him to see who can get the most points. Seeing as they’re both skilled shinobis it’s a given that they don’t miss even a single throw, much to the displeasure of the stall owner who has to part with not one but two of the biggest prizes. 

Himawari has been eyeing the giant tiger plushie since they've started playing, but Naruto convinces her that strolling through a crowded street while carrying something that’s as big as her it’s definitely not going to be comfortable, so she settles for the smaller toad plushie that she says resembles Bunta. 

“So, Sasuke, what prize you’re gonna choose?”

“Himawari can just get two”, Sasuke points out since he’s really too old for toys

“You paid to play and you won, the prize is yours”, Naruto says and Sasuke decides that this is not worth fighting over, so he turns to the mountain of toys assembled in the back of the stall to make his choice. His eye is immediately caught by a tiny Hokage plushie sitting at the bottom of the pile. It’s one of the newest designs and it’s one of Sasuke's favorites. It resembles Naruto the most among all the others and it’s wearing a black kimono with a peach blossom pattern along the sleeves. It was released for the annual Hanamomo festival and had run out before Sasuke had had a chance to buy it.

Yes, he has a growing collection of Naruto’s plushies that nobody except Sakura knows about. Sue him. Just remembering the effort he went to to find a hidden spot where to stash it so that Naruto would’t accidentally stumble on it makes him feverish

“I want that one”, Sasuke says, pointing to said plushie not caring that Naruto is standing right beside him. He needs that plushie. “Good choice, sir”, the stall owner says, handing him the little Naruto. Sasuke thanks the guy and places the plushie inside the white stash of his yukata, looking down every second, afraid it’s going to fall

“Sasuke-chan, why did you get that? It’s ugly”, Himawari asks, making Sasuke laugh. “It’s not ugly, I think it’s very cute”, he answers, patting said plushie on the head. Naruto is silent beside him while they walk to the next stall

—-----------------------------

They hit the shooting gallery next, where Sasuke hits one target more than Naruto and doesn’t waste a chance to remind him for the rest of the evening, then the yo-yo fishing and after that the candy press, which Sasuke is reluctant to admit he definitely sucks at. Naruto laughs at him when he breaks his third candy even though he has broken four and Himawari is the only one who actually wins.

Finally, after dragging them all over the place, Himawari gets tired and falls asleep in Naruto’s arms. Sasuke suggests sitting down to eat when he hears Naruto’s stomach grumble and they head towards Ichiraku’s stand to get something to eat. 

The place is bustling, but they’re lucky enough that they find a table and get to order fairly quickly. Himawari doesn’t stir even when Naruto lays her down on the wooden bench and places her head on his lap to have easier access to the fuming bowl the server has placed in front of him

They eat mostly in silence, only chatting a bit in between bites, content to take a break from the frenzy atmosphere

“I still haven’t congratulated you”, Sasuke says, causing Naruto to look away from his ramen and at him with an eyebrow raised in question. “For your anniversary. You’ve been Hokage for eight years, congratulations”, Sasuke continues clarifying 

“Ah, right, thanks”, Naruto answers sheepishly, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. “it’s nothing much”

“Naruto. It is something. A very important something. Becoming Hokage has been your dream since you were twelve and not only you’ve achieved it when nobody else believed in you, but you’re fucking good at it”, Sasuke barrels on, making the blush on Naruto’s face darken. 

“You believed in me”, Naruto says quietly. 

“I literally told you it was a childish dream, how is that believing you could do it?”, Sasuke asks, frowning. 

“Yeah, but you’ve never said I couldn’t make it”, Naruto retorts and before Sasuke can reply, continues “ you antagonized me because you thought I could make it and you didn’t want me to, because of what the Third Hokage did to your family. And in the end you realized that I wasn’t gonna be a piece of shit Hokage and started actively supporting me, so”, Naruto finishes, shrugging. 

Sasuke is not so sure Naruto makes as much a compelling argument as he thinks

“And you’re satisfied with that?”

“Very much”, Naruto replies, giving Sasuke a genuine smile before going back to eating

—------------------------------------------

Once they’re finished with their meals they head towards the crepe stall since Naruto’s craving something sweet. 

“Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll grab it for you?”, Sasuke says, nodding towards the empty bench where he saw the old couple sharing a crepe before. “Are you sure?”. 

"Positive. Himawari may be small, but you’re back it’s going to give you hell tomorrow if you keep at it, old man”

Naruto sticks his tongue out at him, but doesn’t argue any further, so Sasuke heads to the stall and orders the most disgustingly sweet thing on the menu. The woman cooking the crepes is fast and Sasuke doesn’t wait too long before he’s heading back to where he left Naruto. When he comes back he spots Shikamaru sitting beside Naruto and is about to crack a joke when he hears what they’re talking about and the words die in his throat

“You have to talk to him, Naruto. The elders are getting impatient”

“I really don’t care about the elders and you know it”

“Well, maybe you should now that they’re threatening to depose you”, Shikamaru hisses and Sasuke sucks in a breath. He hides behind the takoyaki stall and strains his ear to eavesdrop. 

“And how would they do that? They’re powerless”

“They’ve been gathering consensus among the people and sowing discord. You know as much as I do that if there’s discontent brewing among Konoha’s citizens they will very well use it against you”

“Then I will talk to the people and solve whatever issue they have with me”

“Naruto”, Shikamaru sighs and he looks exhausted, like they’ve talked about this hundreds of times already, “you know why they’re unhappy”

When Naruto doesn’t answer him, Shikamaru goes on, “When you made it publicly known that Sasuke was helping you with your duties, you must’ve known that some people weren’t going to be okay with it, I know you’re not that dumb”. Sasuke has stopped breathing at this point and he’s pretty sure he feels a panic attack coming on. 

This is exactly what he’s been trying to prevent. Suddenly elder Minamoto’s words come back to him and bone-deep fear grips him. Is this what he had meant when he had threatened him in his office? In retrospect Sasuke has to admit he had been way too naive in thinking the Council would have unleashed punishment upon him and only him. And know Naruto is in danger of losing everything we has worked hard for

“I did know of course, but I decided long ago that keeping Sasuke at my side and out of the shadows, is what he fucking deserves and I’ve never regretted said decision”, Naruto says in response to Shikamaru. 

“Even now?”

“Even now”, Naruto continues resolutely, making Sasuke’s heart clench. 

“Naruto, as your aide, I’m bound to tell you that this is a terrible decision” 

“And as my friend?”, Naruto asks. Shikamaru sighs and puts a hand on Naruto’s shoulder to give it a squeeze. “As your friend I trust you to handle this as you see fit’, Shikamaru finishes, making Naruto smile. They exchange a couple more words and decide to meet up tomorrow to discuss this further before Shikamaru takes his leave. 

In all of this Sasuke is still very much panicking and can’t form coherent thoughts. He debates confronting Naruto about the issue, but knowing him as well as he does, he’s certain everything he says would just fall on deaf ears, so he steels himself, an half plan taking form in his head, and walks towards Naruto

“Sasuke, finally. What took you so long?”, Naruto asks when he sees Sasuke and takes the crepe he’s offering him. “Sorry, there was a long line”, Sasuke answers, strained. If Naruto notices anything he doesn’t comment on it in favour of biting down on the crepe. He makes a pleased noise and gulfs down the rest of the crepe in one bite. 

Just when Naruto has finished chewing, Himawari starts to stir, adorably scrubbing at her eyes. “Daddy?” 

“Hey princess, ready to go home?”

Himawari nods at this and places her head back where it was resting on Naruto’s shoulder. “Care to walk me home?”, Naruto asks, turning towards Sasuke, who just nods, not trusting himself to speak. 

The streets are getting less busy as the hours tick by and there’s definitely less children running around. Naruto and Sasuke navigate the crowd with ease and it’s not long until the noise quiets down and they’re left alone. Sasuke is still going over the plan in his head, he doesn’t have all the details yet, but it will have to do with such short notice. 

Seeing him so quiet Naruto nudges him and flashes him a smile when Sasues turns questionably towards him. Sasuke tries to smile back, but it’s a very feeble attempt and doesn’t escape Naruto’s notice. “Sorry we couldn’t see the fireworks”

“It’s fine”

“Hey… everything alright?”, he asks, concern etched in his features. 

“Yeah, just tired”, Sasuke nods, going for a chirper tone to assure Naruto that he’s fine. Naruto still eyes him suspiciously, but his attention is soon stolen by Himawari stirring again. Naruto reassures her that they're almost home and draws soothing circles along her tiny back to lull her back to sleep.

Naruto’s house, his family house where he lived before the divorce, sits near the centre of the village. The lights are on inside, probably Hinata or Boruto are still up, and the garden is as beautiful as always, well taken care of and showing a variety of different flowers all of which Sasuke is unfamiliar with. “Here we are”, Naruto says, stopping in front of the house on the small stone steps. “Here we are”, Sasuke agrees. 

“I suppose you’ll be spending the night here”,  Sasuke continues, knowing Naruto is not due in the office tomorrow and had been planning a family outing for a couple of weeks. “Yeah, Boruto is excited for tomorrow even though he denies it”. 

“He’s been looking forward to it”, Sasuke says, remembering how many times Boruto had told him exactly so during their training sessions. Naruto smiles softly at this.

“I should walk you home”

“Naruto, I think I can manage”

“I know you can, I just want to”

“No need, really”

“Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow?”, Naruto asks and Sasuke’s heart clenches. 

“It’s family day tomorrow. I’ll see you in the office on Monday”, Sasuke says, hating that he’s lying to Naruto. 

“Oh, okay”, Naruto answers, visibly disappointed, which almost makes Sasuke laugh. 

“We see each other everyday. Don’t you want a break?”, Sasuke asks, teasing him. 

“Not really, no”, Naruto says, awkwardly scratching his cheek. Sasuke doesn't know what he’s supposed to say to that. He’s left staring at Naruto, words failing him and his mouth open in surprise. In the quiet of the night he fears his heartbeat is too loud

Naruto fidgets under his stare, clearly embarrassed. “Okay then, goodnight”, he says in a rush, going up the stairs and disappearing inside the house without looking back. Sasuke stays staring at the closed door for another good minute before he comes back to himself, shakes his head and heads towards Gaara’s ryokan. 

Said ryokan is used more for visiting diplomats than tourists since Konoha doesn't get a lot of those. It’s nothing grand, but it has a beautiful onsen and the owners are as generous with their breakfast buffet as they are with their prices. Sasuke has brought up raising the prices one or twice with the old couple, but they don’t want to hear it, saying they’re already honored enough that the Hokage trusts them with their guests. 

When Sasuke gets to the ryokan, Mashiro, the couple’s only son and the night receptionist, welcomes him and informs him that the Kazekage has just returned. Sasuke thanks him and heads to Gaara’s room, which is at the end of a long hallway decorated with traditional ukiyo-e paintings and suffused lights. Once he’s in front of the door he knocks and wait for Gaara’s permission before entering

Saying that Gaara is surprised to see him is an understatement. He’s seated on the outside wooden patio, a bottle of sake resting beside him and his smoking a kiseru pipe. He’s still wearing his outdoor clothes, but has taken off the upper part of his yukata which is laying in a pool behind him. 

“Sasuke, what are you doing here?”, Gaara asks, so startled by his visit that he forgets their whole charade and uses his first name instead. Sasuke doesn’t answer right away, gesturing to the space near him to wordlessly ask permission to join him. Gaara nods, taking another puff of his kiseru. 

“You want some?”, Gaara asks, raising the sake bottle Sasuke had noticed before. Sasuke shakes his head and Gaara shrugs, taking a sip right out of the bottle. “So?”, Gaara prompts him when Sasuke is still silent after a while. “I have a favor to ask you”. Gaara arches an eyebrow at this, but nods to signaling him to go on. 

“Take me with you to Sunagakure”. Gaara chokes on a puff of smoke. 

“Sorry, I must not have heard you correctly”, Gaara says after he’s done coughing, his eyes filled with unshed tears. “You’ve heard just fine”, Sasuke replies, rolling his eyes. 

“Why?”, Gaara asks then, which Sasuke was totally expecting. “I can’t explain now, but I can tell you that it’s very important that I do this, especially for Naruto”. That gets Gaara’s attention like Sasuke planned it would. He can see that Gaara is actually thinking about it now and the fact that he hasn’t outright rejected him means Sasuke’s plan could very well work. “Does Naruto know?”, Gaara continues after a moment of silence and Sasuke bristles. 

“It doesn’t matter if he does”

“It actually does though. You’re his right hand man”

“Shikamaru is his right hand man, I’m just there because Naruto is too kind for his own good”, Sasuke answers and Gaara rolls his eyes, mouthing “semantics” under his breath.

“So, why can’t he know?”

“Because this is my problem and I’m going to handle it as I see fit. You know that he always takes everything on himself. If I go to him with this problem he’s going to do everything he can to solve it, even if it is not his job to do so, and won’t let me have a say in the matter”. Gaara nods, aware that that’s exactly what Naruto is bound to do. 

“I know I’m asking a lot, but, please take me with you”, Sasuke says and if Gaara wasn’t convinced before he definitely is now. He has never heard Sasuke talk so earnestly as is doing now, which must mean whatever the problem is, it's big. 

“If you’re sure…okay”. Sasuke deflates in relief when he hears Gaara accepting. “Good, we’re leaving tonight”, Sasuke announces standing up, ready to head home and pack whatever he can in such a rush. He hears Gaara splutter behind him. 

“Tonight? We should rest before getting on the road for three days”, Gaara points out, but Sasuke doesn’t have the luxury of time. 

Naruto is bound to discover he’s gone at one point or another, but if he’s already in Sunagakure when he does, it’ll be more difficult for him to find him, and Sasuke knows that Naruto will look for him. 

Because Naruto is stupid and an idiot and sometimes makes Sasuke want to bash his head in to check that he does in fact have a brain, but also, Sasuke wouldn’t have it any other way. He loves Naruto just the way he is: Kind, lovely, caring

“I want to leave as soon as possible, plus if we just stop to sleep we can get there in a day and a half with our speed”

“You haven’t killed somebody and are making me an accomplice in your escape, right?”

“If I told you, I’ll have to kill you too”

—-------------------------

After finally convincing Gaara to depart tonight, Sasuke leaves the ryokan and runs home to pack. He changes out of his yukata in favour of his usual attire, much more suited to the situation. He stuffs a bag with all the clothes he can find, a couple of his favourite knives and the Naruto plushie he had won tonight. 

Satisfied, Sasuke tears a piece of paper out of the book he’s been reading these days and writes a single word on it. He places the piece of paper on the kitchen table, making sure it’s visible and giving one last look at his house, closes the door behind him and heads towards Konoha’s gates. 

Once there he finds that Gaara and the two other Sunagakure shinobis he had taken with him are already there waiting for him. Without exchanging another word, they take off towards the woods

—---------------------------

“We should stop”, Gaara says when he sees the sun beginning to set. Sasuke is ready to argue that they still have a couple of hours more worth of sunlight, but the glare Gaara levels him with stops him. 

It’s already been a day since they’ve left Konoha and this is the first break they’ve taken. They’re hungry, sleepy and very irritable. Sasuke busies himself with starting a fire while Gaara walks into the lush greenery looking for prey. The two sand shinobis Sasuke hadn’t bothered asking the names of have collapsed under the shade of a large tree, clearly not used to traveling at this speed. 

The fire Sasuke started has just started flaring up when Gaara comes back with a small rabbit and a bunch of different fruits he found growing out of a bush. They’re silent  while standing around the fire waiting for dinner to be ready, but Sasuke can feel Gaara looking at him, definitely eager to ask a lot of questions and Sasuke can’t really blame him. 

Sasuke himself had been surprised when Gaara had accepted to help him without much details. Mentioning Naruto had probably done the trick, but still

When dinner it’s ready Gaara goes over to wake up the shinobis and they join them around the fire. The quiet is broken now with the two shinobis talking animatedly between them, sometimes dragging Gaara in the conversation as well. Sasuke doesn’t contribute, but listens amused. 

Once dinner is finished, they put out the fire and settle to rest for the night. In their haste they haven’t brought tents with them and Sasuke has been adamant that they don’t venture into town, afraid somebody would come asking question later, which it’s probably him being paranoid since they’re a long way from Konoha and it’s not worth the endeavour. Sasuke predicts that after a couple of days of looking for him, Shikamaru or someone else is going to persuade Naruto to give up and that will be the end of it

Sasuke lays down on the cold grass and stares at the starry night sky. He’s too worked up to fall asleep, so he just spends the night like this, glad when he sees the sky turning a pretty shade of pink. He gets up and shakes the others awake, pushing for them to get back on the road. Gaara is very clearly thinking about murdering him when he wakes him up with a placed kick to his side, but doesn’t make any move to when he gets up and leads the way to Sunagakure

—------------------------

“We shouldn’t be far. Another hour or two”, Gaara answers when Sasuke asks how long till they get to the village. 

True to what Gaara had said, the tall gates of Sunagakure come into view an hour after and Sasuke feels relief flooding him. When they come through the gates it is still early evening which means the streets are busy with people and Sasuke draws quite the attention. He has been to Sunakagure just twice before, once on a secret mission and a second time accompanying Naruto on a diplomatic visit. 

Sasuke finds the village always a bit suffocating and not only because of the hot weather. The mountains surrounding it seem more like a cage than the actual strategic defensive measure they’re supposed to be and the people are always a bit too much for Sasuke’s tastes, what with the “either we win or we die” attitude. 

The two shinobis that have accompanied them have disappeared at some point when Sasuke was too focused thinking and now it’s just him and Gaara. Sasuke hopes that wherever Gaara is taking him, there’s gonna be a hot bath and a comfortable bed, because now that the tension has left him, Sasuke is realizing he’s fucking tired, he stinks and could eat the entirety of Ichiraku’s menu. 

“Since this is all very last minute, my house will have to do”, Gaara says like he has just read Sasuke’s mind. Sasuke’s face contorts into a grimace thinking of sharing quarters with Gaara, but he is in no position to complain so he decides to not comment and just nods. 

Gaara’s house is way out of the village’s centre and is made of clay like all the others. Sasuke likes its shape. 

It’s more rounder than the others they have passed by, but unlike the others it is also more bare. There’s no flowers, no trinkets lining the window sills, nothing indicating that someone lives here and the interior is not much better. It’s furnished, but only with the necessities. There’s only two chairs at the kitchen table, a sofa in the living room, but no tv, and everything is spotless. 

“You can take the guest room”, Gaara says, walking Sasuke down the hallway, which is at least decorated with family portraits hanging on the walls. Sasuke also gets a gimple of Shinki’s messy room on the way, this one much more lived in. 

What Gaara means when he says the guest room is just an empty room with a rickety old bed, a very small window which barely gets any light in and a lone chair that probably serves as a wardrobe. Thankfully Sasuke brought just a couple of clothes. Gaara must sense his displeasure because he clicks his tongue and calls him ungrateful under his breath. 

“Thank you”, Sasuke says, reminding himself that Gaara is doing him an enormous favour, one he doesn’t know if he’s ever going to be able to pay back. “Save it”, Gaara answers, rolling his eyes, making Sasuke laugh. 

Yeah, this whole situation is pretty uncomfortable for him as well. He much prefers when they’re bickering than whatever this is. “The bathroom is that way and if you’re hungry help yourself to the kitchen. I suggest you try to get as much sleep as possible before Shinki gets back, because that kid is loud”. Sasuke nods and closes the door behind him once Gaara is gone. He sits on the bed, which creaks horribly under his weight, and drops his head into his hands

He did it. He actually left Konoha and this time probably for good. 

He was in such a rush that he hadn’t really thought this through and now he’s starting to panic. He left without having the time to talk to Sakura or Sarada, who’re going to be so pissed at him for leaving. And sad, they’re going to be so sad. 

Imagining his not so little girl crying because of him, Sasuke has to push the bile rising in his throat, down. He didn’t think of leaving them a note, nothing that could explain why he had to do this. 

And Naruto… he’s also going to be pissed and sad and he’s finally going to give up on him and hate him forever and…

Snap out of it. You’re spiralling

Sasuke takes a deep breath in, keeps it in and lets it out. He does the same a couple more times and feels his mind clear. He has to be logical about this, rational. Once everything has calmed down and the elders are finally off Naruto’s back, Sasuke can go back to the village and talk with his family, beg for forgiveness on his knees if he has to, but he can fix this, he can see Sarada again. 

As for Naruto it’s better if he hates him, it’ll just make things easier for him. Naruto has Shikamaru, and his family and a lot of people who love him. He’s going to be fine, he doesn't need Sasuke, he’s strong. 

Sasuke gives himself a mental slap, and now that he’s feeling calmer heads to the bathroom to take a nice warm shower. Once he's done he walks to the kitchen to rummage through the cabinets and the fridge for something easy to make so that he doesn’t burn Gaara’s kitchen on his first day here. He cooks a big bowl of rice, tops it with green bell peppers and sesame seeds and takes the meal back to his room where he eats it while looking outside his bedroom window. 

It’s just simple rice, but it tastes so bland compared to the rice Naruto used to cook for him. 

Sasuke feels something wet hit his hand and realizes he’s crying, and once he’s realized this, the flood gates open and he can’t stop the sob escaping him. Even though he’s starving he doesn’t finish the bowl of rice, but just cries himself to sleep

—-----------------------------

The next morning Sasuke is woken up by the sun shining through the window. Despite the fact he’s not in the best emotional state and he’s in an unfamiliar environment, he has slept through the night without stirring once. Since he doesn’t really have places to be, he contemplates just turning on the other side and going back to sleep, but he figures that at some point he will have to get back to a semblance of life, so why not start now, and gets up. 

When he walks into the kitchen, he finds Gaara and Shinki sitting at the kitchen table. Gaara is sipping on some coffee and reading the newspaper while Shinki is visibly half-sleep and doesn’t even bat an eye when he sees Sasuke Uchiha standing in his house in his rumpled pajamas. 

“Morning, you look horrible”, Gaara says as his way of greeting and Sasuke knows he’s not wrong. He bets his eyes are blood-shot from crying all night and his usual bed head is sticking out in all directions. 

“Thanks. Where can I get one of those?”, Sasuke asks, pointing to Gaara’s coffee. “There”, he answers, nodding towards where the pot of freshly brewed coffee is, sitting near a rack filled with cups. 

Not sure if he can stomach anything, Sasuke forgoes eating breakfast and just quietly sips on his coffee. 

He’s still sitting at the kitchen table, nursing his second cup of coffee when Gaara and Shinki leave the house, leaving him alone. Since he doesn’t really feel like lounging at home, Sasuke dresses up and decides to get more familiar with Sunagakure. 

He thankfully paid attention yesterday and doesn’t get lost on the way to the village centre. There’s less people milling about today, probably because the majority are either at work or at school. Sasuke walks around a bit, taking stock of the various shops and restaurants, sometimes stopping to browse some of the menu thinking about where to have lunch later if he has the stomach for it. He passes by the Academy, which is smaller than the Konoha one, and a pang of nostalgia hits him when he hears the shouts of young genin going through drills. 

Sasuke walks around without a destination until his stomach starts to grumble and he decides that it’s a reasonable time to eat. So he goes back to where all the restaurants are and walks into the first one he finds. The shop owner stares at him a bit too hard while he takes his order, but other than that doesn’t comment on what such a known shinobi like him is doing here. 

The shrimp fried rice smells delicious, but Sasuke still has to force himself to eat. If he wants   to go back to Konoha and see his family he has to eat. He even orders a second portion and scarfs that down as well. Feeling better and sure he won’t be throwing everything back up, he leaves and picks up some groceries on the way back. 

Now that he’s not going to be as busy anymore he reasons trying to improve his skills in the kitchen won’t be as impossible, so he goes back to Gaara’s home with a bag full of ingredients and a just purchased cook book and tries to replicate the shrimp fried rice he had at lunch. 

Needless to say what comes out is as far away from that as possible, but Sasuke considers it a victory since he hasn’t burned anything or cut off one of his remaining fingers. The taste is not even that bad. Probably tastes the same as the sand you can find everywhere in Sunagakure

—------------------------------

Sasuke is sitting on the sofa reading a book he has stolen from Gaara’s bookshelf when he walks through the door with Shinki in tow. 

“Please tell me you went out” 

“I did. And I also cooked”

“You…cooked? And didn’t burn the house down? Unbelievable”

“You’re always so funny”

“I know”

Sasuke rolls his eyes and goes back to his book, a small smile gracing his lips

—---------------------------

Sasuke coaxes Gaara to taste the rice and laughs when Gaara rushes to the sink to spit it back out

“If you’re trying to kill me, tell me now”

“I don’t think it’s that bad”, Sasuke says, eating a spoonful as well

Damn, I forgot how awful it was

“Stop eating that. I don’t wanna have to bury you in my garden”, Gaara chastisises him, grabbing the plate from Sasuke’s hands and throwing the rice in the trash bin. “Show me the recipe”, he continues. Sasuke hands him the book and Gaara skims over it, opening the fridge to take out the ingredients. 

“Watch, I’ll teach you how to make it”

Gaara is a surprisingly good cook and his fried rice tastes almost the same as the one the restaurant has served Sasuke earlier. Both him and Shiki ask for a second serving and Gaara looks way too pleased. They chat over dinner and for the first time since he’s arrived in Sunagakure Sasuke feels like maybe this situation isn’t as awful as he has feared. Of course there’s a lot of things to figure out, but there’s time and he’s not in a rush. 

Over the next four days, Sasuke keeps walking around the village, so much so that people don’t give him a wide berth anymore, and he goes back to have lunch at Gohan’s restaurant thinking doing so will help him perfect his own fried rice. After his first attempt had gone wrong, Sasuke had been set on getting it right, if not only to show Gaara that whatever he could do, Sasuke could do better. 

Just yesterday in fact, both Gaara and Shinki had eaten the rice Sasuke had cooked and hadn’t complained about any stomach pains after. Sasuke considers it a win.

Unfortunately though, it turns out Sasuke has probably only a future of being good at cooking rice. Doesn't matter what type of rice as long as it’s rice, but nothing else. He tried cooking something different these days, but after burning two omelettes, serving undercooked teriyaki chicken and messing up a simple miso soup, Gaara had made him promise to stick to rice and Sasuke had agreed. 

—---------------------------------------------

“What do you think about coming to the office with me tomorrow?”, Gaara asks that day while they’re eating dinner. 

“Gaara”. 

They have already talked about this and Sasuke had ended up telling Gaara why he had left Konoha to make him understand why he was refusing. 

“Sasuke, this is not Konoha. You’re just a competent shinobi here and the Council is actually thrilled at the idea of having you join me”.

“You already have an aid”, Sasuke points out. 

“So, there’s no rule saying I only get to have one”. Seeing that Sasuke is not convinced Gaara barrels on. “I know we have our differences, but I have never hidden my admiration for you, you’re strong and have quick-decision making skills, plus you’ve already worked beside a Kage so I won’t have to teach you much”. Gaara makes a compelling argument, but Sasuke is still not sure it’s such a good idea, even though he’s quickly getting bored spending his days without nothing productive to do except cooking

“If, and I’m saying if, I say yes, I want you to treat me like you would anybody else and I don’t want it to be broadcast to the entire village”

“I can work with that. So… you’re in?”

“I’m in”

—-----------------------------

The next day Sasuke wakes up early, brews coffee and sets the table up for breakfast. He takes a shower, dresses in his most formal clothes and joins Gaara and Shinki at the table when he’s ready

Today is his first day at the office. He’s not nervous per se since he’s almost forty years old, has been doing this for a long time and he’s too excited about having something to do than anything else, but he has to admit that he has never been good with meeting new people (mostly because he has a history of giving people bad first impressions), so he’s not nervous, but he’s not entirely relaxed either

The Kazekage office is actually quite impressive, what with the fact that is as big as the hokage’s but made entirely of clay and shaped like a sake barrel. Gaara’s actual office is on the second floor while the first floor houses a small welcoming area for visitors, the Council meeting room and Kankuro’s office.

It’s there that they’re headed

Kankuro had been tasked with showing Sasuke around and help him with whatever he needs help with. Sasuke doesn’t know how Gaara convinced him to do this, but he’s grateful. 

“Okay, then I leave you two to it”, Gaara says before heading to his office, leaving the two of them alone. “So, Sasuke, can I call you Sasuke?”, Kankuro asks and Sasuke nods. “Okay. I know you’ve done this before so if it’s okay with you let’s just get to it”. 

They just go over boring paperworks for the most part, reports about completed missions and similar stuff, and the silence that falls over them is comfortable. Kankuro answers whatever question Sasuke has and even brings him on a small tour of the building once the pile of paperwork has been reduced to half of its previous size. He gets introduced to the receptionist, Hagakure-san, a tall middle-aged woman who has a permanent smile plastered on her face and finally learns the name of the two shinobis who accompanied him and Gaara on the journey from Konoha. Sora and Yuna, who just got married and have been working for Gaara from the beginning of his time as Kazekage. Everybody welcomes him with open arms and Sasuke admits he had been wrong when he had judged the sand village people as stoic and distant.

“Ready for lunch?”, Gaara says, knocking at the door of Kankuro’s office around one. “Yessss, I’m starving!”, Kankuro answers and Sasuke can sympathise. 

“Where to today?”, Kankuro asks when they exit the building. 

“Why don’t we go to Gohan, Sasuke likes it there”, Gaara suggests. 

“I don’t mind if we go somewhere else”

“Nah, let’s go there. Just thinking about their ochazuke is making my mouth water”, Kankuro answers. 

“Everything that’s food related makes your mouth water”, Gaara replies, rolling his eyes. 

Gohan is more crowded than usual today, so they have to wait for an empty table. The owner apologizes profusely for making the Kazekage wait, but Gaara waves away all his worries and tells him the food is more than worth it. 

Kankuro is telling Sasuke about the new training regimen he’s trying when he feels Gaara grip his arm to get his attention. 

“Sasuke” 

The urgency in his voice makes Sasuke’s hair stand on end. Gaara is not looking at him, so he follows the direction of his gaze until he spots a familiar head of blonde hair who has no reason to be here, among the crowd. Naruto is standing not too far from where they’re, busy talking to one of the shop owners and hasn’t noticed them yet. 

“What is he doing here?”, Sasuke asks no one in particular, but Gaara still answers him anyway.

“What do you think?”. 

“He’s not here for me”. Gaara looks at him like Sasuke has just told him the sky is green. 

“Please, we both know that’s a lie”, he replies quietly, his gaze forlorn. Sasuke wants to offer him some form of comfort, but thinks better of it. If their roles were reversed he would just take it as pity instead of solace

“I have to go, before he sees me”

“And where are you going to go?”

“Home”

“Naruto has been there already”

“He’s terrible with directions”

“Mhm, guys…I think it’s already too late”, Kankuro says, intruding

While they were busy arguing, Naruto has spotted them and is already heading their way. 

Sasuke is very conflicted. On one side he’s panicking and wants to run, on the other he has missed Naruto like the moon misses the sun, and he really owes it to him to explain. Since he’s a coward and scared to confront Naruto though, the part of him that wants to flee wins and he turns around to run away, but he’s stopped by Gaara barreling the way. 

“You two have to talk”. 

“Gaara, move”, Sasuke says with urgency, but Gaara doesn't barge. “He’ll understand”. And Sasuke knows that Naruto will, but that’s exactly what Sasuke doesn’t want. He doesn’t deserve to be forgiven. That night, the night he had promised Naruto he would never again leave him is still fresh in his mind. Naruto had told him he has nightmares about Sasuke leaving and what had Sasuke done after promising he wouldn't? He left. That is the only thing he’s good at. The only solution he always comes to.

“Sasuke”. Naruto has already caught up with them and it’s too late to run now. Sasuke takes a deep breath and tries to think about how best to explain the situation before he turns around to face him. 

Naruto looks tired. He has dark begs under his eyes and his whole posture screams that he hasn’t had a good night sleep in a while 

Please, tell me, it’s not my fault. But even while he thinks this, Sasuke know that it is and the weight of his guilt is enough to suffocate him

Sasuke is quiet, focused on taking in every detail, so Gaara speaks for him. “Naruto, you must be tired from the journey, why don’t you join us for lunch”. Naruto shakes his head though and says “I need to talk with Sasuke. Alone” and his tone doesn’t leave room for debate. 

“Take him home. Shinki is out and I still have things to do at the office”, Gaara says, putting a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder, who nods. 

Without saying a word Sasuke turns away and starts walking towards Gaara’s house, Naruto quietly walking beside him. Sasuke steals glances at him from the corner of his eye, but doesn’t dare say anything, not sure what he’s supposed to say in this situation.

Even when the familiar building comes into view, Sasuke still hasn’t figured out how to breach the subject. He opens the door with the spare key Gaara has given him and walks ahead of Naruto into the kitchen, while Naruto closes the door behind him and hoovers in the entranceway, looking around the room. Sasuke waits for him to start talking, but Naruto doesn’t seem eager to be the first one to say anything, so it’s up to Sasuke. 

“Naruto, what are you doing here?”. Okay, that is probably the worst thing he could’ve said. 

Naruto physically flinches and the stricken expression he’s wearing is a mean kick directly to Sasuke’s stomach. 

“Is that really the first thing you ask me? You’ve disappeared for five days without telling anybody where you were and this is the first thing you say to me?” The stricken expression he was wearing is gone now, replaced by anger, which is totally understandable given the circumstances, but Sasuke gets surprised anyway.

Naruto starts pacing the length of the living room, hands tearing at his hair and Sasuke hates seeing him like this. Hates knowing that it’s his fault.

“Why?”, Naruto asks, coming to a stand still

“I can’t tell you”

“Of course you can’t. You’re Sasuke Uchiha, with all your big mysterious secrets, and I have never been worthy enough to know them”

“Naruto, you know that’s not true”

“Do I?”

Naruto starts pacing the room again when Sasuke doesn’t answer, but really, how is he supposed to explain if he can’t tell him the real reason? And even if he does tell him, is that really a good excuse for disappearing on him like that?

“Did I do something?”, Naruto asks suddenly and Sasuke makes a confused expression at the question. “Did I do something to make you leave? If I did, you just have to tell me and I will fix it, I-” 

“Naruto, you haven’t done anything”, Sasuke says, putting some distance between them to prevent himself from reaching out. The pain seeping through Naruto’s voice is a dagger twisting into Sasuke's guts and all he wants to do right now is take Naruto into his arms and kiss him, but he’s aware it would not be well received in this situation 

“Then why? Tell me, and whatever it is, we will face it together”. Sasuke laughs mockingly at this. “Face it together? Yeah, right”. and he knows he’s the one in the wrong here, but he can’t keep a bit of sarcasm from tinting his voice. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?”, Naruto asks sharply. 

“I heard you at the festival”, Sasuke says, but Naruto doesn’t seem to get what is talking about so he continues. “Talking with Shikamaru”. It takes Naruto a while to figure it out, but when he does, his eyes widen.

“Is that why?” and Sasuke nods. “Sasuke, I- … why didn’t you just talk to me?”

“Because you never fucking listen! And don’t tell me it’s not true. I can’t let you put your dream on the line for me!”

“That is not your decision to make”

“It is if it concerns me”

Naruto throws his hands in the air clearly exasperated and starts pacing again, before stopping and sitting down on the nearest one of the kitchen table’s chairs. He has his head in his hands and is drawing circles into his temples. “You’re coming back with me”, he says, his voice muffled from the way his head is still hidden in his hands when he speaks. 

“I’m not”, Sasuke argues, making Naruto groan. 

“For once in your fucking life can you make things easy for me?”

“If you promise me to drop the issue then I’ll consider it”

“What? Fuck no”

“Then no, I’m not coming”

“Sasuke”

“Naruto”

“Okay, okay”, Naruto says, more to himself than to Sasuke, again getting up and walking around the room. Then stopping to level Sasuke with the most serious gaze Sasuke has ever seen him make, he says, “You want me to beg? Because I can do that. If that’s what is takes, I’ll get on my fucking knees right know and beg”

Sasuke sucks in a breath, surely he’s heard wrong. Naruto is slowly bridging the distance between them and Sasuke wants to take a step back, but Naruto’s smoldering gaze is keeping him pinned to the spot and he kind of feels like a deer caught in headlights. 

“Naruto”, he starts, but his voice breaks and he has to clear his throat before continuing, “Naruto, I don’t want you to beg. I want you to leave me alone”

“Evidence says that that’s pretty impossible for me to do”

“Please” and now Sasuke is the one begging, “I can’t be the thing standing between you and your dream”

“Well, maybe my dream is different now, Sasuke!”, Naruto shouts, his previous exasperated tone turning resigned. 

“What does that mean?”, Sasuke asks, skeptical. 

“It means”, Naruto starts wetting his dry lips before continuing, “ that I’ve been hooked since the first time you smiled at me. That I’ve been in love with you ever since and lately it’s killing me that you’re not mine… so, maybe my dream is you now, Sasuke “

Heavy silence falls on them and Sasuke has to grip the kitchen countertop to keep his balance, because his knees give out. His heart is beating so loudly he can’t hear anything else and his mind can’t make sense of the situation. Not even in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined Naruto loving him back, and now here he was, confessing to Sasuke in the fucking Kazekage kitchen

I’m his dream. He said I’m his dream

“Please say something”, Naruto whispers, pulling Sasuke away for the verge of a breakdown

“Why?”, he asks, eliciting a laugh out of Naruto, who shrugs. “There’s just too many reasons, Sasuke”

“You should hate me!”, Sasuke shouts suddenly, regaining a semblance of control over his thought process. “This makes no sense!”

“Believe me, I’ve tried. Oh, how I’ve tried… Sasuke I fucking got married! and here I am, still loving you! You’re a part of me, Sasuke! You wrenched my heart out when we were twelve and you’ve never given it back, and the funny thing is… that I don’t want you to. I don’t know who I fucking am without you, Sasuke”

Sasuke shudders. The clear devotion he can see reflected in Naruto’s blue eyes is doing things to his stomach. He still can’t find the words to tell Naruto that he’s loved in return. That since that accidental kiss when they were still genin, he was all the only thing he could think about, the only person he’s ever loved

“Sasuke I-”

“You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last one I think about before I go to sleep. I need you like flowers need the sun to live, I need you more than the air I breathe, Naruto. I don’t know where I end and you begin anymore… I took your heart? Fuck, I have no heart without you”

“W-what… are you saying?”

“That I love you too, you idiot”

“You…you. Oh God. You?”. Naruto is visibly panicking. He avoids meeting Sasuke’s eyes and there’s tears streaming down his face. Sasuke doesn’t really think about it and just closes the distance between them to take Naruto by the chin. 

He places a chaste kiss on the corner of Naruto’s chapped lips and bumps their foreheads. “You need to breathe”. Naruto has an iron grip around Sasuke’s wrist, but he doesn’t care, his attention is all on the man in front of him. 

Naruto follows his instructions and takes a big gulp of air in, keeps it and then lets it out in a shaky exhale. He repeats the motion a couple more times while Sasuke keeps whispering words of encouragement against his lips. 

“Tell me again”, Naruto says, once he’s calmed down enough

“I love you, idiot”

“Again”

“I love you more than I ever loved anything”

“Again”

“You’re my person, Naruto. I love you”

Naruto seems satisfied with that. They stay like that, gazing into each other's eyes, for what feels like hours but it’s probably a bunch of minutes. 

“How are you feeling?”, Sasuke asks, dragging Naruto into a hug while slowly stroking his back in an up and down motion. Like this, Sasuke can feel Naruto’s heart beating against his chest, its rhythm a copy of his own. “Like I’m gonna wake up and realize this is just a very cruel dream”, Naruto whispers and his sorrowful voice breaks Sasuke’s heart. 

He stops rubbing Naruto’s back and takes his face into his hand again. “Look at me…. look at me, Naruto”, he repeats when Naruto still avoids meeting his eyes. “This is not a dream. And I know I don't deserve to ask you this, but please give me another chance. I’ll make sure you’ll know it for the rest of your life”, Sasuke tries to reassure him by stroking the pad of his thumb across Naruto’s cheek. 

“You’re word doesn't mean much at this point, You're aware of it, right?, Naruto replies, taking Sasuke’s hand away from him. 

Sasuke feels his heart sink again

“I know, and sincerely, I’m not even sure where I’m getting the gall to stand in front of you, making promises, but… If you let me, I’ll make it my mission to make you happy for the rest of our lives”

Naruto doesn’t answer right away and Sasuke feels like he has really lost him this time, but then he brings Sasuke’s hand to his lips and leaves an open-mouthed kiss on Sasuke's palm and says, “You already do that though… make me happy” he clarifies when he sees Sasuke looking at him with a puzzled expression

Sasuke feels like he can breathe again. His eyes veil with tears he has a hard time keeping at bay

“Thanks”, is all Sasuke can think of saying, even though there's a million things running around his mind right now

“You better keep your promise this time or I’m going to get real mad”, Naruto continues with an exaggerated pout on his lips, trying to break the heavy atmosphere. Sasuke snorts and Naruto’s pout gets more pronounced. “Don’t laugh”, he says indignant while pinching at Sasuke’s sides like that hadn’t been his intention all along 

“Hey”, Sasuke says once his laughter has subsided. “I would really like to kiss you. Can I?”. Naruto’s breath itches and his cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink. He nods, but since he still seems rather unsure, Sasuke closes the distance as slowly as possible, to give him time to move away if he wants to, but Naruto stays in place and is actually the one to close the distance first. 

Their mouths come together to exchange soft, shy and innocent pecks. Even though both of them have had feelings for each other for quite some years, this development is still very new and they’re both tentative, afraid to upset this careful balance between them. 

Kissing Naruto is exactly like Sasuke expected and not at all. Naruto’s lips are soft just like he thought they would be and they’re sweet. So sweet Sasuke thinks he’ll slowly get addicted to the taste of them.

It feels so good to be kissing Naruto and Sasuke finds himself wanting more, the warmth in his stomach quickly turning into a burning desire, but he reels it in. He wants to follow Naruto’s pace, do this the right way. He has waited all this time, he can hold on a little longer.

They come to rest their foreheads against one another again after exchanging a couple more pecks, content to just gaze into each other’s eyes. Sasuke is playing with the hair at Naruto’s nape, his eyes searching for some kind of assurance in Naruto’s, but just when he’s about to ask outloud, Naruto closes the distance between them once again, but this time he doesn’t move away right after their lips brush, this time he presses their lips together more firmly, but waits for Sasuke to give him permission before deepening the kiss

Sasuke doesn’t wait to be told twice, he presses back against Naruto’s lips and that seems to be all the permission Naruto needs. He shifts his hands from where they were pressed to Sasuke’s sides down toward his waist, to bring Sasuke flush against him and deepens the kiss. The motion makes a wave of pleasure cascade down Sasuke’s spine. 

He hums into the kiss when he feels Naruto’s tongue swipe on his bottom lip and opens his mouth. Their tongues meet and Sasuke sees stars behind his eyelids. He grips Naruto’s hair with more force which makes him hiss, but Naruto seems to rather like it if the way he tries to bring Sasuke even closer is any indication. 

Things get heated fast.

Sasuke doesn't know when they moved, but at one point he feels the kitchen table dig into his back and it’s not long before he’s sprawled on it, Naruto hovering over him, his arms on either side of Sasuke’s head, their bodies touching from tip to bottom. They’re kissing like two starved beasts fighting over the last piece of meat, their lips attached like glue. Sasuke is not sure he could stop even if he wanted to. It doesn't matter that he’s quickly running out of oxygen, breathing is overrated anyway. 

In this position, with his legs trapping Naruto against him, he can feel Naruto’s half hard dick digging into his thigh and the delicious friction makes him moan into the kiss. At the cost of appearing desperate he shifts so that Naruto’s erection presses into his and Naruto down right growls. He bites so hard onto Sasuke’s bottom lip that he draws blood before flinging himself away, leaving a confused Sasuke laying on the wooden table. 

For a moment the only thing that can be heard in the room is their hard breathing. Sasuke is still reeling from everything that’s happened and he’s awfully aware of his pants chafing against what is the beginning of an erection. He tries to calm down, but he can still taste Naruto on his lips, so it’s a pointless endeavour. He sits up on his elbows to peer at Naruto, who’s standing with his back to his, crouched down against the sofa’s headrest.

Sasuke wills himself to stay put. They're like two powdered kegs right now, one wrong move and they’ll explode, which wouldn’t be so bad if they were not standing in someone else’s house with a million things still unsaid hanging between them. 

“Naruto”, Sasuke says, tentative. His heart has calmed down and the throbbing in his pants subsided. Naruto takes another big breath before standing up and turning to face him, still not moving away from the sofa. Sasuke’s hand twitches with the urge to reach out,  so he crumples it into a ball and contents himself with just looking

Naruto is stunning. He always is, but like this, with his lips kiss-swollen and glossy, his cheeks flushed,  clothes rumpled and hair messed up, he’s ethereal. Knowing he’s the one who has reduced him to this fills him with pleasure

“I…you…sorry. I just don’t want to rush…this”, Naruto says, breaking their stare down, a hand coming to cover his mouth in embarrassment. “It’s okay, I get it”, Sasuke agrees and suddenly he doesn’t know what else to say. He’s just realized that things have inevitably changed between them. Like, it’s still them, he knows that, but it also feels like they’re getting to know each other all over again. The awkwardness and shyness of their early interactions coming back like the last two decades haven’t existed. 

We just have to get used to it, yes. 

Sasuke clears his throat. “You’re probably tired. You should take a bath and get some rest”, Sasuke says, getting down from the table and brushing a hand through his hair to give it a semblance of order. Naruto just nods and follows after him when Sasuke heads to his room to look for some fresh clothes he can borrow. He opens the door to what has become his bedroom and searches for something that could fit Naruto among the pile of clean clothes he keeps on the small stool in the corner of the room. He goes for a pair of sweats that have always been too large on him and a simple cotton t-shirt. He turns around to hand them to Naruto and finds him looking around the room.

Sasuke feels himself flush with shame. His bedroom is nothing much. He hasn’t been here long enough to actually make it his. Apart from what he brought with him from Konoha and the new books he has recently bought, everything else is Gaara’s. “Cookbooks?”, Naruto asks, gently opening the book resting on the bedside table. “I’ve been trying, but it seems I’m only good at making rice”, Sasuke laughs sheepishly. 

“Mhm”. 

“Anyway…here, take this. The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. Take your time and tell me if you need anything,I’ll be in the kitchen making tea”, Sasuke says, turning around and leaving Naruto alone. 

Just when he’s finished pouring the tea into two mugs, Naruto comes strolling into the living room, a towel around his neck and his hair still damp. Without thinking Sasuke reaches out and dries his hair for him while chiding him. “You know you get sick easily”, he says, remembering how much of a pain in the neck Naruto is when sick. Only when he stops, satisfied that Naruto’s hair is dry, does he realize what he’s doing. He mutters an apology under his breath, but before he can move away, Naruto grabs one of his arms and stops him. While making eye contact he brings said arm to his lips and leaves a feather light kiss against Sasuke’s wrist, right on his pulse point. 

Sasuke sucks in a breath, but doesn’t move away, understanding that this is Naruto’s way to tell him everything’s fine. They’re fine. And Sasuke relaxes immediately. They sit down at the table and start nursing their tea, unsure of how to get the conversation going. 

“So, I bet Sakura and Sarada are pissed”, Sasuke starts, deciding this is a safe enough subject. 

“I think that’s an understatement”, Naruto answers, stirring his tea. Sasuke flinches, dreading the confrontation that’s due to happen once they see each other again. “But, most of all, they were worried. We all were” and this doesn’t make it any better, rather it makes it worse. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anybody, I was just in a rush and didn’t think it through properly”, Sasuke explains, clenching his mug’s handle. Naruto doesn’t answer, just nods.

“To tell you the truth, I heard you talking with elder Minamoto that day in your office”, Naruto looks up at this, “A couple of days later, he even came to see me in my office. Let’s just say that he made it painfully clear that if I didn’t leave he would take it out on you”, Sasuke chuckles mirthlessly. Naruto swears under his breath, irritation and frustration marring his features. 

Sasuke hesitantly reaches out to take Naruto’s hand in his and Naruto lets him, giving Sasuke’s hand a gentle squeeze before bringing it to his lips and leaving a kiss against every knuckle. The action makes Sasuke’s heart melt and his eyes fill with tears. The clear devotion he sees in Naruto’s eyes is so strong, even after everything Sasuke has put him through, and that hurts. He feels undeserving, more so than ever. If he could go back in time and knock some sense into his past self he would do it in a  heartbeat, but albeit, it’s too late now and all he can do is try to make up for it. 

“I’m sorry you felt like you had to handle this alone”, Naruto says, apologizing even when it’s not his fault. 

“Don’t. It wasn’t your fault, I-”

“I’m sorry, Sasuke. We were both in the wrong. Like you, I also kept this to myself and decided not to talk to you about it. I thought I could solve the problem without having to burden you as well. I know you worry about this, a lot. When I asked you to help me, stand at my side and not hide in the shadows, it was just a selfish desire on my part. I wanted people to know that they were wrong about you, that you had changed and were protecting them while they still stubbornly scorned you”, Naruto continues, now intertwining his fingers with Sasuke’s

“Naruto, they’re entitled to feel that way”

“I know. That’s why I’m saying it was selfish on my part. I was there beside you, watching you put your life on the line to protect the village, working so hard, and I just felt like I had to do something. And it did work, at least a little. They respect you, Sasuke. Konoha has forgiven you. Maybe not everybody, but still, I’m sure they’ll come around. I don’t know what Minamoto said to you, but don’t listen to him. Listen to me. Trust me to handle this”

Sasuke bites his bottom lip, not entirely convinced yet, but nods anyway. “But you have to promise me that you’ll choose yourself over me. No sacrificing what you’ve earned and strived for for years, just for me. If you can promise me this then it’s enough for me”, Sasuke says sternly. Naruto hesitates before giving a nod of his own. 

“Okay… and now that this has finally been dealt with, I’ll say we need to talk about the other elephant in the room”, Sasuke pushes on, even though he would much prefer to just go with the flow and accept this new development without having to actually talk about his feelings

Naruto looks bashful, but doesn’t protest. “I guess I’ll start… So…please tell me I’m not the reason you got divorced”, Sasuke says, nervously playing with his bottom lip. Naruto’s eyes widen in shock at this, but he lets out a laugh, easing Sasuke’s nerves. 

“Sasuke, you’re not the reason my marriage ended. Well, more to say, not you specifically but rather my feelings for you”. Naruto goes on when he sees Sasuke's confused expression. “Like I said, I fell in love with you ages ago”, at this he clears his throat in embarrassment “ and Hinata was aware of this. At first I didn’t pay much attention to her feelings for me because I was too focused on you and all that was happening around us, but then the war ended and you…” 

“And I left”, Sasuke fills in for him. 

“And you left. Hinata was there for me during that time, and I did come to love her, just never like I loved you and told her as much when she confessed her feelings for me. She was undeterred though, she probably thought my feelings for you would fade over time. And a part of me hoped she was right. It was getting too painful…loving you I mean”, here Naruto takes a deep breath, like the pain it’s still fresh in his mind

“I would find myself looking for glimpses of you around the village, but that only made me more aware that you were gone”. Sasuke’s heart aches with guilt and sympathy. He knows exactly what Naruto is talking about, he had done the same exact thing during his time away, almost bringing himself over the edge of insanity. The only thing keeping from tumbling over had been Sakura’s unwavering hand tethering him to the last shred of reason he had left 

“So, we got married, and we were happy. We had Boruto and Himawari and then I became Hokage and all of a sudden I was too busy and I stopped looking for you as insistently as before. So I thought that finally, I had let go of this one-sided affection”. Sasuke pointedly chuckles when Naruto says this. 

Not so one-sided, stupid. 

“Yeah, yeah, I know”, Naruto says, chuckling as well. “As I was saying, life had gone on, but then Sakura announced you two were getting married and I… I broke. I realized that those feelings were still there, still as strong as they were before and that I had simply started to ignore them because it was easier that way”

“But there wasn’t much I could do even when I had such a realization. We were both married and I was still convinced you would never feel the same, so I just forged ahead and learned how to live with it. You came back, started to stay for longer periods of time and I was happy. The gaping hole in my heart was being slowly filled by your presence and I was content to be just your best friend”

“Then why did you divorce?”, Sasuke prompts, curious

“I’m ashamed to say that it was Hinata who suggested it”

“Hinata?”, Sasuke asks, incredulous. He never would have imagined it was she who had made that decision. She had been in love with Naruto almost as long as Sasuke had and, even though at times Sasuke found himself envious of her, he respected her as a skilled shinobi and as the person that had stood beside Naruto, helping him in his times of need.

“Yeah. When you divorced, that part of me I had tried so much to repress came back. I became hopeful that maybe with time, you could come to love me too, but at the same time this made me awfully ashamed. I was wrought with guilt towards the kids, and Hinata especially. She was beside me through it all, loved me when she knew I could never be fully hers,  betraying her like that didn’t sit right with me. So five years passed and one day, after coming back from the office, I found her sitting in our living room, tears coming down her face and divorce papers on the coffee table”. Naruto’s expression is pained when he says this and Sasuke fully understands. He’s the same type of guilt he has always felt when he came to his relationship with Sakura

“She said she felt awful being the thing holding me back. Can you believe it? She fucking apologized to me for loving me. I tried to explain that it was not her fault, but she wouldn’t hear reason, she basically forced me to sign the papers”, Naruto says, his expression lighter while remembering this. “And well, here we are now”, he concludes, gesturing to the room with his arms

“And here we are.”, Sasuke agrees. 

“You know, she’s been very invested in our relationship. Always telling me you felt the same, urging me to make a move”

“Well, she was not wrong”, Sasuke answers, making Naruto laugh. “No, she wasn’t. Apparently women understand these things way better than us. But, I was just so scared to ruin everything”

“Me too. Sakura has been on my case as well, saying the whole village knew already that and I quote “had the hots for the Hokage”

“Yeah, that seems like something that she would say”

They relapse into silence, both of them tired after the emotional turmoil of the day. Sasuke glances at the clock and notices it’s almost dinner time, meaning Gaara and Shinki should be coming back soon. 

“You hungry?”, he asks Naruto, making his way to the kitchen. “I could eat”, he answers before his stomach growls loudly. Sasuke laughs at this and starts to take the ingredients he will need out of the fridge and pantry. “You’re going to cook?”, Naruto asks, skeptical, coming to join him at the kitchen counter. “Yes. Shinki usually comes home famished, so I try to get dinner ready early so he can eat as soon as he comes home”, Sasuke answers, busying himself cooking the rice and cutting the shrimps and vegetables. 

Naruto moves to stand behind him and circles his arms around Sasuke, hugging him close. He rubs his nose in the crook of Sasuke’s neck and leaves a kiss behind his ear. “Are you going to make fun of me if I tell you I’m a little jealous right now?”, Naruto asks, resting his chin on Sasuke’s shoulder. 

“Jealous? Of what?”, Sasuke asks, surprised, trying to focus on the task at hand. 

“Well, to start, that you always refused to learn how to cook when I asked you, but are now doing it without any prompting, and second, of how Gaara has been getting this soft house-husband version of you. It makes me crazy thinking about it”. Sasuke laughs at this and Naruto bites his earlobe in retaliation. 

“You have nothing to worry about. I assure you Gaara doesn’t think about me that way”, Sasuke says, avoiding to hint at Gaara’s massive crush on Naruto since that isn’t his place. 

“Maybe, but just the fact that he has seen this version of you makes me want to mark you” he whispers into Sasuke’s ear and Sasuke can feel his knees going weak.  He leaves soft kisses along Sasuke’s neck and just when Sasuke is about to tunerd around and ask from more he moves away and asks, “So, what can I help you with, chef?” His face the picture of innocence and his lips curved in a teasing smirk. Sasuke glares at him and plants an elbow into his side, making Naruto groan in pain. 

He still lets Naruto help him, though. They work while making small talk. Naruto asks a lot of questions on his days in Sunagakure and Sasuke reciprocates by asking updates about Konoha. The rice is just about ready when they hear the front door open and see Shinki come in followed by Gaara. The former doesn’t seem bothered to find a relative stranger in his house for the second time in a week while Gaara keeps trying to telepathically communicate with Sasuke with his eyes. Since it’s not like Sasuke can actually understand what he’s trying to say, he just raises one eyebrow and Gaara sighs exasperated

“Seeing as my house is still standing, I get it everything went well?”, Gaara asks him while he’s plating the fried rice and Naruto is out of earshot, busy setting up the table. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Thanks”. 

“Agh, it’s still too weird hearing you be polite. It makes my skin crawl, I swear.”, Gaara says, feigning a shiver because he’a a dramatic bitch. Sasuke rolls his eyes and playfully pushes him away, trying to keep the smile that threatens to come out, at bay. While they’re bickering in the kitchen, Sasuke catches Naruto staring at them over Gaara’s shoulders. Sasuke can’t really decipher the expression in his eyes, but then Shinki asks Naruto a question and the moment is broken

“I apologize for bargaining in on you without warning, Gaara”, Naruto says once the four of them are sitting at the table eating. 

“Please, the only one that should be apologizing is the freeloader”, Gaara answers, smirking at Sasuke. The smirk doesn’t stay for long after Sasuke gives him a well placed kick to the shin. While Naruto is being bombarded by questions about the Academy training regimen from Shiki, Sasuke and Gaara get locked in a staring competition with the latter signaling with his eyes from Sasuke to Naruto and vice versa while Sasuke is glaring at him trying to make him understand that they will talk about it later

“So, Gaara, I hope it’s okay if I stay the night. I was planning to get some rest before going back”, Naruto says interrupting their silent fight. Sasuke almost teasingly comments that “there’s no way Gaara minds” , when he feels Naruto’s hand coming to rest on his thigh and his mouth goes completely dry. He sneaks a glance at Naruto, trying to understand what’s going on, but he’s idly talking with the others like everything’s normal, so Sasuke lets it go. Naruto has always been a touchy feely person anyway

Sasuke looks down at Naruto’s hand and absentmindedly starts tracing lines with his index finger. From the wrist to the back of his palm and up the length of his thumb and then back again to his wrist. He does the same thing with the rest of the four fingers. He can see goosebumps breaking along Naruto’s arm and a smile stretches on his lips. This intimate touches between them make him childishly happy. Knowing he doesn’t have to stop himself anymore and can actually reach out is a new exhilarating feeling, one he’s getting used to very quickly

Dinner goes on and It’s only when Naruto yawns mid sentence that they decide to call it a night. Sasuke stays behind to clean up while Naruto heads to the bedroom to get some rest, but not before protesting that they let him help as well. Gaara has to physically drag him down the hallway

“So, care to enlighten me?”, Gaara asks when it’s just the two of them. Sasuke is washing the dishes while Gaara dries them, a routine they’ve gotten used to during the week Sasuke has been staying here. 

“Don’t know what you’re talking about”, Sasuke answers, busying himself scrabbing down a particularly nasty stain. 

“Sasuke, you don’t have to sugar coat it. I’m a grown man and I’ve known for the beginning that you were the only one for him”, Gaara says, slugging the towel he was using to dry the dishes. on his shoulder. 

“But that didn’t stop you from liking him for almost two decades”. 

“Yeah, well, I could say the same to you. He was fucking married when you got back to the village. That must’ve sucked”

“It did and if I could’ve stopped loving him I would’ve, but it wasn’t up to me”

“So you get it. Now, tell me everything”

Sasuke is still hesitant, but Gaara isn’t having any of that, continuing to press him for details. Sasuke caves, but just because he doesn’t want Gaara to think he’s pitying him or anything, because Sasuke never would. He respects Gaara too much for that. 

“Okay, okay, I get it”, Sasuke starts when Gaara starts pinching his sides to make him talk “So… we might have confessed our love for each other, and…we might have kissed…rather…passionately”. 

“Define passionately”

“Slammed on a table kind of passionately”

“Oh God… Wait, my table?!”

“I swear nothing happened!”

Sasuke is gesturing wildly, his face burning, but Gaara just laughs and tells him “it was damn fucking time, you pussies”

—-------------------------------------

Sasuke tries to open his bedroom door as quietly as possible when he goes in later on. Naruto is under the covers, his back to the wall and peacefully asleep. Sasuke changes into his pajamas and slides next to him trying to move as little as possible. Naruto just mumbles and turns on his back, but doesn’t otherwise stir. The moonlight seeping through the window cascades on Naruto’s sleeping form, accentuating his features, and Sasuke is mesmerized. His long eyelashes cast a shadow across his defined cheekbones and his cupid’s bow looks so soft and inviting that Sasuke is tempted to swipe a finger across it. He contents himself with leaving a kiss against Naruto’s temple and resting his head on Naruto’s chest, listening to his heart beating a steady rhythm. 

“Naruto”, Sasuke whispers, his voice cracking with emotion, “my heart feels so full right now. I’m scared to go to sleep”, he continues. “What if I wake up tomorrow and you’re gone? Sasuke chuckles then “And to think I was so sure before when I reassured you that all of this is real”

“Mhm”, Naruto mumbles in his sleep, turning on his side and caging Sasuke in his arms. Sasuke is shocked for a second, before he starts laughing, trying as best as he can to muffle the noise so as to not wake Naruto. 

“How come you always know when I need you the most?”, Sasuke whispers, hiding his face in the crook of Naruto’s neck, taking in the faint smell of acacia that Sasuke has come to associate with Naruto and Konoha both. He leaves another kiss against Naruto’s temple and lets Naruto’s breathing lull him to sleep

That night Sasuke dreams about a lake and a dock and a boy with whiskers, gently smiling when reaching out to a lonely boy with hair like ink

—----------------------------------

As always it's the sun shining through the window that wakes Sasuke up. He should really tell Gaara to buy some curtains, this is getting annoying. Sasuke is still groggy from sleep, but he faintly registers noise coming from the living room, probably Gaara and Shinki getting ready to leave. 

Fuck, I’m late for breakfast. 

Sasuke goes to get up, but finds he’s trapped. He looks down to his waist, where a hand is resting against his stomach and pressing him against a warm and solid chest. He turns his head around and comes face to face with Naruto

The events of the day before come rushing back and Sasuke feels like weeping at the fact that it really was real. That this is his now, everything he has ever dreamed about is finally his for the taking. He silently wishes Naruto awake so that he can kiss him on his stupid big mouth, but the other man doesn’t even stir. Sasuke huffs in annoyance, but he recognizes a losing battle when he sees one. Not even cannonballs are enough to wake Naruto up on a good day and, seeing how tired he was yesterday, he's sure to sleep all through the morning. 

Sasuke makes to get up again, but Naruto’s hold on him just gets tighter. Sasuke arches an eyebrow and steals a glance at Naruto to see if he’s actually sleeping or faking it, but nope, the guy is dead to the world. He doesn’t want to wake Naruto up, but he’s also not a fan of lounging in bed, so he tries to wriggle free, but stops immediately when he hears Naruto mumbles something from behind him. Sasuke almost gives up when Naruto turns on his back and his arms’ hold on Sasuke goes slack, permitting him to slip off the bed before Naruto can trap him again. Before leaving the room, Sasuke turns around again to take in the view of Naruto laying in his bed, sun-kissed, and a smile stretches on his lips 

In the living room Sasuke catches Gaara right before the latter leaves for work. 

“When are you planning to leave?”, Gaara asks him, which makes Sasuke shrug. 

“Eager to see me go?”

“Of course”

“Seeing how tired Naruto was yesterday I don’t think he’s going to wake up anytime soon, so I guess we’ll still be here when you come back tonight”, Sasuke answers smiling. Gaara makes a show of rolling his eyes and complaining about bothersome wind village shinobi disrupting his life, but Sasuke knows he’s just faking it. He tells Gaara as such and that earns him the finger right before Gaara closes the front door behind him.

Left alone in the quiet of the house, Sasuke sits at the table to have his breakfast and contemplates what to do while waiting for Naruto to wake up. He doesn’t feel particularly inclined to go out, afraid that upon waking up and finding him gone, Naruto would probably freak out, so at this point it seems an easy day of dilly-dallying at home is what awaits him. 

Sasuke busies himself with deep-cleaning every part of the house except for the bedrooms and also makes time to re-organize Gaara’s two bookshelves in alphabetical order and per color. The kitchen is sparkly once he’s finished with it and the laundry washed and put up to dry. There’s a creak in his shoulder from hanging way too many clothes for a household of three, but it’s as welcome as the warm aching in his legs after he’s just gone on a run

Unfortunately it’s not long before every nook of the house has been dusted and Sasuke is again sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a fresh cup of coffee, desperately in need of something to do. Naruto is still asleep even though it’s almost noon, but Sasuke reasons he’ll just let him sleep and get all the rest he needs. He tries to read a book, but he can’t seem to concentrate, so he focuses on prepping an early lunch, making an extra portion in case Naruto wakes up, but once that’s done as well, he’s right back where he started

He figures that if Naruto hasn’t woken up until now he won’t either in the time it would take Sasuke to run a couple of laps around the city’s walls. He thinks about it, turns the idea in his head, but still rules against it in the end. He settles for doing some training in the space behind Gaara’s house. 

He’s outside, but not too far, Naruto can easily spot him from the living room windows. 

He just runs through the basic notion of his usual training. Three sets of twenty push-ups, same number of squats, target practice using the lone, lanky tree a few inches from the house. Sasuke has worked up quite a sweat and that warm ache has pleasantly made its presence known. He pushes through another repetition of all the exercises one more time before calling it a day, his stomach making it clear it’s time for lunch

Sasuke goes inside, takes a quick shower and eats alone, fumbling through the previously discarded book. Once the clock strikes two in the afternoon and there’s still no sign of Naruto, concern starts seeping in. 

In the bedroom, Naruto is still sleeping, his breath slow and steady. He’s laying on his back now, hugging one pillow close to his chest, while resting his head on the edge of another, his face squashed on it and a line of drool dripping down his chin. Sasuke finds the scene distressingly adorable. He leans over Naruto’s prone form and rests a hand against Naruto’s forehead. It’s warm, but not alarmingly so. Sasuke lets out a sigh and brushes the hair sticking to Naruto’s sweaty forehead away. He cups Naruto’s cheek and strokes his thumb up and down while quietly calling out his name. 

Naruto doesn’t stir and his breathing remains deep. Sasuke calls out his name again, a bit louder this time, his hand moving to Naruto’s jaw. He feels the start of a stubble growing back prickling against his palm. Naruto shaves frequently, saying a beard would make him look too old. 

This time as well Naruto makes no move to rise, so Sasuke gets closer and loudly whispers Naruto’s name right into his ear. This earns him a groan, but Naruto stubbornly clings to sleep and his breath itches just for a brief moment before going back to his previous steady rhythm.

Sasuke is so annoyed he almost forcefully shakes him awake, but reigns in the urge and tries one last time to wake Naruto up. Again he whispers right in ear as loud as possible without it being a scream, and this time Naruto’s eyelashes flutter open. His gaze is confused at first, but then Sasuke’s face comes into focus and he smiles. A lazy, soft smile that twists Sasuke’s insides into knots. “Morning gorgeous”, he says with a rough voice and Sasuke feels warmth pool in his lower stomach. 

Naruto stretches and his t-shirt rides up, giving Sasuke a glimpse of the smooth skin that hides underneath and he has to glance away. 

Slow steps. We agreed to take it slow

Naruto catches his attention by taking a strand of his hair between his fingers and absentmindedly twirling it around them while gazing up at Sasuke with an affection that burns through his skin. 

Sasuke wants to kiss him. He thinks that’s still safe enough. Just a quick meeting of lips to quell the desire to take and claim boiling deep in his guts. He leans in, searching Naruto’s eyes for permission. Sasuke thinks it’ll take a while for the both of them to go in for a kiss without hesitation, without fearing they’ll face rejection. In the end they have two decades worth of bad habits to wade through.

Naruto looks down to Sasuke’s lips, his tongue wetting his bottom lip and Sasuke reasons that is all the permission he needs. He still makes sure to close the distance between them slowly. Their lips are mere inches from touching when Naruto’s eyes go wide and he slams a hand against his mouth, pushing against Sasuke’s chest to keep him at bay.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet!”, Naruto says, most of it coming out muffled because of the hand on his mouth. Sasuke wants to scream and laugh at the same time.

“I don’t care”

“But I do”

“Naruto”

“Sasuke”

“So you don’t want to kiss me?”. Sasuke fakes a miffed tone just to make Naruto sweat a bit

“I’m not saying I don’t, just that I will after I brush my teeth”, Naruto answers, sounding regretful, and Sasuke almost gives up the charade, but teasing him is just too fun. Sasuke lets an annoyed sigh leave his mouth and in a swift motion straddles Naruto’s hips. 

Naruto squeaks under him and his face goes bright red. He still has a hand pressed close to his mouth, like he’s afraid Sasuke will attack his mouth as soon as he moves it, which fair, and his eyes are wildly moving across the room, looking at everything but Sasuke, who leans into Naruto’s personal space as much as he can, which elicits another squeal from Naruto. He’s taking everything in him not to burst out laughing

“I dare you to kiss me”, Sasuke says, finger poking against Naruto’s hand still covering his mouth.

“It’s not going to work Sasuke”

“So you’re admitting defeat?”

“No!”

“Then kiss me!”

“No!”

“Then I win”, Sasuke says smirking, ready to take pity on Naruto and let him be, but his smug expression soon leaves his lips, because all of a sudden the tables turn and now he’s the one pinned to the bed, Naruto towering above him and cageing him in.  

“You tease too much, Sasuke. Just know that I’m all bite and no bark”. Sasuke feels like a prey caught in a trap, a trap he doesn’t want to escape from.

“What if I’m ready to face the consequences?”, Sasuke answers, defiantly squaring his chin. 

“Of course you are, but would you still if you knew how much I want you? The lengths I would go to to keep you with me?’, Naruto says, his voice rough and his hand trailing down Sasuke’s side. Naruto stops just shy of his waist and rests his hand on Sasuke’s bellybottom. Sasuke’s dick twitches in his pants and he gulps loudly. Naruto probably isn’t expecting an answer from him, but even if he was Sasuke is in no state to answer. His brain is just a messy jumble of nerves.

Sasuke can only watch as Naruto closes the distance between them, excruciatingly slow. He wants to reach out, but the hand Naruto has on his stomach press him down into the mattress and he’s left waiting 

“Just kidding”, Naruto says then, all the seriousness gone from his voice, before pressing a peck against Sasuke’s lips and getting off the bed. “Damn, I’m starving! You coming?”, he asks a bewildered Sasuke from the bedroom door

The expression Sasuke is wearing must be quite funny from the way Naruto can’t stop laughing. 

“You shouldn’t tease, if you don’t want to be teased back, Sasuke-chan’, Naruto continues, leaving to head to the kitchen, still laughing every time he remembers Sasuke’s surprised face

Sasuke is so embarrassed he contempletes hiding under the covers and never coming back out again, and the worst thing is that he was looking forward to where all of that was going. So much for taking it slow

After he's sure his face is back to its usual colour instead of the bright red it had been a moment ago, Sasuke heads to the kitchen too and finds Naruto sitting at the table, spooning mouthfuls of rice into his mouth eagerly. Sasuke fills a glass with water and places it beside him after the second time Naruto risks to choke

“Slow down”

“Sorry, I’m just so hungry”, Naruto says without even finishing chewing. Sasuke makes a disgusted face and reaches out for a tissue to wipe his mouth. He uses more force than necessary but Naruto doesn't complain

“So, what’s the plan?”, Sasuke asks while washing the pot he has used to cook the rice, after Naruto empties it. 

“The plan?, Naruto asks from beside him. He’s sitting on the kitchen counter, drinking the tea Sasuke has brewed for him and watching him do the dishes. 

“When do we leave for Konoha? You’re the Hokage, you can’t stay away too long… Wait! You did tell someone you were leaving, right?”. Sasuke asks, narrowing his eyes. 

“Of course I did, who do you take me for?”. 

“An idiot”, Sasuke answers immediately and Naruto slaps his shoulder.

“I thought we could leave tonight after dinner. With our speed we could get there around late evening tomorrow”. Sasuke nods and, after ordering Naruto to help him dry the dishes,  starts packing the few things he has brought with him into a bag. 

“Can’t believe among all the things you could’ve taken, you decided to take this?”, Naruto says, playing with the Hokage plushie Sasuke had won at the festival. 

“Careful, that’s a limited edition”, Sasuke answers, getting closer to Naruto to get the toy back. Naruto moves away, though, and puts his arms out of Sasuke’s reach. 

“You really like this thing, eh?”

“It’s cute, why wouldn’t I?”

“You’re saying I’m cute?”

“No. I said the plushie it’s cute”

“But you love me more, don't you?”

"Nope”

“Sasukeeeee”. Naruto puts on a show of whining and crying, the hand not holding the plushie clutching at his chest in a dramatic fashion that makes Sasuke amused. 

“Kidding, I love you more”, Sasuke says, pressing a peck against Naruto’s lips. Naruto is caught by surprise by this, which makes the hold he has on the plushie go slack and gives Sasuke an opportunity to grab it

“Sasuke, that’s cheating!”

—--------------------------------------

That night they have dinner with Gaara and Shinki and tell them they’re set to leave just after dinner. Gaara suggests waiting until tomorrow, but desists when Naruto explains that he can’t be absent for long. If there's somebody who understands the responsibilities that come with being the leader of a nation, it’s Gaara. 

There’s no big farewells when they leave, not that Sasuke expected there to be. They’re bound to see each other soon anyway. He does bow to thank Gaara for his help, something which makes Gaara so surprised he splutters and loses his opportunity to make a snarky remark

The sky is pitch black when they head out, but the stars provide enough light to make the journey back to Konoha smooth. Sasuke insists they don’t stop to rest and gain as much time as they can. Naruto would just spend the night wide awake anyway and he doesn’t feel tired in the slightest. He's just a bundle of nerves right now. 

Once they’re back in Konoha, they’ll have to come face to face with real life and all its problems. 

There’s still the very urgent issue with the Council, and Sasuke trusts Naruto to handle it, he does, but he can’t keep himself from imagining all the ways that everything could go wrong. Then there’s the fact that he’s going to have to grovel at the feet of his precious daughter and her surely angry mother all the while trying to understand how to navigate this new found relationship between them where all of their friends and acquaintances can see them

They’ve tried to talk about how to better confront this situation, but the discussion always ends with them arguing. Sasuke is more than content with keeping everything under wraps for now and solving all of the more pressing matters first. He thinks there’s nothing wrong with just taking their time telling their close friends and family. Naruto doesn't quite share the same sentiment. 

He believes it’s pretty stupid to keep pretending nothing’s changed between them since pretty much all of their friends are already aware of what’s going on, which is fair, but Naruto has always been the more impulsive one between them and Sasuke wants him to understand that their friends are one thing, but they’re families are another one entirely.

First of all, Sasuke is scared of how the kids will take it when they do decide to tell them. Second of all, he’s aware Hinata is not over Naruto yet, even though she's making an effort to encourage and support him. Sasuke really doesn’t want anybody to get hurt if he can’t help it. So for now they’ve laid the argument to rest and decided they’ll go over it again once it’s time

—-------------------------------

They set a good pace and when the sun comes up again they're already half way. The desertic and bare landscape has gradually given way to green hills and lush forests, the tall trees offering respite from the sweltering heat that accompanies them even after leaving Sunagakure. 

Even though they agreed to not stop and forge ahead, Naruto insists that stopping to eat something is not going to delay them much in the scheme of things, so when they come by the first village in the land of the Wind, they enter the first izakaya they find and order two piping bowls of udon. They restock on some water and light snacks and get back on the road within less than two hours. 

The temperatures keep rising as the morning gives space to the early hours of the afternoon and they both have to shed their cloaks. They stop by a fast-rushing stream to splash a bit of fresh water down their faces and catch their breaths. Sasuke rather likes the image of Naruto with cheeks flushed red by the warm sunlight and rivulets of water sliding down his face

Konoha finally comes into view barely an hour after the sun has set beyond the horizon. Sasuke and Naruto both agree to head home to rest first and talk to the others first thing in the morning.

Home is Sasuke’s house apparently. 

When he comes in, he finds it almost exactly as he’s left it, just  a bit more messy. A couple of used mugs are still in the sink, his blanket bunched on the couch instead of being neatly folded over the headrest and Sasuke’s note is still on the table, stained with the imprint of the bottom of a coffee cup and surrounded by paperwork. Naruto has clearly been living here while Sasuke was gone

“Sorry, didn’t have time to clean up”, Naruto says, a bit embarrassed. 

“It’s fine. I’ll take care of it”, Sasuke replies, but before he can get to it, Naruto stops him with a hand on his arm. 

“Let’s take a shower first and go to bed. We can do this tomorrow together”. Sasuke wants to argue, but he’s definitely too tired to argue so he just nods. 

They take turns going into the bathroom, first Sasuke then Naruto. While the latter is in the shower, Sasuke heads to his room and finds that the mess has spread here as well. The left side of the bed is still made while on the right side the blanket is pushed aside and the pillow all scrunched up, laying in the middle of the bed instead of his usual place. There’s a pile of clothes collecting at the feet of his dresser, which Sasuke recognizes as Naruto’s, and Naruto’s headband on top of it

Naruto likes to have it close when he’s feeling lost, to remind himself where he started and where he is now

“I know you hate it when I’m messy, but in my defence the love of my life had just disappeared on me so I had more pressing concerns than doing the laundry”. Naruto is leaning against the doorway, a towel hanging around his shoulder and his hair dripping wet on his sleep shirt, because he never bothers to just dry them. 

Because he likes it when Sasuke does it for him. 

So Sasuke walks over to him and, sliding the towel off Naruto’s neck, dries his hair, slowly, gently. 

Once Naruto’s hair is dry, Sasuke slides the towel back around his neck and uses it to pull Naruto closer, not letting go once their inches apart. 

“I love you”, Sasuke says, while leaning more into Naruto

Naruto is surprised at first, but chuckles lightly before replying, “What’s that for?”

“Do I need a reason to tell you I love you?”

“I guess not… no”

“Good”

This kiss is different. It’s not rushed and hungry like the first one nor is it just an innocent brush of lips like the ones they’ve been sharing these days. No, this kiss is slow, intentional, deep.

Sasuke tries to communicate all his devotion and affection through the movement of their lips alone and Naruto answers with the same need to let Sasuke know that he’s loved in return. They separate, needing to take in big gulps of air, but still stand close to each other. 

“We should go to bed”

“Yeah, we really should”

And yet neither of them make any move to break this unusual stare-off. One look at the clock tells Sasuke it’s almost midnight and, even though he’s used to going days without sleeping, he’s tired and has to fight to keep his eyes open. Naruto must notice this, because without saying another word, he picks Sasuke up and throws him on the bed, snickering at seeing Sasuke’s bewildered expression. 

“I hate you”

“You just said you loved me”

“I take it back. You’re awful”

“Oh, I love you too, Sasuke-chan”

Naruto makes an oof sound when Sasuke slams a pillow on his face

That night sleep comes easy. He’s warm with Naruto plastered against his back and he feels safe with Naruto’s arms around him. He doesn’t dream or have nightmares and sleeps for the whole night for the first time in a long while

—-----------------------------

Sasuke still thinks he should be by Naruto’s side when he talks to the elders. After all it’s his fault they’re in this situation. 

Earlier that morning they were woken up by Shikamaru’s insistent knocking on the door. Apparently the elders had people surveilling the gate and already knew Sasuke had come back, accompanied by none other than the Hokage. The Council is currently in an uproar and have been demanding to speak with the Hokage immediately. 

“Have you found anything?”, Naruto asks Shikamaru, while slipping on his sandals. “My informant is bound to get back to me later in the morning. I will let you know what he has as soon as possible, meanwhile you -”

“Meanwhile I keep them occupied. Got it”, Naruto finishes for him. He takes his cloak and, giving a pointed look at Shikamaru, nods towards the door. Shikamaru rolls his eyes, but still leaves the house to wait outside. Naruto then turns around and gives Sasuke the cloak. “Help me?”, he asks, softly. Sasuke nods and drapes the cloak over Naruto’s shoulder, tying a simple knot that rests in the hollow of Naruto’s throat so that the cloak doesn’t slip down his shoulders. Naruto attentively watches him work and Sasuke has to bite his lip to keep himself from fidgeting. 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?”, Sasuke asks, still biting his bottom lip. He feels useless. He is the one the Elders have a problem with, why should Naruto be the one to confront them then? 

“You promised to trust me, remember?”, Naruto replies, cupping Sasuke’s cheek and stroking a thumb against it. Sasuke leans into the touch and is not ashamed to say he nuzzles against it. 

“You know I do. I just don’t want to leave you alone with them. Not when he’s me they’re after”

“I won’t be alone, Shikamaru will be right there with me. And, exactly because you’re the one they’re after I can’t let you come with me. It would only make things worse. I asked Shikamaru to investigate Minamoto and his claim of having people ready to vote against me, but before it comes to that, I want to try resolving this without any scheming or underhanded tricks. I just want to talk to them and make them understand that without you, Konoha wouldn’t be what it is now”

He doesn’t deserve this man. He never did and never will, no amount of good deeds or repenting will change that. This man loves him, has fucking chased him around the country and fought for him when no one else would multiple times and Sasuke has just selfishlingy taken this without first stopping to think if he really was worthy of it. 

Sasuke’s spiralling thoughts are interrupted by Naruto pinching his cheek, an upset frown marring his eyebrows. “I know what you’re thinking. Sasuke, you are worth it. Always were, always will be. Okay?’

“Okay”

“Good”, Naruto concludes, placing a kiss against Sasuke’s forehead. “I promise everything will be alright”, he continues, moving away.  Before he can leave, though, Sasuke calls out to him. 

“Naruto, remember what you promised me”, Sasuke says, alluding at the promise Naruto had made when they were in Sunagakure

“No sacrificing what you’ve earned and strived for for years, just for me. If you can promise me this then it’s enough for me”

“Of course”, Naruto answers, before turning the doorknob and leaving Sasuke staring at the empty foyer. Naruto’s smile had been strained and Sasuke’s worry has only increased ten fold

—--------------------------

Sasuke busies himself with cleaning up the house and skips breakfast since he’s not sure he’ll be able to keep it down. Once the house has regained a semblance of order, he showers and leaves the house headed for the Haruno family compound, ready to get this over with. He needs to apologize to Sakura and most of all Sarada and he’s ready to beg down on his knees. 

When he gets to the house, Sakura is standing in the garden, her hair tied back into a messy bun and her knees covered in dirt from kneeling in fresh compost. Sasuke knocks against the wooden fence to get her attention before coming inside. When she sees him, at first her eyes widen with surprise, and Sasuke swears he sees relief shining though as well, but it is gone before he can be sure. She leaves whatever she was doing and starts stalking towards him. 

Sasuke knows the punch is coming before he can even see it and could’ve avoided it if he had really wanted to, but he stays still and takes it. First, because he knows he deserves it and second because he knows Sakura needs it. 

For whoever has been lucky enough to never be on the wrong side of Sakura Haruno’s rage, try to imagine a truck slamming into you and make it a hundred fold more painful to understand how bad the punch hurts

Sasuke surprisingly stands his ground, just taking a couple of steps back from the force of the impact. He can’t feel his right cheek, but when he swipes his tongue against his teeth he doesn’t notice anything missing. 

“You! You’re a jerk, an asshole and a pitiful excuse for a father!”, Sakura starts, digging a finger against Sasuke’s chest

“I know”

“You’re  worse than a worm, you slimy, filthy fucker!”

“I know”, Sasuke says again, completely agreeing with Sakura 

“And fuck you, for making us worry about a piece of shit like you”, Sakura finishes in a lower tone, moving to hug Sasuke. He hugs her right back and leaves a kiss on the crown of her hair. She smells of dirt and flowers and a bit of antiseptic too. The familiar smell is comforting and Sasuke takes a deep breath. 

“I’m sorry, Sakura”

“You always say that”

“I know, but I mean it”

“I know you do”, she says, letting go of him. She gently brushes a hand against his cheeks, which is probably already sporting a nasty and says, “Let’s get you some ice for that”. Sasuke nods and follows her inside.

Once in, Sasuke sits down at the coffee table and grabs the ice pack Sakura offers him before she busies herself making tea. 

“I hope you’re aware I need more than an apology in this case’He waits for her to join him before speaking. 

“I am and I’m ready to explain of course”

Saskue waits for her to join him at the table before speaking again. He takes a sip of the herbal tea Sakura has just filled his mug with and starts telling her everything from when he first heard MInamoto talk to Naruto in his office to him threatening Sasuke and his consequent escape to Sunagakure with Gaara. 

When he’s finished Sakura doesn’t talk right away, just stares into her almost empty mug. “I swear you two idiots haven’t learned anything these past years. You both have to stop with the self-sacrificing, it doesn't do neither of you any good”, Sakura replies, vexed, but in a much calmer tone than Sasuke was expecting, which gets his hopes up

“I know, but I also know you would have done the same if it were you in either of our positions”

“Of course I would have, but that doesn’t mean that disappearing without saying anything is the right thing to do”

“And I get it and I know that this doesn’t make it any better, but I did have in mind to come back and talk to you and Sarada”

“Yeah, it really doesn’t”

“Guessed so”

They stay in silence for a while. Sakura is still very taken with her slowly emptying cup and Sasuke is trying to give her some space. 

Sakura suddenly breaks the silence by letting out a deep sigh.“You don’t need to ask for my forgiveness, Sasuke. I was more worried than angry and I know you better than anyone, Naruto notwithstanding, I know you had a good reason to leave. Just, maybe next time leave a note, yeah?”, Sakura says, taking his hand in hers and squeezing, letting him know everything is fine. Sasuke genuinely wonders what good deed he has done in his past life to deserve being surrounded by such strong and kind people 

“There won’t be a next time”, Sasuke replies, relaxing now that the tension is slipping out of him. 

“I’ll hold you to it”. They relapse into silence, before Sasuke speaks again, “Is she home?”, Sasuke asks, hesitant. 

“She’s in her room”, Sakura answers. 

“Do you think she…would want to…see me?”

“She’s been asking about you everyday”, Sakura answers and Sasuke’s shoulders slump in relief. 

“But, she’s probably not going to show it and make you grovel a bit before telling you”. 

“Like mother, like daughter then”, Sasuke laughs and Sakura slaps him arm with a bit too much force. Sasuke winches and rubs at the burning spot, which makes Sakura roll her eyes. 

“Please, she takes all that from you and we all know it”. Sasuke laughs a little, but doesn’t admit that it’s true.

He leaves the living room and heads down the hallway to knock on the first door on the right, Sarada’s bedroom. From the other side of the door Saskue can hear her giving him permission to enter, so he opens the door to find her sitting on the bed with a book open on her knees, one which she is clearly not reading since it’s upside down. She was probably eavesdropping on their conversation in the living room, which makes it easier for Sasuke to explain. 

“Hey”, he says, but Sarada doesn’t look up from the book. “Can I sit down?”, he continues, pointing at the spot near her on the bed. She nods, still not looking up, but scoots a bit farther to make some space.

“You’re not at the Academy today. Something happened?”

“Yeah, my father kind of disappeared so”, she answers, shrugging her shoulders. Okay, fair

“Well, I saw your dad just earlier. He told me to ask you if you can ever find it in you to forgive him. He said he’s very sorry and that he missed you very very much”

“I dunno. You see, he promised he wouldn’t do that anymore so…”

“Right. He remembers that and that’s why he is really, really sorry. He missed you so much that he even cried”

“He did?”, Sarada asks, glancing at him with an arched eyebrow

“Yeah”, Sasuke replies, his voice breaking a little at the end. For the first time since he has sat down beside her, Sarada looks up and searches his gaze. Sasuke doesn’t know what she’s looking for or what she will do if she doesn’t find it, but he meets her eyes head on. She must be satisfied with what she sees, because she flings her arms around his neck and silently weeps. Sasuke hugs her back, holding her tightly against his chest and feels a couple of stray tears slipping down his cheeks too

He draws circles into Sarada’s back to calm her down until her body is not wrecked by sobs anymore and plants a wet kiss against her temple, whispering I love you’s in her mean in the meantime. 

“You can’t leave me anymore, Dad”, she says into his chest while she weakly hits him, her hands balled into fists. 

“I won’t, I promise. Dad is very sorry, Sarada, and he loves you so much”, Sasuke whispers, rocking back and forth like he used to do when she was just a little baby and would cry the night away. She would always calm down right away if he did that, so much so that Sakura had started teasingly calling him the “baby whisperer”. Sasuke thinks she was just jealous

He keeps holding Sarada until her crying has completely stopped and wipes away her unshed tears still clinging to her lashes with a gentle hand. Sasuke presses their forehead together and says “Dad loves you more than anything. He’s really sorry that he made you sad and he promises he won’t do it ever again, so can you forgive me, Sarada?”

“I love you too, Dad, but I still can’t forgive you”, Sarada answers and Saskue feels his stomach drop. 

“What can I do to make you forgive me, then?”, he asks and Sarada spends way too much time thinking about it meanwhile Sasuke’s  anxiety is eating him alive

“I’ll forgive you… if  you promise to take me shopping and buy me bubble tea after”, she says finally and Sasuke has to stifle a laugh. 

“Okay, I promise”, he replies somberly, reaching out with his pinky finger and hooking it around Sarada’s. 

“Yeahy!”, she exclaims and this time Sasuke laughs outloud. He falls back on the bed and takes Sarada, who is still clinging to him, down as well. 

It’s true that Naruto and him have decided to wait until a more appropriate moment comes up to confront their families and introduce their relationship, but this seems like a good opportunity to at least test the waters. 

“Sarada”, he starts and continues only when he’s certain he has her attention. “What do you think of Naruto?”. Sarada makes a weird face at the question. “That he’s awesome, duh”, she answers, making Sasuke laugh again. 

“I know that. I mean what do you like about him?”

Sarada doesn’t need to think too hard about this. “He’s kind, strong, likes to help people and can cook. Plus he’s very handsome. The boys here are so ugly, but Naruto-san is not”. Sasuke quietly laughs. “Yeah, I love all those things about him too”

“But you don’t love him like I love him, Dad. You love him like how you used to love Mom”. 

Sasuke freezes at that. 

“Is that a bad thing?”, he asks, willing his voice to not crack under all the panic that’s slowly spreading through him. “Why would it be?”, Sarada replies, her eyebrows cocked in confusion, like she really can’t think of one reason for why that is a bad thing. “You love him and Naruto-san loves you, so why should it be a bad thing?”

Sasuke doesn’t answer, mostly because words are failing him right now, but hugs Sarada more tightly, ignoring her protests. Sasuke has been worried since leaving Sunagakure about this and one sentence from his daughter is enough to make him realize how stupid he has been.  Was there ever a time when his family and friends have not supported him and loved despite it all? No, never. So why should it be different now

“Dad, let me go, this is embarrassing"

“Sarada, I’m so glad you’re my daughter”, Sasuke says making Sarada’s cheeks flush red

“Of course you do, I’m awesome”, she mumbles, hugging Sasuke back and hiding her flaming face against the crook of his neck. 

“But you better not hurt Naruto-san or I’m coming for your ass”

—----------------------------------

Sasuke hangs around until lunch time, helping Sakura in the garden and listening to Sarada complaining about the smelly boy in her class that definitely has a crush on her. The sun beats mercilessly down on them, Konoha’s summers getting hotter by the year, but Sasuke is content with his sun-burned nose and his cheeks hurting from smiling too much

When noon rolls around, Sasuke gets to work in the kitchen at both Sakura and Sarada’s insistence, both of them betting he’s just making fun of them when telling them he can now cook. Technically he can only make simple rice dishes, but he won’t share this piece of information just yet. 

While Sakura is in the shower, washing away the grime from the garden, Sasuke and Sarada work together in the kitchen, cooking the rice and cutting the vegetables while Sarada fills the silence with her enthusiastic chatter. She almost accidentally puts sugar instead of salt and cuts the tofu in the funniest way Sasuke has ever seen, but he still ruffles her hair and praises her superb skills in the kitchen. The beam on her face is totally worth it.

“Oh God!”, Sakura says with her mouth full, spraying bits of rice in Sasuke’s direction. He shoots her a disgusted glare, but she ignores him. “This is actually good, Sasuke”, she continues while spooning more rice. Her tone of voice is so incredulous that Sasuke is almost offended

“Told you so”

“But Dad, the last time we did Pancake Sunday, you burned one so bad the fire alarm went off”, Sarada contributes from where she’s sitting beside him, her plate empty. 

“It was one time!”, Sasuke replies indignantly, rolling his eyes. 

“One time too many”, the girls both say in unison

He had been banned from the kitchen after that, which he still thinks it’s unfair. How was he supposed to know you have to turn them? It was his first time making them since usually it was Sarada and Sakura making them and him just hovering behind trying to help before being unceremoniously shooed away. 

“This is very good though, Dad. You’ll make it again right?”, Sarada adds later, the praise soothing his hurt pride. 

“Of course, as many times as you want”

Lunch goes on, more jabs at Sasuke’s cooking skills are made, Sarada asks questions about his week in Sunagakure and after lunch, while doing the dishes, Sakura and he talk about the Council situation. 

“This is so stupid. It’s been years, Sasuke. You’ve did plenty and I know a lot of people who appreciate that”

“I don’t know. I kinda see where they’re coming from. Sometimes I think all this is useless and they’ll never forgive me”

Sakura stops drying the pan she’s holding and places a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. “Sasuke, they don’t matter. You have to forgive yourself”, she says in her motherly voice, the one she uses when Sarada is sad and needs comforting. Sasuke just nods and Sakura knows he’s not ready to do that yet, so she drops the subject and playfully bumps her hip against his. 

“Sorry about that by the way”, she continues, nodding towards the fresh cut on his cheek and the awful bruise that’s surrounding it courtesy of Sakura’s punch. The cut doesn’t hurt much and nothing seems broken so he had almost forgotten about it.

“Don’t worry, it’s better than it looks. And we both know that I could’ve easily dogged that”. Sakura mutters “show-off” under her breath and makes Sasuke laugh

They finish cleaning up everything and Sasuke jumps in the shower as well. His pants are stained with dirt and the front of his shirt is littered with bits and pieces of food. Luckily he keeps some clothes here for when he comes to visit and Sarada asks him to stay the night. 

It’s almost three in the afternoon when he leaves, freshly showered and with the promise to come back for Pancake Sunday. Sasuke will have to do a bit of reading to prepare for that. He’s going to make the best pancakes Sarada has ever eaten and they’ll all forget the mess he made that first time. He can do it. He should probably ask Naruto for help just to be sure though

Instead of going directly home, Sasuke turns towards the Academy. Naruto should almost be finished with work, so they can head back together and Sasuke can ask him for updates on the situation, but while on the way to the Academy, he spies Shikamaru smoking a cigarette on the side of Ichiraku and a devilish smirk stretches his lips. 

“I thought you stopped”, Sasuke says, making Shikamaru, who hadn’t seen him coming, jump three feet in the air. Sasuke laughs so hard his stomach hurts while Shikamaru is coughing and trying to swear at the same time. 

“You fucker! I thought it was Temari. She’s gonna kill me if she sees me!”, Shikamaru retorts when he has successfully calmed his cough down. 

“Then maybe don’t smoke”, Sasuke answers, the residue of laughter bleeding into his tone, making it playful. 

“I wish I could, but because of a certain somebody I have a splitting headache and the urge to smoke a whole packet”. Okay, that could either be about him or Naruto, so Sasuke doesn’t feel too guilty yet. 

“You’ve seen Sakura?”, Shikamaru asks, pointing towards Sasuke’s bruised cheek.  

“Yep. Was expecting something like this, so I thought it best to just get it over with”. 

“You know, I should give you one too, you bitch”, Shikamaru continues, squashing his finished cigarette under the sole of his boot

“Oh, you missed me that much, bitch?”, Sasuke jokes, but something in the serious gaze Shikamaru is leveling him with makes his stomach tie into knots. 

“First of all, asshole, yes, I was fucking worried, like everybody else. Second of all, I should punch you on Naruto’s behalf because we all know he would never lay a hand on you”. 

The playfulness in Sasuke’s voice is definitely gone now. “I’m sorry, you’re right, I’m a freaking asshole. I didn’t even thank you for taking care of Naruto. I know it must’ve not been easy for him”, Sasuke answers, ashamed. 

“That’s an understatement", Shikamaru scoffs, making Sasuke arch an eyebrow in confusion. Shikamaru looks at him with that face he makes when he has to make a hard decision and Sasuke can almost see the wheels in his brain spinning while he tries to gauge which his the best option

“Okay, I’m going to tell you this, but you have to promise me Naruto will never know that I told you”, Shikamaru says suddenly, mind made up, and Saskue steels himself when he hears the graveness of his tone

“When you left… saying  it wasn’t easy for him is an understatement. The man didn’t sleep, didn’t eat, I had to fucking force him to lay down and spend the night beside him to make sure he stayed in bed. And when sleep actually came those few times, it was always nightmares. He kept calling your name and it would wake up asking for you and then I had to be the one to tell him you were gone… It was hell, Sasuke”, Shikamaru says, dragging a hand down his face. 

He wets his lips before continuing. “And I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad or anything, because I know you already do and I know that if it had been me, I would've done the same. We’re alike in that. We prefer suffering alone if it means the people we love are happy. And to tell you the truth I hoped that he would give up, move on… He almost punched me when I suggested we stop looking for you”. Here Shikamaru laughs and it’s not a bitter one, but it does nothing to alleviate the pain Sasuke’s in

“The day that old lady came to the Academy to tell you she had seen you leave with Gaara, was the happiest I’d ever seen him in a week, man. So, basically, what I’m trying to say is, I get why you did it and I respect you for it, but I’m going to kill you if you do it again”, Shikamaru finishes, slapping Sasuke’s back, which Sasuke knows is his way of showing affection

“Message received”

 Sasuke’s voice takes a while to come back to him. The knowledge hurts, but of course, it always hurts to know that you caused your loved ones pain when that was the thing you were trying to avoid. He was aware what the consequence would be when he left and still did anyway, so now he'll have to live with it, because regretting it will just make everything meaningless.

He also knows why Naruto wanted to keep this from him. He doesn’t want Sasuke to feel guilty, to think like he owes it to Naruto to stay. Naruto just wants Sasuke to choose him, with no guilt involved

“Sasuke?” 

Naruto’s voice comes from behind him. He apparently has accompanied Shikamaru to Ichiraku for a late lunch. Sasuke and Shikamaru share a look and Sasuke nods, schools his face and turns around with a smile. 

“Naruto, I was just coming to see you”. The pleased expression on Naruto’s face slips away when he spots the cut on Sasuke’s cheek. He closes the distance between them and raises Sasuke’s chin with his thumb to better look at it. 

“What happened?”, he asks, his tone indicating he’s angry, before looking behind Sasuke to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru just puts his hands up and shakes his head to signal he has nothing to do with this. 

“Naruto, it’s fine. Just a cut”, Sasuke says, his voice soothing, circling Naruto’s wrist. 

“Okay, before you two get all lovey-dovey, I’m leaving. Don’t wanna risk throwing up my lunch”, Shikamaru says before walking away. 

“Talk to you later?”, Naruto asks him when he passes them by, ignoring the teasing jab, and Shikamaru nods in return

“Did you put ointment on it?”

“Just some ice”

“Let’s go home then, I have some in my room”

Sasuke thinks Naruto is being very melodramatic, but after what Shikamaru told him, he’s willing to go along with it just to please him. Naruto takes Sasuke’s hands in his and heads in the direction of their house. Sasuke decides not to comment on the people very obviously staring at them and keeps his eyes to the ground.

“So how did it go?”, Sasuke asks, trying to distract himself. He feels weirdly self-conscious. 

“Not good. It seems we’ll have to go with plan B”, Naruto answers, seemingly unaware of the gawking currently going on on Konoha’s streets. 

“The scheming?”. Naruto nods.

“The Council doesn’t want to hear reason, so they’re leaving me no choice. Plus, Shikamaru’s informant has discovered that all the citizens backing Minamoto have been handsomely paid to do it and I can’t really let that slide, it’ll just get worse otherwise”. An elder of the Council has gone as far as bribing people just to target him? That seems unlikely. 

Sasuke suspects Minamoto was after Naruto the entire time. Maybe his goal had never been to get Sasuke to leave, doing that would have meant losing one of Naruto’s exploitable weaknesses after all. No, he was probably counting on Sasuke to stay and give the Council another reason for why Naruto wasn’t fit to be Hokage. Thank God, Minamoto doesn’t know him at all

“Can you prove it, though?”, Sasuke asks and Naruto heaves a sigh, shaking his head no. 

“We need time. We have to find witnesses who are willing to stand against the Council and gather more proofs. We don’t know if Minamoto is working alone or not”, Naruto explains

“If you need help, I’m here”, Sasuke says, giving Naruto’s hand a squeeze. 

“I know”, Naruto answers, smiling, and squeezing back

Once home, Sasuke is unceremoniously dragged to the bathroom and made to sit on the small plastic stool Naruto usually keeps in his bedroom and where he leaves all his clean clothes, because he's too lazy to just put them away. 

Sasuke insists that he's fine, but Naruto doesn't want to hear it. He damps a cotton pad with a bit of disinfectant and gently swipes it across Sasuke's cheek, before applying the ointment. 

“So you’re not gonna tell me who it was?”

“Nope, just know that I deserved it”, Sasuke quips, but Naruto flicks his forehead and says “You don’t deserve getting a punch to the face, no matter what you did or will do, are we clear?”

“Yes, sir”. Naruto laughs.

“Glad we’re on the same page”

“Oh, I went to visit Sarada today. Kinda told her about us. Well, more like tried to understand where she stands. Asked her what she likes about you the most”

“What she said?”, Naruto asks, throwing the used cotton pad in the trash

“First of all that you're more handsome than all of the boys in Konoha”, Sasuke is interrupted by Naruto laughing again. “ And then that you're kind and very strong”, Sasuke continues, grabbing one of Naruto’s hands and placing a kiss against its back. 

“Damn, now I know how high the standards are I can kinda feel the pressure”

“Don't worry, we’ll all love you no matter what”

“Oh, my Sasuke is so sweet”, Naruto teases while  pinching Sasuke's cheek jokingly

“Shut up”, Sasuke retorts, swatting his hand away. “Oh, and you know what she also said?”

“What?”

“We were talking about how I love all those things about you too and then she said and I quote, “but it's different, you love Naruto-san like you used to love mom” and stuff like that. Can you believe it? Apparently I’m see-through”

“And you were so worried”

“Well, for once, I’m glad to be wrong… oh, but I think she was kinda piqued she doesn’t get to marry you now”, Sasuke jokes

“Why? Because you’re gonna marry me instead, Sasuke-chan?”, Naruto asks, leaning with his back against the bathroom sink, a sly smirk on his lips. 

“i didn’t mea-... I-”, Sasuke splutters, blushing, “And what if I want to? You got any problems with that?”, he continues mumbling, his eyes fixed to the floor so he can avoid having to look at Naruto instead. Naruto who’s having a good laugh at his expense

“Oh, I definitely want to”, Naruto answers, mirth coloring his voice, making Sasuke’s head snap up. His cheeks darken even more and his heart is slamming hard against his ribcage. His thoughts become a jumbled mess and he starts to spiral, fast

Like marriage is a very serious thing, and of course Sasuke has thought about marrying Naruto before, but are they really gonna talk about it now? Like, he feels like there’s more serious matters at hand to solve first. And they’ve been like dating for just a couple of days

Are they even dating? Neither he nor Naruto had actually defined whatever they are now. Okay, okay, calm down, you may be overthinking this 

“Damn, you’re so pretty when you blush”, Naruto says, bringing Sasuke back to the present

“Uh?”, is the intelligible answer that comes out of Sasuke's mouth before Naruto closes the distance between them and bends down to kiss him

This position isn’t the most comfortable for Sasuke’s neck, but he won’t complain. They break apart to breathe and Naruto starts gently nibbling along the length of Sasuke’s jaw, who bends his neck even more to give Naruto easy access to his throat as well

“Sasuke”, Naruto says in between open-mouthed kisses against the side of Sasuke's neck

“Mhm?”

“I want to touch you… is that okay?”, Naruto asks, almost bashful. 

“You are touching me”, Sasuke answers, his mouth speaking before his brain can catch up. 

Naruto kisses him again before taking Sasuke’s chin with one hand and saying, “I mean touch you Sasuke”, while teasing the headband of Sasuke's pants with the other. 

Understating flashes across Sasuke’s face and his mouth goes suddenly dry at the implications. Sasuke Just nods, not trusting himself to speak, but Naruto seems satisfied with that

He starts  again at Sasuke's neck, leaving kisses wherever he can find exposed skin, and  descends slowly, opening Sasuke’s legs and settling between them. Naruto comes up for another kiss, one Sasuke is eager to reciprocate, while he slips his hands under Sasuke’s cotton t-shirt and places them on the smooth expanse of his back

Sasuke feels Naruto’s hand slip under his pants and tease the waistband of his boxers and he sucks in a breath. He can already feel a throbbing in his pants and all they’ve done is kiss. He’s afraid he’ll cum as soon as Naruto’s hand is on him

“Still okay with this, right?

“Yeah”

“Good”

Naruto looks at him one more time, before taking his hands out from underneath Sasuke’s t-shirt and starts popping open the buttons of Sasuke’s pants to slide them down his legs. Sasuke lifts his hips to help him and pushes the pants off until they’re laying in a pool at his ankles. Naruto takes his time leaving kisses on Sasuke’s exposed legs, skimming over the part Sasuke really wants him to give his attention to. Everytime he gets close and Sasuke thinks this is finally it, Naruto chooses to focus on biting the white skin of Sasuke’s inner thighs or bring a hand up his shirt to caress the plain of Sasuke’s abs

“You’re such a tease”, Sasuke chides him, brushing some stray hair away from Naruto’s forehead, who chuckles at that. 

“My Sasuke is so impatient”

Finally, finally, Naruto decides to take pity on him and Sasuke’s boxers come off as well. He’s fully erect now and his dick slaps his belly with an obscene sound. 

“Why is every part of you so damn pretty”, Naruto whispers, his voice dripping with awe. It makes Sasuke shudder.

Sasuke’s dick twitches at the compliment, making Naruto smirk, and Sasuke prays the ground will swallow him all. But then Naruto’s hand envelopes him and his mind goes blank. Naruto is not even moving, but his calloused hand feels already too good. Sasuke is tempted to thrust up and chase the pleasure himself, but a look from Naruto makes him understand that he better stay put. Naruto gives his dick an experimental pump and a moan escapes Sasuke’s lips. 

Naruto’s eyes snap up at the sound and this time when he gives it another pump, more purposeful this time, he doesn’t look away from Sasuke, who without breaking eye-contact, lets another moan escape his mouth. Naruto’s eyes are dark with lust and the whole situation hits Sasuke in full. Naruto Uzumaki is in his bathroom giving him a handjob. 

Sasuke almost wants to laugh at how unbelievable this is, but then Naruto’s hand moves at the length of his dick, slow and tight to tease at the slit and a groan escapes his mouth instead of a laugh. 

Naruto smears pre-cum up his length and sets a steady rhythm, fast and determined like he does everything in life, but also sufficiently slow that Sasuke won’t cum right away, like Naruto wants to savor this. Watching Sasuke come undone because of him

He strokes him up and down, squeezing a bit when he gets to the base, his callouses creating a delicious friction against the sensitive skin of Sasuke’s dick. It’s making Sasuke lose his mind

It feels so good that pathetic noises keep escaping his lips, but he doesn’t care. His brain is putty and at this point he’s just set on chasing the pleasure, his hips messily thrusting up. 

“You look so fucking gorgeous like this, Sasuke”, Naruto praises him before coming up to kiss him. Sasuke whimpers into the kiss when Naruto brushes a hand against his balls, and chases after him when he moves away. 

“Bite on this, will you?”, Naruto says, holding his shirt up to him. Sasuke’s confused, but still obliges

But then Naruto leans over his cock and licks up the length of it before taking it in his mouth and he’s glad for the shirt, because he thinks the neighbour would’ve probably heard the loud, obscene moan he let out otherwise. Sasuke’s hand flies to grab at Naruto’s hair and hears Naruto hum in approval. The vibration only adding to the pleasure of Naruto’s mouth

Sasuke tries to keep himself from thrusting as much as possible since he doesn’t want to hurt Naruto. He cards his hand in Naruto’s hair in a soothing motion, but then Naruto sucks hard on him and Sasuke’s reassuring hand closes hard on Naruto’s hair and grips him tight

“You feel so good… so good”. Sasuke says ina broken voice, his shirt slipping out of his mouth. His vocabulary has just been reduced to one single word and it’s all because of Naruto. 

The bathroom is filled with the sounds of panting, and the view of Naruto’s head bobbing up and down on his dick, lapping at and kissing every inch of skin he can reach makes this damn erotic. Naruto has one hand on his left hip, keeping him in place, while the other is splayed against Sasuke’s lower stomach. He looks lovely with his red cheeks full of Sasuke's cock and his hairs sticking to his sweaty forehead. 

Sasuke is close,very close. He just needs a little push. 

“Naru- ah. Naruto. Please”, Sasuke pants, brushing Naruto’s hair out of his forehead in a gesture so tenderly out of place in the passionate charge that has enveloped them. Naruto lets go of his dick with a pop, stopping to place a kiss against the tip before saying, with his spit-slick lips, ” Go ahead. I wanna see you”

Naruto takes Sasuke’s hand and intertwines it with the one splayed on his belly, keeping it there. He takes him in his mouth again, working him over faster. Sasuke can feel that warm feeling slowly building in his stomach, ready to spread to the rest of his body upon release. He grips Naruto’s hair and says, “Fuck, how I love you” , making Naruto groan around his cock. 

That’s what does it for Sasuke. He tries to pull away, but Naruto pins him to the stool and swallows Sasuke’s release to the last drop, drawing lazy circles into his hip to help him through it. Sasuke’s head feels fuzzy and there’s cotton pads in his ear blocking every sound except that of his blood rushing through his veins. He faintly registers Naruto getting up to grab a towel to clean him up. 

“As I thought you taste good”, Naruto says, breaking the silence, and weirdly it makes Sasuke laugh. Like a genuine, heartfelt laugh, which brings a smile to Naruto’s face too. 

“No way that tastes anything but disgusting”, Sasuke replies when the laughter has subsided. 

“Yours does” 

“You’re so stupid”

“Stupidly in love with you, Sasuke-chan”

“Ptff”

Naruto jokingly takes Sasuke’s hands and places a kiss on top of it like you would a princess and Sasuke can’t stop laughing. It’s not even that funny, but he’s happy, so happy that it feels unreal. 

“I’ll grab some clean clothes”, Naruto says, getting up to head to their bedroom. Sasuke grabs his hand before he can leave and Naruto arches an eyebrow at him. 

“What about you?”, Sasuke asks and it takes Naruto a second to understand what Sasuke is talking about, but then his lips break into a smile and he shakes his head. “I’m fine, don’t worry”. He doesn’t look fine, the tent in his pants still very visible, but Sasuke doesn’t want to push it, so he lets it go

—---------------------------

The next week is kind of a blur. While Naruto is busy with his Hokage’s duties and overseeing the problem with the Council, Sasuke feels useless sitting around at home. They’ve decided it would be best for him to stay away from the Academy at least until everything’s resolved, so, now he’s out of a job and restless after a whole week spent doing nothing

Well, not nothing nothing, He goes on his usual morning runs, trains with Boruto and spends time with Sarada when she’s not at the Academy. He has successfully cooked a pancake without burning the house down and even made miso soup that didn’t taste like warmed-up tap water. He’s trying to be productive in his own way, but that does nothing to alleviate the feeling of worthlessness taking root in his stomach

Not when he can see first hand that this whole situation is taking a toll on Naruto. He spends all day at the office, taking care of usual Hokage business in the morning, and works well into the night with Shikamaru on building up a strong case to present to the Council. He comes home when Sasuke is already laying in bed, reading a book while waiting for him. Naruto doesn’t even eat, just makes a beeline for the bedroom and throws himself, fully clothed, next to Sasuke

Even though Sasuke knows Naruto is tired, he still carries him out of bed and into the bathroom every night, helps him wash up and puts his pajamas on for him. He forces him more than tries to get him to eat something, but usually Naruto’s eyelids flutter shut after three or four spoonful of rice, so Sasuke just takes him back to bed, tucks him in and holds him through the night

In the morning Naruto wakes up before him, when the sun is still not up yet, and making the least amount of noise possible, leaves the house without any breakfast. Sasuke can’t even argue with him about not taking care of himself because when Naruto comes home is so exhausted he doesn’t even have the strength to talk

Shikamaru is the one that keeps Sasuke updated. Apparently a few people have come forward to testify against Minamoto and there’s plenty of proof of him publicly inciting discord against the Hokage. It’s all a matter of days before everything is resolved. Sasuke is so ready to go back to regular life

—-------------------------------------

“So, is it big?”. Sasuke arches an eyebrow at Sakura’s question. 

They’re sitting at one of Lighting Burger’s booths, finished with their lunch and sipping on their matcha frappes for their weekly meet-up. 

“Naruto’s dick, I mean”. Sasuke splutters at that and some of the frappe goes up his nose, making him snort. 

“Gross”, Sakura comments, handing him a napkin. The girl behind the counter is looking their way with a concerned expression. 

“Y-you…can’t just… ask that!!”, Sasuke exclaims once he’s cleaned the mess up

“Why not? I told you about that time I hooked up with that guy with the magic tongue”. 

“Yeah, unprompted!”, Sasuke reminds her, shuddering at remembering the detailed account Sakura had given him. Sakura shrugs and then adds “So? Is it big?”. She takes a sip of her drink and waits for him to answer. 

Sasuke gauges his option and, sagging back into the soft cushions of the booth, mumbles “Wouldn’t know, haven’t seen it yet”. Sakura’s eyes go comically wide and she puts a hand up to stop him. 

“You’re telling me you’ve been living under the same roof for more than a week and still haven’t jumped each other's bones?!”, she says too loudly, making the girl behind the counter look their way again. Sasuke wants to die

“If you haven’t noticed, Naruto has been kind of busy”, he retorts. 

“Okay, fair”. 

They relapse into silence before Sasuke talks again. “It’s not like I don’t want to, it just seems selfish on my part, and I already feel useless as it is, so.” 

Because the truth is that Sasuke has been thinking about it more than necessary since that day in the bathroom. He feels like a bundle of live wires ready to explode at the slightest touch. He wants to be forward but not only he doesn’t want to push Naruto or rush him into anything, he’s kind of afraid of being rejected, the fact that Naruto hadn’t let him reciprocate that day stings more than he thought 

“I get it. I’m sorry, I was very insensitive right now. Everybody has their time. Plus… you’re not useless, and it’s not selfish wanting to experience something as intimate as sex with the person you love, okay baby?”, Sakura reassures him, patting his hand like you would when comforting a child. Sasuke nods

Sensing the dense atmosphere, Sakura changes subject and the conversation resumes like it had never stopped

—-----------------------------------

“Then I will see you this weekend for lunch”, Sakura says, going up the steps leading to her front door. 

“Sure”, Sasuke smiles, waiting until she’s inside to turn around and head to his and Boruto’s meeting point for the usual daily training. 

Said meeting point is Sasuke’s favorite spot in all of Konoha. It can barely be called a hill, since it’s not that tall, but people rarely come here which means the beautiful poppies that grow all year round don’t get trampled on and it’s perfectly quiet for afternoon naps under the big acacia tree that Sasuke remembers seeing here since he was just a child

Today the weather is collaborating as well. The sun is out and shines on them at full power, but there’s a gentle breeze blowing, making the heat bearable

When Sasuke gets to the top of the hill, Boruto is already there, meditating. He must be deep into it since he doesn’t hear Sasuke coming up to him. Sasuke walks in a circle around him, observing his posture and his breathing. He has just recently allowed Boruto to start training his chakra points and made him promise to do so only in the presence of an experienced shinobi to avoid any accidents, but this kid never listens. Unfortunately Sasuke can’t wake Boruto up from the meditation or he would risk injuring him, so he just stands beside him, supervising

Maybe he has been worried for nothing since Boruto seems to be doing well. He’s a fast learner. Like father, like son. Since there doesn’t seem to any need for him to be circling around like a hawk, Sasuke lays underneath the acacia tree and closes his eyes, ears pricked up for any unusual noises

An hour goes by and Boruto still doesn’t stir. Everything is quiet and with a full belly, Sasuke is tempted to just fall asleep, but then a pained noise catches his attention and he stands up in alert. Boruto is still sitting crossed-leg on the grass, but his expression is troubled and is biting hard on his lip, drawing blood

Sasuke is beside him in an instant. At this point he has to forcefully wake him up and hope Boruto comes out of it with no major injury. Just as Sasuke is about to shake him awake, Boruto’s eyes snap open, but they’re unfocused, and it’s clear he doesn’t recognize him. Sasuke is not fast enough and is unable to dodge the chakra dense strike aimed for his stomach

Sasuke’s sent flying back, pain flaring at the point of contact and slowly spreading to his ribs as well. He groans, but gets up as soon as his back hits the grass to check on Boruto. 

“Sasuke-san?”, Boruto calls out confusedly, a hand pressed to his forehead. “What happened?”, he continues. 

Sasuke speed walks to him and crouches down, ignoring his ribs protesting in pain. “Let me see”, Sasuke says, alarmed, taking Boruto’s face between his hands and raising it to check for any injuries

His eyes are receptive and follow movement with no delay, his breathing seems steady and his chakra points stable. Sasuke exhales in relief, but has to suppress a groan at the ache that accompanied the motion. This doesn't escape Boruto’s attention though. 

“Sasuke-san, what’s wrong?”. Sasuke waves a hand signaling everything’s fine, but getting up from his crouched position takes more effort than should be necessary, which is enough of a sign for him to understand seeing a doctor wouldn’t be a bad idea right now

“We’ll talk about this later. Now go home”, Sasuke admonishes, but Boruto, even though chastised, insists on accompanying him to the Academy’s infirmary. Usually shinobis would go to the hospital to get patched up or checked on, but Sasuke hates hospitals and it doesn’t think this injury is so severe to require hospitalization

They walk to the Academy, which is thankfully not too far from where they are, because everytime Sasuke takes a step forward there’s a spike of pain piercing his ribs and stomach. “I’m sorry Sasuke-san. This is all my fault”, Boruto says, suddenly interrupting the silence. 

Sasuke pats his head and ruffles his hair and says “It’s okay. This is nothing. But, now you understand why I told you to train only when supervised? We were lucky you weren’t injured”, Sasuke says, voice soft. Boruto nods, but still keeps his head hung low. 

Sasuke wants to say more, but the Academy comes into view then and he resolves to leave the talking for later. Showing Boruto this is nothing but a couple of bruised ribs, it’s definitely going to do more than just words.

Sasuke knocks on the Academy’s infirmary door and is reviled to find his downstairs neighbour Kato sitting behind the doctor’s desk. Kato is one the best doctors in Konoha and should definitely be working on the field instead of the Academy’s infirmary, but he has always said it’s way easier to deal with kids than injured shinobi and Sasuke can’t really argue with him. He has also been helping Sasuke hide his injuries from Naruto for years. 

“Sasuke?”, Kato asks, eyebrow arched in a question when he seems him stumbling inside the infirmary, hand pressed to his side

Kato is soon in doctor’s mode, leaving his seat at the desk and helping him on one of the empty beds to check on him. Boruto sits beside him on a little plastic chair, still not saying a word. 

“This is gonna leave a nice bruise”, Kato chuckles, keeping Sasuke’s shirt raised while tasting the area with his forefinger. Sasuke hisses when he gets to his stomach. Kato puts his shirt back in place and turns around to write something on his notepad

“Okay. Your ribs are fine, just a bit sore as a result of the impact. Judging by the looks of it your abdominal muscles are bruised, but there doesn’t seem to be any internal bleeding. Just keep an eye on it and come back if you think it necessary. I’m going to prescribe you some painkillers to help with the discomfort. Even though I know you won’t take them”, Kato finishes smirking, making Sasuke tsks

“Anyway, he’ll live”, Kato says, this time directed at Boruto, probably sensing what’s happened. Boruto does seem to reign some color at his words, so Sasuke turns to Kato and mouths a thank you. Kato just answers with a wink.

“You’re okay getting home?”, Kato asks him, helping him off the bed. Sasuke nods, but Kato still lets him lean on his arm while they walk to the door. Boruto is waiting out of the door for him, shuffling on his feet and Sasuke knows he’s going to insist on walking him home.

Because the universe loves to make his life a cosmic joke, just as they’re ready to leave, Sasuke gets a glimpse of Naruto and Shikamaru crossing the hallway parallel to the infirmary, probably back from their lunch break. Sasuke stops breathing for a second, praying they won’t notice him. But then, Boruto notices them as well and the floodgates open. 

“Dad!”, he shouts, startling all the four people in the hallway, and starts to run towards Naruto

Naruto catches him without problems even though he is visibly startled and tries to understand what exactly is going on. He still hasn’t noticed Sasuke trying to partially hide behind Kato, too focused on the crying child in his arms. Boruto is trying to talk, but between the sniffling and his voice breaking from crying, nothing of sense comes out of his mouth. Naruto is starting to panic, putting down Boruto and checking him for any visible injuries

Sasuke is about to open his mouth to explain when Boruto, in his last attempt to convey what happened, clearly says “Sasuke-san” in a pained voice before starting to bawl his eyes out again. Naruto’s eyes snap up at the mention of his name and he unfortunately notices Sasuke futile attempt at trying to hide behind Kato

His eyes take in the infirmary door, Sasuke still leaning on Kato and the white prescription note Sasuke is holding in his hand and, putting two and two together, gets to the solution on his own. He’s standing next to Sasuke in less than a second, eyes frantic. 

“I’m fine, calm down”, Sasuke says before Naruto can ask. Of course that does nothing to tranquilize him, so Sasuke stands up straighter to show him it’s nothing serious and looks to Kato to prompt him to give Naruto a more detailed medical explanation. 

“Hello Hokage-sama. I’m Nazuna Kato and I’m the head nurse here at the Academy. Sasuke has sustained some superficial abdominal bruises and will be as good as new as long as he refrains from too much physical strain for a couple of days”, Kato explains, but Sasuke is not sure Naruto has actually heard a word since he’s still looking at Sasuke with eyes full of worry

Sasuke sighs and pinches at Naruto’s elbow to get his attention. When he’s sure Naruto’s eyes are focused on him, he slowly says, “The doctor says I’m fine, so I’m going to go home and get some rest while you go back to whatever you were doing”.  Naruto is ready to protest, but Shikamaru is faster and interjects, reminding Naruto he has an important meeting to get to in less than an hour

“You’re going straight home to rest, right?”, Naruto asks to make sure. Given his record of not taking care of his injuries, Sasuke can’t even pretend to be annoyed at the question. He nods, but Naruto still lingers, concerned. 

“Hokage-sama, if it’ll make you feel better, I was thinking of accompanying Sasuke home myself”, Kato offers. 

“You don’t really have to”, Sasuke replies, piqued that even his doctor doesn’t trust him. 

“It’s fine, I was heading home anyway”. “

“If you insist. Happy?”, Sasuke says, the last part directed at Naruto who has been watching the exchange with a confused expression on his face. Sasuke decides to leave the explanations for later

Naruto nods, still a bit uncertain, but still follows Shikamaru when prompted. He still turns to look back at Sasuke one last time before crouching down in front of Boruto and wiping away the last few stray tears staining the boy’s face. 

“Sasuke is fine, so, no more crying, okay? Do Dad a favor and go back with him, hm? I’ll leave him in your care”, Naruto says, ruffling Boruto’s hair. Sasuke would very much like to remind these people that he’s a grown ass adult, but he knows this is Naruto’s way to make Boruto feel better so he doesn’t say anything

The three of them leave the Academy and head towards Sasuke’s apartment complex. He suggests that Boruto accompany them only part of the way since it’s already dark and he doesn’t want the kid to walk back home alone, but Boruto is taking his mission seriously and categorically refuses. On the way home, Kato forces him to stop by a pharmacy to buy some painkillers even though Sasuke complains, saying the pain is already more bearable. Kato doesn’t budge and Sasuke is forced to purchase some anyway

“Well, then I’ll leave you to it. Make sure you take one pill right now.  Trust me, you’ll thank me later”, Kato says in lieu of a goodbye before heading down the stairs to his own apartment. Boruto makes sure to see him close the door behind him before leaving as well, declining to stay for a cup of hot chocolate 

Now alone in his quiet apartment, Sasuke stops in front of the foyer’s mirror and raises up his shirt to look at the bruises. It actually looks worse than it feels, what with it spreading from his stomach to his ribs in red blotches that are meant to turn purple in a matter of hours. Sasuke still takes the painkillers just so he can tell Kato he did and since he doesn’t feel tired at all, starts preparing dinner. The relief from the painkillers is instant and if not for the bit of soreness he can still feel, he would’ve easily forgotten about the accident entirely. 

Later in the evening the doorknob turns to let Naruto in earlier than usual and he stumbles in the house to find Sasuke still at the kitchen counter. The disapproving look he sends Sasuke doesn’t do anything to stop him from stirring his miso soup. “I thought I told you to rest”, Naruto says, leaving his shoes at the genkan. “Since when do I listen to you?”, Sasuke retorts, tasting the soup and adding a bit of salt. 

“Right”, is all Naruto says before planting a kiss on Sasuke’s cheek and hooking his chin on his shoulder. “So, care to explain what the hell happened?”, Naruto continues, so Sasuke tells him. 

At the end Naruto heaves a big sigh, reviled, knowing this could’ve ended way worse than it did. 

“That kid is going to be the death of me”, Naruto comments which makes Sasuke laugh. 

“Please, he takes it all from you”

“I know, and that makes me just more worried”

“Dinner is not going to be ready for a while yet, why don’t you get some rest?”, Sasuke suggests, turning around to take in Naruto’s tired expression. “Resting sounds good right now. Join me?”, Naruto replies, bumping their foreheads together. “Who’s going to look at the soup if I do?”. Sasuke chuckles when Naruto starts pouting. 

“Ah, I have a nice surprise for you!”, Naruto exclaims all of a sudden, brightening up. 

“Surprise?”, Sasuke asks uneasily. He’s not a fan of surprises. 

“Trust me, you’ll love this one…but, I’ll tell you after dinner”, Naruto continues, kissing the tip of Sasuke’s nose. 

“That just makes it worse”, Sasuke deadpans, scrunching up his nose. Naruto sticks out his tongue at him before heading to the bedroom

Sasuke goes back to his stirring, not at all happy to be left hanging

—---------------------------------

Dinner time is growing near and Naruto is still sleeping. Since Sasuke knows how little sleep he’s been getting these days, he lets him and just relaxes while waiting for him. Kato had suggested he ice the bruise and so he does and also opts to take a long hot bath instead of a quick shower since he has time to kill. 

With a towel wrapped around his waist he carefully opens the door to their bedroom and sneaks inside to grab some clothes. Naruto’s breathing itches just a little bit, but otherwise he doesn’t stir. Sasuke uses all of his shinobi’s skills to sit down on the bed as silently as possible and slide open his bedside table’s drawer to look for a pair of clean boxers. 

Apparently though his shinobi skills are getting a bit rusty because suddenly he hears Naruto saying from behind him, “You smell nice”

“Didn’t mean to wake you up, sorry”

“No problem, I was just about to anyway”

Naruto’s voice is deep and rough, sending a shiver along Sasuke’s spine. The room is mostly dark, except for the little light that the ajar door lets in and Sasuke is just now realizing they are sitting on their bed and he has only a measly towel to cover him. The implications make his heart beat faster in his chest. 

Naruto has moved away from his side of the bed to lazily leave open mouthed kisses along Sasuke’s naked shoulders and his hot breath is caressing Sasuke’s skin 

“Dinner is ready, care to join me?”, Sasuke asks, getting up from the bed and trying to disperse the tense atmosphere that’s fallen on them. Naruto is probably still tired anyway

“Sasuke”. Naruto stops him from leaving and the way Naruto says his name sends all Sasuke’s blood rushing downward. His tone is heavy with lust and makes Sasuke’s breath itch in his throat. 

“Naruto, I-”

“I want you, Sasuke”, Naruto interrupts him, “Is that okay?”, he continues when Sasuke doesn’t say anything

“Are you sure?”, Sasuke finally replies, biting on his bottom lip

“Of course”, Naruto answers, bringing Sasuke closer to him

“But if this starts to bother you”, Naruto continues, skimming a gentle finger along Sasuke’s stomach and ribs, “you have to tell me, okay?”. Sasuke nods

“Good, now let me kiss you properly”. Naruto guides Sasuke to sit down on his lap before taking his chin in hand and bringing their mouths together in a languid kiss. 

Naruto turns around to gently lower Sasuke on the bed all while still kissing him and hovers over him, cageing Sasuke in, while Sasuke has his hand on the back of Naruto’s nape and he’s playing with his hair. Their tongues keep dancing around each other, tasting and savoring. 

Naruto breaks the kiss in favour of nibbling at the hollow of Sasuke’s neck while fondling one of Sasuke’s nipples with one hand. 

He bites at Sasuke’s neck, eliciting a hiss from him and then laps at the spot, trying to soothe the burn, making Sasuke hum. Naruto’s mouth moves lower, to his collarbones and then to his chest where he captures his other nipple in his mouth, making Sasuke’s back arch with pleasure. Soft moans fill the room while Naruto continues his descend, stopping at Sasuke’s stomach to kiss gently at his injury

Just when his hands go to open the towel at Sasuke’s waist, Sasuke says, “Wait. You first”. 

While Sasuke is laying almost naked on the bed, Naruto is still fully clothed and Sasuke is having none of that. They’ve been living together for months and he still hasn’t caught a glimpse of what’s going on underneath the belt of Naruto’s trousers. Naruto seems a bit torn, eyeing the evident tent under Sasuke’s towel, but still starts to pop off the buttons of his shirt, even if excruciatingly slow. Sasuke follows every movement, his eyes glued to Naruto’s lithe fingers, and he feels his breath coming on quicker, anticipating what’s to come

When Naruto’s shirt finally falls off his shirt to expose sun-kissed skin, strong wide shoulders and defined abs, Sasuke’s mouth goes dry. It’s not anything new, he has seen Naruto shirtless countless times before this, but maybe the setting or the fact that he can actually reach out and touch him, are making it seem like this is the first time. 

Sasuke stretches out a hand and places it against Naruto’s pec. His skin is soft and plump and Sasuke can feel his heart beat underneath. 

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m not gonna last”, Naruto whispers, snapping Sasuke out of his reverence. Sasuke smirks at him while dragging his palm slowly downwards, over a nipple, over the plains of his stretched stomach and over the tent of his pants, palming at his erection. 

“Fuck”, Naruto hisses. 

Sasuke is entraptured by Naruto’s expression and keeps teasing him through the fabric of his trousers, the friction drawing soft moans out of Naruto’s pink mouth. Satisfied, Sasuke decides to put the man out of his misery and pops open his pants. Naruto takes the hint and gets off the bed to slide his pants and boxers off. 

Sasuke takes him in in all his naked glory. 

Strong thighs, tapered waist and flushed, veiny cock fully erect against his stomach. 

For me, just for me.

Sasuke bites his lip to keep a pleased hum from escaping him. 

“Come here”, he says, his voice rough. Naruto climbs  back on the bed and Sasuke stands up on his elbows to meet him in a kiss. He wraps his arm around Naruto’s neck while the latter grabs him by the waist and draws him near, making their erections rub against each other. They both moan into the kiss, their hips thrusting up to look for that pleasure again

Naruto lays Sasuke on the bed again, against the headboard, and Sasuke widens his legs to make room for him. 

“Let me touch you”, Sasuke says, stopping again Naruto’s hand from taking off the towel at his waist. 

“You’re killing me here”, Naruto replies exasperated and Sasuke is thriving on the feeling of being desired to the point of desperation. Naruto nods though and his hand falls off Sasuke’s waist, while Sasuke’s hand wraps around the length of Naruto’s dick. “Tell me how you like it”, Sasuke whispers into the shell of Naruto’s ear

“Grip it tighter… yeah like that… and move slow… fuck., yes, like that”, Naruto pants, placing his hands against the headboard of the bed and letting his hips meet the movement of Sasuke’s hand in slow thrusts. 

“You look so beautiful”, Sasuke murmurs, his tone dripping with devotion at the spectacle in front of him. Naruto’s powerful hips responding to every pump of his hand, his muscles flexing, his name the only sound coming out of Naruto’s mouth

“S-Sasuke wait, s-stop”

“You don’t wanna finish?”

“I-inside you, only inside you”

Sasuke gives Naruto’s dick a last hard squeeze before letting go, which elicits a strained whimper from Naruto. Sasuke surges up to kiss him and caresses his side to soothe him. 

Sasuke turns to his left and opens the second drawer of his bedside table to retrieve a bottle of lube and a condom. Naruto raises an eyebrow at the half-empty bottle

“You’ve done this before?”

“Mhm”

“With mr.doctor downstairs? I saw him come out of his apartment when I came home. You two seemed awfully close”

Sasuke’s eyes widen at the implication. “Kato? We’re just friends. You’re not… jealous are you?”

“And what if I am?”

“Idiot”, Sasuke replies, hooking a hand behind Naruto’s neck and, bringing their faces close together, whispers against his mouth, “Don’t worry, I just like to fuck myself on my fingers while thinking of you”

Naruto’s surprised expression is totally worth it

“I did it just yesterday. If you had come home a little early, you would’ve found me on bed, spread wid-”

“Fuck, stop talking”

Naruto effectively shuts him up by smashing their mouths together in a bruising kiss. He finally gets rid of the offensive white towel that was still wrapped around Sasuke’s waist and takes a moment to let his eyes wander over Sasuke’s naked figure. Naruto’s eyes drink in every detail and Sasuke squirms under his fervent gaze, suddenly bashful. 

“Tell me if this hurts”, Naruto says pointing to his bruised stomach, before taking Sasuke’s right leg and placing it over his shoulder. He waits for Sasuke’s nod, signaling he’s fine, before coating his fingers and Sasuke’s entrance with a generous amount of lube. 

“Okay?”

“Mhm”. Naruto waits for Sasuke’s answer before sliding the first finger in. Sasuke takes in a sharp breath at the intrusion, but instantly relaxes, his hole still a bit soft from yesterday’s machinations. “You can add another”, he tells Naruto, who obliges without protest.

Naruto’s fingers are thicker and longer than his, so it takes Sasuke a while to get used to them, but when he does he finds himself pushing his hips back against them, willing them to hit that sweet spot inside him. 

“Baby, you just need to ask”, Naruto says, leaving a kiss on Sasuke’s ankle, currently hooked on his shoulder, before driving his two fingers deeper and hitting Sasuke’s prostate

“Fuck, Naruto”. Sasuke doesn’t recognize his own voice. Rough, broken, needy

“I’ll add another, okay baby?”

Sasuke nods, eager, and sees stars when Naruto adds a third finger and his slow, superficial movements become deeper, more focused, thrusts focused on hitting Sasuke right where he wants them, bringing him closer to the edge

“N-Nar - ah, Naruto, I’m ready, I’m good”

“Bear with me just a bit more. I don’t want to hurt you, okay?”, Naruto soothes, gently stroking Sasuke’s thigh. He keeps thrusting his fingers in and out, but purposely avoiding his sweet spot and it’s driving Sasuke insane. He tries to chase after Naruto’s fingers, but Naruto puts a hand against his hipbone and pins him to the bed to keep him in place

“Fuck you, you tease”

“Oh, don’t worry, Sasuke-chan, I’m just planning to take my time with you baby”

Naruto takes out his fingers and the emptiness makes Sasuke whine. He can barely register Naruto opening the condom and slipping it on

“How you feeling?”, Naruto asks, brushing the hair sticking to Sasuke’s sweaty forehead away. “How is your stomach?”

“I’m good, really”. Naruto nods and aligns himself with Sasuke’s entrance

Sasuke thought he was prepared for this, but Naruto is thick and he feels like he’s being split open when the tip is barely in. 

“Fuck! You’re so tight, Sasuke. You have to relax for me, baby or you’ll snap my dick in two”, Naruto jokes, bending down to kiss Sasuke, while slowly stroking his dick to help him. “Yeah, just like that, baby. You’re doing so good”. Naruto keeps singing praises into the skin of Sasuke’s neck while slowly inching himself fully into Sasuke

“Mhm, you feel so good, baby. So good, Sasuke”

Naruto leaves an open-mouthed kiss on Sasuke’s collarbone before rising back up. He keeps still waiting for Sasuke to get adjusted. 

“You can move now”, Sasuke pants

“You sure?”

“Yeah”

“Okay”

Naruto starts slow, his thrusts deep and precise, angled just right to hit Sasuke’s prostate and steal moans from his mouth. They kiss sloppily and murmur “I love yous” against each other’s mouth. 

Sasuke has fantasized about this quite a number of times, but nothing could have prepared him for the blinding pleasure coursing through him right now. His mind is blank, every nerve singing, his eyes focused only on Naruto and the sweat dripping along his neck, his bottom lip under his teeth, his delicious muscles contracting with every thrust. And all this is just his

“I love you so much, Sasuke”

“I love you more”, Sasuke replies, making Naruto laugh 

Sasuke comes first, Naruto’s hand stroking his dick and Naruto’s cock stroking his insides. Naruto is fast to follow, his thrust gets messy and faster before a broken grunt leaves his lips and Sasuke feels something warm filling him up. 

Always careful, Naruto pulls out and lays on Sasuke’s left side, making sure to not put any pressure on Sasuke’s stomach and ribs. For a while they just look at each other, panting. Naruto strokes Sasuke’s cheekbone with his thumb and Sasuke lets his eyes fall shut, enjoying the bliss of coming down from a high this intense

“I dreamed about having you like this for years”, Naruto says all of a sudden, breaking the comfortable silence enveloping the room. He is still stroking a thumb along Sasuke’s cheekbones and when Sasuke opens his eyes to look at him, Naruto’s eyes are shining with unshed tears. The tone of his voice is reverent, distant, like he is not saying the words to Sasuke, just thinking out loud

Sasuke's heart squeezes painfully at the thought of the time they have wasted. Too cowardly to take that first step, too afraid to ruin their new found friendship with burdensome feelings, too focused on what’s ahead to think about the present. 

“You have me now”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Now and forever, Naruto. I promise”

“Good…but know that I would chase you to the ends of the Earth if I had to”

That makes Sasuke laugh. They have wasted precious time, but they can still make up for it. Appreciate this sweet moments better now that they know what it means to live without them

Sasuke rolls on his side and burrows his head into the crook of Naruto’s neck, smelling a faint whiff of acacia tree under the sweat and thanks whatever deity is listening for bringing this stubborn and amazing man into his life all those years ago.

—-----------------------------------

“I told you to stay home and rest”

“Naruto… I have been resting for the past week. Kato said it’s fine to move around now”

“Still”

Sasuke takes Naruto’s hand in his and kisses the back of it, Naruto’s pout morphing into a blinding smile. Naruto tugs on their intertwined hands to pull Sasuke in for a proper kiss

“Please, don’t that on someone else’s lawn”, Ayame gripes, dramatically covering her eyes with a hand. Naruto laughs and gives Sasuke another kiss before turning to regard Ayame. 

“Ayame-san, we’re here to paint your fence!”

“Took you long enough”

The sun is high in Konoha’s sky, mercilessly shining down on them, no chilly breeze to give them respite. Sasuke is living through the most boring week of his life: no more Council breathing down their necks, Minamoto indefinitely behind bars and just him and Naruto cooking lunch in their kitchen every day before falling asleep next to each other

Naruto laughs again next to him, eyes closed, dimples on full display, his nose burned from sun-bathing without any sunscreen. 

Sasuke is living his best life and wouldn’t have it any other way