Archive of Our Own

The storm didn’t particularly catch Sasuke off guard, but being able to scent the rain in the atmosphere didn’t prevent the subsequent downpour from being a massive inconvenience. It didn’t help that the sun had set, and the moonlight could only do so much behind the barrier of thick clouds.

Jumping through the trees was not an option, lest he wanted the rain to pelt his face and soak his hair, so he opted to run. The hood of his leather cloak was pulled over his head, hardly shielding his face, but his hair remained dry, though his feet suffered a different fate as they hit the muddy ground.

Under different circumstances, he might’ve found a large enough clearing of trees that could’ve cut through the intensity of the downpour until the rain grew lighter. But the more distance he covered, the more he could sense the warm and abundant chakra that was all too familiar, all too comforting—Naruto’s chakra.

He was close.

Sasuke’s blood rushed in his veins with a humiliating sense of excitement. He subconsciously increased his speed.

By the time Sasuke reached their agreed meeting spot outside the border of Konoha, Naruto was already there. Sasuke skidded to a stop, catching his breath as he took in the sight of Konoha’s hero; his best friend. His hands were casually in his pockets, an easy smile spreading on his face at the sight of Sasuke.

He was drenched.

Naruto’s blonde hair was flattened to his forehead, and his jacket was a shade darker with all the water caught in it. He didn’t look fazed at all.

“Idiot,” Sasuke greeted. It was fond, even if he didn’t mean it to be. “You don’t have an umbrella or a cloak?”

Naruto shrugged. “It’s just water.”

The sky flashed bright, lighting up the entire forest for a split second, and seconds later, thunder cracked through the atmosphere, shaking the earth. Naruto flinched, looking up at the sky with alarm. Sasuke incredulously snorted. Some hero, getting startled by a little lightning. He couldn’t help but find it endearing, a kind of festering fondness that threatened to eat him from the inside.

They were twenty and they hadn’t seen each other in eight months. Sasuke seldom returned to Konoha, bitter in a way he’d never cease being; just being in the Land of Fire was enough to make his skin crawl, an abundance of trauma trying to claw up his throat, making itself known, making him feel it all over again.

For Naruto, he could endure a brief moment.

“Do you have the mission details?” Sasuke asked, only to distract himself from noticing all that was different about Naruto. It was no use. His eyes still wandered and lingered. It took him great effort to stop his Sharingan from activating, wanting to commit it all to memory.

His short and choppy hair had grown a little since Sasuke last saw him, enough to cling wetly to his headband. His face looked sharper, his jawline a little more prominent. His black jacket clung tighter to his body, fitting perfectly. In eight short months, Naruto had filled out some more.

“Obviously,” Naruto replied, tossing Sasuke a scroll. Sasuke pocketed it without opening.

Since setting out on his journey of atonement, Sasuke had spent his time primarily alone. Most of his human contact came with civilians in nameless villages; the ones he’d help out, the ones he’d needed favors from, some that simply wanted to talk to another human. His contact with Konoha was minimal; he only ever really exchanged letters with Naruto. Occasionally, he’d accept a mission from Kakashi.

This was one of those occasional missions. His missions were always solo affairs, the way he preferred, but for this one, Kakashi insisted that he and Naruto take on this task together. An A-rank mission in the Land of Lightning that shouldn’t have been too challenging.

Sasuke didn’t object.

For a moment, he’d wanted to. He’d gotten so used to navigating the world alone that the idea of embarking on a journey with another sounded like an exhausting burden. But this wasn’t simply another shinobi. It was him.

Naruto.

That hopeful heart that kept him tied to Konoha. That hopeful heart that kept his soul alive.

There wasn’t a day that went by where Sasuke didn’t think about Naruto. Naruto and his loud, lively voice and his vibrant blue eyes and his soft blonde hair. Naruto and his flashy jutsus and bright chakra cloaks and his self-assured grins. Naruto and his thick muscle and his overwhelming strength and that broad body he hid behind his jackets. Naruto and his kindness and compassion that ran so unfathomably deep, Sasuke wondered where it could have possibly come from.

Sasuke’s rare visits to Konoha were always brief. Never a full day. Every single moment he spent in that village was spent with Naruto. It was the only reason he ever returned, no matter when he insisted otherwise. It was a pleasure he allowed himself in the midst of his perpetual isolation that he was still convincing himself was necessary.

“There is a little conflict in Kumogakure. It’s a capture mission,” Naruto said as he placed his hands behind his head as if discussing a stroll through a village of meadows. “Courtesy of the Raikage himself.”

“He couldn’t get his own men to do it?”

“Short on jonin, situation getting out of hand, big paycheck,” Naruto said with a shrug.

“Since when was money an incentive to you?”

Naruto modestly rubbed the back of his neck. “At this point, it really isn’t. I’m kind of comfortable right now. But I’m buddies with the Kumo guys, and I jumped at the opportunity to hang out with you. So here we are.”

“Here we are,” Sasuke affirmed.

Naruto sneezed.

Sasuke sighed. “Let’s go find an inn. Or a cave. I can’t have you catching a cold and slowing me down.” He turned before Naruto could respond.

Naruto grumbled behind him anyway. “I rarely get sick. It’s just a little cold out here.”

“A little? You’re soaking wet, fool.”

“Yeah, yeah, quit nagging me. You’re not better off.”

“Hell yeah I am. Do you want my cloak, big baby?”

“Aw, what a gentleman you are!” Naruto said sarcastically, his feet splashing in the mud as he tried to keep up with Sasuke’s brisk pace. It only started to rain harder. They walked for thirty minutes in a comfortable silence, but Sasuke was fucking miserable in this weather. His cloak could only withstand so much. His toes were sloshed, his sandals squelching with every step, and the bottom of his pants were soaked through.

Sasuke dragged Naruto to the first inn they came across; a shoddy and worn building between villages that served as a stop for shinobi who just couldn’t keep pushing, or civilians who traveled and wanted to avoid the expensive costs in Konoha.

It was the middle of the night and the innkeeper with gray and thinning hair was half-asleep at the front desk. The sound of their heavy and wet footsteps against the creaky floorboards stirred him to full awareness.

“Hmm?” he groaned. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “Oh, welcome! Oh! You’re Uzumaki Naruto!” He didn’t acknowledge Sasuke. He didn’t mind. “What’s a war hero like you doing in an old inn like this, my boy? My son is obsessed with you! You’re all he talks about!”

Sasuke glanced at Naruto who was smiling sheepishly, the embarrassment wafting off him in waves. He hadn’t realized this was Naruto’s life now. Instead of being ignored or spat at, cursed for being born and treated like a demonic pest, he was now revered and worshipped, showered with love and worship everywhere he went.

Sasuke should have been happy for him. That was all Naruto ever wanted—acceptance. Sasuke couldn’t muster the feeling. He was never going to be able to truly forgive that village. Naruto was a child, lonely and innocent and in agony, unaware of the beast inside him, never having known the love of a family, and the village showed him no grace. No mercy. No empathy. None. Until he grinded hard and sacrificed his body, saving their asses from the very chaos they brought on themselves.

It made Sasuke angry that Naruto even wanted to remain in that village. But he couldn’t fault him entirely. That village was all he’d ever known. He was too kind. Too loyal. And all Sasuke could do was admire that aspect of him, no matter how much it made him burn with resentment.

“Tell him I said hello! I can even give an autograph, if you want,” Naruto, ever so generous, said.

Sasuke snorted. An autograph from Naruto must’ve been barely legible. He could hardly read his letters and Sasuke thought he’d mastered the art of Naruto’s abysmal handwriting when they were genin writing mission reports.

“He’d love that!” The innkeeper scrambled for pen and paper, ending up with random scrap and a very used pen. “He’s going to be overjoyed! You should come to our home for dinner. We live on the outskirts of the village. My wife is an amazing cook!”

While Naruto scribbled his name in shoddy characters, Sasuke spoke. “He’d love to eat at your home, but we have a mission to tend to. But first we must dry off. Have any rooms available?”

The innkeeper addressed Sasuke with much less warmth and admiration. “We’re pretty full considering the weather, but for the hero, we can pull some strings. For you, sir, I’m afraid not.”

Sasuke frowned, but he intended to take it on the chin and find a new place. He never went where he wasn’t welcomed. But he’d gotten so used to being in villages far away from the Land of Fire that he’d forgotten his name and face were practically taboo in this nation.

“Okay,” he said.

“Not okay,” Naruto interjected. “He’s with me. His business is my business.”

“But…our patrons won’t feel safe with—”

“The strongest shinobi in the world?” Naruto said, his voice growing increasingly louder. “Sasuke is—”

Sasuke covered his big mouth with his hand then dragged him outside. Naruto was still ranting, his muffled voice sending vibrations through Sasuke’s palm. Naruto licked his hand. Sasuke gripped his face harder to show him that a childish antic wasn’t enough to gross him out.

“You don’t have to argue for me,” Sasuke said, pulling his hand away. They leaned against the building, taking cover underneath the eaves. “It’s his business. He has the right to refuse service to me.”

“Are you kidding? You don’t deserve to get treated that way! I wrote an autograph for his son, the least he can do is treat you with some respect. You’re a patron like anyone else.”

“Except I’m not anyone else, and you know that.”

Sasuke wasn’t going to lie to himself. He delighted in the fire in Naruto’s eyes. He liked how angry Naruto could get on his behalf, so passionate and committed to him that he couldn’t even see why the villagers would be wary of him. It was an addictive kind of attention.

It was why Sasuke limited his time with him. It was dangerous.

“All the more reason to treat you with respect. You saved the—”

The front door creaked open and the innkeeper came rushing out, bowing apologetically. “I’m sorry! I apologize for how I treated you. It was in no way appropriate. I only have one vacant room but allow me to give it to you free of charge.”

Sasuke was about to decline, but Naruto was quicker. “Thank you. And be sure to tell your son how Uzumaki Naruto couldn’t have saved the world without Uchiha Sasuke.”

Sasuke fought the blush threatening to rise in his cheeks. Naruto was so shameless when it came to him. It was embarrassing.

“Of course,” the innkeeper said, ushering them back into the building, hurrying to find them a key. Sasuke shouldn’t have, but he couldn’t help it; he glared at the man as they walked down the hallway when Naruto wasn’t looking. The man stiffened and averted his gaze. Like they always did.

“You always get free shit?” Sasuke asked.

Naruto shook his wet hair like a fucking dog, drops of water splashing Sasuke’s face. “Yeah!” Naruto said without a care in the world. “It’s like they force it into my hands and refuse to let me say no. The amount of free fruits and vegetables rotting in my fridge is crazy.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes. “And how’s that ramen stash?”

“Nice and stocked!”

Sasuke huffed in fond exasperation as he unlocked the final door of the long hallway with Naruto in tow. In the room were two beds, narrow and just long enough for a grown man’s body. There was a small window on one of the walls, giving a decent view of trees whipping in the rainy wind.

“We’re not staying for long. The rain ought to clear in a couple hours,” Sasuke said, removing his sandals and cloak. He sat on one of the beds. “Dry off.”

“There you got bossing me around,” Naruto mumbled, peeling off his black jacket and his white, nearly translucent undershirt, and the chainmail, carelessly tossing it to the ground. There was no warning for Sasuke, and fuck, did he wish there was one. He had to bite the inside of his cheek.

It was like Naruto had gained an extra five pounds of muscle every time they met again. He’d grown slightly taller, bigger, and increasingly more sculpted. He was always so dedicated to his training, clearly never skipping out on conditioning. He didn’t have to flex his arms to show off his biceps. And his pecs were round and built, faint blond hairs dusting over them. His abdomen was no longer a flat, smooth plane; he had perfectly defined abs, all leading to thick blond hair on his navel.

He was flawless. Stellar.

When Naruto started unbuttoning his pants, seemingly not giving a damn that Sasuke was right there, Sasuke finally forced himself to look away, concerning himself with the window. He cursed the painful attraction; it’d been a troublesome thing since they were genin. But back then, Sasuke had thought Naruto was not that bad to look at, and maybe even cute when he was feeling particularly hormonal.

In recent years, however, it started to become gorgeous and really fucking hot. Always beautiful.

Naruto was rapidly growing into a man, a far cry from the skinny and loud genin living off ramen and toast, and Sasuke couldn’t ignore how it was riveting to see. He wanted him. He’d wanted him for years, but Sasuke was a master of suppressing his true desires.

He didn’t plan to do anything about it. The best thing he could do for Naruto was continue to love him from a distance. There was no need to dull Naruto’s shine with his hoard of turmoil that never went away. His desire was best kept a secret, something to indulge in only when he was alone and desperate.

After some rummaging around the room, Naruto collapsed onto the other bed with a sigh, having found a towel for his hair, his clothes placed on the furnace. He was only in his boxers, and Sasuke had to make an extreme effort not to look at his thighs—his thick, tan thighs.

To make it easier for himself, Sasuke pulled out the mission scroll, deciding it was best to familiarize himself with all the details now. They had a seven-day grace period to get there. If they moved fast, they could’ve gotten there in three.

“So,” Naruto started. “What have you been up to?”

“What I’m always up to,” Sasuke said.

“Oh, come on, tell me about some sights you’ve seen, some people you’ve met. I haven’t seen you in months. I miss you, you know.”

Sasuke did know. In every letter Naruto sent, he never forgot to tell him. Sasuke missed him too. He’d miss him for the rest of his life.

He glanced up to see Naruto lounging on his side, his leg propped up, giving Sasuke a wonderful view of his strong and lengthy body, his skin healthy and tan, his body hair golden and soft. Sasuke’s teeth were so close to slicing through the flesh inside his mouth.

He sighed and tried to steer his thoughts into safer territory. “You know I don’t really interact with too many people. Not in any exciting ways, at least. I did venture out into the Land of Tea a couple weeks ago. The people were friendly. I’ve noticed that a lot of the countries and villages without shinobi appear a lot nicer; meticulous architecture, friendlier citizens, less people on edge.

I get weird stares everywhere I go, but in places like those, it’s more curiosity as opposed to disdain.” Unlike the Land of Fire. “I’m sure the one arm plays a part. I went to a couple different tea houses, but there was one in particular that served amazing gyokuro. It was nice wandering there for a couple days.”

Naruto hummed attentively. “I sometimes wonder what it’s like to live the life of a civilian in a country without ninja. I feel like I’d be incredibly bored.”

“It’s not so bad to be bored,” Sasuke said.

“Boredom means being alone with my thoughts,” Naruto said with a laugh.

Naruto may have been laughing, but Sasuke knew exactly what he meant, and he knew it was nothing to scoff at. Sasuke still struggled; when there was nothing around him but the earth shrouded in darkness, and there was nothing to engage with other than the abhorrent memories and the agonizing confusion that came with the pain. It’d make him anxious and restless, his chakra pulsing in a desire to be released violently.

He’d admittedly chidori’d a few trees.

But Sasuke had been making an effort to mediate. He adopted the practice when training with Orochimaru, when the stench of death and decay and the wailing of the prisoners became too harrowing for him, his soul trembling and his mind rotting. It helped. Occasionally.

Sometimes he could achieve peace within his head, simply focusing on how the wind drifted through his hair and how the grass tickled his skin. Other times, his mind was too loud with its agony, and the memories trapped within his Sharingan repeated over and over mercilessly.

Sasuke had his own collection of distractions.

“Yeah,” Sasuke said. “I get you. It wouldn’t hurt to find some alternate ways to spend your time. All you do is train and go on missions.”

“Hey, I hang out with my friends sometimes! Go to Ichiraku. Bother Kakashi-sensei at the office. Bother Sakura at the hospital. Spar with Konohamaru.”

“When do you relax?”

“I get plenty of sleep.”

Sasuke sighed. “You’re going to burn yourself out, idiot. You’re young. You’re going to become Hokage regardless. Rest a little.”

“I…” Naruto averted his gaze. “I feel like I’m wasting everything if I rest too long. I worked hard to be acknowledged. I can’t let it fall apart.”

Sasuke’s jaw clenched. “You’ve proved yourself ten times over.” Even though you should’ve never had to.

“I know. It’s stupid. Still. I don’t mind. Every once in a while, I get a treat like this.”

“Like this?”

“Yeah, a mission with you,” Naruto said so earnestly, smiling that big stupid smile. “How long has it been since we’ve done something like this? I’m super excited.”

Sasuke gave a small smile. “I’m not mad at it.”

Naruto laughed. “That’s the best you can give me? You can say you missed me, you know.”

“I did miss you,” Sasuke admitted.

Naruto made the admission worth it with that blinding grin he graced Sasuke with, the light of it reaching his eyes. “Let’s make the most of this mission!” he said. “If we get it done quick enough, you can take me exploring.”

“Okay,” Sasuke agreed. More time with Naruto was a greater incentive than any money.

“Tell me more about your trips. I don’t care how mundane.”

These days, Sasuke was never in a position to speak much, but he sometimes forgot that he actually didn’t mind talking. Not when the listener was Naruto, so eager to hear anything he had to say that he could make Sasuke’s story about breaking up a fight between a teenage couple in a random village in the Land of Earth seem interesting.

Sasuke talked and found himself relaxing into the bed, and Naruto, half-naked and a little more damp than wet, listened intently with a soft smile. With the lowlight of the shitty bulb and the storm cracking outside, Sasuke found himself wanting to sleep, but more than that, he wanted to crawl into Naruto’s bed and feel his warmth.

The only person he’d ever slept next to was Itachi, but for some reason, he felt like sleeping next to Naruto could cure everything in his heart for at least a few days.

Sasuke didn’t ask. Of course he didn’t. There was a pleasure in longing.

—

Sasuke woke up to Naruto hovering above him, his warm hand holding his bangs up from his forehead. He’d slept so shortly; his brain didn’t even have the chance to conjure any horrid nightmares. It was the most refreshing sleep he’d gotten in months.

“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t wanna wake you,” Naruto said with a smile, whispering as if they weren’t the only two in the room. Sasuke’s heart did something odd. Naruto was fully dressed now, significantly less drenched. “But the rain cleared. Let’s head out.”

Naruto’s hand was still on his forehead. His left hand; the one that was still flesh and blood, calloused and warm. Sasuke closed his eyes and breathed out, “Okay.”

He couldn’t help but wonder if he were to have one of those debilitating nightmares where he’d thrash and hyperventilate in his sleep, crying out for his big brother to stop hurting him, would Naruto take him into his arms and assure him that he was safe. Would he hold Sasuke until his breathing evened and he fell back asleep, or would he keep his distance?

Sasuke pushed away the ridiculous sentiment and got up, secretly mourning the gentle touch when Naruto retreated to grab his own pack. On the way out, the innkeeper—who was somehow still awake at four in the morning—called out for Naruto to come again.

Naruto wrapped an arm around Sasuke’s neck and pulled him closer, turning to stick his tongue out obnoxiously. “Thanks! I won’t.”

When they were out the door, Sasuke snorted. “You sure showed him.”

“You know I hate when people disrespect you. I don’t care if they’re a fan of me.”

“I’m sure the village will love that sentiment in their future Hokage.”

“You’re gonna be my right-hand man. They don’t have a choice. You don’t have a choice. They better get used to it.”

“Is that so?”

“Damn right.”

Naruto didn’t remove his arm; he pulled Sasuke along as they stepped through the muddy grass, the air warm and damp, the scent of soil strong. Years ago, Sasuke would’ve scoffed and told him to get off, without ever having attempted to shake him off himself. In this moment, Sasuke accepted the contact without complaint.

Naruto had always been touchy in a way that was never uncomfortable or overbearing; at least, not to Sasuke. It was that casual touch that held so much friendship and compassion that kept Sasuke tethered to the version of himself that enjoyed playing ninja in a Konoha headband.

It kept him grounded until it no longer could.

Today, Sasuke could take it for what it was. Comfort.

Physical touch wasn’t a part of his everyday life, but when it was Naruto, he took every bit of it that he could. It felt like a necessity he’d been deprived of too long. Naruto was warm, smelled like home, and above all, he was safe.

Sasuke didn’t think. He didn’t beat himself up over the desire. He simply wrapped his sole arm around Naruto’s waist, returning his embrace. They stayed plastered together until it became more convenient to hop through the trees, shaving off a couple hours to reach the nation’s border.

They moved in a comfortable silence until the brisk and humid air turned warm and dry, the aftermath of the storm far behind them. The glow of the rising sun shined upon Naruto, making his skin glitter and his eyes all that more striking. It took everything within Sasuke to not miss a step.

The hours passed quickly. Sasuke’s legs thrummed with the pleasant burn of prolonged use, and they finally came to a stop when they approached a small town that bustled with the activity of the afternoon. They were still atop a thick branch when Naruto glanced at him with a smile, his eyes glinting the way they did when he had an idea.

“Let’s stop and get some food?” Naruto suggested.

“Do we have time for that?”

“Stop being grumpy. You and I both know we have time for that.”

Sasuke followed his lead as they strolled through this small village, garnering a few odd looks but nothing out of the ordinary. It was far enough from Konoha that people weren’t throwing glares at Sasuke, probably unable to recognize him right away, but it was still the Land of Fire; people didn’t hesitate to approach Naruto and thank him for his bravery and hard work.

Sasuke was starting to worry this would happen in the Land of Lightning, as well. He was kind of surprised Naruto never bragged about his insane level of popularity.

“This doesn’t drive you insane?” Sasuke asked when a few teenage girls were done asking Naruto on a date—when Naruto declined, they all asked Sasuke, who also declined.

“It got old pretty fast, but it’s better than when people used to throw shit at me, so who am I to complain?”

“Fuck, you’re better than me,” Sasuke said. It was tough to swallow the frustration at how casually Naruto spoke of his awful childhood, as if it was a natural part of life that wasn’t worth scrutinizing.

“I thought we knew this already,” Naruto joked, only to yelp when Sasuke elbowed him. “It’s fine, really. It’s annoying but I’d rather save face. Sometimes it’s pretty fun.”

“If you say so,” Sasuke said. “Let me know if I need to scare them off.”

Naruto laughed loudly, attracting glances from the strolling patrons. The sound was pleasant, like music, and Sasuke thought about how he’d love it if he had that sound to accompany him for all of his travels. It wasn’t the first time he had this thought. It wouldn’t be the last.

“I’ll let you use your judgement,” Naruto said. “You can if it makes you uncomfortable. That matters more.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet,” Sasuke said sarcastically.

“That’s what all the grannies say, anyway,” Naruto said, sticking his tongue out at Sasuke. “Come on, let’s find a restaurant. I’m starving.”

They leisurely walked a bit longer before settling for a small tavern. It was rather empty, only a couple people sitting in a corner booth, but they sat themselves at the bar, patiently waiting for a server.

“Let’s share a beer,” Sasuke proposed.

“You drink on the job now, huh? Why am I not surprised?”

Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Shut up, idiot.”

“I’m down,” Naruto said with a chuckle. “Just ‘cause you want to.”

“Whatever,” Sasuke said, fighting the blush in his ears for some odd reason.

The server appeared from the back of the restaurant and kindly asked them what they’d like to order. No theatrics, no awe, no disdain. It was a relief to be treated normally at this point.

In addition to the large beer they planned to split, they both got water and a small lunch of rice, soup and fish. The tavern air was stale and dingy, a low tune playing while the lights were dimmed. A couple pairs of people filed in and the overall chatter gradually picked up.

It wasn’t a bad environment.

“I’m moving soon,” Naruto brought up. “You should come see it when I’m done.”

“Moving? Where?”

“To another part of the village,” Naruto said with a chuckle, as if he knew he had gotten Sasuke’s hopes foolishly up. “This place is starting to get a little cramped. I want something bigger. Maybe a house.”

“What do you need a house for?”

He shrugged. “I’ve always wanted one. It’d be nice to have a yard I could garden in. More space to train.” He nudged Sasuke with his elbow. “More space for the people I care about.”

“Good luck maintaining that.”

“Hey, you know I can multiply myself in a blink of an eye. It’ll be fine. Will you come?” Naruto’s eyes glistened with hope, gazing at Sasuke so expectantly that Sasuke wouldn’t have dared let him down.

“Of course I will,” Sasuke said. “I’ll have to make sure you don’t choose a dump.”

Naruto laughed, bumping their shoulders together. Sasuke couldn’t hold back his own smile. No matter what village Naruto built a home in, Sasuke would be there. No longer would he deprive himself.

Their beer arrived before their food. Naruto took a dainty little sip. Sasuke took a big gulp. It wasn’t the best beer he’d ever had, but it was nicer than the shit they serve in Konoha.

“Jeez, you’re a drunkard, now?” Naruto teased.

Sasuke snorted. “Hell yeah.” It was one of his distractions when the meditation wasn’t doing shit.

Once their food arrived, their conversation naturally quieted, their hunger taking over. They were almost finished eating when the server leaned over the bar, leveling Naruto with a sweet—and flirty, Sasuke noted with an inward sneer—smile, saying, “I hope you don’t mind, but can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go for it,” Naruto said.

“Are you Uzumaki Naruto?”

Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Yeah, I am! How’d you know?” Naruto asked, adjusting his headband.

“Lucky guess,” the server said with a flirtatious chuckle. “I hear all about you, even out here. You’re incredibly handsome. I’ve always loved blonde guys. You have a partner?” He glanced at Sasuke for a quick moment. Sasuke’s chakra simmered underneath his skin, an irrational sense of irritation bubbling in his chest.

The fucking gall to flirt with someone when they were clearly here with someone else was insane. Did it really look that unlikely for them to be dating? Worst of all, although Sasuke would have never admitted it out loud, was that the server was handsome. He was young, but a little older than them. He was tall with dark brown hair pinned back; his features strong.

Sasuke burned with something ugly and unreasonable, but pathetically familiar.

Naruto’s face turned bright red. “Uh, not really. This is my best friend.” He gestured to Sasuke, making brief eye contact.

Sasuke’s heart hurt more than the time he’d been stabbed right through it.

“I don’t really have time for stuff like that,” Naruto continued.

The server grabbed his hands. “Well, whenever you find time, come around here. I’ll make it worth your while.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Sasuke said.

Fuck it. He’d utilize his if it makes you uncomfortable card. He didn’t care if he looked like the jealous friend, secretly longing and unable to help the horrendous feeling of inadequacy. That was exactly what he was.

He shoved the server’s hands away from Naruto’s. He couldn’t believe he even had the audacity to touch him.

The server gave Sasuke a nasty look. “You his bodyguard or something? He said you’re not his partner; why are you upset?”

“He isn’t interested, so why are you touching him?” Sasuke spit. “I suggest you don’t make it a habit to go around touching shinobi. They’re not all as nice as him.”

“Wow, two guys fighting over me,” Naruto playfully gushed. “I’m starting to understand Ino’s stupid fantasies.”

“I have no desire to fight,” the server said, relenting. “I’m not getting in between whatever the hell you two got going on.” He turned and aggressively shoved the door open that led to the back, leaving them alone at the bar. Sasuke didn’t give a fuck. His brain was too busy harping over the fact that Naruto seemed to have no qualms with men fighting over him, let alone flirting with him.

Sasuke went back to eating like nothing happened.

“Thanks for getting me out of that,” Naruto said.

“Yeah.”

Sasuke didn’t speak for the rest of the outing, tense and agitated. He knew he was being ridiculous. He knew Naruto could sense it, but as if afraid of the answer, he didn’t ask why. After a few attempts at jokes that Sasuke only responded to in offhanded hums, he let Sasuke stew in his pathetic silence.

It wasn’t until they were approaching the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, the sun halfway to setting, that Naruto said, “Speak up, dude. What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Sasuke said, eyes set on the border’s gate.

“I’m not stupid, Sasuke. It’s clearly something. Just tell me.”

Sasuke knew Naruto didn’t do anything wrong. He had no real reason to be upset. They weren’t dating. Not even close to it. They were friends, even if his heart bled every single time Naruto reiterated that fact.

In their teens, he kept saying it, and Sasuke kept asking what he meant by that, and every time, the answer was nothing Sasuke ever wanted to hear.

Sasuke should’ve just moved on. Accepted it for what it was.

But Naruto chased after him. Naruto risked his life for Sasuke time and time again. Naruto still cared so deeply about him even after Sasuke put him through hell.

Sasuke didn’t want to hear that they were friends.

It didn’t help that he’d always been a jealous person. He was scathingly jealous. He was jealous that other men had the bravery to shamelessly flirt with him; he was jealous that Naruto didn’t seem to have an issue with it as if it happened often. He wondered how many times Naruto must’ve given in to some of those proposals and invitations. He was a young, popular man.

A young, gorgeous popular man.

No one had ever touched Sasuke. People have tried, but Sasuke had no desire for others to touch him. He would have only let one person. One person, only.

But that person was desired by everyone after years of being invisible. Sasuke would’ve been stupid to not think Naruto had ever hooked up with anyone—people who didn’t know Naruto like Sasuke did, people who didn’t care about Naruto like Sasuke did, people who didn’t love Naruto like Sasuke did.

He wanted to ask. He couldn’t. He might as well have confessed if he asked that.

“Trust me, Naruto. It’s nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” Naruto said. “But all I can do is take your word for it.”

Sasuke was being dramatic. He knew that. But it was all he could do to keep from worsening things for himself.

They opted to avoid the main village in the Land of Hot Water, traveling through beautiful scenery to avoid getting caught up with any civilians who’d possibly be out this late. The cicadas made use of their tense silence, and the leaves and branches crunching under their feet contributed to the natural choir.

By the time the tension in Sasuke’s body dissipated, his heart a little calmer, they’d come across a gem hidden within the trees—an inn attached to a beautiful hot spring surrounded by massive stones, vibrant sun-colored trees framing the spring behind a fence. It was quiet and peaceful, devoid of any patrons, lit up by the moon and a couple lanterns.

Sasuke absolutely wanted to go. He didn’t say anything.

“We are absolutely going,” Naruto said for him.

“Fine by me,” Sasuke said.

Within minutes of booking their room, they were stripped down and stepping into the piping hot water. Sasuke sighed as he submerged himself up to the neck, relief bleeding through his entire body, his pores opening up gratefully and his muscles relaxing immediately. He hadn’t been to a hot spring in a long time; he’d almost forgotten how good it felt.

All the sweat, dirt, and rain from the past day melted off his skin. He tilted his head up to gaze at the night sky. It was full of clouds that occasionally moved to let the moon shine down on them. It was pretty. He momentarily allowed himself to feel at peace, shutting his eyes and taking deep, slow breaths, his jealous woes forgotten just that fast.

He heard the sound of light splashing and opened his eyes to see Naruto already bathing himself like he was allergic to relaxing longer than two minutes.

“You and your quick dips,” Sasuke commented.

Naruto looked over at him, a little sheepish.

He was far prettier than the moonlit sky.

Sasuke wanted to glide over there and wrap his arm around him, holding him close until the water burned their skin pink. He wanted to feel his body against his, and he wanted to kiss him slowly, feeling that soft drag of his tongue against his own, their hips pressing together desperately. He wanted Naruto to groan into his mouth and clutch at him with the hunger of a starving man.

Sasuke’s body burned with arousal, a delicious heat churning through his veins, his lower abdomen tightening.

“Enjoy it,” Sasuke told him, trying—and failing—to suppress that sudden surge of lust. He didn’t want to get hard. He didn’t want to risk being seen. “After we get some sleep, we should keep moving until we reach Kumogakure.”

“I am enjoying it,” Naruto said, his face growing more flushed. Must’ve been from the steam. “Only one of us had gotten soaked in the rain.”

He playfully pouted, and Sasuke took a sharp breath. His mind supplied him with more fantasies of kissing those soft, pink lips; he wanted to feel those lips on his skin, trailing down his stomach with the promise of something good. Sasuke’s cock twitched in the water.

A quick flash of light-headedness shot through his body.

He brushed his fingers through his hair and took a shuddering breath. He was so turned on, so hard despite his efforts to suppress it. He didn’t know what got into him, but his lust was so powerful, so potent, that it was taking utmost restraint not to act on it.

Naruto shifted, tilting his head back to scrub at his chest and neck, his dusky pink nipples on display, erect. Water dripped down his chest, little droplets falling into the crevices of his abs, and Sasuke so badly wanted to chase them with his tongue. He wanted to see what was below the water. He wanted to taste—Sasuke groaned.

Sasuke needed him. Sasuke needed him like he needed breathing. It had never been that intense before. That sudden. That rapid.

What would Naruto have done? How would he have reacted if Sasuke just went over there and kissed him, his hand gliding down his stomach until he wrapped his fingers around his warm cock? What would he have done if Sasuke relentlessly begged him to fuck him?

There was another wave of light-headedness.

“Sasuke, are you okay? You’re looking really red.”

“I’m…I’m fine,” Sasuke said, his heart beating way too fast.

“Might be time for you to get out,” Naruto said, standing upright. Sasuke made the mistake of looking. Naruto looked downright sinful, his strong, naked body lit up by the ambient lighting, water dripping off him slowly like it couldn’t bear to part ways. Sasuke’s eyes were drawn to the thick blonde hair at his navel that led into a mess of thick blonde hair at his crotch, his cock thick despite being soft.

Sasuke wanted it in his mouth.

His heart skipped and his cock throbbed. His breathing picked up even quicker.

Something was wrong with him. This was too much.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Sasuke relented, waiting for Naruto to turn his back before he got up. The moment he stepped out of the water, his body felt agonizingly cold, and he was overcome with fatigue, his limbs feeling heavy. He tried to catch his breath, nearly doubled over, his cock still hard between his thighs.

He didn’t move. He just tried to wait out the way his mind was spinning.

It was to the point Naruto took it upon himself to drape him in a fresh yukata and throw a towel over his head. Sasuke barely managed to tie the yukata together so his erection wasn’t on full display. The thin fabric wasn’t hiding much, though. Naruto didn’t mention it.

“Are you getting sick or something?” Naruto said, pulling him along to their room. Sasuke was thankful to see nobody else in the hallways.

“I don’t know,” Sasuke mumbled. The worst of it all was that even though he felt so sick all of a sudden, there was still that undercurrent of agonizing arousal. Being this close to Naruto only made it worse. He leaned into him, liking how his warmth soaked into his body. He liked how fresh he smelled. He liked how his bulk felt against his body.

“Fuck,” Sasuke breathed against his will. He felt the way precome leaked. He was worried it’d soak through the yukata.

“You good?”

“Yeah,” Sasuke lied.

“Yeah right,” Naruto said.

Sasuke was eternally grateful when they reached their room. There were two beds that were significantly larger than the ones at the previous inn. Sasuke immediately crashed into the nearest one, curling in on himself, facing away from Naruto.

“I’m taking a nap,” he said, his body both too hot and too cold. “Wake me in an hour.”

“It’s almost midnight. Just take the full sleep,” Naruto said, patting his shoulder. “Don’t die in your sleep though, please.”

Sasuke mindlessly hummed and shut his eyes.

He didn’t get any sleep. For a while, he lay there panting relentlessly, his heart racing and his skin itchy. He was burning, and his arousal didn’t wane in the slightest. His cock felt like it’d gotten even harder, twitching pitifully against his navel. He wanted to touch himself so bad; it was starting to get painful. It didn’t help that he was sweating, feeling particularly moist between his asscheeks.

He wanted to fucking die. He had no idea what was wrong with him, and the thought of getting up to head to the bathroom so he could jerk off sounded exhausting. But there was no way he could do it right here while Naruto was on the other side; he knew he was still awake, he could feel his chakra.

His fingers clutched the pillow desperately.

And when his mind wasn’t focused on the agony of it all, it was showing him images of Naruto in the most obscene and lewd circumstances. On top of him, heavily breathing and covered in sweat, just like a hard fight, except Naruto was naked and he was looking at Sasuke like he wanted to eat him. Sasuke shuddered, his cock leaking.

It was like the only thing that could take this pain away was Naruto fucking him. He felt so empty. So cold. Only Naruto could fix him.

He wasn’t going to ask. No way. This alone was humiliating.

Sasuke didn’t know how much time went by, all he knew was the urgent pulse in his dick, but eventually, Naruto was standing over him and gripping his chin to tilt his head toward him. Concern was written all over his face, his sweet blue eyes crinkling at the edges. Sasuke shivered and squeezed his thighs together. That yukata was hiding nothing.

“What’s wrong, Sasuke?”

“Nothing,” Sasuke whined. He fucking whined.

Naruto placed a hand on his forehead. “You’re burning up,” Naruto said. “And you’re breathing hard as hell. I’m worried about you.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Sasuke managed to say, breathless. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine eventually.”

Naruto looked skeptical. It was a sexy look on his face. Sasuke wanted to fuck him so bad. He was five minutes away from begging with tears in his eyes. Naruto’s eyes drifted down. They slightly widened. Sasuke would’ve teleported away from humiliation if he wasn’t so weak right now. He squeezed his thighs harder, like that could hide him.

“You’re still hard…” Naruto said.

Sasuke’s mouth went agape. “You noticed earlier?”

“I would’ve been blind not to,” Naruto said with a forced chuckle. Then his face took on an expression of confusion, his head titling to the side. He must’ve been talking to his fox. Naruto frowned and stroked Sasuke’s forehead, the cool touch soothing Sasuke’s burning skin.

Sasuke was trembling, and he couldn’t help himself anymore. His hand snuck underneath the sash on his yukata and he took hold of himself, shuddering instantly, more precome dribbling out. He bit his lip as he stroked himself, the slide dry, but it was providing far more relief than just enduring it.

Naruto’s eyes instantly caught onto the movement. He didn’t recoil nor did he curse Sasuke for being disgusting. But his cheeks were growing red, and he wasn’t looking away.

Sasuke bit back a moan.

“Kurama says you’ve been poisoned by the hot spring,” Naruto said. “I have a natural resistance to that sort of stuff because of him. He thinks the spring serves as some sort of aphrodisiac, no idea why.”

Sasuke groaned. “What the fuck.”

“So if you’re aroused to the point you’re sick, you’re just going to have to get it out of your system.”

“No shit,” Sasuke snapped. Pain lanced up his spine. He hissed, tightening his hand on himself. God, he really needed to get it together. Jerking off while Naruto was right above him was pathetic and gross—but the pleasure that surged through his body at the very thought had him moaning, his teeth sinking into his lip too late.

Sasuke must’ve imagined that hitch in Naruto’s breath.

“Get out so I can do that,” Sasuke said.

Naruto didn’t stop stroking his forehead with his thumb. “I think you should let me help you out. Look how weak you are. You could barely make it out of the hot spring to begin with.”

“No way,” Sasuke said. He would’ve loved it. He needed it. His entire body was screaming for Naruto. But the part of him that was still coherent just couldn’t allow that. Not like this.

“What? Why not?” Naruto asked, sounding genuinely confused. It was cute.

Sasuke never wanted his first time with Naruto to be like this. Call him a romantic, he didn’t care. He’d fantasized time and time again about the first time he and Naruto would have sex—sometimes it was hungry and rough, eager and desperate, years of unspoken feelings finally being unsheathed, and other times it’s tender and slow, loving and mushy in a way Sasuke had never once experienced.

Never like this—never like something that had to happen for the sake of his life.

“The…the mission…we can’t waste any more time here.”

“Yeah, and good luck walking in the state you’re in. I’m your friend, you know. I’ll do anything for you. I hate seeing you suffer.”

Hate seeing me suffer but you keep calling me your friend.

“This is different…”

“Does the thought of it being me really sound that bad?”

“Don’t try to guilt me, asshole! No, it’s not you…that’s not it at all. It’s just…I don’t know.” Sasuke tapered off into a frustrated whine, every cell in his body on fire, his strength dwindling with every word he said. He let go of his cock and dug his nails into the sheets because his hand wasn’t doing him much good anyway. He needed far more. He needed Naruto.

“It hurts,” Sasuke mindlessly cried.

Naruto brushed his knuckle against Sasuke’s eyebrow. “Sasuke…”

“Do what you want,” Sasuke said. Don’t make me beg. Everything in his body was aching too badly, down to his gums. The arousal was too much. His heart was going to give out at any moment. He didn’t have it within him to deny Naruto anymore.

Take me. Take me, take me, take me.

Naruto’s hand cupped Sasuke’s jaw, his thumb pressing down on his bottom lip. His eyes darkened. “Don’t say that, Sasuke. I might take you up on it.”

“Fuck, loser, are you going to make me beg?” Sasuke groaned.

Naruto laughed under his breath, and the sound had heat simmering underneath Sasuke’s skin, his need intensifying by one thousand. He would’ve let Naruto do absolutely anything to him. “It’s not like I’d mind if you did beg. It’d be cute.”

“I’ll kill you, Naruto,” Sasuke said, hyperaware of the burning in his face. He was hyperaware of how his cock was soaking through the fabric of the robe. He was hyperaware of everything. It was torture.

“Just try it, loser,” Naruto said. He climbed into the bed, immediately making his own space between Sasuke’s legs. He untied the yukata and let it open, exposing Sasuke’s naked body, his cock still embarrassingly hard, the head all soaked and sticky, his navel glistening. Naruto’s eyes hungrily raked down his body. Sasuke burned all over. His cock jolted.

He was growing impatient. Especially because Naruto was still wrapped loosely in his robe, his chest exposed.

“Can I kiss—”

Sasuke rolled his eyes and reached up to grab Naruto by the nape. He yanked him down until Naruto gracelessly flopped on top of him, their mouths smashing together. It wasn’t neat or precise—it could hardly be called a kiss—but the sheer heat of Naruto’s open mouth on top of his had sparks dancing up Sasuke’s spine, his body shuddering hard with pleasure.

Naruto chuckled against his lips, shifting to where he was braced on his elbows, and then he was kissing Sasuke deep and thoroughly, sucking the oxygen right out of his lungs. He slipped his tongue into Sasuke’s mouth, and at the same time, he pressed their hips flush together, something hot and hard pressing against Sasuke’s hip.

That sensation alone was enough to have Sasuke moaning, preening at the knowledge that Naruto was affected—not by the hot spring but by him. By kissing Sasuke. And he kissed Sasuke so well, moving their lips in a quick but delicious rhythm, stroking Sasuke’s tongue with his own, each slide sending throbbing heat to his aching cock.

He swallowed every single one of Sasuke’s uncontrollable noises, kissing him so deeply like he was hellbent on tasting every aspect of Sasuke’s mouth. It had Sasuke trembling, powerful pleasure surging through his body as his fingers threaded through Naruto’s damp hair, clutching desperately.

Sasuke broke the kiss to gasp, “Please.”

He didn’t have to elaborate; but it wasn’t like he was given the chance considering Naruto sealed their mouths together again, humming affirmatively against Sasuke’s lips as he snuck a hand between their bodies, his thick and callused fingers wrapping around Sasuke’s cock. The sheer contact made Sasuke’s body tense up.

Naruto stroked him fast, brushing over Sasuke’s soaked tip to spread his excessive precome, making the slide slicker. Sasuke could no longer kiss back, his lips permanently parted as he cried out with each stroke, the pleasure so immense that he felt it in every corner of his body, his blood scalding.

“Naruto,” he moaned. “Naruto.”

“I’m right here, Sasuke,” Naruto said, his voice low and rough. He was breathless. “Let me make you feel good.”

Feeling good was an understatement; Sasuke had never felt pleasure like this, and something told him he’d never feel pleasure like this again. It was like that poison made every sensation all that more intense. It was overwhelming and painful, but Naruto’s tender touch was enough to overwrite every bit of it with pure ecstasy.

“Naru—” Sasuke’s eyes rolled back as the orgasm building in his abdomen snapped violently, the pleasure exploding through his veins and making his back bow. His thighs locked around Naruto’s hips, his heels digging into his lower back, and his cock spilled all over Naruto’s fingers and his own stomach.

“Fuck,” Naruto groaned, slowing his pace on Sasuke’s cock like he was hesitant to let go.

Sasuke whimpered, his body jolting, the relief strong yet not enough at the same time. His cock wasn’t getting any softer. His lust wasn’t getting any tamer. Not when Naruto was above him, his face flushed and sweaty, his yukata hanging off his shoulders, his eyes dark with hunger and lust. There was no hope for Sasuke.

Naruto finally released his cock, but then he held his dirty hand up in the light. Sasuke burned with embarrassment. Then Naruto started to bring his hand to his mouth and Sasuke kneed him as best as he could.

“Don’t be weird!” Sasuke said.

“Oh come on, it’s not weird! How can I know you’re healthy?” Naruto whined.

“You’re just a pervert,” Sasuke complained.

“Mhm,” Naruto said before sticking his fingers in his mouth—his fingers covered in Sasuke’s come. He moaned indulgently. Sasuke watched in disbelief, the humiliation warring with the arousal in his body. His cock twitched. He was entranced by the way Naruto’s clean fingers glistened when they slid out of his mouth, a trail of saliva clinging to his lip.

Sasuke thought he was going to turn into ash.

Naruto wiped his hand on the blanket then pecked Sasuke’s lips before he could dodge him. “Do you feel better?”

Sasuke wordlessly shook his head.

“No? Need more?”

Sasuke wordlessly nodded his head.

Naruto laughed. “Tell me what you want.”

“I told you to do what you want,” Sasuke huffed.

“Oh, so you meant that,” Naruto said, smirking. “Okay.”

Naruto moved off him and settled on his back, then he grabbed Sasuke, manhandling him like he weighed nothing at all. Sasuke let him maneuver his body, too tired to really do anything about it, until he was on his knees above Naruto’s face.

It took a second for Sasuke’s brain to catch up to the situation. He tried to jerk back, but Naruto gripped his hips, keeping him in place, his hungry eyes staring straight up. Like this, Naruto was seeing everything.

“What—what are you doing?” Sasuke stammered, feeling awfully exposed. How was Naruto so willing to see Sasuke like this, let alone touch him? Sasuke’s cock was hanging heavily, practically resting against Naruto’s face. It was an obscene sight; Sasuke’s heart was fucking pounding.

“Whatever I want,” Naruto said. “Wow. That hot spring really did a number on your body.”

There was a hint of awe in his voice.

“What do you mean?” Sasuke barely managed to say, his breath picking up despite not being stimulated in the slightest.

“How does this feel?” Naruto said, then there was a finger massaging his rim—the sensation made Sasuke gasp, his cock jolting in Naruto’s face—then it started to press in, breaching the sensitive skin. It slid in with ease, lacking the usual resistance that came when Sasuke tried by himself.

“Mmh!” Sasuke moaned.

“You’re so wet,” Naruto whispered, almost like he didn’t mean for Sasuke to hear.

“What?”

Naruto groaned, dragging his finger in and out of Sasuke’s hole, sending pleasure to his cock with each push. It felt so good that Sasuke had forgotten what bullshit Naruto was going on about, unable to resist basking in the sensation, his hips bucking against Naruto’s hand. He whined when Naruto’s finger slipped out of him, his hole clenching hungrily.

Naruto raised his hand to show Sasuke; his finger was soaked, covered in a sticky, clear fluid. Sasuke’s mouth went agape in alarm as his heart dropped. He immediately reached behind himself, brushing his fingers against his asshole. He was wet. It wasn’t sweat that was dripping down his crack and wetting his taint; it was some sort of slick.

“That’s so fucking hot,” Naruto said.

“Hot? Something is fucking wrong with me!”

“Just relax, man,” Naruto said. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Sasuke opened his mouth to retort but Naruto yanked on his hips, pulling him all the way down until his face was practically buried in his ass. All Sasuke could do was clutch the headboard when Naruto swiped his tongue across his asshole, no doubt getting a mouthful of that bizarre substance. Sasuke shuddered with a gasp, his thighs tightening around Naruto’s head. Naruto didn’t complain; he only moaned, tightening his grip on Sasuke, mouthing at his hole like he was eating a decadent meal, his nose pressed against Sasuke’s balls like oxygen was an optional substance.

It felt good. Sasuke hated that it felt good. He wanted to be grossed out. He wanted to pretend he was above this. There was no faking anything. Each swipe of Naruto’s tongue had his thighs quivering, his cock leaking against Naruto’s hairline. He found himself grinding against Naruto’s face, pressing himself deeper onto the hot suction of Naruto’s mouth, unable to keep quiet.

And Sasuke couldn’t lie to himself; he liked that Naruto was willing to kiss him on the mouth, eat his come, and bury his face in his ass. Naruto was so willing to chase him to the ends of the earth, so willing to take a beating for him, and of course, he was so willing to indulge in Sasuke’s body, granting him pleasure like he’d never felt before, not even giving Sasuke the chance to stew in his vulnerability.

It made him feel wanted and desired. It was addicting like he knew it would be.

He’d forever be obsessed with Naruto.

“Fuck,” Sasuke gasped, moving his hips faster, so desperate to come. Naruto gripped Sasuke’s hips even tighter, likely to leave a bruise, as his tongue slid into his hole, stretching him open the slightest bit, lighting his nerves of fire. Sasuke’s body jolted so hard he nearly dislodged himself, but Naruto wouldn’t have let him go.

Another moment of riding Naruto’s tongue, and another orgasm was unspooling deep in the pit of his abdomen, white-hot pleasure bleeding through his body. He cried out against gritted teeth as his hips jerked on Naruto’s face, his cock spitting and making a lewd mess of Naruto’s hair. Naruto gently lapped at his rim until Sasuke stopped shuddering with the aftershocks.

He tapped Sasuke’s hip, and Sasuke took that as the signal to move, but he only shuffled back until he was sitting on Naruto’s chest, still looming over him. Naruto looked a mess. His lips were swollen and glistening with Sasuke’s slick, and there were streaks of come on his forehead, in his hair, on the pillow above him. He looked like something straight out of a porn magazine.

Sasuke’s Sharingan was activated. He didn’t do it on purpose. He didn’t even know when it had come to life. But all he knew was that it was imperative that he had this sight burned into his memory forever.

Naruto didn’t speak; he only panted and reached over Sasuke’s thigh to grab his own cock, jerking himself off with his lip between his teeth, his pupils so dilated, Sasuke could hardly see the all-too familiar blue. Sasuke watched Naruto’s face—the way his eyebrows pinched together, the way he gazed up at Sasuke with desire in his eyes, the way his flush grew impossibly deeper.

Naruto came with a shudder and a moan, something akin to Sasuke’s name on his lips. Sasuke glanced behind him, his entire body clenching at the sight of Naruto stroking the globs of come along the length of his thick cock. A fresh wave of arousal washed through him. It was never-ending. He’d already come twice and he was still so hard, still so hungry, still so empty.

His body screamed for more, more, more, more.

It was driving him insane.

“Sasuke,” Naruto breathed, his voice raspy. “You—your taste, fuck.”

Sasuke snorted. “What a deep thought.”

Naruto didn’t bother responding to him. He combed his fingers through his hair, barely cleaning himself of the mess Sasuke left, then in one quick movement, he pushed Sasuke backwards then flipped him onto his stomach. Anticipation rushed through Sasuke, his arousal almost too much to bear, especially when Naruto draped himself over him, his bare cock pressing against his ass.

“Naruto,” Sasuke whimpered. He didn’t have anything to say or anything to beg for. He just wanted to assure himself that this was real. That the love of his life was on top of him; that it was Naruto who was ducking his head into his neck and planting open-mouthed kisses on his sweaty skin, making him shiver, his weeping cock dragging against the sheet.

“Sasuke,” Naruto breathed, his tone indicating a request.

Sasuke turned his head, wanting to see him, and Naruto immediately took advantage, coaxing Sasuke into a kiss that was nothing but scalding heat, drawing a desperate sound out of him. He slipped his tongue past Sasuke’s lips, kissing him hard while rutting his cock against his ass; the stiff heat of it had Sasuke’s heart pounding.

He’d always been aroused by men, always fantasized about a dick pressed against his body, but he’d never allowed himself to indulge until now. It had to be Naruto; and the fact that it was Naruto already had him so wired and on fire that it wasn’t going to take much to make him come again.

Naruto thrust against him particularly hard; they both moaned, their conjoined drool dripping from their lips.

Their mouths still touching, their breaths all the same, Naruto started, “Sasuke, can I—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, idiot!” Sasuke hissed, because that was easier than saying please, please, please.

Naruto didn’t hesitate any longer; there was one shift of his body and then Sasuke felt the head of his cock on his rim. He couldn’t help the way he tensed, but it didn’t stop Naruto from pushing in, forcing Sasuke to open up.

“Ah!” Sasuke cried out, his back arching the second his body felt that burning stretch. He was still soaked, leaking so much slick that it was growing tacky in his asscrack, but it didn’t take away from Naruto’s sheer girth. The resistance didn’t deter Naruto in the slightest. He kept pushing forward, reaching deeper and deeper inside Sasuke, that pulsing burn going straight to his cock.

He felt so full, the pressure reaching all the way to his throat. And by the time Naruto bottomed out, his hips flush against his ass, the pain and fatigue that seeped into his body from that hot spring disappeared, leaving nothing but overwhelming pleasure and want.

Naruto was panting in his ear, his hair tickling Sasuke’s temples, and his chest was plastered to Sasuke’s back. They were connected at every point, and Sasuke couldn’t get enough of it. There was no way he could let Naruto go back to that village; he needed to stay with him.

“Naruto.”

“Yeah, yeah, so needy,” Naruto mumbled, kissing along his cheek so tenderly Sasuke felt an odd urge to cry.

Naruto’s cock dragged through his insides, dislodging the pressure and making that sweet burn known again, Sasuke’s hole clenching down instinctively. The moan he got from Naruto as a result made him shiver. There was hardly a second before Naruto drove his cock back into Sasuke, forcing a choked noise out of him.

Pleasure rushed through his body like a blast of pure chakra.

“Oh fuck,” Sasuke cried out, his nails digging into the sheets, needing anything to anchor himself as Naruto did it again, pulling all the way back until only the head remained, and then shoving it right back inside him with a devastating amount of force, hitting something that had Sasuke moaning so loudly before he could even register that his body felt so fucking good.

He reached so deep that Sasuke felt like he could taste it, every drag of that fat cock sending pleasure rushing through his body, his cock leaking with every thrust. He couldn’t shut up. He couldn’t even think about keeping quiet. It felt even better when he sounded like a slut, crying out for Naruto, unable to do anything but relax into the bed and take it.

Naruto wasn’t tentative. He wasn’t treating Sasuke like he was fragile. He was putting pure power into his thrusts, wordlessly demanding Sasuke to feel every inch of him.

“Does it feel good?” Naruto rasped in his ear. “You feel so fucking good.”

“Mm,” was all Sasuke could manage as Naruto fucked him into the mattress, the slapping of their skin loud in the small little room. The slick sounds of being fucked made Sasuke burn, but fuck, was he thankful for that hot spring because there wasn’t a hint of painful dryness; it was all wet and slippery and smooth, Naruto’s cock gliding through his body with ease.

“You’re so tight, baby,” Naruto said, slowing his thrusts down. “It’s driving me crazy.”

“Naru—mmh!” Sasuke’s voice broke on a particularly hard thrust, his entire body being shoved up the bed, the pleasure sparking through him with a harsh shudder. Naruto’s pace might’ve slowed, but he put even more force behind each thrust, slamming into Sasuke’s prostate, sending that sensation right to his throbbing dick.

“Sasuke, Sasuke,” Naruto moaned.

Sasuke’s mind started to blank. He couldn’t think about anything in the midst of all the ecstasy rushing through his veins. His body tensed up, clenching down even harder on Naruto’s cock, wanting to keep him inside.

“Naruto, Naruto, Naruto, Naruto,” he mindlessly chanted, only stopping when the orgasm seized his body, his voice forgotten as the pleasure shocked through his body. His vision blacked out, and there was a split second of nothing at all, then when he came to, Naruto was still pounding him, and his orgasm was still pulsing through his cock.

Tears started to prick his eyes, and he couldn’t hold them back; he couldn’t hold back the way he started crying, feeling so good that it was overwhelming.

All of a sudden, he was agonizingly empty, and then he was flipped over and his thighs were shoved open. Naruto’s eyes widened when he looked down at him, propped up on his knees, and he reached out to cup Sasuke’s face, thumbing at his tears.

“You’re so pretty, Sasuke,” he said, leaning down to where their mouths touched. “So beautiful.”

The tears kept pouring for Sasuke, but his cries were cut off by Naruto kissing him, slotting their lips together wetly. One push of his hips and he was deep inside Sasuke again, fucking him with a confident rhythm like the skill of fucking Sasuke was engrained in his genetics.

It might as well have been with how much Sasuke was crying, utterly helpless, the overstimulating pleasure almost agonizing. Naruto just kept going, driving hard into him while tonguing his mouth, licking along the seam of his lips and lapping at his teeth. His stamina was nearly frightening, but it was exactly what Sasuke needed.

A sharp pressure started to build in the pit of his abdomen, and the intensity grew with each thrust. Their half-kiss broke when Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s shoulders, yanking him even closer as he held onto him for dear life, desperately needing an anchor. Sasuke cried out relentlessly, his mind spinning and his stomach tightening, his blood burning.

“Aagh! Naruto, I can’t,” he mewled, throwing his head back, writhing with no place to go underneath Naruto’s bulk. It was as if he was crashing into another orgasm, but his body was apprehensive about it. It didn’t matter; with Naruto fucking into him like that, the pressure was going to burst regardless.

“Damn, Sasuke,” he grunted. “Come on, baby.”

“Fuck,” Sasuke whimpered, wriggling his hips as if he could possibly escape. Then he felt the first spurt on his stomach, warm and wet and thin. “Naruto!”

Sasuke let go of Naruto, but he couldn’t get his arm between their bodies to stop the stream, his hand hovering helplessly above Naruto’s nape, a fresh wave of tears escaping his eyes. Naruto rose to his knees, lifting off Sasuke without altering the pace in the slightest, and Sasuke took the chance to grab his cock, his thumb pressing into his slit.

Naruto immediately grabbed his wrist and pinned it near his head.

“I want you to come on my cock again,” Naruto said.

Sasuke just sobbed, accepting that there was nothing he could do but let it happen. The pressure dispersed and Sasuke’s cock, only half-hard at this point, soaked his abs, the stream uncontrollable.

“Oh fuck,” Naruto said. “Wow.”

Sasuke wanted to throw his arm over his eyes, mortified, but Naruto kept him pinned. He was wholly exposed. He settled for squeezing his eyes shut, because the stream simply wouldn’t stop.

“It feels that good, baby?” Naruto said, still not deterred from Sasuke, still fucking him like nothing was out of the ordinary. Sasuke didn’t know what it’d take. “That’s so fucking hot, holy fuck. I’m so obsessed with you.”

The worst part for Sasuke was that it did feel good; it felt amazing. The relief was immense, and even the wet warmth on his skin felt nice.

“It’s okay, Sasuke, let it happen. Just let go. Just feel good for me.”

And the moment Sasuke did let go, letting all the tension bleed out of his body, he came again, arching so deeply his spine ached, all his piss dripping off his waist and drenching the bed.

“That’s it, so perfect,” Naruto praised before his hips jerked and he buried himself inside Sasuke and stayed there, his face twisting in pleasure. Sasuke moaned when he felt the pulse of Naruto’s cock, throbbing hard as it spilled inside him, the warmth of it making him shiver.

Sasuke let his spine flatten against the mattress, and he simply laid there, his vision hazy as he tried to catch his breath, his entire body sore and throbbing and spent. When his eyes shut, he was out.

He must’ve been out only briefly, because when he came to, Naruto was leaving a trail of kisses from his chest down to his abdomen, uncaring of the mess.

“You’re so gross,” Sasuke muttered, still humiliated.

“Awake, huh?” Naruto said, glancing up at him with a smirk. “And there’s nothing gross about it. Not when it’s you.” Like Sasuke never interrupted him, he went back to kissing his stomach, licking down his navel and kissing around his cock, burying his nose in Sasuke’s pubic hair and inhaling deeply.

Naruto just kept proving Sasuke right.

Naruto lapped at his balls before sucking one into his mouth. Sasuke’s body twitched as he moaned softly. Naruto let it slip from his lips as he said, “It doesn’t look like you’re still leaking. Think it’s out of your system now?”

Oh right. Sasuke had almost forgotten how this insane situation had come to be. He didn’t know if he was cured or not. All he knew was that he needed a bath—preferably a normal one—and a nap. He was exhausted. But Naruto’s observation made the sensation of something leaking out of his hole more obvious to him, something thicker and warmer than that other substance.

Naruto’s come. Sasuke shuddered, his cock pulsing in a useless attempt to get hard again. Even after all that, Sasuke still had more arousal within him. But he knew that wasn’t the hot spring. It was all him. Naruto had that effect on him.

“Probably,” was all he said.

“Oh, that’s good,” Naruto said, kissing and biting the inside of Sasuke’s thighs.

“So…if it’s over,” Sasuke started. “Why are you still between my thighs?”

“Oh, sorry,” Naruto laughed, not removing his head from between Sasuke’s thighs. “Do you want me to stop?”

Sasuke inhaled deeply, tilting his head back as he gazed at the ceiling of this cursed little inn. “No.”

—

An hour later, Sasuke was thoroughly bathed and in a fresh yukata, settled in Naruto’s clean bed, taking small bites of his second onigiri. Naruto was lying down next to him, in nothing but a clean pair of boxers—like Sasuke hadn’t been horny enough all night. He was slurping happily on a cup of ramen, practically glowing after the night they’d had. Sasuke wasn’t even sure Naruto realized he was smiling.

They’d been in a comfortable silence the past half-hour, quietly eating their respective snacks, both so hopelessly tired, but too hungry to sleep. Naruto broke it with a simple, “Sasuke.”

“What?”

“Back at the restaurant, were you jealous?”

“What?” Sasuke repeated intelligently. That whole ordeal had long since slipped out of his mind. He had a lot of other stuff to occupy his thoughts with now.

“When that guy was flirting with me—”

“I know what you’re talking about, idiot.”

“So…?”

“Why do you care?”

Naruto sighed, setting his now-empty cup on the nightstand. He scooted closer to Sasuke. “Don’t be like that, Sasuke. Come on, tell me.”

“Don’t be stupid. I wasn’t jealous,” Sasuke lied, his face flushing, his gaze naturally averting. He hated how honest his body was. “What’s there to be jealous of? He was just annoying.”

“Hey, Sasuke,” Naruto said, his knuckles gently coming underneath his chin. Sasuke naturally looked over at him. God, he was so beautiful. His hair was still damp, now with the water of the shower they took together. His pretty blue eyes were as clear as the ocean, that lustful haze gone, now replaced with something Sasuke so badly wanted to believe was affection.

Naruto leaned in, and their lips touched in a gentle and sweet kiss. Just like the first time all those years ago, Naruto tasted like miso. Pleasant little sparks danced up Sasuke’s spine, and his heart sped up like this was the first time they’d ever kissed.

In a way, it was. This kiss was different. Sasuke knew it in his heart. This kiss was a promise.

“You’re everything to me, you know,” Naruto whispered. “Absolutely everything.”