A/N: I needed a break from my other story, Jealousy, because I was getting writers block and losing inspiration. But, in the midst of writing frustration with that story, I got super inspired to write this. I have some pretty good ideas for this and an AU sounded like fun, so here I am.
WARNING: Strong language, violence, substance abuse...basically, it's angst central up in this bitch.
DISCLAIMER: Kishi-sensei created the characters.
Naruto Uzumaki entered his classroom and was greeted by an enormous aura of gloom. He stared, blinking, at his classmates as they whispered amongst themselves, frowning. A sick feeling creeped up inside of him as he took his seat beside a pink haired girl with tears in her eyes. He fixed his gaze on the empty seat to the opposite side of him and turned back to the distraut girl beside him.
"Where's Sasuke?" He frowned at her sullen expression and felt the color drain from his face.
"Naruto, you didn't hear? It was all over the news..." She bit her bottom lip and stared at the top of her desk.
"Hear what? Come on Sakura, I'm startin' to freak out, what's going on?" He felt his hands begin to shake as the sickness in his gut grew stronger.
"His older brother...he slaughtered their entire family..." The tears in her eyes spilled over her cheeks and dripped onto her desk. "Poor Sasuke..."
"W-what? A-are you serious? No that has to be wrong...Itachi wouldn't do that!" He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "You're wrong! Is this some kind of sick joke?" Her facial expression confirmed his fear. "W-what about Sasuke? He didn't...he's not..." His stomach turned.
"Sasuke is the only survivor. The news reporter stated that he got knocked out and woke up next to...to the corpses of his family members. Itachi fled and they assume he's already out of the country by now." She covered her face with her hands and sunk lower in her seat. "I feel so bad...I wish I could help him, but I don't know what to say to him or how to act..."
Naruto hadn't learned anything at all that day. He stared blankly at the chalkboard, not really seeing anything, not really hearing anything. He felt his impatience grow stronger throughout the day, determined to run straight to the Uchiha as soon as school ended. He had to see him. He didn't have a clue what he would say but he had to see him.
When the last bell rang, dismissing the students, Naruto darted out of the building and ran several blocks without stopping. He skidded to a hault in front of the Uchiha manor and froze. He stared wide eyed and gaped at the crime scene before him. Caution tape was stretched around the house and chalk outlines were scattered across the ground. The windows had been shattered and blood was splattered against the cobblestone siding.
It's true...this is real...it really happened...
His heart began to pound and his chest tightened. Tears spilled from his eyes as a lump caught in his throat. He turned swiftly on his heel and sprinted down the road. His side ached and his feet were sore. His body screamed in protest as he fought through the pain.
This pain is nothing compared to what Sasuke must be feeling. I've gotta see him...I can't just leave him alone after something like this...I need to be there for him...
Several blocks later he shoved through hospital doors and rushed to the front desk. The secretary jumped in her seat as Naruto slammed his fists down in front of her. Through the heavy, raspy panting she decoded his desperate request to visit Uchiha Sasuke.
"Room 106, top floor. But you should be warned-"
The blond was already sprinting towards the stair-well, there was no time for an elevator. He weezed as he burst through the 3rd floor entrance and ran straight to Sasuke's room. When he opened the door, He found the Uchiha sitting in the far corner of the room, hugging his knees. The room had been trashed, medical supplies littered the floor, the sheets had been thrown off the bed, and every peice of furniture had been flipped over.
"Sasuke..." He crouched down beside him and the Uchiha raised his head, his expression grim. His eyes were bloodshot and his skin was ghost-white.
For the first time in his life, Naruto's words failed him. He abandoned the idea of comforting the Uchiha with words and wrapped his arms around him instead. Sasuke sat limply with his arms at his sides for a moment before he gave in. He gripped the orange fabric of Naruto's shirt and let his weight fall on him. He could feel himself losing control and for the first time in his life, he let it happen.
He broke down. His head burried in the crook of Naruto's neck, soaking his shirt with tears. His body shook against the blond's as Naruto pulled him in tighter.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke...I'm so sorry..." It was all he could manage to say.
-Fifteen Years Later-
Sasuke sat with a bottle of vodka in one hand and a butcher knife in the other. His thoughts like venom, poisening him. His vision began to blur, his hands shaking.
No, I promised I wouldn't let myself sink this low again. He trusts me not to do this.
With horrible accuracy, the knife was flung across the room. It pierced through the hard wood floor, the blade glowing faintly from the moonlight that poured through the window. The bottom of the bottle greeted the ceiling as he tipped it back, chugging it's contents. His throat burned, his cheeks were on fire.
If only I could travel through time and take it all back. If only I could be different. If only I weren't just a damaged freak. I'm a mess...a fucking mess.
A sickening sour feeling churned in his stomach, prompting the Uchiha to scramble out of his living room and stumble into his bathroom where he collapsed onto the hard tile flooring. He immediately purged the alcohol into the procelin bowl, clutching it tightly. His body shook violently as it emptied the toxic contents from his stomach.
How many times? How many times am I going to find myself back here? When I am going to get my shit together?
He stared at his reflection in the mirror. His raven black hair a chaotic mess, his cheeks stained with tear streaks, his eyes bloodshot and tired. He scowled and let his rage fueled by disgust force his fist into the glass, shattering it. Shards of glass littered the sink and floor, a few peices lodged in his pale knuckles.
Pathetic.
The pocket of his jeans began to vibrate as Naruto's default ringtone broke the dead silence. He reached for his phone with trembling hands, fumbling it and catching it before it hit the floor. He stared at the blond's picture for a moment before sliding the green icon and putting the phone to his ear.
"What?" He cringed at the harshness in his own voice.
"I'm sorry. Come back." The blond sounded exhausted. He should, too. He had been through this little charade more times than either of them could count.
"If I get in my car, people will die. I will also probably die. But that wouldn't be such a bad thing anyway I guess. Yeah sure, I'll come back over." His words were slurred despite his attempt to mask his intoxication.
"God damn it, bastard, you're drunk. Don't you dare get in that car. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Don't do anything stupid. Put the bottle away, you've had enough." He hung up abruptly, sending the Uchiha back into the silence of his dark house.
No don't come over here! You can't see me like this!
He leaned his back against the wall and slid to the floor. His eyes squeezed shut as he racked his brain for something proper to tell the blond once he arrived. His brain failed him. Instead, his thoughts betrayed him, leading him into a memory he couldn't rid himself of despite his many efforts to supress it.
And just like that, he was back in the Uchiha manor. The corpses of his loved ones piled around him, the stench of blood and death permeated the air. And his brother was nowhere to be found. He cringed as he saw clearly the bodies of his parents. His father's stoic face frozen in a deep frown, his mother's eyes wide with panic...
A loud knock on his door snapped the Uchiha out of his memory. He shook the negative thoughts out of his head and got to his feet. When he opened the door, Naruto immediately stormed past him. Upon entering the detroyed living room, he stopped dead in his tracks and slowly turned to glare at the Uchiha.
"You serious, bastard? What's with all the empty bottles? What happened to your hand? And what the fuck is up with this butcher knife stuck in the floor?! Sasuke, what is going on?"
Naruto had played damage control several times before this. Normally, though, he'd arrive to find Sasuke half-way down a bottle of vodka and slurring some nonsense about wanting to hunt his brother down. The worst case he had seen thus far was Sasuke laying on his living room floor with a slit in his wrist, wreaking of alcohol, and drenched in his own blood. The next day, as he layed in a hospital bed, Sasuke had made a promise that he would never do anything like that again.
"Answer me, bastard! Why the fuck is that knife there? You fucking promised me! God damn it, Sasuke-"
"The knife is in the floor, not my chest. Calm the fuck down, moron." He glared at the blond before running his hand through his hair with a sigh. "Sorry, I'm jus a lil' drunk. I don't wanna fight with you."
"A little drunk?! You're wasted! Come on, tell me why you're having another episode. You've been all aggitated this entire day and you haven't told me why. I mean, I know that you're always irritable but...something had to have happened to make you do this again. Our fight wasn't even that bad, or at least we've had worse, so it's gotta be somethin' else." His blue eyes locked with Sasuke's obsidian.
"Fifteen years today." He averted his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Oh." Naruto scratched the back of his head and lowered his voice. "Man, I'm sorry. I can't believe I forgot...why didn't you just talk to me about it?"
"We got into that fight'n I was pissed. Besides, ya' know I hate talking about my feelings." He spit the last word out as if it were poison.
"Yeah and see where that gets you? Two years ago it put you in the hospital...if I hadn't sensed that somethin' was wrong when you didn't answer my call...if I hadn't shown up here..." They both stared at the floor, the silence returning.
"Listen, why're you even here now? I thought you said you were done with my bullshit? I thought I was jus a burden and you're worn out." He inwardly cringed at how sloppy his words came out.
"You know I didn't mean it. You said some pretty awful things too, bastard. Did you mean it when you called me pathetic?" He narrowed his eyes at the Uchiha who struggled to keep his poker face.
"Tch. You shouldn't have drug me to that party. I told you I didn't wanna go." His blood began to boil as he recalled the day's earlier events.
-earlier that day-
When Sasuke walked through the door to Naruto's apartment, the blond was on his cell-phone. He leaned against his kitchen counter, grinning widely.
"No way! Congrats dude!...Seriously? Nice!...Can I bring-...oh come on he's not that bad, I'll keep him in line...he needs to get out, just give him a chance...awesome! So what time?...alright, cool, I'll see you tonight! Congrats, again, man!" He set his phone aside and jumped when he noticed the Uchiha standing with his arms crossed a few feet away.
"Who was that and where are you dragging me this time?" His eyes narrowed as he glared at the blond.
"Oh, uh, that was Kiba. He finally grew a pair and proposed to Hinata! She said yes of course so to celebrate he's throwing a party at his place. Everyone's gonna be there, the whole crew back together! It's gonna be awesome!" His enthusiasm failed to excite the Uchiha.
"I'm not going. He doesn't want me there anyway and I'm fairly certain no one else does either." He brushed past the blond and opened his fridge, rummaging through it before pulling out a pitcher of iced tea.
"Come on, Sasuke! You need to get out! Stop being so judgemental, will ya? If you gave them a chance you'd actually have a good time." He pleaded to his uncaring friend, unsuccesfully.
"Why am I the one you're telling to be less judgemental? They're the one's who never liked me. Well...okay I never liked them either...but that's beside the point." He poured the tea into a glass and sipped, disgust covering his face. "You sweetened it."
"Sorry, I forgot you like to come steal my tea and then bitch about how sweet it is. I'll be more considerate next time." The blond crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Anyway, bastard, they wouldn't have a problem with you if you'd just be more friendly. You're always sulking and insulting people. Besides, it doesn't make any sense that of all people, I'm your only friend. You tell me every day that I'm annoying and stupid so if you can handle me then why not give them a chance?"
"You're different, moron. You've been my best friend since we were five. And one annoying friend is all I can take, okay? I don't need a lot of friends like you do, I'm perfectly content with just one." He slid his tea to Naruto, and poured himself a glass of water.
"Damn it, Sasuke! You're going to this party! I will drag you by your duck butt hair if I have to, I swear to God, do not test me!" His anger increased the longer the Uchiha held his uncaring expression.
"Why? What's the point? You're being stupid." He rolled his eyes and sipped his water. "And say one more thing about my hair and I'll deck you. You know I can't help it, it does whatever it wants."
"I'm not being stupid, you are! It's a party, it's fun! Just freakin' go!"
"Again, I'm not seeing the point." His poker face irking the blond, driving him further into his rage.
"Because, bastard, you cling to me like a lost freakin' puppy! You need to let more people in! Maybe you wouldn't be such a mess if you had more friends. Why are you so against being happy?" His fists clenched at his sides. He just wanted to help his friend, that's all he wanted. But, the damn bastard had a tendancy of making it hard on him.
"I do not cling to you! Don't make me out to be some pathetic loser, you fucking dobe. I don't like people, I don't like 'letting people in', I do not enjoy parties, and I am perfectly fucking happy the way I am!" He tightened his grip on his water and his poker face had shattered, revealing anger.
"Fine. Then, will you just come to the party for me? Just come with, Sasuke. If it's lame, or if you really end up hating it, we'll leave."
"Just say the word and you'll ditch your precious friends?"
"Yeah, we'll split and order a pizza or somethin' and play Mortal Kombat all night instead. Just come hang out with me. And you might actually have fun at the party, I'll even try to make it less awkward for you." He smiled at his friend as he narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
"Okay...I'll go. But you promise that we'll leave if I'm uncomfortable?"
"I promise, as long as you promise to actually give it a fair chance first. You have to make an effort at least."
"Deal."
They shook on it and moved to the living room where Naruto forced the Uchiha to watch an old kung fu movie. Sasuke sat with his arms crossed and his mouth cemented into a frown as the blond quoted almost every line and threw choreographed kicks and punches.
A few hours later Sasuke found himself following Naruto into a loud and crowded house. He stared through bored eyes at his former classmates bumping and grinding to some trendy pop music he didn't recognize. The majority of them held red plastic cups in their hands and their cheeks were stained pink.
Well at least there's alcohol.
"Naruto!" Kiba ran to the blond, Akamaru following closely behind, and bumped his fist. "What's up, bro?" He wreaked of vodka and his words were slurred.
"Seriously? You're already drunk? Where's mine, ya bastard?" He punched him playfully in the shoulder and the large excited dog barked at him.
"In the kitchen, duuuude! Shino got the hook up! We got everything!" He laughed and gestured towards the next room, spilling some of the alcohol on his gray button-up.
"Nice!" He grinned devilishly and turned to the Uchiha. "Let's get turnt!"
"Never say that again. Now I really need a drink." He face-palmed and followed the blond into the kitchen.
Mix drinks in hand, they made their way back to the crowded living room where they were greeted by a group of tipsy girls. Sasuke rolled his eyes as a couple of them grabbed onto his arms and stared at him shamelessly.
"Sasuke! It's been awhile! I never see you around anymore!" Sakura pouted and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Where have you been hiding that handsome face of yours, huh?" Ino flipped her hair and winked at him.
"I have just officially inherited my father's major corporation. I obviously have my hands full. I'm 24 years old, I have an endless list of responsiblities to occupy my time. The fact that I'm even here tonight is soley because of this idiot." He nodded towards the blond who was playing with some girls hair and blushing as she poked his abs and squealed.
"Wow, Sasuke, you're soooo amazing! So successful and important at such a young age! You're the coolest!" Sakura gushed as she stared up at his unamused face.
"Well, it's not like there was any other Uchiha to take over my family's company. All of this just got dumped on me." He glared back at her as she awkwardly shifted and looked away.
"Oh, right." She bit her bottom lip. "Sorry."
"Billboard brow! You idiot!" Ino stuck her tongue out at the pink haired girl and shook her head.
"Jeeze, Sasuke, way to harsh the mellow! Come on, let's go dance with these babes!" Naruto grinned widely as the girls attached to him nodded and giggled excitedly.
"No. I don't dance." He glared at the blond who shrugged and pulled the girls onto the make-shift dance floor. "So, are you two going to let go of my arms or...?"
"Oh, sorry, Sasuke..." Sakura blushed as the two of them stepped away from the aggitated Uchiha. "Come on, Ino, let's go find Temari. She doesn't come out here that often...later, Sasuke."
Sasuke stood awkwardly leaning against a wall, sipping his Jaeger Bomb. His gaze was fixed on the blond as two girls grinded against him as he held one's hips. Sasuke narrowed his eyes and squeezed his cup.
Fucking whores.
Naruto grabbed one of the girls' hands and twirled her around, laughing, and pulled her in against his chest. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She blushed furiously and grabbed the back of his head and pressed her lips against his. Next came the tongue action.
That slutty fucking bitch!
He chugged the rest of his drink and tossed the cup in the trash. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he shoved through the crowd of people and made his way outside, slamming the door behind him. He sat on the front steps and rested a cheek in his hand.
I knew this was a bad idea. Why doesn't he ever listen to me?
Within seconds the door flung open behind him and Naruto plopped down beside him.
"You can't give up already, bastard. Remember our deal?" He poked the Uchiha's shoulder and narrowed his eyes.
"Fuck that stupid deal. This party is lame. The music is crappy, the girls are slutty, and there isn't a single person here I care to talk to."
"But you didn't even try! You-"
"Naruto! When are you going to get it? I don't have the same pathetic need to fill a void with one-sided frienships as you do! I don't attach myself to every person that looks in my general direction. I don't need worthless friendships to make me feel valuable. You're fucking pathetic. Do you really think any of these people really give a shit about you? They just can't get rid of your clingy ass."
Naruto's face turned red as he stood abrubtly, fists clenched and shaking. "Get over yourself, Sasuke! You arrogant bastard! These people are my friends and just because no-one likes your crappy personality that doesn't give you the right to trash talk the people who can actually make friends! I'm not filling a void, either! I just like building bonds with people because I like to be happy, I like to be surrounded by people who care. You're fine with having no-one because you only care about yourself!"
Sasuke stood now and grabbed the collar of Naruto's shirt. "Fuck you! People are trash, I don't need them! I don't need anyone, not even you." His screamed in the blond's face and shoved him backwards.
"Don't need me, huh? You're so fucking attached to me and you can't even admit it because of your stupid fucking pride! You look down on everyone and for what reason? Because you're better than us? Because you're Sasuke Uchiha the smartest, coolest man alive? Get over yourself!"
"Moron!" His fist met the blond's jaw, sending him to the ground. "If I'm attached to you, than you're no better! You need me just as badly as I need you!"
"I thought you didn't need anyone?" He got back to his feet and grabbed Sasuke shirt. "Fuck you, Sasuke!" He shoved him, the Uchiha stumbling backwards before charging forward and tackling the blond to the ground.
His fist crashed into the side of Naruto's face. The blond retaliated by shoving his feet into the Uchiha's chest, kicking him off and jumping on top of him, straddling him and throwing his fists into his face. Sasuke shoved his hands against the blond's shoulders and pushed him off before kicking him in the stomach.
As Sasuke raised his fist the door opened again, this time Kiba emerged.
"Woah, what the hell guys? You're really going to do this here?" He seemed to have sobered up some at the sudden voilence occuring on his front lawn. Although, the surprise factor had died years ago. Anyone who knew these two were familiar with these violent outbursts.
"Stay out of it, you dumb mutt!" Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth.
Naruto stood and glared down at the Uchiha. "Go home, Sasuke. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of dealing with you! You're fucking wearing me out! I'm done. I'm done with your bullshit. Just go." He turned towards Kiba and bowed his head. "I'm sorry about this, dude. I didn't mean for it to get this out of hand. I hope we didn't freak anyone out."
"Nah, dude. I just saw you guys through the window, I don't think anyone else noticed. The music was loud enough to cover it up. I kinda figured somethin' like this would happen when you said you were bringin' him." He nodded towards the fuming Uchiha.
"Naruto! Don't ignore me!-"
"GO HOME." Naruto's face had turned bright red. He turned away and followed Kiba into the house and slammed the door behind him.
Seconds later, Sasuke peeled out of the drive-way. His jet black lambo disappearing in the night.
"I was only trying to help you out. I just wanted you to make more friends. You say you're content without them...but you're clearly not." Naruto looked around the living room, staring sadly at the empty alcohol containers and fixed his gaze on the butcher knife. "Maybe I'm going about it the wrong way. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong...I just don't know how to help you I guess. I'm sorry."
"I told you already. I don't need any help. I get stressed from my job, that's totally normal. Plenty of people go through the same thing. I've always been an introvert, it's a part of who I am. You need to stop trying to change that and learn to accept it." He crossed his arms and glared at the blond.
"How can you be totally okay with...oh, you know what? Never mind. I'm tired of this argument. I already know where this is going- nowhere." He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. "Listen, I just came here to make up. Are we cool?"
"Yeah."
"Can I borrow the viper? Chouji gave me a ride here in his truck but I'm pretty sure he's drunk by now and he was the last sober person left at the party so..." He hated asking Sasuke to borrow his vehicles. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and avoided eye contact.
"Wha? No way! You were drinking at the party too, dobe! No way I'm letting you drive one of my cars." It was hard for him to sound authoritive when alcohol was messing with his pronunciation.
"Oh, come on, bastard! I've barely got a buzz goin'! I don't have money for a cab and it's too far to walk!" He stuck his lower lip out and widened his eyes. Pouting usually did the trick. Because, nothing was more annoying to Sasuke Uchiha than Naruto's unrelenting pouting and he'd do anything to shut him the hell up and stop making that damn face.
However, it didn't always work on the intoxicated version of Sasuke. Drunk Sasuke was a bit harder to deal with. "Nope. You're not taking any of my cars. You had that 99 Bananas stuff and every time you drink it, you're even more of a dobe than usual and I will not have a super-dobe driving my car. You can sleep on the couch. I'll even give you a blanket and pillow if you don't argue with me."
"Oh come on, Sasuke! You know I'm extra careful with your cars! I haven't wrecked one yet, have I?" He pleaded with the raven-haired man desperately and frowned when the Uchiha started laughing. Sasuke was laughing, that couldn't be a good sign.
"Ah-ha! Yet! See? That means it's bound to happen. You drive like a lunatic and with banana flavored vodka in your system, tonight very well could be the night."
"Stupid jerk..."
"Ya know, with as often as you complain about my house being too cold, I thought you would have wanted that blanket. Guess not." He smirked at the fuming blond.
"Seriously? OH COME ON!" Naruto threw his arms up for dramatic affect and his voice rose an octive. "I hate it when you're drunk, you act so weird! And somehow you get even meaner!"
"Tch. I'll make you a deal. I'll give you the blanket and pillow if we can play our drinking game."
"What?! No! Sasuke, we both know that ends in the worst hangover in alcohol history and we always end up doing the stupidest things and breaking at least two glass objects and not to mention you're already drunk! You're gonna get alcohol poisening!" His massaged his temples and squeezed his eyes shut. He was not in the mood for drunk Sasuke.
"Oh, come on, Nardo! I'm trying to have some of that fun you're always talking about. Let's play the game." Now, Sasuke's pouty face could break through any defense. It was indestructable. Well, as long as it was Naruto on the recieving end.
"Oh no. Ohhh no! Saucy's back. Alert the media, Uchiha Sasuke isn't being a bitter emo boy!" 'Saucy' was the Uchiha's alter ego. He only showed up at stage three intoxication. And he was rare. Very rare.
"Shhh." Sasuke pushed a finger to the blonde's lips and narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell anyone, dobe. They can't know about my fun side. They'll start demanding it."
Naruto burst into laughter. "Damn it, Saucy. How can I pass up an opportunity to actually do something fun with you for a change? Go get the DDR mats." If there was one thing Naruto refused to do, it was reject an offer to have fun. Especially if the offer came from Sasuke. And if Naruto were to be honest with himself, he missed playing their drinking game.
Their drinking game involved Dance Dance Revolution, a large bottle of anything that was 60 proof or higher, and two shot glasses. The rules were simple, at the end of each round, the loser took a shot. The results were usually the same. Sasuke would start out strong while Naruto tripped over his own feet but the more alcohol the blond consumed the better he got, and the more the Uchiha consumed, the worse he got.
Hehe, Saucy's already drunk! It's my time to shine!
Naruto grinned to himself as Sasuke set up the game, fumbling with the mats and trying several times to connect the wires. His pale cheeks were stained pink and his usual gracefulness was nowhere to be found.
Yes, I'm definitely going to win this time!
And win he did.
After an hour of Sasuke falling on his ass and Naruto pointing and laughing at his failures, both men collapsed on the couch. Naruto flipped through the channels and stopped once he found a classic samurai movie he knew the Uchiha was very fond of. All the while, Sasuke slurred something about 'winning next time' and how the game was 'completely unfair'.
"Yeah, yeah, shut up bastard. Out of pity I'll suffer through this crappy old movie for you." He lightly punched him in the arm and tossed the remote to the side.
"It's been a while since we've played Drunk Dance Revolution, hasn't it?"
"Drunk Dance Revolution? Ha! I'll have to remember that one. And yeah it has been a while I guess. At least a year or two. Now-a-days, anything involving you and alcohol hasn't been much fun." He frowned at his lap as he listened to the Uchiha fidget uncomfortably beside him.
"I'm sorry, Naruto." His voice was a whisper and his eyes were narrowed at the ceiling.
"Oh man, Sasuke, don't get all emotional on me now! Way to harsh the mellow." He laughed awkwardly and nudged him.
"No, I mean it. I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry." Naruto could have sworn he heard his voice crack. "I never say those words to you, or to anyone, but I am. You were right earlier...I put you through too much and I know I'm kinda hard to deal with sometimes...or all the time...I don't know! I can't really think straight but I was going somewhere with this!" He paused for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose in deep contemplation. "Oh yeah! I'm sorry."
"Uh...it's okay? I mean, I'm used to it. I mastered the art of dealin' with a crazy Uchiha looooong ago. It's no biggie, so don't sweat it." He smiled brightly at Sasuke who only frowned in return. Oh no, he's going to talk about his feelings...this is gonna get messy. Damn you, Drunk Dance Revolution!
"But it's not okay, Naruto! I'm literally, like, the worst friend ever. I'm a mess..no I'm a fucking train wreck and I drag you down with me every chance I get. You're my best friend and I just treat you like crap. You know I don't like getting close to people so the fact that I'm so close to you really terrifies me so I pretend like I want to push you away but I think that if you ever did go away, I'd kill myself. I really would." He stared desperately at the blond, a pained look in his eyes.
"Sasuke..." Naruto stared back in shock. He wasn't expecting something so intimate. This night was feeling a lot like a rollercoaster ride. "I..." He paused as the Uchiha's eyes blinked shut and his head dropped. "Hey, bastard...wake up..." He nudged his shoulder lightly, causing his head to fall on his shoulder. He blushed and poked his sleeping face. "Sasuke, hey..."
"Na..ru..to..." He mumbled quietly as he burried his face in the blond's shirt.
"Uh...yeah?" he raised a curious eyebrow at the exhaused Uchiha and shifted awkwardly.
"You smell nice." He shifted his body, now completely leaning against the panicking blond. Seconds later, his breathing became quiet and steady.
"Uh...uh...Sasuke?" He blushed furiously, his cheeks burning like fire. "Sasuke? Hey!" He nudged him lightly again and poked his cheek.
"Hn." The Uchiha wrapped his arm around the blond and squeezed. He quickly drifted back into slumberland.
"Oh, what the hell!" Naruto stared down at the sleeping man and entertained the thought of pushing him off. It was when he noticed the look on his face that he had changed his mind. Every bit of anger, annoyance, bitterness, and pain had been washed away. Naruto had never seen him look so peaceful in his life. In fact, he almost looked happy. He smiled down at him and shifted himself until he was comfortable.
This isn't that weird. I mean, he's my best friend, how can I deny him a good night's sleep? He's just drunk and feeling affectionate for once in his life. It's not that weird...it's not...
His thoughts faded as his eyes blinked shut. The world disappeared around him as he left the reality of Sasuke's living room and entered the dream realm.
A/N: Thank you for reading! This is my first AU and I'm planning to have a little fun with it. ;) Let me know what you think, reviews are always appreciated! Sorry for the language, I'm a little bit vulgar at times. Shame on me.