The night sky was already filled with stars, looking upon the bright city of Dubai.
Naruto walked on the sand, his bare feet sinking in the soft, warm sand covering the private beach. He was holding a cigarette, inhaling the smoke and releasing it quickly after. He wasn't trying to burn his lungs, but he needed something, anything to keep him from getting insane. He didn't know what was going on in his mind, and he didn't want to think about it, but he couldn't help himself.
He had surprised himself when suddenly, he had found his feet stalking down the stairs leading to the private beach of Sakura's house, situated on The Palm. He had thought that he could handle that, the pain and the jealousy, but clearly he had overestimated his strengh and patience. He also knew that the reason of his anger was stupid, after all, Shikamaru had told him numerous times that they were only « friends », no more, no less. Yet it stung, to see him flirting with the blonde girl, Temari. He didn't have anything against the girl, she seemed nice and fun, but she wasn't him. That was what hurt him in the end he felt replaceable. Naruto didn't understand how one could show passion one night, then completely obliterate it from his memory the morning after. He couldn't.
Naruto was the kind of guy who needed to feel loved and wanted, yet wouldn't allow himself to take the Big Jump and actually try to be in a relationship with somebody. He was afraid that people would hurt him in the end, and he didn't want to tempt anyone. So he kept his heart securely guarded in a cage, and tried to live without the thought that he would end up all alone if didn't try to open the cage to someone, one day.
Naruto believed that love would come his way though, one way or another. That too, he never mentionned it, and kept the thought hidden in his head, way under the surface, but sometimes, he would let it be, and think about how it could be to be loved and to love someone just as much. How would it feel ? Would it be how he imagined, full of laughter and smiles and burning touches ? Or did he have a vision of what love would be, that was so full of crazy expectations he would never found it ?
He tried hard not to think about any of those disturbing thoughts because it frightened him, but he couldn't lie to himself forever.
With Shikamaru, Naruto had thought he had find the perfect balance. The other man was smart, cool and collected, yet he could easily burn with a passion that consumed the blond to the bone. Shikamaru was the kind of guy to hide everything under the surface, and Naruto couldn't help but think that the only way the brunet had found to unleash the covered emotions was to make love with anger, strengh and passion. The blond had thought that it would content him, to feel loved for a night, for an hour, without the bullshit commitment part. He knew way to many people cheating on their partner to believe in couples and actual, genuine love. However, that didn't keep him from wanting it badly.
And maybe he had fooled himself into believing that Shikamaru and him shared a thing together. Like a lot of things, he had buried the thought deep inside his mind, and now it was floating back to the surface, hurting his heart through the cracks in the glass cage. He felt the stings of false hope and fake dreams like needles in his chest, and he had needed to get out of the house.
Sakura had decided to throw a huge party before summer, to relieve minds from the stress of work and exams, and Naruto had welcomed the idea with enthousiasm. He had thought that his friend, Shikamaru, would come during the party and seduce him, like he always did. Oh how he'd been wrong. It's not that he expected the brunet to flirt with him, it's just that it had become so natural for them to end up together at parties, that he had felt weird when the man had started to talk with the blonde girl instead, charming her like he usually did him. The feeling creeping in was not welcomed, and he had tried to ignore it, to push it back, without any success. He had danced with his friends, his mind elsewhere, on the terrace, where Temari and Shikamaru had been sitting together, so close. A smile played on both their faces as the man had slide an arm behind the girl's shoulder, guiding her toward the brunet's chest. Naruto's smile had flattered, and suddenly the music wasn't enough to cover the screaming thoughts of betrayal he felt. His heart had been trashing in his chest, and Naruto had not been able to control it. He had needed to get out, to get some air, far away. He had needed to stop thinking about them. Now. So he had excused himself in front of Kiba and Lee, had walked away briskly, drank a shot of vodka, found a cigrarette laying on a table near a lighter. The blond hadn't thought twice, he had took the cigarette and had light it up, coughing as the first inhale made its way down his throat. It had been disgusting. But he had felt a sort of relieve from it, as if each breaths of smoke had blown his pain away. He had stalked down the stairs leading to the beach and started walking.
So there he was, walking along the shore, having no idea what to do, what to think. He just knew he didn't want to go back to the party just yet. Not until his friend left. Could he even call him a friend ? Maybe a lover ? No. He supposed the appropriate term would be « sex friend », but he couldn't draw himself to think about it that way. He was a friend before anything else, and though they did have sex quite often, he felt like the term was too deprived of feelings to be used. That was the whole point of a sex friend, no love, just sex… but it wasn't how he had pictured his relation with Shikamaru. That is, until now. It seemed obvious now that to Shikamaru, the blond had always been nothing but a friend with who he could have wild sex once in a while.
It hurt more than it should, and Naruto tried to keep himself from freaking out, alone on the beach.
He found talking to himself highly comforting, especially since it helped him figure out things he couldn't figure out without voicing it out loud. He needed to vent, and since it was almost one a.m, the beach was empty, the houses along the way were mostly pitch black. Everyone was sleeping, and he was walking on the sand, caught between empty houses and a silent sea. It was perfect. He drew a breath out of the cigarette, breathed in deeply and slowly let out the smoke. Then he started speaking in his low, tenor voice.
« It's alright, Naruto, I don't see why you're getting angry. Shika is nothing but a friend, no need to go and get angry, it's not like anything serious is happening between you and him, right ? He told you thousands of times that it meant nothing, you know that. You're twenty-three dammit, so you're gonna to calm down, then you're gonna go back to that party and act like the fun guy you are. You are not going to let anyone ruin this night, alright ? This is stupid, you know it, and I don't see why you're overreacting. Just let it go, okay ? Shikamaru was flirting with a girl ? So what ? He's not harming anyone, he's single, why the fuck not ? You could do the same if you wanted to, you don't need to go and get pissed off because he's letting you off tonight. I mean, it's not like you aren't attractive or anything, right ? Sure, she's beautiful, and she looks like you a lot, what with the blond hair and the blue eyes, the tan skin and the long legs, but come on, you can work with what you've got ! The truth of the matter is, you don't want him to let you off, because you're starting to feel something for him, and you realize you were the only one feeling the change. You're an idiot, Naruto. You're fucking stupid, because you knew this shit was gonna happen one day, yet you kept playing with fire, too confident to fear the burn of the flame. Well there you go, happy now ? Does that hurt enough for you, or do I need to remind you that once again ? God Naruto, think before you act. You never should have started this thing with Shikamaru. Friends are not meant to be sexual partners. And look at you now, avoiding a party because you're jealous of a girl, and ranting all alone. What the fuck is wrong with you ? Get yourself together ! »
He finished his monolgue and unconsciously straightened his back, lifting his head. The rant was helping a little…
He continued to walk, looking up at the houses. Then he heard the faintest air of music. It was coming from a house. As he walked on, he noticed one of the houses was glowing with lights, and people were chatting, laughing. The music came from there.
Apparently Sakura wasn't the only one throwing a party tonight.
He approched the house, and started to visualize a few people . The blond absentmindly wandered if the owner of the house would blame him for walking on his or her beach. He really did not want to fight with anyone tonight. He walked on, taking in people's appearance they seemed to be around his age, in their twenties, and most of them were absolutely gorgeous. It was as if all the beautiful people of Dubai had decided to meet in that one spot. He was surprised, and normally he would've stopped and try to talk with them, get to know them, but he just wasn't in the mood for it. Not now. Now, he wanted to be alone.
'You don't want to be alone, dumbass', his mind corrected him, 'you want someone to comfort you, but you know it's not gonna happen, so you lie to yourself. Fucking idiot'.
Naruto hated himself for being so true with himself. He could never lie to himself longer that a heartbeat. He could bury the truth, yes, but he knew it. He just wouldn't acknowledge it.
Turning his gaze back on the party, he noticed a man sitting on one of the wooden chair outside. He was surrounded by a few people, though he seemed oblivious to the conversation that was taking place. Or maybe he was just bored out of his mind. But one thing was weird.
His dark eyes were focused on him.
Naruto shivered, shot back a glance but did not stop. He kept walking away, more slowly this time, as if the man's eyes had calmed him down. When he reached the end of the arm of the Palm, he sat down on the sand and finished his cigarette, putting it out on the sand, but keeping the butt. He couldn't stand when people threw their cigarettes all over the place. The shit was killing people, and killing the environnement. People could do whatever they wanted with their health, but when the future of the Earth was concerned, the blond would not let it go. He played with it, twisting it, then put it in the pocket of his baggy shorts, letting his tan hands rest on the sand on the side of his hips. His lips opened, and he started humming, just like he always did when reality was being a pain in the ass. Singing brought him to another place, one where he could release his feelings without hurting anyone. He liked his voice, but it was a sort of secret. It was his way of feeling better, and he didn't want anyone to make fun of it. So he sang, just under his breath, slowly, sometimes humming the words, sometimes actually singing them. It was barely a whisper, yet it was enough. He sang for himself.
« You shouldn't smoke. »
Naruto jumped in his seat, turning his head around, only to see the man who looked at him earlier, standing behind him, barely five feet away. He walked to Naruto's side and sat down.
« You mind ? », he asked rethorically, since he was already seated.
« No », answered the blond.
None of them talked for a while, and suddenly the man repeated his assertion.
« You shouldn't smoke ».
« I don't », came the instant reply.
«But you were » countered the deep, low voice of the man.
« I was trying to get my mind off of something », confessed the blond, sinking his feet in the sand, then pulling them back up, and back down, repeatedly. Surprinsignly, it felt good, having someone to talk to, even about useless things. It was also helping that the man was handsome. No, really. Naruto turned his head toward the stranger and observed him closely. The moon reflected on the pale skin, making it look white and silky. The shirt he wore was a soft, sky blue, almost white the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the first three buttons were undone, letting anyone who was interested see the skin underneath. He had black shorts on, laying low on his hips, with pockets on the sides. Naruto lifted his gaze back up again. The man's jet black hair contradicted with his skin, making the whole picture look even more fantastic. He had a straight nose, a squared jaw but fine pale lips, softening the sharp features. His dark eyes, looking at Naruto with intensity, made the blond hold his breath. The look he was recieving was soft, protective and tender, unlike any he had ever recieved. In all, the guy was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.
« So you decided to ruin your health over some petty issue you had ? » the man asked. He had adopted the same position as Naruto, his arm holding his upper weight near his hips, and his legs half bent, in a relaxed state. Waiting for an answer, he started playing with the sand as well, his right hand dangerously close to Naruto's left one.
« Yeah… pretty much. Now that you say it like that, I feel like an idiot. »
« But maybe you are ? »
« Ah… I don't think so. I'm not sure. Maybe. » The blond sounded so defeatist it made the other man grab the sun-kissed hand in his, making the touch a little bit uncomfortable, but welcomed still.
« I don't think you are. »
« You don't know me. »
« I wouldn't mind knowing you. » the stranger said, playing with the blond's fingers. He was surprised the man even let him grab his hand. They didn't know each other at all, yet it seemed like they did. The touch was warm and soft, and the pale man started to rub slow circles onto the palm of the other hand.
« You would probably run away after a few minutes. » sighed Naruto.
« I'm not easily scared off. », stated the man.
« … »
« I'm Sasuke. »
« Hi. », pronounced Naruto, his voice now full of sadness and defeat. The anger had left, and he now felt empty, lonely.
« Hi. » Repeated Sasuke, squeezing the hand tighter. He was well aware that the blond man was bothered by something he couldn't quite grasp, but he was determind to push the bad feelings out of the man and fill the sad face with a genuine smile. He knew what it felt like to be down, and he hated it. A few years ago, he probably would've seen the man pass near him and felt nothing, but he couldn't anymore. He had been bored out of his mind at his own party, and he would have recognized that walk anywhere. That walk that said « my life sucks so bad I have nowhere to go and I'm probably end up killing myself because I have no fucking clue what the fuck I should do ». The walk that said « I'm lost and I need an anchor to life ».
Sasuke had decided that it was time for him to stop being a selfish man, and to start being that nice guy he knew he could be, somewhere deep down inside. He had kept an armur around his heart for so long, and the way the man had looked at him, with empty blue eyes… it had made it crumble in an amazing, painful kind of way. This guy wasn't anyone. This guy might even be his destiny.
Sasuke never told anyone about his feelings and beliefs, but he did have some. He believed in love at first sight, he believed in intuition, and he believed that somewhere on Earth, the perfect person was just waiting for him, maybe even searching for him. It was what made him wake up in the morning with a smile on his face. The moments he was alone, he was real. True to himself. And he knew he would only show this side of his personnality to the One. Which could be that lost guy passing him by, all alone, smoking a cigarette. He would make him stop that bad habit. He didn't want his soulmate to die out of lung cancer prematurely. He stood up, walked toward the stairs leading to the beach and amorced a step down.
« Hey Sasuke, where are you going ? » the man looked up to a blonde girl, Ino, and lifted his eyebrows.
« Going for a walk. »
« Come back before we leave. » she requested, going back to the party. Ino was a nice woman. He had met her through his friend, Choji, who was also her boyfriend. The girl was smart, good looking and really friendly, joking around with anyone. He had always admired her way of fluttering around from people to people, making them smile and laugh everytime.
Sasuke continued to walk down the stairs and watched the silhouette of the stranger walking a few feet before him. He followed him.
« You know, the usual way of introducing oneself is to tell your name to the guy who told you his », pointed Sasuke, taking a close look at the other man. A poor smile played of the pink lips, and the blond opened his mouth to answer quietly.
« What's the use of a name, though ? »
« So I can stop referring to you as 'you', and start using your real name. There isn't an actualy use, it's more like… a convinent way of speaking to one another. »
« So I take it you're not going anywhere ? »
« Nope. »
That actually made the blond laugh. It surprised Sasuke, who scrutizined the face, a wondering look on his face.
« Why are you laughing ? » he wandered, looking a bit confused. He hadn't said anything fun, had he ?
« It's just that… I never thought a guy like you would ever say something such as 'Nope', in that off-hand tone. It's… surprising. But in a good way. »
« Maybe there's more to me than the first impression you had. »
« Maybe, indeed. »
« So, care to tell me why you were walking around, smoking a cigarette when you are not a smoker, and looking like you had no purpose in life ? »
« Ah… that's a funny way to put things. »
« I'm not trying to be funny. I'm curious about the reason why a man like you could possibly be depressed. »
« It can happen to anyone, right ? » stated the blond, looking around before letting his eyes lose themselves in the horizon.
« I suppose. That doesn't make me less curious. »
« I don't know if I should tell you. You'd run away. »
« So… you're saying you don't want me to run away, now ? » asked Sasuke, a little smile playing on his features. Well, that was going surprisingly well. The man obviously needed someone to talk to, and he would have no problem being that person. Plus, he was genuinely interested in the story now. Sasuke wasn't a curious man by nature, but something kept calling him to the man, and he just wouldn't let it go now. He was sure they were meant to meet.
« I… don't know. I guess not. » Naruto said, going silent for a while, before starting again, in a lighter tone. « You know, it's funny you appeared, because as I was walking, I thought about someone, anyone who would come for me, search for me, and there you are, holding my hand », he gestured toward their entertwined hands. « It feels kinda good. Like we were meant to meet, you know ? But maybe that's just me being creepy. »
« Are you calling yourself a stalker ? »
« Weren't you the one following me in the dark ? » smiled Naruto, actually shooting a shy smile at Sasuke. His blue eyes sparkled with a small light, and Sasuke was caught in them for a moment.
« True. » he finally admitted. « But I do get what you're saying about the meant-to-meet thing. I mean, I think everything happens for a reason. I didn't, before. But things changed, and now I couldn't be more certain. »
« Yeah ? »
« Yeah. This party shouldn't have happened. My friend was supposed to throw it in her house in Umm Suqueim, but she couldn't, and I ended up offering my house… »
« How thoughtful of you », cut in the blond sarcarstically, though the smile on his face reassured Sasuke that he was just joking.
« Don't joke. Now I'm the one who will have to clean the house from the puke and splattered drinks, tomorrow. That's not thoughtful, it's crazy. »
« Please let me cry. » continued Naruto, smirking.
« Oh shut up. » Sasuke laughed, leaning on the side to nudge the blond's shoulder playfully. He stayed like that for a while, lifting his head up to meet the blue oceans of the other man's eyes. They seemed to be so much more colorful than before, as if the vale covering them earlier had been lifted –by him ?-, revealing thousands of emotions and feelings. It was enchanting. Sasuke moved closer and leaned in to kiss the tan jaw, softly.
« You shouldn't be sad. » The blond instantly leaned in the touch, brushing the pale man's nose with his cheek.
« Naruto », he whispered suddenly, plunging his face into Sasuke's neck slowly, letting his nose and mouth follow the line of the man's jaw and breathing in the soft pale skin.
« Your name ? » managed to form Sasuke barely loud enough to hear.
« Hm » Naruto said, kissing the juncture between the neck and the shoulder of the stranger.
« Hi », smiled Sasuke, reflecting what Naruto had said earlier.
« Hi. »
They stilled, the blond's head still touching Sasuke's, and Naruto reached for the other side of Sasuke's neck with his free hand, caressing it.
« I have no idea where that came from », mumbled Naruto, slowly pulling back.
«Hn. »
Sasuke managed to stand up, a pale hand reaching for Naruto's tan one, pulling him up. The blond jumped up and down, trying to get rid of the sand covering his butt and back. Sasuke watched him jiggle and let out a laugh.
« Are you making fun of me, Sasuke ? »
« What if I am ? » replied the brunet, lifting an eyebrow in a challenging sign.
« Then you shall be punished. »
On that note, Naruto grabbed Sasuke's shirt and pushed him against his own body, kissing him hungrily. Sasuke didn't wait to undersand what was happening to him to kiss back.
This was very bad idea.
But it felt so good !
It was good in all the wrong ways, this feeling of unknown passion, coming out of nowhere, the feeling of not being alone when Naruto needed it most, the feeling of rescue from that tall dark stranger.
It felt fucking amazing, if he could be honest with himself.
Not to mention Sasuke was a great kisser. He reacted to everything Naruto did to him, and soon their hands were in each other's hair, pulling for air, pushing for more contact, tongues swirled around the other, and moans were exchanged. Their bodies always kept contact, one way or another, and it was amazing.
The blond was blown away. Had he known from the start that Sasuke was that good, he never would've wasted his time speaking. Sure his voice was great to listen to, but it was nothing compared to the feeling of his tongue in the stranger's mouth. It was pure bliss, absolute paradise. Like jumping off a building and falling forever, feeling the thrill and adrenaline but not the pain of hitting the ground. Sasuke kept him flying the whole time.
They broke apart for minute, their forehead touching. Sasuke had his hands on Naruto's neck and the small of his back, under the shirt Naruto had adopted the same position, though his left hand was on the pale, hard stomach. They were panting, looking at each other in surprise and happiness, eyes glittering with sparks of lust and desire. Then, as one entity, they jumped each other again, kissing hard and biting anywhere they could think of.
Sasuke's hands descended Naruto's back and went to grab his ass, squezzing it softly, then harder when Naruto left his mouth to bite his neck, sucking then licking the spot where he had left a red mark. Naruto grunted when Sasuke touched his ass, then he let himself fall in the sand, dragging Sasuke with him, on top of him.
It felt good to be a little bit dominated. He liked being in control, but right now, what he wanted was someone to show him how badly they wanted him. And Sasuke was doing a wonderful job. He was all over him, kissing his face, mouth nose, neck, arms, knuckles, fingers, and he seemed to want to discover something else, as his head began to descend his chest, the pale nose playing with the ups and downs of Naruto's torso, over the shirt he was wearing. When he reached the limit of the shirt, Sasuke bite it and dragged his head up slowly, lifting the shirt up, up, and nudging Naruto's neck to make him lift his arms up. When the blond did not cooperate, Sasuke left the shirt, going face to face with the grinning man.
« What ? So you're not even going to help me removing that ugly thing you dare to call a shirt, so I can molest you ? »
« Nah, figured you might have more fun doing so alone. I'm not opposed to the idea exactly, I just would like to know if you're as talented as I assume you are. If it's the case, I'm sure you'll think of something... interesting », teased Naruto, smiling challengingly at Sasuke.
« Oh, so it's another challenge ? » Asked Sasuke, going back down slowly. « Well... I think I'll have to accept it...Naruto », he bite the blond's nipple and heard him moan out his name. This was nice. Very nice.
« I can actually come up with a few ideas of what could happen to that unfortunate, poor excuse for a shirt... » continued the brunet, letting his hands come up to the man's shoulders, dragging his fingernails down Naruto's sides, all the way down to his pants. He played with the waistband, then continued to go down, over the short, until he reached Naruto's bare knees. At this point he was laying in between the blond's legs who had his legs on each side of Sasuke. Their hips weren't exactly touching, but Sasuke made sure that once in a while he brushed it against the other, sending sparks of electricity through both of them. « I could... rip it apart to shreds. I could rip it off with my teeth... » he trailed off as Naruto groaned loudly. Apprently the idea seemed to please him a lot, and Sasuke couldn't appreciate it more. A little violence and animalistic instinct was always welcome during sex. « ...I could deform it and just manage... somehow... to get into it with you... » he trailed off again, lifting Naruto's knees up to Sasuke's upper torso. Then, in the longest... agonizing moment, he looked at Naruto, who instantly understood what was going to happen. Sasuke smirked and dropped his weight on the blond, their hips colliding in painful pleasure as their erections finally connected. Naruto gasped and Sasuke imitated him, eyes wide and mouths hanging open. It was terribly okay. This was the best idea ever.
Then, in the slowest movement ever, Sasuke withdrew his hips from Naruto, and let them collide once again, roughly. They both moaned, and Naruto actually laughed, making Sasuke search for his eyes.
« Why are you laughing ? » he wandered through heavy pants, his head dropping on the tan shoulder, still covered with the fucking shirt.
« Because I'm making out, humping a stranger on a beach in a city where homosexuality is condemned and prohibited. It may be a private beach, but we're still out there.»
« Oh. Right. Shit. »
There was a short silence during which both of them seemed to understand the precarity of their situtation. It was, indeed, dangerous. It may be nightime, but the police did not joke around with those kind of things. And neither of them wanted to end up in some weird prison. They straightened up and got on their feet. Naruto held Sasuke's hand as they walked slowly back toward their house.
« So... » began Sasuke, unsure of what was going to happen now. He didn't want to let go of Naruto. Not now. He wasn't sure just yet, but he felt it. That something he'd been looking for in everyone. It was in him. « ...I... I don't really feel like giving you back to your friends » Confessed the brunet, looking embarassed. He felt better when Naruto squezzed his hand in his own reassuringly.
« If that can make you feel better in way... I don't feel like going back to my friends just yet. » admitted Naruto, locking eyes with the one who had made his evening worth it.
« Then maybe... » started Sasuke, pulling at Naruto's hand, encouraging him to move forward, « ...I could kidnap you for the rest of the night and introduce you to my bed- friends. I meant friends. »
« Sure you did », responded the blond sarcastically. He moved closer to the man's ear, melting his voice into silk «...and I can't wait to meet both ». That caught Sasuke off guard, who tripped over nothing, eyes wide open in surprise and sudden lust.
« That's... interesting. » He eventually said, dark eyes looking into blue ones.
« Is it ? »
« Hn. Now come. » He grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled him forward.