Title: Synchronized

Summary: They were the best synchronized divers in the world; Olympic champions. They were best friends; inseparable. And now, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder when the line between friendship and love had blurred and disappeared altogether. (Narusasunaru) (AU)

A/N: Well, I've never read another synchronized diving fic, and there isn't one at there that I know of (and if there is one out there written by someone else, please tell me in a review so I can change this pompous author's note), so my current claim to fame is the first narusasu/sasunaru/narusasunaru/sasunarusasu/whatevertheheckyouwanttocallit fic. Anyhow, I'm no expert on diving, so expect it to be vague, because this story actually doesn't revolve around diving. I'm planning this to be a one-shot perhaps a two-shot, maybe more, but not much if you want a multi-chaptered fic. If you want a longer, more detailed story, just say so. I am a slave to your reviews; something of a review whore, actually.

Well, this story was born from my strange addiction to the Summer Olympics. I was watching diving (China completely obliterated everyone else in synchronized diving!) and a plot bunny attacked me out of no where. There I was, thinking they looked pretty creepily hot in their tiny little Speedos and I was like… wow, yaoi heaven in those showers. I might actually revisit this plot bunny when I get up the nerve to possible write smut because, well, ideas…

Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own Naruto, Sasuke, or any of the other characters, though the second my Chinese New Year money materializes beneath my door, I'm splurging on Naruto plushies. XD

Beta: The wonderful MikoGoddess who I officially love to pieces (in a totally not-weird way). I must've done something pretty great in a past life to deserve someone as awesome as her.

Key:

Thoughts

"Speech over the intercom/announcements"

"Speaking in Chinese (you can tell the difference)" (A/N: For your convenience, you won't have to scroll down to the bottom for translations. They're written normally like "this" within the dialogue. Also, my pinyin isn't the best ever… So, if there are mistakes, feel free to correct me.)

Sasuke-nese translations (you can tell the difference)

Synchronized

Chapter 1

The Invisible Line We Crossed

Silence choked the stadium as everyone watched with baited breath as two young men in their twenties stepped up to the edge of the board. They were both around 5'8" and slender but lean, their muscles well defined and not a single ounce of extra fat on them. But that was where the similarity ended.

Sasuke Uchiha, the one standing on the left, had dark, shoulder length hair that was oddly spiked and more or less retained its spiked shape, even when wet. His famously sapphire-colored eyes, quietly smoldering and intense, were narrowed in concentration. His skin was pale, flawless ivory and glowed beautifully, even in the harsh florescent light. His sharply beautiful, almost effeminately aristocratic features were well defined and perfectly sculpted. His strong, wiry frame was tensed and alert.

Naruto Uzumaki, standing at Sasuke's side, couldn't have been more relaxed. His crystalline blue eyes were lazily hooded as they regarded the crowd, waving a multitude of flags. His tan skin contrasted sharply against his partner's ivory pallor, warm and golden, his shock of wild gold hair carefully tousled, and a famously roguish smile curving his lips. His finely chiseled features were harshly masculine compared to his partner's supple, almost angelic beauty that certainly did not match the Uchiha's not-quite-agreeable disposition.

The two were an oddly beautiful sight, athletes in their prime, twenty-two and loving it. One dark and beautiful, the other fair and handsome. A martyr and an archangel. A prodigy and a natural. Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was who.

Sometimes, both forgot where one began and the other ended.

Naruto looked to Sasuke, who looked calmly back, having tamed his well-hidden nerves. They were attempting a near-impossible combination: three full twists, then a double flip in pike position. They had practiced it a million and one times back home in Osaka, and a million and one more in Beijing and preparation for this night.

They were competing against the diving powerhouse's, China's, winning team, Lin Yue and Huo Liang. Yue and Liang had been near -flawless all night, as had Uchiha and Uzumaki, leaving Germany and Russia to duke it out for bronze. And now, the next dive would make or break Japan's Perfect Pair's attempts at another Olympic gold to match their Athen's medal.

"Ichi (1)," Sasuke said calmly.

"Ni (2)," Naruto countered with a smile.

"San (3)," tThey called together, jumping.

Two bodies twisted through the air, flawlessly synchronized, spinning once, twice, thrice, somehow pulling flawlessly into a pike, flipping twice, their rotation perfectly matched, opposites behaving like mirror images. Somehow, blindingly quickly, they unfurled their bodies and hit the water perfectly; flawlessly; beautifully. They entered smoothly with barely a splash as the crowd went wild.

Experts had dubbed it impossible. Scientists had said that it wasn't physically possible to do so much in such a short time: the Japanese pair couldn't possibly make three full rotations in the air and flip twice in pike position before they hit the water. But, the Perfect Pair had done just that and had even entered the water perfectly vertical at the same time.

The two swam easily to the edge of the pool, climbed gracefully up the steps, and sauntered proudly to the showers. They didn't care that their tiny white and red Speedos left nothing to the imagination; they had great bodies, why not flaunt them? They had just performed a feat dubbed impossible by so many. They had just made sure that the Chinese wouldn't ever be able to regain their lead as perfect tens filled the score screen.

Each and every one was a ten. There had been no error for even the judges to pick out.

None at all.

The Chinese pair spoke quickly and quietly in their native language: "Ta men shi gen wo men wan de! They were just playing with us!" He sounded furious.

"Ta men bu shi zhen de tiao shui. They weren't really diving." His partner was resigned and regretful. What had they done wrong? Where they, the best in their country, the second best in the world, unworthy opponents?

"Ta men zhi zai zui hou de tiao shui de shi hou zhen de tiao. They only dived for real during that last dive. Wo men gen ta men bi de shi hou… When we compare ourselves to them…" No other words were needed, because they both new that the Uchiha-Uzumaki pair was on a completely different level.

The two teenagers snatched up their bags. "Yi ge ying pai… A silver medal… Wo men de peng you dou xiang xin wo men hui dai hui lai yi ge jing pai. Our friends all thought that we would bring back a gold medal. Zhong guo dou xiang xing wo men hui gai wo men de guo jia yi ge jing pai! All of China believed that we would give them a gold medal!" His last words were unsaid: what happened?

The problem was, neither knew.

"And they've done it again!" The annoyingly cheerful voice of the announcer boomed through the hotel room. "Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, Japan's Perfect Pair, have won the gold once again as defending gold medallists! These two have an amazing story behind them! They met in Osaka on a summer holiday. The two were both previously gymnasts at the same gym in Tokyo and trained together there since they were five years old. They were infamous for being huge rivals.

"Their diving career started at the tender age of eight when they were paired together by talent scouts who decided that the two, holding the same body types but still appearing completely different, would make a good diving pair. They had excellent teamwork right from the start!

"Uchiha and Uzumaki came to Sydney in 2000, just fourteen and already amazing divers. They brought home a silver medal for Japan, and came back in 2004 stronger than ever. They took the gold in Athens and now, they've done it again! Japan's Perfect Pair has raked in yet another gold in their third Olympics!

"Now, the question is: will they be able to do it in France? Twenty-six is an old age for diving, especially when the sport is primarily for teenagers. Will Japan's Perfect Pair be able to last against a new group of teenage divers, or will they become lost in the wake of the next dynamic duo?"

Sasuke quickly hit mute, not wanting to listen to anymore. He had been avoiding thoughts like "What next?" and "What will life without diving and Naruto be like?" for months now, simply because he couldn't see himself without Naruto. The two of them had grown up together; they'd been inseparable ever since they met at age two, just as they were beginning to hobble about.

He and Naruto were like Yin and Yang. They needed each other to survive; one couldn't exist without the other, and one was nothing without the other. He was nothing without Naruto. It had been a hard thing to own up to, because Sasuke hated the very thought of needing anyone else at all.

Sasuke had been orphaned when he was four by a freak car accident. It had taken his parents and his idol, his brother Itachi, from him. Naruto had helped him get over it. He had come over to Kakashi's, - Sasuke's guardian, - apartment every day with a picnic basket filled with ramen and candy and cake and he had sat Sasuke down on the balcony and force-fed him glazed doughnuts and ramen and joked until Sasuke finally cracked a smile.

Now that he thought about it, Sasuke would still be deeply seated in depression if it hadn't been for Naruto.

A few months after the accident, Sasuke and Naruto both took up gymnastics. They became instant rivals, and it was yet another thing that brought Sasuke's thoughts away from darkness and despair. Their sempai had all laughed over how cute their little rivalry was, but it was what led to greatness for Naruto and Sasuke.

Because of the insatiable need to beat the other, the two boys trained relentlessly, building impossibly strong muscles until they were able to last for nearly twenty seconds in an arm wrestling match against their sempai, which was unheard of. When the talent scouts had seen them, they had decided that it was time for Japan to develop a winning diving team, and the Perfect Pair was born.

Sasuke sighed heavily. His life had been a sappy movie: a tragic past, a best friend who had helped him survive it all, two Olympic gold medals, and now a dive that had made the impossible, possible. And now, he was realizing that his feelings for said best friends was, and always had been, far from platonic.

Sasuke let out an annoyed growl before heaving another heavy, resigned sigh. He was totally, irreversibly in love with his best friend, his dobe, his usuratonkachi, and judging from the admiring looks Naruto had been giving Sakura as of late, the feeling was far from mutual. Naruto wasn't even gay!

Fantastic.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

The bathroom door creaked open. "I hear some unhappy sighs," Naruto called teasingly, blue eyes glowing as he toweled his damp yellow hair dry. "Buck up, princess. We just proved to the world that we really are the best. Not even you, the Ice Prince, can possibly find something to grouch over."

Sasuke shot the blonde a deep scowl. "Hn," he replied unhappily. Fuck off, Naruto. I'm not in the mood for your idiocy.

Naruto rolled his eyes, accustomed to Sasuke's monosyllabic replies. He had been quite adept at deciphering Sasuke-nese. "Whatever." The blonde shrugged, letting the raven's reply slide. "The shower's all yours. Get washed up and then we'll meet up with the guys for celebratory drinks at the club."

"Sure, mom," Sasuke said dryly, fixing Naruto with a pointed stare. Naruto was momentarily fascinated, like always, by Sasuke's eyes. At first glance, they appeared to be dark, shiny obsidian, but truthfully, they were a heart- achingly beautiful sapphire, dark and so infinitely deep that Naruto felt that, if Sasuke's eyes were the sea, he could never find the bottom. Naruto's eyes were instantly drawn to long, dark lashes, pale, flawless skin, and a perfect pink mouth, so soft, so kissable…

Sasuke arched a perfect brow. "What, do I have something on my face?"

Naruto flushed, realizing that he had been staring, again. "I'm just marveling at how girly you look." Naruto covered his embarrassment with a broad, wolfish grin, knowing that Sasuke's effeminate looks were a touchy subject for the beautiful brunette. And, just as Naruto knew he would, blue eyes narrowed angrily as Sasuke stalked over to his suitcase and pulled out a change of clothes and slammed angrily into the bathroom.

Naruto let his smile soften as he stared at the closed door.

Sasuke, my Sasuke…

Sasuke hated being sentimental, but he couldn't help but wonder... what had happened to the simple friendship he and Naruto had shared? How had that become emotions that left Sasuke confused and drained?

How had he crossed that invisible line without knowing it?

Sasuke felt the water wash away his doubts. He would have to tell Naruto one day... Naruto deserved to know. He deserved to know that Sasuke had somehow allowed himself to fall for his teammate, his other half. It made sense, but it confused Sasuke to no end.

How had he let himself create such a mess?

Naruto's smile, Naruto's laugh, Naruto's eyes, Naruto's big, kind heart. That was why. That was how. That was everything.

But when had it become everything?

Honestly, Sasuke didn't know. It could've always been that way. It could've happened overnight. All Sasuke knew was that it was there, and it wasn't going away.

What would Sasuke do?

Sasuke hadn't the foggiest idea.

Naruto sat down on his bed, flipping through a photo album he brought everywhere with him. It had very few pictures, but each and every one was precious.

The first was of Sasuke and Naruto in Osaka, the first time they met. They were cuddled up in a hammock together, yellow and black hair tangling with each other, pale limbs wound with tan, peaceful and angelic, perfectly happy together. On their small, plump faces were identical expressions of pure bliss.

Number two was of Naruto, scratched up and bandaged from a day of skateboarding, leaning against a softly smiling Sasuke, equally battered, clutching a skateboard in his small white hands. They were obviously close friends from the ease and familiarity with which their bodies fit together.

The third picture was of Sasuke and Naruto seated at a wooden table out on a balcony overlooking Osaka, smiling and laughing as they sampled the array of sweets set out in front of them, happy and content just to be with each other, even after the horror of what had occurred before.

The forth photo in the album was of Sasuke and Naruto posing in their leotards, thin and lean even at six years of age, Naruto wearing a shit-eating grin while Sasuke's face bore a more reserved smirk.

Number five was several years later. It was of Naruto and Sasuke practicing diving at the diving well, already much more mature at twelve. Sasuke was wearing an annoyed scowl, unhappy about the tiny Speedo he'd been forced to wear. Naruto looked perfectly comfortable. Even as a kid, he had had no shame.

The sixth was at Sydney as the two of them posed with their medals around their necks, the silver glinting in the light. Naruto took a moment to admire Sasuke: even at fourteen, he was already amazingly handsome, his features twisting into a self-confident smile, devastatingly handsome; the smile that so many girls across the country had fallen in love with.

The eighth picture was of Naruto and Sasuke's graduating class, the class of 2004. Sasuke was easily distinguishable, as was Naruto with his bright hair. The two were, as always, standing together, both looking like male models in Konoha High's rather horribly ugly uniform.

Number nine was at the Athens games, Sasuke and Naruto standing on the podium, accepting their medals, glowing with happiness and triumph. Naruto was giving them camera a thumbs-up while Sasuke smiled with real warmth.

The tenth photo was of Naruto and Sasuke posing in their Tokyo University dorm room, confident and glad to be college guys. Yet again, Sasuke was smiling, standing beside Naruto, happy and beautiful.

The eleventh picture was dramatically different. Sasuke was no longer smiling and looked rather jaded as he stood off to the side with Neji as Naruto slung his arms around Sakura's shoulders. There was a slightly saddened expression in his sapphire eyes as he watched them.

And that was where it ended. Naruto was determined to fill that twelfth spot with another happy picture.

Even if he died trying.

The club was packed. Dancing was in full swing as Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji, and Hinata took a seat at a booth in the back of the bar. Naruto was up instantly, dragging Sakura to the dance floor, who in turn snagged Ino who grabbed Shikamaru who clung to Kiba in the hopes that the dog boy would save him, only to have his savior pull Hinata along too, leaving Neji and Sasuke, two antisocial millionaire heirs to sit and sip their beers.

And, like every other time, men and women instantly gravitated to the two darkly handsome men. And, like every other time, Sasuke and Neji turned each and every one down.

And then, one person came along and broke the tradition. He was a movie-star handsome brunette with green eyes and a tall, well-muscled body. He hadn't just asked to dance or draped himself over Sasuke. He flirted and bantered and Sasuke found himself intrigued.

"Hey, you want to dance?" Keigo asked smoothly, his voice like warm honey. Sasuke actually seriously considered it for once. A little relaxation wouldn't kill him, would it? The last time he'd had a good lay had been an eternity ago. And it didn't seem like Keigo was looking for anything else…

"Sure," Sasuke said with his sexiest smirk. Keigo's eyes briefly lit with lustful fire before calming again as he matched Sasuke's smirk with one of his own. Sasuke glanced back to Neji, who was looking slightly betrayed. Sasuke just gestured with his chin at the silent redhead, Gaara, who Neji had expressed a grudging interest in.

Sasuke didn't avoid dancing because he was a bad dancer; far from it, actually. Dancing was yet another thing on his list of things he was naturally good at. His body just moved on his own as he danced with Keigo, his hips swaying in time to Keigo's, occasionally grinding teasingly against the other man.

For the first time in a long time, Sasuke was feeling good.

He was dressed to kill in skin-tight leather pants that clung desperately to his hips, held in place by a studded leather belt. A matching collar was clasped around his throat and he had leather bracelets on his wrists. His slender but muscular torso was incased in a ripped black wife beater underneath a mesh shirt. When Naruto had seen him, he had gaped in shock. Sasuke almost always dressed conservatively outside the pool.

Sasuke could feel someone staring at him intently, their eyes burning into him. He opened his previously closed eyes and they instantly locked with cerulean orbs.

Naruto…

Naruto was dancing provocatively with Sakura, his hips moving and grinding effortlessly, and Sasuke felt delicious shivers rush through his body as he was met with lust-clouded eyes. Was Naruto getting turned on by watching Sasuke dance, or was grinding against Sakura's hip giving the blonde a hard-on?

The thought of Naruto hot and bothered because of Sasuke was enough to evoke a wave of hot pleasure. Oh god… I'm so far gone that just the thought of Naruto turned on gives me a hard-on. The fact that Naruto was staring at him like he was the most fuckable thing in the world wasn't helping his dilemma at all.

But, was it really possible that Naruto wanted him?

Well, I'll just have to prove it, then…

Instantly feeling bold, Sasuke subtly maneuvered Keigo closer to Naruto. His dark eyes locked with Naruto's as he danced, pulling one hand from Keigo's waist and dragging it slowly, suggestively, up his torso from his hip to his shoulder, his hips swaying to the beat. Naruto's blue eyes instantly followed Sasuke's movement, his eyes hungry. He turned up the sexy as his dancing, too, became bolder and more sensual, watching as Sasuke's eyes filled deliciously with desire.

Keigo, sensing that someone was trying to charm Sasuke from him, wrapped his arms around Sasuke, dragging the smaller man flush against him. Naruto felt jealousy flare up instantly and, seeing red, he pulled away from a distraught Sakura and walked straight up to the dancing brunettes. As hot as watching Sasuke dance with the admittedly handsome Keigo was, enough was enough.

"You can't hog the hottie forever," Naruto told Keigo, keeping his tone light as he rested a possessive hand on Sasuke's arm.

Keigo's eyes narrowed. "Sasuke's m-"

"Keigo, it really isn't fair to not let him dance with me," Sasuke murmured, more than eager to find himself in Naruto's arms.

Reluctantly, Keigo released Sasuke, but not before he pressed a kiss to the corner of Sasuke's mouth. "Call me," he murmured before turning and disappearing. Naruto glared daggers after him, pissed that he had kissed his Sasuke.

He was startled out of his angry reverie by a light, beautiful, darkly sexy chuckle. "You're as bad as me when it comes to glaring." Sasuke said lightly, a faint smile curving his perfect mouth. Naruto gaped. Sasuke had… smiled? There could be no explanation but…

"Are you drunk?" Naruto asked bluntly.

"No, but I feel great. You know Uchihas don't get drunk." Sasuke had snagged Naruto's hand in his and was moving to the music, easing Naruto's hips into rhythm with him as he guided the other boy's movements with his free hand.

Naruto smiled softly. "I'm glad," he murmured, burying his face in Sasuke's neck, breathing in his delicious vanilla and spice scent. "You don't smile nearly enough anymore, S'uke."

Sasuke stopped moving. "You stopped calling me that," he said quietly. "Why did you stop?"

Naruto looked up. "I stopped because I was afraid to let myself get closer to you."

"Why?" Sasuke asked. "Why were you afraid?"

"Why did you stop smiling?" Naruto countered, leading Sasuke off the dance floor and to a small, secluded table.

"I stopped smiling because you stopped being my best friend." Sasuke's eyes bored into Naruto's. "You stopped spending time with me, just the two of us, outside of training. And the time we did have together, alone, you spent talking about Sakura this, Ino that, the joke Kiba told you, how lazy Shikamaru was being…"

"I'm sorry,." Naruto interrupted quickly, looking ashamed. "I… I did all that because I was afraid… I was afraid that I was falling for you,." Naruto choked out, and Sasuke's entire body stiffened in shock. Naruto felt tears prick at his eyes. Sasuke really didn't feel the same way… They had flirted, but jokingly. He and Sasuke… they could never really be… "I understand if you don't feel the same. You don't have to pretend for me. I-"

Naruto was cut off abruptly by Sasuke's choked laughter. "Baka…" He laughed, smiling up at Naruto. "You're such an idiot, usuratonkachi. You have no idea how long I've loved you… no idea how badly I want to hit you right now for being stupid…" Sasuke drifted off. "No idea how much I want to kiss you right now." His voice had dropped an octave and was low and husky as his eyes locked with Naruto's, hooded and lustful.

If that wasn't an invitation, Naruto didn't know what was.

Naruto cupped Sasuke's cheek in his hand, reveling at the softness of his skin as his other hand threaded through Sasuke's hair, the dark strands feeling like silk against his skin. Sasuke's lips were parted, soft and inviting, and Naruto tried to be as gentle and cautious as he could with the kiss, his mouth careful against pliant pink lips.

Sasuke tasted like heaven: sweet, heady vanilla and spicy cinnamon mixed with potent, intoxicating honey. His mouth was eager as it delicately moved against Naruto's, soft and sweet. Naruto felt his eyes close involuntarily as sweet bliss enveloped him.

Needless to say, Naruto was devastated when Sasuke pulled back.

"Promise me this kiss isn't because you're horny and probably pretty drunk," Sasuke murmured, his voice low and warm and velvety. "Promise me that, tomorrow morning, no matter what we do tonight, we'll talk when we're both completely sober and we'll figure this out and you'll be mine. Promise me this won't end up being another one of your mistakes."

"I promise, Sasuke,." Naruto said, painfully honest. "This means everything to me. You mean everything to me." Naruto swallowed heavily. "I love you, Sasuke."

The most beautiful smile Naruto had ever seen lit up Sasuke's face: a smile that could turn a straight man gay, could make a married woman forget all about the love of her life, could destroy the resolve a man who had promised to forsake the pleasures of the flesh forever…

"I love you too, Naruto. Don't you ever forget that."

Naruto had never been so happy in his life.

Sasuke had smiled.

Maybe that twelfth spot wouldn't be empty for long.

(1) One in Japanese

(2) Two in Japanese

(3) You guessed it, three in, of course, Japanese.

A/N: Surprisingly, I have only one thing to say: REVIEW!!