Because I love Christmas and wanted to do something short for this pairing, here a nice romantic and of course Christmasy story. It will be about 4 or 5 chapters long I think and will be finished before Christmas! At least it's what I am aiming for ;)

Enjoy this start of it! Sasuke's POV

...

In a few weeks' time the temperature had dropped significantly. Thicker coats had to be worn and scarfs were pulled up to cover at least half your face. At least no snow yet, something Sasuke was very grateful for. He could already imagine how slippery the pavements would get soon and how difficult it would be to actually get somewhere. He didn't mind the cold much though. Somehow it was comforting to him. All the layers of clothes, less people out on the streets. He liked the peacefulness of winter time.

Even now, at nine pm in the evening, he was out walking towards his friend's house. He could've taken the car, save himself some time, but he chose not to. There were enough lights out at this time of year. Christmas was getting closer and closer and this country was crazy enough to start decorating in October if they could. So all the Christmas lights light up the streets, giving the cold surroundings a warm feeling. It was just nice out, even if Sasuke had to wear earmuffs to keep his ears from freezing off. His boots crunched up frozen leaves, forgotten after the fall had passed.

Tugging his scarf up a little higher he let the cold air sweep around him, the gust of wind messing up his hair slightly. Not that anyone looked great in these kinds of weather conditions. People just wanted to be warm and didn't care much for nice clothes or showing of bits of skin. Also something Sasuke appreciated about this time of year, although some people really needed a new style. He could already imagine his friends in their usual winter attire. Sakura with her Ugg boots that everyone hated, but she adored to bits. Lee with his green onesie that was just not okay, ever. The others were usually dressed alright. Plain colours and things that kept you warm. Except for his best friend. Naruto always wore these knitted sweaters that couldn't be comfortable and were definitely not fashionable. Most had some hint of orange in them since it was his favourite colour. And then the images knitted in them. A slight smile tugged at Sasuke's lips as he thought about how much he truly hated those things. Stupid Naruto and his colourful sweaters.

From about a block away Sasuke already spotted Sakura's house, having the snowman in the middle of her yard brightening up the place. She really needed something new. Maybe if he would get her for Secret Santa, then he would buy her a reindeer or something. It would look much better than this.

This year again they would be celebrating Christmas at Sakura's place. No one really knew why it was always at her place. It was just this silent agreement. Whenever they started talking about Christmas, they all just assumed it was at Sakura's house. Maybe because she had the biggest house out of all of them, but she was the only one living together with someone. Sasuke was still expecting a wedding invite soon. He was certain Lee had proposed many times before already and Sakura had only said no, because it was too soon. But now they have been together for years, so one of these days it was bound to happen. It would be a nice change in their friend group.

As soon as he reached the front yard the noise from inside already carried his way. Most of the people should already be here and they really were with a lot. They had all known each other from high school and from there on out had carried on. Some they would only see during Christmas and some were just always around. It really depended on how life had treated them as to where they would be right now. Sasuke had picked up a quiet life, had started a business in his home town and mostly stayed here. Sakura actually became his secretary and Lee became a gym teacher at the local high school. Ino was often flying out, taking on new modelling jobs or even acting jobs nowadays. She really only was around during Christmas.

And Naruto, Sasuke only saw him a few times a year. They tried to stay in touch, but Naruto just had a busy life, working as a detective. Sasuke wasn't even sure anymore what his friend did and even if he didn't really want to admit it, Sasuke missed him deeply.

Sometimes he thought back on that one kiss they had shared right after graduation. They had never spoken of it again and Sasuke often felt like feelings were left unspoken. Maybe life would've been different if he had said something, anything. Instead he let his best friend go and live the life he had craved so much. He wanted to be a hero in some way and Naruto had gotten there now. Sasuke wouldn't be the one to take it away. Still Sasuke often dreamed, because in his mind he was a better man when he was with Naruto than without. Sad really.

But it didn't matter anymore. He had moved on for as far as he could and every time he saw Naruto, he knew his best friend was happy. The bright smile and the twinkle in those blue eyes. It was just something beautiful.

As he reached the front porch and was about to knock on the door, heavy footsteps reached him and an excited call of his name reached his ears. Slowly Sasuke turned and was met with that same bright smile and twinkling blue eyes he had been thinking about. 'Naruto,' he said as some sort of greeting, nodding his head slightly as the light smile again formed on his lips. Just something that happened when he was around Naruto.

'Hey man,' Naruto said excitedly and then knocked on the door instead of letting Sasuke do it. His friend still was a few inches shorter than he was, but somehow always seemed taller with how he carried himself. Although that bright orange thick coat made him seem more like a little orange ball, ready to be rolled away. Really Naruto had no fashion sense whatsoever, even if he said he did.

Sasuke probably stared a little too long at his friend, but he always did, so Naruto was used to it. Just taking in the image of his friend after not seeing him for months. His hair had gotten a bit longer and his usual tan was less noticeable now that the cold weather had taken the sun away. The tip of his nose was slightly red, signalling that a cold was bothering him. 'How have you been?' he asked softly, letting his dark eyes settle on bright blue, seeing a flash of a smile.

'I've been doing okay,' came the steady answer, Naruto nodding along with his own words. The okay didn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. That wasn't the usual great he got when he asked other times. 'Almost didn't make it here, because they couldn't give me the time off. Now I have to do some overtime, but everything for Christmas, right? Friends are important enough to make some sacrifices for.'

Just as Sasuke was about to answer, the door opened and they were greeted by a smiling Sakura. 'Hey, guys. Did you two come together?' she asked as she stepped out of the way, making room for the two males to enter and take of their coats and shoes.

'No, we ran into each other right on your front porch,' Naruto answered, scratching the back of his head as he glanced up at Sasuke for a moment to search for some confirmation.

But Sasuke was too busy staring at Sakura's feet or more like the slippers she was wearing. Apparently she now also owned Ugg slippers and they were just as ugly. Why would she buy such expensive footwear when it really wasn't good looking?

'Stop judging me!' Sakura said angrily, pointing a finger right in Sasuke's face and after that just storming off. She knew about Sasuke's hate for Ugg shoes, but that didn't stop her from lecturing him almost every day on why they were so good and how comfortable they were. Things he really didn't need to know.

A soft chuckle came from his side and as he looked towards Naruto, he could see the knowing gleam in those bright blue eyes. Not only Sakura knew about his hate for those shoes. 'If you were judging her for that, then you are going to love this,' he said, grin growing as he took off his coat and revealed the most ugly sweater Sasuke had ever seen. This thing was completely orange except for the red Santa Claus in the middle of his shirt, rubbing his belly or something. God, it was awful. Another chuckle left Naruto's lips, a little louder than before. 'I knew you would appreciate my shirt. I'll see if I can get you one too.' And with a wink he was of, following after Sakura and moving into the living room where most of the people already were.

Sasuke needed a moment before he actually followed, the thrill of seeing Naruto again getting to him. It was so familiar as if they had seen each other last week and it made him ache even more, because he wanted this every week. But he could see their friendship slowly fading away and soon they would all part and go one with their lives. Naruto got lucky this time, but next time he will probably have to work. Maybe even during Christmas itself. This was just doing the Secret Santa and Ino wasn't here either. Shikamaru would get her ticket and mail it to her or something.

After he had collected himself, Sasuke also walked towards the living room, pushing the door open slightly he saw how Naruto was greeted with hugs and kisses by the others, getting the cheerful welcome homes and things like that. It was that Sasuke didn't like the hugs and that was why Naruto and he hadn't greeted each other like that, but seeing this he did feel like he was missing out. They were all getting some affection and Sasuke only got some words. He got that from the rest as well though. Only Sakura forced him to kiss each other's cheeks as a hello, but the rest knew better. Maybe though he wouldn't have minded it with Naruto, just to get that bit of attention as well.

As Sasuke entered the living room, he was greeted with many cheerful hellos, but never as happy as when they saw Naruto. Sasuke knew they had always considered Naruto a better friend than him. Mostly because he wasn't as social and didn't care as much about small talk or catching up. He preferred to stay silent then. 'Hey, everyone,' he said, waving his hand to make sure all of them knew it was to them and then took a seat in a red chair, standing by the window. The place he usually sat. A little away from the crowd and he could just glance outside if it was all getting a bit too much.

Of course Naruto was comfortably sitting between Kiba and Lee, sharing exciting stories about work and then whispering a bit too loudly about Naruto's girlfriends. As soon as Sasuke noticed the blush on Naruto's face, he knew he didn't want to hear the rest of it, so focused his attention on the tree Sakura had so carefully decorated.

The colours she chose this year were silver and white and this was the first time Sasuke actually liked the look of it. A bit sophisticated and kind of representing the lack of snow outside. The rest of the place was decorated with little lights or ornaments that made the room a bit too full. Sasuke was a minimalistic kind of guy, so things got too much fast for him. His apartment was usually only decorated with a tree and the rest was left bare. Not that anyone would see it anyway. He would mostly do it, because Sakura ordered him to and to get Christmas inside his house as well.

A glass of warm Glühwein was placed in front of, the sweet smell lingering around the room now. Nice to drink on a cold night and Sakura always loved making it or buying it. Depended on what kind of mood she was in.

The evening passed by, everyone mostly catching up on things happening in the other's life. Sasuke engaged in a few conversations, but by most was left alone. Only Sakura bothered him more often, even asking about work related things. This was not really the time, but he understood what she was after. Join the fun and talk to your friends. But he was having fun, just in his own way. He preferred to listen and he was mostly caught up on everyone's lives now. His wasn't very interesting to share. Not much happened, at least in his opinion. He did notice how Naruto had moved through the room, chatting everyone up and laughing with them, except he never joined his best friend. Or at least Sasuke thought they were still best friends. Maybe their friendship really was falling apart or maybe Naruto just didn't want to make the effort anymore.

And then it was too late to just talk to Naruto, although Sasuke hadn't made a move to talk to him either. That was kind of his problem. He never shared, never tried, waited on others to come to him. Maybe he didn't want to be a bother? Or already thought he was one.

Sakura was standing in the middle of the room, holding up a glass bowl that showed off little notes folded up a few times, containing all of their names. She had bought that bowl especially for this and as far as Sasuke knew, she didn't use it for anything else either. Seemed like such a waste, but they took Christmas very seriously.

'Okay, can I have everyone's attention?' Sakura called out and slowly the whole group went silent. Naruto had to be elbowed in the ribs before he caught on, but that was just typical. Never really paying attention to what was happening around him. How he managed to be a good detective was beyond Sasuke. Although he might like not paying attention when he wasn't working. Must be nice to just not care and relax. 'Okay, so we all know how this goes, but I will explain it again anyway.' Most of the group groaned out in annoyance, but it's not like Sakura really cared what the others thought. 'First Shikamaru will pick a ticket for Ino and then we'll move through the group clockwise until we end with Sasuke. Make sure you check your ticket, because no one can pick their own name. And when buying presents, don't go over the fifty dollars we agreed on.'

They really all knew how this would all go since they had done it for many years, but every year Sakura felt the need to explain. As if someone new had joined their group or some audience was trying to understand what was going on. Maybe she was the one who wanted to be an actor. Some lost dream she never pursued, like Naruto for him…

The bowl was passed on, most just picking up a folded piece of paper, glancing at the name on it and then stuffing it away in their pockets. But some, like Naruto, made a big show of it. Fake sneakily glancing at the piece of paper and eyeing the group around them to make sure no one was looking. Then getting this weird smile on their face as their eyes moved to a few people, acting like one of them was the one they had gotten. Usually it was completely someone else, so no one really paid attention to it anymore. Still Naruto kept it up and actually really enjoyed doing it. He wondered who Naruto had gotten this time. They were with a big group, so it really could be anyone. In all those years they had done this, Sasuke had never gotten Naruto and Naruto had never gotten Sasuke. As if faith didn't want them to buy each other presents.

Eventually the bowl was given to Sasuke and he had to just pick the last piece of paper in the bowl. He didn't really care that he was the last one. It was all pure chance anyway and he still could get anyone of them. He was always hoping he would pull Naruto, fold the piece of paper open and see in Sakura's neat handwriting the name of his best friend. That would really make his Christmas. But every year he was let down, just like this year. Because when he folded it open, he read the name Neji. With a sigh he stuffed it in his jeans pocket and they all carried on with the evening.

The conversations continued for about another hour, more wine was poured and snacks were eaten, but soon everyone was ready to leave. Eventually Sasuke was one of the last, because he didn't want to go to the busy hallway and run into everyone there. So after the house was pretty much empty, Sasuke rose from his chair, still a bit sulking over the name he had gotten and moved towards the hallway.

Sakura had followed him silently and handed him his coat. But then the woman suddenly leaned forward and Sasuke wasn't sure what was going on. That crush of hers had faded a long time ago, right? Her hand slipped into his jeans pocket and grabbed the note. Sasuke's dark eyes followed all this quietly, narrowing slightly to see what she was up to.

'Thank me later,' she spoke softly and handed Sasuke another folded piece of paper, before walking off and disappearing into the living room.

With a fast beating heart and shaky hands Sasuke unfolded the paper and saw the name he had wanted to see for so long written in Sakura's neat handwriting. Naruto.

Characters © Masashi Kishimoto

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