Chapter One - You're the Secret I keep
"Sasuke!" A voice called from upstairs, muted with morning grogginess. A moment passed while the blonde-haired teen cleared his throat in order to project down the elaborate staircase twining in on itself in the Uchiha residence. "Sasuke have you seen my other shoe?!"
In response, eyes of deep ebony would roll, this same sentence, or something very similar being a common question in the echoing walls. Despite the sarcastic and slightly annoyed action, Sasuke smiled softly, something that had begun to come to him with ease since Naruto had agreed to move in with him. It's to save money, ya know, Naruto had convinced his gang while Sasuke watched from across the classroom. Why waste the money having my own place? Besides, the fags' never around anyways. The memory, however, quickly erased the smile from Sasuke's lips. He sighed deeply before answering.
"You left it by the door." He called, turning his attention back to the newspaper in his hands.
"Oh. Right, thanks!" Came the reply, followed immediately by the sound of footsteps thundering down the stairs. Sasuke glanced up again from his mug of unsweetened coffee as the disorganized teen skidded into the kitchen, his appearance the very definition of 'just got out of bed'. Naruto crossed the hospital-sterile kitchen in two steps, snatching an apple from the basket and taking a bite while leaning back against the counter with a huff. Sasuke's eyes silently took in the bed-head hair and incorrectly buttoned-up shirt before sliding back to his paper.
"Alarm didn't go off again today, hm?" He observed apathetically, taking a sip of the black liquid. Naruto nodded in response, swallowing a chunk of apple.
"I don't know what's wrong with the damn thing!" He cried between hurried bites, crossing over to the island and stuffing his binders into a bright orange backpack. "Kakashi is going to kill me if I'm late again!" Sasuke rolled his eyes once more, tilting his head back slightly to finish off his own breakfast. Unlikely. Kakashi is too laid back to actually care.
Sasuke smoothly rose from his chair, setting his mug in the sink and crossing over to the blonde, who was still trying to gather his things into his bag. He placed his hands firmly on Naruto's biceps, ignoring the small part in the back of his mind that swooned over how defined they were, and turned Naruto to face him. The disheveled teen automatically began to protest with slight confusion, before silencing, his cheeks flushing as Sasuke slowly started to unbutton his thin white shirt.
"Sasuke, what're you-?" He stuttered, the flush in his cheeks growing darker. Sasuke glanced up at him, pausing his hands for a moment before quickly refasening the buttons.
"You missed one." He drawled softly, letting his hands slide into his own back pockets, raising an eyebrow slightly at their closeness. Naruto paused, his eyes glazing over slightly as they traced over the taller boy's neck down to his collarbone-. He shook his head sharply, stumbling back a step.
"I'm gonna be late." He muttered, scooping his backpack from the counter and hurrying from the room without a backward glance. Sasuke chuckled softly, pleased with his effect on the other, before returning to his spot at the kitchen table. He glanced at the clock while gathering his own things, noting the time Naruto left. Due to a request from him, Sasuke would wait five minutes until he began his own journey to the high school they both attended, so "it wouldn't look... Weird, ya know?" Consequently, whenever Naruto was late, Sasuke ended up receiving even dirtier looks when he entered the classroom than he usually did. Which is precisely what happened upon entering Kakashi's class. Luckily, it wasn't a big deal most of the time, since it seemed Kakashi never arrived before ten minutes after the bell. But, as usual, luck didn't seem to be feeling too sympathetic towards the raven-haired boy
"Glad to see you made it, Mr. Uchiha." Kakashi observed, keeping his eyes on his latest novel. The chattering class immediately fell silent, the students looking up from their hushed conversations to stare at the boy as he swiftly made his way to the spot in the back of the class. Once settled, Sasuke glanced up at the teacher, his face the emotionless mask of indifference he had been forced to adopt since his classmates had learned of his... Preferences.
"... Apologies." He said finally, breaking the apprehensive silence that held the class in an icy grip. Kakashi met his challenging gaze unflinchingly, before turning his attention to the rest of the students.
"Page three-hundred nintey-four, if you please." He commanded with a smile. "Read to the end of the chapter, and-... Try to keep it quiet."
After Kakashi turned back to his novel the class dispersed into small, hushed groups, half-heartedly reading the monotonous history textbooks. Ignoring the white-haired man's command, Sasuke's eyes subconsciously drifted to where his blonde housemate sat surrounded by his idiotic, yet hard-earned friends. His obsidian eyes melted slightly while watching Naruto crack jokes to his simple-minded companions, a small smile barely gracing his pale lips. He's worked so hard to fit in... He thought to himself, recalling how even he had completely brushed off the blonde during their junior high days. None of them had really known why. He'd had average grades, came from a good family, and certainly wasn't unattractive. Still, he'd always been alone...
Sasuke was ripped from his thoughts as one of Naruto's friends glanced over to Sasuke, giving him a look of utter disgust.
"Hey, Uzumaki." He nearly shouted, immediately gaining the attention of everyone in the room (besides Kakashi, who was absolutely absorbed in his book). "The fag is staring at you." The word. That word; the one that had ripped Sasuke from his position on the top of the 'most wanted' list and shoved him down beneath the druggies and sluts. The most taboo label to ever exist in Konoha High's hallways.
A dull ring began to drown out the mocking giggles and laughter of his classmates in Sasuke's ears, his eyes immediately flashing back to Naruto while he anticipated the other's response. Naruto flushed slightly, his cerulean blue eyes meeting Sasuke's for a moment before quickly breaking away.
"Hehe-" He forced a chuckle, avoiding the other's gaze. "What a freak, right?" The teen gulped, forcing out another mocking laugh, his eyes refusing to meet Sasuke's penetrating gaze.
Sasuke blinked once, his mask slipping for just a moment to reveal years of hurt and anguish, before quickly hardening into emotionlessness. He pushed himself away from his desk and smoothly got to his feet, snatching his bag from the floor and sweeping out of the classroom with a muttered, "don't feel well" somewhat directed to Kakashi.
He stormed down the hall, desperately trying to keep himself from going to pieces. Upon reaching his destination, the bathroom, he yanked open the door and swung inside, throwing his bag onto the floor. Sasuke stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, his eyes staring into empty space. With a cry of anger and devastation, he turned on the balls of his feet, sending his fist slamming into the ceramic tiles of the wall. A gasp of satisfying pain ripped from his throat, and Sasuke leaned against the wall, slowly sinking to the floor, cradling his bleeding hand to his chest. His pale chin tilted upwards, dry eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
He sat like this for what seemed like hours before he heard a voice softly call him name.
"Sasuke-..." Naruto breathed softly, looking down at the silent teen with pain and a craving for understanding in his eyes. Sasuke glanced over at the blonde standing in the doorway, his breath catching in his lungs. Quickly recomposing himself, Sasuke got to his feet, turning towards Naruto expectantly. Naruto opened his mouth to apologize, only to close it silently, eliminating the distance between them instead. His arms laced around the other's neck, pulling him down to feverishly crush their lips together.
Without hesitation, Sasuke wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist, pulling him closer to communicate his forgiveness. Because I will always forgive you... No matter how much this hurts.