Break

Summary: His love was too much, much more than Sasuke thought he could handle.

"I think we need to take a break."

Sasuke had said the words maybe too carelessly, it sounded almost callous in the way his voice didn't change in tone, no emotion reflecting what was basically putting his relationship in hold. It doesn't mean he's not feeling anything, those blue eyes widen in panic and pink lips try form words that never make it out. And it pulls at his heart but they need a break, he feels suffocated by his love. Naruto loves too much it almost makes Sasuke hate it.

"I need to concentrate on school and with the way we have been lately, I think it will do us both good."

Sasuke had left the apartment to give Naruto time to leave, he had originally meant to leave himself but Naruto had only said he would stay with his mother instead. He feels like garbage about it but at least Naruto will have his mother to comfort him, something Sasuke doesn't think he can do right now. It wasn't that he didn't love Naruto, he did. He loved Naruto passionately but sometimes he felt like he didn't love him enough, didn't love him as much as Naruto loved Sasuke.

He feels inadequate and it makes him angry. And the only one that he has around to take it out on is Naruto; the past half-year has been an endless stream of fights non-stop. Sasuke always provokes them; he wants Naruto to be as angry as Sasuke feels. Of course, it's a dick move on his part but that's the only time he feels he's at the same time level as Naruto in terms of emotions.

When he comes back to the apartment, it's empty. He walks around to the couch and turns the TV on, news start to fill in for the silence and he goes to the kitchen to start dinner. He feels robotic almost, he knew it was going to be quiet; he didn't think it was going to be this quiet.

There's stir-fry on the stove and rice is already cooked, Naruto had enough time to leave him a meal cooked.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that." He says to empty space.

There's time during the next few weeks that he turns to say something to Naruto, or turns to hold his hand and remembers that Naruto isn't there. He has to stop and breathe deeply and silently keep doing what he was doing. The apartment is quiet, Naruto would usually play old jazz music while he painted and it always made Sasuke smile. He liked seeing Naruto in his studio or by the window gently moving the paintbrush to the rhythm of the music.

It's not all bad; Sasuke is able to hang out with his friends. They're not the same group of friends that Naruto and Sasuke share, rather they're only Sasuke's friends. It's nice; he can drink as much as he want and stay out way past what he usually would. But there's always something missing, it's odd not having Naruto there. He would usually lovingly feed Sasuke while all their friends groaned and moaned at the display but Sasuke loved it. He loved that sweet part of Naruto.

He means to keep in contact with Naruto but he doesn't. He picks up his phone stares at the chat screen and comes up blank. He wants to ask how he's doing, what he's doing but Sasuke was the one that wanted the space. So he always ends up not typing anything, he hopes that maybe Naruto would text or call him but he never does.

Sasuke isn't above hanging out with Sakura during the weekend just to inquire about Naruto.

"You're a giant dick, you know that?" Sakura says and sips at her coffee. She stares at him through her lashes and sighs at his impatient look. "He's fine. Concentrating on painting, working out, going out an-"

"With who?" Sasuke interrupts her; the mug in his hand feels like it could shatter at any second. "Who is he going out with?"

Sakura glares at him, she gets that look she gets whenever Naruto and him have a fight and it's Sasuke that's wrong but he won't admit it and Sakura just wants to punch him for being an idiot and hurting Naruto.

"Why don't you ask him yourself, Sasuke? You're the one that wanted a break from him, why suddenly so interested? Or what? He can't have friends and hang out with them?!" Her voice is at the level that's close to yelling but not really. She just picks up her purse and slides out of her seat.

"Next time you want a break, make sure you really want one, asshole!" She storms out of the café and Sasuke is left there glaring at the empty seat across from.

Yes he wanted a break but that didn't mean he didn't love Naruto! He throws some bills on the tables and leaves; he starts running and conveniently ends up at Naruto's house. He stares at the gate and contemplates ringing the doorbell but Naruto is probably not at home and Sasuke doesn't really want to have an awkward conversation with Naruto's mom.

He turns to leave and almost bumps into Naruto, the blonde is carrying paint supplies and a large canvas under his arm. Blue eyes widen at the sight of him and it hurts Sasuke but Naruto actually takes a step back away from him and starts to look at anywhere but him.

"Hey…" Naruto wasn't supposed to be like that, he would always lovingly call out Sasuke's name, or yell it in excitement but never nervously and almost afraid.

"Hi." His voice is clipped and cold, just like when he asked for a break. He notices the way Naruto frowns and takes care to put more emotion into his voice. "Wonderful weather we're having."

What…?

Did he just say that?! Sasuke knew he was almost socially inept but not to this point especially with his own boyfriend!

Naruto looks at him confused and looks up at the sky, it's cloudy and looks like it's about to rain.

"Yeah, sure is…" He shifts the canvas a little and Sasuke finally reacts and moves to grab it from him but Naruto steps back a little and shakes his head.

"It's okay, I got it!"

Sasuke lets his hand drop to his side again and frowns. "Can we talk?"

Naruto looks at him with an odd sort of look but nods and starts to make way into his house. "My mom is out of town, so it's just me and Kurama but he's at work now."

Sasuke grimaces and knows, he knows, he's going to be begging for forgiveness from Kurama just to peacefully date Naruto again. Naruto leads him to the living room, they sit across from each other and an awkward silence settles over them. Naruto is looking at his hands on his lap and Sasuke doesn't like that, he doesn't like how quiet Naruto is being.

"I'm sorry." Naruto looks up rapidly from his hands and stares at in bewilderment. "When I asked for a break, I should have explained myself. I… You love me so much, sometimes I think you love me more than I love you and because of that I felt insecure."

Sasuke doesn't usually speak for long, even with Naruto most of the conversation was help by Naruto and he would answer but it was always short. He had always been like that but he needed Naruto to know why he wanted a break. He hadn't stopped loving Naruto, he was just confused.

"I know it's stupid but sometimes I feel like my love to you is inadequate and not enough. I feel like I don't love you as deeply as you do. I thought maybe if we took a break, I would prove myself right and realize that I loved you less that you did. But I was wrong, I've missed you since you left and I'm sorry."

Sasuke moves to sit next to Naruto but before he can even make it, Naruto lands a solid punch to his stomach and he doubles over in pain on the floor. Naruto manages to land a kick to his shoulder that makes him tumble over and fall on his side.

"YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD! That's why you wanted a break?!" Naruto is on top of him and Sasuke expects a punch but all he gets are tears on his face and he made Naruto cry, the thing he hates the most. "I thought you didn't love me anymore, I thought it was all my fault!"

Naruto lays completely on top of him, his head is on Sasuke's chest. He can feel the tears being soaked up his shirt. He hugs Naruto closely to him and breathes in the calming scent of his most precious person, the only one he would admit his faults to.

"I'm sorry, I really am. I love more than anything and I miss you… I miss us…"

Naruto continues to cry loudly for a while until he stops and just lies there on top of Sasuke.

"I missed you too, you emotionally stunted bastard."

Sasuke finally sits up and drags Naruto along so his back is against the couch and Naruto is in-between his legs. He can't help it and starts to kiss the side of Naruto's neck gently. He missed the intimacy with Naruto most of all.

"Kurama says you'll have to take The Test again," Naruto lolls his head to the side to give Sasuke more access but he's frozen. "But you've already done it, so you'll be fine right? Sasuke?"

Sasuke can't move, he's having flashbacks to The Test and the horrors he experienced.

"What the fuck are you doing in my house, you Uchiha fuck?!"