A/N: This is a five chapter story I just wrapped up on y-gal. It follows the main Coffee story line. Should it be getting confusing on how to read Coffee, I would suggest to read it this way: Main fic, sidefics I, seattle-dream-seattle, sidefics 2 (I just added two additional sidefics to that titled "Love Letters"), Merry Christmas, NYC, and then this one.
Most importantly, you should reread the sidefic "That Guy at the Bar" (in Sidefics II) because if you didn't realize it already, that guy is this guy, and this guy is Nezumi from No. 6. So yeah, not only does Coffee have its own AU and dreamverses, it now has its own crossover universe, too. Take that, Kishimoto!
"We're gonna be late!" Naruto complained, even though that was mostly his fault.
"Well what did you expect?" Sasuke replied calmly. "Of course there's going to be traffic coming into the city on a Friday night."
"Yeah, but these tickets were really hard to get, and I know you wanted to see the show!" Naruto grabbed his boyfriend's hand as he pulled him in through the front doors of the Lookingglass Theatre.
"These things never start on time," Sasuke assured him.
He was right. Walking into the lobby, there were plenty of people milling about; although, just as they were heading toward the auditorium, the lights flashed, signaling everyone to get to their seats. Honestly, Naruto had no idea what the show was even about. He wasn't much of a play person, but he'd heard Sasuke mention it a couple of times in passing, so he went ahead and bought a couple of tickets. The building the theater was in was really cool. It was housed inside the old water pumping station located on Michigan Avenue, only a couple of blocks from Sasuke's workplace. There couldn't have been more than 150 seats, but they were mostly full. They had a good view, too, considering they were third row back and in the middle.
He glanced around at everything there was to see while Sasuke started reading through the program. The stage was small but they made good use of the space. There were five large white columns holding up some kind of dark mesh canopy, and the background looked like the sky at sunset. On two sides of the stage was a row of stools, on which musicians sat with their violins, flutes, and even a harp - all warming up for the performance. He hadn't realized there was going to be music.
"Is there gonna be singing?" Naruto asked, snatching the program from Sasuke's hands.
"Only a little," Sasuke answered, stealing back the program. "You don't even know how to read, so why would you need this?"
"Jerk." He tried to peek over his shoulder. "Why'd you wanna see this so bad anyway?"
"It's received quite a bit of critical acclaim. It's an alternative take on Euripides' Medea."
"I don't even know what that is," he said while wiggling out of his coat.
"Like I've always said," Sasuke whispered, "What's important is that you're nice to look at."
Naruto scoffed. "You're hilarious. Do I make fun of you when you ask dumb questions during football games?"
"Football is stupid," Sasuke commented. "The only thing good about it is the tight uniform pants."
"Excuse me?"
"Shh, Naruto. It's about to start."
"Tch." Naruto crossed his arms as some of the violinists began to play and the lights darkened.
Two women wearing a heck of a lot of makeup appeared on stage. Though the scenery seemed to be something fitting of a Greek play, all of the costumes were modern and tight-fitting. But the actresses were pretty attractive if not really tall. Sasuke, for his part, already looked engrossed in the play. If he asked any questions, his boyfriend would just shush him. He always got annoyed when Naruto asked stuff in the middle of a show or movie. For now, he'd just see if he could follow, and if he couldn't, he'd totally pretend that he did.
A few minutes more into the scene, with the two women bickering back and forth, another very good looking woman came on stage. She wasn't wearing as much makeup as the others, which was probably symbolic of something or other. Her skin was pale, and her hair was long - falling over her shoulders in waves of dark hair. And, unlike the snug-fitting clothes of the other women, she wore a beautiful, long and flowing dressed that modestly scraped the floor.
"Oh, oh," she exclaimed, pacing around in agitation. "Would that Heaven's levil bolt would cleave this head in twain! What gain is life to me? Woe, woe is me! O, to die and win release, quitting this loathed existence!"
Then these booming voices sang in chorus from behind the stage, sounding like the soundtrack for the Exorcist. Once the chorus finished and the beautiful female lead spoke again, it struck him as odd that a woman who looked so sweet would suddenly start uttering words about killing her own brother and murdering a former husband for his infidelities. She moved so gracefully across the stage. She kind of reminded him of... Sasuke?
He blushed, thinking about their trip to New York in January and having seen Sasuke all dressed up in women's clothes.
God, maybe Sasuke was right, maybe he really was developing a fetish for seeing him in drag? No way. He shook his head free of those particular thoughts and was determined to focus on the play. After all, he did want to give the things Sasuke liked a try, and Sasuke liked plays and symphonies and musicals. He was all sophisticated and cultured and whatnot, and Naruto had always been the type of guy to be perfectly happy reading The Onion while shitting on the toilet.
After they both took a trip to the bathroom during intermission, they came back and found that the stage had been transformed into something quite bizarre and slightly erotic. To Naruto, it looked like a sex dungeon. The columns had been draped in red latex material, and chains had dropped from the ceiling. There were other pieces of furniture and accessories he'd only seen on the Internet (Sasuke's browsing history to be specific). Just as he started going through the program to read more about the main actors, one of the doormen slid through the mostly empty second aisle in front of them and held out a small envelope to Naruto.
"I was asked to give you this," he said.
Naruto glanced at Sasuke to see if he knew what was going on. "Uh. Are you sure you have the right person?"
"Definitely. I was asked to give you this by one of the performers."
Before Naruto could ask anything else, the man forced the card into his hand and walked away toward the back of the theatre.
"Is this part of the show or somethin'?" He asked.
"I don't think so. Do you know one of the performers?"
"Uh, not that I can think of." He scratched the back of his head. "Should I open it?"
"That's up to you," said Sasuke. "I doubt it's laced with anything."
"Oh, great. I hadn't even thought of that." He dropped the program in his lap, unsealed the envelope with his finger, and read the card inside. It had been written in very neat and elegant handwriting.
It's been a while, but I'd definitely remember that face. I spotted you from the stage. Feel free to bring your other half along with you following the performance. Just show this to the doorman, and he'll let you backstage to see me.
He showed it to Sasuke. "What the heck?"
Sasuke took the card from him and read it again. "They obviously know you."
"Yeah, but who?" Naruto picked up the program and scanned through the cast listings. He didn't recognize any of the names, and there were no pictures. Who would he know that would be in this show but would also know Sasuke? He racked his brain trying to figure it out, but couldn't come up with a single person.
"Maybe it was meant for you," he said. "Do you have some ex that was into show business?"
Sasuke frowned. "Are you serious?"
"Well, I dunno who it is!"
"I suppose we'll find out after the show. I'm sure it's just a friend of yours that you've forgotten."
"You're not weirded out?"
"What do you mean?" Sasuke brushed his hair out of his face. "I'm not jealous if that's what you're asking. That a complete stranger would invite you backstage to see them and who noticed you personally while performing on stage."
"Hm. So it is weird."
The lights dimmed twice.
How very distracting. Now he'd be spending the rest of the show wondering which one of these people on stage he apparently knew.
After the (slightly disturbing) end of the play where Medea ended up killing her children by drowning them in a bathtub, Naruto remained in his seat, staring at the card.
"Well?" Sasuke asked. "Did you decide whether you want to accept the invitation?"
"I am curious. But if you don't wanna, we don't have to."
"I don't mind," said Sasuke. "I'm curious, as well, as to who would send you such a mysterious note."
"Alright then. It'll be like an adventure? And will you protect me if they try to kidnap me and throw me in the back of the trunk?"
Sasuke smirked. "I see my paranoia has rubbed off on you during the last year we've been together."
"It's been more than a year! It's almost been 15 months!" Naruto smiled. "We're practically an old married couple."
"Hardly. Considering you've been in relationships longer than ours."
"Yeah. But not with you." He batted his eyelashes at his boyfriend, which only earned him a slap to the back of the head.
Chuckling, he got to his feet and held out his hand for Sasuke to take. They both put their jackets on, neither of them thinking this little visit would last especially long. As instructed, Naruto presented his note to the young man guarding the door beside the stage. He cast a quick glance at the note and let them slide by through the entrance.
"Why am I rememberin' the plot to Eyes Wide Shut all of a sudden?" Naruto asked as they walked down a long, dark hallway.
"There was a plot to Eyes Wide Shut?" Sasuke asked and reached for his hand.
They heard some chatter as they rounded the corner and saw several of the actors in various states of undress. Naruto wasn't exactly sure where to go until a young boy with a dark complexion and long, brunette hair abruptly snagged him by the arm.
"You're Naruto?" He asked (rudely in his opinion). "I'm supposed to show you to your pal's dressin' room."
Naruto could only blink at Sasuke before he was dragged off by the man, who had a remarkably strong grip for being so thin and wiry.
"Um, just who is my pal exactly?"
"Guess you'll find out when you open the door, huh? Eve's always doin' these kinda things, so I stopped askin' questions a long time ago."
"Eve?" He repeated. "Do you know an Eve, Sasuke?"
"I believe that's the name of the actress who played Medea."
"Woah, really?"
They came to a stop in front of a door with a nameplate that read "Eve". Naruto was still drawing a blank on knowing any women by that name. Then he tried to think of the names of the women with whom he had a one-night stand. There'd only be two at most, and they sure as hell wouldn't know about Sasuke being his boyfriend.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea?" He said to Sasuke. After all, what if it was an ex that he'd forgotten about. That would just make this all kinds of awkward.
"That was... a woman, right?" Sasuke, who hadn't even paid attention to what he'd said, was gazing down at the other end of the hallway.
"Huh? Who? That guy who brought us here?" Naruto tried to catch another glimpse of him, but he seemed to have disappeared. "Kinda reminded me of Kiba. Dunno why."
"You didn't notice?" Sasuke asked.
"Notice what?" Naruto turned to him and stuffed both of his hands into the pockets of his unzipped coat.
"The whole play was a twist on gender, Naruto. I'm certain that some of the male parts were played by women and vice versa."
"No way," Naruto said. "Most of those chicks were really hot, especially the main one - "
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What? Not going to finish that sentence?"
"Meh. I think you're just fuckin' with me. Let's get this over with, huh?" Naruto knocked on the door and thought he could hear someone playing a piano behind it. After only half a minute, they were greeted by the beautiful actress who'd played Medea.
Up close she was just as stunning, with startlingly alluring eyes that held a silvery quality.
"I was wonderin' if you'd be allowed to come and say hello," she said to Naruto, smiling slyly at him. She still wore the long silver dress and wreath of lilacs in her hair.
"If I'd be allowed...?" He questioned uncertainly.
"As in, I wondered if your boyfriend would let you off your leash. So, are you two gonna come in and tell me how fabulous I was tonight or what?"
"The heck...?" Naruto just stared as this person retreated smoothly into her dressing room and sat down in front of a makeup table. "Do we... know each other?"
Suddenly, Sasuke pushed him into the room and shut the door behind them.
"Pardon him," said Sasuke. "It's normal for him to be a little slow at catching on."
"So I can tell. You must have a tremendous amount of patience. By the way, would you mind unzipping my dress?" She stood up again, and much to Naruto's surprise, Sasuke went over and started helping her out of her costume.
"Sasuke - " He clamped his mouth shut and abruptly turned away as the dress fell to the woman's waist. Sasuke might be gay, but Naruto didn't think it was quite right to stare.
"There are so many pins in this thing it may take a while," the woman muttered. "So, Sasuke, as a man of somewhat discerning tastes, what did you think of the play?"
When Naruto glanced behind to see what they were up to, Sasuke was watching the young woman in the mirror while she removed what appeared to be an endless amount of bobby pins from what he now assumed to be a wig.
"Maybe you should tell us how you came to be the star of the play first. I believe last we ran into you Naruto mentioned you were partaking in some kind of pretentious cross-country road trip."
"Your memory is sharp. And did you consider that maybe this is destiny at play?" She finally slid her wig off and placed it on the nearby mannequin head. Swiftly, she tied her dark, shoulder-length hair into a loose bun and turned around to face Naruto with a smirk.
"You!" He exclaimed loudly, pointing a finger.
"Me." The (now it was clear) man smirked at him. "Had you fooled, didn't I? At least your boyfriend's more observant. Unless the two of you are only friends now, and then that would make this evening even more fortuitous."
"The fates must not have it in store for the two of you," Sasuke replied dryly, "As we are most certainly still together."
"What a shame," the other man responded with a dramatic movement of his arms.
He got to his feet and ended up standing near Sasuke's side. It struck him as odd how similar their expressions were as they looked at Naruto. Even their stances were nearly identical, though the man - whom he remembered meeting nearly half a year ago in a bar - was now without a shirt. He at least had on some loose fitting pants that he'd been wearing under the dress.
Rather than get mad at being the last one in on the joke, Naruto smiled at his own ignorance and took a step forward. "Wow, um. You were really good tonight. We were really impressed with your performance in particular."
The man offered a bow. "Thank you."
"But, last I saw you, you were writin' some travel article, weren't you? Oh, that's right. You did mention to Ino about bein' an actor."
"I'm flattered you remember that small detail. The article published in January. Should've been sooner, but my editor was a bit of an imbecile if you ask me."
"Ah hah, and what was the magazine? Anything I'd know?" Naruto asked.
"I'm sure I have a copy I can send you if you're really that curious."
"That guy said your name was Eve."
The man laughed. "That's my stage name. As you can see, I'm all man." He spared Sasuke a very smug look after that.
"I... this is really..." Naruto didn't know what exactly he wanted to say.
"I see my presence has made you speechless," said "Eve". "I hope this isn't too awkward for you, Sasuke? Although I'm glad to hear you're a big fan of my performance."
Sasuke adopted a rather reserved look. "I admit. I find myself a little intrigued."
"You do?" Naruto asked. Praise from Sasuke was always a big deal.
Eve turned to Sasuke. "So you do have decent taste."
"How is it that you two are suddenly gettin' along when last time - "
"All water under the bridge," Eve cut in, waving a hand at him. "I have to admit. I may have had ulterior motives in asking you back here."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You're not gonna ask us for a threesome, are you?"
"Jesus, Naruto." Sasuke covered his face with his hand, and Eve simply let out a wonderfully melodic laugh as his sharp, silvery eyes flashed in amusement.
"Not entirely what I had in mind, although the images that just produced are extremely... enlightening. Rather, I was wonderin' if you two would like to attend an after party at my humble flat. Small crowd. Mostly actors from tonight and some of the musicians."
"Musicians?" Sasuke seemed to perk up. "I was curious about the harpist. I've seen her before. Maybe in New York."
"That would be our girl Zelda." Eve nodded. "She's brilliant, isn't she? She used to play for the New York Philharmonic. She'll be there. I'd be happy to introduce you. Especially, if that's a more suitable threesome for you tonight, Naruto?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "It was the first thing that came to mind, what do you want from me?"
"A threesome with him is the first thing that entered your mind?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, no - " Naruto held out his hand as he went up to him. "Not like that! I just figured you wouldn't - "
Sasuke shrugged. "Naruto, I'm really not bothered. It might be interesting to go. We enjoyed the play. I'd like to talk to some of the musicians. I'll do whatever you want."
"What an obedient and agreeable boyfriend you are," Eve said mockingly. "How long have the two of you been together exactly as you're clearly still in the honeymoon stage?"
"Fifteen months-ish," Naruto answered.
"Not bad. I'm impressed." Eve smirked. "I'll give you the address. You might want to get a drink at one of the bars in the neighborhood first as we won't be convening until... 10 or so?"
Naruto checked his watch. It was a little after 9 p.m.
"Is that... okay with you?" He asked Sasuke.
"Sure." Sasuke offered a light smile. "If you don't mind."
"I don't mind. I think it could be sorta fun." He returned his boyfriend's smile.
Eve cleared his throat. "Ahem. Well, my two favorite lovers. I'll look forward to seein' you very shortly then." He grabbed a card off of the table and scribbled on it before handing it to Sasuke. "As you're the responsible one, I'll leave my address with you. You won't break my heart if you change your mind, but I hope to see you later."
"Yeah. We'll be there." Naruto held out his hand. "But... am I supposed to call you Eve or what?"
"Hm. No, I suppose not. You can call me what my friends do," he said.
"What's that?"
"Nezumi." He shook Naruto's hand. "You can call me Nezumi."
Naruto grinned. "Alright, Nezumi. We'll see you later."
With a wave Naruto said his goodbyes, not giving Sasuke much time to say his own farewells before taking him by the wrist and leading them out of the dressing room.
As they were sitting at the bar, Naruto was sipping on a beer while Sasuke nursed a Manhattan.
"You're a little surprised, right?" Naruto asked. "That, y'know. One: She was a he. And two: That he turned out to be the guy at the bar that time."
"A 'little' surprised would be an understatement, but I refuse to give him the upper hand."
"Ah, is that what's goin' on? I think you handled it rather well. I was waitin' for you to punch him."
"Really?" Sasuke turned in such a way that their arms rubbed together. "Do you still think I get jealous over every little thing, over everyone who hits on you or shows interest in you?"
"Not all of 'em, not that there's many. But. Yeah. I mean, it'd be weird if you didn't get jealous, right? I was kinda jealous when you agreed to take his dress off even though you're gay and at the time I didn't know she was a he."
"Listen to how that sounded. He was a man wearing a dress, and very clearly we were both mocking you for not having figured it out yet."
"How did you know anyway?"
"You think I can't tell a man when I see one?" Sasuke's eyebrow drew up as he dragged his glass across the bar in a slow circle. "And up close, I remembered who he was fairly quickly. How could I not? He'd been flirting with you back then. I always remember the guys who flirt with you, Naruto." Sasuke smiled fondly at him.
"I thought he was just a really hot chick who could act." Naruto smiled, too, and leaned into his boyfriend before letting out a quiet sigh. "We don't have to go... you seem kinda interested, though."
"Well, since you were able to clear the air of that whole threesome stipulation, I suppose I have nothing to worry about? Although, you did say you've never experienced one, and I believe that every man should try it at least once before he dies."
"You'd share me?" Naruto asked, although it was clear they were only joking.
"Hardly." Sasuke gave him a long stare.
He started chewing at his lip. "You...don't find him attractive, do you?"
"I find him arrogant, egotistical, and narcissistic."
"Hm. Odd answer. I only asked if you thought he was attractive."
"He's good looking, but so are a lot of men." Sasuke glanced across the way from the bar, at the rows of liquor on the top few shelves.
Naruto frowned. "So you are attracted to him?"
"Definitely not. You asked if I thought he was attractive, and I said he was. That doesn't mean I'm attracted to him. In fact..." But Sasuke trailed off and his gaze lowered to his drink as he began shifting it around again.
"Finish," Naruto encouraged, moving in closer in case Sasuke simply didn't want anyone to overhear them.
"It's clear he's interested in you and finds you attractive. He did back then, and he does now, and I'm sure if I gave him the opportunity," Sasuke looked directly at him, which drew their faces particularly close, "He'd make a move on you."
"Um, and I'd clearly refuse him. Just like I did last time."
"Clearly? Hm. I wonder." Sasuke tilted his head slightly as he regarded him.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that you seem interested in him. I won't say you're attracted to him, but he intrigues you. I can tell when you're interested in someone. As a person. It just so happens this one seems to be attracted to you in the same way I am."
"Not necessarily. I thought he was civil at least. Plus, he invited you, too. It's not like he ignored you or whatever."
"True." Sasuke kissed him on the lips and pulled away slowly.
Naruto started grinning at him.
"This song reminds me of you," Sasuke said softly.
"Me? I fall in love with someone new each day?"
"No. It seems every day there's someone else who falls in love with you. I felt pretty good for a while, but each time I let you out of the apartment, someone else catches on to what I have."
He nudged Sasuke in the side. "What are you on about, Sasuke?"
"Just that if you were ever in doubt. That I didn't know exactly what I have in you, you'd be very, very wrong."
"If this is your way of hittin' on me, it is workin' really, really well. Like, you are two seconds from gettin' laid."
"Yeah?" Sasuke picked up his glass and took a drink.
Naruto's teeth pressed into his bottom lip as he gazed at his boyfriend. "You're... so sexy."
"I am?" Sasuke set his glass down again. "Even if I'm not wearing women's clothes?"
Naruto groaned and, folding his arms on the bar, dropped his head on top of them. "You had to go and ruin it, didn't you?"
"It does seem that your fetish is only growing stronger."
"How is it a fetish if I didn't even know it was a guy?"
"So it's an unconscious fetish. But I suppose it simply means there's still a heterosexual somewhere deep inside of you." Sasuke smirked and, pulling out his phone, checked the time. "It's almost ten."
"Yeah, well, if you ever want this heterosexual deep inside you again, you'll stop makin' fun of me." Naruto pouted as he waved the bartender over so that he could pay their tab. For once, Sasuke didn't fight him on it either. "I'm not gonna apologize for thinkin' you're sexy no matter what you wear."
"I know," Sasuke murmured and slung an arm around Naruto's chair. "I'm only teasing."
"Uh huh." He placed down a twenty dollar bill when the bartender brought the total. "You ready?" Naruto got to his feet and before grabbing his own jacket, he picked up Sasuke's and helped him into it.
Sasuke waited by his side while Naruto put on his own coat.
"What?" He asked when Sasuke kept staring at him.
"Nothing."
Naruto hummed at him questioningly. "Nah. I let you get away with that far too often."
Sasuke took him by the arm as they left the bar and started alongside the sidewalk.
"If I haven't mentioned this lately," said Sasuke, "I want you to know..."
"Hm?" He thought his boyfriend's cheeks looked flushed. "Go on. Don't leave me hangin'."
"I... being in a relationship with you for this long. It's..."
Naruto waited patiently for Sasuke to put his words together, although he got a sense from the way his heart began to race that he knew exactly what he was thinking and what he wanted to say.
"While this is still new to me somehow since you're the first relationship I've ever had, I feel very grateful to have had this experience. With you. I don't think I could have done it had it not been you. Am I... making sense?"
Naruto stopped them on the sidewalk, took hold of the sides of his boyfriend's face, and kissed him. They let the other people walk around them as they stood there, and when he finally pulled away, he reached for Sasuke's hand.
"You say some pretty damn good things sometimes," Naruto murmured.
"Hn."
"Still sure you wanna go to this? I'd be perfectly fine with goin' home and messin' around."
"As appealing as that sounds, I think we'll both have a good time. You want to talk to your friend, I'm sure. I wouldn't mind doing a little networking."
"Sellin' me out to Nezumi in the hopes of signin' a new act. I see where your priorities lie."
"If he so much as bats his eyelashes at you, I will break his hands."
"But he has such nice hands," Naruto teased. "Did you see the piano in his dressing room? Pretty sure I heard him playin' before we walked in. Maybe you could sign him, huh? Doubt you've ever represented a crossdressing writer-actor as a musical act yet."
"True, but I get the impression that working together would be... difficult."
"Surprised you're even considerin' it."
"I try to keep my private and professional feelings separate."
"Sure." Naruto gave him a cynical look. "So, say, if one of your signed acts started makin' a move on me but if you told them to fuck off, they might wanna go to another agent or whatever?"
"Define making a move." Sasuke smirked.
Naruto punched him in the arm. "Asshole."
"I trust you, Naruto. If there's anything I've learned over the past year it's that I trust you implicitly. It's everyone else I don't trust, but I also know you can handle yourself."
"That's good of you 'cause if anyone hit on you right in front of me, I'd smash them in the face. That intern who used to work at your office is lucky that we never met one-on-one."
"What intern?" Sasuke stared at him blankly.
"The one who'd always stay late 'cause you did, who you said was always wantin' to take you to lunch or would message you with a bunch of dumb questions."
"Oh. Right." Sasuke grimaced. "I believe he moved on to one of the other directors once they received a promotion and fancier title."
"Whatever." Naruto lifted his chin haughtily and scoffed.
"Well, if Nezumi hits on me, I expect you to rearrange his face then," said Sasuke.
"Nah. Too pretty of a face for me to mess it up." This time, Naruto glanced over at him and smirked.
"Jerk." Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to have to make sure you don't drink too much. You get very physical when you do. Especially at parties."
"Not with strangers," Naruto argued.
"Uh huh."
"Tch. Do you know where we're goin'?"
Sasuke nodded. "Only a few more blocks this way. Should be a very swanky place considering the neighborhood."
"I didn't get the impression he was a guy who liked to take up permanent residence."
"You sound as if you know him quite well considering you only spoke to each other for maybe 30 minutes tops that one evening."
"I just get a sense for people, you know that. I don't think he's a bad guy... but he just has this smell about him. Of the wind, maybe."
"The wind?"
"I can't describe it well, but just... doesn't seem like a guy who could ever settle down."
"I'm sure some people would've said the same of me," Sasuke replied.
"Hm. No... I think you always really wanted somethin' like what we have. I'm not sure Nezumi does. Then again, maybe it's all about findin' the right person who makes you want that kind of life?"
"Maybe, but you won't be the person to make him end his nomadic ways if I can help it."
"While Nezumi seems like a pretty interestin' guy, I think there's only room in my heart for one high-maintenance gay man."
"I'm not so sure he is gay," Sasuke said, sounding thoughtful.
"Huh? No?"
"Like you, I have a gut feeling for these things. My guess is he goes both ways."
"I thought you didn't believe in labels," said Naruto as they approached an upscale-looking neighborhood where every apartment complex was surrounded by wrought iron fences and lush garden landscapes.
"I imagine he may be like you... "
"How so?" Naruto turned to him as Sasuke punched in the code that Nezumi had written on the card he'd given them.
"Some people are attracted to personalities regardless of gender. But he is most definitely attracted to you. So, don't go alone with him into a room if you can help it."
"Like you did with Yahiko when you were 16?"
"Exactly like that," Sasuke replied and then smacked him in the head.
He held the door open for Naruto, and, together, they went inside the lobby and waited for the elevator to arrive, their hands joined between them by only their index and middle fingers.
They knocked on the door of apartment 606, and it wasn't Nezumi who greeted them but the skinny young man (er, woman maybe?) who had shown them to the dressing room. It was only then that Naruto realized they should've brought something. It hadn't occurred to him to find a liquor store, but, then again, he and Sasuke didn't have the best of luck with those places.
"You again," said the guy as he eyed the both of them distrustfully. "Well, don't just stand there. Come in."
Naruto looked at Sasuke, but his boyfriend didn't seem annoyed by the guy's rude way of speaking, so he decided to roll with it, too. Inside, there must've been 20 or so people hanging out in this large loft space. Humble my ass, he thought. The walls were a rustic dark red brick. The floors were a darker wood and appeared to be original. There were bookshelves everywhere and everything had a very warm and cozy feeling without being too neat or tidy. There was a fire going in the fireplace, and a young woman with bright red hair was playing at this super shiny baby grand piano. Everyone was hanging out in the living area, sitting on the floor, couch, or chairs. There was this wonderful aroma in the air, too. It smelled as though someone had been baking bread.
Sasuke took his hand and led them in where they were welcomed by a very beautiful and voluptuous woman in her early 30s. She offered Sasuke and Naruto champagne or wine.
"Wine's good for me. White if that's okay," he said, smiling at her. "He'll have red."
"Aren't you two a very beautiful couple," said the woman, handing him his glass.
Sasuke, placing an arm around Naruto's waist, took the other glass as she offered it. "Thank you."
"Excuse me," Naruto asked the lady. "Have you seen Zelda around?"
"Ah, yes. I believe she accompanied Nezumi into his bedroom." She pointed toward the end of the hallway. "I think he was showing her some photographs he'd taken recently."
"Ah, okay. Thanks."
"Sure." She smiled sweetly at him and returned to a conversation with one of her friends sitting on the very plush looking sofa.
"There you go," Naruto said as he sipped his wine. "Your harpist awaits."
"The bedroom door is closed. Maybe he's gotten over you, do you suppose?"
"Asshole. You did say he might swing both ways. Guess you really do have a nose for those things, hm?"
"It's only a guess. I'm sure it's just his photos that he's showing her."
Naruto chuckled. "You're so bad. You're always attracted to other artists, too, so it makes sense that other artists attract each other, right?"
"Hm."
"No?"
"Keep drinking your wine," Sasuke said, though his attention seemed to wander toward the woman playing piano.
"You should play." Naruto gave him a nudge. "Show her up."
"I don't think so. I can tell just by listening she's been classically trained."
"If you start gettin' a boner soon over all the talent that's in this room, I'm gonna leave you here to network or whatever it is you wanna do."
"Don't be ridiculous," Sasuke murmured near his ear and kissed the side of his head. "If I leave your side, I have a feeling you'll be bombarded by both women and men. I've caught at least three guests checking you out."
"Maybe they're lookin' at the both of us?" Naruto suggested. "Maybe they're checkin' you out. After all, you're wearin' their color of choice."
"Hn."
While Naruto was taking another sip of his wine, Nezumi came walking toward them from down the hall. He had an attractive, taller female with short jet black hair on his arm. She looked like maybe she was Eastern European. Her cheekbones were prominent, and she could have very well been a model or even a ballerina. She complemented Nezumi physically, and it occurred to him that perhaps they really were a couple.
Nezumi was dressed casually, in a pair of khaki cargo pants that hung low on his slim waist, and a yellow long-sleeve shirt. He still had his hair tied up and appeared to be deep in conversation with Zelda. At least until his gaze met with Naruto's. They kept eye contact up to the point where they stood directly in front of both he and Sasuke.
"You came," Nezumi said, his small smile very wistful. He gestured to his female companion. "Sasuke. Naruto. This is Zelda. I mentioned someone might be comin' who recognized her from New York."
"Ah, yes," said Zelda as she held out her hand, which Sasuke immediately took. She spoke with what sounded to be Russian accent. "Nezumi is a very dear friend of mine. Are you much interested in music?"
Before he even knew what happened, Zelda cut between them and grabbed for Sasuke's arm, guiding him toward an open spot near the fireplace and next to the baby grand.
"She works fast," Naruto muttered, watching as she stole away his boyfriend.
"Sasuke didn't look like he minded very much. If he picked her out of the group, I can already tell he's got good taste." Nezumi slipped his hands into his pockets and eyed Naruto for a while. "I'm... surprised but exceptionally pleased you decided to stop by tonight. I wasn't sure if you'd take me up on my offer."
"Nah. We both wanted to come. And Sasuke always likes to talk to musicians, especially ones he doesn't already know yet. Um. This is a really great place," he said. "Is it yours? How long have you been here?"
"Ah, it's not mine, though I've been allowed to decorate it more to my tastes. Unfortunately, I'm only here until the show's run comes to an end, which is in another month."
Naruto nodded. "The woman over there who offered Sasuke and I somethin' to drink. She said you had a photo collection? Are you a photographer as well as a writer and actor? That's pretty damn impressive."
"I have a lot of varied interests," said Nezumi, his tone flirtatious. He grabbed Naruto's wine glass from his hand and swallowed the rest of it. "Would you like to see? They're black and whites, mostly architecture, some of my acting troupe and other acquaintances. A few are shots I took on my travels over the past year."
"That's really great," he said, wanting to see them but wondering if it was really okay to go with Nezumi alone to his bedroom. Then again, Sasuke was all too happy to leave him for any talented musician who happened to come his way apparently. "I'd like to see them. Especially the ones of all the places you've gone."
"Of course. I'll get you a refill?" He tipped up the glass and left only long enough to bring him more, and then he guided Naruto down the hallway, a hand lightly in place on the small of his back.
"Say," said Naruto, admiring some of the portraits lining the hall, "Do you still have that bike?"
"I do," said Nezumi. "But sadly, it's in storage. One of the chains snapped, and I haven't had time to repair it."
"Really? Hm. That's too bad. If you were closer to Joliet I'd suggest bringing it to our garage at the shop. I could take a look at it. I know a guy at the scrap yard who has all kinds of parts."
Nezumi's laughter was rich and low. "I see even more now how you and Sasuke must complement each other."
Naruto didn't entirely know what he meant and tried not to take offense, but he assumed it had to do with Sasuke's tastes being rather high-brow, while his were, well. Low-brow.
"What's with that face?" Nezumi asked as they entered the bedroom. "I just meant that the chemistry between you two is very obvious. I suspect it's an opposites attract?"
Nezumi took a seat on his bed - his legs drawn apart somewhat as he leaned over with his elbows on his knees, gaze partially obscured by his bangs. Like Sasuke, the other man's hair held a blue-ish tint to it but was a shade lighter than his boyfriend's. Why he kept drawing comparisons between the two, he wasn't entirely sure.
"I wouldn't say we're opposites," Naruto answered carefully. "Maybe on the surface. Sasuke may come across somewhat more reserved than me. He's more clever than me and definitely more talented than me."
"I think you sell yourself short," Nezumi said as he rested his chin in his hand and stared at him thoughtfully. "Charisma isn't something everyone has, and you have it in spades."
"I think Sasuke's plenty charismatic," he replied, almost defensively.
The other man smiled. "Indeed. But in a different way than you. Everyone has special talents, Naruto. You know about bikes and apparently how to fix them. You're incredibly personable and clearly very loyal. Also, open-minded. I can tell you also have quite a sense of humor, but it seems as though being in my company makes you tense."
"Yeah, sorry." He smiled and sheepishly rubbed his neck. "I dunno what that is. Maybe it's just 'cause of last time. I'll... relax." He took another sip of his wine and then set it on a nearby dresser. "So, these are the photos?"
He walked toward a wall that was covered in black and white prints, all hung up and displayed by strings of twine and some clothespins. As Nezumi mentioned, a lot were of various buildings in Chicago, some from other places, and then a few candid shots of people. These were all very beautiful and simple and exactly what he would expect of Nezumi. He particularly loved this one of a slim woman with hair that went past her waist. She wore a snug white dress that hugged her curves and a large brimmed hat. She was walking across the top of a wall in extremely high heels. The photo only showed her from the back, and she had her arms out to the sides to keep balance. It looked like it was shot in a park.
"That's one of my favorites, too," Nezumi murmured, suddenly standing beside him. "Maybe your eye for art is as good as Sasuke's."
Naruto glanced over at him curiously. "You... seem different."
Nezumi's eyes widened a fraction before he reverted to a more neutral expression. "Whatever do you mean?"
He shrugged. "I know we don't know each other really, but there's just this feelin' I get... that somethin' happened recently. Like. There's somethin' on your mind."
"Maybe I should've added psychic to your list of ongoing talents?" Nezumi brushed his hair to the side and blew out a breath as he straightened a photo that had gone crooked.
"I can read people pretty well," he replied, his voice somewhat quiet.
"Let's just say that after I met you, I ran into some other interesting folks."
"I take it... it didn't work out?" He asked, stuffing a hand into one of his pockets.
"There was nothing to work out," Nezumi replied, sounding uncomfortable with this topic. "Some people live different lives. How did you and Sasuke meet?"
Naruto let his eyes wander over some of the other photos, perhaps searching out the person who had caught Nezumi's interest.
"It's not much of a story," he said. "I was at Starbuck's one day, and he came in, lookin' a bit like a drowned rat. There weren't any other tables, so I offered that he could share mine. Then, I dunno. We started talking, and I guess it kind of escalated from there."
"And as I recall, you said that it was all very complicated. It's safe to assume Sasuke is the first man you've been with?"
"Yeah." Naruto didn't have a problem sharing as much. "I still think of myself as straight like I failed at explainin' at the time." He smiled apologetically.
"I shouldn't have assumed you were misleading me. I apologize for that."
"It's alright. I woulda been confused, too, and I think I always try to explain it, but I guess it doesn't matter. We're together, so that's that. Whether I'm gay or not, or whatever Sasuke is."
"Sasuke is...?"
"Very gay," Naruto answered.
"You say that without hesitation." Nezumi laughed. "Now I hold you in even higher esteem than before. That you were able to put what you'd always known aside and entertain the idea of being with someone you were attracted to on a personal level. Without letting a little thing like gender get in the way, no less."
"Well, it's not like it just clicked like that. I agreed on a date, 'cause. Well. Clearly I liked him, but I wasn't sure if - "
"You could sleep with a man?" Nezumi finished for him.
"Yeah. My brain was havin' trouble acceptin' it, I think. But my body got in line pretty fast."
"It sounds very poetic," Nezumi mused aloud. "The heart knows what it wants and will go to great lengths to possess whatever it is, sometimes regardless of an individual's best interests. Or, rather, what our brain tells us is truly good for our well-being."
"I'm not really a very philosophical person. Sasuke is. He likes that stuff, but I think sometimes, though there are definitely things that fall under shades of gray, a lot of the time we have a pretty good sense of what's right or wrong, and then we start to overcomplicate things. I knew I liked Sasuke, so I wanted to give it a shot. That felt right. It, yeah." He rubbed the back of his head. "It definitely seemed the right thing to do instead of denyin' how I felt. And. I could tell that it wasn't normal friendship feelings, you know?"
Nezumi didn't answer right away, but his gaze was intense as he focused all of his attention on Naruto. It was odd; he seemed to listen in the same way Sasuke would do. Always allowing him to speak his thoughts without interrupting him, belittling him, or second-guessing his words.
"That worked out well for you," Nezumi commented. "But I'm sure there are other instances where listening to your head isn't such a bad thing. For example, what if what your heart wanted got in the way of self-preservation? If it was a decision that could cause you pain or harm? Would you still dive straight into it even if it promised danger?"
"Hm. Depends on the situation if I think about it," he replied. "It makes sense to avoid danger. That's what instincts are for. Say you were on a boat on the ocean and slipped into the water. It'd be dangerous for me to jump in after you, but is doin' so wrong? What's worse? Causin' potential harm to yourself or allowin' another human being to drown? In that instance, it feels right to save you regardless of what could happen to me."
"Even if we were strangers?" Nezumi asked.
"Yeah," he said certainly. "Even if we were strangers."
"I'm not sure if I feel I owe strangers anything. What if whatever fate they're dealt - whether it's to swing from the gallows or drown at the bottom of the ocean - who are we to interfere?"
Naruto grunted his disagreement. "Those are just excuses people make based on fear. I can't think of any good reason that people would have for passin' by when someone's in need of help or at the very least - about to be physically harmed."
"And yet people do that every day," said Nezumi. "There are plenty of homeless people in Chicago. People walk by as if they're invisible. There are wars where women and children die at the hands of those who are rallied as their saviors. A stray dog gets beaten in an alley, and people claim it's none of their business. So they keep walking."
"Just because it happens," Naruto argued, getting angry at the mere thought of all those things, "Doesn't make it right. Or moral."
"I suppose it all depends on whether righteousness and morality are also the fabrications of simple-minded idealists. Is it natural for animals to behave this way? Is it abnormal? Do we benefit as animals through this behavior? Is it somethin' only humans are capable of, and who determines whether or not such actions fall under a negative or positive spectrum of behavior? Maybe it's somewhere in the middle. We protect those we love, but do we give a second glance at those we don't?"
"I don't know." He shook his head. "It's up to each person, but what's important is bein' honest with yourself. Askin' yourself if you're makin' excuses because you're afraid of the consequences. I don't wanna tell someone what's right for them, but I wanna have a firm grasp of who I am and what I believe is right, and I wanna associate with people who feel similarly. I guess I've never had time for games or pretenses. I want people to just say what they think, what they feel, regardless of whether they fear someone will call them stupid... I just..."
Nezumi placed a hand on his shoulder. "I see I've worked you up even after you admitted a distaste for the philosophical. And just for a moment, you reminded me of someone else who thinks a lot like you do. It's amazing that you can continue be so idealistic given the state of the world. People are very cruel to each other, and yet even in the face of all that you continue to follow your own path. I can at least respect that. I can see what Sasuke sees in you. You must be a light for him."
"Heh." Naruto felt embarrassed now. "I don't wanna speak for Sasuke."
"Speak for me about what?"
They both turned and found Sasuke standing in the doorway.
"You two sound like you're having a very lively conversation. We could all hear you from the living room." Sasuke joined Naruto at his side and immediately started glancing at all of the photos.
"I told Nezumi I'm not really all that into philosophical debates. I'm sure you'd be a better person to talk to when it comes to that kind of stuff," Naruto mumbled.
"Why?" Sasuke asked as he touched the corner of one of the photographs of a dilapidated building and the large, dying tree beside it. "I've always appreciated your perspective on things, even when they differ from mine."
"Maybe you simply prefer to avoid confrontation if you can help it," added Nezumi. "I'm sure that people who are long-winded are some of the most frustrating for you."
"Yeah. I have little patience for that, I guess."
"He's also not one to get into political debates," said Sasuke. "But that may have something to do with his temper."
"Tch. You don't have to talk about me like I'm not here," Naruto replied irritably.
He kept getting this feeling that he was being sized up like a piece of meat. And with Nezumi and Sasuke both doing it, it was even more strange and even a little intimidating. It also didn't help that staring at all of these beautiful photos was making him depressed. There was a sense of loneliness to them, and it reminded him of what he sometimes felt coming from Nezumi. Like he'd seen some stuff that still haunted him. So, perhaps that melancholy was rubbing off on him. He was always absorbing other people's feelings without meaning to and if he didn't try to shake it off, he'd end up becoming all broody.
"I, uh. Think I'll go get another drink," he said. "Either of you want anything?"
"No, thanks," said Sasuke, and Nezumi shook his head.
He left the room without another word, and the other two didn't try to stop him. He was getting the impression that there was some kind of silent understanding between Sasuke and Nezumi. He didn't know where it came from since last they were all in the same place, Sasuke had nearly thrown a fit about Nezumi asking him out on a date - and now it was as if they were old friends.
Maybe he was overthinking it. Or maybe it was the wine. Either way, he decided to make himself scarce and socialize with some of the other guests. He liked meeting new people and small talk, and hopefully it would offer a great distraction. Though, he did wonder what Nezumi and Sasuke would have to talk about. Then again, Sasuke was extremely attracted to the creative and talented, and he supposed that even if said person had hit on him in the past, Sasuke wouldn't let that stand in the way of satiating his intellectual curiosity.
