He was tired. He was tired beyond belief and even more so because of his overstuffed backpack. He was also starving. He was starving so much he thought that his stomach would go on a rampage and eat the rest of his organs, leaving his brain for last. And, as if that wasn't enough the weather was extremely cold and the chilly wind was not helping the situation, nor did the stuffed café-shops.

Right now he was aimlessly walking around the center of the city hoping to find an empty seat to rest upon, but to no avail. He let out an exhausted sigh. He was one step before starting to jump like a five-year-old on his spot while whining.

At some someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned slowly to see who was bothering him. Once he turned he came face-to-face with a young man around his age. His hair was black but looked blue under the light, his eyes were also black –Naruto found himself diving in those bottomless pools- and his skin had a pearly pink-almost-white color. His ears were pierced at the lobes and the helixes while he had thin black lines around his eyes enough to make them more expressive but not very noticeable or girly. He was dressed in dark clothes, mostly grey, dark blue and black and his posture was showing his pride unlike Naruto's tired hunchback. All in all, he was plain gorgeous.

"Hey, you look tired. Would you like to come over for a coffee? My brother's shop is only a few steps away from the square." His voice was angelic. For a mere second Naruto blanked but managed to come back to reality quickly.

"Umm… Yeah, sure. I could use a coffee."

The other nodded and turned around to guide the blond to the shop. Naruto ran to catch up to the guy and continued to walk wwhen he got next to him.

"So what's your name, anyways?"

"Sasuke."

"Nice to meet you, Sasuke. I 'm Naruto." He said with obvious joy while extending his hand to Sasuke. Sasuke stopped and shaked it silently. He only turned his eyes to him and nodded in acknowledgement.

" I should probably thank you for offering to help me." Naruto continued while they started walking once more.

"No need to. I have a considerable interest from it, that's the main reason I did it. My brother's shop is small and there aren't many customers during the daylight; or the night…"

"Oh, I see… So what's the secondary reason for inviting me, then?" Naruto asked smiling at him.

He didn't answer. He only stopped and turned to Naruto signaling their arrival. Naruto turned to look at the shop.

When Sasuke said "shop" Naruto was expecting to go to a shop with clothes, or accessories or something like that, but he certainly was not expecting to go to a coffee shop, since all of them were stuffed.

"This is the shop?!" He asked a bit louder than natural. It was understandable. The shop was small and hardly noticeable to the pacers-by. A blue neon sign that said "Rising Falls" introduced the few stairs that led to the small café-bar.

Sasuke only gave him a look that said "Like, duh!" and went down the stairs with Naruto behind him.

For a moment Naruto wondered why he hadn't seen this place earlier but then he understood why. "Because this place is like a freaking rat's hole, damn it!" He was ready to slap himself and the hot guy without a specific reason but he managed to restrain himself.

The shop was dark in the inside to say the least. The walls had three or four different shades of dark blue and thin lines of black here and there. The ceiling was all black with dim lights in many different colors and small mirror pieces here and there. There were white and yellow stars at many sizes hanging, some closer to the ceiling and others closer to Naruto's head. There was a small bar at the one side of the shop with a small, red Christmas tree decorated with black bow ribbons and a devilish angel at the top, on the middle of the counter, giving to the small shop the 'Christmas Spirit' while the wall behind it was full of all kinds of drinks. Five small, round tables filled the rest of the place with a small modern 'chandelier' hanging above each table offering the needed white light that the rest of the lights weren't offering. The scent of cigar smoke filled the air, though not very strong, mixing up with the tulasi and green tea scented candles that were placed on the counter, the tables and the small shelf that was pierced on a random wall with an orchid on it. On the wall that was facing the counter there was a big mirror glass with golden designs around it. A thin door with carved designs all over led to the Water Closet, Naruto assumed and, even though the place was not his type and was a bit suffocating for him, he kind of liked this place.

Sasuke took off his coat and scarf and went to stand behind the counter to take Naruto's order after he hanged the heavy clothing on the wall. Naruto ordered a hot cappuccino and sat at the nearest table while waiting after doing the same with his coat. The backpack that he was carrying for hours fell heavy on the floor and Naruto let a heavy moan escape his lips. He tried to work his muscles a bit to get rid of the aching on his shoulders and back. When he stopped he noticed that the place was quite cozy; he liked that.

Only a couple of minutes later Sasuke approached with Naruto's cappuccino.

"I thought you said that the shop was your brother's." he noted while taking a sip of his coffee without taking his eyes off of Sasuke. He didn't either.

"It is, but he's running some errands at the moment and asked me to take his place for an hour or so." He answered while turning to return to the counter.

"What's the name of the song?" Naruto asked all of a sudden. From the moment he entered he noticed the gentle music that was playing at the background without bothering his eardrums. Though he had to admit, the reason he had made the question was not because he was interested much on the song or the singer, but Sasuke himself. He wanted to talk to him a bit more.

Sasuke stopped on his tracks and turned his head to the side as if trying to hear the lyrics better. After a few seconds he turned fast.

"The cure, Prayers for Rain."

"I like it! It's dark yet erotic!" Naruto noted with a smirk.

"So it seems."

There was silence between the two, trying to figure their next move and the other. Sasuke swallowed noisily and turned to leave for once more but Naruto stopped him with yet another question, this time a bit more daring.

"Would you like to drink a coffee with me?"

Sasuke seemed to consider the idea, yet, still hesitating. Naruto could sense his want to sit with him and talk.

"It's not like you have any other customers at the moment." He pressed.

Sasuke sighed and took his decision. He turned determined and took a seat across of the blond. Naruto smiled and took another sip of his coffee.

"It's a good coffee." He commented.

"Glad to know you like it." Sasuke answered uninterested, though on the inside he was glad that Naruto liked the coffee.

"No really, it's, like, the best I've tasted this far." He continued a bit too excited.

"I believe you…" Sasuke answered with a tone that said "Okay dude, I got it."

Sasuke noticed the heavy backpack lying next to Naruto's chair and dared to ask him about it.

"So what's in that backpack of yours that makes it so heavy anyways?"

Naruto took a sip of his coffee and answered.

"Mm, it's filled with books. I like reading a lot so when I got the chance to come to the city I couldn't NOT go to my favorite bookstores!"

"What kind of stuff do you read?"

"All kinds! Crime, horror, romance, comedy, politic books, history, psychology, poetry…"

"Poetry? You read poetry?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, YOU are the first guy I meet who likes poetry. Not even my brother does."

"Why? Poetry is a door that leads you to almost all types of books! If you don't know poetry, you know almost nothing!

A dark unfathomed tide

Of interminable pride -

A mystery, and a dream,

Should my early life seem;

I say that dream was fraught

With a wild and waking thought

Of beings that have been,

Which my spirit hath not seen,

Had I let them pass me by,

With a dreaming eye!

Let none of earth inherit

That vision of my spirit;

Those thoughts I would control,

As a spell upon his soul:

For that bright hope at last

And that light time have past,

And my worldly rest hath gone

With a sigh as it passed on:

I care not though it perish

With a thought I then did cherish." Naruto spoke with much emotion.

Sasuke was fascinated by this! This guy was reading-

"Edgar Allan Poe…" he said with a smile.

"Imitation."

"Yeah…! One of my favorites actually!"
"Really? You read Edgar too?"

"Read him? I know all his poems and stories! Every line, every word, every emotion! He is one of the best writers if not THE best!" Sasuke said extremely excited.

"At morn–at noon–at twilight dim-

Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!

In joy and woe–in good and ill-

Mother of God, be with me still!

When the hours flew brightly by,

And not a cloud obscured the sky,

My soul, lest it should truant be,

Thy grace did guide to thine and thee;

Now, when storms of Fate o'ercast

Darkly my Present and my Past,

Let my Future radiant shine

With sweet hopes of thee and thine…

Haaah, God. Magnificent… His entire life was a torture that he mostly brought to himself, yet that darkness was that made him so great."

Naruto could see that Sasuke was very into it. He could've sworn this guy would be turned on by poetry instead of porn. He liked that a lot though. He smiled changing the subject.

"So what kind of stuff do you listen to?" He asked with great interest.

"…Mostly alternative rock and bits of punk. I don't listen to specific bands. I just search and listen to whatever I like. But I listen to a bit of everything."

"Cool. I also listen to mostly rock -all kinds- but I wouldn't say no to songs with different styles." He smiled and Sasuke found it charming. Only then he noticed the details of his customer. Dirty-blond hair, dark blue eyes with a hint of turquoise, three whisker-like marks on each cheek. He was wearing dark-blue jeans while a dark-green jacket which was fluffy on the inside was 'trying' to hide his neon orange shirt from underneath. A necklace with a blue stone and two silver balls on the sides was decorating his neck and Sasuke couldn't help but like the whole package though not his type at all.

They ended up talking about all kinds of stuff, from relationships and sex to drinks and healthy meals to restaurants with good and cheap food. Sasuke hadn't a conversation so enlightening and interesting for a long time. He and his brother had almost the same interests but they hadn't had a proper conversation like this one in what seemed like ages, since he was working in this café-bar by morning and nightclub by night shop. Of course Sasuke would always come to help him as much as possible so that Itachi could rest, and was even thinking of quitting his job as a tattooist so that he could assist his brother more.

Every minute that passed Sasuke was getting more and more fond of his new friend. He did have friends but they weren't as interesting, open-minded and gentle. Pure. He was what Sasuke couldn't be and what he wanted in a person. He smiled.

"-to just-… What?"

"Hm?" He came back from his daydreaming.

"What? I was talking and out of nowhere there is this big grin all over your face, ready to split it in two!"

"Oh… Uh, well I- mmmmgh… Sorry…" he hid his face with his hand trying to hide his embarrassment.

"It's-…"

"Oh no, it's okay. Really!"

"Augh, sh't mmm-pf~…" he grumbled trying to disappear into thick air.

There was a silent pause between the two and Naruto grabbed the chance to make a personal question.

"Say Sasuke, are you gay?"

Sasuke turned to look at him with a horrified look on his face. Unconsciously he tried to get a bit away from the blond. He swallowed hard. Naruto was ready to slap himself for the second time that day. He realized a bit late that he had gone a bit too far. He could almost see the brick wall that Sasuke put between the two in defense. There was no backing up now, though. Sasuke opened his mouth to reply -Naruto hanging from his lips- but no words came out. He closed his mouth, swallowed and tried again.

"-i…" He managed to whisper.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Bi. I'm bi."

"So…" Naruto asked while approaching him with his chair and Sasuke relaxed by this. The reason behind the defense was fear, and yet, a part of him told him to trust and be honest with Naruto. And so he did.

"…would it be okay if I kissed you?"

Sasuke was taken aback. He dry swallowed and-

"No."

Naruto froze all over. His mind replayed over and over again the reply that Sasuke gave him and the question that he made. He was certain that Sasuke had refused to kiss him. He had, really, gone way too far. He wanted to start banging his head on the table and the throw the mug with the still hot coffee on his crotch for listening to his testosterone.

"W-what? Why not?!" He yelled offended.

"Why should I?!" Sasuke yelled back.

"Oh come on! I'm gay! You're gay! We're both gay!" Naruto said while pointing first at himself and then to Sasuke.

"That doesn't mean that I have to go and kiss any random guy who's gay!"

"No, it means that you have to kiss ME! A hot gay guy who asks you to kiss him!"

"What. The. Hell?! Is that brain of yours still working? Because I think that a screw is missing from your head! Or is that your brain?!" He deadpanned.

"You~ bastard!" Naruto got up offended.

"You~ retard!" Sasuke answered back mimicking Naruto's tone. That got him even angrier and Sasuke found it a bit amusing.

"What's going on here?"

Both males turned to look at the entrance of the shop.

"Itachi." Sasuke said a bit surprised. Then realization hit him and he hung his head in embarrassment. His older brother had trusted his shop to him and he was making a commotion with one of the few morning clients they ever had. Things couldn't get any worse. Or could they? Sasuke didn't even want to think about it.

"Is that your brother?" Naruto asked while pointing his finger to him.

"And who might you be?" Itachi asked while approaching slowly.

"I'm Naruto! Nice to meet you!" He answered and took Itachi's hand without a second thought and shook it with a big sincere smile. When he let it fall, Itachi observed the young man with an emotionless expression for a few seconds. Sasuke thought that the end was near. He clenched his fists with anxiety. Anytime now. Itachi turned to face Sasuke.

"I like him." He told him with a small smile. "What?" Sasuke was going to faint. He felt like those anime characters that get their souls coming out of their mouth with teary faces. THAT was something he seriously wasn't expecting.

While Sasuke was trying to process what he had heard, Naruto took his time to observe the older brother while the second was taking of the heavy black coat. His hair was black like Sasuke's pulled in a loose ponytail. He had the same skin color as Sasuke but he was 'clean' from eyeliner and piercings. Instead he had what seemed like tattoos on his arms and chest, though almost all of the designs were hidden under his dark grey '12 stones' long-sleeve shirt. He was also wearing black jeans with 'scratches' here and there, and dark brown almost black cowboy boots under it.

"So! Nice shop you got here!" Naruto commented while looking around; his smile never leaving his face.

Itachi mirrored his action and smiled back.

"Glad to know that someone apart from my night guests- likes my little Hell-hole."

"I wouldn't call it a Hell-hole. I've been in one sooo…. No, not a Hell-hole. It's calm in here and the atmosphere isn't as suffocating as the other shops. More like "I-want-to-have-my-peace-away-from-everything-for-a-while" type of thing."

"Really? I really like this guy!" Itachi turned to say it once more to Sasuke who could only observe the two.

"Oh, not in THAT way! Just so you know!" He said when he realized it. He didn't have a problem with the homosexuals but every time he liked a guy he would say it and lead into a misunderstanding.

"Ah, that's good, because I like your brother!" Naruto informed without realizing in time what he had said. He closed his mouth with his hand trying to prevent it but it was already too late. Itachi's one eyebrow rose from its spot.

"Really now? He likes you! Well you seem nice, I'll give you that, so I'll just let the chemistry between the two of you reach the wanted level." He said sincerely while turning his glances to Sasuke and Naruto a few times. When hearing that, Sasuke panicked. He had this idiot hitting on him and then he had his brother encouraging the said idiot. He just wanted to fall to his knees and scream "WHY?!" to the residents of the Holly Heavens.

"But if you hurt him I'll turn you into a living sushi and eat you! Starting with your dick and brain!" His tone suddenly turned deadly serious while there was dark aura emitting from his body. Naruto dry swallowed.

"Of course… I'll take good care of him…" he almost whimpered while trying to keep his smile.

"Ah, marvelous! Now-" his tone changed to happy once more and hit his palms together.

"Just a second there!" a steaming Sasuke screamed, tired of all this act between the two. They both turned to face him.

"Who said there will be something more between this idiot and me?!"

"Your blush."

"Me."

They said in unison.

Sasuke wanted to punch them both.