Coming Home
When Sasuke first walks back into his living room, he stops just inside the doorway and frowns. There are things in the room that do not belong there, say his 12-year old memories. Thrown on the back of the sofa that should not be there in its decidedly comfortable style is a violet sweater. Along the back wall are framed photos and several sketches, only a few, but he recognises the photos. There are footsteps in the house, someone else is there with him, someone who belongs as much as the couch and welcoming feel of his house, when it should be bare and unfeeling.
Only moments later Naruto trots down the stairs. Sasuke can see him in his peripheral vision. "This is my house," he says as a command, get out and take your goodness with you, when he can finally find his voice again.
Naruto answers by saying nothing, and grabs the sweater before turning to look at his friend, who is now more his responsibility, his and Sakura's. His blonde hair is longer, brushing his shoulders, which have not changed since their fight in Orochimaru's lair. Naruto is still bright and cheery - but now his brightness is dimmed for focus and his cheer is subdued like his temper, which has changed: he's learned to control it.
He speaks quietly, watching Sasuke with eyes that have been changing for many years. "If it weren't for Sakura-chan and me fighting with Tsunade-baba about all this Uchiha property, it would all belong to the village now. But they aren't just pieces of property to us, Sasuke, no matter what you think. We moved in here so that when you came back, you'd have a home to come back to, and not just a house. And we're not leaving it either; it's our home now."
Naruto tosses the sweater at Sasuke, who catches it out of reflex while his mind slowly goes over the words he has just heard until they begin to be more than sounds strung together by emotion.
He manages to mold a reply out of logic and forgoes emotion entirely. He is not tired enough for that yet. "But you shouldn't be allowed-"
"We bought it from Konoha. All of it."
Sasuke says nothing. He stares at the sweater hanging from his fist. "How much did this cost?"
Naruto makes a sound that vaguely resembles a laugh. "Ino-chan taught me how to knit," he says, and forgets to add two years ago. He sighs, and Sasuke looks up with his eyes to see Naruto tug at his bangs, which fall in front of his eyes until whenever he may decide to brush them away. You missed a lot going on that stupid mission of yours, he could say, but he has learned that it hurts more to say nothing. "Welcome back. Do you like violet?"
Sasuke manages a smile.
Author: jagter se maan
Status: Complete
