Damn Roses
Author's Note: This is my first time I'm attempting a yaoi. That means male x male romantic relationship. If that is not your thing, you might want to turn back now. I have started several unpublished for this attempt, but none felt quite right yet. Maybe this time will be the charm. All reviews and other forms of feedback are appreciated as always.
Chapter Warning: Itachi may be slightly to moderately out of character and as with most of my chapters, some swearing.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit from this.
Chapter One
Third Person POV
Sasuke loved his brother. Truly, he did. He idolized Itachi. But sometimes, there were moments when he was scared of his older brother. The man was an evil mastermind. Fortunately, MOST of the time Itachi chose to use his powers for good and not evil. But every once in awhile, like today, Sasuke knew that Itachi was plotting something.
How did he know this? Well first of all Itachi snuck up behind Sasuke and hugged him. He was smiling just a little TOO serenely. Of course, Sasuke acknowledged his brother had a reason to be happy. He was getting married next week. Though the younger Uchiha knew, he just instinctively knew that Itachi was going to pull something.
"Ah there is my favorite brother," Itachi says cheerfully.
"Itachi, I'm your only brother," Sasuke answers suspiciously and notes that Itachi was wearing purple fingernail polish.
Yep. He was so fucked. Itachi only wore purple when he was feeling rebellious. Rebellious against what, Sasuke had no idea.
"It still counts. It just makes you all the more precious to me. Now Sasuke, I want you to at least attempt to socialize and I suppose it's only fair to warn you about the guest list," he says.
"Warn me about the guest list? You mean the Akatsuki. Itachi, your friends are PSYCHOTIC. But I'm used to them. Remember that dumbfucker Deidara put a tranchula in my bed, when I was SIX," Sasuke had been absolutely terrified and had loathed the feminine looking blonde ever since.
"They aren't psychotic, well most of them aren't anyway. They are just a little eccentric. Besides, I spoke to Deidara and he never put a spider in your bed again," Itachi countered
Sasuke twitches, "Eccentric is the understatement of the fucking year."
"Tsk tsk such language Sasuke. It is most unbecoming," Itachi says.
"Don't give me that bull. I've heard you and Gaara. You curse just as much as me," he says smugly.
"Such language in the heat of passion is different than in everyday life. Speaking of sexual gratification that is what I wanted to talk to you about," Itachi says.
"… I thought you said you wanted to talk about the guest list," Sasuke replies and did not like where this was going.
"Oh I am. It's just you knew Gaara's bestman from when you went to Konoha Academy," Itachi answers.
"So what? There were hundreds of students. I'm almost afraid to ask, but what does that have to do with … sexual gratification," Sasuke ventures cautiously.
"That's true there were hundreds of students. But you'd remember this one. No one forgets their first kiss," Itachi says smugly.
"That was an accident! That idiot bumped us. It doesn't count," Sasuke twitches.
"You had TWO "accidents" as I recall. There was the famous "Desk Incident" and the "Beach Incident," Itachi says.
"… We were cliff diving and just sorta collided. Neither COUNTS," Sasuke flails.
"Once is an accident, twice is not," Itachi counters.
"Oh that's it," Sasuke lunges at him.
Soon the Uchiha brothers were on the floor. They were rolling around, trying to get the upper hand. It was at that moment, that Gaara walked into the luxury apartment, that he shared with Itachi.
He blinks, setting the groceries on the table. Uchihas were so composed in public. In private though, they let their passion fly. Gaara had two older siblings. But he never fought with them the way Sasuke did with Itachi. (His older siblings had been terrified of him for a long time, until he met Naruto, and began the road to recovery from his very neglectful father.)
"As much as I do enjoy the view, Sasuke I have to ask you to get off my Groom. It would be inconvenient to host a funeral, instead of a wedding," Gaara says dryly.
"You are so lucky, Gaara just saved your ass," Sasuke says from underneath Itachi, as Itachi had managed to roll on top of him.
"You are the one who is pinned. Foolish little brother," Itachi answers and he pokes him on the forehead.
"… Itachi what'd you say to him this time," Gaara shakes his head,
"Oh I mentioned who your bestman was going to be. I may or may not have mentioned Sasuke's first kisses," Itachi answers "innocently."
"Oh geez. Maybe I should let him rough you up a bit," Gaara shakes his head.
"So cruel." Itachi says.
"Yes. That's why you love me," Gaara answers.
"Well that and your big, fat," Itachi starts and Sasuke smacks him.
"I don't want to hear about your sex life," Sasuke yells.
"… And I don't want you to discuss our sex life with your brother," Gaara twitches.
"Anyway, they were accidents. It was over a decade ago. I'm sure he grew out of being a hyperactive, knucklehead by now," Sasuke says.
"Well he's calmed down a lot. I think a lot of it was just him competing with you. The Kakashi and Guy of our generation," Gaara says.
"Did you seriously just compare me to the spandex freak," Sasuke growls.
"No, in this case, you'd be Kakashi. Though I don't think Naruto fits Guy perfectly. He did prefer orange and Guy wore green most of the time," he says thoughtfully.
Itachi chuckles at this. He was clearly amused at Gaara yanking Sasuke's chain. Gaara avoids the swatt that he knew was coming.
"Well I guess it doesn't really matter. It's only for a few hours. So you guys have everything all set," Sasuke asks.
"Yes, we have the venue and the hotel rooms booked for our guests," Itachi says.
"Well that's good at least," Sasuke says.
A Few Days Later at Itachi and Gaara's Wedding
Naruto had to hand it to Gaara and Itachi, when they organized a celebration, they really went for it. Itachi was one of the most sought after surgeons in the world. Gaara he was the Governor of Nevada. So naturally, they had their wedding in Vegas.
It wasn't one of those tacky little Elvis Chapels that Vegas was famous for. No, Gaara and Itachi had booked one of the most luxurious hotels on the Strip. There were beautiful chandeliers, water fountains with gorgeous sculptures, the walls were an enchanting combination of silvers and gold, and there was a plush red silk carpet. There was also a very well stocked bar and a feast laid out. The real show stopper was the cake though. That thing might have been taller than Naruto. (Which was a good thing, because Itachi and Gaara had invited a lot of people and there was the press to consider.)
While in the dressing room, Gaara looks at Naruto very seriously and says, "If you and Sasuke end up fighting and break anything, you are both paying for it and dealing with the Press."
"Oh come on Gaara. That was years ago. I'm sure the bastard will behave himself for his brother's wedding," Naruto says.
"Uh huh. It's not only him that I'm worried about," Gaara replies
Naruto's Flashback (Still at the Wedding)
Naruto had been in middle school when he realized which team he swung for. It wasn't an easy thing for a twelve year old, to realize they were gay. While all his friends, were getting their first crushes (mostly on cheerleaders), Naruto had gotten his.
He'd gotten hit by puppy love, HARD. The blonde remembered the day happened. He'd overheard some yelling and looked peeked over the corner. There were three 8th graders who had cornered a sixth grader. Naruto knew the kid. He was gay, but he'd already told everyone that.
The kid was weird. He had a fixation with green spandex, bushy eyebrows, and was always going on about the power of youth or something. Still he was a nice kid and this was not a fair fight.
"Looks like the football team is really going to suck this year," he hears someone with a velvety voice, that no preteen should possess.
That got the attention of one of the older kids. They were all on the football team afterall. Konoha Academy was famous for it's athletics. Seriously, it was like a religion.
"What'd you say," the biggest of the three twitches.
"I said it's going to suck. If the top three players are so pathetic that it takes three of them to corner someone half their size, there's no way we are ever going to win a game this year," said the owner of that voice.
Naruto finally got a good look at the newcomer. He was probably another sixth grader. Naruto's first thought was he was way too pretty to be a boy. He was a bit taller than most of the other kids in their grade. Naruto had never seen skin that light before, that actually looked healthy. He didn't have the word to describe it at the moment. (When he got older, he'd realize ivory was the closest). He had black spikey hair, with long bangs framing the side of his face. The kid in question wore a high blue collared shirt and white shorts.
What really drew Naruto's attention were his eyes. They had started off the color of a starless sky and now were ruby red. (He'd heard of some people's eye color changing a bit depending on the light, but never something like that.)
"What do you care? He was hitting on us," said the kid in the middle.
"Just because he's gay doesn't mean he's lusting after your sorry asses," Sasuke says.
"That's it Uchiha. You think you are hot stuff because your brother won a bunch of championships. Guys shut this pipsqueak up," the older boys charge at him.
They were bigger, but Sasuke was faster. He managed to dodge, so they all landed on the floor in a heap. It was a bit of a blur what happened after that. It was a flurry of kicks, punches, and curse words. After awhile, Sasuke came out on top and spits some blood out of his mouth.
"You know my brother that won all those trophies? He's gay. So yeah, try this shit again and you'll leave this school limping," Sasuke walks off.
End of Flashback
The wedding takes place relatively peacefully. Well minus some rather suggestive and crude comments from Hidan about what to do on their honeymoon. But that was Hidan. It was to be expected.
Both Grooms decided to throw a bouquet. Gaara had threatened to castrate Itachi if he even JOKED about him having a garter. Itachi, wisely never mentioned it again.
Itachi being a smartass, throws the flowers in such a way that Sasuke wouldn't be able to avoid them. Naruto wasn't really paying attention to the flower throwing. He was trying to sneak a piece of the cake, when Gaara's bouquet went flying. Naruto catch it on a reflex.
Damn roses," Sasuke mutters under his breath, knowing there was no way that Itachi was EVER going to let him live this down.
It was then that Sasuke noticed who caught the roses. It was Naruto. Someone up there must really hate him decided. It just had to be his first crush.
Naruto had grown really well. Mentally, Sasuke curses that it looked like Naruto might finally have surpassed him in height. (The youngest Uchiha had privately wondered if maybe living off ramen might have stunted his growth for awhile.)
He'd grown out his golden hair a bit longer. Naruto had always been tanned, but now his skin looked like it had been kissed by the Sun. And of course, those blue eyes were still the same. Sasuke had heard the phrase sky blue eyes before, but only with Naruto did the description fit perfectly.
Sasuke was also pleased to note that the blonde hadn't shown up in an orange tux. (Which he wouldn't have put passed the knucklehead.) A tux that he filled out very well. Whereas Sasuke for the most part was built like a leopard, sleek muscle. Naruto was more like a lion. There was a lot of power in his build.
Sasuke's Flashback
Things should have been perfect in Sasuke's life. He was at the top of his class, his parents had gotten him a car for his birth, and he was all set to get a full ride scholarship to college. Well they would have been perfect, if it wasn't for two things. The first being his stalkers. This generally included any straight unattached girl in his class, who had a thing for "bad boys." (Why Sasuke had a reputation as a bad boy when his record sparkled? Well he had a temper and he often got into fights. ) The second was that he was in love with a straight man.
Sasuke couldn't really explain it. For whatever reason, Naruto was fixated on him. He was always challenging him in well everything. It didn't matter if it was as stupid as who could eat the most, who could run the fastest, lift the most, or whatever.
He likened it to magnets. They were complete opposites in every way. Whereas Naruto was naturally friendly, loud, and easy going… Sasuke was more of a loner, quiet, and a perfectionist to the extreme.
He'd first realized it was something more than rivalry in Freshmen year. They'd had gym together. So Sasuke got to see Naruto in the locker room. His older brother was gay, so he knew what it meant when later that day he had to take a very cold shower.
Unfortunately, there was no point in even trying. He'd seen Naruto around with some pink haired girl. Sasuke assumed they were dating. Therefore Naruto was straight (or maybe bisexual). It didn't matter though. He was taken. Sasuke Uchiha did not steal other people's boyfriends.
Besides, while Itachi had a no fucks given attitude, about being "out," Sasuke didn't. If he told everyone he was gay, he was about 99% certain, that his VERY stupid admirers, would see it as a challenge. They'd probably try to "cure" him. He definitely was not going to put up with that.
End of Flashback
Sasuke walks over to Naruto and leans over, whispering to him, "Better get going loser, before they notice that you caught the damn roses. You'll never hear the end of it."
Naruto laughs, "Yeah guess so. See you soon bastard."
Naruto heads off. Sasuke couldn't help but admire the VERY nice view of Naruto's retreating backside for a few seconds. But then self preservation instincts kicked in. He had to get the Hell out of here, before Itachi and/or Gaara noticed he'd caught the bouquet.
A few minutes later, he was in the hallway, heading towards his room. When someone, slapped his ass. Sasuke whirled around, ready to kill this pervert. He blinks when he realizes who it was. It was his old college professor.
Orochimaru was his name. Now Orochimaru was a brilliant legal mind, arguably one of the best in the field. He'd been an Ivy League professor for the passed decade or two. Along with Jirayia and Tsunade, they were known as the Sanin. Sasuke had no idea what it was supposed to mean. But it had come to stand for, "You are about to lose this case," to anyone who had the misfortune to go up against any of them in the courtroom.
"It's been a long time, Sasuke. You are looking very well. I believe congratulations are in order to Itachi as well. Who knew he had a thing for red heads," Orochimaru muses," drawing out his S's.
Sasuke had always been creeped out by his former Law Professor. He reminded him too much of a snake. He also had a Michael Jackson thing going on with his skin and being just a little too attentive to some of his more talented male students.
If he actually had an affair with any of his students, Sasuke didn't know. But he was far too clever to get caught. (Even if it was legal, as everyone attending his college was likely to be 18 and up…it was still highly frowned upon. Orochimaru wouldn't risk damaging his reputation.)
Sasuke twitches, "Don't you go near me, my brother, or Gaara."
Sasuke starts marching over. He was intent on making sure that Orochimaru would remember that touching Sasuke in any way was a BAD idea. Maybe give that beating that Itachi gave the snake freak, a good run for its money.
Just as he was about to slam his fist into Orochimaru's face, he felt two strong arms encircle his waist. Sasuke was not going to be denied his revenge though. He thrashed around wildly. The raven haired young man kicked, punched, elbowed, and did everything he could to escape the grip of, well whoever was dumb enough to stop him.
"Easy there, wildcat. It's not worth getting arrested for assault," he hears Naruto's voice.
Well that did explain how he was able to restrain Sasuke. This was a feat not many could have managed. Sasuke LOATHED to admit this, but when it came to close range combat, Naruto had the edge. The blonde had more raw power and stamina. Sasuke whenever he could beat Naruto in a brawl(which was only about 50% of the time back in their Academy days), had won because he was faster, had outwitted him, or gone for a knockout immediately.
"He's right you know. You wouldn't want an arrest on your record. It would mar what is likely to be a beautiful career. You're young, but if you are interested, I could probably get you made partner by 30. I have connections," Orochimaru said.
"The only connections of yours that I am interested in, is my fist connecting with your face. I don't need or want your help," Sasuke thrashes around in Naruto's stubbornly firm grip.
"Tsk. Tsk Sasuke. You really shouldn't threaten people like that. So violent. Of course if that's your kink, I am fond of a little S&M myself," he says smugly.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU," Sasuke goes for a lunge.
Naruto at this point wisely intervenes. He lets Sasuke go and beats him to the punch, literally. His first goes flying straight into Orochimaru's nose, breaking it, "Try to touch my man again and I'm gonna fuck you up."
"I'll have you arrested for this," Orochimaru holds his badly bleeding nose.
"My word and Sasuke's word against yours. I'm sure Itachi, Gaara, and their friends will back us up as well. You really want to try it, be my guest," Naruto glares.
Orochimaru retreats, probably to tend to his nose. Sasuke looks at Naruto like what the Hell was that? He gets off the ground and asks.
"Wait so you stopped me from assaulting the pervert, so YOU could assault him? And since when am I, YOUR man," Sasuke growls.
"Sorry, bastard. I had to come up with something. If he thinks you are taken, maybe he'll stop creeping on you," Naruto says and rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
"I doubt that will stop him. He tried to seduce my brother. Now he's trying to grab me. I think the Michael Jackson knock off has a thing for my family," Sasuke muses.
"The pervert just can't go around, trying to molest people,": Naruto says.
"I haven't seen him since I graduated. He was usually more subtle than that. I think the fact I'm no longer his student, made him bolder. Anyway, I'm going to my room. Thanks for backing me up," Sasuke starts to head towards room 313.
"Hey, wildcat. You got the wrong room. That's mine," Naruto shows a key with that number on it.
"No, it's mine," Sasuke shows a matching key.
They sigh and head to the check in desk. Clearly someone had the wrong room here. The receptionist checks.
"Sorry, it seems that for some reason there was an error. It shows that you are both booked for this room. Unfortunately, we don't have any other vacancies. So unless someone wants to go to another hotel for the night, you'll have to share," the receptionist says nervously.
"It's fine. It's only one night. How many beds," asks Sasuke.
"It's a one bedroom room. But there is a couch," the hotel employee looks like he might be in fear for his life at this point.
"It'll work. I'll take the couch. Least I can do, after what that creep tried to pull," Naruto says.
The Next Morning
Somehow during the night, they'd both ended up in the bed. Sasuke was still in that glorious place between being awake and asleep. He felt oddly comfortable. The bed was so warm and firm. There was also a steady thump, thump that was very soothing. His sleepy mind didn't process that his "pillow" was actually Naruto's chest and the thumping was his heartbeat.
Naruto, on the other hand, had always been a morning person. So it was to be expected when he woke up before the nocturnal Uchiha. Though the fact that Sasuke was sleeping in the same bed and currently snuggled up against him, well that was an unexpected, surprise.
"I'm probably never going to get another chance like this again," he smirks sneakily and runs his fingers through the sleeping man's hair.
"It's soft, like silk," Naruto marvels at the texture, as he had expected it to be harsher.
Sasuke was now edging closer to being awake. He lets out a contented sigh and a small purring sound, as he snuggles closer. The Uchiha was feeling unusually content and lethargic. He didn't want to get up yet.
Naruto hated to do it. But if they weren't there for the breakfast, knowing Gaara he'd probably send out a search party. He brushes the bangs out of Sasuke's eyes, "Hey, Sleeping Beauty wake up."
That did it. Sasuke goes from cuddly kitten to crouching tiger in 0.2 seconds. His eyes fly open and he soon has Naruto pinned by the throat. When his the sleep finally recedes, he noticed it was Naruto under him, "… Sorry it's never a good idea to wake me up. "
"Holy shit, you went from Sleeping Beauty to Beast mode fast. Orochimaru must have creeped you out good," Naruto says.
"No, I've just always been like that. Even as a kid, I freak when someone wakes me. Survival instincts, I guess. Wait… why are we sharing the bed," he asks.
"Well it's kinda funny really. You are a sleepwalker and cuddler," Naruto says.
"… What did you just call me," Sasuke twitches.
"Just saying you are a cuddler. Who would have thought the Ice Prince was a snuggler," Naruto gets out of the bed and runs for his life.
"When I get my hands on you loser," Sasuke growls and chases him down the hall.
Naruto runs to the reception and skids to a halt, "SAFE," he yells and gets a lot of funny looks.
"For now. But I'll get you when you least expect it," Sasuke says.
Naruto shutters. Sasuke was the type of person who would make good on that threat. Seriously, he never let shit go. Maybe he shouldn't have said that about him being a cuddler.
