A/N: New chapter! This story's going to develop really fast, so it might be about… 10 chapters or something? I think you guys might come to love it at some point – I already do – and I'm seriously eager to reach its ending because… it's cute, and it's… my perfect ending for this kind of story. But be prepared, for there will be drama!
Thank you to those who reviewed, and thank you for faving and following! I love you all!
Not betaed for the time being.
It's Not Fair
Chapter Two: Empathy
Naruto was still a student at the Music Conservatory. He wanted to be a singer. Also, he really liked to talk. More like, he liked to talk in order to coerce Sasuke into being more talkative. It wasn't like he asked complicated or personal questions, no; he was simply good at making small talk and, as Sasuke discovered, good at making him actually enjoy it in spite of the, sometimes, absurd subjects he picked up. Like that one time when he asked Sasuke if he liked birds. When Sasuke said he didn't care about birds, Naruto had rambled on and on about how cute and cheery birds were and why everybody should definitely have one for a pet.
He also seemed to have made it a habit of stalking Sasuke – not that the dark-haired one liked to phrase it that way – and making sure they actually ran into each other once in a while and exchanged a few words, casual as they might be.
Sometimes, Sasuke wondered if the blond really had taken a liking to him or if he had taken him on as some kind of charity case because, seriously, Naruto got along with everyone. Sasuke's behavior made it clear that he wasn't there to make friends and that, apart from a few people who didn't grate his nerves just by opening their mouths, he didn't really like any of his co-workers. Naruto knew this, and didn't seem to want to force him inside the circle of teachers that surrounded them, which, to Sasuke, was strange, to say the least.
Mostly, Naruto just liked to talk to him. Not that Sasuke was against it, because he kind of liked him. A little, tiny bit. He didn't even know him all that well, but they did seem to get along, and it was easy to exchange words with him, which was a plus. Sasuke wasn't exactly someone easy to converse with.
Also, Sasuke had once wasted his time watching Naruto with his class at the end of the day and had instantly admired (and secretly envied) how well Naruto dealt with the kids. It was clear that they not only respected, but admired him as well. And Naruto seemed to really have fun working as a teacher, unlike Sasuke himself, who always felt an anguishing, sickening twist in his stomach every time he even neared the school, and was exhilaratingly happy when the day was over so he could go home.
He wasn't cut out for the job at all. The thought pursued him every day, but his lack of working experience wasn't really helpful in finding him another one.
On Father's Day, though, Sasuke was in an abnormal good-mood, even if it wasn't perceptible by people around him.
Gathering the three classes and keeping them considerably quiet until the parents arrived was actually pretty easy thanks to Naruto's loud barks of energetic orders. Even with the mess of fathers barging in through the school entrance and kids running to them in excited expectancy, things went rather smoothly and the two of them managed to keep up with the schedule for the map of activities in an organized way.
Much to Sasuke's annoyance, he noticed how he couldn't keep his eyes away from the blond as he laughed, played with the kids and chatted with the fathers (and some mothers) of the students. How he wished he could be like that, so outgoing and easy to fall in people's good graces. How he wished he liked dealing with human beings as much as Naruto did.
His annoyance, however, didn't last long, because Naruto was just that – a little warm ray of sun that everyone pursued in hopes of feeling good and comfortable. So, in spite of himself, Sasuke found the corner of his mouth twitching upwards as Naruto joyfully played football with two of the classes while Sasuke supervised the remaining class's game of Pictionary, leaning against the silvery fence surrounding the large sports' field, currently packed with children, teachers and parents, all of them occupied with playing some sort of game or immersed in some activity.
It was a sunny day, but the light breeze was a bit chilly, so he crossed his arms over his chest to keep warm.
When Naruto ran up to him and promptly collapsed against the fence, making it swing dangerously, Sasuke, who was leaning against it, had to brace himself and steady his feet so as to not lose his footing. He promptly glared at his beaming colleague.
"'Sup?" Naruto inquired in a breathless way, showing off his far too perfect teeth. "You should definitely go play, the dads are all pretty awesome."
"No, thanks," Sasuke dismissed, looking at him sideways. Naruto was fanning himself with his own hand as he let his back rest against the fence. His eyes seemed bluer under the late afternoon sun, his messy hair glowing and resembling gold.
"I bet it'd be fun!" Naruto pressed on, once he managed to breathe properly, elbowing him. "Bonding with the kids and all that."
"I already bond enough with them as it is."
"You're so cold," the blond teased, poking his side playfully. "You really don't like teaching, do you?"
"It's a job, and it pays well," Sasuke replied simply, swatting his hand away. He checked his watch. "Two more minutes before we have to move on to the next set of activities. You should hurry if you still want to play a bit of Pictionary."
"Do I sense sarcasm and condescendence for my liking of games?" Naruto inquired, grinning. "Or maybe you just miss me because I left you here all alone and brooding."
"You wish," Sasuke snorted. He had wanted to make a face but ended up smirking. "And I don't brood, you silly man."
"Of course not," Naruto was the one sounding condescending now, tilting his head to the side and looking at him curiously, a look Sasuke didn't really understand but that he had become used to. "But I'm done playing for the day, anyway. I'm going to keep you company from now on. After all, it's not like we get to hang out like this every day."
Sasuke couldn't really see how this had anything to do with 'hanging out', but he didn't bother to correct his new friend. It felt weird to already be thinking about the other as such, but to his usually very impenetrable heart where Naruto was slowly warming his way in, it made a bit of sense. Also, he appreciated the company since it was kind of boring to just supervise activities by himself and not doing anything else. And no, he was fine not being involved in any of the games, thank-you-very-much.
000
At the end of the day, Naruto had been unavoidably kidnapped by some of the parent who wanted to talk to him, so Sasuke didn't really feel like interrupting just to say goodbye. Still, as he left the school grounds, he was feeling pretty pleased by the calm that followed him instead of the usual distress.
He still lit one of his black cigarettes, more out of habit than out of necessity. He was just about to shove his earplugs in his ears, ready to enjoy some music – he was feeling like listening to something cheery – when he heard his name being called. With his cigarette hanging from his lips, he stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder to see Naruto running towards him.
"Damn, you could've waited for me!" the other huffed, pouting ever so slightly as he came to halt in front of him.
"You were busy," Sasuke retorted, after taking the cigarette from his mouth with two fingers and expelling the smoke.
"Well, I wasn't going to be busy forever," Naruto defended, as they resumed walking, side by side. "Are you heading for the train station?"
Vaguely, Sasuke wondered if Naruto had taken a guess – since the train station was about three minutes from the school, by foot – or if he had actually noticed that Sasuke took the train home every day, even though he always took a different direction from his.
"No, I'm taking the subway today," Sasuke replied absently, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.
"Cool, me too!" Naruto said, flashing him his ever so bright smile. "I usually take a different line, but I still have to run a few errands before heading home."
Sasuke's mobile phone vibrated inside his pocket and he fished it out, quickly checking his received messages.
"Are you going to meet someone?" the blond inquired casually.
"Yeah, my wife," Sasuke said, texting said wife back. "She works at the local hospital."
Naruto was silent for a few seconds, during which Sasuke finished his text and shoved his mobile phone back inside his pocket. When he took a drag from his cigarette again, he chanced a glance at his companion, who was watching him with a shocked expression. "What?"
"You're kidding, right?" Naruto inquired, in disbelief. "I mean... you're... married? Like, really married?"
"Yes, for about a year and a half now," Sasuke replied, finding Naruto's surprise quite amusing as he lifted the hand that was holding his cancer stick and turned it so that it was showing the golden ring on his finger that proved his words. "I thought you would've noticed by now."
He could've sworn Naruto had turned a deadly shade of grey before, not even five seconds later, beginning to blush violently. "Well, it's not like I can notice something like that without really looking for it," he mumbled, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "I mean... how old are you?"
"I'll be 23 this summer."
"Wow," Naruto said, shaking his head from side to side. "We're the same age and I still live with my pervert of a Godfather. I suppose you already have your own place and all that."
Sasuke actually chuckled. "Yeah, Karin and I actually purchased an apartment a few months ago. Since she's got a steady job and all that, we were pretty lucky."
"Mm..." Naruto said simply, apparently at loss for what else to say. Sasuke noticed he had taken a somewhat serious expression, choosing to look straight ahead with a thoughtful frown. He looked oddly older and mature like that.
"Is it that surprising?" Sasuke inquired, letting his cigarette fall to the ground and stomping on it before resuming his walk, promptly ignoring his colleague's reproachful look.
"I guess," Naruto admitted, shrugging. "I mean, you're young. But you look like someone very down to earth, so I'm sure you got married and all that knowing exactly what you were doing, in spite of the romantic aspect of it."
"Yeah."
They made it to the subway entrance and descended the steps to the underground, immersing themselves in the crowd of people that filled it, considering it was rush hour.
In spite of Sasuke's protests that it was okay to go ahead, Naruto waited for him to purchase his ticket, even though they would be going on opposite directions. Once he had his ticket, he put his wallet away inside his bag and stood in front of Naruto, who had chosen to smile at him slightly and rubbing the back of his head in an almost shy demeanor.
"So…" he started, but his voice became raspy, so he cleared his throat before proceeding. "The other Music teachers and I sometimes hang out at nearby café after work. They're really cool people. You should definitely hang out with us sometime, 'kay?"
For a few seconds, Sasuke's narrowed eyes observed the young man in front of him, wondering why Naruto looked so suddenly uncomfortable when he was always such a joyous, confident person, always ready to invade another person's personal space and just do whatever he wanted. Maybe it was that he was scared Sasuke might give him a snappish reply, or flat out refuse the offer. He also wondered why it made him slightly (slightly) happy that Naruto's eyes were so honest and hopeful.
"I'll think about it," he said, and even though his tone was plain and nonchalant, Naruto's eyes visibly lit up and his smile broadened.
"Awesome!" he exclaimed, clearly relieved. "We'll get together on Thursday, since I don't work tomorrow." Ah yes, Sasuke thought. He worked five days a week, but Naruto only worked four, and the next day, Wednesday, was his day off. Naruto patted his shoulder in a friendly gesture. "You have over twenty four hours to think about it, so think hard, ne?"
When Naruto winked at him, Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Whatever, dumbass. I have to go."
"Ah, yeah, me too!" The hand landed on Sasuke's shoulder before squeezing it briefly. "See ya, Sasuke!"
He ran off, quickly getting lost in the crowd while Sasuke watched him disappear, torn between confusion and amusement. He noticed that his shoulder still tingled with the after feel of the touch he had experienced. He didn't really like being touched by anyone that wasn't either a relative, a friend or, of course, his wife. It was daunting to him that he didn't mind Naruto's touch, even when it was in the form of some annoying poking.
Did Naruto really like him, even though he had such a sullen, anti-social personality? It would be nice, he thought, to actually have someone who liked him for who he really was other than his looks or his brains.
Sasuke didn't have many friends. In fact, the few ones he did have were people he had no idea whatsoever how he had become friends with in the first place, except for his best friend, whom he'd known since he was a child. Even his relationship with Karin – whose personality contrasted hugely with his – had come as a big shock to everybody, including him.
He didn't think he was a bad person; he just had bad social skills. That and people often misinterpreted his moody attitude as antagonism. It was just the way he was. Not that he liked people all that much, anyway.
Still, Naruto seemed to get him in his own way, and it made Sasuke feel an unknown but fairly pleasant warm feeling in his stomach. As he went on his way to catch the subway train, he couldn't help the tiny smile that graced his mouth.
000
"...and it's weird," Sasuke proceeded, frowning a little at his plate, his hand still holding chopsticks that had frozen in midair where he had left them as he spoke. "I don't think I have ever felt so weirdly comfortable around someone so fast."
His best friend, Neji, had invited him over for dinner since Sasuke's wife was doing the night shift at the hospital, so Sasuke, in spite of himself, had felt the impeding need to tell someone about his co-worker and what was quickly becoming the easy beginning of a comfortable friendship.
Across the table, Neji set his own chopsticks down elegantly and cleaned his mouth with a napkin.
"I think it's good that you found someone you empathize with," he said, in his typical calculating way, reaching out for the bottle of red wine and pouring more of the liquid in his and Sasuke's glasses. "He seems like a good person, and if you like him, I don't see why you shouldn't give yourself the chance to really bond with someone." Sasuke cringed a little at the word 'like', which led him to grab his glass and sip on his beverage as Neji proceeded. "After all, apart from a select few, you hate everybody else."
"I guess," the young Uchiha said, before licking his lips thoughtfully for remnants of wine. "I don't know him all that well, though. We've only ever spoken about work or frivolous things. It's only been little under two weeks since we started getting along."
"Then get to know him," Neji replied calmly. "If he's not worth it, I'm sure you'll catch on his flaws soon enough, being as picky as you are."
"Yeah." A sudden excitement made Sasuke take another sip of wine, but the feeling was quickly replaced by apprehension. "I don't want to be disappointed, though," he admitted, frowning. "I always do with people I 'get to know' because they never get me, and I grow bored and… it's tiring."
Neji was silent for a moment, grey eyes that were of such a light shade they seemed almost pearly fixing Sasuke with simplicity. "I can't tell you what to do," he stated seriously. "But you know how I feel about it. If you don't give yourself the chance to try something new out of fear of getting hurt or disappointed, you might miss out on something good. Remember, I used to be just like you before I met Ino. I just hope you can listen to me for a change and see how this can be a good thing."
Sasuke looked down at his drink, suddenly transfixed by the deep dark color.
Sasuke remembered Neji as kid, always anti-social and suspicious of others. His strict upbringing forced him to grow up too fast and focus solely on studying and impressing the uncle that had adopted him after his parents' death. Sasuke remembered that he was the one who, at some point during kinder garden, took pity on Neji and wanted to be friends because he had no parents. Neji had always been a hard stone to crack, and even he didn't have many friends until high school, when he met his current fiancé, the cheery, attractive and energetic Ino who broadened his horizons and finally made him open up to people. Sasuke couldn't say that he regretted Neji's new vision of people and life. In a way, the 'new' Neji told him what he had needed/wanted to hear at the present moment, even if he wouldn't admit it.
Sasuke did need someone from the outside to tell him to give Naruto a chance.
He was tired of being given up on. People around him either had this image of what they thought he was and then abandoned him when they noticed that image wasn't accurate, or they found him to be unapproachable and nonchalant, and took his actions in a wrong way. Most people admired him at some point, but then found him to be cold and mistook his collected personality for lack of care. Or maybe it wasn't a misunderstanding at all and Sasuke genuinely didn't care, because those people hadn't interested him to begin with.
Still, a selfish part of him had wanted them to care enough to fight for him instead of just… giving up.
To him, people had always been frivolous and easily influenced, causing them to be nothing more than clones, replicas of what was supposed to be 'socially normal'. Girls and guys all looked the same and wore the same clothes. He hated people that lacked that certain 'it' that was theirs alone and not copied from someone else, based on some stupid idea of what was supposed to be 'cool' and 'trendy'.
But Naruto wasn't like that, Sasuke could tell. He was genuine, every little trait, every gesture, every quirk… everything was his. Maybe, even, his silly desire to be friends with him. Naruto, at least, didn't seem discouraged by Sasuke's short replies or occasional insults. Sure, he talked too much and sometimes said stupid things. He also liked to behave immaturely once in a while, and he liked to poke him a lot, which was annoying. But at the same time, he was very human and perceptive. He seemed to understand that Sasuke needed time to adjust to socializing – especially with someone so outgoing – and still, he never stopped being who he really was. Somehow, that made Sasuke's curiosity of Naruto grow.
Also, he would be lying if he said that he didn't enjoy the attention and the prospect of actually getting to know someone knew after so long.
He found himself smiling a bit, as he set his glass down, feeling considerably more relieved and decided. He was also surprised at the realizations that he genuinely wanted to be friends with the blond.
"Yeah," he said simply, offering his friend a small shrug. "I might give it a try, then."
Neji smiled.
TBC...
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