One month passed in a blink, Naruto had already gotten used to share his life with Sasuke, to the point he'd actually feel the house emptier whenever his husband would be out in a mission, slurping some instant ramen in the cold kitchen while he sulked. Watching TV didn't contain the same exciting flavor, having no one to chat about the series they were following not to mention he promised Sasuke they would watch together once he was back.

Ino was coming back from another mission though, and she promised some interesting news about plants she encountered in Mist Village. Naruto went to her flower shop, happy that his hobby would distract his mind off Sasuke for a minute. They sat on a table outside on the street, Ino showing seeds with unique plants and flowers.

As they were debating the different ways to raise those plants, Naruto instantly captured a familiar stylized dark hair from the crowd.

"Sasuke! Hey!" He called, waving around his arms as his husband raised his eyebrows, shoulders relaxing in recognition. "You're back early."

"Hello Ino." Sasuke nodded and Ino smiled in return. He replied to Naruto. "I managed to finish the mission faster than usual."

"Cool! Wanna grab a chair since you're here?"

Sasuke glanced all the varied array of flowers, acorns and fruits placed on the table and shook his head. "Maybe another time. I really need to take a bath and eat some decent food now."

"Sure. I put some onigiris in the refrigerator."

"Hn. I'll see you later then." Sasuke muttered, Naruto tilted his face higher when his husband came closer, dry lips tenderly brushing the tanned cheek.

Grinning as Sasuke walked away, Naruto turned back to resume the conversation, but Ino stared back with bulged eyes. Worried, he opened his mouth in inquiry, however she soon let out a squeal in delight.

"Oh my God! Oh my God, you and Sasuke-kun are an item now? I can't believe it!"

Naruto blushed. "Yeah, we've gotten married about a month ago."

"Married?! Whoa, you guys moved too fast! How come I never knew about it?! And wait, you never bothered to invite me to your wedding?" Ino muttered, voice quavering.

"We wanted to keep it simple." Naruto hurried to explain. "So we didn't even make any ceremony or something like that. All we had done was officializing in the city council and that was it."

"Oh. I see. Yeah, a simple marriage sounds like something you both would do." Ino sagged her shoulders, then brightened up, squeezing his hand. "I'm happy for you Naruto."

Naruto gulped dryly, but managed to beam back. "Thanks."

Ino sat back, taking her time to fully absorb these news. "Wow, I can't believe that you two finally tied the knots. Especially Sasuke, since he used to have such a mad crush on y⏤" Sakura showed up in a blur, elbow jabbing hard Ino's stomach.

"Hiiiii Naruto and Ino-pig, how are you guys?" Sakura chirped with a winsome smile.

"What the hell Forehead?!" Ino growled, clutching her belly with her hands.

"Hey Ino, just look at you. You sound pretty tired, it's better if you call this a day and rest right?" Sakura muttered in a high-pitched tone.

"You just punched me in the gut, do I⏤" Since Sakura was showing her back towards Naruto, he couldn't see her expression but Ino slowly changed her gears with a scowl. "Fine, maybe I'm tired after all. We'll talk later Naruto."

"Wait, you were right, why did Sakura have to punch your stomach and…"

"Oh, you know the thing, girl comradeship and everything, we'll talk soon Ino!" Sakura said cheerfully, though received a prim sniff from her friend. She turned to face Naruto's puzzled face with a wide smile. "So! How's your married life with Sasuke? Give me all the details, all of it."

"Geez, just so you'll have more things to gossip about?" Naruto grumbled. "No thanks."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Even if I'm really hunting for some juicy gossip, which I'm not, by the way, you two have been the talk in the town lately. Everyone saw you being all lovey-dovey and all single girls are mourning the fact that the two most eligible bachelors are now married to each other."

"Lovey-dov⏤" Naruto's face was set aflame and he sputtered. "We were just holding hands in public, that's all! And well, Sasuke would give me a kiss on the cheek before he would go, but I swear nothing else happened."

"Nothing else? Like no making out in the Hokage office?"

"No."

"No having sex in some dark alley, because there are people who said they saw a brunet and a blondie doing⏤"

"No! Sakura, it's not even for real, Sasuke was just doing to get rid of fangirls."

"Huh. That's kind of disappointing." Sakura tutted in disapproval. "So everything you two did was all for show, nothing else?"

Naruto stiffened and muttered. "Y-yeah!" Wincing internally, he had the sudden urge to flee to the farthest regions on Earth when Sakura widened a very wicked grin.

"You stuttered."

"No I didn't!" Naruto squeaked, scooting farther as Sakura was leaning closer.

"C'mon, you know you can tell me everything, right?"

Closing his eyes, he took a long deep breath and stared back at her. "I swear to all gods that nothing happened."

"…hm."

"…"

"…"

"…" Naruto sighed. "It's just that. Uh. Sasuke he, he's been acting a bit strange, that's all."

"Oh?" Sakura said in the utmost nonchalant tone she could ever muster, not wanting to discourage his friend's confession.

"It's nothing big. I mean, Sasuke just have the habit of uh⏤putting his arms arms around me while we're sleeping."

"…" Sakura furrowed her eyebrows and supplied. "Like, hugging."

"No, like, loosely encircling his arms around my body, that's all." Naruto grumbled with gritted teeth.

…That sounds a lot like hugging, was Sakura wanted to reply, but wisely kept those thoughts to herself. Making Naruto talk was getting more difficult than pulling his teeth, honestly.

"And well, before and after we sleep he would kiss me⏤"

Sakura placed both hands on her cheeks and squealed. "Oh my God! Really?"

"A kiss on my head! Nothing else!" Naruto hurried to explain, face in a deep shade of red.

She soon reigned her fangirl glee, concealing with a clear of throat. "Yes, of course. A kiss coming from Sasuke is probably nothing. Makes sense."

Blue eyes narrowed in suspicion from the singsong voice, his blush not receding yet.

Sakura mustered a kind smile, asking. "Do you hate it? If it makes you uncomfortable I can tell him that for you, if you want."

But the blond man slumped from his seat, sighing loudly. "Yeah…that's the problem. I'm…I'm liking this. A lot. Like...I'm starting to look forward when Sasuke would do this and sometimes I wish…" He cursed to himself when he felt his face heating up again and grunted. "And this is just not good for anyone, you know?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm not supposed to have these kinds of feelings towards Sasuke, not after we've been friends for so long. It's weird, I just don't know how to react whenever he does things like that."

"This doesn't look that bad for me, things just happened, that's all." Sakura argued back. "Sasuke is the one who initiated this, so maybe you should tell him how you feel, who knows."

"No, no way. That's not gonna happen. I know that one of the reasons he asked me to marry him is to avoid this kind of trouble."

"Did he actually say that he didn't want that?" Sakura asked. When Naruto screwed his face in contemplation, she added. "He didn't right? I can bet a guess that all he did say was he didn't want a relationship with anyone else, that's all. Just try it out then. You know Sasuke better than anyone that he wouldn't do that without any meaning."

He scratched his head, exhaling tiredly. "I don't know…"

Sakura rolled her eyes. Silly emotionally stunted boys, always needing her to look after them. She said. "Or at least reciprocate. It's only fair, or it'll always look like you're only in the receiving end of these affections."

Why did Sakura always make a good point whenever they would talk? Naruto wondered, while heading home. Scrunching his nose, he opened the door.

"Welcome home." A baritone voice chimed in.

Blue eyes blinked at the way Sasuke was slouched at the couch, concentrated in sharpening his shurikens. "I'm back." He responded, heart warming up to this increasing domesticity between them. He was growing attached to this routine, Sasuke's constant presence in his life. There's no need to ruin this atmosphere needlessly with his own complicated feelings.

However, Naruto became significantly more aware of Sasuke's, after his conversation with Sakura. Paying attention to his murmurs, the smallest inflections on his voice, accompanying with his teasing smirk. Naruto always paid attention to Sasuke, but now it's almost like he's seeing his husband in a new light, watching the expressive dark eyes beneath his long eyelashes, the aristocratic face fitting with the sturdy body with firm muscles.

It was hard paying attention to whatever was showing on the TV screen when he was much more concentrated on his companion next to him. Naruto straightened up alarmed when Sasuke yawned though, placing his head on Naruto's lap.

"Hey, what the hell?" He grouched, messing with Sasuke's hair.

Sasuke half turned to glance with a lazy eye, muttering. "The couch is not big enough for two grown men, so I'm making good use of all the space available."

"Right…" Naruto mumbled as Sasuke getting cozier, rubbing his cheek on the tanned legs. His senses were acutely aware of a thumb brushing his skin, as he tried his best to maintain a straight face.

Unbeknownst to himself, his hands wound up caressing Sasuke's temple, noticing him tensing up before relaxing entirely. Naruto felt his mouth widening to a smile as his hand glided upwards, letting his fingers running through dark silky hair. He definitely heard Sasuke's hum in approval, adjusting his head better as they continued to watch TV throughout the night.

⏤.⏤

Of all days being cooped in the Hokage room busy with international relations, Naruto was looking forward to today the most.

"Gaara!" He grinned, greeting his red-haired friend with a bear hug, as the other man returned the gesture with a pat on his back. "Feel free to sit anywhere, you know how much Kakashi-sensei likes to arrive really late in meetings, actually, in almost anything anyways."

Gaara muttered out of nowhere. "You're married."

Naruto blinked bewildered, till he noticed eyes focused towards the golden band adorning his finger. "Uh yeah…Happened a month ago. I'm married to Sasuke."

"Uchiha Sasuke…" Gaara said, contemplative. "Of all people, I'm surprised that you chose him in the end."

"Oh! Wait, it's also about Sasuke's inheritance."

Gaara stared puzzled. "Come again?"

"Yeah uh⏤at first we agreed to get married 'cuz Sasuke wouldn't be able to get his clan' s money unless he marries someone before he reaches thirties, that's all." Naruto explained. "Then, Konoha also gives a lot of advantages to married people like paying less taxes, cheaper healthcare, and everything."

"So you two are only married out of convenience." Gaara concluded.

Naruto screwed his face, blushing. "Well, not exactly only th⏤"

"If you're considering for practical reasons, why shouldn't you try marrying someone from another village?"

Naruto squinted his eyes, not understanding the sudden change of gears. "Uh, what?"

Gaara nodded. "You can divorce Uchiha already now that he have gotten his inheritances right. To preserve alliances, Konoha also gives ample opportunities for shinobis to marry abroad. You might even get dual citizenship and travel wherever you want."

"...okay…?"

"I might need to brush up laws between Kages but at least from what I know, the Kazekage's family and spouse have diplomatic immunity, granting all accommodations and living costs to any place paid by the government. I see no point maintaining this current facade if you can get together with someone you hold affection for."

"Whoa whoa whoa, Gaara." Naruto waved his arms frantically in disagreement, his mind reeling. "I'm flattered, I really am, but you know I can't⏤"

"Because he's married to me now."

Naruto turned around recognizing Sasuke's growl, red irises glaring towards cool teal ones. "Sasuke, why are you⏤" Naruto mumbled.

"Came looking for you for us to get some lunch. Never would have imagined I would stumble upon such riveting conversation." Sasuke hissed, eyes narrowed. "Anyways, let's get going, or else the cafeteria is going to close soon. Nice to see you Kazekage-sama."

"I'm sure that me and Naruto haven't finished our talk yet." Gaara said, his voice toneless with a cold flair.

"And I'm sure Naruto had already rejected your proposal so all of this is pretty much over."

"What the fuck you guys, I'm right fucking here you know. You don't get to do the decisions for me." Naruto grumbled, as Sasuke threw a venomous glower towards Gaara's smallest hitch of lip. "But I already told you Gaara, I'm flattered, but I'm not interested." This time Gaara's smirk shriveled with Sasuke snorting in return.

"Right, so that's why I said it's pointless to continue this conversation, usuratonkachi. Let's get going, I know your stomach is like an empty vortex. Well Kazekage-sama, next time weigh better on your words if you want to avoid an international incident."

Naruto glared from Sasuke's completely unnecessary taunt.

Gaara retorted unphased. "I'm not worried. We all know to who everyone will lean on if anything happens, if it's for a Kazekage or a former criminal nin."

Sasuke's any remaining phone courtesy was thrown out of the window, striding with his Rinnegan now activated. "Well, I don't care. You have no right in meddling in Naruto's life anyways."

Gaara crossed his arms, his posture unchanged even though they could see some sand grains gathering around. "You're not one to talk Uchiha. Answer me, for how long are you going to keep on leeching off his kindness and trust? You know well that you're only dragging Naruto down until the well is all dry."

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows perplexed. "The fuck, the hell you guys are talking about, can you two stop anyways⏤"

"Whatever happens between Naruto and I is none of your own fucking business."

"It is my business when you're still a hazard to Naruto's well being."

Sasuke had enough of this, making few hand signs and feeling the telltale sparks of electricity gathering on his palm.

Blue eyes widened and Naruto snarled. "Sasuke, stop this right fucking now!" He also noticed Gaara preparing his own sand jutsu and groaned. "The fuck is wrong with you all!"

In a split of second, dozen ANBUs stationed around them, Kakashi showed up, merrily teleporting in between Sasuke and Gaara. "Sorry I'm late you youngins'. Got lost in the road of life."

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto clamoured relieved staring his current life savior.

"Hm...what a fascinating situation I'm now inserted in. You two aren't going to release deadly jutsus in the middle of the Hokage's office, right?"

Staring back the older man's guarded body language despite the apparent lackadaisical tone, Gaara and Sasuke dispelled their jutsus with a grunt.

"Thank you." Kakashi chirped. "I'm glad I arrived in time because or else, Naruto would have definitely decimated you two with a kage bunshin and a suiton ready at hand."

Sasuke and Gaara glanced incredulous, though the Hokage apprentice rolled his eyes, dispelling his own jutsu. "What, you needed to cool down."

"That is quite true, while I'm thoroughly fascinated to see two men fighting for your hand Naruto-chan" For that nickname, Kakashi earned a dirty glare from his pupil. "It'd be best of everyone interests if you two refrained acting on impulse."

"For how long have you been watching our conversation Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi didn't bother answering Sasuke's question, smiling. "Anyways, I took too long to start the meeting, so let's not waste any time any longer."

"Right. Naruto and I have a lot to talk Uchiha. It'd be best for you to go."

Sasuke glared.

"Kazekage-sama does have a point though. Sasuke, I wouldn't want to sour our good relations with Sand Village over some silly skirmishes and I'm also sure that you were supposed to be in the ninja headquarters reading your upcoming mission, right. So you're dismissed."

Sharingan continued to swirl dangerously, his mouth curling to a snarl.

Kakashi turned to face his former student, eyes curving to an amused smile. "Sasuke. Like I've said, you're dismissed."

He tightened his fist, tensing every ANBU in the room, their positions ready to strike. However Sasuke lifted his chin with a derisive snort, poofing away.

A gasp caught on Naruto's throat, his eyes captured Sasuke's haunted expression in a flicker of a moment. His mind made up at once, opening the door. "Hey guys, sorry about all this. Can we postpone this meeting for tomorrow? I gotta talk to Sasuke."

Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. "We have more pressing matters to discuss Naruto."

"Gaara will stay for couple more days right? I'm sure we can talk in a better hour." The blond nin insisted, his feet itching to hop away.

"It's okay Hokage-sama, Naruto." Gaara mumbled. "Once again, you put Sasuke a higher priority than anything else, even your own self."

Naruto gazed back towards his friend, absorbing the veiled criticism. He scratched his head, grinning apologetically. "Yeah, sorry. It can't be helped. He's my husband after all."

⏤.⏤

He wasted no time to get back to his house, heart beating faster as he opened the door.

"Sasuke, I'm home." Naruto said, hurrying to shake the sandals off his feet. "Get your ass out of whatever emo brooding hole you're crawled into and let's talk."

Sasuke appeared from the dimmed living room, rolling his eyes. "Don't be such a dumbass. Welcome home."

The blond nin took few steps back to assess his husband. "You look alright...for a person that was almost court-martialed for attempt of skirmish with a Kage."

Sasuke snorted. "I'm fine. Weren't you supposed to have a meeting now?"

"I postponed, so I can check if you're not in some dark spot moping around."

These words appeased Sasuke a little bit, as he muttered. "I'm really okay, don't worry about it usuratonkachi. Do you want to eat lunch now?"

Sasuke's dismissal shook his ground, Naruto could still see vestiges of haunted darkness hidden in his obsidian eyes. "You're really alright?"

His husband sighed, straying his gaze away from his close perusal. "Just forget it Naruto." He muttered, striding to the kitchen.

Gazing Sasuke's back, walking farther away from him made his whole body grown cold. Naruto sprinted forward, hand clutching on Sasuke's shoulder as he spun his husband around. He lifted both hands to cup Sasuke's face, as the latter stared back with furrowed eyebrows, crossing his arms.

With his heart practically exploding in his chest, Naruto closed in, lips tightly sealed onto Sasuke's ones.

He detached afterwards and Sasuke looked absolutely shell-shocked. His anxiety kept escalating while Sasuke didn't appear to be moving any soon, until a puzzled question escaped.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"I don't know, I don't...well, is it working?" Naruto tilted his head, studying his husband.

Sasuke just gawked back with wide eyes, chin slightly ajar as no words came out. A little unnerved from the lack of response coming from his husband, Naruto approached again with another chaste kiss, eyes screwed shut as his hands held the pale cheeks tighter. He waited for anything, refusal or acceptance though Sasuke only remained petrified on the spot.

Slowly but surely, his mouth nibbled back, retreating a bit. One kiss followed afterwards, and then two kisses, to three, to so much more, throwing any caution to the wind as it growed with intensity and lust, until Sasuke pinned Naruto to the wall, moaning as they deepened their kisses, hands gripping tightly the dark hair.

This consuming passion tilted his world upside down, hungering to feed more this raging fire. Never in his wildest dreams Naruto ever imagined making out with his best friend and yet everything felt so into place. Kissing Sasuke felt more like a natural progression, a conclusion to all that summed up in their relationship. Like a last piece fitting in the whole picture. Naruto didn't want to think of anything else aside that he desired for more.

But Sasuke kissed him like a starving man lost in front of a luxurious banquet, lips melting onto his, contrasting with his hands refusing to touch Naruto's body. He pulled Sasuke even closer, growling when their tongues slid together, shivers running down his spine.

Sasuke pushed away breathless, eyes glazed but with a remaining hesitance on the air. Naruto grunted in impatience, his mouth still seeking to continue this connection, nails biting on the pale arms.

"Naruto, are you sure…?" He husked out, drinking on the darkened blue eyes. "I don't want to turn this anything weird…."

Naruto briefly blinked before dissolving to a merry laughter, hand holding the back of his neck till they touched their foreheads. He grinned. "Sasuke, nothing can be really weird around you." He said, before resuming their sizzling kiss.

Sasuke was in heaven.