Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters, nor do I make any profit from this fanfic.
Warnings: Contains yaoi, sexual acts/situations, and some foul language. If you cannot handle that, then do not read.
Beta: telracsgomesu
Rated: M
Pairing: SasuNaruSasu
Summary: Uchiha Sasuke, a famous Japanese rocker and closeted gay, has to live a lie for the sake of his career. What he ended up getting, however, was an obsession for an American stripper and a yearning for freedom. AU, Smut, Hurt/Comfort.
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Touch Me
Part III: 1.2
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Sasuke somehow managed to find his voice after witnessing the lascivious display Naruto had demonstrated, willing his brain to jump-start again. It would have brought him back to the brink of arousal if he wasn't spent and tingling from the aftermath of their recent activities. He licked his lips. "You are shameless," he murmured, a smile curling the edge of his lips.
"I am, usually," Naruto replied with smug grin, the fingers of his free hand toying with the ends of Sasuke's hair. "But I have a feeling that you like it, Sasuke. I don't think I'll stop."
Sasuke chuckled a bit, settling his head into the crook of Naruto's neck again. "I won't protest." His body was still humming pleasantly. Rubbing his nose into the warm skin, he inhaled the other's natural scent, which was now tinged with sweat. He inwardly reveled in it.
"Uhuh. You're one to talk though." He leaned back some. "Was that a finger I felt back there, mister?" Naruto asked with a raised brow.
Sasuke's gaze lifted, looking somewhat contrite. "It didn't bother you…did it?" With Naruto so receptive in his arms, Sasuke had let his desires overtake him, his hands unable to stop their journey over the other's backside. He'd simply done it on impulse.
Naruto shook his head, smiling a little. "Nah. Not in this case." He leaned in and kissed Sasuke again, their tongues brushing against each other for a brief moment, before pulling away. "I was surprised, but not in a bad way. Although, I won't lie, had it been someone else, I might not have let them do it."
He lifted a questioning brow. "How come?" he asked curiously.
"I don't let just anyone touch me like that, Sasuke," he murmured, his blue eyes roving over the elegant planes of the other's face. "Had it been someone from the club, I would've aimed my foot right for their balls."
Sasuke let out a burst of laughter that made Naruto smile. "Well, good thing I didn't suffer that fate. I happen to like my balls."
Naruto gave a roguish smile, as he admired the carefree look Sasuke wore. It was such a stark contrast to his enigmatic look in the magazines, and Naruto wanted to see more of it. "I'm sure. And if we had the proper introductions, I'd probably like them too," he cracked with a wink.
Sasuke chuckled. "I'll work on the introductions," he indolently asserted, massaging the other's back. "And that…thing you did just now with my finger?" he murmured, glancing at Naruto's mouth, as if reliving the scene in his mind. "Is that something you often do?"
Naruto looked at him, smirking a little. "Hell no. That was a phenomenon—one you should feel so fortunate to have witnessed."
"Hn. I consider myself a very lucky man then," he replied, his head dipping to kiss the skin of the other's tanned neck.
"Indeed, you should," Naruto quipped, resting the side of his face against Sasuke's. His fingers skimmed the other's soft nape. "Although…I should've probably asked earlier—not that I had much opportunity for it—but…you are clean, right?" he questioned as carefully as he could.
Sasuke lifted his head to look at him. It took him a second to grasp what the other even meant, but once it sank in, Sasuke recognized the importance of the question. It momentarily brought him back to reality. "Yes. You?"
Naruto smiled a little, looking into his eyes, a thumb running along the edge of the pale jaw. "Yeah," he replied, giving the rocker a soft peck on the lips.
Grateful to have that out of the way, Sasuke offered a kiss of his own before nuzzling into the crook of the dancer's shoulder and neck again. He was tempted to fall asleep this way, lulled by the almost tender motions of Naruto's fingers. It had been a long time since he'd been cossetted in this manner by anyone. However, he was suddenly startled by the sensation of his right hip vibrating.
After receiving an arched brow from Naruto, Sasuke realized after a moment that it was his cell phone doing the vibrating. Instinctively pulling his hand out of Naruto's light grip, he just stopped short of reaching into his pocket with his soiled hand. Grimacing a little, he briefly fumbled while trying to reach his pocket with his free hand.
Witnessing this, Naruto chuckled. "I gotcha." Letting go of Sasuke's hair, he reached into the other's pocket with his unsoiled hand and handed the other his phone.
"Thanks." Deftly unlocking the screen, he saw that he'd received a text message from Shikamaru: Yo. What are you doing?
Typing back a brief message that omitted unnecessary details—specifically about the hot blond dancer currently oin his lap—he set his phone down, looking back up at Naruto. "It's my friend."
"Ahh. So he has friends," Naruto remarked, shifting. His legs were beginning to fall asleep.
Sasuke snorted. "I do. Not many, but a few good ones." His free hand returned to the other's backside, slowly sliding up beneath Naruto's shirt to rub on the warm, strong back. "This one messaging me is one of my best friends. He's one of two who know I'm in town aside from my band mates."
"Do your parents even know you're here?" Naruto asked curiously then.
Sasuke shook his head. "I—"
His phone vibrated again. Sasuke sighed and checked the message: Ah, so you ate already.
Sasuke typed back a reply. Were he not currently occupied, he would've been more than willing to eat out with his friend. He momentarily stopped when he felt Naruto ease off of him, the other sending him a reassuring smile.
"I'm just going to go wash up a bit, if that's okay?" he said. He was grasping onto the front of his opened jeans with his clean hand, exercising a bit of decorum.
"Sure it is. The bathroom is the first door to the left."
"Okay."
Sasuke watched as the other walked towards the hallway, instantly feeling the loss of Naruto's warmth. A part of him was already eager to recreate the encounter that had just transpired between them, but he managed to control the need before it became too strong. Sighing a little, he came out of his haze, focusing back on his phone. He quickly sent his text, informing Shikamaru that he was a little distracted at the moment. A minute later, just as he rose from the couch with the intention of cleaning himself in the other bathroom, his phone vibrated again: Just what are you doing anyway?
Sasuke sighed.
Naruto turned on the light and shut the bathroom door behind him.
The room was a nice sized area with bright lights over a large mirror that nearly took up half of one of the walls. It was immaculately clean, with a notable set of small tea lights in the corner of the counter.
Naruto smiled a bit. Probably his mother's work.
He approached the toilet, his eyes widening. Oh shit, he thought in awe. It was a high-tech washlet that he couldn't help but take a minute to admire. It was undoubtedly very expensive, by the looks of it, and it looked so sterling that it was almost a shame to use it. He tinkered with a few of the functions before lowering his pants and taking full advantage of the bidet function, where he then proceeded to clean his lower half thoroughly.
After finishing several minutes later, he zipped up his pants, and strode to the sink, where he set about cleaning the salacious spots of drying fluids that dotted the bottom half of his shirt. He grabbed some toilet paper and wet it, unhurriedly working it into the soiled areas, so that he could give Sasuke time to chat with his friend. As he did this, Naruto's mind contemplated the wild events of the last half hour.
What had occurred had never been his intention. He'd wanted to get to know Sasuke, converse a little, maybe become friends—genuine friends. Yet, things were unfolding in such an unexpectedly spontaneous way that he was left with his mind trying to catch up with his actions. When he'd started teasing the other on the couch, he hadn't expected for Sasuke to respond the way he had, boldly provoking Naruto into telling him of the lascivious act he'd performed in his own home—something that had been entirely true. Yet, once the ball had started rolling, Naruto just couldn't seem to help himself. Things with Sasuke just felt so…natural. It was hard not to become swept up in whatever this thing with him was.
The fact that Sasuke was hot definitely helped. One would have to be blind not to fall for those striking features, and that tall, lean body. Now he was familiar with the other's beautiful smile and his taste...
Yeeeap, Naruto thought wryly. He was definitely attracted to the rock star, that he knew, but he'd been attracted to other people before, as well. He'd acted out on it a few times in his life, but more often than not, he didn't. Still, Naruto was starting to realize that Sasuke was different from anyone he had ever met, and it had nothing to do with the other's occupation. That unique combination of sensuality, self-assuredness, and vulnerability—especially the latter—was an alluring combination. It inspired the lecher in him, but it also inspired the nurturer, as well as the romantic in him.
Naruto sighed, dabbing more water on one spot.
He shook his head slightly, tossing the paper into the trash bin. Easy, Uzumaki, it's just a…thing, he told himself. There was no need to make a bigger deal about it. He'd only just met Sasuke and he was already associating the rocker with romance, which was probably foolish, to say the least. Still…he simply couldn't deny the pull he felt towards the man. Whatever was happening, he didn't feel inclined to stop it. It was rash and a little crazy, and Naruto tended to thrive well on both qualities.
Naruto dumped the wet paper. Knowing the wet spots would eventually dry, he finished with his shirt, turning on the faucet to wash his hands. As he did, he stared at his face in the large mirror before him. His lips were a little swollen and his cheeks had a dusky tint to them— evidence of his recent doings.
Regardless of how amazing it all felt, the experienced part of Naruto's mind told him that perhaps he should exercise caution on Sasuke's behalf. While he was eager to give Sasuke pleasure, he knew the other wasn't the type who seemed used to one-night-stands with other men, nor was he used to the lifestyle demonstrated by the crowd in Shinjuku Ni-chōme. The fact of the matter was that, when it came to his personal life, the rocker was fragile. The details Sasuke had managed to reveal about himself, as well as his behavior, told Naruto as much.
Sasuke would probably loathe admitting it, but Naruto was intuitive enough to know that the guitarist hid his internal suffering behind a carefully fabricated veil. The dancer's biggest worry was inadvertently taking advantage of that and possibly hurting Sasuke further. While he hardly regretted what had transpired between them in the past half-hour, it dawned on Naruto that perhaps it would be wiser to let things simmer down a bit. With alcohol in their systems, they wouldn't exactly be functioning with crystal-clear heads, he reminded himself.
Naruto took a deep breath, turning off the faucet. He was the most experienced one out of the two of them. That alone made Naruto feel compelled to attempt to make sure to keep their best interests at heart.
Rinsing his hands with a nearby towel hanging off a metal rack, Naruto checked himself over one last time before leaving the bathroom. When he returned to the living room, it was to find Sasuke standing in the center, turning off the television. Naruto noted that he'd also donned a plain black t-shirt and some loose, gray sweat pants.
"Hey. What are you up to?" he asked lightly, shoving his hands into his pockets. He stopped a short distance in next to him.
Sasuke's eyes skimmed over Naruto's figure, as he set the remote on the coffee table. "I was just turning off the television. Nothing good is on anyway. Here," he suddenly said, reaching out and handing Naruto a shirt. "You can borrow this until your shirt dries."
Naruto took it, opening up the folded fabric to see that it was a black BAPE t-shirt with an ape logo on it. He smiled at the other. "Sweet. Thanks," he said, as he reached down to pull up his own shirt.
Sasuke's gaze honed in on the flesh of the other's chest as Naruto removed the shirt, his eyes admiring the flexing of pectoral muscles beneath the golden skin. He tried to ignore the pang of disappointment he felt once his t-shirt abruptly covered the expanse.
Naruto, oblivious to the perusal, smoothed out the t-shirt, gripping the discarded one in his hand. He inquisitively looked at the other. "How does it look?"
Sasuke moistened his lips. "Good," he replied, approaching him. "It's one of my bigger ones. You have broad shoulders, so I figured it'd be a good fit. Give me your shirt."
As Naruto handed it over, Sasuke gripped him by the wrist, reeling him in. He then smoothly leaned in, his lips settling on his in a sudden kiss. His mouth nudged Naruto's apart and their tongues met in a soft, all-too brief, caress before Sasuke leaned back.
As Naruto stared into the other's dark eyes, his free hand rose to grip Sasuke's arm, stroking the skin there. "What was that for?" he asked, his voice a bit husky.
"Nothing special. You just look good in my shirt," Sasuke replied with a smirk. He suddenly pulled away, walking across the room to place Naruto's t-shirt on the back of one of the dining room chairs.
He's gonna be trouble now, Naruto thought with an amused smile. "So that's how it is, huh? And that's just when I have it on. No telling what you'll do when I have it off."
Sasuke sent him an amused glance over his shoulder before turning around. "If you stick around, you might find out," he brazenly ensured, smiling at the sound of the other's chuckle. He then headed towards the entertainment center near them. "Would you like to listen to some music?"
"Sure. You in the mood for something specific?" Naruto asked, approaching the other. He stopped once he reached Sasuke's side.
"I figured we could connect my IPod and set it to shuffle," he said, walking to the stereo and turning it on. "There's a lot of music my bandmate downloaded for me that I haven't checked out."
"Hmn. I'm game," Naruto commented. He watched as Sasuke picked up the IPod where it lay next to one of the speakers, connecting it. After fiddling with it for a minute, a mid-tempo electro-pop song filled the room.
Naruto listened as Sasuke adjusted the volume on the stereo with one hand. Gradually liking the intro, Naruto took the device from Sasuke's hands, looking at the screen. "'Shelter' by The xx. A rip from this year's Coachella, huh?" He put the IPod back on the entertainment center. "Never heard of them before, but I'm kind of digging this. I gotta admit, I wouldn't peg you to be the type to listen to this kind of genre."
Sasuke smiled a bit, turning towards him. "I'm a musician. I don't just listen to rock. I listen to a little of everything."
"How much on a weekly basis?"
"Every day."
Naruto's brows lifted slightly. "Yeah?"
"What can I say? It's in my blood. It's my passion. I need it all the time," he replied with a rueful smile.
Naruto stared at him.
Feeling unexpectedly a bit self-conscious, Sasuke sent him a guarded look. "What?"
Naruto blinked. "Nothing. It's just…I think that turned me on a little," he said with an eventual grin.
Sasuke chuckled a little, relaxing. "I'll keep that in mind for any future…endeavors we might have," he said with a suggestive leer.
Naruto hummed. "Seems like I might have just given myself away," he said coyly.
"Just as planned," the other said, sending him a devious look that favored him far too much.
Naruto chuckled. "Okay, Yagami Raito."
He reached out and touched Naruto's arm, which was less than an arms-length away. "Come with me to the balcony? The view is pretty decent."
Naruto's skin tingled where the other's fingers touched his skin. "Sure."
Sasuke turned, opening the sliding door. Both men walked out onto the tidy balcony and Naruto practically gasped at the sight, only half-aware that the other had left the door open.
Before them, the view of the vibrant Tokyo skyline was spellbinding. It was if the night was littered with millions of colorful stars everywhere he looked. Every building as far as the eye could see, resembled a virtual concrete Christmas tree. They were so high up that Naruto could even make out a few of the nearby districts.
"Wow! If this is what you call decent, Sasuke, I'll take decent any day of the week!" Naruto marveled, the breeze ruffling his bangs. He braced his hands against the parapet, the soft sound of the music streaming through the open door.
Sasuke chuckled, coming to brace his elbows on the parapet next to him. He glanced at Naruto, his eyes taking in the delighted look on the other's face. "I'm glad you like it."
Naruto sighed, his smile unwavering, as he took in the view. "It's like having your own little world up here."
Sasuke gaze shifted to the skyline. "Yeah. I guess so. I suppose that was the point," he murmured, as if just realizing it himself.
Naruto glanced at him. "You like your solitude, don't you?"
He looked at him, considering the question. "Yes. Here is the only time I'm truly able to…breathe," he replied, gazing back at the scenery.
Naruto stared at the other's handsome profile, thinking he looked quite solemn in that moment. The wind shifted the dark tendrils of his bangs around his face, and the muted moonlight highlighted the pale, defined planes. "Being a rock star isn't easy for you, is it?"
Sasuke gave a soft snort, glancing sideways at him.
Naruto shrugged. "Well, let's be real, Sasuke. Just because I'm not in the scene you're in, doesn't mean I'm not aware of how massive it is, and according to my friend, your band is one of the biggest ones at the moment. So whether you like it or not, I'm sure someone sees you as a star out there."
"Hn."
"Well?" Naruto insisted.
Sasuke looked down at his own hands for a moment, before eventually answering. "I share a lot of myself—more than I care to—with fans and the media. What my blood type is, what foods I like, what type of girls I like," he said, his words tinged with derision. "None of that shit really matters, and yet it's often what makes fans feel close to us. For me though, it's all about the music. It's because of that that when I'm on stage, I'm the most open I can be with the public."
Naruto blinked, taking in the other's words. He braced an elbow on the parapet and rested his cheek in his hand. "I understand. Still, don't they prepare you for that? I mean, you have PR people and such, right?
Sasuke sighed. "True. However, some excel at that lifestyle, and some, no matter what, don't. I don't excel at the public aspect of it. I could never be a funny tv-type personality like a Gackt, for example. I can't see myself ever doing commercials or acting gigs. I'm not…" he drifted off, struggling for the right words.
"Comfortable with being put on the spot?" Naruto offered.
Sasuke looked at him, eventually nodding. "Yes. That's why I'd rather just stay low key. That way I don't call too much attention to myself. You give them an inch and they'll take a mile," he added with a touch of acrimony.
Naruto tilted his head in consideration. "Hmm, yeah. I can believe it. You've gotta have rocker friends though who've been in the business for years. Have you asked your peers for advice on that before?"
Sasuke nodded. "The best advice I received was from a senpai in my band's label."
A dark, golden brow rose. "Which was?"
"He told me that if I ever have to think twice about revealing an aspect of my life, then I'm better off not saying anything at all."
Naruto's gaze drifted as he thought about that. "I see. To preserve any aspect of normalcy."
The other nodded. "Yes."
Naruto let out a breath. "That life sounds…demanding. Still, there have to be perks that are worthwhile taking advantage of that might even things out a bit. Free clothes, parties, travelling. I mean, you can understand why someone on the outside would question it, right?"
"It is nice—at first. But…after you've had it for a while, you eventually realize that that isn't what will bring you ultimate happiness," Sasuke replied, pinning him with a look.
Naruto stared at his companion. He knew, without a doubt, that Sasuke was speaking purely from personal experience. "Hmn. I understand. With all that, do you still manage to have actual friends in the industry? There's gotta be a lot of shady people lurking around."
"There are. That's why I reacted the way I did last night when you told me you recognized me," the other replied somberly, looking back at the scenery. "The more your popularity rises in this scene, the more you have to watch your back. As for friends in the industry, I have a few. It's a small but tight-knit group of fellow musicians. We'll occasionally go to the random bar, or attend a concert or industry party together. They aren't my best friends, but they are good companions."
"Do you like the parties?"
Sasuke shrugged a shoulder. "Depends. Most of the time, I go to kill time, and take my mind off of work."
"So, you're probably the cool, hot guy sitting at the VIP table, huh?" Naruto quipped, his eyes unable to help but trace the other's features for what seemed like hundredth time that night.
Sasuke snorted. "I don't know about that, but…I do tend to pick a spot and stay in it," he admitted.
Naruto nodded in understanding, the familiar sounds of a Calvin Harris song now audible in the background. He smiled. "I approve of your playlist so far, by the way."
"Thank you. Speaking of which, I'm surprised you know all these artists considering you said you only listened to alternative rock."
"Yeah, but I meant that that's what I preferred when it came to the rock genre. Just like you, I listen to everything," he said with a grin.
"I see," Sasuke drawled, content with the flow of the conversation.
"So…" Naruto continued. "You like the occasional party, you don't like the television appearances, and you loathe the publicity aspect of it, but, what about those photo shoots you do for the magazines? I mean, interviews accompany them. According to Sakura you guys do a lot of them, especially the solo ones. I'd almost figure you like them."
Sasuke snorted. "Those are for the sheer purpose of exposure for the band, and I'll add that they are torture," he replied, sending Naruto an amused glance.
Naruto's brows shot up. "Yeah?"
Sasuke shifted a bit, turning more towards Naruto. "Imagine waking up early, feeling absolutely shit-faced because you aren't a morning person to begin with. You shower and dress, to then show up at a studio or on location. Then you sit for an hour while people hover around you—one person prodding your face with sponges, and another messing with your hair. Then you have to stand around while they make you try on one outfit after another, and once that is settled, you have to deal with a photographer telling you what to do. You do pose after pose and pretend to look intense and interested. Meanwhile, what you're really thinking about is eating a burger at McDonald's since it's been practically three hours since you arrived. And this is leaving out the actual interview."
Naruto chuckled. "Aww, that sucks to hear. Especially since all your photos come out looking so good."
A tapered, dark brow rose. "And how would you know how all of my photos turn out?" he questioned, a gleam of interest lighting up the other's eyes.
Realizing what he'd said, Naruto quickly glanced away, looking nonchalant. "Never mind."
Sasuke leaned in further, a fiendish look in his eye as he nudged the other. "No, you can't do that. Now tell me. "
Naruto finally glanced at him, eventually letting out an awkward laugh as he rubbed his nose. "Well…after visiting with Sakura, I kind of…searched your images on the web," he replied, garbling the last few words. He sheepishly observed as a charming, lopsided smile lit the rocker's face.
"Ah, is that so?" he said with a satisfied chuckle. "So…not only did you fantasize about me, but you looked me up on the web."
Naruto glared at him, feeling a bit flustered. "Get that pleased looked off your face," he replied, trying not to smile.
Sasuke's own smile grew. "There's no need to be embarrassed. I'm flattered."
"Who's embarrassed? I'm fine," Naruto said with a sniff.
Sasuke chuckled warmly. "Baka. Not only am I flattered, but…I like the thought of me having been so intently on your mind, just like you were on mine."
Naruto's gaze shifted to catch the other send him an intimate glance that made him feel funny things in the center of his stomach. A smile pulled at the corner of his lips. "Careful. Keep looking at me like that and I might not have control over myself. Especially if you do that look, like on the cover of that one magazine I saw."
Sasuke smirked. "Which look would that be?" he asked, his face tilting slightly.
Naruto's eyes grew as he watched the other precisely demonstrate the stare. "That's it! That's the one!" Naruto declared, pointing at him. He quickly covered Sasuke's eyes with his hand. "Teme."
Sasuke laughed, gently removing the other's hand from his face. "Now I know your weakness. Be wary, Padawan."
Naruto chuckled, reveling—for what seemed like the umpteenth time—in the other's sense of humor. "Whatever. It's Jedi Knight to you. You're the Padawan."
Clearly amused, Sasuke lifted a brow. "In what way?
Naruto's eyes held his for a moment, an enigmatic smile present on his face. "In more ways than you realize, I think."
"Hn." Sasuke sent him a dubious look. "I don't think I like it when you come across so mysterious, I'll have you know."
"And why's that?" he questioned curiously.
"I don't know." His hand lifted to run a finger down the warm, tan skin of Naruto's forearm. "I like it instead when I can read you. Sometimes your eyes are so transparent," he said, studying the other's azure gaze. "I feel like I can know so much about you that way, somehow. And then…"
Naruto's skin tingled beneath the other's touch. "And then?"
Sasuke dropped his hand. "And then I come to and realize that I've only known you for a few days, and that I'm probably crazy to think I can remotely know you well," he replied contemplatively.
Naruto turned a little more towards Sasuke. "Does it scare you?"
Dark brows furrowed a bit, his eyes questioning.
Naruto's eyes glanced down at where Sasuke's hand now rested next to his on the parapet. "The fact that I'm a stripper, and that you like me?" he replied, steadily holding Sasuke's gaze as he smiled a little.
The dark haired guitarist studied the other a moment, before letting out a small huff of laughter. "Scared isn't the right word. Hesitant, perhaps. However…"
"However?" Naruto insisted readily.
"I'm attracted to you more than I'm wary of you," he responded. Sasuke's face was open and earnest. "And I if I can trust you with my secret, then there's no need for me to feel scared, is there?"
Naruto's eyes softened. "Exactly. My life's an open book, Sasuke. I'd be willing to tell you whatever you want to know," he said, lifting a finger to push aside a tendril of the other's dark hair from his face.
Sasuke seemed to mull over the other's words for a moment. "Anything?"
"Just shoot away." At that moment, Naruto then became aware of Empire of the Sun's 'We Are The People' playing in the background. "Wait, you like Empire of the Sun?" he asked, a bit of wonder in his tone.
"Yes? Sasuke replied quizzically.
Naruto grinned. "I think I'm a little in love already."
Sasuke chuckled, another lopsided smile emerging. "I saw them back in 2011 in concert."
"Awesome in all its weird glory, I bet."
"Totally."
Naruto's grin grew, his eyes running over the other's face.
"What?" Sasuke asked softly.
"Nothing," he said with a laugh. "It's just that…the more I find out about you and your tastes, the more I like you, Sasuke," he admitted sincerely.
Sasuke felt his heart speed up a little at the other's warm stare and candid words. "Thank you." He cleared his throat. "So, you were saying?"
Naruto blinked. "Oh, yeah. Um, just ask me whatever you want."
"Hn." Sasuke briefly thought to himself, a persistent subject that he'd been curious about, coming to mind. "You said that you'd lived in California before coming here. How did you wind up back here?"
"Ah, well, when I was really young, my parents and I had settled down in California. It's the place I most identify myself with at heart." Naruto pulled at his shirt, pulling out his gold chain. "This," he said, pointing at the leaf charm Sasuke had noticed the night they'd met, "is a Redwood leaf, from the California Redwood tree. It's a reminder of my old home."
Sasuke's hand rose, his eyes studying the charm in the low light available. His finger ran over the ridges of the finely crafted leaf. It was no bigger than a quarter.
"My mother gave it to me. A few months before she and my dad died."
Sasuke's gaze jerked towards Naruto's as he gently released the charm. "I'm sorry," he offered gravely. Shit, Sasuke thought in shock. When Naruto had mentioned earlier in the day that his parents weren't around, Sasuke hadn't thought the other had meant it quite so literally. He couldn't imagine losing one parent, much less both.
Naruto shook his head, a faltering, close-mouthed smile visible on his face. "It's okay."
"Can I ask how they died?"
Naruto nodded, his gaze shifting towards the view of the city. "It was during the wildfire season in California about eight years ago. We lived just outside of Los Angeles, up in the hills, where there's nothing but trees and wilderness. We went from Glendale, a perfectly suburban area, to the hills because my mom wanted to be closer to nature," he said with a bit of a laugh. "Anyway, it was the summertime in July and I was staying with my friend Kiba that week, who lived in Glendale at the time. Oh, Glendale's also just outside of Los Angeles, by the way," Naruto added, glancing at Sasuke.
The other man nodded, attentively listening.
"My mom was home with my dad, who was on vacation at that time, and in the summer is when wildfire season strikes. The drier the weather, the worse it is. A few fires had started here and there that summer, but the fire department had managed to get them under control for the most part. Then on one of those days, during the middle of the night, a fire started out of nowhere in the area. It spread pretty quickly and everyone—all of the neighbors—were forced to evacuate on sudden notice."
Naruto sighed, his expression downturned. "The properties there are pretty big and our house was located around a hillside surrounded by trees. There were only two roads leading out of there—one shorter than the other. My neighbor said that the fire was blocking the faster route, which was the route everyone was trying to take. It forced all the evacuees to turn back—my parents were among them. Because the fire rescuers were scrambling to get officials on the three ends where the fire was burning, there was chaos. I mean, it was three in the morning so no one was expecting it," he explained, his tone softening.
Sasuke nodded again, despite the fact that the other wasn't looking.
Naruto took a breath, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "A jam formed, and everyone was trying to turn their car around at the same time. In the confusion and desperation, another car accidentally hit my parents, and sent their car skidding over the side of the hill. They found it in the morning at the bottom of the hill. They'd died instantly. It was determined later that the fire was caused by arson," he said dully, finally looking at Sasuke with the saddest eyes the rocker had ever seen.
Sasuke's heart went out to the other man. In that moment, as he stared into the other's pained gaze, he realized that Naruto wasn't simply a carefree man-about-town who'd lived an unblemished life of pleasure and thrills. He was a three-dimensional human being like himself, who experienced grief just as much as he did.
"Naruto…" he reached out and laid his hand against the other's arm, squeezing it.
Naruto shook his head, forcing a smile. "S'okay." He cleared his throat and dragged a hand through his hair. "Well, when that happened, my world was turned upside down. My grandparents sent for me, but I didn't want to move since it wouldn't be long before graduation, so they arranged with Kiba's family for me to stay with them. After graduation, I worked for a bit, but…I hated it. It was a fucked up time for me, and eventually I decided that I couldn't stay there anymore. I didn't feel…like myself anymore. So, I eventually decided to finally take my grandparents up on their offer and move to Japan."
"Were you nervous about moving?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto shrugged. "Kind of, but the need to get out of Los Angeles was stronger. Once I came here, I lived with my grandparents in Osaka until I realized that I wanted to be on my own and just…figure out my life on my own. I wound up moving here, worked a few jobs, lived a little, and got all the 'crazy' out of my system. Then I put together a plan for myself once I realized what I wanted in life. And, well, that brings me to here and now."
Sasuke studied Naruto, feeling strangely as if he was viewing the other in a new light. "That's an amazing story so far, Naruto."
Naruto chuckled, a vaguely amused look on his face. "You think so?"
"I do," he replied sincerely. "And the story's still being written."
Naruto smiled. "So poetic. You really are a freakin' song-writer."
Sasuke let out a dramatic sigh and rested a cheek in his hand. "Guilty."
Naruto laughed. "So, what else do you wanna know?" he asked, humming a little as Hoobastank's 'The Reason' began to play. "By the way, if this playlist remains this flawless, I'll tell you right now that you've got me halfway in the sack."
"Thanks for informing me. I'll continue my lustful agenda," he replied with a smirk.
"Oh, is that what this is?" Naruto questioned with a smile.
"Yes, it is futile to resist," he said, leaning in slightly.
Naruto lifted a brow. "Who's resisting?" He inched closer.
Sasuke leaned in further as Naruto's face neared, eager to feel the other's lips on his again. However, just as their mouths were within distance of meeting, Naruto averted his face, and a moment later, Sasuke felt those coveted lips laying a gentle kiss on the side of his neck. A pleasant shiver went up his spine at the sensation.
"You tease," he murmured, watching as the other's face rose again.
Naruto smiled, enjoying the near dreamy look the other was sporting. "I know."
"Are you always this playful with the people you like?"
Naruto shrugged a little. "Depends. You make it very easy for me so I enjoy it more," he replied, his eyes leisurely admiring Sasuke's features.
"Hn." His hand lifted to smooth the edge of the sleeve of Naruto's shirt—his shirt. "Can I ask you something?"
"That's the point isn't it?" Naruto replied drolly.
Sasuke hummed. "Well, you said that you're bisexual. When did you realize that?"
"Ahh, well," Naruto crossed his arms on the parapet. "I think I started having the notion of it in my teens. I just never acted on it. For most of my life, I've only ever dated girls. I just acted like the typical straight guy really."
"'Typical' meaning?"
"Going to parties, playing sports, and getting as many numbers from the cheerleading squad as possible."
"Ah. Did you ever fall for any of the girls?"
Naruto shook his head. "At the time it felt like I had, but then after we'd break up, I'd realize that it was hardly anything like that. I liked all of them, a lot. But…it was such an innocent thing. Everyone would always get together, break up in a month, and move on. It was hardly love-of-my-life status. If I wasn't dating someone, though, then I wasn't doing much of anything else with anyone either."
"I see."
"Then one day, I was doing what most young, virile teenage boys do—browsing through porn on the internet," he said, sending Sasuke a cheeky glance.
Sasuke let out a huff of laughter. "Of course."
"And I stumbled onto some gay porn and…well, that got the wheels turning in my head. From that moment on, I remained curious about it, even though I never pursued anything with any guy. A lot of time passed by before I eventually told my mom about the thoughts I was having."
Sasuke blinked. "You actually told your mother?" he asked, the surprise evident on his face.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. She was kind of like a best friend. She was a bit…hippiesh? If I ever had a problem or an issue that was personal like that, I could always go to her," he said with a wistful smile. "Well, I explained to her how I felt and she assured me that everything would be fine."
Sasuke face tilted. "What exactly did she tell you, if I can ask?"
Naruto blinked. "Well, she told me about how love was love, and that it didn't matter whether it was between two men or two women. She told me that the only thing she wanted was for me to be happy and that she would support me no matter what. I was never more relieved, to be honest. I think a part of me had been worried about what she'd think of me, but she understood. She just…she was great that way," he admitted softly.
Sasuke's eyes lowered for a moment. What that must've done for Naruto as a teenager was immeasurable. The power the gesture of a parent's acceptance for any young man was significant. His eyes lifted again once Naruto continued speaking.
"Once I got out of high school, I never really pursued anyone either. I was too fucked up mentally after my parents' deaths. Once I moved to Japan, that's when I started taking an interest in dating again."
"And how did that go?"
"Well, some months after making the move from Osaka to Tokyo, I started living on my own, and I'd started dating this girl. She was cute, really sweet, and she was a bartender. She was also the biggest Gundam fan, like, ever," he added with a deadpanned look. "Anyway, we both realized after a while that it wasn't going to work out between us and we remained friends."
Sasuke smiled a little. "You would be able to remain friends with an ex."
"You haven't with any of yours?"
Sasuke shook his head. "No. I've never felt inclined to either. The relationships I've had…I'd broken up with them for specific reasons. I'd rather move on without them."
"You feel too intensely about it to remain friends," Naruto deduced.
"Yes. So why didn't it work out between you and the girl?"
Naruto considered the question. "Well…although she was nice, there was just…something missing. There was no…" He made searching gestures with his hands. "Spark. No passion. It was just…nice and comforting but…it wasn't enough. It's funny. You'd figure a bartender would be a bit on the wilder side—not that I was searching for that exactly—but she was just a cool girl who was a much better match for me as a friend than anything."
Sasuke nodded, turning towards Naruto so that he was facing the man's side. He braced an elbow on the parapet. "So, so far in the timeline, no men were in your life."
"Right. Shortly after I broke up with bartender girl, though, that changed."
"This is where it gets interesting, I assume?"
"Heh. Something like that." Naruto shifted a bit. "So, one day, bartender girl invited me to a party at the bar she worked at. It was some party to celebrate the birthday of the owner of the bar, I think. She invited me and a few other mutual friends and we showed up, hung out, and drank—you know, the normal stuff. And while I was sitting there, this guy approached me, and we started talking. I didn't think much of it, although, I knew there was something different about this encounter from any other that I've had with a guy up until then. He and I stayed talking nearly the whole night in a corner of the bar, and it was just…cool. I mean, he wasn't really like the type of guy friends I had at the time and…he was just different. It was probably the first time I found myself thinking that this was a man who interested me. Still, it didn't dawn on me until it was time for me to leave the party that he was interested in me like that."
"What made you realize it?"
Naruto smirked. "He asked me for my number. I gave it to him. After about a day, he called me, and we agreed to meet up at a café shop."
"Were you nervous? I mean, it was uncharted territory for you."
Naruto thought about that. "Well…not nervous as much as, anxious? I was kind of excited. The curiosity had always been there, I'd just never had an opportunity to explore it until then. So, anyway, we met up and we hung out and…we hit it off. That was my first unofficial date with a man, really. After that, we saw each other practically every other day, and about a week later, we officially became something."
Sasuke studied the other. "It seems…like it was easy."
Naruto tilted his head in thought. "I think it seems that way, but it's easier to explain in retrospect. A lot of second-guessing and hesitating did happen—it's only natural—but my impulses won out. That and I've never been a fan of playing it safe. If I want something, I go for it."
Sasuke let that sink in for a moment. "How long did you date for?"
"Oh, about a year and a half. It's the longest relationship I've ever had, and it was a crazy one."
Sasuke lifted a brow. "How so?" He observed, as Naruto seemed to take a deep breath.
"Well, me and him…we were opposites in so many ways. He worked at a family-run corporate office in the city, had refined tastes, and wore suits to work. Meanwhile, I had just started bartending at the 69 Club, wore pretty much whatever I wanted, and had more eclectic tastes. Still…we laughed hard, we fought hard…and we loved hard," he confessed with an acknowledging expression.
Sasuke's gaze lowered for a brief moment. He didn't know why, but an absurd sense of jealousy emerged out of nowhere at the other's last words. He nearly felt inclined to refrain from asking anything else, but his curiosity was far too strong. Stemming down on his disquiet, he caught Naruto's gaze.
"Was it different for you…being with a man?" he asked calmly.
Naruto glanced at him. His eyes lowered in thought. "Honestly…yes. There are obvious physical differences to contend with, of course, but most importantly, the communication is…different? It was very straightforward and direct, and I dug that. And physically…you just adjust to it. If you're really into the person as they are into you, it will all work out."
Sasuke studied Naruto's profile. "Were you happy?"
Naruto nodded slowly, his eyes absently fixed on the scenery in front of him. "I was. For a long while, I was. But, like many things in life, it wasn't meant to last," he replied quietly.
Knowing that he was treading on a sensitive subject, Sasuke tentatively asked his next question. "Do you mind telling me how it ended?"
Naruto sighed. "What happened was that he was always tied to his family, who were very traditional and also prominent in the corporate market. Although he was in love with me, he was always afraid of what would happen if his family found out about our relationship. We were always hiding; he was always answering calls and making the people on the other line think he was alone, or at work, or some other bullshit, even though he was with me. And there were certain places we couldn't go to together because his family frequented there. Eventually we started having serious arguments about it, and he would disappear for days. Then, one day, he comes up to my apartment and tells me that he's getting married—to a woman," he said, his voice tight with emotion.
Sasuke eyes went wide before narrowing. "That had to hurt."
Naruto let out a bitter laugh. "To say the least. It was some chick his father had set him up with, who was just as rich as he was. He actually even asked me if I was willing to wait for him until it was an 'appropriate' time for him to divorce, or consider continuing our relationship on the side, behind closed doors, because he still loved me so much." He shook his head. "I couldn't believe it. I had once envisioned myself living a long, happy life with him, and when that bullshit all started to go down, it was like…like I didn't even know him anymore."
He looked at Sasuke, his face strained. "And you know what's really sad is that for a second—for a brief, fucked-up second—I actually considered it. I actually considered being his lover while he was married to another. I felt like I needed him that much."
Sasuke remained silent. He was far too familiar with the collapse of a struggling relationship. His eyes skimmed Naruto's solemn expression. He didn't like seeing the frown so evident on his handsome face, nor those vivid blue eyes so troubled by the old memories. However, before he could open his mouth to say anything, Naruto continued.
"Thank god I'm on the hot-headed side, though. There's no way I could let that shit slip by," he said almost more to himself.
"What did you do when he told you that?" Sasuke asked, inwardly anticipating that the other had given the douche boyfriend a piece of his mind.
"I punched him right in the fucking face," Naruto said with a sudden, satisfied grin that transformed his face. "I told him a bunch of shit too, but, I definitely punched him, and it felt so fucking good."
Sasuke laughed, shaking his head.
Naruto chuckled a little. "But yeah. I won't lie, that period sucked. Really sucked. It was painful, and I was miserable for a while, but I survived it." He shrugged. "Aaanyway, that, Sasuke, is the only relationship I've had with a man, and I still like men, as much as girls, therefore, I am bisexual."
"I see." He crossed his feet at his ankles. "How long ago was that?"
Naruto thought, squinting a bit. "About…nine months ago, more or less."
Sasuke's eyes settled directly on his. "Are you still in love with him?" he asked, before he could help himself.
Naruto's blue eyes considered him. "If I was, Sasuke, there's no way I'd be here with you."
Sasuke held his gaze, unable to deny the inexplicable sense of validation and relief he felt inside. If this thing with Naruto went any further, he didn't want to be a temporary replacement for an old flame. Yes, his ego played a bit into it, but it wasn't wholeheartedly that aspect alone. This thing with Naruto—whatever it was—was something he wanted to be fresh and new, as much for Naruto as it was for him. He wouldn't have it any other way.
Naruto let out a breath. "Sasuke. There's something I want you to understand from what I just told you." He reached out and grasped Sasuke's bare forearm, turning to face him. "Whatever it is that you want, reach for it. Don't let your inhibitions keep you from experiencing life the way you want to—the way you deserve to. Don't settle for less when you can be in control of what you want," he said fiercely, eventually dropping his hand.
Sasuke stared earnestly into the other's eyes, which were electric with intensity in that moment. Naruto was a fundamentally different personality from his, and yet there were certain elements about him—about his life—that spoke so directly to him. Of course there was a tiny reemerging voice in the back of his head warning him of how potentially risky involving himself with Naruto was, but at this point, he no longer cared. Despite the obvious physical attraction he felt for the man, Sasuke was so inescapably drawn to the man's passion and inner fire that his body practically hummed whenever he was near him.
He moistened his lips, straightening until he was fully facing Naruto. The other man looked tempting beneath the moonlight, dressed in his shirt, amidst the backdrop of the twinkling city lights in the distance. Sasuke's body felt entirely wired with awareness. Yes, he knew what he wanted, and fuck was he ever tired of denying himself his true desires.
"What if what I want is you?" he asked softly, searching the blue depths of Naruto's eyes within the shadows.
A gust of wind blew by, rustling the locks of blond hair around the other's forehead. Naruto smiled a little, his eyes lowering towards Sasuke's mouth, before rising to meet dark orbs again. "Then reach for me," Naruto commanded quietly.
Sasuke inhaled slightly, feeling his own heart speed up in his chest. After living trapped in such an isolating reality for such a long time, Sasuke was ready to lose himself in Naruto's effervescent warmth. He felt like a man who'd travelled a barren desert on his own for weeks, only to finally stumble onto a rich oasis that could offer him a much-needed sanctuary. He wanted this man, and this man wanted him. It couldn't be more perfect.
Holding Naruto's expectant gaze, he closed the distance between them, pulling the other towards him until he was flush against his body. With one hand at Naruto's hip and another grasping the back of his head, Sasuke's fingers slid through the thick hair at the other's nape.
"Naruto," he murmured, the tip of his nose rubbing against the other man's. He let out a breath as Naruto's arms rose to grip his biceps. The mere nearness of him already had Sasuke's skin tingling with sensation.
"Yeah?" Naruto replied, his voice husky with what Sasuke knew was desire. The need in his eyes was as crystal-clear as the blue irises that graced them.
Sasuke watched as the tip of a quick tongue moistened the lips he so desperately wanted to taste. Unable to help himself any longer, he caught those lips in a thorough kiss. Naruto's mouth instantly opened beneath his, his wet tongue meeting Sasuke's with an intense urge that left both men breathless. Sasuke's hands moved to cup both sides of Naruto's face, tilting it so that his tongue could delve even deeper into the silky cavern he was found so addicting. Deep, unsteady breaths rushed out of them as both men savored the flavor of each other's mouths yet again. A shiver went down Sasuke's spine when he felt Naruto's hands shift to caress his back in gentle, circular motions.
Sasuke mouth parted from Naruto's, his thumbs caressing the sides of his face. "I want you," he whispered almost reverently against his lips.
Naruto searched his eyes, his breath coming out in soft puffs against Sasuke's mouth. His grip tightened on the rocker's back. It was the only gesture that served as an answer before Naruto dove in for Sasuke's mouth, kissing him fiercely.
Sasuke moaned in response, allowing himself to be carried away by the piercing tidal wave of longing that the other brought forth from him. There would be no more denying himself of what he'd been craving for such an achingly long time. He was ready, and there would be no turning back now.
Naruto was kissing Sasuke as if he wanted to devour him, their faces tilting and angling continually as their tongues urgently mingled. The dark-haired rocker inhaled sharply when he felt strong hands slip beneath his shirt to caress the bare skin of his back. Sasuke's hands methodically ran down the length of Naruto's body, feeling every covered muscle and curve, before settling on his jean-clad rear-end.
Naruto gasped against Sasuke's mouth as he felt the other's hands squeeze his ass once, before anchoring Naruto so tightly against his groin that he could feel Sasuke's obvious hard-on. It was more than evident to Naruto just how badly Sasuke wanted this—how badly he needed this. He'd been in his shoes once; he too had craved for the warmth of someone who understood him, and once again, Naruto found himself feeling the same way. This emotional connection between them, coupled with the palpable pull emanating from the both of them, towards each other, served for a cocktail of desire that had Naruto's insides stirring with anticipation.
Without breaking their kiss, he let himself be pushed up against the parapet; Sasuke's body settling between Naruto's spread legs. The blond dancer's hands kneaded the smooth, lean muscles of the other's back, as Sasuke's hands moved to grip Naruto's hips, pressing their lower halves unbearably close against each other. Then, a mutual, slow grind commenced, Sasuke's hips rocking against Naruto's, who enthusiastically reciprocated. Naruto struggled for breath; his eyes closing as he felt the arousal shoot straight to his groin, his erection twitching within the unforgiving confines of his pants. A long minute of this continued until Naruto suddenly tore his mouth away with a moan, one particularly hard thrust of Sasuke's hips causing darts of pleasure to shoot up his cock.
"Sa-Sasuke," Naruto managed as the other's head dipped to suckle on his neck.
"Hmm?" the other hummed, preoccupied with the warm column of flesh.
"I really think that we should take this inside," he rasped, catching Sasuke's gaze once his face lifted.
Heaving a few deep breaths, Sasuke nodded hard before hauling Naruto into the apartment with him, carelessly shutting the sliding door behind them. They stumbled through the living room and into the hallway, until they reached Sasuke's room, which Sasuke managed to open, all while virtually attached to Naruto's mouth. Once inside the dark room, Sasuke pushed Naruto against door with his body, slamming it shut with their weight.
Naruto's arms wrapped around Sasuke's waist, his hands sliding downward until he could grope Sasuke's ass. He lifted his mouth from his so that he could nibble the other's earlobe. "How do you feel, Sasuke?"
Sasuke's eyes closed, his hands tightly gripping Naruto's moving hips. "Good," he murmured lowly.
"Do you have any idea of just how good I can make you feel?" he whispered, now angling his head so he could nip Sasuke's neck.
Sasuke's mouth fell open at the sensation, his eyes nearly rolling back. His pants felt unbearably tight now. "H-how good can you…make me feel?" he managed to reply, albeit feebly.
Naruto detached his lips from the other's neck to stare at Sasuke head-on within the shadows. "I can make you feel real good, Sasuke. I wanna make you feel real good." With that, he pushed the other backwards until Sasuke's legs hit the massive piece that was the other's bed, forcing him to sit.
Standing in front of Sasuke, Naruto reached down and dragged Sasuke's shirt over his head, tossing it absently to the side. The other man impatiently began to tug Naruto's own shirt upwards at the hem, and Naruto helped him, swiftly removing it. It promptly joined Sasuke's shirt on the floor.
Naruto could just make out the pale perfection of Sasuke's upper body with the sliver of moonlight that streamed through the window and past the curtain. He was a bit leaner than he was, but his upper half was tight with sleek, toned muscle. Naruto's hooded eyes ran the breadth of it, admiring the beauty, from the strong shoulders, down to the evenly formed abs. The man definitely worked out. He wanted to kiss every inch of the pale skin that he could get his hands on, and Naruto would make sure that he would, soon enough.
He saw the way Sasuke eyed his own chest and smirked a little. When it came to this, Sasuke was very easy to read, he thought with amusement. He then bent down and fiercely kissed the other, who eagerly responded until Naruto pulled back. He crouched, slowly moving downwards, laying wet, open-mouthed kisses alongside his neck, enjoying the sharp intake of breath the other gave at having his weak spot exploited. Naruto then rained kisses along his collarbone, before eyeing the two pink nipples below. With an eager expression, he latched onto one.
He licked and gently bit at the taut disk, which tightened even further against his tongue, sighing a little when he felt Sasuke's hands run along his shoulders to caress the back of his neck. After thoroughly lavishing it with attention, Naruto then repeated the same treatment to Sasuke's other nipple, licking furtively, as he ran his hand down Sasuke's sides. He lightly tugged it with his teeth until it popped out of his mouth. Sasuke responded with a quiet moan, the sound vibrating against Naruto's cheek, and causing another dull throb to shoot up his constrained dick.
He looked up at Sasuke, whose heavy-lidded, dark eyes reflected nothing but absolute desire. "Did you like that?" he husked, lifting a hand to lay it against the other's cheek.
Sasuke nodded, licking his swollen lips. "Yeah," he replied, still massaging Naruto's nape.
Naruto smiled a little, a wicked twinkle in his eye. "Good, 'cuz it's just the beginning," he assured him, his smile widening at the intake of Sasuke's breath.
He would make him feel so much more, Naruto inwardly vowed.
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A/N: Okay, so originally this was going to be a lengthy chapter where all the edited good bits happened in one go. I swear I wasn't going to leave anyone hanging, but because this chapter ended up being so long (past 20,000 words long), I felt that this was the best place to cut it off and still give you something to chew on. Therefore, Part III is split into two halves. The second half of it will be posted in a few days. So once it's out, I encourage you to reread this half, along with the new one, to make it a complete experience.
A little tidbit worth mentioning is that the music referenced in this chapter, were songs I was actually listening to in the process of writing it. Good stuff. I also really want to thank the new readers of this story who let me know on Tumblr, y!G, and on here, just how much they loved this fic to want another part. I really wasn't sure if the emotional message was being felt, but I was proven wrong. I also want to thank the lovely telracsgomesu for taking on the betaing. You did a good job, bb! And thank you to the wonderful Dákkar for the fan art! It is beyond presh. If you want to see the full image, you can go to the link in my profile. Anyway, thanks to all the reviewers of this story, and be on the lookout for the second half.