UNDENIABLY PLATONIC
By: Agent D-05
Chapter 3: The Late Night Conversations
Ever since I met you, no one else has been worth thinking about.
After dinner, Naruto volunteered to wash the dishes since Sasuke spends a long time getting over being pissed off. That's when Naruto found out the not so empty pot in the stove. When he opened it, it was ramen, Sasuke's type of ramen of course (the healthier version all because Sasuke is health conscious).
'So that is why he was in a bad mood' Naruto sipped some broth and transferred the cooked ramen in a container and placed it in the fridge.
Sasuke was in their room probably studying; so he went on to watch tv for a bit before finally going to bed.
When Naruto entered the room, he found Sasuke over the desk reviewing the application forms from the audition earlier that day.
The blond settled in his bed, pillow and arms above his head as he silently watch Sasuke sift through the documents.
"Stop staring, dobe"
"You were harsh during your speech." Naruto said waiting for a response, when he got none, he continued "Way to go talking about being passionate like that"
"I told you, it was to scare the weak hearted. Better that they know who they'll be working with…" Sasuke said as he placed some application forms in a folder, and the rest in the trash can.
"Really, that's a lot of paper you're throwing"
"Urgh, they don't even deserve to be looked at"
"You're harsh"
"I am, if I need to" Sasuke cleaned the desk and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Naruto closed his eyes a bit. It was a busy day for him, good thing none of his professors thought of giving any homework today, he's still suffering from a major holiday hang over.
When the blond opened his eyes, Sasuke is already in his sleeping clothes, headed to the opposite bed.
"I saw the ramen you cooked" Naruto started, Sasuke stopped fixing his bedding for a bit, then continued.
"Oh… rice balls and sushi are more… filling than ramen" Sasuke said as he lie down.
"Stop quoting Hinata… don't feel bad about what we ate for dinner, and besides, you like rice balls"
"True that, that's why we ate those damn rice balls and sushi and not the ramen"
Silence. Rustling of sheets could be heard - Naruto finally lay down on his bed facing Sasuke.
"Don't worry, we'll be having ramen for breakfast. And here I thought you hate those damn noodles" Naruto smiled at Sasuke as the blond turned off the lampshade.
Lights from outside their window gave a subtle silhouette of their faces.
"Thank you for coming to the mock debate" Sasuke said almost shyly.
"You were hinting a lot, it was obviously a scheme for me to come, hahaha" Naruto chuckled at the thought.
"It was my first time to have the opening remarks, refreshing really, not the one participating in the real debate" Sasuke said amusedly.
"That's not a speech that's how you actually talk - stings like a bee. It didn't even last three minutes"
"I made it somewhat… inspirational… you know…"
"Hahaha! Inspirational… and almost half the room left after that"
"Not my fault a lot of people are not up to the challenge. That includes you because you left right after my speech" Sasuke smirked at that.
"I'm not even counted, I was invited, a guest"
"I did not invite you dobe, you assumed that I am hinting for you to come."
"You BASTARD!" Naruto exasperatedly huffed and faced his back to Sasuke.
Silence once more as the two of them ponder in their own worlds.
"I meant it you know" Sasuke started and paused as if hesitant to continue. "You were the only person in that room passionate enough earning my respect"
Naruto faced Sasuke and smiled.
"You're such a softie… asshole." Naruto's smile turned to a full-blown grin.
It was Sasuke's turn to face his back to Naruto. He never did again talk making the room still as the clock signaled 11:00 pm
"Thank you, Sasuke" Naruto murmured as he finally close his eyes dreaming about swirling colors of red and black.
Naruto POV
Today is Saturday and Sasuke left early for the debate club's semi-annual leadership/team building activity and he won't be home until Sunday night. My classes are not until later this afternoon at 4pm, and I am finished with my morning jog, so I do have a handful of free time to do my unfinished assignments and some errands.
AHA! Assignments and some errands - that sounded a lot like what Sasuke would do on a normal Naruto-less day… but then, maybe not.
Sasuke is next in line for president of the debate club next year, he works as a student assistant for Mr. Kakashi during MWF, works part-time during his free time at the library's cafeteria, he even have three students to tutor every Sunday and to top it all, he is a top-notch university student. HMM! And he even has time to jog with me every Saturday morning.
He's a monster. Why does he have to be so… perfect? He even have a supportive best friend beside him no matter what as a cherry on his fucking perfect cake.
Not to mention, he doesn't look like a nerd doing all those nerdy stuff…
While I am gawking at my closet, just finished my 2 hour morning routine and have a handful of free time for unfinished assignments and some errands. Okay. I look so pathetic now…
I should be punching the wall now… Only, if I have NOT gotten over my insecurities years ago. SIGH. The hate that I felt towards Sasuke back then was in fact envy and pride. But upon knowing how his parents died, I cannot help but admire how he is today. Sometimes, I just want to hug him. HUG HIM? I definitely said hug him, right? You know, the manliest type of hug only a man like me can give.
I closed my closet door and went to the kitchen to eat. I am starving.
Finishing all that I needed to do, I went to class. Not before dropping a message to the bastard:
Don't flirt too much with the newbies. I'd be jealous. ;) YOU WISH BASTARD! Bring home dinner for tomorrow.
After classes, I tagged along with Kiba and the gang to hang out at Oasis, a local bar near the campus. I don't drink much now, unlike when we were still 1st and 2nd year college students. Maybe it's the price I have to pay for being more responsible: partying and trashing yourself til' kingdom come looks LESS appealing.
Kiba said it was Sasuke's bad influence that I lost some of my happy-go-lucky streak - I say, no, Sasuke has nothing to do with it. But deep inside, I know, that hell YES, it's mostly Sasuke's fault - not that the bastard knows.
"Naruto! Oh god, you're here!" Ino gushed as she instantly sat beside Naruto.
"Ino! Wow, your clothes look a bit decent tonight" Naruto laughed and hugged Ino.
"Long time no see blondie, you got Sasuke with you?" Ino looked around the area, hoping to find Sasuke.
"Nope, sorry to disappoint you, you'll have to deal with me all throughout the night" Naruto winked at Ino, the blonde girl giggled.
"EWW! Naruto, stop it with your flirting, pleassse" Sakura rolled her eyes as she sipped her mojitos.
"This one is a rare occasion, guys, this calls for a toast!" Kiba hollered as he passed to Naruto a bottle of beer and proposed a barbaric toast.
After some rounds of hard liquor, Kiba and Lee excused themselves and went to the dance floor, leaving Naruto, Ino, Sakura, Shikamaru and Chouji.
"Wow, look at that Kiba, man, I thought he was in to Hinata?" Naruto asked Sakura.
"Well, he kind of let the girl go, you know…" Sakura trailed off desperately trying to lower her voice for Ino not to hear, ahem. Unfortunately, it was too late.
"Oh god Naruto, you don't know? Hinata likes you!" The blonde girl gushed with excitement. Naruto on the other hand raised a brow.
"Oh god" Sakura mimicked Ino. "Why do you always have the urge to gossip, INO PIG!"
"WELL yeah FOREHEAD girl, It's time for Naruto to notice people around him, don't you think?" Ino retorted, as she sat closer to Shikamaru. "Right, Shika? Naruto is being so serious with college, not to mention that he always hang out with Sasuke - Oh Naruto, no offense, Sasuke is steamy and hot and all, but loosen up! You don't need to compete with him all the time" the blonde girl kissed Shikamaru on the cheeks.
Shikamaru on the other hand sighed and placed an arm around Ino's shoulder.
"Naruto, don't listen to Ino, you know her, a bit troublesome, do as you please, based from what I heard from the Uni, you're doing great" Shikamaru said as he took a shot of tequilla.
"But Ino does have a bit of a point, Naruto" Sakura smiled
"See?!" Ino snuggled closer to Shikamaru.
"Why don't you try to at least get to know Hinata more?" Sakura fished out her cellphone and typed something.
"Guys, are we just talking about my love life here?" Naruto sweatdropped and took a shot, not comfortable about the subject. He did have a girl friend a few years back, it was sort of short-lived though, after they broke up, Naruto never did again seriously considered being in a relationship.
"See? I just texted Hinata if we could hang out tomorrow for lunch" Sakura dangled her phone at Naruto's face.
"What the hell Sakura!" Naruto almost fumed.
"It's alright Naruto" Ino looked at him with glazed eyes, "It's just lunch, and besides me, Sakura, Kiba and Shikamaru will be there"
"I still don't think it's… proper…" Naruto glanced at Kiba who is somewhat dirty dancing with some girl in the dance floor.
"Kiba will eventually get over it. Besides, these girls are troublesome" Shikamaru looked at Naruto pointedly.
"Okay, I give up!" raising both his hands in surrender, Chouji raised his shot glass for a toast.
Sakura and Ino winked at each other, like they just had a job well done.
The night went on, Naruto and the gang got themselves drunk, danced, laughed and had fun the whole night.
It was not until Naruto had to check his phone for the time that he noticed one missed call from Sasuke.
It was already 1am, and they all decided to go home.
Upon reaching home, Naruto dialled Sasuke's number.
"Dobe"
"What took you sooo long to answer S'uke?" Naruto said a bit slurrily
A short pause and a sigh from Sasuke.
"I was sleeping idiot… Are you drunk?"
"Yes, I am S'uke… and I think, I need to hug you..." Naruto said as he collapsed in the couch.
On the other line, Sasuke raised a brow feeling a bit flushed.
"You know what S'uke, they set me up with Hinata… S'uke, me and Hinata will be having lunch tomorrow"
At that being said, Sasuke involuntarily flinched, his senses were in high alert. Sasuke listened to Naruto as the blond rambled on and on and o, only responding when asked.
"S'uke?"
"Yes, Naru" The dark-haired man almost snickered at that. 'Naru' and 'S'uke', a nickname they both use when one of them is drunk or just felt like fooling around. Funny, he felt like he wanted to see his best friend right now. Like its been so long since both called each other that.
"I like that… Naru." Naruto giggled thru the phone. "I miss you a lot S'uke, you teme. And I mean it, don't get too flirty there, I don't like anyone stealing you, S'uke-chan from me…" Naruto almost yawned at that, but immediately the words he just said started to sink in.
'Oh GOD, NO!' Naruto panicked, the effects of alcohol almost left him.
"Oh, why is that?" Sasuke almost teased Naruto.
"Oh… ummm… because… you're the bestest best friend I ever have" Naruto said feigning drunkenness.
Sasuke on the other hand didn't know what to think of that…
"Hmm… Naru?"
"Hmm yes, S'uke?"
"Me too…" Sasuke's voice was sincere when he said that, Naruto's heart almost leaped out of his ribs.
"Hmm… S'uke?" Naruto asked, unsure of what to say next.
"Yes, Naru?"
"Good night!" Naruto said almost hurriedly… "I'll see you tomorrow S'uke… don't forget dinner…"
"Of course I won't dobe."
At that, Naruto slumped further in the couch, letting his phone slide from his hands as he desperately begged the sleep fairies to finally lull him to sleep.
To be continued.
Any comments guys? :)
