Title: The Night Life
Genre: Romance, Drama, Friendship, and Psychological
Warning: OOC Characters and Awkward Conversations
Summary: A business deal led Naruto and Sasuke together. A few incidents along the way and things start getting complicated. One mistake and everything may just go wrong. But let's focus on Naruto and Sasuke. After all, what an Uchiha wants, an Uchiha gets... eventually. SASUNARUSASU.
CHAPTER FOUR
The Error
The morning sun was just rising, its colour a dazzling orange to those who were awake and about already. As such, the silver kitchen was reflecting the light and making the whole room bask in the warm glow. Even the smoke that wafted from the lone sizzling egg on the electric griddle seemed to be orange in colour as well.
A thud resounded when the refrigerator was bodily pushed closed, the male holding a pack of pork bacon in his hand being the culprit. The plastic was cut neatly by a scissor and the bacon strips were extracted one by one carefully with silver tongs then placed on the electric griddle beside the egg.
When the egg took on a brown crisp at the sides, it was taken off and placed on a porcelain plate, and then the spot it left was filled with another egg. The sizzling became louder as the bacon thawed and started being fried, curling up slowly and getting browner in colour. Piece by piece, it was taken off and replaced, and the male had a plate of one egg and four strips of bacon that he set aside. Again, he repeated the process with another plate and then another.
He turned off the electric griddle, wiped it off with a thick cloth and moved on to the stove, firing it up while simultaneously placing a medium sized Teflon pan. The olive oil on the counter beside the stove was picked up and used to spray oil on the pan before being set back down. A tan hand hovered above, checking the heat then it retreated, the male going over to the refrigerator again to pull out chopped garlic and onion and sliced beef in separate plastic containers and a bowl of white rice.
"Cooking something?" Someone suddenly asked, surprising the boy who turned around to look.
"Sasuke, yeah, could you close the refrigerator?" He moved over to the pan, opening the garlic and shuffling three teaspoon worth in. They began sizzling and onions were dropped in next followed by spam before the boy mixed them up with a wooden spoon.
"So, breakfast?" Sasuke asked from behind, peering over to look at what was being cooked. "Smells good, Naruto."
A blush stained tan cheeks, the whisker tattoo on them becoming more prominent. "Thanks," He said, dumping the bowl of rice in the pan. "This is just a simple dish, really." Naruto bit his lip, a bit embarrassed. Even his parents didn't know he could actually cook and he was always hesitant about cooking in front of others. He mixed up the fried rice, sprinkling some salt in before deeming it good. "Can you get the plates and bring them over?"
Sasuke obliged, bringing one plate after another for Naruto to scoop rice from the pan and place beside the bacon strips and egg. "This really looks good, you know." He said, holding up a finished plate near his face, smelling the waft coming from the food. "Mmm, smells good too."
"You can start eating." Naruto said with a smile, gesturing for his guest to sit on one of the five barstools he had around his breakfast counter. He took the electric griddle and placed it beside the stove, transferring the other two finished plates on the space it left. "I'm gonna go call Shikamaru at the guest room, 'kay? Oh... And thanks for the compliments, Sasuke. I hope it tastes good." He said shyly, still a bit embarrassed even if the cat was out of the bag already and he was seen while he was cooking.
The blonde shook his head and went on his way towards his guest room but he didn't need to go as far as his destination since he found his guest wandering over to the living room. "Hey, breakfast's ready." He said with a smile. "Feeling better?"
"Ah, yeah... My head hurt but I drank the pill beside my table and I feel a lot better now. Thank you," Shikamaru said. Compared to how he acted yesterday, he looked like a serious person, his moves calculated and eyes observant. "You're Naruto, right?"
Naruto brightened, glad that Chouji's friend remembered who he was despite his state last night. "Yep, I'm Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, nice to meet you. You're a good friend of Chouji, aren't you? I hope you'll still like the simple breakfast I have for you." He said with good humour, directing the other to the kitchen.
"I'm not really picky with food and breakfast smells good." Shikamaru said simply. "Sorry for giving you trouble yesterday."
"Nah, that's fine. You remember Sasuke as well?" Naruto asked as they entered the kitchen and took their seats.
Shikamaru looked over the blonde to the raven haired male. "Ah yes, Sasuke Uchiha, sorry for the trouble yesterday too."
"It's alright, no need to apologise." Sasuke replied, finishing his food.
Naruto smiled at the clean plate, taking his utensils from the wooden cup in front of him, Shikamaru doing the same. He sliced a piece of his egg and ate it, doing the same to the bacon, and then he stopped and placed his utensils on his plate. Naruto stood up and sauntered over to the refrigerator, looking over to the other two he said, "What do you want to drink? Water, orange or apple juice, maybe milk?"
Sasuke looked sideways, not meeting the blue eyes. "Do you have tomato juice?"
A melodious laugh answered him. "Yeah, I do; hold on."
"I'll have milk, thank you." Shikamaru said.
Naruto came back to the counter with two drinks, placing the glasses a little in front of the plates of his guest. "There you go," He said, going back to eating his food.
"Thank you," Sasuke murmured.
Just then, a maid came in and took Sasuke's empty plate and utensils and also the pan Naruto had used earlier, bringing them over to the sink to wash.
"Thank you," Naruto said politely. He finished his food quietly with Shikamaru, Sasuke drinking his juice on his other side. When he finished, he waited for Shikamaru and then took both their plates over to the sink, smiling at the maid. "Thanks, you didn't need to wake up early."
The maid smiled back at him, shaking her head gently.
"Naruto," Shikamaru said, catching Naruto's attention.
"Sup?"
"I called Chouji when I woke up to come pick me up. He just texted that he's near so I'm going to wait outside." Shikamaru pointed his thumb over to the door leading out of the kitchen and added, "No need to go with me, I'll be cool. See you later if you're going over to Akimichi's."
"Al right, I'll definitely go by with Sasuke later. Let's hang, 'aight?" Naruto gave an easy smile and did a two fingered salute as the other boy left the kitchen.
Naruto looked at Sasuke and walked over to the counter to lean over toward the other. "You look like you're really enjoying that drink of tomato juice." He said smoothly with a teasing smile. "I was thinking I'll let you meet my friend, Kiba, formally. Yesterday's meeting was not such a lasting one."
Sasuke hummed in agreement, lightly rubbing his lips on the rim of his glass. "Okay, I didn't get to converse much with him."
"Sorry," Naruto chuckled sheepishly.
Sasuke shrugged. "Technically, it wasn't really anyone's fault. Don't apologise." He hopped down the bar chair and deposited his empty glass on the counter beside the sink and went over to clamp a hand on the other's solid shoulder. "So, where are we going? I'm gonna need to change my clothes and take a shower in my hotel first."
*~*~*NARUSASU*~*~*
"This seems so wrong."
"What? There's nothing wrong happening right now."
A stream of light spilled out from the slightly open bathroom door, a calming noise of spattering water and slick sounds coming out to mix with the muting sound of the air conditioner. The carpet of the room was dark blue and covered the whole expanse of the room; the white leather couch, brown lazy boy, two huge closets and the king sized bed. On top of it, creasing the perfectly laid out furry and soft looking comforter was Naruto, his hand smoothing over the expensive material as he laid his head down on the equally expensive white pillows. His leg was dangling down the side of the bed, swinging absentmindedly as the blonde continued conversing with the other man in the shower.
On Naruto's other hand was a wet towel that just finished doing its job of drying his blonde hair and body. He was now donning a crisp white polo shirt that was slightly see-through and very much fitted, exposing his tan abs for the world to see. And on his legs were faded navy blue khaki plaid cargo shorts.
The light ruining the dark Naruto was basking in suddenly disappeared and the blonde looked up from his position. "Done?" He asked, surveying the dripping raven locks and semi-nude porcelain white skinned boy whose family jewels were covered only by a pair of dark boxers. "Or, well, no, you're obviously not done."
Sasuke cocked his head to the side as he rubbed at his hair roughly. "Oh? I'm done though," He looked down at his form and looked back up to meet blue eyes. "In a minute or two; I just have to dry my hair."
Naruto nodded. "You have a nice body." He sat up and threw his towel at the other who deftly caught it with ease. "You have a lithe body, I like it."
"Thanks," Sasuke moved over to drop the towels he was holding on the bathroom floor and then walked over to his closet, taking out his white Bermuda shorts. He expertly pulled it up his body over his boxers and snapped the hook in the bar then buttoned the outside clasp, tugging at the drawstring to make it fit better. "So," He said after he put on his black crew neck t-shirt. "We're visiting Kiba at his work in the vet?"
"Nah, we're visiting him at their dog café not the vet. The vet is for the animals to go to," Naruto said with a chuckle. "We're going to the café, get some drinks while the dogs run around the shop and have a good time. Sounds good, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, I thought they only had those kinds of café in Korea. Well, I know of a cat café there, I ate lunch at one once." Sasuke said, rubbing at the mercerized cotton jersey of his t-shirt. "I love this shirt, it feels great."
"You look great." Naruto said nonchalantly, standing up. "Shall we then?" He smiled at the other, walking towards him to the main door when his hand was taken. "Sasuke?"
Sasuke lifted the tan hand he held and pressed the palm on his chest, rubbing it on the material of his shirt. "Really, agree with me; it feels great."
"Sasuke…" Naruto laughed. "Yeah, yeah, it feels great. Like… it feels great. Seriously," He grinned slightly, placing his free hand on top of the raven's left shoulder to steady himself as he turned to stand facing him. "Sasuke," Naruto leaned toward him, his face nearing the other. "Are you curious?"
Sasuke looked up from observing the hand he placed on his chest and locked with blue eyes. "Curious about what?" He asked, a smile teasing at his lips, he let his grip on the tan hand loose and the warmth he got from it left, leaving only a lingering memory. "About you? Or something…" Sasuke reached up and placed his hand over the other's wrist of the hand holding his shoulder and let it hang. "That involves you?"
Naruto held the onyx eyes with his gaze for a little while longer after the other spoke before looking away and shrugging then turned and smiled. "Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke…" Naruto took his hand away and shoved it into his pocket, ignoring the look of a kitten losing its meal on the other's face. "Right, let's go?" He asked as Sasuke walked over to the door and held it open. "Yup, let's go. I'm driving."
Sasuke chuckled lightly and then gradually started laughing, gripping Naruto's shoulder as the other walked past him and out the hotel room.
"What's so funny?" Naruto asked, slightly perturbed but happy at the sight of the other's face lighting up in delight.
"It's because…" Sasuke breathed in, trying to stop himself from laughing. "I know you're driving; you didn't really need to say so. I mean, forget it. I don't know why I was laughing so hard in the first place." He shook his head and let go of the shoulder he was holding, walking forward, the hotel door closing behind him with a soft but audible click. "I seem silly now." Sasuke murmured, a slight pout gracing his features
"Sorry to ruin your fun," Naruto said, shaking his head in amusement. "I have to figure your humour out. Remind me," He told the raven, poking him in the chest playfully. "And help me."
Sasuke gave him a playfully affronted look. "Alright, I got it; make fun of my burst of laughter." He said, his slight pout still in place to add to the effect. "A sudden lapse in my logic and you're poking fun at me. Let's see how you like it."
"Oh really? Well, next time when I do it, I'll just remind you of this time. What do you think?" Naruto asked, as he encircled his arm around the other's back near his shoulders and the nape of his neck.
"Mm, I'll then inform you that what you said is a low blow and I should arrest you for it." Sasuke nudged the other, pushing him away but without much force.
"Arrest me, huh?"
"Gives you ideas, doesn't it?" Sasuke suggestively raised his eyebrows, this time extracting himself from the other as he did so. And before the other could complain about the comment, if the look of concern appearing on the tan face was any indication, he said, "Time's-a-ticking." Whilst moving over to the elevators and pressing the button down.
"And the dogs can't wait?" Naruto complained as he stepped in the elevator after its silver doors opened for them.
"I always enjoy a good polite flirting." Sasuke remarked, licking his lips. "But, you seem to have an aversion to it." He said, fixing his hair with the reflection on the doors of the elevator. "So, this friend of yours, Kiba, is he good to talk with? I don't mean anything; just, do you think we'll hit it off?"
Naruto looked over curiously, sparing the opening silver doors just a glance as he stepped out of the transportation. "It's alright, I'll be with you and Kiba'll be busy with work anyway. His sister is quite… commanding when on duty."
"I see," Sasuke replied simply. He got in Naruto's car, adjusting his clothes to not wrinkle as he clicked the seat belt home.
Naruto shrugged, turning the engine on and then slipped out of the parking lot, waiting until he was in the midst of the busy city road to answer. "Just so you don't forget; we're having late lunch over at Chouji's later. Maybe we can call it 'lunner'? You know, lunch and dinner together and we get 'lunner'." He smiled.
Sasuke snorted, shaking his head. "How adorable, you are." A smile spread over on his face, almost lecherously. "And such a dork,"
"I'm not stupid, you jackass." Naruto retorted, throwing a weak punch at his companion.
"Relax, baby, did I hurt your feelings?" Sasuke caught the fist nearing his face and brushed his lips over the tan knuckles. "Let me kiss your metaphorical booboo."
"Such… a jackass," Naruto whined, his lips quirked on one side into a smile. He took his hand back to shift the gear. "You know… a dork… I'd love to punish and see red and leaking."
Sasuke grimaced, face confused. "Are you using that word with a definition I don't know?"
"Mm, I'll torture you a little by not telling you. You can search it up on the net when we get to Kiba's. If you get it right, I might even kiss you." Naruto threatened teasingly.
"Looking forward to that," Sasuke said. He leaned his face over to the glass window, watching the city go by. "It's pretty out here."
"Yeah, my city is awesome!"
"Sure."
"But you just said so!" When Naruto heard no reply from the other, he continued, "Hey, don't ignore me. You can't just say something and then lose interest in it when I'm trying to build a conversation on it. Sasuke? Sasuke… Sasuke, I swear…"
"You're really… funny."
Naruto sputtered, clearly peeved by how he was being laughed at. "Fine, bully the driver who also owns the car."
"That doesn't make sense and it doesn't matter, silly." Sasuke replied and then leaned over placing a chaste kiss on the other's scarred cheek. "Since you seem to like contact," He explained and then turned away. "What kind of music do you like?"
"I… I like," Naruto trailed off, thinking for a moment and then started his sentence again.
Author's Comments: Hey, you have reached the end! If I haven't already managed to entice your curiosity by mentioning "Morning After Dark" in the past few chapters, then let me just invite you over to my profile page to check out my other stories. Please do visit :)
Much love to you and the yaoi rebellion,
~Maz.
All Rights Reserved © Maz 2013