It's amazing how one review can give you so much inspiration to keep a story going. Again for Madidi.

"I still don't get why you just don't leave him."

Naruto stared at the message in his facebook inbox and couldn't think of a single thing to say in defense of his relationship with Choji. His face tensed and he gnawed his lips but all he got was a total blank and he began to think that maybe he was a bad boyfriend. Sasuke never had a loss of joke material about Choji and rather than get upset Naruto always found himself laughing and agreeing. Although he was grateful that Sasuke could always get him to laugh at himself he was beginning to think of himself as a bad boyfriend. Even his brother Kyuubi and his wife Sakura had material from their brief meeting with Choji. Yes, some members of his family had FINALLY met his illusive boyfriend and not a moment too soon. They were beginning to think that Choji was imaginary and that perpetual single life was driving Naruto nuts. Even though the blond felt justified in his actions, he had to admit that he felt a tad sneaky. The fact was that he had to trick Choji into meeting his brother and sister in law.

Here's how it happened…

Naruto had just confirmed his evening's plans with Choji who was finally coming over for a visit. To say that their relationship was stretched thin was an understatement. Naruto had been the one making most of the trips to see his boyfriend and he was beginning to think that he was taking on the majority of the workload of making the relationship function. Not to mention the fact that they only text now every three days or so. Naruto would go silent and see just how long it would take for Choji to notice and it seemed like it was always three days when his chubby man would check in with him. So, after not having seen eachother for weeks Choji sent him a text claiming that he missed him and wanted to see him. Naruto suspected that he just missed his ass and wanted sex but he was willing to take what he could get. The blond went through stages as far as how he felt about Choji. He would be sad at first at Choji's distance, then he would get angry at how much of an asshole he was, he would shift then into resignation and make himself believe that he himself was wrong and that Choji was doing the best he could with a menial job and 50 miles between them. His feelings toward the relationship would shift like the image in a kaleidoscope so much so that he could only describe what he was feeling as turmoil. Thinking on it gave him headaches and he would just decide to let it be. It all boiled down to the fact that he was either going to leave Choji or he wasn't and he always found himself unable to do it. However, today brought a ray of light since Choji was taking initiative and deciding to visit and Naruto found himself in love again. Butterflies beat against the walls of his stomach and he immediately took the chance as he saw it. He shot his brother a quick message.

"Choji is coming tonight. Stop by after 10."

The night went as he had expected. They made the pretext of watching a movie and then Choji mentioned that since he came there straight from work that he needed a shower and that he would love if Naruto joined him for some wet soapy fun. Now some people might think that this is one of those great romantic scenarios but it really wasn't. Yet he was grateful for the fact that he had prepared for it. He had showered before Choji arrived since this wasn't the first time he made the request even though Naruto wished it would be the last. They undressed quickly and Naruto made his way into the shower with Choji following minutes after. It was a small bathroom with a small shower so anyone with imagination can imagine how awkward it was to have a pleasantly plump man with his huge boyfriend trying to maneuver in the tiny space. The blond grabbed his wash cloth and lamented the fact the Choji never used them. The very first time that the wash cloth subject came up Naruto was puzzled and wondered how a person could manage showering and/or bathing without a cloth, but after watching Choji's washing ritual it became clear. Even though he watched Choji shower a handful of times he could never wrap his head around it. Having rinsed himself clean of soap they attempted the dangerous move of switching places in the shower so that Choji could stand under the water spray. Naruto found himself with his front pressed against the wall of the shower as Choji's stomach pressed and rubbed against his back as he squeezed by to the front of the shower and Naruto thanked God that no one slipped and fell out. He stood behind his boyfriend and watched the water fall down his back. This was supposed to be sexy, right? Choji had a wide pale back with sparse, wide flat moles and it image always reminded him of pizza. The way cheese would melt on the pie and dark spots appeared where the cheese burned. He didn't miss the irony since Choji worked at a pizza place. Naruto resisted the urge he got to pick at the large skin tag on the back in front of him as Choji poured shampoo on his hands and lathered that damned twilight vampire hair. Then as an afterthought he wiped his shampoo lathered hands across his torso, across his armpits and over his groin… ass left untouched.

Yep, definitely sexy.

Choji wasn't clean enough to be a bottom and you couldn't pay Naruto to play seme and touch that unwashed anus. How Choji seemed to bank on his confidence in getting his ass clean with just wiping with toilet paper after shitting was beyond the blond but he kept his mouth shut to keep the peace. Choji turned around and ran his hands over Naruto's chest paying special attention to his nipples. He pinched and twisted them hard enjoying the shiver he caused. Of course he shivered, it hurt! But at least he felt something. Hell, even pain was better than nothing so he took it in stride. A meaty hand cupped his balls and Naruto was always thankful when he managed to get and erection. A finger tickled at his entrance and he forced a moan. A wet body pressed against his own and Naruto got scared and uncomfortable. Choji's Santa Claus belly was a danger in the shower as it always got in the way. It pressed against Naruto's midsection and put him off balance. He found himself focused more on not falling over instead of Choji's open mouth, hot breath kiss. He pressed against the belly trying not to fall and Choji mistook it as eagerness. He turned off the shower and grabbed Naruto's arm guiding him to the bedroom.

"I want you on top."

Naruto obediently climbed on, his knees barely touching the mattress as his thighs stretched to accommodate and it felt as if he was straddling a wide, pickle barrel. Choji grabbed Naruto around his waist and helped lift him. The blond felt the tip slide around searching rubbing from his balls to his taint to the pucker and back almost in confusion. Getting frustrated Choji reached down lifting his belly up and out the way and grabbing his penis and guiding it to Naruto's hole. Finally getting in the right position he pressed his hips up and breached the opening. Naruto winced and tried to force himself to relax knowing that tensing in discomfort only made it hurt worse. It hurt but that was okay.

At least he felt something.

But it was short lived as a few thrusts later it was numb again. He used his usual technique of placing his hands on the wall and grinding hard. Bouncing was out of the question since Choji would always slip out of him and it put too much stress on Naruto's thighs especially since he couldn't push off from the mattress with his knees. He moved his hips as fast as he could. Choji twisted his nipples again and he shot out many whorish moans. Sometimes Choji could last for what felt like forever. Of course, Naruto knew that stamina in a man was a good thing but he would always reach a point when he realized that the sex was going to be as numb as it always was and it was then that he just would want Choji to cum and let him go to sleep and be done with it. He lamented that hope. That hope that this time would be different and he would get an orgasm. It made him crave Choji physically to think that the time would come in which his world would be rocked with an earth shattering orgasm if he could just be patient. He was human of course. His body wanted physical pleasure. He would get aroused at the idea of sex with his boyfriend. But he suspected that it was the novelty that excited him. He was inexperienced and still very new to sex so the idea of having it excited him. So the disappointment would hit him twice as hard when it would all be for nothing. He was brought out of his musing as Choji cupped his face and stared into his eyes, hips still rocking.

"Can I tell you something?" he whispered unsurely. Naruto smiled and nodded. Choji's porky arm fell back against the mattress and his eyes closed in the very picture of pleasurable abandon. "I think I am falling in love with you." Naruto never stopped grinding but he felt his insides stutter as if his very blood stilled for a moment. His smile never dropped and in real time there was no hesitation but in Naruto's mind everything around him fell silent and the world fell into a pinpoint in which this singularity of a moment was all there was. He was panicked.

"I love you too, Baby." He responsed. To Choji's eyes it was warm and sincere but to Naruto deep down within it rang robotic, tinny and false like the voice wasn't his own. He said it in response to Choji saying it and it would have been rude to not say it back. He leaned down and kissed that open panting mouth and they redoubled their efforts. It was soon (but not soon enough) that Choji came hard pulling out and jerking himself to finish. Naruto didn't like when Choji came inside him and the chubby man refused to wear condoms claiming he never wore them even when he dated girls. He rolled to the side after Choji was done and watched as the man got up and wiped himself free of cum. It had become common for Choji to get up after sex and play video games when they did it at his place but usually when they had sex at Naruto's apartment he just rolled over and went to sleep. Having wiped himself down he laid back next to the blond and whipped out his phone. He began watching music videos in his boredom and Naruto laid on his shoulder to seen the small screen and saw that a Beyonce' video was on.

"She is so fucking hot." Choji said as he stared at the phone. Naruto frowned.

"Well, yeah but she is wearing makeup and fake hair. Take that away and she looks just like every other pretty girl."

"Nah she is even hot without the makeup. And she's got that perfect body."

Naruto couldn't help but feel self-conscious and a little jealous.

"Yeah I guess. She's Beyonce'. She is as close to perfect as you can get.

"If your skin was a little darker you would be the same complexion as her." Choji stupidly said and Naruto suddenly felt cheap. "Come on, there isn't a celebrity you would fuck if you had the chance?"

"No."

"Liar."

"I'm serious. A celebrity is a gimmick. They are just a regular person in costume portraying themselves as a sexual commodity. They are fantasies. But underneath it all they are just like everyone else."

"So you wouldn't fuck Channing Tatum or Zac Efron if you could?"

"I said no, Choji." Naruto was getting irritated.

"So… if we were married and our kids were starving you wouldn't fuck a celebrity if they would pay you five hundred thousand dollars?"

"…. All that is stupid. No celebrity would pay me that amount of cash for a one night stand and that's not even the same thing! Having sex for money to feed my starving children? Come on Cho."

"But you would though for your family."

"…Yeah if I had to."

"that's what I thought."

Naruto pulled away from Choji's shoulder and feigned trying to sleep. Another thing to add to the list of things he hated about Choji. If he wasn't winning a debate he would throw in a stupid point and turn things around. Naruto heard the moans of a porn star from the phone and glanced over seeing a black chick with pink hair squirting all over the camera.

"That's Pinky. She is one of my favorite porn stars. Her and Jada Fire." Choji said conversationally. Naruto was no stranger to porn and didn't care if Choji watched it but it irritated him when his boyfriend would talk about how physically perfect other people were. He knew he was stupid for feel self-conscious about it but he couldn't help himself. "I love women that squirt and bottoms that shoot cum everywhere. The messier the better." Naruto knew that Choji didn't appreciate that he was not a messy sex partner. He always hid the fact that he didn't cum by either pretending to eat his own semen or making it look like he was just wiping it on the blanket so there was nothing he could do about that. In fact, Choji had mentioned his love of Beyonce' times before so Naruto was aware of it but he could never shake the pain of it and the fact that Choji had let that 'similar complexion' comment slip made it worse. Being 'exotic' brought with it the risk of being someone's fetish or flavor of the month and regardless of the love confession Choji sprung on him he suspected that the fat guy may have been satisfying a craving for chocolate flavored sushi in being with him.

"LITTLE BROOOOTHEEEERRRR!" he heard call from outside. His face lit up and he hopped out the bed and ran to his window pulling up the blinds and looking into the parking lot. His brother's silver car was outside and he had his red head sticking out of the window as he squinted up at the windows of Naruto's apartment. Naruto pulled the tricky window open.

"Hey big bro! I'm surprised you are out this late!"

"Yeah we are just getting back from hanging out with our brethren!"

Naruto suppressed an eyeroll. He would never get used to the fact that his brother was a Jehovah's Witness.

"Ok cool! Come on up!"

"What?!" Choji yell-whispered behind him on the bed before he jumped up and began grabbing his clothes. Kyuubi pulled off to the side to find parking. Naruto calmly slipped on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt as Choji fumbled to put on his entire outfit. The blond glanced out the window and saw Kyuubi waiting as Sakura and Konohamaru climbed out the small vehicle and they began walking to the door. Choji was finally getting his last sock on as Naruto buzzed them in. Konohamaru's excited footsteps sounded down the hall until he burst through the door as if he owned the place. Naruto's nephew seemed to have an unending reservoir of energy but that was expected from a sixteen year old.

"Hey Uncle!" he chirped happily to Naruto.

"'Sup Ru? Ru, this is Choji. Choji this is Konohamaru." Ru (as Konohamaru was called by the family) took wide strides toward Choji and extended his hand with a boyish grin.

"Sup, Choji?"

"Hey man, what's up?"

"Nothing much. Nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise."

At this moment Sakura and Kyuubi came into the place all smiles and politeness but Naruto wasn't fooled. He knew that at first sight they were filing away little gems to laugh about in the car and he was ashamed to admit to himself that he was looking forward to hearing them.

"Hey man! OH MY GOD YOU ARE REAL!" Kyuubi said dramatically as he heartily shook Choji's hand. Choji glanced down at the hand gripping his.

"Jeez, dude it like grabbing a bunch of bananas. Your hands are huge!" Choji said in surprise even though Naruto mentioned to him before that his brother had hands that were huge beyond reason. Kyuubi looked slightly taken aback but recovered quickly.

"Yeah man what can I say? And I work on cars so sorry about the callouses. You know cars?"

"Nah I am more of a gamer."

"…Oh yeah? Ok cool." Kyuubi said. Naruto could hear the disapproval in his voice.

"Hello, I am Sakura, Naruto's sister-in- law and Kyuu's wife." Sakura spoke up and walked forward to shake Choji's hand. Naruto hated her high pitched nasally voice but he was glad to have her there that night. Honestly this was the most real the relationship had felt for him but that wasn't saying much. Naruto watched from the side for a moment as they exchanged first meeting pleasantries and noticed that Choji looked nervous. It was a strange kind of nervous. Or maybe Naruto himself was projecting his own thoughts of the situation onto Choji? What bothered Naruto was how badly Choji didn't fit. His family with their dark skin and circus colored hair while Choji just looked so out of place. Even Ru's darker auburn red hair didn't help Choji blend. Choji's pale skin seemed to glow amongst them after Naruto turned on the tv and plugged in his Prometheus dvd. They talked about the movie and Sakura would shoot in some nearly interview like questions that made Naruto laugh as Choji answered them honestly and Naruto knew they wouldn't approve because if he were on the outside looking in he himself would not approve. Choji let it slip that he had gotten drunk years ago on about ten long island iced teas and Naruto held back a face palm as Sakura's contact enhanced green eyes briefly met his blue ones. He hated her contact lenses by the way. The entire time he had known her she had brown eyes so it was hard getting used to the green. And don't get him started on the pink hair.

The visit ended with the movie and his family said their goodbyes and took the short trip home right around the corner. Choji rlaxed into the sectional with a sigh.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting them to come." Naruto said in a blatant lie.

"It's cool. I thought I was gonna die when you told them to come up. I'm surprised he didn't do that whole 'if you hurt my sister' spiel."

"Nah we are an open and laid back family more or less. Plus I am 27 years old. By this point everyone is ready for me to find someone. You can't imagine how eager everyone has been about you since I am known as the lone ranger."

"Do you think they liked me?"

"Honestly I have no idea." Another lie among many now.

They retired to bed and Naruto was envious of just how quickly Choji could fall asleep while on average it took him between twenty minutes to half an hour to doze off if he wasn't exhausted beforehand. He grabbed his phone and shot Ru and quick message.

"What did you guys think about Choji?" he said anticipating the reply. Ru text back immediately.

"Well, I hate to tell you but we laughed all the way home and into the house."

Naruto stifled a chuckle.

"Tell me."

"Well dad now refers to him as the Michelin/pizza man and Sakura thinks that he is an alcoholic. Why did you look like you were naked when you came to the window?"

"I wasn't. Shut up."

"What were y'all doing before we showed up?"

"Goodnight, Ru - _-" Naruto set his alarm and tried to sleep with Choji hogging the bed and was upset to realize he wouldn't sleep as often happened when he slept with Choji and the sun would be rising in three hours.

That had all happened a week ago and no word yet from Choji. Naruto decided to let his plump man set the pace for how often they spoke since he was sick of waiting to get responses. He could send Choji a text and would get a response hours later, a day later, or no response at all.

He was getting disillusioned with the relationship just as he was with the cyber relationship with the homeless guy he hadn't heard from again. The only difference is that in this relationship with Choji he was physically invested which forced him to be emotionally invested as well. Someone's first was special and never forgotten. Choji had a part of Naruto that was precious and he could never get it back no matter how badly he wished he could. Then again many bottoms and females wish the same; that they had waited or that they had chosen a different guy. The difference is that Naruto HAD waited. He waited until he was nearly 28 to give himself to someone but it seemed that it didn't make a difference. He had chosen the wrong man and he was stuck with him. He still had the notion that he wanted to only share himself with one man and if things didn't work out with Choji that idea was totally obliterated. With a sigh, he searched through Sasuke's previous messages and fished for his cell number. Finding it he keyed it into his phone and sent him a text message.

"Teme."

This was breaking new ground since Sasuke had never gotten Naruto's number. But it was time to make a change. Sasuke was too fun to talk to to pass up the opportunity. Plus he and TenTen had been distant lately since he himself was dating and she had been distracted having problems with her boyfriend, so having another friend to converse with would take the edge off. His phone beeped with a new text.

"Naruto is that you?"

"Yeah, who else calls you Teme."

"Only the blond Dobe of course. What made you finally text me?"

"Temporary insanity."

"Lol what r u up 2?"

"Reflecting on my cesspool of a life."

"Ah, is Whole Milk giving you problems again?"

"Lol don't call him that."

"You called him that first."

"I was angry at the time."

"He makes you angry a lot I see."

"Isn't that how relationships are supposed to be?"

"To an extent. He upsets you more than he should."

"He's not really doing anything."

"Exactly. And him doing nothing is what is making you doubt him."

"He is doing what he can."

"…Is he?"

"….."

"When's the last time he contacted u?"

"Bout a week ago."

"-_-"

"He's probably busy."

"Too busy for the man he 'loves'?"

"He sleeps a lot."

"Stop making excuses for him."

"I am his boyfriend. I am trying to be good to him."

"You are TOO good for him."

"… idk."

There was a minute of stillness.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm not in Pennsylvania right now?"

"Where are you then?"

"I am back home visiting my mom."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Another moment of silence.

"Can we hang out?"

"…I don't know. Choji won't like that."

"You told him about me and the fact that we are friends."

"Well, yeah but we are online friends. It's different. Plus he doesn't like you."

"Because I am competition."

"Lol no u aren't. U r my friend you jerk!"

"He is insecure because he isn't handling his business. If you were taken care of he wouldn't have to distrust u. I kno know you are loyal. But he is killing that bond u have with him with his negligence."

"I won't hurt him. He has been hurt before n I won't add to that."

"…is that the only reason? U won't be with me so u won't hurt him? Very selfless. I didn't hear u say u would stay with him cuz u love him."

Naruto hesitated.

"I DO love him."

"Really?"

"YES!"

"No need to get angry lol. We r just friends right? Are u not allowed to have friends?"

"It's not like that."

"Sounds like he is trying to control u."

"U r twisting things around!"

"I am just calling it how I c it. He doesn't want to work to keep u but he always wants u on call."

It wasn't that Naruto wasn't seeing a lot of the things that Sasuke was pointing out but he was embarrassed to admit that he was right. After waiting so long to pick a guy to be with his first pick was a bad one. How humiliating! But he still had his principles.

"HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG! He doesn't cheat. He doesn't hit me. It could be worse."

"Do u hear yourself?! It frustrates me to see a good uke cling to a seme that doesn't deserve them! I know you are a great guy and I wan happy with someone even if it turns out to not be me. I would be hurt if u were with someone else but I can't bear to c u waste yourself with a guy who don't seem to give a fuck about u."

"I get what you are saying, but I am trying to make this work. You know how I feel about my one guy rule."

"So you are willing to live the rest of your life in misery for this rule?"

"I can make the best of a less than ideal situation. I am trying to make this work."

"I don't know if I want to slap or kiss u. How stubborn can someone be?!"

"lol."

"Come hang out with me. I swear I won't try anything. We can watch movies."

"where are you anyways?"

"Im at the Marriott off the freeway on Middleton and Abbey."

"I know where that is."

"You work tonight right? Just come here when you get off in the morning. Choji don't even have to know."

"I will be exhausted and I will need a shower."

"Cool. Sleep and shower here."

Naruto tilted his head back against his headboard and shut his eyes. This was wrong. It wasn't cheating but it was wrong. Choji would not approve of this. But where the hell was he? What right did he have to tell Naruto anything?

"I will be there."

A few hours later

Naruto pressed against Kurenai's diaphragm harder trying to help her cough and dislodge the phlegm from her throat but was unsuccessful. The old woman complained of being unable to breath. It had been a long trying day with Kurenai whining and making demands on both Naruto and Jaraiya and his control was beginning to snap.

"I need to go to the hospital." Kurenai choked out. Naruto removed his pressing palms from her belly and placed his hands on his hips in thought. The hospital was a bad thing for him. Many times when his clients went to the hospital they didn't come out. Elderly people were fragile, generally gross and took forever to heal. With Kurenai's situation it may be a while before they discharge her if the ever did at all. If she ended up in a home then that was the end of Naruto's income and he would either have to find a new client or another job.

"Try to calm down Kurenai. Maybe some tea will help and I will rub your chest with Vapor rub to loosen it up."

"No. Call 911! Get Jaraiya!" she demanded as her withered chicken wing-like arm flung around jerkily.

Naruto sighed in resignation and knocked on the spare bedroom door. Jaraiya peeked his head out with a gruff 'yeah?'.

"Kurenai isn't breathing to well and insists that she needs an ambulance."

Jaraiya came out and walked into the master bedroom. Naruto went in the other direction to the den and began to gather his belongings before the excitement could begin. Jaraiya called the ambulance and his two daughters Betsy and Marlene letting them know the situation. In about twenty minutes a gurney was rolled into the apartment. Naruto called his boss and let him know the situation. He was instructed to make sure the family didn't need him and that he could go home and await further instructions.

Fucking great.

He watched from his car as Kurenai was put into the back of the ambulance and it wailed away to whatever hospital she was going to. She made this huge fuss about refusing to go to University hospital and he wasn't sure where they would take her. He didn't really care. He was suddenly depressed. Things always seemed to take turns for the worst with him and he was never surprised when it did.

He needed a distraction.

He pulled out his phone and shot Sasuke a text. It wasn't very late, around eight, and he wondered if he was busy.

"Hey u busy?"

"No y?"

"My old lady might die and I don't feel like driving home only to come there tomorrow. Wanna chill 4 awhile right now?"

"Yeah! Come on over."

"K. There in like 20."

Naruto put up a post on facebook as an afterthought saying "Chilling with my friend tonight" and began to make his way to the hotel.

It wasn't super easy to find. It was a smaller building nestled amongst others and he had to weave through a couple parking lots to get there. He text Sasuke saying he was outside and asked him to come down. He checked the mirror and made sure his nose and eyes were free of boogers. From his vantage point he could see anyone who entered or exited the hotel and he was more nervous than he had ever remembered being. His palms and armpits were sweaty and his heart was beating a mile a minute. He was meeting Sasuke at a hotel. It sounded sordid outside of context. On top of the normal anxiety he felt of meeting someone new, he had the added stress of how this wasn't fair to Choji. Granted he wasn't doing anything wrong but Choji would be upset if he knew. Hell if the roles were reverse Naruto would feel betrayed and hurt.

Sasuke came outside.

It couldn't be anyone but him. Those bangs, that pale skin and that 6'8 tall frame. He saw him spark up a cigarette and take a puff. Naruto wasn't a smoker and never would be. Of course, Choji partook in smoking weed on a regular basis which Naruto was cool with. In fact he preferred it since the tobacco made him cough and made his throat raw while marijuana didn't. He grabbed his messenger bag and climbed out of the car as smoothly as he could and made his way through the parking lot to the tall giant. Sasuke watched him approach and stubbed out the cigarette as he neared.

"Hey. I was wondering if you would change your mind." He said with a smirk.

"I almost did. Has anyone ever told you that you are freakishly tall?"

Sasuke chuckled and glanced away and Naruto found himself less nervous as he realized that Sasuke was shy. Very much so obviously.

"Yeah I get that a lot. You are tall too you know."

"Yeah but you make me feel short."

Sasuke shrugged meeting his eyes again before looking to his left.

"This restaurant here is pretty good. You hungry?"

Naruto looked over at the place.

"Phil the Fire? That's an interesting name."

"Yeah they got great chicken and waffles. Of course they got other stuff too."

"Yeah we can go. I got a few bucks."

Sasuke met his eyes again briefly and then looked away with a chuckle.

"Why would I offer it if I wasn't paying?"

"You know I don't let guys pay for me and how I feel about that."

"And you know that I am just offering as a friend. Come on we have been friends for months now. Nearly a year. Just let me pay for the meal and you can get the next one if it makes you feel better."

Naruto looked really hard at Sasuke mindful of the fact that he had to tilt his head back to do it. Sasuke's eyes would meet his for a moment, shift to glance around, and he would force them back only to repeat the motions. He obviously had issues with eye contact. Naruto guessed he was handsome but he wasn't sure. One thing Naruto learned about himself was that while he was dating one person he was immune to the passing charms of others. To see another man as sexy while he was dating Choji was wrong to him so he wouldn't really be able to tell if Sasuke was drop dead gorgeous until he was out of Choji's hold. He saw that Sasuke had soulful black eyes and artsy black hair but what really caught his eye were his fingers. They were long slender and beautiful. In a moment of boldness Naruto reached out and grabbed the pale hand. He placed his own palm against Sasuke's and marveled as Sasuke curved the tips of his fingers over the tops of his easily.

"Wow. You have alien hands." He exclaimed. Sasuke pulled his hand back and contorted his fingers jerkily and Naruto was reminded of the facehuggers from Aliens and nearly had a fearful reaction when Sasuke pressed the palm against his forehead and wrapped his fingers around his head. Naruto pulled back laughing and couldn't believe how comfortable he was. It felt as if they had been friends forever.

"So what else they serve at this place?" he asked as he began walking toward the restaurant. Sasuke's long legs fell into step.

"You will see."

It was so strange! It was the first time they had every met but they knew eachother intimately. They knew eachother's birthday, favorite colors, family member's names, favorite foods, pet peeves… it was almost uncanny. After months and months of online conversations it was as if Naruto was sitting and having a drink with an old friend that he had lunch with on a regular basis. There was no awkwardness and they never had to fish for topic of conversation. Naruto could say something and Sasuke would know what he was talking about without the need for a back story. It was perfect. But with a couple drinks in him Naruto was suspecting that he was talking too much but was helpless to stop it.

"Moegi said that you were a stalker HAHAHAHA!" he heard himself say and wished he hadn't said it. Sasuke's eyes traveled away thoughtfully as he mulled that over.

"It doesn't bother you that I was going out with her for a while does it?"

"Why should it? I mean she and I aren't friends-friends. More like acquaintances. Besides what difference does it make?" he said sipping his rum and coke. Sasuke gave him a level look.

"I don't want it to be a problem when you finally leave your lame as boyfriend and decide to give me a chance." He confessed. Naruto paused for half a beat before rolling his eyes.

"You are gonna have to let that idea go."

"I will never give up." Sasuke sounded so serious that Naruto almost believed him.

"Anyways aren't you still in love with your best friend?" Naruto asked popping a piece of popcorn chicken in his mouth. Sasuke made a sour face in consideration.

"He is making it kind of hard. He is one of those people who think it is an honor to be friends with them."

"Sounds like your mom."

"Yeah kinda."

"It makes sense to fall in love with someone who reminds you of your mother. You know, the whole Oedipus compex?"

"I am not a fan of my mom. We have…. Issues."

"I think it's natural to hate your parents to a certain extent. We are just expected to love them. They feel as if we owe them our lives since they birthed and raised us. Nevermind the fact that we didn't ask to be here. I always remind my mom of the fact that I was the last thing on her mind during my conception. She even told me the manner of which that came about actually." He said. Sasuke looked disgusted.

"Your mom tells you about her sex life?"

"My mom literally tells me everything. I don't know if it is because the chemo and radiation fried her brain or because she has no one else to talk to. Whatever the reason I am her living diary, business handler and reluctant slave in this life of misery and unending poverty. Remind me to thank her again for bringing me into this world."

Sasuke nodded sagely and reached for his own drink.

"It seems to me like you expect the worst out of life and resign yourself when things go to shit. Like relationships for example."

"Don't start."

"Hehehe I'm just sayin'."

"Whatever teme."

Sasuke shook his head and retrieved his debit card from the waitress after paying the bill.

"You ready to come up? I got Case 39 on my laptop and I haven't watched it yet."

"Oh it's awful. I will be happy to criticize and laugh at it with you."

"Cool."

The hotel room wasn't much to speak of but the bed was awesome. Naruto didn't realize that there was so much space in a king bed and he wondered why Choji's fat ass didn't have one. Since Sasuke had never seen the movie he was a little more engrossed in it than Naruto was and with his short attention span the blond was getting restless. He grabbed a penny that was sitting on the nightstand and chucked it as Sasuke hitting him in his slight Buddha belly. Sasuke glanced down at the penny, lazily picked it up prepping to throw it back. Naruto rolled off the side of the bed and took cover. He felt the bed shift as Sasuke leaned over and tossed the penny on his back. Naruto grabbed one of Sasuke's discarded socks and tossed it on his black head. The raven looked at him seemingly unamused before slowly reaching up for the sock. Naruto tried to run passed the bed and make a break for the safety of the bathroom. He made it inside as the sock hit the wall beside him and he locked the door from inside. He heard Sasuke shuffle around the room before coming to the door.

"You realize I can pick locks, right?" he threatened.

"What? No way!" Naruto declared in disbelief. A second later the lock on the knob popped up signaling that the door had been unlock. Sasuke turned the knob and began to open the door. Naruto squawked in surprised and launched himself at the door. There was a push battle and Sasuke seemed to not even be breaking a sweat as Naruto put all his weight against the door. Sasuke chuckled and began to push. Naruto's socks slid across the tile unable to find purchase. "Quit it Teme! I surrender!"

"Then open the door."

"No!" he said stubbornly. Sasuke just pushed the door another inch. In a last ditch effort, Naruto suddenly pulled back and Sasuke sprawled into the bathroom falling against the sink. "HA!" Naruto yelled in victory and jetted past Sasuke only to be tackled against the bed. They wrestled around animatedly. Sasuke used his weight advantage while Naruto used his flexibility to escape Sasuke's holds. Sasuke laid himself against Naruto's back pinning him face first to the mattress. Naruto pressed his hands against the bed and jerked up hauling Sasuke off his back.

"You're stronger than you look. Impressive." Sasuke said as he rolled to the side panting. Naruto feeling as if he hadn't really won gave Sasuke one last shove before collapsing next to him.

"Damn straight. And don't you forget it." He bragged. They turned back to the movie and Naruto wanted to check the time. He pulled out his phone and was shocked to see that it had died. He fished around in his bag and found the charge. "Hey where is an outlet around here?"

Sasuke sat up and helped him look finally finding one behind the bed. Naruto plugged in the phone and turned it on and was surprised to see three missed calls from Choji and five text message."

"Hey I miss you."

"Where are you?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"What friend are you with?"

"Hello?"

With a curse he looked over at Sasuke with an 'oh shit expresstion'.

"What's wrong?" the raven asked. Naruto handed Sasuke the phone. He watched as he scrolled through the messaged. "Looks like the pizza inhaler is a little upset. I guess he FINALLY remembered that he has a boyfriend." He said handing Naruto his phone back.

"I gotta call him. No don't turn down the tv! Just sit there and be quiet Teme."

Naruto called Choji's number and he immediately picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Panda!"

"Where have you been?"

"Hanging out with my friend."

"What friend? I saw TenTen respond to your status asking who you were with, so if you aren't with her then who is this friend?"

"….Sasuke."

"…ARE YOU FUCKIUNG KIDDING ME?!"

"No he is here visiting his mom and asked me to come over."

"I have been trying to contact you for three hours. Your phone has been turned off and you call to tell me that you are hanging out with some guy?!"

"Baby it's okay! We are just in his mom's livingroom watching movies." He lied smoothly. It amazed him how great of a liar this relationship was making him.

"No, this isn't cool! All I know is you have been with him all this time, I didn't know about it ahead of time, and your phone has been off. You can understand why I am upset, right?"

Naruto felt the guilt return tenfold.

"Yeah… you're right. I'm sorry baby. You want me to leave?"

"….no, that would make me an asshole to say you can't hang out with your friend."

"I'm sorry Choji."

"No, don't be sorry. I trust you, I just don't trust HIM."

"I promise he has been a perfect gentleman." He said glancing at Sasuke who nodded sarcastically.

"Ok, but just let that fucker know that if he tries anything, AND I MEAN ANYTHING… he's not making it back home to Pennsylvania."

"Wow, that's a bit much."

"Tell him."

"What?!"

"I want to hear you tell him that right now while I am listening!"

Naruto shifted in discomfort and looked at Sasuke with a nervous smile.

"Um… Choji wants you to know that… if you try anything…. You won't… make it back to Pennsylvania."

Sasuke just looked at him for a moment as if letting it soak in and naruto gave him a pleading look. He shook his head and stayed silent.

"He said 'he understands'."

"…Ok. I'm serious. You tell me if he tries anything, Naruto."

"Ok, I promise."

"Ok. I love you."

"I love you too, Bye."

"And let me know when you get home."

"Ok."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Naruto closed his phone and risked a glance at the still silent Sasuke. His brow was furrowed and his fingers drummed against his thigh in agitation. He then suddenly got up and started pacing the room.

"I'm sorry." Naruto offered timidly. Sasuke turned and looked at him seriously.

"You have no reason to be sorry." He insisted. Naruto looked down at his hands playing with his phone. "Wow, you see that? You see what he just did? You were so happy just two minutes ago and one phone call from that son of a bitch and you look miserable again."

"No, he was right. I shouldn't be doing this. If anything I should have told him."

"Yeah… get his permission right?"

"HE'S MY BOYFRIEND!"

"He doesn't deserve to be." His voice was calm and measured but Naruto could sense his agitation. "Who the fuck does he think he is threatening me?! I'm sorry, but if I ever meet your boyfriend I am kicking his ass."

"Then I just have to make sure you two don't meet then." Naruto got up and began getting his things together. "Look this was fun. We should hang out again."

"Oh so you are leaving because he tells you to?"

"He didn't tell me to, but I think I should go." He slid on his shoes and hoisted his bag on his shoulder. Sasuke looked at his distraught expression and relented.

"Ok I understand." He walked Naruto to the elevator. "Fucker would probably be out of breath after one swing." Naruto suppressed a chuckle. "I wouldn't even have to fight, just dodge the first couple punches and watch him have a damn heart attack." Naruto snickered. "Of course he does have the trump card of sitting on me…" Naruto burst out laughing as the elevator opened in the lobby. "I will just throw a piece of cake as a distraction and tackle him while he's eating it." Naruto didn't get himself under control until they reached the outside. "There's that smile. I couldn't let you leave here looking like a kicked kitten."

"You are an idiot you know that? And I am a horrible girlfriend for laughing as you verbally destroy my man."

"You can call him a lot of things but he isn't a man. A boy is more like it."

"Well he IS four years younger than us and still has that 'I have something to prove' mentality."

"I never had that even as a teenager."

"Well we can't all be Sasuke Uchiha can we?"

"True, true."

Naruto looked over his shoulder at his truck and realized that he really didn't want to leave. Sasuke's eyes met his briefly before doing the nervous glance away.

"Can I have a hug before you leave me and scamper back to him?"

"Now who is being dramatic?" Naruto said using jokes to hide his turmoil as he stepped forward and let Sasuke's long arms envelope him. He smelled different than Choji and the wrongness punched him in the face again. He pulled away with a smile. "I will text you later ok?"

"After you text him, right?'

"Would it make you feel better if I text you first?"

"Yes." He said petulantly. Naruto couldn't help but laugh.

"Fine. I will text you first then him.

"Okay. Be careful."

"Laters."

The drive home was uneventful. He shot Sasuke a text first, keeping his promise and then let Choji know he was home. Sasuke responded first with Choji coming in a close second.

"Lets hang out on you next off day." From Sasuke.

"I want to see you." From Choji.

Naruto felt like a toy being used in a tug of war between two children and knew that at some point he was going to have to choose.