Naruto, after being unceremoniously shooed away, sat on the curb by the ambulance while the paramedics finished treating Sasuke. He had Sasuke's wallet in his hands and kept compulsively opening and closing it every few seconds. Naruto had his phone, too, which still worked although there was a huge crack across the screen. After the cops arrived, he'd been the first to give his statement, and then Sophie, who'd since been picked up by her roommate and driven home. Right now, they were asking Nezumi some questions. Naruto ended up receiving the same lecture from the cops that Sasuke had given him (minus the punch to the face), but, honestly, he didn't have any regrets. It's not like he didn't get where Sasuke was coming from, but he'd always been protective of the people he cared about. Although, he had to admit he was slightly troubled by the fact he couldn't remember exactly what he'd done to the guy.
When the police finally finished talking to Nezumi, he came over and sat beside Naruto on the curb.
"Sounds like they're tryin' to convince your boy to go to the hospital in case he has a concussion," he told Naruto. "He's bein' pretty adamant that he doesn't wanna go, though."
Naruto looked over to where Sasuke was discussing the matter with the two male EMTs.
"Yeah, good luck with that," he said. "Sasuke hates hospitals. Not to mention he's one of the most stubborn people I've ever met, so if he's set his mind not to go, he won't."
"So." Nezumi adjusted the way his hair was tied in the back. "You haven't said much since you and Sasuke came back together. He was worried when you took off like that. I also noticed you're sportin' a bit of a bruise on your cheek."
He touched the sore spot on his cheek and then continued playing with Sasuke's wallet. "I guess I just don't wanna think about how it could've turned out, but that's all I keep thinkin' about."
Nezumi nodded. "It could've been worse."
Naruto looked over at him, grimacing. "I hate to say this 'cause you could've been hurt, too, but I appreciate what you did back there. Do you always carry a knife?"
"I do out of habit. I can't say I trust many people, and considerin' that we were both thinkin' something wasn't right, it made even more sense to come prepared."
Naruto folded his arms on his knees. "I want to ask you somethin', but it's okay if it's too personal for you to tell me."
Nezumi nudged him with his shoulder and leaned back on his arms. "Go on. I like when you ask me questions, and after what we went through tonight, no point in holdin' back."
"You said before you'd spent time on the streets, and if havin' a knife is a habit for you... just... who are you? What happened to you that made you like this?"
The other man chuckled, darkly, and lowered his head. "What, you don't think I grew up in the suburbs? Loving parents, picket fence, and all that crap?"
"If you don't want to tell - "
But Nezumi put up a hand when he noticed Sasuke walking their way. Naruto immediately got to his feet.
"They're releasing me into your care," Sasuke informed him sarcastically, looking slightly annoyed. "Under the condition that I inform you that should I start vomiting, take me to the nearest hospital."
Naruto bit his lip as he watched the EMTs get into the ambulance, wondering if it was worth fighting Sasuke on this one. But he remembered how he felt after the car accident. All he wanted to do then was go home and chill out. It was almost 3 a.m., and he knew he was exhausted. Sasuke looked - well, at least he was alive.
"You sure you're alright to go back?" Naruto asked him, eyeing the square bandage on Sasuke's forehead and the gauze wrapped around his hand.
"What about you?" Sasuke asked. "Your knuckles look like you ran them across a cheese grater."
Naruto looked down at them and grew self-conscious. Apparently he'd punched that guy a few times without even realizing it. Made sense given that they took the guy away with a broken nose, jaw, and a few missing teeth.
"I'm fine." He put his hands in his back pockets and glanced at Nezumi. "What now? Is it possible to walk the last few blocks to your apartment without gettin' into any trouble?"
"Considerin' that you'd go crazy and put them in a coma, and I've still got my friend tucked in my boot, pretty sure that no one's gonna fuck with us again tonight." Nezumi smirked as he put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Can't speak for Sasuke, though. Now that he's a cripple."
Sasuke glared. "If it was just me, it wouldn't have been an issue."
"You shouldn't have gone out alone like that in the first place," Naruto mumbled.
Instead of arguing, Sasuke nodded. "I agree. I shouldn't have. That was stupid, and I worried you."
"Thought you'd fight me on that for some reason," Naruto replied.
"What's important is everyone got out of this without a whole lot more than a scratch," said Nezumi. "Sophie, on the other hand, might be traumatized, but that's city life for you. What did she have to say to you anyway, Sasuke? You guys talked for a while before she split."
"Nothing," Sasuke answered, and Naruto knew him well enough that he could tell it was a lie.
"Right," drawled Nezumi, obviously not believing him either. "I'd understand if you two wanna head home, but the offer's still on the table if you'd like to crash at my place."
"I'm... too tired to drive," Sasuke admitted. "Unless you have something in mind?"
"I think we could just stay," Naruto replied. "It's too late to call any of our friends, and my dad would have a heart attack if I told 'em why he needed to come get us."
Nezumi laced his hands behind his head, eyeing the both of them. "We'll put Sasuke somewhere that we can both keep an eye on him."
"No kiddin'," Naruto snorted and kicked at a tiny pebble on the sidewalk. "Just tie 'em down to the bed."
"I thought we were too tired for those kinds of activities?" Nezumi joked.
Naruto wanted to be able to laugh, but he just couldn't.
"Naruto," said Sasuke.
Naruto turned toward him but didn't say anything. However, Nezumi suddenly pushing him from behind sent him stumbling forward a couple of steps.
"Enough of the mopin' and feelin' sorry for yourself," Nezumi scolded. "Sasuke's fine. So, get walkin'."
Naruto knew he was right, which only made him feel guilty. When no one else seemed inclined to come up with conversation, it was Nezumi who started asking (read: making fun of) Sasuke about his bandages. Those two fell into an amusing argument while Naruto began running through the events of the night in his head, wondering what they could've done differently to not have ended up in this situation.
He started thinking back to the night of his car accident and how Sasuke had acted. Naruto even remembered being frustrated with him for acting the way he did toward Kiba and his dad, but now he understood. The fear that he'd felt seeing Sasuke in trouble, when he'd seen that he'd been hurt... it put things in perspective for sure. He felt some anger, but it was hard to know where to direct it. The men, of course - he'd be fine if they rotted away in jail. He'd been mad at Sasuke for two seconds because he'd left without telling him where he was going, but in the end, he was only mad at himself. He was angry that he couldn't protect someone he cared about. Again.
"You still with us?" Nezumi caught up to his side and smacked him on the back to get his attention. Sasuke was now walking on Naruto's other side.
Naruto spared his boyfriend a glance first. It was harder than he expected to see him him in bandages and with dried blood still on his face. He wanted to touch him or grab his hand, but he felt... guilty. And... unworthy, maybe. Especially when he thought about how they'd argued tonight. It all seemed really petty when he thought about it.
"He's alright," said Sasuke, his elbow nudging Naruto in the arm. "Give him some time, and you'll wish he'd go back to being this quiet."
The two of them shared a look, and Sasuke placed a hand to his lower back. It was odd that he was the one providing Naruto comfort. If they'd been alone, he would've stopped to hug or kiss him.
The rest of the walk to the apartment was spent in relative silence. The three of them made their way through the gate and into the lobby. Once they were all on the elevator, Naruto reached into his pocket and started fiddling with Sasuke's phone. He'd just closed his eyes when Nezumi began to quietly sing. Naruto, eyes cracking open, watched the other man with some curiosity. He already knew from the play that Nezumi had a great voice. His eyes were closed and he had his hands in his coat pockets, head tipped back against the wall.
Meanwhile, Naruto's gaze slid over to Sasuke, who's eyes were only on him. They kept eye contact until they reached Nezumi's floor, and when Nezumi was about to get off, he abruptly stopped and turned to look at them over his shoulder.
"I'll leave the door open," he said. "No rush."
Naruto was, once again, struck by how thoughtful Nezumi could be. The elevator doors shut, and it was Sasuke who spoke first.
"You being quiet is making me nervous."
Naruto attempted a smile as he took a step closer and handed him his wallet, "You might want this back. I've got your phone, too."
Sasuke took it and slipped it in his back pocket. He stared at Naruto for a while.
"I haven't seen you like this before," he said quietly to Naruto. "Aren't you supposed to be comforting me?"
He hung his head as he pressed a hand to Sasuke's chest and pushed him against the wall. Naruto ran his eyes over his boyfriend's face - the blood and the bandage - and then took hold of Sasuke's jacket to pull him closer. Gently, he nudged Sasuke's cheek with his nose.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Frowning, Sasuke clutched the front of his jacket.
He didn't answer.
"Say something," Sasuke murmured.
Naruto wanted to, but he just couldn't. There were too many thoughts going through his head, too many emotions. All he could do was grab hold of Sasuke's shoulders and push him flush to the wall again. While they stood there, he couldn't seem to get over this sense of sadness he suddenly had. But, looking at Sasuke, he gently cupped his face and leaned in slowly. Naruto waited until Sasuke shut his eyes before pressing their lips together in a tender kiss. In the middle of it, his hands began to shake, so he slid them down Sasuke's chest.
Sasuke, letting out a quiet hum of pleasure, began threading his fingers through Naruto's hair. Once, Naruto tried to pull away, but Sasuke sought his mouth out again, tugging him forward by his coat until he was kissing back with the intensity his boyfriend desired. He shivered as Sasuke's fingers snuck under his sweater. In response, Naruto let a hand wander up his boyfriend's side, under his shirt, and then across his flat stomach. He was starting to feel that sadness - that loneliness and longing - disappear the longer he had Sasuke in his arms.
"More," Sasuke said in that brief time it took for them to change the angle of their next kiss.
After one more last, lingering kiss, Naruto set his forehead on Sasuke's shoulder. As he let out a sigh, Sasuke placed a hand to the middle of his back.
"Let's go, hm?" Sasuke's warm breath hit his ear.
Naruto didn't want to move. "Gimme a second."
For a few more minutes, he listened to the quiet sound of Sasuke's breathing and then enveloped him in a hug.
"We good?" Sasuke asked, rubbing his back for him.
"Isn't that what you asked before you punched me in the face?"
"You deserved it, don't you think?" Sasuke brushed a piece of Naruto's hair to the side.
He lifted his head from Sasuke's shoulder. "Yeah... I think I would've done the same."
"Does that mean you have something you'd like to say to me?" Sasuke hit the button that opened the elevator door.
Naruto looked him in the eye. "I'm sorry that I did somethin' impulsive that worried you."
Sasuke frowned. "But you'd do it again."
Naruto nodded, his expression grim. "I would."
Sasuke shook his head and walked out of the elevator first. Naruto followed behind by a few steps until they reached Nezumi's apartment. Inside, they found Nezumi doing what was left of the dishes. He and Sasuke ended up standing in the doorway, watching him while he worked.
"Need help?" Naruto asked.
"Nah. I'm almost done." Nezumi spared them both a brief glance over his shoulder. "Figured you'd want to have first shot at the shower, so I waited. There's towels, wash rags, shampoo, whatever you might need. Make yourself at home."
Naruto nudged Sasuke. "I put out clothes for you earlier. They're on Nezumi's bed."
"Then, if neither of you mind," said Sasuke. "I think I'll do that."
"You'll be alright?" Naruto asked.
"I think I can manage." Sasuke gazed at him a little longer and eventually smirked.
"You look tired," Naruto said softly. "You should go to bed soon."
"And you?"
"I'm not all that tired... but, yeah. Soon."
"You two could shower together if the five-minute separation is gonna be a big ordeal," Nezumi teased. "Just be sure to clean up whatever mess you make."
"Tch." Naruto scowled and crossed his arms to his chest. "Sex is about the last thing on my mind."
"Why?" Nezumi turned around, some soap bubbles floating off the tips of his fingers. "Usually surviving a dangerous altercation should make you feel alive and, in most instances, incredibly willing to have sex with just about anybody. I would suggest whomever's closest after Sasuke goes to take his shower."
"You really did grow up in an odd way, didn't you?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke touched his arm. "I'm going. Please don't have sex with him while I'm in the shower. Even if he did assist on the rescue mission."
As Sasuke started to walk away, though, Naruto grabbed him by the arm and placed a kiss to his cheek. "Call me if you need anything. Okay?"
"The shower doesn't pose much of a threat, Naruto. I have used one before."
"I meant if you started to feel dizzy or nauseous, bastard. Don't get mouthy with me just 'cause you almost - " Naruto immediately stopped.
Sasuke had an eyebrow raised. "Like I'd leave you by yourself. Although at least I know you'd put my wardrobe to good use."
"That's not funny." He frowned.
Sasuke shrugged. "I won't be long. Make yourself useful and help Nezumi clean. I don't want him to think I'd date a slob."
Naruto watched him go, wanting to follow, but he figured even Sasuke might want a little alone time, to think and to absorb. So, while he waited for Sasuke to come back out, he decided to at least help Nezumi with the rest of the dishes.
After his shower, Sasuke changed into Nezumi's clothes - a plain shirt and some loose-fitting dark gray pants - and then went to put his own away in Nezumi's bedroom. The shower had felt good. There was a slight bump at the back of his head from when those guys had hit him from behind, but other than that, he felt fine. There was a cut on his left hand from the knife, but it was small and didn't even require stitches. If anything, he was more worried about Naruto. He knew Naruto wasn't capable of it, but in that instant before he'd called out to him, it looked as though he was about to do something he'd regret. It wasn't shocking or surprising in any way because there'd always been a darker side to Naruto. Even so, he'd never quite seen it manifest itself to that extent.
Once the police and ambulance arrived (to carry off the man Naruto'd beaten the shit out of), his boyfriend had been quiet and subdued. Usually when Sasuke so much as had a hangnail, Naruto would be on top of him, nagging him to go to the hospital or wanting to smother him - but this whole night seemed to have turned him upside down. Sasuke wasn't bothered by it; in fact, it was a bit of a relief that Naruto wasn't having a mental breakdown like Sasuke had after the car accident. That only would've made him more anxious.
While walking down the hall, Sasuke heard the sound of someone playing the piano. Curious, he went into the living room, where the only light came from a single standing lamp. Nezumi was sitting on the bench beside a smiling and laughing Naruto. It made him jealous in the same way it sometimes did when Naruto hung out with Kiba or Gaara. Gaara had been in town for three months, and Sasuke was only now coming to terms with just how physical Naruto's friendship with him was. He supposed that was one of the few downfalls to dating a straight guy. Straight men seemed surprisingly touchy in comparison to the times Sasuke hung out with gay friends. Sometimes he had to remind himself that it was platonic.
But Nezumi fit into a whole other category, didn't he? He was obviously a man who was comfortable admitting his attraction toward other men, including Naruto. They got along well, in the same way Naruto did with his other close male friends, so should he continue to be on edge about this, or was Nezumi simply intent on pushing his buttons?
When whatever Nezumi was playing - it wasn't anything he knew - came to an end, Naruto looked up and noticed him standing there.
"Hey," he said, seeming in better spirits than before. "Did you have a good shower?"
"Yes, did you?" Nezumi asked drolly. "Are you sure you wouldn't have preferred to take a longer one?"
Naruto elbowed him in the side. "Hey, don't talk that way to him. He was just assaulted by armed muggers."
"I should be more afraid of you than people like them," Nezumi replied. "Remind me never to get into a fight with your boyfriend. I wouldn't want to be an enemy of yours if I can help it."
Naruto's cheeks went red. "I shouldn't have told you anything."
"You didn't have to," said Nezumi. "I knew somethin' was up with you when the two of you came back." He stretched out his arms, but as he did, he put one around Naruto's shoulders and then smirked at Sasuke. "I was showin' him how to play a little somethin' since he tells me you don't often give him any personal performances?"
"Is that what he said?" Sasuke asked, taking a few more steps into the room until he could put his hand on top of the piano. "You two have a lot to say when I'm not around."
Naruto, while glaring at Nezumi, got up from the bench and came over to him. He seemed to be looking at the bruise around the square bandage at his temple. It made him self-conscious.
"Are you going to shower?" He asked.
"Yeah. In a bit. Nezumi was kinda showin' me how to play somethin'."
"I can - " He started to say but then his gaze met with Nezumi's. "Well, whatever you want to do."
"Hm. Okay," Naruto replied, "'Cause you seemed like you were gonna say somethin' else just then."
"What else would I have to say?" He asked, Naruto's oddly perceptive expression having caused him to lower his voice. Naruto appeared amused, but also... he had that glint in his eye he often got when he wanted to, ahem, take charge.
"You tell me." He grabbed hold of Sasuke's shirt. "Do you want anything? Some water? Tea maybe?"
"Is this your apartment?" He asked, eyeing Naruto's hand. "Should you be offering someone else's things?"
"Here's an idea," said Nezumi. "How about I take a shower? I don't think I wanna be here if you two suddenly start goin' at it 'cause that seems to be where this is headed. Just. Not on the couch, guys. I have to sleep there." He got up from the bench and was just walking past them when Naruto caught him by the arm.
"You don't have to sleep on the couch," said Naruto. "I mean. We should sleep out here, or, your bed's pretty big. We could probably all fit in it."
Sasuke wanted to smack himself in the forehead, but Naruto sounded so earnest and well-intentioned, he didn't immediately question his offer of letting another man share a bed with them.
"Are you still thinking about the threesome thing?" Nezumi asked, a single brow arched. "'Cause I thought we were all too tired and traumatized for that."
Naruto huffed. "Must everything be sexual with you guys?"
"Yes." Nezumi and Sasuke answered at the same time. They looked at one another - Sasuke with a glare and Nezumi with a smirk.
"Since you two are so alike, then you can have the bed, and I'll take the couch if it's that big of a deal," Naruto replied.
"Not going to happen," said Sasuke. "Just let him take a shower. We'll worry about it later. I'll take over where he left off in... teaching you."
"Huh? Since when have you - "
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, and Naruto shut his mouth. For three seconds.
"Aren't you tired? Maybe you should go lie down?" Naruto reached for his bandage, but Sasuke slapped his hand away.
"I'm fine."
"Great, now that we've worked that out," said Nezumi. "Like Naruto said, help yourself to whatever, Sasuke. If you need Ibuprofen or Tylenol, there should be some in the cabinet on the right of the kitchen sink."
"...Thanks." Sasuke watched him go when Naruto finally let go of his arm. He waited until they were completely alone before talking to Naruto again. "What was that?"
"What was what?" Naruto asked.
"The three of us? Sharing a bed?"
"Well, it seems kinda rude to make him sleep on his couch after he helped us, don't you think? And you should at least have a bed, so... what's the big deal? We've shared a bed with Kiba before."
"Yes, well." Sasuke hooked a finger through one of Naruto's belt loops. "Kiba has yet to confess his gay feelings for you."
"Fine." Naruto grinned. "You can sleep in the middle if you're that worried."
"What happened to you being jealous? Wouldn't you be afraid of what could happen if Nezumi and I shared a bed?"
Naruto tilted his head, thoughtful. "I just can't picture the two of you."
He grimaced. "Why would you even try?"
"Well, you're both good lookin'. You said before that Nezumi was attractive."
"Are you just fucking with me?" He asked.
"Mostly, yeah. 'Cause you're so..." Naruto shook his head.
"I'm so what?"
"Not everyone wants to bang me, y'know."
"He does." Sasuke pulled at a strand of blond hair and then combed the fingers of his bandaged hand through the rest at the side.
"Or, he's cool with bein' friends," Naruto replied. "Not to mention he's not gonna try anything I wouldn't want. He's just teasin' me, and he definitely does it to rile you."
"Fine," Sasuke said softly. "Be friends with him."
"Okay. I will." Naruto bit his lip, so Sasuke leaned in and kissed him. He pushed Naruto up against the piano, loving the small noise of surprise that escaped him. While they kissed, Naruto mostly kept his hands off. Sasuke, however, found some comfort in putting his hands anywhere he could on Naruto. The night had been long and dramatic, and usually the one thing that always calmed him was Naruto's presence. He needed that physical contact, not to mention he liked being reminded of how Naruto's body responded to being touched by him.
When they drew apart, Naruto looked rather dazed as Sasuke cupped his cheek.
"I love you," Naruto said suddenly, his voice low and a bit strained.
"I know." Faintly, he smiled. "Sit on the bench with me, and I'll teach you something someone of your level might be able to comprehend."
"Asshole." Naruto let out a laugh and shoved him. "I can play a little. I've watched you once or twice, even if it wasn't me you were playin' for."
"Insecure much?"
"...Maybe."
Sasuke searched him. "Do I... not tell you often enough how amazing you are?"
"What?"
"My not playing for you somehow makes you insecure?"
"Yeah." Naruto shifted back and forth on his feet. "Maybe. I guess. It seems kinda stupid when I say it out loud, but yeah."
"Hm." He grabbed him by the hand. "Then I'll show you. But, I've told you. I'm not especially good at it."
"Nezumi says the opposite," Naruto argued with a scowl. "And I know you're really good, too. You always say that, but I always thought you just figured I was too dumb to appreciate it."
"Why would you think that?" He was genuinely surprised.
"B-because." Naruto turned away from him. "I am... I mean. I've always known you were smarter than me. You're more successful than me, and people are always talkin' about how talented you are."
"Naruto."
Naruto looked at him again. Sasuke wanted to kiss him. Rather, he wanted to throw him onto the couch and make him moan, but he was also annoyed that Naruto could ever entertain the thought that Sasuke truly believed he was an idiot. Just because he called him one all of the time... Hm.
"How is it that through our first year together I was always the insecure one?" Sasuke asked. "And now our roles have reversed? It took me forever to consider the idea that maybe I deserved your love. I thought that was perfectly clear given the events we've been through together thus far."
Naruto rubbed his lips together. "I dunno. I guess I just... I felt out of place tonight. Like this was your world, probably the one you're in every day you're at work. And I'm just - "
Sasuke pulled him close again so that he could kiss along Naruto's neck, up to his jaw. When Naruto finally put a hand on his lower back, Sasuke let out a low hum of approval. He found Naruto's pulse and sucked at it until he was saying Sasuke's name like a sigh.
"Nezumi said no sex on his couch," Naruto mumbled.
"How about on the piano?"
"You said you'd teach me somethin'."
Sasuke smirked. "I can think of a few things left to teach you."
Naruto chuckled. "Pervert." He placed his hand flat to Sasuke's stomach and then let his hand wander lower until his fingers were skirting beneath the waistband of Sasuke's pants.
"I thought you weren't in the mood."
Naruto scoffed. "That was earlier. You should've taken me up on my offer."
"What offer is that?" Sasuke continued to kiss at his neck.
"When I said we could've gone home to fuck around."
Sasuke stopped to look at him. "But then you wouldn't have learned that you'd be having someone's kids."
Naruto blinked at him. "I'm havin' someone's kids?"
"Isn't that what Sophie told you?"
"Oh, right." He scratched the back of his head. "Er. Well. I'm not havin' anyone's kids as obviously that's not gonna happen. 'Cause, y'know. Boy bits down there."
"I'm very aware of your boy bits."
"Why are you lookin' at me that way?" Naruto smiled crookedly at him.
"Do you have a girlfriend I'm not aware of?"
"What are you talkin' about? We can have kids. You and me. We've even talked about them before."
"Is that what Sophie said?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You don't even believe in that stuff."
"Clearly I might, considering she said enough to get me to leave the apartment with her."
"...What did she tell you?"
"That doesn't matter," he said, backing up off of him.
"Fine. But the kids thing... she just said I'd have some in the future. One for sure, maybe two, and it'd be with someone who had 'dark hair and beautiful eyes'. I dunno about you, but you have dark hair," Naruto pulled at a piece behind Sasuke's ear, "And you have some of the sexiest eyes I've ever seen."
"In that case, it could just as easily be Nezumi." He crossed his arms.
"Seriously? That's your interpretation? I'm gonna have kids with a guy I'm just startin' to get to know... when you and me have been together for this long and have talked about having a family together? I dunno about you, but any time I think about the future, you're right there beside me, Sasuke. Til' death do us part."
It almost felt like the wind got knocked out of him.
"Don't look surprised. It's insultin'," Naruto continued. "You. Me. We're havin' kids 'cause I'm not havin' kids with anyone else."
"Maybe it just means that should anything happen to me, you'd move on, get married, and have children. If something would've happened tonight - "
"Don't." Naruto fisted the front of his shirt. "Don't even finish that sentence. If I learned anything from tonight it's that should somethin' happen to you, I'm jumpin' in front of the next passing vehicle."
"Shut up." Sasuke pushed him away. "Do you think that's what I'd want? I'd rather you move on and be happy."
"I won't be happy if you're not in my life. I don't want anyone else. All those things you seem to think I could have more easily if I was datin' a woman - I want them with you. If I didn't think you were totally opposed to the idea of gettin' married, I probably would've asked by now."
"What?"
Naruto sighed. "This got way too heavy. It's why I just wanted to sit down and listen to the piano."
"...Okay."
With his heart pounding, Sasuke took Naruto by the hand and led him to the bench. He looked at the piano keys, which always immediately brought the image of his mother to mind. Both of his parents, really, since his father never really liked the fact that he'd always focused so much on music in high school. While at work, he could forget about it, because that was part of his job, but when it was just him and Naruto...
"So," he looked over at Naruto, "What is it you want me to play?"
Naruto smiled broadly. "You're really gonna play for me?"
"I am," he said. "And then I'll see if I can teach you how."
Naruto leaned over and caught his lips in a kiss. When it was over, he rested his forehead against Sasuke's.
"You sure you don't wanna get married?" He asked.
"Would it make much of a difference if we did? Would anything change?"
"No. Not really." Naruto leaned away. "I guess I just like the idea... of bein' able to share your awesome health benefits. They're so much better than mine."
Sasuke snorted. "Now I understand."
"What? Did you think it was about romance? Besides, what if our kids grow up and they start askin' why daddy and daddy never got married?"
Sasuke sighed. "I'd call you an idiot, but I already feel like I've given you a complex."
"I know, right? You might as well give in then."
"Give in to what exactly?"
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe when we're in Japan this summer, we can consider adopting? Or maybe not. She did say the first one would look like me."
"Oh, boy." Sasuke started to play the first thing that came to mind. "I try to ask all of my pupils to be quiet during their first lesson."
"Yeah, I bet you do."
"I don't even know what that means, but for now just shut up, idiot. And learn from the master."
By the end of his first "lesson" from Sasuke, Naruto was too busy cracking up to take this seriously any more. Not to mention it had to be nearing almost 4 a.m. Sasuke, however, didn't seem to find this little experiment nearly as amusing. He was trying to be very serious and professional, which only made it harder for Naruto to make any real progress. Really, he just wanted to hear Sasuke play something for him without getting all stressed out about it. While Sasuke was slapping his hand away from the keys, Nezumi appeared from around the corner. He walked into the living room, a towel hanging at his neck and long hair wet and dripping down his bare chest and arms.
"You two look like you're having fun," he said sarcastically as he dried his hair with the towel.
"Fun is a very relative term," Sasuke muttered.
"So, you can't make an act out of him?" Nezumi asked. "And here I thought you were talented enough to make a star out of anybody."
"Woah." Naruto stopped laughing. "You know about what Sasuke does?"
"Of course." Nezumi shrugged. "Your boyfriend's a fairly well-known name in a lot of circles. Why do you think Zelda fell all over herself to get his attention?"
"Uh, because that's what most women do when we go out?" Naruto suggested.
Nezumi snorted. "I suppose I can understand that kind of predicament."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You two get more alike the longer I hang out with you."
"Again, that could be very good news for me should you ever require a replacement for him." Nezumi wandered over to the piano and let his hand follow the curve of its lid. "Did you two come to a decision on sleeping arrangements?"
Naruto glanced at Sasuke, and despite how his boyfriend was shaking his head, he ended up grinning. "We can all fit in the bed. What's the big deal? It'll be like a sleepover."
Sasuke sighed. "Let me put it in a way a heterosexual man might understand. What would be your expectations if two women invited you into their bed?"
"Wait. Are they sisters?"
"That's it," said Sasuke. "Nezumi and I will take the bed, and you can have the couch." He got up from the bench.
Chuckling, Naruto caught his wrist before he could get away. "I was kiddin'. I see your point, but no one is gonna have sex, okay?"
"Wait, we're not?" Nezumi asked dryly. "Then what the hell has this entire night been about?"
Naruto slung an arm about Sasuke's shoulder. "We could always flip a coin for who takes the middle."
"How does that help anything?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto shrugged. "Dunno. It'd make it fair, I guess. Somehow."
"He's lucky he's nice to look at, eh?" Nezumi asked Sasuke.
"Yeah, okay. You two are definitely like two peas in a pod." Naruto shook his head and removed his arm from around his boyfriend. "You guys figure it out while I take a quick shower. I'll be out in five."
He walked away and, as he did, he hit Nezumi in the upper arm.
"Play nice." He waved his hand in the air as he headed for Nezumi's bedroom to retrieve the clothes he'd set out for himself.
While walking into the bathroom, he paused at the door when he heard Nezumi and Sasuke starting to talk about music. As much as they both liked to taunt each other, they actually got along very well. They had plenty in common, and Naruto thought, if not for him, they could've been pretty good friends, maybe in the same way Sasuke was with Suigetsu. Although Naruto had to admit that he liked Nezumi a thousand times more than Sasuke's friend from New York.
In fact, he liked Nezumi a lot.
As he shut the door to the bathroom and started taking off his clothes, he wondered if it was possible for all of them to hang out after this. Clearly, he felt like he owed Nezumi a lot considering what had happened tonight. He was sure Sasuke would feel similarly, especially if he could get past his jealousy. Sure, Nezumi was good looking, but it was really Naruto's feelings for Sasuke that made that physical attraction exist between them.
He stepped into the shower and once he turned it on, let out a long sigh. The hot water felt so good on his skin as he placed his hand to the shower tiles. He'd been starting to feel more like himself since they'd come back to the apartment, but now that he was alone, he couldn't help but think about just how terrifying those moments had been. When he'd seen Sasuke in trouble. Just, the fear or whatever, and then the uncontrollable rage. It wasn't the first time he'd felt that way. He had a terrible temper in high school, but nothing like that had happened for a long time.
Naruto rubbed at his face as the water cascaded down his body, but instead of letting the sadness overwhelm him, he tried to focus on the future. What would it be like to have a family with Sasuke, like, for real? They'd gone through a lot together in just the last 15 months. What was the next step? Obviously he didn't think it was realistic to think they'd stay in Joliet forever. More and more, he felt guilty for keeping Sasuke here when he could work anywhere. He'd always figured that they might relocate to Seattle some day. What would he do, though, if Sasuke continued doing so well at his job? Naruto had this business degree, but he hadn't worked anywhere else out of college except his dad's boat shop. Once or twice he'd thought about getting his MBA, but he wasn't that great of a student. When he was a kid, he used to have kind of ambitious dreams - like being a famous actor or athlete.
He took in a deep breath as he grabbed for the soap, thinking about the things Sophie'd said earlier about his mother. Things he'd often felt on his own, but her saying them aloud kind of validated it all.
Weird. Naruto touched a hand to his chest. He just had the craziest pang. Like he needed Sasuke and wanted to see his face as he told him all of these dumb thoughts. God, how lucky was he that he'd found Sasuke? He loved his dad and his friends, but if anything ever really happened to Sasuke -
He tried to block it from his mind just so that he could finish washing and get out of the shower. He dried himself off before slipping on Nezumi's clothes. They smelled like him. It was strange but not unpleasant or anything. Certainly not sexual. Naruto spotted some mouthwash under the sink and decided to use that since his mouth still tasted like alcohol. He rubbed at a spot on the mirror, removing the fog, to check out his reflection. He looked... tired, and his eyes were bloodshot.
As he left the bathroom, he noticed all the lights were off in the living room. He made his way to the bedroom and found Nezumi sitting on the foot of the bed while Sasuke was studying the photographs on the wall. Apparently he was interrupting a serious conversation as he came in and set his messy pile of clothes next to Sasuke's neatly folded pile.
"You smell good," Nezumi remarked, and as he glanced up, he was smiling at first. But then he frowned. "You okay?"
Sasuke turned around to look at him, too.
Naruto gave them both curious glances. "I'm fine. Why?"
"You look pale," Sasuke told him.
"Yeah, well." He rubbed his neck. "M'probably just tired, so I hope you two figured out where we're sleepin' 'cause I'm about to crash."
Appearing concerned, Sasuke came over and touched his cheek and then placed the back of his hand to Naruto's forehead.
"You're warm again."
"I did just come from the shower," he said. "Really, Sasuke. You're supposed to be the smart one." Naruto smiled to show he was fine, but just then, he felt that pang again as he gazed at Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at him as if he knew something was up. "What is it?"
Naruto bit his lip to suppress the feeling and shrugged.
Sasuke, though, wrapped his arms around him and held him for a while. Even though his vision became blurry, he ran his eyes over all of the photographs, finally focusing on that one of Nezumi's Shion. What was he doing right now? Was he worried about Nezumi? Was he thinking about him? Was he wondering when Nezumi would be coming back?
Naruto knew how he would feel if Sasuke suddenly disappeared, but he would've chased him all over the planet to find him again. He let out a heavy breath and pushed Sasuke back.
"I'm good." Naruto smiled crookedly before looking over at Nezumi, too. "I'm mad at you, though."
"Me?" Nezumi asked. "What did I do?"
"When are you goin' back to Cincinnati?"
"Wow. Where'd that come from?" Nezumi got to his feet and stretched. "Are you that eager to get rid of me?"
"No." He reached for Sasuke's wrist just because. "I'm worried about Shion."
"Oh, brother. That's what you're gettin' all worked up over? Shion?"
"What if he's all lonely and stuff? It's... depressing to think about," he said.
"I don't know why you're thinkin' about him to begin with. You don't even know him."
"I know." Naruto scowled, shaking Sasuke's wrist. "But..."
"But?" Nezumi looked at him thoughtfully as he crossed his arms.
"I just... y'know. Don't want you missin' out on what you could have."
"You mean like what you and Sasuke have?" Nezumi smirked.
"Yeah." Naruto glanced at Sasuke and then at Nezumi again. "I don't want you to regret not givin' it a try or whatever."
"You definitely need sleep," said Nezumi. "Don't worry about my love life too much. I don't have problems attracting attention when I want it. Do you think actors as good as me and as handsome as me lead especially lonely lives?"
"Now you're just bragging," Naruto replied, smiling at him fondly.
"Don't smile at me like that." Nezumi stepped closer. "It's dangerous."
Naruto let out a laugh, and as Nezumi took another step closer, Sasuke came between them and pressed a hand to Nezumi's chest.
"Don't even think about it," Sasuke told the other man. "I know what that look can do."
Nezumi laughed. "It's hard not to be drawn to him, that's for sure."
"Hn." Sasuke tugged at Naruto's arm. "What say you?"
"I'll take the middle? You like the wall anyway."
Sasuke glared at Nezumi. "This means you keep your hands to yourself."
"Even though I took part in rescuing you?" Nezumi feigned hurt.
"Fine," said Sasuke. "I'll let you touch his butt for 30 seconds, but that's it."
Naruto scoffed, turning around to smack him in the shoulder. "Since when is my ass up for negotiations?"
"Clearly he thinks your ass belongs to him." Nezumi wore an especially arrogant grin, and even Sasuke chuckled, too.
"God, you two are annoying." Naruto pushed them both out of the way and faceplanted onto the bed. He slid toward the middle, keeping his back to them.
"I really can sleep on the sofa," said Nezumi. "It's not that big of a deal to me."
"You know." Sasuke sighed. "It's not to me either."
"Is that offer of touching his butt still good, though?"
"Shut up and get into bed already!" Naruto moaned.
"That's more like it," said Nezumi. "After you."
Naruto had his face buried in the pillows. After a minute, he felt Sasuke crawl on top of him, purposely jamming his knee into Naruto's back as he flopped down beside him so that they were facing one another.
Naruto smiled at him affectionately. "Hey."
"You're ridiculous," Sasuke said to him. "I shouldn't even be talking to you."
"Good, then you won't keep me up gabbin' away like a school girl. Nezumi?"
"Yes, Naruto?" The other man drawled, and Naruto rolled over to see what he was up to. He was turning off the light.
"Can you even see what you're doin'?".
"I can see just fine in the dark," Nezumi answered, and all of 10 seconds later, the other side of the bed dipped and he squeezed in beside him.
Naruto felt oddly giddy. "See. Cozy."
Nezumi was on his back. "Yes. Very quaint. Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears."
"Ha!" Naruto elbowed Sasuke in the stomach. "Sounds like the kinda porn Sasuke'd be into."
Sasuke groaned. "Please go to sleep."
"If Sasuke likes such big, muscular men," said Nezumi. "What's he doin' with you?"
"Et tu, Nezumi?"
Nezumi chuckled softly near his ear. "You're lucky your boyfriend's here because, oh, the things I'd do to you - "
"Touch him and die," Sasuke cut him off. "Besides. There's nothing you could do that I haven't already done to him."
"Jesus, Sasuke." Naruto felt his cheeks heat up.
"It is hard to compete with a man's first time, I suppose," said Nezumi.
"I do not wanna talk about this right now." Naruto tried to grab the pillow so that he could put it over his head, but neither Nezumi nor Sasuke would budge. "This is like sharin' a bed with you and your brother."
Nezumi snickered. "So you really have done everything with Naruto."
"Bwahahaha. See, even Nezumi can make jokes about you and Itachi." Naruto shook Sasuke by the arm.
"Yes. Hilarious." Sasuke placed a hand on top of Naruto's stomach. Almost instantly, he felt the usual butterflies.
"Please tell me you two aren't gonna fool around when I'm right here?"
"What?" Naruto squawked. "How'd you even - "
"You went quiet," said Nezumi. "That's how I can tell."
"It's just my stomach, dammit. It's not like he's givin' me a handjob."
"Naruto," Sasuke growled, but he still managed to slip a few of his fingers under Naruto's shirt.
"What?" He thwacked his hand. "Then stop molestin' me!"
"If you're going to be doing those things right next to me," said Nezumi. "At least let me watch. Or, better yet. I'll grab my camera."
"He does have that project he asked us to be a part of," Sasuke informed him, his voice low.
"What project?" Naruto nudged Nezumi in the side.
"Sasuke didn't tell you?"
"Nope."
"Ah, well. I'm doing a book. With... couples," Nezumi explained.
"I see... like, what kind of couples?" He asked curiously.
"All kinds, but I'm still lookin' for some same-sex couples who'd be interested in volunteering for a shoot."
"That sounds... kinda fun." He turned to Sasuke. "Right?"
"Sure," said Sasuke.
Nezumi started to laugh. "He doesn't get it, does he?"
"No. He doesn't," Sasuke answered.
"Huh? What don't I get? What's the big deal? He could take some photos of us, right?"
"Not that I mind, but you should know, he'd probably like to get some... more intimate shots of the two of us." Sasuke's hand slid down his stomach again. "If you know what I mean."
"Oh."
There was quiet for about 20 seconds.
"Wait." He nearly flew up in the bed. "Like... shoot us havin' sex?!"
"That would be good, too," said Nezumi. "But... it doesn't have to go that far. Not that I'm opposed to seeing you in action."
Now Naruto's cheeks were so hot he almost couldn't stand it.
"I can't even handle this right now," he said.
"And yet you thought you could take on a threesome with the two of us," Sasuke remarked.
"He wouldn't last," said Nezumi. "I'd give him three minutes at most."
"SHUT UP!"
Nezumi snickered and gave his chest a pat. "We're only teasing you," he told Naruto. "No need to freak out. I'm too tired to make a pass at you, and if I had the opportunity, I'd rather be in top form."
"When you put it that way. Not that I'd ever share him with you," said Sasuke. "But the idea of overwhelming him with the pleasure two men could give him. It has its own appeal."
"Right?" Nezumi asked.
"Okay. I'm goin' to bed now... and you," he was speaking to Sasuke. "You are so not gettin' any for, like, two days."
"Two days?" Nezumi repeated. "How will you survive, Sasuke?"
Sasuke laughed, the sound raising goosebumps all over Naruto's skin. Dammit. He was trying to be mad here, so why did he want to kiss him?
"Ugh. You two get along so well. You go at it," he mumbled.
"It's that we're so much alike," said Nezumi, "That it wouldn't work. Although, we both seem to have very good taste in men."
"Hmph."
"He's complimenting you, Naruto. Say 'thank you'."
"Thanks," he grumbled. "I'm still goin' to bed, though. And, you, Sasuke. Stop tryin' to feel me up."
"How do you know that's not my hand?" Nezumi asked.
"That's it. I'm movin' to the couch."
He even started to get up, but both men grabbed his arms and pulled him back down so that he landed on the mattress with an 'oof'. They held on to him for a while. Sasuke, turning onto his side again, threw an arm across Naruto's waist.
"Enjoy it," said Sasuke. "Since this is the closest to a threesome you'll ever get."
"Indeed," added Nezumi, as he slid a hand down Naruto's arm so that he could grab for Naruto's hand. "I'm holding his hand, Sasuke. Just an FYI so that we're all on the up and up."
"It's better than his butt, I suppose," said Sasuke.
Naruto snorted. "Ah. I just... can't. Even."
"Exactly," said Nezumi, squeezing his hand. "Now go to sleep."