Title:The Arranged Marriage

Author: Praecipula

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto and the lyrics to 'Talk Me Down by Troye Sivan'

Rating:M

Pairing: Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki (SasuNaru)

Sidepairing: Itachi x Tenten / Neji x Gaara

Author's note: Thank you for the reviews!


Chapter 8: On The Road

The screen stared at him blankly like it was doing for the past hour. Naruto glared, willing it to start spewing lyrics by itself. Unfortunately, it was a too tough for a computer to do it alone so he got up from his desk and went to the notebook lying on his bed. Plopping face down, he grabbed his pen and thought hard, of how he was feeling at the moment, of how one should feel going back to his past. Was he angry? No. Was he frustrated, desperately so.

He shot up, glaring at the paper when it failed to produce his emotions. The only thing he was confident in writing about was Sasuke's mixed signals which he had written about all the time when he was still in high school. But he could not help but blame himself a little by what was happening. The man frustrated the hell out of him, one second he seemed interested then he was withdrawing to himself. That was why Naruto always did the same. Since he didn't know how to react to Sasuke's sudden change, he snapped at the man and shoot his barrier up the sky whenever he was near. God knew if he was given free reign with his emotions, he would have punch the man first before kissing him to death.

But he could not. He had to be as indifferent as the man to protect himself if ever Sasuke decided to ignore him again. And who was he in the first place to decide just when he could send signals to Naruto regarding his feelings? It drove him wild, knowing his control could snap any time now.

He didn't want that. He had worked so hard convincing himself that he didn't need Sasuke and his work showed that. Naruto became successful on his own, he found his contacts and slaved for his records without outside help. All of that would crumble if he went back to how he was in high school, the heart broken teenage boy who felt the world shattering into pieces for his first ever heart break.

So why was Sasuke acting like he really missed him? And the jealous way he had acted in front of the camera was so raw that it took his breath away, seeing the same emotion on the man's face that he had always taken for granted when they were kids. The small touches always left him reeling afterwards, the closeness griping his heart painfully at what could be but his walls thankfully stood tall. If there was anything he trust in himself, it was the walls, they wouldn't break easily.

Naruto let out a frustrated scream as he buried his head in the pillow. Knowing that he wouldn't finish anything by his current state, he got up again and decided to check his emails. He found one by Jiraiya sent about an hour ago saying he could announce his world tour now on his social media accounts. Opening up his twitter account which he only used for these events, he quickly type out an announcement and closed it again.

If you wanted to survive as a sane star, you need to tune out the negatives comments. Naruto thought he could take it like a man at first but no matter how strong your will was, some unreasonable insults could get to you. Humans strived to find fault in others, not caring how much the impact was and doing it all for the sake of simply hurting. So he made it a point to stay away from the cancer that was social media.

He was busy scrolling through 9Gag, one of the bearable sites out there when his door opened and his mother entered. He turned his swivel around and stared at her expectantly.

Kushina peeked at his monitor with a teasing smile. "Are you stalking Sasuke again?"

Naruto's jaw tightened, his cheeks reddening. How his mom ever went through his browsing history was both creepy and weird and ninja-like. "No, I'm trying to write a new song mom. Stop mentioning his name around me, will you? It gives me the creeps."

"I'm your mom, you can tell me things."

"Mom, the things I think about Sasuke are not appropriate for a mother to son conversation."

"Is it too explicit?" Kushina gasped.

Naruto cackled like a demon. "Uh yeah…blowing heads and -"

"Jeez, way to be subtle in front of me!"

Kushina's tone immediately sent him on a defensive stance and he threw his arms around himself in indignation, too frightened thinking about how his mom practically visualized him and Sasuke. "No! I meant multiple ways to murder him which are shooting him, stabbing him or something! Stop hanging out too much with dad, you're turning into a bigger pervert than me."

"Har har. I'd let you know it's the other way around when it comes to corrupting who in this house." Kushina sat by the end of his king-sized bed and stretch her legs. "Anyway, I came by to tell you I got you a free trip in Baguio. Tada!"

Naruto's eyes widened in excitement when he saw the coupon on her hand and he leaned forward, arms dugging around the chair as a support. "Wow mom, that' cool. You don't have to do this, I could have book it for myself."

It was true, if Naruto could now pay for himself but if his mom didn't bought up going to Baguio, he wouldn't have thought about it and stayed cooped up in his room.

Kushina flicked her hand as if to dismiss the thought. "Nonsense, me and your dad works hard for you only. And I don't get to pamper you enough." She said, regret lacing her voice.

Naruto stood up and reached for the coupon. It was not a tour package, making him sigh in relief. He never enjoyed the presence of a tour guide that hurried the tourists. If he wanted to take a vacation, he wanted to do it in a leisure pace and slowly take his surroundings in. The coupon was thankfully for a suite in a five star hotel, letting him manage his own time. "Thanks mom, this is really great." His eyes crinkled as he gave her his sincerest smile.

"Remember when you were a kid and you haven't experienced snow yet?" Her mom patted down the space beside her and he sat willingly, letting her thread her delicate hands through his hairs. "You used to bully your dad to let us on a vacation in a snowing place. It drove him crazy. But he was busy and couldn't take us so Itachi suggested going to Baguio instead since it's the only place here which has cold weather. You and Sasuke couldn't stop talking about it. Unfortunately we didn't go.

Naruto remembered those moments. Baguio seemed like the ideal place to play because he and Sasuke always complained about the hot weather in Manila. "Yeah, I always regretted not going there before I went to states."

"But now you can and I hope that when you return, you'll learn to be yourself again." Kushina's expression turned serious and her hands dropped down on her lap.

Naruto shifted his eyes to the carpet, having an idea of what the woman was saying but hated to admit it. "Mom, I'm not hiding anything, what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about showing other people that you care about them." She whispered softly.

"I do! Why do say that?!"

Kushina's brow met at her son's stubborn look before she got up and patted his head. She could only push for interaction too much but she had to let him deal with his own emotional issues. She patted her head, chuckling at the cute pout he never grew out with. "Nothing. Just enjoy the trip. Oh. And that's for tomorrow."

"What? I can't avail this any other time?" Naruto read the coupon again, only to grunt in frustration when it showed it would expire after tomorrow.

"Nope. So start packing now."

Squinting dubiously at his mother's cheery face, Naruto pointed the coupon at her in accusation. "You're hiding something from me."

Kushina's only reply was her boisterous laugh before she disappeared into the hallway.

Looking down at the coupon, Naruto could now bet his entire album that it had something to do with Sasuke. He debated packing but in the end, his curiosity won. He didn't have anything to lose anymore, in two weeks tops, he would go back to America and continue on with his life.


Itachi leaned back at the door as he watched his brother shoved a red fox stuff toy on his bag. The toy was too fat to fit inside sowith a sigh, Sasuke plucked it out and let it sat beside his baggage instead. Itachi couldn't help the snort that escaped him at the pathetic attempt.

"I'm sure Kyuubi will live without you for a week Sasuke." he drawled out, walking past his irate brother to sit down on the bed and poked around the things in the bag. "It's not like it will make a lot of difference."

"Hn."

"Naruto probably won't recognize it anymore."

"It's not about that." Sasuke turned his back to go the bathroom. "I can't sleep without it."

"Yeah, I bet Naruto could write a few songs about that. I gave a friend a small fox, now it's all in the past."

Sasuke poked his head from the door and gave Itachi a dry look. "That is the most disgusting rhyme I've ever heard."

Stretching back on the bed, Itachi stared up at the ceiling and listened as his brother made noise packing his hygienic things. He waited till Sasuke finished and asked him what he was doing there. "I'm just curious."

Sasuke knew what the other was talking about and sighed, exhaustion clear from his voice. "Yes."

"He hates you. What are you going to do? Be a good little boy and follow him around? Why don't you make your life easier and simply tell him? Then he'll be able to understand. Oh, right. Your pride will probably commit suicide."

"It's my last chance." Sasuke whispered. "And I don't want to screw it up."


During dinner, Kushina had recommended to travel early in which she hoped was a subtle manner of telling him exactly what was going through her mind. Naruto had fluttered his eyes innocently though he already guessed what was up. At exactly 6 o'clock in the morning, he had already packed the necessary clothes and hygienic supplies in his long-time trusted bag pack. The house was suspiciously devoid of his parents' bodies. He sat above their huge staircase and waited.

Minutes later, Sasuke walked in.

"Where's Naruto's baggage?" The raven asked the house's maid, looking around but missing Naruto's position atop.

"He insisted that he could carry it sir. We told him it was Michael's job but he wouldn't listen." answered the maid.

"Where is he?"

Naruto stood up from his perch and clapped, glaring all the way. "Wow. Just…wow. I knew there was something wrong with this package." He cocked his head to where his parent's bedroom was located and screamed. "Mom!"

"You don't have to yell Naruto." Sasuke said patiently as he approached.

"Says who? You? This is our house, I can do what I want." Naruto raised his brow, challenging the other. He picked up his bag and started for his room. "And on that note, I refuse to go on this trip with you. Go home Sasuke. This aint happening.

He heard Sasuke sighed before his arm was jerked back. Naruto turned harshly with slit eyes. "Do you really want to discard Kushina's hardwok?" Sasuke's hand tightened around him. "Mother told me she arranged this all by herself. You're not that selfish Naruto."

"Why did you agree to this? There's no way in hell you're doing this with no reason at all." Naruto queried with accusation.

"I want to go to Baguio. With you. I have never been there. Should I add more?" answered Sasuke calmly.

Naruto stared at him, gauging the truthfulness in the statement. He already had an idea the night before that Sasuke would be coming with him so more or less, he had prepared himself. He only wanted to be sure this wouldn't be a burden on anyone as he really look forward in enjoying himself. When Sasuke's gaze did not falter, he shrugged and changed his course. "Fine. But you're buying me junk foods."

"Are those allowed in your diet?" asked Sasuke with obvious relief in his tone.

Naruto couldn't help the small smile threatening to break free. "I'm on a break. I'm allowed to be human. Let's go."

"Do you need me to take care of that?"

"Fuck you. Treat me like a girl and I'll slap you so hard you'd never come close to them anymore."

Sasuke opened the compartment of his Monterosports and helped Naruto fit his luggage in. There was a familiar red fox toy sitting on the raven's own bag and Naruto picked it up excitedly. "Why are you always so angry?" asked Sasuke.

"It's my body's natural chemical reaction when I smell you near." Naruto stroked the stuff toy's worn out fur. "I can't believe you still have Kyuubi."

"You smell me?"

Naruto's only response was a middle finger to the smirking man. "Are you sure you know how to drive there? I don't want to risk my life when we go through the zigzag road. I still have lots of dreams and places I want to go."

"Of course I bought a map and I wouldn't have volunteered in the first place if I wasn't confident."

"I'm pretty sure that's a disease you were born with."

Sasuke scowled at him and went on the driver seat. "Shut up idiot and get in the car."

"You're the boss." Naruto chirped accompanied with a mocking bow.

They were already sitting inside when the house's front door burst open again and his parents' finally showed their faces. Kushina went down the steps with Minato, a visible bounce to her persona. Sasuke voluntarily rolled down the window on Naruto's side so they could hear the couple.

"Sasuke, I'm glad you took my advice and came by early. Take care of our Naruto, okay? Have a good trip!" Kushina winked.

Naruto slid half of his body through the window and tried to catch her. "You're not getting away with this, woman!"

His mother waved her hand. "Remember what I told you Naruto!"

"What did she told you?" asked Sasuke when they were finally out of the mansion's gate.

"Uh…nothing. You know even though she's my mom, I still don't get her sometimes." Naruto evaded the question, busying himself with his seat belt.

"You two are the same then." Sasuke mumbled.

Naruto chose not to delve further into the subject or he'd risk the dangerous route to his own issues. He was already doing a lot for himself when he agreed to the trip. Before coming home from America, he never imagined being alone with Sasuke again in fear of getting caught. He had treasured Sasuke through the years. The thought was already embarrassing enough because they never had anything to begin with. The only redeeming part of it all was he never admitted it to the man himself. In agreeing to join him, Naruto's trust in himself was on the line.

Yet this was a closure he needed so when he go back to the states, he could finally say that he faced Sasuke and came out alive.

The ride went on in silence for thirty minutes before Naruto's skin started cringing with the awkwardness of it all. He started messing with Sasuke's stereo. There was already a CD inside so he played it, only to freeze when his voice flooded through the car.

"I wanna sleep next to you. But that's all I wanna do right now. So come over now and talk me down."

Naruto pushed the eject button in panic. His companion hadn't said anything yet and for the first time, Naruto felt like he had done something inhuman. "A-ahm..I think Mikoto forgot her copy of my album." He stuttered.

"Why did you change it?" asked Sasuke and to Naruto's horror, rammed the CD back in.

"It's awkward bastard. Stop it."

"And I know I like to draw at night; it starts to get surreal. But the less time that I spend with you, the less you need to heal."

"You should have been used to it by now. Why are you still getting shy?" Sasuke's lip twitched, making him believe the man was enjoying his distress at the moment.

"I'm not shy, dammit." Naruto replied defensively yet the rapid reddening of his cheeks argued otherwise. "I just don't want you to listen to it coz I'm here. I know you're not into this genre."

"Nobody's forcing me to listen to it. The CD's mine. I bought it. And who says I don't like it?" And to prove his point, Sasuke started humming low to the tune of his single.

Naruto leaned back in his chair and eyed the man. "Thank you…for the support?" he said lamely and to avoid further awkwardness, he buried his head in Kyuubi's fluffy body and pretended to sleep. His heart threatened to jump out off his throat with the discovery of Sasuke actually listening to his album. There was happiness and embarrassment because he knew three of the songs in the album was written for the raven specifically. Fortunately, Sasuke didn't voice out any of his observation. If he did, Naruto was walking back home, to hell with his dignity and pride.

The car stopped but Naruto's eyes remained stubbornly close.

Sasuke shook his shoulder lightly. "Naruto, wake up, we're at a gasoline station and there's a 7/11 shop here. What do you want me to buy for you?"

Naruto opened his eyes slowly. He feigned stretching. "Hm? I'll come with you."

They got out of the car while the gas station boy filled it for them. They moved to the 7/11 shop and Naruto automatically got drawn to the soft drinks section. He picked out two cans of coke and an iced tea for Sasuke since the man hated sodas like cockroaches. He approached Sasuke in the junk foods portion and was surprised to see a lot of his favorite chips and ramen in the basket.

"You still remember my favorite foods." Naruto remarked as he picked up the beef flavored ramen to fill with hot water beside the water.

"Of course."

When the cashier finished listing all their purchases, Naruto fished out his wallet but Sasuke beat him to it.

"I'll pay." said Sasuke as he handed the woman his card.

"More than half of this mine. I can pay for my own." He argued.

"My card is more convenient." Sasuke released a sigh of frustration. "Do you really like arguing with me too much?"

"Yes, because your hair twitches every time."

Sasuke's hand immediately touched the back of his hair self-consciously and scowled when he realized he fell for the blonde's trap.

"Just joking." Naruto laughed outright, trying not to spill his hot ramen. "Anyway, thank you."

"You're welcome." Sasuke grabbed the paper bag. "See? You can be civil sometimes."

"I really want to enjoy this trip though. I mean, I've been born and grew up here yet this is my first time? Shame on my nationalism. Hey do you want to switch now?"

Naruto nearly jolted away when he felt Sasuke's fist brushed the back of his hand.

"No, it's fine. We can switch when we reached Pangasinan." Sasuke tilted his head to look at him.

He met the gaze, lips curving into a smile on its own. "Okay."

Before they reached the car, Naruto bumped his hand against Sasuke's too. The electricity of such simple and innocent touch continued sizzling through his skin throughout the drive.


Tenten looked up from her computer when the elevator pinged, an indication someone was coming to their private floor. Her back shoot up straight when she recognized the unwanted visitor. "What are you doing here Itachi?"

Itachi stood in front of her desk and scanned her from head to toe. "I told father I'll take over the office since my foolish little brother is off wooing his fiancé."

"Shisui-san should be in charge here since he knew more about this branch than you." She argued tersely, hand tightening on her pen.

"Are you questioning my skills Tenten?"

The pen broke. "No sir."

"Thank you. I thought for a second there you're actually shooing me, the boss. I'll be at my temporary office then."

Tenten squinted suspiciously at Itachi's back as he moved to his temporary desk. She had already made it clear it to him that they were done. Whatever he wanted to come out of his annoying persistency, she was sure it wouldn't bring back all that went down for the past two years. She screwed up. No matter what everyone told her, she did not deserve a second chance.

"Tenten I need assistance here. Will you please move your desk inside so I can converse with you more conveniently?"

"I can just answer you from here, sir."

Itachi raised his brow the same way he always did when someone questioned him.

She sighed and resigned herself to a week of mental torture. "Of course, you're the boss."


The car was filled of the constant crunching noise Naruto did while he munched on his cheese flavored Pringles. He was deliberately covering the sound of his voice with his unnecessary noises. Looking outside, he noticed it was already nearing night. Sasuke informed him a while ago that they would reach Pangasinan soon where they could finally change.

"Your dad mentioned you going on a world tour?" asked Sasuke.

Naruto reached down for the man's C2 and opened it for him. "Ah yes. I think Jiraiya's promoting it now."

Sasuke took it gratefully. "How long will that take?"

"I'm not sure, depends if we're also covering Asia. Jiraiya told me we'd only pick three cities in it."

"How long?"

"One year tops, I think." He whispered.

"Then what'll you do after that?"

Naruto shrugged. "Maybe work on my fourth album. I already have my materials so I could probably do it while on tour."

"That seems like the type of thing you ran away from when we're kids. You hated being busy." Sasuke glanced at him with a smirk.

"Yeah but I love my job so it can't be compared to tedious school projects. So how about you? Aunt Mikoto came by the other day and she mentioned you're gonna pursue law?" he asked, frowning when he noticed Sasuke's jaw tightening.

"Ah that. I'm still thinking on it."

"Why not become a pilot instead?" he suggested. "You used to talk about it all the time when we were kids."

Sasuke shook his head. "I'm too busy for it now."

"Ah yes of course, how would UB be successful without your sacrifices?"

"You have powder on your cheeks."

Naruto wiped his left cheek. "Here?"

"No." Sasuke turned his gaze away from the road for a second; brushed his finger on his right cheek and licked it. "Why do you like this stuff? It's too salty."

Naruto's blinked at him owlishly, taken a back. He snapped out of it soon and he grabbed Kyuubi again to put it on his lap as a futile protection. Sasuke kept rattling him about with his gestures. Gestures that was once normal when they were kids. "Well, I'm sorry if your health-conscious mind disapproves but it's delicious."

"Hn."

They finally reached Pangasinan around seven o'clock. They stopped by at a restaurant and ate dinner. Both of them only had sandwiches and ramen for lunch so the food's menu was a relief for them. After eating and trips to the comfort room, they got on the car with Naruto as a driver this time.

"Sleep Sasuke. I'll be fine. I have the map." Naruto said, noticing the yawn the other was trying to conceal. They both got up early but at least he had time to sleep most of the day in.

Sasuke grabbed the abandoned Kyuubi and used it as a pillow. "Wake me up if you're confused about something. I'm worried you've been away from the country too much and don't remember the terms."

Naruto snorted. "Keep going on that and I'll drove us to a cliff."

"You're too kind to do that." Sasuke responded sleepily.

The weather started dropping down when they neared their destination. Several signboards begun popping up for warning. Naruto slowed his speed when he read the caution for Baguio's famous zigzag road. He never took off his eyes from the road. The houses' lights below the mountain province lead him to see clearer. He was only glad it was not daytime or he'd be more nervous about the experience when sees the height they were climbing up.

Naruto exhaled the breath he was holding in when the sign 'Welcome to Baguio City' emerged. By this point, he had turned off the car's air conditioner. He studied the map while he navigated towards their designated hotel. He did not know what he was expecting really but Baguio City's environment looked a lot like a regular city, the only prominent differences are the mountain-like terrains and it was less crowded than Manila.

He woke Sasuke up when they arrived in the hotel. They gave the car key to the hotel's driver and instructed the bell boy on their luggage. Naruto hugged himself while they checked in the reception area.

"Damn it's cold."

Sasuke stopped the bell boy carrying their luggage and got something from his bag. He unfolded theclothe which turned out to be a jacket and wrapped it around Naruto's shoulder. "Here. You should have bought your thickest jacket."

Naruto gripped the jacket tighter and gave Sasuke a grateful smile. "I thought I was pretty immune to coldness at this point."

After the receptionist gave them their key, they rode the elevator to their floor in silence. Turned out Naruto was a little bit wrong in his guess because they had separate rooms. He squashed the small disappointment arising.

"Naruto." Sasuke stopped his hand before he could open his room.

Naruto raised his head and meet sinful dark-eyes. "What is it?"

Sasuke's hand tightened around his and before Naruto could blink, he felt a light kiss touch his forehead. "Let's not fight while we're here, okay? I know you look forward to this and I don't want to ruin it for you."

"No need to tell me bastard. I'll definitely enjoy myself." He breathed out.

"Hn. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Naruto hurriedly entered his room and jumped at the king-sized bed. He screamed at the thick comforter in a feeble attempt to calm his heart. The jacket suddenly became too hot and untangled it from himself. Looking up at the ceiling, Naruto replayed the feel of Sasuke's kiss on his forehead.

When they were kids, it felt like claiming him.

In the bar, it was more like…to get a rise out of him.

But tonight. He touched his forehead. Sasuke made him feel treasured and cherished in that second. It was the most dangerous feeling the man had ever given him because half of his wall crumbled down from it.

Without his permission.

Fuck. Fuck. He was so fucked.


The next morning, Naruto woke up to his loud ringtone. He opened his eyes blurrily and saw Sasuke's text telling him to shower already so they could tour the place early. It was barely seven, too untimely in his opinion but he got up nonetheless and went to the bathroom. The biting water nearly peeled his skin off when he forgot to turn the heater on. Cursing loudly, he put on the heater and sighed in relief.

He leaned his head on the tiled wall as the water washed off the soap from his body. The day would mostly be with Sasuke. He forced himself to not overthink about it. Their drive to Baguio City went well, beyond what he expected. They were both civil. Naruto remembered what Sasuke told him last night, the forehead kiss and stilled his resolve. They would get along as friends and that was that.

Sasuke knocked just as he finished putting on his thick jacket. They went down to the breakfast buffet downstairs and got their own food.

"So where should we start?" Naruto asked while he munched on his French toast, eyes scanning the brochure given by the hotel. There were a lot of parks in the place.

Sasuke peered behind his shoulder, causing him to tense up at the smell of the man's cologne. "How about we go to Burnham Park first?"

"Sure. We could ride the water ducks."

"Water ducks, Naruto. Really? What are you, seven?"

"Ugh. Don't be a killjoy dude." Naruto rolled his eyes then pushed Sasuke's shoulder lightly. "It'll be fun!"

They went to Burnham Park first which was the heart of Baguio City. Naruto took in the amazing view while Sasuke took pictures with his precious DLSR. As decided by Naruto, he really bullied Sasuke into riding one of the water ducks in Burnham Lagoon, a man-made lake where you could rent boats. It took the two hours to go through the place before deciding to eat Lunch near Mines View Park.

Mines View Park gave them an opportunity to dress up like the local natives. Naruto gladly took the chance although Sasuke flatly refused to wear one. He let the man took a picture of him instead, all the while teasing him about not fully enjoying the place until you dawn one of the native outfit.

While walking towards the ice cream seller with the famous strawberry flavor, Naruto halted in front of a store and gawked at the items.

"Is that a-?"

Sasuke picked up the penis shaped keychain, nonchalant. He dangled it in front of Naruto. "Do you want it?"

"I dare you to buy it for me." Naruto snickered.

"How much is this?" asked Sasuke, turning to the saleswoman.

"80."

While Sasuke got cash from his wallet, Naruto took out his phone and captured the scene in which the saleswoman handed the other his penis-shaped keychain.

"I took a picture. I'm gonna send it to Itachi." He held up his phone and wiggled it in Sasuke's face.

Sasuke handed him the key-chain with a smug smirk. "This is for you."

"Thank you, this is much sweeter than a bunch of flowers?"

"Do you want a bunch of that then?"

"Oh fuck you."

They continued wandering around the parks near to them. Naruto bought every delicacies he could get eyes on despite Sasuke reminding him of his diet. It was not every day he let loose like this. When nighttime fell, the wind got colder, making him huddled in his jacket more. Sasuke suggested going to the night market which was called Wagwagan. They parked a street away from the crowded market.

Naruto observed the crowd, debating with himself if he should bring a mask but shrugged it off in the end. The day went without much fuss, only a couple of people recognized him. He felt safer now that it was night and he could pretend to be a foreigner instead.

"Too crowded." Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand absently as they sauntered to the various shops in the streets. "Don't stray too far, I'll lose you."

Sasuke's squeezed his hand in return. "I won't Naruto."

Wagwagan was a special street shop that only opened at night, the road where it was being held closed off until three in the morning. They usually sells second-hand designer jackets, shoes and clothes. Naruto busied himself with street foods again while he walked beside Sasuke who was finding angles for his pictures.

An explosion suddenly lit up the place and Naruto looked up to see colorful fireworks painting the sky. He stopped walking and tugged at Sasuke's jacket. "Look they are lighting up the place. It's beautiful."

"It is."

The way Sasuke said it caused him to turn to the man. His breathe hitched when he realized Sasuke had been staring at him all along. Gripping the can of food tightly to his chest, Naruto didn't even close his eyes as Sasuke's lips descended on his. Sasuke nipped at his bottom gently before pulling away.

"Why?" he asked weakly.

Sasuke caressed his cheek. "Is it wrong?"

"We agreed to be friends. This is not what friends do."

Before Naruto could further react, Sasuke placed another kiss on his lips. He felt the Sasuke grabbed his hand, too daze to take notice of anything else but this amazing man who never failed to mess with his head and heart.

"It's getting late, we should go back."

Naruto could only nod as he let Sasuke guided them back to their car. He remained silent on the ride back to their hotel, completely clueless on how to go from here. Did this mean Sasuke was interested in him? Why only now? How could someone fall in love in just a short period of time? Was it possible?

Even as they entered the lobby, Naruto's brain persisted on not believing Sasuke's actions. Especially the kisses.

Sasuke stopped him before they could enter the elevator and he turned to him expectantly. "Naruto, I want to tell-"

"Sasuke! Oh my god, it's you! And Naruto's with you!"

They both whirled around to the source of the voice. Naruto's heart froze. He recognized the girl as Sasuke's girlfriend during high school, the red-haired named Karin. Watching with an impassive face, he stepped back as Karin ran to them and drew Sasuke into a hug.


TO BE CONTINUED…

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