This isn't what I was supposed to do today, but I don't think you're complaining. Well, not yet mwahaha...

On an unrelated note my body hurts so much, I've got bruises in interesting places... All thanks to getting back to my horse riding again:) So it's worth it heh but damn it's painful... I mean I can't sit down without at least a bit of pain. Yay. On a great note it's only a week left until adgxvnetu comes to visit me:DDD

Chapter 10: A second first date

'

Naruto nervously smoothed out his dress shirt for the umpteenth time; he'd arrived early to get a table and of course show that he was serious about this. Sasuke still had five minutes to go, but even so he couldn't help but worry that he'd been stood up which was stupid since Sasuke had replied to his text saying he was on the way. Biting his lip he fiddled with his phone, trying to concentrate but unable not to glance in the direction of the entrance every other second or so.

To say that he was relieved when his eyes finally caught Sasuke's was an understatement. He grinned nonetheless and waved at the raven walking over to him, Sasuke's face more composed but hardly indifferent.

"Hey" Sasuke said once he reached the small circular table inside the booth, and there was an awkward moment where neither knew how to really greet the other.

They settled for an awkward hug seeing as Naruto had already stood up, and sitting down again Naruto had to admit that the fluttering in his stomach was a rather nice feeling.

"Bet you didn't expect me to be first here" Naruto joked, still grinning, wondering if he'd be able to stop at all during the night.

"Hn. Considering you texted me to say you already got a table, I'd say I've had time to get over the shock."

Naruto rolled his eyes at him, then handed him the drink menu.

"What are you having?" Sasuke asked, scanning through the pages.

"The 'orange explosion'. It's good, you should try it."

Sasuke just gave the blond a look, clearly stating that no, he would not try it.

"I think I'll go for something less obnoxious" he simply said.

Once they'd gotten their drinks a brief silence fell over the table, and they looked at each other from behind their glasses.

"I really am sorry about before" Naruto started, hesitant, wondering whether bringing it up was a good idea or a catastrophic one.

"Please, let's not start the conversation with apologies, it ruins the mood."

Sasuke had raised an eyebrow but didn't look like he was bothered by Naruto's sentence.

"Heh, and your bastard comments don't?"

Sasuke smirked, then held his glass up towards Naruto.

"How about a toast to our fourth date, and the fact that we haven't killed each other yet."

Naruto let out a chuckle as their glasses made a clinking sound.

"I thought we weren't dating before?"

He meant it as a joke, but he could feel the slight waver of his voice at the end, and Sasuke's eyes were serious as they observed him before taking a slow sip.

"First date then?" he offered, and Naruto looked down for a second, a small smile on his face before raising his head again, and realizing he still hadn't tasted his drink he took a gulp and grinned as wide as he possibly could.

"I knew you'd come around" he said with a wink, causing Sasuke to snort and shake his head slowly.

"I'd tell you not to let it get to your head, but I guess it's too late for that."

Naruto stuck out his tongue before taking another sip.

"This place isn't bad" Sasuke commented, looking around them.

The bar was moderately small, the booths and dimmed lighting creating a cozy feeling. Naruto had been right; it was great for talking. Sasuke just wasn't sure how much talking he'd like to do.

"But hey, while we're on awkward subjects anyway, I was really mad at you for the whole Kakashi thing. But I needed it, so thanks."

Sasuke looked to the side, tensing up momentarily.

"You're in an awkward mood I see" he mumbled, leaning back in his seat and brushing some hair out of his face.

"Well, I can't always be my awesome fun self."

The raised eyebrow Sasuke sent Naruto's way was met with downcast eyes, and it made him frown a little. He leaned forwards again, one hand around his glass and leaning his chin in the other.

"You know, you told me I wasn't at all like you expected, but I'd say the same goes for you."

The corners of Naruto's lips turned upwards for a quick moment, and he spun his glass around slowly, seeming to find the swirl of the liquid inside fascinating.

"Isn't it always like that though" he mumbled, sending a glance Sasuke's way. "Acting one way and being another."

"I don't think I'm drunk enough for this kind of deep conversation."

Naruto broke out into a smile and laughed quietly, and Sasuke could feel some tension drain from his shoulders.

"We'd better keep drinking then" the blond said and raised his glass in a mock toast.

Another drink or two and some casual conversation later Sasuke found himself staring at the hand Naruto had lying on the table. Without thinking he reached out and put his fingers lightly in-between the tan ones, curling them but not exactly holding Naruto's. He could feel Naruto's questioning eyes on him in the silence that had suddenly appeared, and he swallowed nervously.

"I think I'm turning gay" he said in a low voice, almost absentmindedly brushing his thumb along Naruto's.

Since Naruto didn't answer he felt compelled to explain.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I still like women's bodies, but I can't pretend I've ever felt that emotional connection with any of them. And it's not for lack of trying."

He locked Naruto's gaze with his own, falling silent again as he wondered just where the hell he was going with this, and he could feel Naruto's fingers twitch against his as if wanting to hold them but restraining themselves.

He tightened his hold.

"You said you didn't swing that way" Naruto said, his voice sounding loud compared to Sasuke's even though he felt as if he was whispering.

"I lied" Sasuke replied. "Or it's more like, I wasn't thinking of ever going for a guy even though I could."

He lowered his gaze to their hands, finding it safer than those blue eyes that seemed to make him lose all self-restraint.

"Well" Naruto started, clearing his throat a little, "I never thought I'd date at all."

"Because of Kakashi?"

They were both staring at their joined hands at this point, Naruto biting his lip at the question.

"I guess…" he answered, trailing off.

"How long were you together anyway?"

Naruto was silent for so long that Sasuke started worrying he'd crossed some line. You're not supposed to talk about exes on dates after all.

"We were never together Sasuke. I met him when I was fourteen."

Sasuke looked up at him, eyebrows raised.

"That's, pretty young" he commented.

Naruto also looked up, as if startled out of his memories.

"Oh, no, it took years until we started sleeping together, but I…"

"You liked him the whole time."

It wasn't a question, and Naruto squirmed uncomfortably, averting his eyes.

"Does it matter? It's over."

"No. Of course not, sorry."

Naruto sighed, slumping back in his chair and running a hand through his hair.

"What about you then? This whole dating mania" Naruto asked, switching subjects and regretting it the moment Sasuke tensed up and let go of his hand to cross his arms.

"It's not a mania" he muttered.

"I didn't mean to offend you" Naruto quickly said, cursing over the fact that they couldn't just act as carefree with each other as before.

"No" Sasuke said with a sigh, "I'm not offended. But…" He hesitated, struggling with the words.

"Let's talk about something else."

Sasuke seemed to debate with himself over something, then took a deep breath and uncrossed his arms as he forced himself to relax again.

"I'm sorry, I'll tell you another time" he said, an almost sad expression on his face.

"Looks like all we're doing tonight is apologize and bring up awkward topics huh?" Naruto said in a light tone, trying to ease up the tension a bit.

Sasuke blew some air out of his nose, shaking his head and picking up his drink.

"I guess" he said, and for a moment they were both quiet, trying to shake off the past five minutes.

"It's weird though" Naruto continued, a contemplative look on his face. "You make me act all serious, I don't talk like this ever."

"Well, I don't make jokes or touch people."

Sasuke looked as confused about this as Naruto felt, and suddenly he couldn't help but laugh a little. When Sasuke quirked his lips he laughed harder, and they shared a look of mild amusement.

"There's something wrong with us, isn't there?" Naruto said once he'd calmed down a little, another chuckle escaping him at the end of his sentence.

"A lot of things" Sasuke agreed, wincing when Naruto kicked his leg underneath the table. "Moron" he added, rolling his eyes when Naruto gave him an innocent look.

"Hey, Sasuke? Thanks, for giving me another chance."

Sasuke leaned his chin in his palm, looking bored.

"Didn't really have anything better to do tonight" he replied, and when Naruto kicked him again he smirked. "Careful with that, I might think you like it rough."

"Yeah? Maybe I do" Naruto grinned, hooking both feet around Sasuke's leg and pulling it towards him, forcing it to stretch out.

Narrowing his eyes Sasuke didn't comment when Naruto started to trace up and down his calf with one shoe, grin still in place.

"Tell me Sasuke, was your father a thief?" Naruto asked, laughter in his voice and a twinkle in his eyes. "Because he must have stolen all the stars and put them in your eyes."

"And you get laid how again?" Sasuke asked with a questioning look.

"Ha, people get hard just hearing my voice" Naruto bragged, foot still playing with Sasuke's leg as he reached forward across the table to tug at Sasuke's sleeve.

"You mean it doesn't matter that half the things leaving your mouth are stupid? I guess people are right when they say looks and intelligence don't match."

Naruto pouted at Sasuke's amused tone.

"You realize that goes for you as well?" he said in a put out voice, dragging Sasuke's hand towards him over the table by the sleeve he still held.

"I never said I was intelligent" Sasuke drawled, allowing Naruto to intertwine their fingers again.

"And I never said you were pretty" Naruto shot back, a teasing grin splitting his face as he played with Sasuke's hand, measuring their fingers. "Your hands are larger than mine" he mused, clasping their hands together and turning them back and forth.

"You shouldn't be surprised, my dick is larger too after all."

Naruto let out a squawk of indignation and glared at his date who seemed like he had trouble keeping a straight face.

"You're so mean to me Sasuke" he whined, letting their hands fall down on the table.

"Hn, you like it" Sasuke teased, and as Naruto gave him a suspicious look the raven suddenly felt an urge to kiss him, a tingle breaking out in his body and tracing down his abdomen at the thought.

"I can leave if you hate my presence that much" Naruto pouted, pretending to sound hurt.

"I think we should leave regardless of that, it's getting late" Sasuke said, not dropping his smirk even though Naruto gave him the hardest kick yet.

"Fine, be a bastard" Naruto muttered, checking his phone and realizing it actually was later than he'd expected.

Once outside the bar they lingered for a while, neither wanting to be the one to leave first, even though it had been Sasuke's idea in the first place.

"Umm so I… I had a good time tonight" Naruto said, rubbing his neck and smiling sheepishly. "Even with all the awkward stuff."

Sasuke snorted, looking down at the ground briefly, hands stuck in his pockets.

"Yeah, me too" he said, nervously licking his lips.

"Okay, umm…" Naruto hesitated, not used to saying goodbyes like this.

"I'll call you tomorrow" Sasuke said, then took a step forward and caught Naruto in a hug.

Naruto hugged back after the initial surprise, and once they both seemed to realize that the hug was way longer than what could be considered platonic in a public setting they started separating. Before they'd let go though Naruto gripped the sides of Sasuke's coat and pulled him back, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.

He'd fully intended to leave it at that, but Sasuke didn't let him, following his mouth as he leaned back and connecting them again. For a minute they simply stood there, lips molding against lips, and by the time Sasuke stepped back Naruto felt light-headed and not so composed anymore.

Sasuke gently squeezed his upper arms, having taken a hold of them somewhere during the kiss.

"I'll see you later" he mumbled, and Naruto couldn't help the tingle in his fingertips at the deeper than usual voice as he slid them off Sasuke's coat.

He nodded, not really trusting his own voice at the moment, and gave an awkward wave as Sasuke turned and left, heading for the subway. Biting his lip he willed himself to calm down, heading in the other direction, his apartment within walking distance.

He'd only walked a couple hundred meters though when he heard hurried steps behind him and someone suddenly grabbed the back of his leather jacket, pulling him into a firm chest as a breath tickled his ear.

"Take me home" Sasuke demanded, and Naruto had to swallow several times against the burning desire in his throat before he could respond.

"You know" he mumbled, voice just a tad bit shaky, "I've heard people say they'd rather believe you to be the sex god on campus, and I see what they mean."

The amused puff of air against his ear had him shivering, and one of the hands eased up its hold and slid forwards, resting on his hip instead underneath the fabric, warmth spreading from the contact.

"Funny, I've heard the same" Sasuke said, voice husky as he brushed his nose over the expanse of skin behind Naruto's ear. "But I'm curious to know if you hold up to the title."

"You better not walk out on me this time Uchiha" Naruto almost growled, turning around and taking a hold of the hand previously on his hip, giving Sasuke a hard look.

"I'm assuming you wouldn't let me" Sasuke smirked, eyes half-lidded as he started walking in the direction Naruto was headed before he'd caught up to him.

Sucking in a breath Naruto tried to clear his mind of the fog Sasuke had already managed to inspire in there, and starting to walk beside him he felt as if the journey back home could be counted in light-years instead of a mere two kilometers.

Oh god he couldn't wait to get home.

I'm assuming at the end you were all like "yes yes YES YE-NO! Nooooo how dare you cut the chapter there you insolent bastard!" Heh I'm sorry, but originally they weren't supposed to go home together at all and there wasn't supposed to be any action until Saturday, so it's still a pretty good dealX) Oh, and if you like KakaNaru check out the onsehot I wrote for adgxvnetu;) Love you guys!