I actually finished this two days ago but I didn't think I had finished it. The first scene cuts off and you'll get to see it in the next chapter instead. A lot of Naruto and Sasuke in this because I still can't skip exactly everything, even if it would make things faster it wouldn't make sense. And it's nice to develop things from the past a little bit. So there are some copied parts but I've also tweaked parts so don't skip it too quickly.
As for Kiba, that part kinda scared me a bit to write. He seems a lot worse now than in Results and maybe I should create a different "end" for him because he's such an ass. I like him in the manga though. He's the only one with a normal, decent dream in that tsukuyomi place. Oh, and I'm convinced that Hinata is a closet pervert and nothing will make me change my mind.
At least it feels good to get the next chapter out so quickly, maybe I'll have time to write another soon one even. I should study but meh, I get decent grades anyway. These chapters are fairly easy to write anyway since the plot is already out there for most of it. But, the Itachi and Gaara parts should be exciting even though they won't get physical in a pretty long time. I'm sure there are still some of you who aren't too happy with the straight stuff that'll come later, and I bet some people skip this story because of that, but I just want you to know that it's extremely essential to the plot. If that doesn't happen first, Itachi and Gaara will never last in the end. Just saying this in case.
Other than that, I feel like the only stuff I've been doing the past weeks is horse stuff. It never ends. Also I have a week and a half left before my last exam and then freedom. Man how am I going to survive...
Title for this chapter is from the song with the same name by One Republic because I suck at naming things nowadays.
Chapter eleven: Someone to save you
xxx
-October 21st, 2012-
In the end, Itachi never got around to getting drunk again with Gaara. He'd spent his Friday evening fervently wishing he had, not to mention the previous evening. His accomplice and newfound friend had been forced to work, and Itachi felt selfish enough to wish that whoever got murdered had chosen another day to die. Leaning his face on his arm he tried to will his headache away, thinking that maybe it was a good thing he'd stayed sober throughout the past days since talking to Sakura's parents had pretty much the same aftereffects as alcohol. What he needed right now was some kind of miracle, and looking up when his door opened he felt a strong urge to hug Gaara.
"You look awful" he said instead, head still on his arm but with his face turned towards Gaara.
"Well, I've been working for almost two days straight. I think I have a right to look awful."
Itachi smiled as he sat down, but even he could feel how weak it was.
"Maybe I should do like Sasuke, and pick up some hot guy at a bar" he sighed, playing with a pencil, rolling it back and forth on top of his desk. "I hope he was worth the commotion it caused."
Gaara leaned back, covering a yawn with his hand. He then raised an eyebrow at Itachi's words and glanced out the window at the warm afternoon sun.
"You know I think you could use some fresh air, you're kind of rotting away in this stuffy office."
"But I'll make a pretty corpse" Itachi mumbled, staring at his pencil and sighing. "I'd deserve it, anyway."
"Alright" Gaara said with determination, standing up and walking around the desk. "I think your company can survive an afternoon without your heroic efforts."
Itachi blinked in surprise as he was pulled out of his chair, Gaara lifting him by his arm. His phone was then stolen from his desk, his computer closed and suddenly he was on his way towards the elevator.
"What are you doing?" he protested with no real force.
"I'm kidnapping you, isn't it obvious?"
Gaara nodded at Itachi's secretary, who nodded back calmly.
"What should I tell anyone who asks?" he asked, giving Itachi an expectant look.
"Well... Just make something up."
"Good answer" Gaara said, patting his shoulder before gripping it tight, steering him towards freedom.
It wasn't until they sat in the car, ten minutes away from the office, that Itachi remembered he had so many things to do before tomorrow.
"Gaara, we need to turn back, I can't just leave like that!"
"You seem to be leaving just fine." Gaara sent him a look that cut off any further objections, Itachi thinning his lips into a line and crossing his arms. "Look, you're going through a rough time and someone needs to make sure you don't work yourself to death over it. I've been through a similar thing and I had Yugito, so now I'm your Yugito and you just need to deal with it."
Itachi stared at Gaara like he'd grown two heads. He wasn't working himself to death, hell it had only been a couple of days. Unlike what happened to his father…
Thinking of his father put a stop to his thoughts. Gaara might be right. He was obviously suffering from all the things happening, and earlier he'd taken it out on Sasuke which was the last thing he wanted. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying his best to relax into his seat.
"Better" Gaara said, voice gentle, as if pleading with Itachi not to be angry at him.
"Okay" Itachi said, clasping his hands in his lap. "I'm listening."
Gaara's lips pulled at the corners, eyes scanning traffic as the light turned to green.
"That's more than I ever did" he commented, narrowing his eyes at another driver he judged too slow.
"Where are we going anyway?"
The only answer Itachi got was an innocent smirk as Gaara turned up the volume on the radio, leaving him to his own thoughts. Strangely, his headache was already gone.
-October 22nd, 2012-
When Sasuke woke up it took him a while to organize his thoughts. Yesterday's fight with Itachi had taken its toll on him, and waking up in the middle of the night to have a round of exhausting – but very pleasurable – sex didn't exactly make him less tired. It was crazy that in barely three days Naruto had become important to him, had made him feel connected to another person physically but also emotionally. Maybe… maybe he could tell Naruto about his life and his feelings. He'd walked to the restaurant Naruto worked at after the fight, taking a detour to think things through in a park. He didn't think his brother had really meant it when he almost flat-out accused him of causing their father's death by acting like shit after his engagement, but it had still hurt a lot. He knew Itachi was under pressure right now but it's not like he'd told him about it, or tried to make him help.
Okay, so maybe Sasuke had been a little annoying right after the break-up but he thought he was entitled to being upset since the media milked the drama out of the situation with no compassion at all. At least he hadn't said anything bad about him coming out as gay… He still couldn't believe he'd said it, and by accident too! That the 'girl' he'd brought home was actually a guy…
Turning to his side he could vaguely make out Naruto's sleeping form in the dark, he was on his back but with his face towards Sasuke. He reached a hand out and touched his cheek, tracing the scars he knew were there. He wondered how he got them, but he figured he couldn't ask yet. It's not like he was ready to tell Naruto exactly everything, either. But if he could, he'd like to at least try explaining a few things.
Naruto stirred, groaning a little before stretching. Funny that he'd been close to impossible to wake up the day before, but now it seemed easy enough.
"What time is it?" he mumbled, voice raspy from sleep.
"It's still early, you can sleep."
Naruto yawned, rolling onto his stomach to stretch again.
"But now I'm already awake. Which is funny because I didn't sleep much last night, getting to bed that early was weird. And then we woke up and…"
He trailed off, most likely thinking about the fact that after having dinner in the middle of the night, they'd moved on to the sex part.
"Man you were so hot last night" he continued in awe, chuckling when Sasuke let out an awkward sound. "I hope your screaming didn't wake the neighbors."
Sasuke smacked his arm, Naruto managing to shield himself with it just in time.
"You better hope it didn't" he muttered, but actually he was more embarrassed than angry. He'd said some pretty dirty things last night after all.
"But Sasuke, were you serious yesterday?" I mean…" Naruto hesitated, but Sasuke scooted closer and cupped his face with one hand.
"I was, I told you didn't I? I know it's a bit fast but, I'd like it if you moved in."
Naruto bit his lip, but Sasuke pulled it out from between his teeth and then kissed him, with some difficulty due to the angle. He took his time, making sure that any objections Naruto might have would be long forgotten once they parted again. After being told about Naruto's living situation, being stuck with Hinata after catching her cheating with his ex, the idea of asking Naruto to live with him hadn't needed much encouragement to form in his brain. That didn't mean it was problem-free however. His life had been messy for a long time and it didn't seem like it would get that much easier anytime soon.
"There's something I'd like to tell you first, though. It's about my mother, and my father I guess."
Naruto was silent, placing his hand above Sasuke's to show he was listening. Sasuke took a deep breath, trying to figure out a good way to tell him. The logical part of his brain told him it was insane to tell someone he just met something so personal, but the more emotional part was begging him to let it all out, to find comfort in Naruto's touch and warmth.
"The engagement I was in, it was my father's idea. It was my eighteenth birthday and I… I had decided to tell him I was gay so he could drop any expectations he had on me. He didn't take it well, and then suddenly I was engaged to Sakura with no way out."
Naruto squeezed his fingers, but didn't comment and Sasuke was thankful for that. If he didn't keep talking he wasn't sure he could start again. It felt terrifying and relieving all at once.
"I didn't accept just like that though, I acted like shit and tried to get myself a bad enough reputation for them not to want me, but it didn't work. And then…"
"And then?" Naruto urged gently when he'd been quiet for too long.
"And then he died."
He swallowed, hard, surprised his voice stayed steady.
"But you were still engaged after that?"
He could hear the confusion in Naruto's voice, and he couldn't say he knew why things had gone as far as they had.
"Yeah, I don't know. There was some stupid kind of agreement I had to sign, and both my mother and brother pressured me not to do something to damage our relationship with her family. I mean, Itachi at least wanted to help but fuck it, I was feeling miserable the whole time. I just don't understand how Sakura could act like my feelings didn't matter at all! It makes me so angry just thinking about it!"
Naruto stroke his thumb over the back of Sasuke's hand soothingly, and Sasuke heaved a sigh.
"And the fight at work yesterday… Itachi just had to remind me that our mother put all the blame for father dying on me. I'm fairly certain the only emotion she's felt the past twenty years is disappointment" he muttered, words sour from bitterness and the fact that he resented his entire life up until this point.
"I don't know what to say."
Naruto was watching him in concern, probably putting together the bits and pieced of information he'd given him over the past days. Sasuke didn't know what else to say either, but it felt good to have it off his chest. Maybe his therapist was right, venting could actually feel good. He just had a feeling his therapist would have preferred it if he vented on him instead.
"Shouldn't you have felt happy though, on Friday I mean? If you finally broke up."
"Yeah, well, that's the reporters' fault, and the fact I had to work instead of getting my day off like promised. Besides, everyone seemed to think I was heartbroken and it sucks that no one understood how much I hated being in that relationship. That's five years of my life completely to waste."
"That's such a long time" Naruto mused, but Sasuke shrugged.
"What about you?" He didn't feel like thinking about it more than necessary.
"What about me?"
"Why did you say you had a shitty month?"
Naruto fell silent, reluctant or trying to phrase it, Sasuke didn't know which.
"It's not that interesting. I already told you Kiba pulled that shit with Hinata, and how I live with her and work with him. Then there's my godparents… I grew up with my godfather mainly, he's a pervert. And my godmother is into gambling and keep getting in trouble, she went to prison for a while." He paused, turning to his side and propping his head up with an arm. "It sounds bad but I did okay, most of the time. It's just that they're both in trouble now and they keep asking me for money. It's not like I have much, and what I have is what my parents left me that's supposed to be for when I study, and some money I've saved for travelling. I don't want to be selfish but…"
"If they're in trouble it's theirs to get out of, right?" Sasuke frowned, not liking the torn look on Naruto's face in the dim light, and not liking that there seemed to be a sad back story there. Naruto was the kind of person that shouldn't have things like that.
"Yeah, I know." He seemed like he wanted to say more, but then sat up and shook his head, grinning at Sasuke. "Come on, let's forget about that crap and eat breakfast, I'm starving!"
Sasuke wasn't entirely convinced by the smile, but didn't press the issue. Forget and move on was what he'd promised himself to do the moment he was rid of Sakura and also of the feeling of being chained down to an inescapable path that made every fiber of his being want to scream.
Didn't mean he could act like everything was sunshine and rainbows from now on, though.
xxx
After washing up a little, Naruto went to Sasuke's front door to get the morning paper. Sasuke had somehow managed to throw away or hide the previous ones, and Naruto was curious. He wondered if there would really be anything about him and Sasuke in it, like he'd been told. Plus, it'd be a good distraction from the thoughts running through his mind. As he bent to pick it up, moving sneakily because Sasuke thought he was still in the bathroom, he noticed a white envelope on top of it. He flipped it over and saw that it had the Uchiha Corps's logo on it, and Sasuke's name was written by hand on it. He pursed his lips thoughtfully and stared at it for a while. If he brought it back to Sasuke he'd know that Naruto had the paper as well, but if he didn't then Sasuke might not find it or simply get rid of it. It could be important. He was relieved of his decision-making as Sasuke came up to him, looking at him with suspicion.
"It's for you" he said, trying to look innocent while holding out the envelope.
"How surprising. Throw it away."
Sasuke was so grumpy sometimes.
"It could be important."
"It could be that I don't fucking care. Now what are you planning on doing with that newspaper?"
Naruto held it protectively behind his back.
"I was just going to read it. But I really think we should focus on the envelope instead."
Sasuke glared at him, but then he sighed.
"Do what you want as long as you don't tell me about it." He dragged a hand through his hair and grimaced when he felt a knot in it. "I have to go brush my hair." He turned to walk back in the direction he came from.
Naruto huffed. His sort-of boyfriend was so unreasonably vain. Didn't he realize that he had incredibly arousing just-woke-up-after-a-night-of-sex hair? If they hadn't started talking about serious stuff the moment they woke up he might have messed it up a little more. He went into the kitchen and slumped down in his usual chair, thinking Sasuke's chairs were way too comfy to be mere kitchen chairs. He tilted it backwards so that he balanced on just two of its legs, holding the edge of the table in case the chair wasn't to be trusted. But he didn't have to worry; it was an amazing chair. He heard Sasuke coming back and hastily dropped back to all fours instead. Sasuke was brushing his dark hair carefully and tried to smooth it down with his other hand.
"Do you always brush in the kitchen?" Naruto asked, watching Sasuke's futile attempts with amusement.
"No, I came to complain about you making me go to bed with wet hair last night. Look at it! It's pure horror."
Naruto chuckled and flicked Sasuke's stomach, the pale man having stopped just in front of him.
"But you looked so fucking hot with wet hair" he said, untying the knot on Sasuke's sweatpants. These were grey ones, and a lot baggier than what he'd used up until now, and he felt a huge amount of content as they started to slide down Sasuke's hips. Sasuke glared at him and abandoned his attempts to fix his hair to pull them back up, tying the knot again. Naruto pouted and looked up at him, trying his best at puppy eyes.
A dark eyebrow twitched in annoyance, and Sasuke used his free hand to push down the blond's eyelids, shielding him from that powerful look. It's not like he didn't want a blowjob or anything, but they didn't have time for that. More specifically, he didn't like the feeling he had that it would most likely end with him bottoming again. His ass was a little too sore for that. He threw the brush on the counter, deciding he'd deal with it later, and started to make breakfast. He would have to teach Naruto to make smoothies sometime.
Slightly disappointed, Naruto turned his attention towards the letter for Sasuke. He wasn't seriously trying to initiate anything anyway, he couldn't be late for work. He turned the envelope over in his hands, noticing that it was more cream-colored than white and having the feel of parchment rather than paper. Well, Uchiha Corps was a pretty fancy company from what he knew of it. He glanced at Sasuke who ignored him completely. He hesitated a second, then opened it slowly, biting his lip in concentration.
Sasuke glanced back at Naruto, seeing him open the letter. It was obviously from his brother and he had no desire to read it at all. He watched Naruto read in concentration, and didn't have time to avert his eyes as Naruto looked up at him. But Naruto just looked down again, continuing to read but glancing back at Sasuke now and then. Sasuke gritted his teeth in irritation. There was no way the letter could be that long, unless Naruto was an exceptionally slow reader. When Naruto looked up again Sasuke groaned in frustration and gave up. Two fast steps and he reached Naruto, snatching the letter out of his hand, missing the grin he tried to hide.
When he'd read the letter he ripped it in tiny pieces, went over to the window and was just about to open it and throw the pieces out when he caught himself. Crap, the fangirls might find them and glue them together. It had happened before. This was why he always burnt stuff, except he was out of matches at the moment. He sighed.
Naruto looked at Sasuke with concern. It's not like the letter had contained bad news or anything. It was just his brother, apparently named Itachi, apologizing like he damn well should and reminding him of a press conference the following morning. It was a short letter really, but Naruto used the same trick he'd use on kids to make Sasuke curious and read it. Too easy. But Sasuke didn't seem very happy about the apology. Or perhaps it was the press conference. He watched Sasuke look out through the window, seemingly having a mini-crisis. When he heard him mumbling about burning stuff he figured it was time to intervene.
Sasuke felt Naruto's hand on his arm and turned around again, pouting but trying not to look obvious about it.
"I don't have any matches, and if I throw it out girls might find it" he complained.
Naruto stared at him for a second, then he smacked his hand over his forehead.
"Oh god why" he groaned, making Sasuke cross his arms in annoyance. Then he looked at Sasuke seriously.
"You're going right?"
"Where?" Sasuke looked confused.
"To that thing tomorrow!"
Sasuke glared at him.
"I guess."
"Good." Naruto nodded to himself, and then he went back to his chair. "Now make me that smoothie."
Sasuke shook his head and snorted. Since when did he allow himself to be ordered around like that? But Naruto was grinning, and he couldn't help smiling too. What was one measly press conference compared to that smile?
As Naruto sat down again he unfolded the newspaper, searching the front page for anything interesting. The headline was something about politics, but Naruto didn't bother finding out what. Instead, his eyes were glued to a side article. Oh now we're talking. There was a picture of Sasuke, looking annoyed. It seemed to have been taken at some sort of public appearance judging by the suit and background. Hmm he should convince Sasuke to wear a suit next time they fucked. Clearing his head from those distracting thoughts he read the bold text above it: Uchiha Sasuke coming out? Naruto snorted and ignored the smaller text in favor of reading the whole article.
"You'd think they'd have something better to write about" he commented.
"I think one of the people in charge have a crush on me." Sasuke shrugged. "And I thought I told you I didn't want to know."
"The picture of us is actually of pretty good quality. I think they captured my good side" Naruto mused, grinning when Sasuke gave him a look.
He continued to read, completely immersed in it he accepted his smoothie from Sasuke and didn't even comment on its healthy green color.
"They think I'm the reason you broke up with her" he then said, sounding amused.
"Did they already forget that she broke up with me or what?" Sasuke couldn't help commenting, even if he'd have preferred it if Naruto hadn't started reading in the first place. Newspapers always got things wrong when they wrote about him. It was like a curse or something.
"It's more like they think she caught us doing it, but overall the reporter seems to be on your side."
"How nice." Sasuke didn't really sound like he meant it.
"Hmm, there's another one here thinking that you'll quit your job and run off with me. Romantic isn't it?" Naruto wiggled his eyebrows at Sasuke, who didn't seem as amused by the idea. "Ooh they've asked the public for their opinion! 67% thinks that you're definitely gay, 10% that you're being targeted, 14% that it's a PR thingy and the rest apparently don't care."
Sasuke sipped his smoothie while glaring at the offending piece of paper. He was just about to forcefully retrieve it so he could get rid of it when Naruto laughed out loud.
"What" he said, eyeing the blond with suspicion.
"This columnist is really funny" he said between chuckles.
"Well fuck the columnist."
"Yeah he'd love that!" Naruto laughed some more, especially at seeing Sasuke's dismayed look.
"I wonder how long it'll take them to find out my name and stuff" he then said, pursing his lips thoughtfully and causing Sasuke to momentarily lose focus at the sight. Once he was back down on earth he said:
"Well, it depends on whether or not someone you know will sell you out. Otherwise I'm guessing tomorrow at the press conference."
Naruto gave him a blank look. "You mean you're gonna tell them?"
"If you don't mind."
"I guess not. So, are you going to make an epic speech about how suppressed you've felt playing straight?"
Sasuke scowled at Naruto's easy-going expression, thinking he wouldn't laugh at it if he'd told him the whole truth earlier.
"No."
"Bastard. You could give them something to write about at least." He kicked Sasuke playfully, thinking that the Uchiha looked really cute when he was moping. "Come on, this is huge! At least tell them how I dazzled you with my irresistible charm and that you're now pregnant with my child and we're eloping." His grin was definitely threatening to split his face in half now, and Sasuke narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Maybe I should tell them you kidnapped me and used me as your slave."
"Sure, but it'll be troublesome to have sex if they lock me up."
"You're not taking this seriously at all" Sasuke accused.
"And you're taking it too seriously Sasuke. Relax, you'll be fine! And if you're not I'll hug you 'til you are." Naruto gave him a genuine smile, and Sasuke allowed his worry to shine through.
"But what if I say something bad and the company goes bankrupt and Itachi will hate me?"
Naruto leaned forward and took his hand, swinging it back and forth lightly. "Just talk to your brother before you tell the public. It'll work out."
xxx
Entering her apartment, Hinata had not been expecting to be greeted by moans and a creaking bed. There was a time when she wouldn't have been surprised, but hearing Naruto's voice calling out another name besides Kiba's was, to put it mildly, shocking.
"Oh my god, please, Sasuke please! More! Fuck me more damn it!"
Face burning she leaned against the door, bags dropped to the floor. Naruto's voice was sexy on a normal basis, but this was way too much for her to handle. Her body fought against her brain, guilty arousal shuddering inside her stomach. What was she doing, listening to them?! She'd already lost her best friend, had already betrayed his trust beyond repair and there she stood, listening to him moving on and being loved by someone else.
Someone who deserved him, probably. Someone who was a man and could give Naruto what Hinata couldn't, someone who wasn't foolish enough to believe sweet but oh so false words.
She hadn't noticed the sudden silence, lost in her depressed thoughts. When the door to Naruto's bedroom was pushed open she raised her eyes and thought for sure her heart stopped beating for a full minute.
"You must be Hinata" a pleasant voice said, and visions of naked and gorgeous swam in front of her tightly shut eyes.
There was no way she could answer. When the first second of shock at seeing the person Naruto had brought with him passed, all that was left was horrified recognition. That person was Sasuke as in Sakura's fiancé. No, she corrected herself, ex-fiancé now. She'd heard from Ino, but to see the very same Sasuke naked in front of her after evidently having spent himself during sex with the love of her life… oh if only she could die!
"I-I know…" she forced out, her tongue feeling ten sizes too big.
"Oh right, Naruto must have told you."
The words cut through her, twisted inside her gut, and she wished he really had told her so she could have been prepared.
"Y-yeah, right, he uh, told me."
She didn't know if she wanted to cry, run away or beg for the floor to swallow her whole.
"Yes, he quite enjoys saying my name."
Ino had told her how vicious Sasuke could be, and she could only agree. It hurt, it hurt so bad, and if the door hadn't been supporting her weight she wouldn't have stayed standing, eyes wide open and desperately searching for something to focus on that wasn't Naruto's lover.
"Would you mind telling me where I can get a towel?"
She drew in a deep breath, then nodded and pointed at the bathroom door. What was she supposed to do? Why were they even here?! Sure, Naruto had sent her a message in the morning that he'd be moving out, but with Sasuke here things didn't make any sense to her. The smartest thing to do was probably to leave, but she couldn't. Naruto was there, and she just wanted to see him, to make sure he was alright and Sasuke hadn't done anything bad to him.
"Oh, and I apologize if we were a bit noisy, we didn't expect you back so early."
Hinata hardly had the strength and presence of mind to react to Sasuke as he walked by again. She merely tilted her head down and gripped the ends of her scarf, waiting silently for him to enter the bedroom again. Once he was out of sight she steeled herself, going through the mechanical movements of taking off jacket and shoes, bringing her bags of food into the kitchen. She'd been starving before she arrived, and even though she'd lost her appetite she just needed something to pretend to do.
xxx
Naruto laid in bed, eyes closed against the world, ears processing the conversation he'd just overheard. Sasuke was so smooth and urbane, never seeming to be startled or not knowing what to say. Unlike Naruto. If he'd been the one to walk out he would have probably done the same as Hinata, maybe apologizing frantically as well. It made him think about the differences between himself and his new lover. What was he even thinking, getting it on with a guy like Sasuke? Someone with expectations, someone successful and with a bright future. Although, Sasuke didn't seem to enjoy his great life that much. Still, they were worlds apart, like in one of those classic stories about the nobleman falling in love with the maid. Or like Titanic. Well, the list could go on but he sure hoped he wouldn't end up drowning.
Things had been quiet for a while, and he wondered if Sasuke had found a towel yet. He was starting to feel cold and sticky, and he'd much rather have Sasuke there to warm him up. Damn it there were those thoughts again! Why couldn't he just take this as happy-go-lucky as he did with the rest of his life? But that was a lie, and he knew that he couldn't. He didn't want things to end up like with Kiba; he'd been thrown away like a used piece of gum that had lost its taste. He didn't want to be picked up only to be thrown away again when Sasuke found him lacking in taste a well. He clenched his fists, irritated with himself for thinking like this, after all Sasuke had even opened up to him in the morning and told him things you wouldn't tell someone you don't care about. He turned over to bury his face in the Batman symbol on his pillow. It didn't smell as good as Sasuke's. Was it even possible to be so affected by someone he'd met only days ago? It didn't seem to bother Sasuke though. Maybe the bottoming part, but that didn't count.
He heard footsteps nearing the door, and buried his head deeper as it opened. He could sense Sasuke hesitating; he had probably been smirking and ready to tell Naruto all about his meeting with Hinata and been surprised at not finding him ready to listen. He heard Sasuke walk closer, and the bed dipped down as he put his weight on it. A hand was placed on his back, slowly starting to caress him as if unsure of why Naruto was looking like that.
"Is something wrong?" Sasuke whispered, and Naruto felt like laughing out loud. Why would Sasuke sound so worried? He certainly didn't have anything to worry about at the moment.
"I'm sorry if I was rude to Hinata."
Naruto could hear the stiffness in Sasuke's voice when he said that. He probably wasn't used to apologizing. Naruto felt like laughing again, but then he realized that Sasuke actually thought that Naruto was upset because of that.
"It's not that" he mumbled, trying to get rid of his doubts and act like nothing happened but not feeling better at all.
Sasuke seemed to think for a while, most likely trying to figure out what else could have caused Naruto to react like this in the short space of time he'd been gone, having left him all happy and sated before. His hand was still sliding up and down his back, and it felt warm and reassuring. He felt like crying instead.
"Well I can't think of anything else so you'll have to tell me."
Sasuke actually sounded awkward, and that made Naruto turn his head to look at him. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Naruto uncertainly while worrying his lip between straight white teeth. He also looked determined not to move until he had been told what was up. Naruto turned back into the pillow, hugging it.
"I'm scared" he whispered in such a low voice he wasn't sure that Sasuke had heard him speak at all.
He tensed, wondering what Sasuke's reaction would be. The hand had stilled, and Naruto felt as if he would die if it didn't start moving again. Then Sasuke moved, pushing Naruto onto his side so that he could fit his own body along his side, and embraced him tightly. He couldn't help but curl into those warm arms, nuzzling his face into Sasuke's chest, his nose breathing in the scent of the perfume that still lingered faintly around his throat.
"What for" Sasuke exhaled questioningly.
It took a while for Naruto to make sense of his feelings. He'd spent the whole time at work thinking things over a thousand times, everything from the way they seemed to fit together to how messed up things could get.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" he finally asked.
"Is what a good idea?"
"The whole moving in thing. I just… don't know what you're expecting from me."
Sasuke was quiet for a couple of seconds, mulling it over.
"What do you mean?"
He sounded so confused that Naruto almost couldn't voice his thoughts, finding them so silly and stupid in his own head.
"I… well you're so completely out of my league, Sasuke. And you're going to realize that once we're back in reality and if we already live together it will be so awkward and I'm just really, really wondering what the hell you see in me anyway. And it's not like I could even pay the rent!"
"Look at me, Naruto" Sasuke demanded, forcefully turning his head up and glaring until blue eyes opened reluctantly. "What kind of person do you see me as? And be honest."
Naruto lowered his gaze but Sasuke forced him to look up again. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to break down.
"I think you're amazing, Sasuke" he said, voice too thick and he had to swallow several times before continuing. "You're beautiful and smart, and you're so strong and kind too. You make me feel important. I…" his voice broke a little, as he tried to force back the tears threatening to spill.
He'd kept spacing out at work and got yelled at several times. He didn't want Sasuke to leave him. He wanted to live with him and be happy and all the mushy things you could possibly think of. He blinked furiously, but suddenly noticed Sasuke smiling at him.
"I could say the exact same things about you, except then it would actually be true." He looked at Naruto seriously. "All those things you said… well I can't deny that I'm good-looking and smart, but strong and kind? I wish." He gave a wry smile, and pecked Naruto's nose. "I'm petty, childish, selfish, ignorant, haughty and plain rude. But somehow, when I'm with you, I feel like a completely different person. You make me want to be nice. You also make me do as you say, and if there's something I've tried to be free of in my life it's to be told what to do. I absolutely hate it. But you can boss me around as much as you like."
He smiled again, then seemed to think of something.
"Do you remember what I said yesterday? That I like you, and even if I didn't like you I'd still need you. And I do need you, and it's scaring the shit out of me, Naruto. How am I supposed to know if one of these days you'll wake up and see what a horrible person I truly am, and then you'll leave me for someone that's better for you, and I won't be able to stop you."
They looked at each other in silence. Then Sasuke slowly leaned forwards, hesitating for a second before pressing his lips against Naruto's, moving them carefully. Naruto didn't respond at first, but then he sighed deeply and pressed himself closer to Sasuke. He didn't feel entirely better, but he felt like he could breathe again. Sasuke wasn't as unaffected as he'd thought, and it made him think that they had a chance. And even if they didn't last it would be much more pleasant to spend that time together instead of alone, or with someone other than Sasuke.
xxx
Hinata buried her face in a textbook when she heard them coming out of the bedroom, glancing at the awkward but otherwise happy look on Naruto's face. Sasuke positioned himself against a wall, his eyes burning into her side.
"Hey, Hinata."
Naruto probably felt as awkward as her, minus jealousy fueled by sexual frustration.
"H-hello" she answered, hoping Sasuke wouldn't comment on her stuttering.
"So, um, you already met Sasuke."
She nodded, hoping he wouldn't talk more. It was hard enough as it was.
"We're just gonna drink some water and finish the packing so…"
Hinata listened to Naruto as he moved about, filling glasses with water. This was it, wasn't it. Naruto was moving out, out of her life, and she only had herself to blame. She wanted to say something, wanted to wish him good luck, wanted with every fiber of her being to apologize, to explain.
She couldn't. Naruto had every right to hate her and trying to explain things now would only make things worse, she thought. Now more than ever she hated feeling so helpless when faced with a possible conflict. She was a horrible person and it still hurt. She stood up, leaving the book on the table and trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled, "I'll leave you two alone."
It was too much to take in right now, and she needed to be alone, to not be in the same room as the other two and be reminded of what she couldn't have for so many reasons. She hid in her room, tried not to listen as they shuffled around, carrying things out of Naruto's room and out of the apartment. Out of her life.
She felt empty.
xxx
Kiba spat on the sidewalk, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he glared at anyone or anything he passed along the way. He'd been in a terrible mood ever since he found Naruto inside Sasuke's apartment. That was not how things were supposed to go. When he'd gotten the delivery, he'd thought the perfect opportunity had presented itself. The first time he'd met Sasuke had been quick, rough and so incredibly hot, and Kiba was dying for a repeat. Sure, Sasuke had called him some nasty things the second time he'd come over to deliver, his ego knocked down a notch. Of course, Naruto hadn't suspected anything, had only been upset on his behalf, so naïve and stupid.
If there was one thing Kiba didn't like it was people who opened up to anyone and treated everyone as friends. He'd only been with Naruto because it had been so easy in the beginning. But Naruto had started to talk back to him, and that he didn't like either. Not when it meant he spent more time with other friends, or took off his shirt in public so others could see what only Kiba was supposed to . Besides, Naruto wasn't a challenge and Kiba wanted one. So, in order to spice things up a little as he waited for another chance with Sasuke, Kiba had decided to play around with Hinata. It was so satisfying to see her try to resist and then give up, guilt at the thought of Naruto eating her from the inside.
Must be rough to have a conscience and no strength of mind.
And then, as if fate wanted to laugh in his face, Sasuke had come to pick Naruto up from work the previous day, making one hell of a show out of it. Leaning over the counter and pushing his ass out like he was begging to get fucked, and then he actually had begged in that sinful voice of his, dark eyes fixated on the wrong employee. God, it was enough to keep him up all night torn between fantasies and reliving the horrible reality.
One of these days he'd turn the tables back and Naruto would be sorry he ever got involved with Sasuke.
He'd entered Hinata's and Naruto's apartment building, and turning the key in the lock he was met with silence. Naruto's door was open, and after taking the few steps over to peek inside his eyes widened at the empty space that met him. What? Frowning he stalked over to Hinata's room, finding her underneath the covers of her bed with a book in her hands, seemingly refusing to acknowledge his existence.
"What's going on, where's Naruto?" he asked, closing the door behind him as he stopped next to her.
"He moved" she whispered, glancing up at him for a second. "You won't believe where."
Kiba felt ill. He knew how to connect the dots, and the fact that Naruto was leaving two days after meeting Sasuke could only mean one thing. He'd moved on, and Sasuke was helping him do it. Anger bubbled up inside him, fists clenched as he gritted his teeth.
"And you just let him leave? At least you don't have any illusions that he'll forgive you."
"At least I'd like him to forgive me."
The words were so quiet Kiba almost didn't catch them, but when he did he raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
"I don't give a fuck what Naruto thinks of me" he said, trying to come off as indifferent. "I just don't want Sasuke lowering himself to that level."
Hinata sent him a sharp look, emotions flickering over her pretty face. He'd always thought she looked like a doll, pretty and hollow.
"I hate myself for what I did to Naruto."
Kiba's lips curled in amusement.
"Oh, I know" he said, using a nicer tone of voice. "Don't worry baby, I know just how to kiss it better."
Too easy flew through his brain as he comforted her, working off some steam while he was at it. He didn't really care about Hinata, she was only useful to make sure Naruto knew exactly how much he didn't value their relationship anymore.
He didn't want easy. He wanted tall, dark and handsome, wanted someone who could push him down and take command. All he needed was a good opportunity…
Alright let's see if I can spend the whole evening writing more... What do you think of Hinata and Kiba now as opposed to in Results?