Soaked feet take delicate steps across stone, careful to evade any possibility to be soiled for the third time.

Naruto hadn't waited for the water to warm up before stepping under the shower. Cold is what he needed. He wishes he wasn't so prone to knee-jerk reactions. Walking out like that…what was he thinking? He could've at least finished his sentence before storming off. Groaning, he opens the door, quietly stepping into the house.

On the floor, he spots muddy foot prints and grimaces, there's a hundred percent chance they belong to him. He'll have to find a towel to clean it up later. Turning his head to take a look at the far corner of the kitchen, Naruto guesses he should probably come up with an excuse. Sudden nausea? Light-headedness? Closing his eyes, he lets out a heavy breath, whichever, he supposes, he'll tell him one of those if Sasuke asks.

He can hear the approaching sound of footsteps , opening his eyes, he readies himself for an explanation. When Sasuke appears in the door frame, he's definitely looking for an answer. What's strange is that he doesn't look like he intends to listen. Scrambling for his voice, Naruto tries forming a coherent sentence.

But Sasuke's not stopping. He's coming forward, hands curled into a fist and maybe Naruto should prepare for another scuffle. But he's not moving in the way he normally for an attack. Naruto stiffens in shock and a callused comes out hook itself back behind Naruto's scull, pulling him forward. Before he has any say so, chapped lips press hard on his own. The cogs in his brain start working again, he presses back even harder, bringing his arms around to clutch at Sasuke's bare back.

It's not romantic in the traditional sense actually- Sasuke's breath is a bit sour and his lips are rough but, finally, finally. This is what he's wanted, a body just as solid as his own, strong and sturdy and warm. Naruto feels the tension begin to drain out of him. He needs to push Sasuke against something so he can properly slide his body against him. The other makes it nearly impossible, his intents seemingly the same. It's not surprising, Naruto muses in his buzzing mind, that they'd compete even in this.


As their lips connect, Sasuke's first coherent thought is that Naurto's lips fit nicely against his own and are surprisingly soft; his next thought is that the other isn't pushing him away but is in fact reciprocating with as much enthusiasm. He feels the blond push against him, causing him to take a step backwards into the corner of a table and something clatters to the floor. Too preoccupied and not caring anyway, The raven doesn't bother to look and instead concentrates on shifting himself away from the painful corner and manoeuvring Naruto ninety degrees so he can press him into the wall there.

Keeping their lips meshed together, Sasuke's fingers entwine into damp locks, tugging lightly. His other hand comes to rest on Narutos hip as sharp incisors graze a plump bottom lip. This incites a gasp from the blond and Sasuke takes advantage of the parted lips, pushing his tongue into other warm mouth and explore what lay beyond.

After a few moments of their tongues battling for dominance, the need to breathe becomes an issue and with reluctance, Sasuke pulls away with a wet popping sound. His chest is heaving and there is a pleasant warmth in his stomach. Looking at Naruto, the others blue eyes are half-lidded, his lips red and swollen. Sasuke feels he should say something but the words escape him.


Much to Naruto's chagrin, the Uchiha wins out, as the blonde's back pressed up against the wall beside the cabinets. It is a short-lived disappointment, however, when Sasuke's fingers, wind their way into his hair. The tug he feels tilts his head upwards and Naruto finds that this is a better way to kiss.

He can't help but slide his hands down the other's sides, feeling raised lines of skin that he can only discern to be old wounds. His own is fairly smooth, the absence of his own scars are a result of Kurama's healing and the Uzumaki bloodline. It is because of this, he found his body to be rather dull.

The sounds that escape from them are almost completely obscene and Naruto is glad no one's around to hear them. Naruto nearly presses crescent-shaped cuts into the other, when Sasuke's own hand bears down hard on his hip and sharp teeth drag across his already bruised lips. Gasping, he pulls back to call the other out on it and Sasuke only presses further, warm tongue slipping past his lips. Is it normal for him to find it difficult to stand? He supposes it doesn't matter, with other damn near pinning to wall anyway.

His fingers run their way up to the nape of Sasuke's neck, where he can start to feel the ends of his hair, which is a little coarse, he supposes that's why sticks up so easily. Naruto's not a pro at this, but even now, he can feel that the way their tongues slide together appears methodical. Abruptly, Sasuke pulls away and Naruto is left gasping. His eyes flick to the other's chest to find the he is too. His whole body hums with languid warmth that travels to every end and honestly, it's the best he's felt for a long time.

As his gaze travels back up, he finds Sasuke staring at him. It's look that nearly scorches him and Naruto tries his best return it. His fingers are still tangled in his hair and Naruto's hand remains clutching at the other's side. They're probably quite a sight to look at.

Somewhere, Naruto finds his voice and the words just tumble out.

"I really fuckin' care about you. I always did."


Sasuke's heart nearly stops at the confession, just hearing Narutos slightly husky voice speak those words he'd always longed to hear… even if he didn't know it until now. Using the hand that is still entwined in the others hair, Sasuke pulls Naruto's head forward a fraction then buries his face into the damp locks. He inhales the blond's soapy scent and closes his eyes. The hand resting on the others hip, moves to wrap around a smooth back, rubbing soothingly in small circles. It's a tender moment but Sasuke uses the time to piece together his response.

Without changing position, he speaks quietly, his taking on a velvety tone. "I'm sorry I jumped on you. I guess I just figured everything out and needed confirmation. I… " So much for the preparation. The male swallows thickly before continuing, "I'm new to this so it's difficult for me to label my feelings when most of my life I've hated a lot of things. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I want this , I want you . It's took me this long to realise what's probably been there all along…" Sasuke stops there, it's probably the longest speech he's ever given and he is beginning to feel a little… sappy?


His forehead comes to rest on Sasuke's warm shoulder. Naruto's hands slide further, wrapping around him in a full embrace. It's a funny thought, really, that Sasuke would be this flushed. He'd always associated body temperature with temperament, in which case the other's would have cold. He's glad for the mistake in judgement. He may be miles away from Konoha, but it is here and now he feels at home.

The deep tenor of his friend's voice rings out and can feel the other's chest vibrate with each word. Swallowing a near-chuckle at Sasuke's apology, he listens further- hears the words that soothe his heart. The last Uchiha speaks of his inexperience and that's something they can find common ground on.

When Naruto speaks in the next moment, he surprised sturdiness of his own voice. " I think I may have the same problem," he smiles pulling back to level his gaze with Sasuke.

" I s'pose that's why I've always opted for socking you in the face, instead talking it out. I guess it makes perfect sense now, though." His smile stretches into a full blown grin.


An amused hum emits from Sasuke's throat, the corner of his lips lifting into a smile. It is a bit of a foreign feeling for the raven and admittedly he feels at ease… happy. He isn't quite sure where they were gonna go from here and he doesn't want to ruin the mood by thinking about tomorrow.

Twisting his body to the side, Sasuke takes a look out of the window. The sun had finally set and it's dying rays turned the sky an ambient pink-blue tone. It had been a long day, if someone had told him he be tongue wrestling with Naruto this morning, Sasuke would of laughed in their face. Oh how things had changed.

Returning his gaze to Naruto, he reaches for the others tanned hand, rubbing his thumb over the bruised knuckles. He'd almost forgotten they'd been fighting. "It's getting late, is there anything you wanna do? Talk about? .. or we could just turn in for the night.." His words were sincere, though he'd be a liar if he said sex hadn't crossed his mind. Despite the feelings being close to Naruto evoked in him, he knows they are probably not ready and there was no rush after all. They had lots to discover together and Sasuke only hopes situations don't separate them again.


His eyes run down Sasuke's neck as the other stretches to get a good look out of the window. Naruto had seen the small rays shine into the house, a line of orange had caught Sasuke on his elbow and the wall behind him. It's quite a pleasant sight really. His lips, still pink from their earlier interaction are pulled into a content smile and his eyes are soft. There's a thumb rubbing over Naruto's tender knuckles and he can't help but let serenity wash over him.

"Sasuke," he says, voice low and gentle. Curling one hand around the other's and sliding his right to Sasuke's jaw, a bit rough from the beginnings of hair growing, he continues, " I'm tired."

Blue eyes smolder as he levels them dark slated ones, "Let's go to bed." He honestly is quite burned out. Fatigue has begun to set in, following the same way as the sun. He wouldn't mind making small talk with the in the comfort of darkness, however.


A warm hand wraps around his own, while another caresses his jaw with the lightest of touches. He leans into the touch, hiis eyes falling half-lidded. Naruto's tone is nothing short of sexy and those cerulean eyes are sultry as they meet Sasuke's own dark orbs. The suggestion and the way Naruto says it, sets alight another burst of jittery flutters in the Uchiha's abdomen. He has to restrain himself from attacking the blond right there.

"You mean together?" Sasuke realises the stupidity to his question too late but adds, "I mean, me too, come on." He breaks away from Narutos touch but keeps there hands entwined as he leads the other back into the main room. He doesn't release their hands until they reach the bed and once there crawls under the blanket, shuffling over to make room for Naruto.


Naruto allows himself to be pulled along, laughter bubbling up from his chest. He lets out the last air of amusement, still smiling when he mutters, " Oh my gahhhhd." In this back part of the cabin, light can no longer reach through and as they pad into the room, Naruto feels that this space is only fit for whispering.

He stops at the side of the bed, while Sasuke keeps his eyes on him and slides under the covers. Naruto runs a callused hand through his overly-tussled hair, before following after him.

The sheets are thin and cheap and the bed dips a little too much under his weight, bed springs popping and twanging with each movement. Still, he pulls the covers over him, tucking them under his neck like he's done since childhood. His head settles into Sasuke's floppy pillow and he turns to look at the other. He's had an elbow propped up on his own pillow, cheek resting in his palm, in the continued observation of Naruto. Even in the near darkness, his eyes glint as he looks down on the blonde.

In one of his rare life lesson rants, Jiraiya had told him once over the sounds of the restuarant they were in , " That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence."

Naruto realizes he never truly understood what Jiraiya meant, until now. Naruto really doesn't feel the need to say anything more. He's honestly fine with watching Sasuke and have the other do the same with him. But Naruto also has that streak in him that makes him want to pick fun at others, so, breaking the silence, he utters, " So do you always walk around shirtless in your down time or is there an actual reason for it?"


Sasuke has to smile when the other squeezes beside him in the less than perfect bed. The springs groan under both their weight and the Uchiha is sure he feels one break. His thoughts don't linger on the state of the bed for long, as his eyes drink in his bedmate instead. The blond's hair is dry now and is stuck up in its usual dishevelled manner; his whiskered cheeks have a soft rosy tint to them - evidence of the others tiredness.

This is nice… Apart from a few insects outside, all that could be heard ws each others breathing. Being so close to Naruto like this, feels so right to Sasuke. So normal. He wonders how different things would have been if they had realised their feeling earlier. Would he still have gone after Itachi? It is hard to tell. It doesn't matter anyway, all that matters is right now.

The sound of Naruto's voice snaps his attention back to the present anyway and letting out a derisive snort, he decides to tease back. "Is that a complaint?" An ebon brow arches. "Clothing is restrictive, so if it's warm enough I am quite often shirtless indoors. I don't normally have visitors." He emphasises this with a poke to Naruto's nose.


" An observation," Naruto corrects. Even after everything, that fact that they can still fall back on old banter is encouraging for him, laying in bed covered by darkness is also a plus, he muses. The other responds in snark and Naruto takes in in stride.

The word visitors is accompanied with pressure being applied to the tip of his nose and Naruto pulls a hand from out of the covers to slap it away. " That sounds a little rehearsed, Sasuke. One would think you'd be easily caught ogling yourself, when passing by mirrors." He supposes he's one to talk. There have been numerous occasions where he's abruptly stopped in shop mirrors to wink at himself and give a thumbs up. He pulls a leg up to scratch at his ankle, smirking. When he blinks, it is slow and lazy— he's surmises that he's spiraling into that state of fatigue, where he'll say anything and laugh at anything—he's going to have to close his eyes soon.


Sasuke barks out a laugh, "the only mirror I have is that tiny scratched one in the bathroom and I can't see my full self in there." He notices Narutos eyes falling heavy and shuffles closer, pressing his forehead against the others. "You should sleep dobe." The suggestion is a whisper followed by a soft kiss to the previously poked nose. This affectionate side is scary even to himself so kami knows what Naruto thinks about it.

Pulling the covers up around them more snugly, Sasuke reaches out to touch the others cheek, his fingertips tracing each whisker mark and then ghosting across his jaw. Hearing Naruto's breathing become more shallow, he notes his eyes are closed. Long golden lashes are fanned out delicately on cheeks that are flushed with fatigue. Just watching the other makes Sasuke's own eyes fall heavy and it isn't long until he too, succumbs to his tiredness, his hand falling limp.


Sasuke responds to him, but Naruto has already begun to close his eyes. When that voice comes closer, soft puffs of warm air ghost over his cheek, the other's words are low and makes him hum with agreement.

A feather-like kiss is planted on his nose, followed by the light touch of fingers tips on his cheek. Slowly, his mind drifts away from him, his last coherent thought is the appreciation of comfort, finally, finally Naruto can rest. He can rest knowing that, at least for now, Sasuke is safe and alive. When the REM state is in full effect, it is the first night he dreams of Sasuke without the Sharingan. The other takes his hand and pulls them both through a lush forest and Naruto is unable to stop laughing.