Chapter Thirteen: In the Name of the Contract

Author's Notes: I need to instantly start off with an apology. I've been struggling with a lot of things these past couple of months. That usually carries over in my writing, and I was just struggling. Now that I have half of chapter fourteen written and plotted out, I figured I should post this before you all kill me. I would totally understand too. XD

Dedication: To Spicy Tangerine since you said this was your new fav. And that PM was amazing. Sorry for the wait dear.

Warning/Disclaimer: All done, all said, all ass backwards.

Chapter Thirteen: In the Name of the Contract

Day Eleven – December 14th:

Not comment will be left for today.
-Naruto

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, his eyes still fuzzy from waking up in the usual tired daze. There were of course a few things different. The easiest to notice was the other side of the bed hadn't even been touched the previous night. The second was that it was unnaturally quiet in his tiny little apartment. The third, of course, was his roommate.
Shikamaru had opened the door, finding Sasuke sitting up in bed with his disheveled hair assaulting his face, and his pajama pants trying to climb up his legs.

"I was wondering when you were going to get up." Shikamaru sighed, glancing over his shoulder. "I wanted to ask you what's gotten into Naruto."

Sasuke instantly snapped his head up, his eyes in slits. "What do you mean by that?"

Shikamaru cocked his head to the side. "Why are you so defensive?"

"I'm not defensive."

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing at his left temple. "So troublesome."

Sasuke watched as his friend stepped inside and silently shut the door behind himself, his face black and somewhat bored.

"Last time I took the test, it came back genius. I hate to disappoint you so, but I'm afraid even a blind man can tell something happened."

Sasuke planted his head in his waiting hands. "Kiba's been bugging you?"

"Very much so. Something about his buddy being down and out and going to wipe out the Uchiha race himself or something. I fell asleep mid speech honestly."

Silence fell over them in the sunlit room. The fragments of dust fluttered through the air in the streams of light that were flooding the room through the blinds. The clock on the far wall loudly ticked as the seconds passed by. Sasuke knew with his stubborn personality, he could sit there for days and ignore the question at hand. It was his personal business and his friends should know by now that it wasn't that easy to dislodge personal information concerning his life.

Then again, it wasn't exactly the hardest thing in the world to tell something serious happened.

"I hate talking…" Shikamaru muttered, "But you need to realize something, Uchiha."

Sasuke looked up, his eyes trying to decide if he should glare or not somewhat giving his right eye a bit of a twitch.

"I know something happened between you and Naruto. I know it wasn't something small considering it'd take a bit more than a rumble of thunder to get your non-emotional ass in a bit of a tiff. You're so flustered you can't even help but let it show through, and some crazy asshole might find that cute but I find it annoying."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, opened his mouth intent on saying something but was shut right up instantly.

"I get you don't want anyone to know because you're all dark and mysterious or whatever you want to call it. Maybe you don't want people to know because you aren't entirely sure yourself. There are just a lot of factors that you need to acknowledge. The time frame you have with Naruto, the stipulations in which you can't ignore, and what you're really feeling. Personally I hate giving out advice, but if I didn't say anything you wouldn't do shit, and frankly it would be a damn waste."

Sasuke felt his eyebrows lift. "What do you mean by that?"

"If you can't see it now, in do time it will smack you rightly across the face. Frankly Sasuke, I better not be here doing this again anytime soon."

Sasuke watched as his friend calmly opened the door and stepped into the living room grumbling about "stupid smart people" and rubbing at his forehead.

It only left Sasuke to sit there, alone in his brightly lit room, to really sort out his thoughts.

It really had to be the end of the world if Naruto was actually cleaning. Not staring at things hoping his nonexistent mind powers would work. He wasn't doing a wanna-be good job like taking a wet paper towel and streaking everything to hell. He had yellow rubber gloves on that went up half the length of his arms and were just a size too big for him. He had an assortment of cleaners that he found under the sink, and after thinking about making Sasuke a cocktail, he got to cleaning. The kitchen was currently spotless. Since he had trouble sleeping because of some assface, he decided to make up for lost time.

He was working on the living room, which he was dusting, when he heard the door to Sasuke's room open and close.
He didn't mean to flinch or pretend to be more into his work than...well, ever; but it was hard to look at the Uchiha without thinking about what in the hell happened.
He couldn't lose this job, not at all. He needed it, and despite how shitty of a gig it was, he had to do what he planned in the first place.

Sasuke couldn't fall in love for two reasons. One, bastards have no emotions, and Sasuke taught him this. So it was a bit on the impossible side. The other reason was he'd have to give Naruto up. Not to mention pay the large and hefty fee for "ruining" one of their workers.

If Naruto fell in love, it was called a failure by the company. He wouldn't be suited and he would be fired.

There were too many things that could possibly all go wrong, and not enough at all to go right.

He didn't see it as such a good idea as to fall in love and then be on the run. It wasn't exactly adventurous and it wasn't exactly glorifying.

"Naruto."

He tried to hold back the grimace, but he was betting anything it was easily seen.

"Stop cleaning and get ready, we're going out." Sasuke said in his back-to-normal, I-hate-everything tone. "Where?" Curiosity killed cats, but he liked foxes more anyway. That had to count as immunity.

There was a pause where Sasuke was too busy to pay Naruto attention as he went through his phone, but finally looked up and at the blond who was standing there with Swiffer Duster in hand.

"To eat. I don't feel like dancing with death today in your attempt to humor us all and cook."

Naruto pulled a face. It was half disgusted and have annoyed. He looked like he had sucked on a lemon in all honesty, but as the bathroom door slammed shut in his face, he really didn't care.
For the life of him he couldn't figure out which side of Sasuke he wanted around.

The stingy prince, or the crabby bastard.

If it meant he would lose all that was left of his sanity, he was going to find the middle ground.

As the two left the apartment, Naruto would honestly admit he was excited that they were walking instead of driving the car. Walking meant it was close to the apartment. As well as if he felt the need to bail, he wouldn't be rolling out of a car and down the road.

The blond figured that at some point, he needed to address what happened. Both of them did.

It was different than the one they forced out in the tiny little kitchen to keep Kakashi happy, that was true. Or his last ditch effort not to be killed by Sasuke.

He didn't expect to be kissed so suddenly. He never thought Sasuke would do something like that on a whim, and then act like it never happened.

The man just simply pulled away, got up, and told him it was time to go home. The ride home was eerily quiet, and Naruto wasn't going to take a gamble and put on the radio. Though now that he looked back on it, he probably could have. Sasuke seemed to be in the deepest of thoughts as they drove back to the house. Like he was trying to sit there and figure out one giant, impossible puzzle.

It was the same look he had now. It was like he was in a somewhat bit of a trance but his face was, as perusal, calm and impassive. But Naruto noticed Sasuke eyes gave him away a lot of times.

"What's on the agenda for today?" The blond asked in an excited sort of way, trying not to sound any different than usual.

"We both have class later." The raven reminded.

"Well, yeah, but that only takes up three hours including commute. You know?"

"In this place." Sasuke said suddenly, giving Naruto's shoulder a little push in the right direction.

The blond tripped a little over his feet with the quick change of course, but quickly recovered and pushed open the door. It was a small little place, something that looked like it went from a corner mom and pop joint to a chain restaurant. The man at the front counter righted himself, before being hunched over on the counter reading a magazine.

"Hello, table for two?" He asked, going for the menu's.

"No, pick up." Sasuke corrected, instantly confusing Naruto.

The blond looked to the other practically with a question floating over his head. "We aren't eating here?"

He shook his head, "No, I told Shikamaru if he left me alone till class I'd get him food." Sasuke replied simply, telling the man at the front counter the name for pickup.

"You're serious?" Naruto asked, referring to the bribe.

Sasuke didn't want to let Naruto in on his conversation with Shikamaru before they left. How his 'friend' had promised he would step in if he had to, so Sasuke used his laziness gene (his weakness) against him.

"So we're just going back to the apartment? That's it?"

Naruto couldn't get Sasuke to look at him for the sake of his life. Despite how much his eyes searched, the other was looking away. Maybe Sasuke was feeling awkward or confused or angry, either way Naruto felt he could give him the benefit of the doubt and at least look at him.

They stood there in their own silence, listening to the bustle of the place around them. Babies cried, adults laughed, kids made a mess and even a waiter broke a glass. It was definitely better than sitting at the quiet little apartment thinking about what in the hell had happened.

The man came back to the counter, a bag stacked with containers leaving Sasuke to mutter under his breath to Naruto. "Plus you like getting out of the house, right?"

The blond snapped his mouth shut instantly. If Sasuke was doing something nice for him, he would make sure he didn't mess it all up. Even if he couldn't figure out why he was doing it.

The walk home was quiet. The only thing they really discussed was going to class. After Naruto finished saying how school wasn't as bad as he expected, and how he was really ready to actually get into it once he went home; they remained silent.

Shikamaru met them at the door, holding out his hand to receive his food. Sasuke dug it out, moving his own food and Naruto's out of the way.

"Where you going?" He asked irritably, handing over the plastic container.

"Temari's." He replied simply. "She asked me to come over."

Sasuke snorted, "Is she that bored?"

"No, she got a new mini-skirt."

The blond laughed as he was busy trying to sneak his food out of the bag Sasuke was holding, the raven moving the bag randomly to stop him.

"Well, she seems to be full of spunk."

The raven was glaring at Shikamaru with the deepest look of hate, listening to the man whisper about time alone and such. The lazy man walked out the door with a sigh, as if it strained him to walk to the garage to get to his car and drive away.

The blond was rummaging through the fridge getting drinks and grabbing silverware out of the appropriate drawer while Sasuke glared down the now closed door.
He understood that Shikamaru was right. Would he ever admit it? Never. He knew all the things he needed to take a step back and look at, which he did. He knew he needed to learn his priorities. He now had them in order. He needed to know if he wanted something more or something far less. He was sure what he wanted.

The only tiny, small, little bit of a problem was putting that on the floor. To open up and talk to Naruto. To explain his actions yesterday, to explain what his intentions were, to actually talk like a normal person.

He didn't want to do any of that.

A fork's points met his cheek gently, snapping him out of his sudden daze and thought filled mind only to find Naruto grinning beside him. The blond gave Sasuke's cheek one last poke before handing the utensil over and taking his own container of food.

The raven shook his head, turning away from the door and following suit to the couch. Naruto grabbed the remote before Sasuke even had the chance to think about turning on the television.
He settled it on some sports program. Another re-run of the X-Games. He watched as Naruto instantly scooted to the edge of his seat, his eyes growing wider by the second, and he absently ate at his food occasionally missing his mouth with his fork.

"When this is done, are you really going to go back to school? Or are you going to get back to that?"

The blond ripped his eyes away just as the man on screen flipped his bike forward to a round of loud cheers.

"What?"

Sasuke sighed, "I asked if..."

Naruto held up his fork to stop Sasuke's sentence rather than his hand. "I heard you. I was just confused about the sudden question. It's unlike you...more like me."

"Don't say something so rude." The raven smirked, his fork simply moving his food around.

"Ass." Naruto laughed. "I don't know if I'll be able to do it. I didn't have great sponsor's in the first place. I wasn't amazing to start out with. It was awesome being dubbed pro, but you don't get the money you think you will. They glamourize it all. Being a pro extreme sports athlete won't get me far for long. I love it, I really do, but I think it's time to be practical. Going to college can give me a career to last forever. You made me see that, and in case I haven't said it already, thank you."

The raven snorted, stabbing at a piece of his food and simply twirling it. "For forcing you to go to school and get out of my face?"

"Yeah. Thanks for being so stuck up."

Sasuke snorted again, "What about this? This job?"

Naruto laughed, "I already told you. This is it. My parents debts will be paid off and...I can go to college."

"Why the hesitation?"

The blond laughed, "You caught that?"

"How could I not? You must really think I'm dumb."

Naruto laughed harder, rolling his eyes. "No, it pisses me off you're so smart. I guess, maybe a little bit, I hope that when this job is all said and done, I can live with my parents again."

Sasuke didn't want to sound rude and heartless, but there was really no other way to ask it. "Didn't your mom kick you out because...you know?"

"Because I'm gay? It won't kill you to say it. But yes, she did. I'm just hoping after I do all this, they'll both accept me again."

Sasuke didn't put in his two cents. He had a feeling that no matter what type of favor someone can do, it didn't replace previous judgment and feelings. Despite how he wanted Naruto to go live with his parents and enjoy life, he didn't want it to be under false ideals. He didn't want the idiot to be living there with his mother shoving out her displeasure.

They sat silent between themselves for awhile after that. Naruto scarfed down his food while Sasuke simply played with his. He didn't feel like eating, so the blond took care of that for him, and ate all his food.

"Naruto."

The blond looked away from the television, his eyebrows raised in question. "What?"

"About yesterday..." Sasuke started awkwardly, feeling his face scrunch up.

The blond shrugged. "Not a big deal, right? You are allowed to you know, don't kill yourself over it."

"You aren't going to take it as something more?" Sasuke asked in his usual dead tone.

"Hm? No! Come on, that would be silly. Besides, if you've fallen for me, then this is it. I get fired and everything. I mean, I understand you can be a jerk and all, but after I've explained everything to you...I guess I can't see you doing that. I mean, don't get me wrong, feelings are feelings. You seemed closed off enough. Besides, you aren't even gay." He laughed. "I just don't see you doing it with feeling, I guess. I mean, all the money you'd be screwed out of."

"Exactly." Sasuke agreed, his voice flatter.

"I mean, you flinch when I trip." Naruto laughed.

"Of course." He droned on.

"So let's not freak out about it, hm? Everyone has moments. Besides, I can't blame you for wanting to kiss my sexy face." Naruto laughed, shoving Sasuke's shoulder.

"Yeah, it's all in the contract, right?"

"Yup!" Naruto chirped.

"Then kiss me."

There was a pause that turned Naruto into stone. He was staring at Sasuke's face, looking for any sign that this was a joke. His eyes raked his face, but it was the same. It was a stone wall of indifference.

"You're kidding..."

"No."

Naruto felt himself shake it off like it was a dream, but he was smack dab in an awkward reality. "What? You're like, disgusted by the thought me. You can't be telling me all this single life and lonely crap is getting to you."

"Sure." He said, his voice still void of emotion.

"What if..."

"Just do it Naruto."

The blond shut his eyes briefly, hoping he'd open them and realize he was just having some funny dream after he fell asleep because he ate too much. When he opened them, he sighed. It wasn't a bluff, a fluke, a dream or anything else. Without another second of hesitation, he got on his knees, the cushion of the couch supporting him and he crawled over to where Sasuke was sitting. His palms sank into the cushion with each slow and crawling movement, his knees dipping into the softness.

He stopped when his hands reached Sasuke's knees. He couldn't recall when he had turned on the couch and crossed his legs.

He pushed himself up, bringing his legs up along with him, and crawling on to Sasuke's lap. He thought maybe this action would snap him out of it. One leg on either side of his waist, completely straddling him. He could feel his ass sitting perfectly against Sasuke's crotch. His thighs clamped around his waist, he put his hands on Sasuke's chest and let them melt their way down over his shirt.

He was convinced that at any moment, Sasuke would snap back into his normal self and shove him off. He felt a hand curl around the front of his shirt and a fist tug him forward slightly. Another hand rested calmly on his thigh.

"It's in the contract." He reminded Naruto.

He felt himself being tugged forward, he felt his head tilt down, and he squeezed his eyes shut. Sasuke's lips were just as soft as he could remember, smooth like he'd never felt before. He felt his heart suddenly thud in his chest when those lips moved against his own. They felt like they were melting against his, dying to merge together.

Maybe Sasuke's food was bad, he tried to reason. Maybe he was drugged. Maybe he was too tired. Maybe...maybe...maybe.

He felt the lips retreat and instinctively he licked at his own. It tasted like something sweet and he felt himself frown at that. Sasuke hated sweets. It reminded him of something. Honey or a taffy. Sasuke would never touch those things.

Naruto opened his eyes when he felt the hand leave his shirt, and then felt chilled fingers wrap around his chin.

He didn't realize he was still face to face with Sasuke and he was met with dark pools staring at him with indifference. He never could fully appreciate his eyes until now. Up close he could honestly say they were beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

"Open your mouth this time."

He didn't have time to react really, or possibly even prepare himself. He felt their lips melt together again, feeling a small jolt race up his back. It had never felt so wonderful before, just sharing a simple kiss with someone. He was knocked out of that thought when he felt Sasuke's tongue barely graze his bottom lip as a reminder, making it tingle instantly. Teeth suddenly nipped at the lip, gently enough to make another jolt race up his back and enough to make him open his mouth.

He didn't realize how eager he suddenly seemed. He barely registered his hands sailing up Sasuke's chest, around his neck and felt his fingers dig deeply to grab a hold his hair.
Their tongues met in a slow, languid dance. It felt erotic to him how slowly and teasingly their tongues twirled. He barely arched his back when he felt Sasuke's bare finger tips graze the skin of his lower back. He hadn't even noticed his hands sliding under his shirt. It was amazing how hot they suddenly were, like individual torches.

He noticed he was suddenly getting lost in the haze of lust. Barely considering anything but the small pleasures he felt. Such simple touches and kisses were leaving him lost. He felt himself gasp for air when Sasuke's mouth pulled away, and bit back another when he felt the silk of his lips began to tease at his neck.

He clamped his teeth together and tilted back his head, giving Sasuke's more space to work him. He shivered when he felt the now familiar tongue trace a fiery trail up to his jaw. A shiver passed over him when he relished in the gentle nips that trailed back down.

"Sasuke..." He tried calling, but for what reason, he already forgot.

He barely comprehended the moan that escaped his own lips when he felt the bite on his lower neck that turned into gentle and stimulating suction.

"Ahhh..." He immediately bit down on his lip when he realized the noise came from himself, losing himself in the feeling that Sasuke was bringing with such simple touches.

A second later, it was all gone. Sasuke's lips, his hands, his heat.

He felt himself slide off of Sasuke with a push, and as he shook his head to try to regain some control, he watched the front door slam shut.

Author's Notes: I feel as though...I've been reading too much smut lately, and now it's reflecting in what I write. Now you guys are going to pester for more...damn.