Title: Ties That Bind
Author: desolate butterfly
Genre: drabble, angst
Pairing: NaruSasu
Rating: PG
Summary: Naruto pushes too far and too fast, but that's what Sasuke needs from him.

--

"Sasuke-kun, are you feeling okay? You look pale."

Sakura's eyes are worried and her hands are pale and slim on his arm. Too delicate. Too fragile. He could break her wrist with such little effort. He shrugs her off instead and delivers his best neutral look.

"Don't concern yourself," he says. "I'm fine."

She's unconvinced but unwilling to push him. When he turns from her and walks away, she doesn't even try to halt his progress.

--

Kakashi corners him later, as much as a man leaning against a tree with his nose in a book can "corner" a person. Sasuke's legs itch to run, but somehow he can't when Kakashi's eyes are on him, so instead he slouches and scowls and grits his teeth.

"Sakura is worried about you," Kakashi says, as blandly as if he were commenting on the weather.

Sasuke's hands twitch and he shoves them deep in his pockets. He sneers.

"She worries a lot. Usually over nothing."

Kakashi closes his book with a snap and gives Sasuke a "look" that clearly says that Sasuke is a horrible liar.

"I'm worried too," the masked jounin states, hand darting out to lift Sasuke's chin.

Sasuke bristles at the touch but doesn't move, waiting for Kakashi to look him over. Apparently the answer isn't clearly written there in his face because Kakashi has to ask.

"What's wrong Sasuke?"

"Nothing. Mind your own business." Sasuke holds his breath while Kakashi considers him, practically leaning in to those fingers on his chin. When Kakashi lets go he has to swallow his disappointment.

As Kakashi leaves him he says over his shoulder that he can't help Sasuke if he doesn't want it.

The despair that comes with that realization almost brings Sasuke to his knees. He runs instead.

--

"Hey asshole!"

Naruto's fingers dig into his skin and Sasuke bucks and kicks, trying to force him off. He gets in a vicious strike to Naruto's ribs and hears something crack with extreme satisfaction, but Naruto only winces and holds him tighter.

He's yelling in Sasuke's ear. "You've been acting stupid all day and you made Sakura-chan cry, so you'd better tell me what the hell's wrong with you right now!"

Sasuke wrenches to the side and gathers his knees into his chest, ready to push Naruto away with both feet. Naruto's knee is in his gut before he can finish the movement, pinning him down.

"Fuck off," Sasuke hisses, spitting in Naruto's face. The blond's eyes narrow in anger, but he doesn't let Sasuke go, and he presses even harder, and breathes hot, laboured breaths on Sasuke's cheek.

"No," Naruto says, and he means it.

'This is why,' Sasuke thinks as he readies himself for the fight; flexes to test the inexhaustible energy in Naruto's hold. 'This is why, Naruto, to me you're the one who is…'

"Sasuke, tell me what's wrong with you right now, or I'll break your arms and make you tell me!"

'My closest friend.'

--

fin.

--