Part XXI
Sasuke was walking across campus in the warm April sun of late morning. The weather had become dramatically nicer with the changing of the month. It was now the second week of April, leaving only four weeks left before the end of the semester. He had just gotten out of one of his engineering classes and was walking back to his dorm room.
As he walked, his mind kept absently wandering back to Kiba, and Sasuke wondered what he might be up to at that morning. Giving in to temptation, he pulled his phone from his pocket and absently scrolled down to Kiba's number, pressed the call button, and raised the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Sasuke," Kiba said.
"Hi," the Raven replied, "How's it going? I'm out of one class and have a few hours to kill before my next one."
"That's cool. I'm just hanging out on campus. I'm also between classes. Just got out of my algebra class a couple minutes ago."
"I see," the Raven answered. "So, how are things going?"
"They're good, I'm doing good in all my classes and am even going to pass algebra thanks to Naruto's help."
"Well that's good to hear. Are you and Naruto doing good then?"
"Yeah," Kiba answered, a smile crossing his lips. "He's simply all I could ask for."
"Hmmm, well, then I'm glad. I was still a little concerned from when he was so pissed at me and then kind of took it out on you, but I know he didn't really mean it. He was just hurt and surprised."
"Yeah, I felt bad for you too," Kiba admitted. "I mean, I thought he would be fine and be happy, but you're right, it was probably a shock to him at first."
"Yeah, I'm just glad it's done now, and none of us have any secrets anymore."
"Well, I don't know about no secrets," Kiba laughed. "It's really unusual for me though, both you and Naruto make me feel like I've known you for my whole life. I know we haven't talked a lot, but it's really hard for me to open up to people. I'm not exactly baggage-less, if you know what I mean."
"I'm can't say I'm completely without issues myself," Sasuke said.
"Yeah, I was in a relationship that wasn't good," Kiba said. "My boyfriend wasn't really a good person...he made me do things I didn't really want to do...sorry, I don't know why I told you that."
"No, it's ok," Sasuke said. "Look, you listened to my angsty-ness about coming out, so I'll always be available if you need to talk about anything. I'm sorry you were in a situation like that."
"Thanks, it was hard for me to get out of at the time too, I thought that was all the better I could do. I wasn't really in a good place then, but fortunately I came to my senses. But then, in the end, I wasn't the one who ended it. He dumped me, and that kind of screwed me up even more. I was a mess then and started seeing a doctor, and that's when I started realizing I was being too hard on myself."
"I understand," Sasuke said. "Everyone has they're own things to deal with in their past. I think you're right too, it's probably better to have some secrets, I guess I didn't mean that literally. I certainly have my own anyway, but I want you to know I'm glad I met you, and I think you and Naruto are really good for each other. And you're now one of my closest friends, Kiba, and I hope you consider me yours too. And I agree too, it was really easy for me to spill my guts to you too."
"I do," Kiba answered. "I wish we were closer and could hang out with you more."
"Yeah, same here."
"Well, let's not get each other depressed," Kiba said with a chuckle. "Let's change the subject. Are you dating anyone right now?"
"No, not at the moment," Sasuke admitted. "I mean, yeah, I go on dates sometimes, but I haven't really found anything really serious yet. I'm just kind of keeping things open, and my classes keep me busy anyway. It's probably best I'm single at the moment."
"Well, don't give up," Kiba said encouragingly.
"I'm not," the Raven answered, then thought how ironic the conversation had turned. "Hey, I almost forgot, I'm not sure I'll be taking any classes this summer yet, so I might be back home, although I don't want to stay with my parents. I'm trying to convince my brother to let me live with him for the summer. I think he's going to give in, then I'd only be about forty-five minutes away from you guys. Do you know yet if you and Naruto will be any classes over summer?"
"I usually take one or two, but I don't really like the compressed schedule," Kiba said. "But I do need to get in another phys ed course to graduate...I'll have to check the schedule. I don't know why those classes are still required in this day and age..."
"To keep you fit and active," Sasuke said with a laugh. "And to get some extra money out of you."
"I think you're right about the latter," Kiba said. "I haven't talked to Naruto about it though. He says he needs to get a job, but I don't want him to be away. He's adamant about not letting me support him though."
"Hmmmm," the Raven mused. "He is kind of proud and independent. He's always been that way. But, I wonder if I might be able to have Itachi, my brother, get him into an internship at his company. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility."
"That would be awesome," Kiba replied. "Although I don't know if he would give in to having your brother just give him a job. I wish he would just stay with me, but I've kind of given up on that now."
"Well, let me talk to Itachi and see. Maybe if I have him post the job online and I send you a link, you can have Naruto apply for it and then it won't seem like it's just being handed to him. But then I guess we'll just completely forget about what I said about having no secrets. I'll just eat my own words on that one."
"Oh yeah," Kiba laughed. "We're going to be in so much trouble if he ever finds out, but I really like your plan. And, I'd feel much better knowing he isn't just taking any job just to work."
"All right," Sasuke said. "I'm back at my dorm, so I'm gonna grab some lunch before my next class. I'll call Itachi this afternoon and text u tonight in case your with Naruto."
"Cool, sounds good," Kiba said. "I'll talk to you later then, and thanks for listening to me."
"You're welcome," Sasuke answered. "It was good to talk to you again. Later."
"Bye-bye," Kiba said before ending the call.
Sasuke set his phone down on the table next to his bed, then lay down, folding his arms back behind his head. He kicked off his shoes and let himself relax for a moment.
Fuck he thought to himself, what am I doing? I'm having a crush on my best friend's boyfriend. This is just stupid. I can't do this to Naruto.
He rolled over onto his stomach and buried his face into his pillow and lay there for a few moments before pulling himself up and walking over to the mini-fridge on the other side of the room. He quickly made himself a ham sandwich and sat down on the couch to eat.
He absently began thumbing through his textbook for his next class, reviewing the chapter that had been assigned the previous class as he ate. He curled his legs up onto the couch and tried to stay focused on the chapter, but found himself staring off out the window too frequently. A few moments later, the door opened, and Sasuke's roommate came in.
"Hey, Hyuuga," the Raven said in greeting.
"What up, Uchiha?" Neji replied as he began changing out the books in his bookbag. "You hanging out before your other class?"
"Yeah...just hanging out..."
"Something wrong?" Neji asked sensing his roommate wasn't being his usually self.
"Just more of the same stuff I laid on you the other day," Sasuke answered. "Your gay roommate is still crushing on his friend's boyfriend. I called Kiba today, and I don't know...I want to be his friend, but all I think about is if I had the chance to date him, I'd take it in a second."
"Don't put yourself down, dude," Neji said. "I've had plenty of girlfriend issues in my life, so what you're going through is fairly common whether you're straight or gay. Just keep your head up and don't give up. Whether with Kiba or someone else, you've got to just work through whatever situation you're in. You want to be friends anyway, so just go with it, no one knows how things will work out in the end anyway."
"Wow, you sounded like a motivational speaker just now, Neji," Sasuke laughed. "I'll do what you say though, I'm trying to at least. I know I would never try to take Kiba from Naruto though. If I did that, I'd hate myself. They both mean a lot to me."
"Well, be their friend then, and whatever is meant to be will just happen on its own."
"Yeah, I know you're right. It's just rough, you know?"
"That's life," Neji said. "I'm going to go over to the library to do some writing for this paper I have due soon, so I'll catch you later."
"Later, man," Sasuke said as his roommate headed out.
Alone again and having finished his sandwich, Sasuke leaned his head back against the back of the couch.
Come on he thought to himself. Neji's right, I've just need to keep it light for my two best friends. Whatever happens will happen.
He got up and put his text book into his backpack, put his sneakers back on, and headed out for his class. As he walked across campus, he enjoyed the sun shining down on his face and became somewhat annoyed when he had to leave it to go inside the building to his classroom. He climbed up the stairs to the second floor, walked down the hallway, and into the classroom. He took a seat next to his friend, Gaara, whom had the same major as Sasuke and the two had been in several of their classes together.
"Hi, Gaara," he said as he pulled out his book and note tablet.
"Hey," the red-haired boy replied. "You ready for this class? I heard from a guy I know who has the morning section that there's a surprise quiz today."
"Oh, fuck," Sasuke said. "That just figures...I read the chapter, but only half-assed and didn't really write down any notes."
"Yeah, same here, just skimmed it...but at least the quiz is at the end, after he goes over everything in class."
"Small miracles," Sasuke said with a wry chuckle.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Gaara asked. "The basketball team has a game Saturday if you want to go. Then maybe hit up some parties, curb a few girls?"
"Dude, you know I like guys, stop trying to turn me bi," Sasuke laughed. "Or else I'm going to start trying to hook you up with some guys."
"Not going to work, man," Gaara said, laughing. "You know I'm only kidding about you and girls, but we should go to the game and find a party. It's getting close to the end of the semester, and soon we'll need to spend all our extra time studying for exams."
"Yeah, that's true enough. Just the thought makes me want to throw myself out the window at times. Everyone always gets on my case for taking this intense major, and at times I wonder about it myself. I just can't imagine what else I would do though."
"I know what you mean," Gaara said. "If I had taken something else, thought, I'd have lost interest long ago and probably dropped out."
The professor ambled into the room a moment later and started his lecture. The two boys ended their conversation for the time being and listened intently.
xXxXx
Kiba had hung out outside of Amory Hall while he had been talking to Sasuke once they had started discussing Naruto's job search. He knew Naruto was waiting for him inside, so he thought it best to finish the conversation before meeting him. He was excited about the prospect of Sasuke's brother getting a job for Naruto. Kiba really didn't want his boyfriend working, but knew Naruto wasn't going to give in and live off of Kiba's generosity.
"Hi, Kiba," Naruto said, standing up from his chair and giving Kiba a kiss on his cheek. "How was algebra?"
"Lame as usual," Kiba said, taking Naruto's hand in his and sitting down.
"Come on," Naruto teased. "You know you love all those equations and formulas...they get you so hot, don't they?"
"Oh yeah," Kiba said dryly. "You know I can't resist a good, sexy equation..."
"I think you would dump me in a second if Pythagoras walked in here right now," Naruto continued.
"Uh huh," Kiba played along. "You know it..."
"You're so cute when you're trying not to be," Naruto said. Kiba blushed a little, and looked over to his boyfriend.
"Now, now, we both have more classes today," Kiba said. "And it's getting toward the end of the semester, so as much as I would love to go home with you right now, I think we're going to have to wait."
"Yeah," Naruto sighed. "I know...I can't believe it's already April. I really need to concentrate on finding a summer job."
"Yeah, I'll look online for something too," Kiba said. "I guess I've resigned myself to you working. You know I'd rather you didn't though."
"I know," Naruto answered. "But it just doesn't feel right. I'm already going to be living with you all summer for free, so I want to help with groceries and things, and I need to earn some money to pay for part of next year's tuition to keep my loans lower. Kiba, I don't want you to ever think I'm with you because I want you to pay for things for me."
"I don't think that at all," Kiba said, giving Naruto's hand a slight squeeze. "I know you aren't like that. I love you and want to help you is all."
"Thanks," Naruto said leaning over to kiss his boyfriend again. "I appreciate everything you do for me...or at least what you can manage to do when I won't let you most of the time."
"That's the truth," Kiba said, laughing. "You certainly stick to your guns."
"That I do," Naruto said.
The two hung out for the rest of their free time, until Kiba had to leave for his Renaissance Europe history course. Naruto walked him to the class and then left to go on to the building where is next class was held.