The last three of these take place around the same time period, a couple months before Sasuke and Naruto move in together during Notion (ch.4). I guess there's a running joke in them both being too stubborn to make the first move, despite the fact their relationship is painfully obvious to the people around them. This one happens the night before Morning (ch.18), and features Suigetsu, who has a sort of history with Sasuke but still gets a kick out of how silly Sasuke and Naruto's situation actually is.

Guest: Lol, I would if I could. Hopefully will be able to drop this after finishing some other stuff. Thanks, though. Very sweet of you to offer. ^^

Guest: Thanks for reading. ^^;;

...

"Sasuke's going to kill you for walking around here like that, you know."

...

Don't Know Much About the French I Took

He barely had time for a detour, his fault for snatching the wrong jacket this morning during his rush to get to class, in effect leaving behind his ID he needed now, but there's still enough time to slip in and slip out of the apartment without bothering Sasuke, who was probably still studying, and then pick up the 9:17 train heading to Shibuya to meet Karin at Womb before ten.

His carabineer's already out by the time he reaches the door, the attached cutesy purple character keychain a gag gift from Karin chiming with his keys, a mini flash drive, and a maroon penknife. Two seconds later he's through the door, not bothering to take off his shoes, willing to risk Sasuke and his neurotic self chewing him out for it later.

Making a beeline for the desk, murmuring a quick hi to Sasuke and Naruto lounging near the TV, he grabs the dark blue jacket carelessly thrown over the desk, searching inside the outside pocket for his ID. Stuffing the ID in the side pocket of his jeans, he tosses the jacket back over the desk, a hasty bye on the tip of the tongue before he pauses, consciously taking notice of Sasuke and Naruto sharing the extra large futon from the closet, backs cushioned by two pillows acting as a barrier between them and the wall.

Flustered, Naruto starts at the sudden attention on him. No longer holding an apparently sleeping Sasuke, his arm lies instead restless across his lap. Shoulders somewhat tense, he looks up with a nervous laugh, attempting to offset the sudden, almost awkward atmosphere, eyes large and grin too keen. "Suigetsu, hey..."

"Hey, yourself." Suigetsu looks between Naruto and the TV playing some outdated documentary about China, with another glance at Sasuke. "Looks like fun."

"Too much for him to handle." Naruto snorts. "Thought you were going out tonight. What's up?"

"Not planning on staying long. Just came back to get my ID." Three times Suigetsu pats his side pocket.

"Oh. Okay." The tension in Naruto's shoulders gradually begins to ease, just about gone following a prolonged exhale. Adjusting the comforter covering his legs, he gestures to the white shoes Suigetsu hasn't taken off, offering a more genuine smile. "Sasuke's going to kill you for walking around here like that, you know."

"Always empty threats with that guy," Suigetsu says, returning the smile with a vaguely amused one of his own. "I'll chance it."

Curious, or maybe just nosy, he narrows his eyes at Sasuke leaning against Naruto. Long strides bring him closer, and he crouches down beside them, steady on the balls of his feet, elbows resting over his legs. "He really is out, isn't he?"

"Yeah." There's a low chuckle from Naruto. It's a mellow sounding laughter, laced with a noticeable warmth found in his gaze that strays with a fleeting glance at Sasuke. "He's been running all over the place since last week. Getting a head start preparing for finals. Forcing me to work a little harder, too. Nothing unexpected, I guess, but..."

Suigetsu nods with a faint hum, leaning in a little closer to study Sasuke, watching the subtle movement of characteristically sharp features surprisingly open, Sasuke's breathing light, nearly inaudible through his mouth ajar.

"Funny how a guy like him can look like this," he murmurs, hand motioning a slow arc in front of Sasuke's face. "Not so tempting to annoy when he's—"

"Do me a favour, Suigetsu."

Suigetsu acknowledges Naruto with a distracted murmur. He continues to stare at Sasuke, again waving his hand.

With a low moan, Sasuke starts to shift, lifting his head drooped over his shoulder. His mouth closes while his knee rises, left leg brought closer to his body, arms hidden beneath the comforter pulled up to his chest as he slouches forward, turning towards Naruto. The slight parting of his lips releases a heavy sigh, and he breathes in softly, completely relaxed at Naruto's side.

In the brief moment it takes to realise Sasuke's still asleep, the lagging stillness draws attention to the drone from the TV, the voice of the narrator fading into the tranquil lull of instrumental music.

"...don't do that again, all right."

Arm lowered, Suigetsu looks up to meet blue eyes, eyebrows raised in question. "Do what, Blondie?"

"What you were doing. Just...just don't, okay." To accommodate Sasuke's weight, Naruto settles into a more comfortable position, left arm slipping beneath the comforter. He lets out a soft grunt, a second or two spared to glance down before he looks back up, wearing an acute sort of half-smile. "It wouldn't be fair for Sasuke to wake up when he doesn't have to."

Suigetsu gives him an odd look, matching the outwardly simple gaze with an intent stare.

The words seem earnest, the appeal reasonable enough, yet there's a certain scrutiny underlying the resolve, measured in Naruto's careful tone, and the irony of the situation causes Suigetsu to grin.

"Never intended to. As if I'd risk him catching me wearing shoes inside here." With a light-hearted scoff, hands pushing down on his legs, he stands, heading towards the entryway. Going against a practice so fundamentally ingrained, he'd probably feel worse if his shoes weren't brand new. "I ever mention how much of an interesting guy you really are? Especially around Sasuke."

"Heh. Coming from you, I don't think it's safe to take that as a compliment."

Suigetsu's laugh carries with him, lingers in the slight curve of his mouth as he opens the door. Two steps away from the hall, fingers grasped around the knob, abrupt, he turns around. "My roommate tell you I finally asked Karin out?"

"No," Naruto says, the surprise in his eyes quickly replaced by a teasing glint, "but it took you long enough. Me and Sasuke didn't know what you were waiting for." He reaches over his lap to pick up a nearly empty plastic bottle lying on the floor and places it upright on the table beside him, careful not to jostle Sasuke's head resting against his shoulder. "So what'd she say?"

Suigetsu steps out of the apartment, grinning at Naruto through the diminishing gap between the threshold and the door. "Tell Sasuke I'll see him Sunday, yeah?" Not waiting for a response, he closes the door behind him. He locks it with a turn of his key then pulls out his phone, shoulders shaking with a laughter unrestrained that echoes all the way down the hall.