Wow. I re-read the whole story yesterday night, and it feels crazy that I've come this far already. How much have I been writing lately anyway?:p And so many readers, it makes me nervous about publishing every chapter. I just want them to be really really good.

This chapter is very short.

I don't really know what to say, but I hope you like it. Oh, and a big thank you to adxvnetu for reading it and giving her opinion, you're the best!

Chapter 36: Because II

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Sasuke walked into the bathroom.

He closed the door behind him.

He pulled off his clothes.

He got into the shower, closing that door as well behind him.

But when the first spray of water hit him it might as well have been a block of concrete, pushing him down onto the floor in a boneless heap.

He gripped his hair, gritting his teeth and pressing his face into his arm, unable to run away from his emotions this time.

He didn't care about what Gaara had said.

He was right but for all the wrong reasons.

Breathing forcefully slowly to try and calm his racing heart he felt his muscles gradually relaxing when the water turned warm, but every drop was like a memory haunting him.

And finally, his body had had enough.

Shaking with sobs he almost laughed irrationally because of letting it all out, finally, admitting to himself what an idiot he was.

And it was laughable. Blaming Naruto when obviously he was the one desperate not to mess things up at this point. If he wasn't good enough for Naruto… But he was never going to go through something like this again, not for anybody else. These six months felt more significant than his whole life before, and he didn't want to end things the way Gaara wanted them to.

He could remember the first time he met Naruto, and now, in hindsight, it would be ridiculous to deny that he'd instantly liked him.

Or maybe like was the wrong word, but he'd certainly cancelled all other meetings with possible flat-mates without a second thought. Somehow he just knew that they'd be fine together. Naruto had lacked something that every other person had had; namely that glint in his eyes of 'Now how do I get into his pants?". Even the straight guys had managed to make him feel uncomfortable.

But getting married was another thing. And maybe he'd never expected to marry happily, but that didn't mean that, presented with the possibility, he wouldn't grab it.

That was it wasn't it?

I want to marry Naruto.

The thought fluttered inside his brain, as if unsure of whether it was actually allowed into the conscious realm. But that really was it.

And he would have admitted it sooner, if it wasn't for that one little detail ruining everything.

Sex.

How was he supposed to-

Assaulted by a wave of memories from certain dreams, he felt like punching himself.

Sighing heavily he raised his head and leaned it back against the cold tiles, holding his spread hands up underneath the water and glumly watching the sprays hitting them.

Fine. Whatever. When Naruto got back, they'd have some long overdue sex and then he'd…

A sudden painful twist in his stomach made him clench his hands.

What if Naruto…

He swallowed thickly, his vision almost spinning when he'd held his breath a little too long.

But Naruto liked him, right?

All those touches, kisses, looks...

All those feelings…

They felt so good.

Having Naruto's attention, it felt so good.

He didn't want it to stop, didn't want to imagine Naruto doing the same to someone else.

He didn't want Naruto to leave him.

Because he…

Because he loved Naruto.

So... next up are their respective bachelor's parties... OMG SASU'S NOT IN DENIAL ANYMORE! xD