"So, what are you looking forward to most?" Naruto's orthopedist said as she sawed through the hard outer part of Naruto's cast.

Naruto's arms were speckled with goosebumps; he'd dodged doctors for a long enough time that he'd forgotten how cold it tended to be in their offices. He was wearing a tank top and blue jeans, his jacket resting on Sasuke's lap. Sasuke sat in a chair in the back corner of the room. He was wearing one of Naruto's favorite jackets; it was a dark purple accompanied with ripped black jeans.

"Shooowers," Naruto practically moaned.

He was glad that Sasuke worked his schedule around this appointment. Sasuke didn't ask him whether or not Naruto wanted him to go. He just knew. There were many unknowns. He didn't know what his arm would look like, but more importantly, he didn't even know what he'd be able to do with it.

They told him that the majority of his nerve regrowth would happen in the first two months, which would come to a close in just a couple weeks. But he was also told that nerve growth could be very slow, and he could take up to a year to reap the full benefits.

Yet should his feeling not return, there were other avenues. Nerve graft surgeries were an option. He reminded himself that even if his arm hadn't improved much, it wasn't necessarily game over.

He had to focus on the positives, despite the nagging voice in his head reminding him of all their pitfalls. At the very least, they'd finally get their matching tattoos today. It helped him face the day with a little more resilience. No matter what, something good awaited him.

It took only a minute for the doctor to saw through the outermost part of the cast. This would be the moment of truth. With his arm bundled up, it was difficult to tell how much feeling he'd regained. He could only test his fingers, which he could now successfully wiggle at will.

The doctor took fabric scissors and cut through the inner parts, freeing Naruto's skin to fresh air for the first time in months. Naruto swallowed deeply, somewhat shocked by the sensation of the open, cold air on his freshly exposed skin.

He'd never seen his skin so pale before, even including areas hidden from sunlight. His arm was sunken, atrophied, and covered in scars from both the landmine's shrapnel and his plethora of surgeries. Months of physical therapy awaited him. He bent his wrist now for the first time in weeks. It felt almost unnatural, the joint stiff and rigid. Naruto grinned at Sasuke, who cast a gentle half smile back.

Perhaps mercifully, the doctor was called out of the room to see another patient. Naruto's bare arm rested on the exam table. Naruto reached down, touching his forearm, though the sensation was just a bit muted.

It almost felt as though his arm wasn't his own, like he was alienated from his own flesh. It was such a strange thought, Naruto thought to himself. But it was as if someone stitched a prosthetic onto him. He attempted to make a fist, his fingertips loosely joining over his palm.

"Hey, I feel that," Naruto said, smiling at Sasuke.

"Good."

Naruto ran his hand along his forearm, now feeling something unyielding and sharp under his skin, faceted into his bone. It was the damnedest feeling; this metal was a part of him now. He pressed down.

"Weird…" Naruto said, "l think I feel one of my screws."

"Yeah?"

Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, check it out."

Sasuke walked over to Naruto, not bothering to hide his curiosity as he ran his hand along Naruto's forearm. It produced this muffled, tingling sensation.

"Here," Naruto said as he guided Sasuke's fingers to one of the screws. "And here."

"I feel them," Sasuke said, applying a bit more pressure as he felt along the sides of the screw. "Does this hurt?"

"Nah," Naruto said, watching Sasuke's hand on his forearm. He honestly appreciated the contact.

"Heh, I'm a cyborg," Naruto grinned.

Removing his rods and screws was an option, Naruto was told, but they recommended waiting no less than a year to do so. He was told that unless they caused him issues, there would be no reason to remove them. So far, he'd had none, but he had yet to use his arm or endure a cold New York winter with his new injury. He was told that the metal under his skin would lose heat more quickly than the surrounding tissue, causing it to pull warmth from the surrounding musculature and flesh on cold days.

"That's a stretch."

"You mean I don't have both organic and-," Naruto paused, tapping the screw Sasuke had just felt. "Mechanical parts? You know, the definition of a cyborg?"

Sasuke let out a long sigh.

"Are we doing this?"

"Uh, yes? We are?" Naruto said, gesturing dramatically. "Dude, I can't be a cyborg and just...not talk about being a cyborg."

Sasuke just shook his head.

"I mean, could it have just been a passing comment? Possibly. Probably would've been, actually, but then you questioned me. So now it definitely is a thing, and only you are to blame."

"So, this whole 'cyborg' thing is supposed to be vindictive?"

"Cyborg thing?"

"You just called it a thing seconds ago."

"Excuse you. I didn't choose the cyborg life, Sasuke."

So, Sasuke was avoiding eye contact? He loved pushing reactions out of him.

"The cyborg life chose me."

Sasuke made a shooing gesture with his hand, flicking from his wrist.

"What the fuck am I supposed to do with you…" he said, kneading the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger.

Naruto couldn't help but rub his thumb over his forearm and elbow. He could feel it more than he'd thought he would. It wasn't perfect, and he still didn't know whether he'd ever play the guitar worth a damn again. But there was a reason he had so many months of physical therapy in front of him. It was a work in progress.

"Yeah, you make light of it now. I won't hold it against you. When the machines finally take over, I'll tell them that you're one of the good humans. I won't let them enslave you."

"Wow," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes and raising his brow at Naruto. "I'm humbled."

Several seconds passed, neither speaking. He'd been so eager to get his cast removed. It was itchy, made it nearly impossible to shower, and it was the only thing preventing him from getting that sun etched onto his wrist. He tried not to feel silly for being so impatient. Being a romantic was nothing to be ashamed of, after all.

"It feels so weird."

Naruto pinched himself in various areas on his forearm. He felt some pinches perfectly. Others felt dull, tingly or numb. His arm still ached, but he tried to bend his elbow and lift his forearm up off the table. He was hardly able to get his skin off of the armrest. He had expected his arm to be weak, but it was an eerie feeling nonetheless.

"I guess…" Naruto mumbled, looking down at his still arm. "It can only go up from here."

Naruto was relieved when the doctor returned with a sling that he was to wear until he regained strength in his arm. He was given a list of exercises, which he received with a theatrical groan. As tedious as they were, it did excite him to work toward his goal of finally holding Ally in his arms and producing music he could be proud of.

They were escorted to the lobby, where the receptionist offered to make a followup appointment. After she offered several time slots, Naruto smiled sheepishly at Sasuke. He felt foolish for wanting him to accompany him once again, questioning whether he'd become too dependent. Sasuke quickly stepped up to the plate, arriving at a time with the receptionist. Naruto had no schedule to consider, after all.

Several seconds passed as they walked down the hall. Sasuke pressed the down arrow, and they waited for the elevator to come up.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Naruto hadn't realized that he'd been staring at the ground. He finally made proper eye contact with Sasuke. He opened his mouth, not sure what words would leave it. He was interrupted by the sound of the elevator door opening, revealing several people crammed inside.

They'd made no explicit plans as to what to do next, but no matter where they went, the subway station would be their next stop.

"So…" Sasuke said tentatively after they left the medical complex.

"Oh, yeah!" Naruto replied, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. I don't know why I froze up earlier."

Sasuke's stare analyzed him. He looked less concerned, but he still seemed troubled.

"Honestly?" Naruto said with a sigh. "I was a little shaken up. I have more feeling than I thought I would, so no complaints. But it's a lot, you know?"

"I'm sure."

He was glad he had Sasuke here to support him. He was so patient with him.

"I'm kinda hungry. And they say you shouldn't get tattoos on an empty stomach."

It wasn't as though either of them could forget Naruto fainting in Sasuke's tattoo parlor the second time they saw each other. He hadn't eaten anything that day, which Sasuke thought could've well played a part in that humiliating incident. One could say he hadn't had the best start, but he won Sasuke over in the end.

"They do say that, huh?"

Sasuke's face didn't betray his intent to tease Naruto, but his tone of voice did.

"Yeah," Naruto smiled. "They do."

They were nearing the subway stop now. Since he returned home, this would be his first time going to the Grip during business hours. He was excited to see Sasuke's crew in action once again, but he was also in a frame of mind that left him easily overwhelmed. He knew that should he want it, he could always go back to one of Sasuke's private rooms.

"So, anyhow, what do you want?"

"Ice cream," Naruto beamed.

Sasuke paused.

"That's not a real meal."

"It's got calories, don't it?"

Sasuke raised his brow at Naruto skeptically.

"And my tongue hurts," Naruto pouted.

Only yesterday was he able to speak without an impediment. That took four days, which was what Sasuke had told him to expect. His tongue was still swollen, however. He'd expected the swelling to go down after the night he got his tongue pierced, but it got worse before it got better.

"Fair."

"Are you hungry?"

He might be fine with ice cream, but Sasuke likely wouldn't be.

"I ate a full breakfast this morning. I'm good."

They were mostly silent on the way over to the shop. When they finally arrived, they wandered over to the ice cream store. When Naruto actually saw the shop in front of him, it started to hit home that they were actually doing this. After a month of waiting, they'd finally leave their marks on each other.

Naruto was chatty as he licked at his strawberry ice cream, offering Sasuke a bite as well. Unsurprisingly, he refused. For just the moment, his doctor's appointment slinked to the back of his mind. All he could think of now was the taste of delicious food, Sasuke's strong presence, and the fact that the tattoos he'd waited on for a month were finally going to be completed by none other than his lover.

The idea of matching tattoos was so romantic that Naruto was shocked that Sasuke would be the one to suggest it. A moon would be etched on Sasuke's left wrist, with a sun on Naruto's right.

You've always reminded me of the sun. And then there's me. I've been in the dark, but like the moon, I've reflected some of your light. Even I shine a little these days.

As meaningful as Sasuke's words were to him, he couldn't help but find them ironic. Naruto's spirit hadn't been this dim since he lost his parents. Yet Sasuke saw something in him that he clearly missed, just as he saw a warmth and kindness in Sasuke that he always denied.

Sasuke said that these tattoos were only logical. He liked to permanently honor things that truly changed who he was as a person. Naruto felt absolutely honored to meet that criteria. He so clearly remembered Sasuke's words.

After you, no matter what happens, there is no going back.

The fan tattoo on Sasuke's right hand was dedicated to his mom. The words "nemini cedimus" etched on Sasuke's chest marked his decision to start his life over again as someone unyielding. He wondered which of Sasuke's tattoos referenced something deeper and which were solely done for aesthetics. Sasuke revealed things at his own pace; Naruto was okay with that now.

Sasuke forced Naruto to finish his ice cream before he entered the shop. He started calling Naruto "Sticky Fingers" a few weeks ago, thanks to the fingerprints he sometimes left on doorknobs and appliance handles. When he finally entered, Juugo caught a glimpse of him almost immediately. He was busy checking a customer out as she searched her wallet for her credit card.

"Naruto," Juugo said with a smile. "Hey."

Suigetsu pivoted in a heartbeat, temporarily lifting his needle from his customer's calf.

"Oh my god, Naruto!" Suigetsu called out. "Finally, the prodigal son returns!"

As soon as Juugo was done with his customer, he swung around the counter and gave Naruto a one-armed hug. Naruto gladly hugged back with considerably more force than Juugo used. Juugo was a mountain of a man, and Naruto knew he was just trying to be safe.

"Look what I got!" Naruto grinned, sticking out his tongue to reveal his new piercing.

Juugo and Suigetsu chuckled at Naruto's enthusiasm.

"Cool. Am I imagining things, or is your cast gone?" Juugo asked.

It wasn't that obvious, given that Naruto's arm was mostly obscured by his sling.

"No, it's finally gone!"

"Nice. Karin's doing a piercing in the back," Suigetsu said, motioning to the back rooms with his thumb. "She'll be happy to see you."

Naruto felt his cheeks flush a bit despite himself. He hadn't expected this warm of a reception. It wasn't his first time seeing them since he returned. They'd all been at his surprise party, which meant a lot to him. When Naruto was deployed, doodles from them were often included in the packages Sasuke sent him. He used to think of them as Sasuke's friends, wondering if they only included him to be polite.

Maybe he was getting ahead of himself, but he wanted to spend more time with them. He wanted to know them better. He only saw them in Sasuke's presence, and Sasuke was a very busy man. He hoped that eventually it wouldn't be awkward to hang out without Sasuke. He loved making new friends. From experience, he'd learned not to come on too strong, as it could take others aback.

They'd already come to the conclusion that they'd be using the backroom to do their tattoos. As pleased as Naruto was to see everyone again, he knew that all of this stimulation could leave him feeling drained. As they walked back toward it, Naruto couldn't help but be thankful that Suigetsu was in the middle of tattooing someone. There was no way Suigetsu wasn't curious as to why they'd require a private room, but now was a poor time to ask.

Naruto appreciated privacy for what felt to be such an intimate moment to him. Naruto would leave his mark on Sasuke forever. He wondered if this was as big of a deal to Sasuke as it was to him. Sasuke already had so many tattoos; it probably wasn't the same. He wondered if his heart was fluttering like his was, a tiny smile on his face betraying his excitement.

After Sasuke closed the door behind him, he turned back and looked into Naruto's eyes for several seconds. Just when Naruto was tempted to move, Sasuke leaned forward, placing his palm on Naruto's jawbone and leading him in for a kiss. It was a slow, gentle kiss, as though they had all the time in the world. A small, bashful smile rested on Naruto's lips once they parted. Naruto parted his lips, gently curling his tongue against Sasuke's lip.

"Not until you're healed."

Naruto sighed and rolled his eyes. Yes, he was supposed to wait two weeks to kiss Sasuke.

"I'm already healed."

"Is that why you only wanted ice cream for lunch?"

Yes, he'd just been called on his bullshit. But that wasn't enough to stop him.

"Would you just…"

"We have time, Naruto," Sasuke said. "Besides, there are plenty of other ways to satisfy each other until then."

It was difficult to resist too much when Sasuke said things like this. He kissed Naruto on the lips again, his jaws staying shut. One of Sasuke's hands raked through Naruto's hair, the other holding Naruto's uninjured hand. It was such a sweet moment. Naruto smiled as their lips parted.

He futilely attempted to fight the urge to bring Sasuke in for a tight hug. Naruto stood there with him for several seconds, closing his eyes and breathing in deep. Foreheads pressed together, he exhaled as he held Sasuke's body tightly against his own. Their breathing synchronized.

When they removed his cast, Naruto couldn't help but feel fragile despite how long he'd looked forward to it. But with Sasuke here, he felt safe. Sasuke rested one hand on the back of Naruto's head, the other softly petting his back.

It was odd how Sasuke could so quickly appease his anxiety. It didn't hurt that he was in one of his favorite places. It was where he met Sasuke, after all.

"So, who's first?" Sasuke asked.

"Hmm…" Naruto pondered, subconsciously holding his arm tighter to his body.

"Does it hurt you?"

It unnerved him how quickly Sasuke discerned this when even he didn't realize the way he was holding his arm in. Hiding it away, perhaps.

"No," Naruto answered.

Sasuke left enough silence for Naruto to continue if he desired.

"It's just… I knew my arm wouldn't work the same way it used to. But with it being hidden in my cast, it was all sort of abstract until today. Now, it's very real."

There it was. The elephant in the room. He hadn't wanted to talk about it with Sasuke, especially not at such a time. Sasuke nodded.

"Does that scare you?"

Naruto frowned and nodded.

"Yeah, it does. I feel hopeful because I do have feeling. I have so much work and therapy ahead of me to get it working. But I'm also a little pissed at myself for being anxious, because look at what happened to Lee. Neji's dead for fuck's sake. What right do I have to complain?"

On top of everything, Lee was always so optimistic. Whenever they spoke over the phone, Lee was always pleased about some milestone he'd overcome. He still held onto the hope that he'd be able to walk again. Surely, Naruto thought, Lee must have moments of doubt. He wasn't superhuman, but sometimes it felt to Naruto like he was.

Sasuke merely shook his head.

"If I even breathe a word of complaint about my easy life, you drop everything to listen. It's unfair to apply a different standard to yourself."

Sasuke was always the last to complain. He liked to say he lived a simple, tranquil life. If not for his insomnia, Sasuke claimed, his life would be almost perfect. Sasuke had never been lucky, but he powered through with grit alone. Thus, he took pride in that simple, tranquil life. Yet the way Sasuke started awake at night, drenched in sweat, told another story.

"Your life isn't easy."

"My only problem is insomnia. It could be much worse."

"Mn…"

He didn't agree with Sasuke, but he wouldn't correct him now. His insomnia was so severe. Sasuke was so insistent that his past no longer hurt him; perhaps it was a matter of pride.

"I know. Easier said than done. Just know that you have every right to complain. Even if other people have it worse, you're going through a lot."

Sasuke rested his hand on Naruto's, rubbing his thumb over the top of Naruto's hand.

"It was kinda weird," Naruto muttered. "It almost didn't even feel like my arm. I suppose the numbness doesn't help."

"That sounds like a strange feeling."

"It is," Naruto said, leaning back and looking at Sasuke now. "It was kind of like having a rubber prop for an arm."

Sasuke winced.

"Creepy."

"Totally creepy," Naruto snickered. "I wonder how bad it'll hurt."

Sasuke's perked brow prompted Naruto to continue.

"Are wrist tattoos painful?"

Sasuke shrugged.

"They're known for being more painful than most because the skin is fine and right against the bone. But it's nothing horrible, especially when it's something so small."

"I'm not nervous about the pain," Naruto chuckled. After what he'd gone through, this was nothing. "I'm just curious. If it hurts enough, will my arm still feel like it's not mine?"

Sasuke paused.

"I suppose the only way to know is to try."

Naruto nodded.

"Today was a lot. If you don't feel like doing this now, don't. We have all the time in the world."

Naruto shook his head.

"No, it's precisely for these reasons that I want to do it today. It kinda makes me feel like I'm reclaiming my arm as my own," Naruto paused before raising a brow. "And yours, technically."

"Alright then," Sasuke replied, the left corner of his lips rising almost indiscernably. "Which arm do you want to claim first?"

The idea of him claiming a part of Sasuke both reassured and aroused him. Sasuke was worlds different from how he was when they first met, when he refused to tie himself to anyone. But even still there was an elusiveness about Sasuke.

"Yours," Naruto said with a devilish grin.

Sasuke cocked his head, motioning for Naruto to take his seat. Sasuke's supplies were already prepared. He showed Naruto the stencils for both Naruto's sun and his moon. Sasuke's moon was a crescent, while Naruto's sun was a circle with just a few, small rays. Sasuke told him that simple, dark black lines with sufficient negative space would stand the test of time the best.

Before he knew it, Sasuke sat in his chair and oriented it so that the inside of his forearm was upturned. He had the ink and the machine ready, the purple stencil mark already on the outside of Sasuke's left wrist. Naruto leaned forward, unable to keep his eyes off of Sasuke.

When he finally heard the buzzing of the machine, his toes wiggled inside his shoes. At the first black stroke was left on Sasuke's wrist, his heart beat hard. After how distant Sasuke was from the start, it was unreal that this was happening.

"Well shit, no backing out now," Naruto said with a grin.

Sasuke snickered.

"It's been a while since I've gotten anything new. With everything going on, it's been the last thing on my mind."

Sasuke said this as he outlined the outside of the crescent, his hand making small, sure strokes.

"Hm…" Naruto muttered. "I'm sorry for that."

"Not your fault," Sasuke said without halting his work. "The universe just likes to keep us on our toes apparently."

If that wasn't an apt portrayal of the past two years of Naruto's life, he didn't know what was.

"Well, when you're a little less on your toes… Think you'll have anything on your mind then?"

"Mn…" Sasuke took a few seconds. He didn't seem as tense as he often was. "I have tons of ideas. I'm pacing myself."

Despite how Sasuke got his first tattoo, something about Sasuke told Naruto that he tended to plan things out. In all honesty, his answer only made him more curious.

"Well, what's one of them?"

"A raven on my neck."

Naruto's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that, but it did seem like a natural progression.

"Like, big?"

"Fairly."

God, Sasuke's neck was gorgeous. Sasuke was pretty clever when it came to using his tattoos to flatter the natural curves and edges of his body.

"Wow, that's bold! Are you designing it?" Naruto added after the initial shock faded.

"Yeah. What do you think?"

Sasuke was already half done with his tattoo now. It was simple, as Sasuke said; or maybe Sasuke just made it look easy. He hadn't even shown a hint of discomfort.

"Are you asking for my permission?" Naruto said deviously.

"No," Sasuke replied stubbornly. "I'm asking for your opinion."

"I'm positive that I'll love it," Naruto smiled. "Just like everything else you've put on your body."

"Uzumaki Naruto…" Sasuke said, letting out a long sigh. "You're going to give me a cavity."

Naruto chuckled. He meant what he said, but it also didn't hurt to toy with Sasuke a bit. If he said something sappy enough, sometimes Sasuke would trip up and fluster. It was so rare to see him do this.

"Hey, it's just the truth. I'm sure I'll love everything you put on my body too," Naruto found himself leaning his head back with his eyes gently closed. "But I don't wanna stress you out with that considering how crazy work's been."

"It doesn't stress me out," Sasuke said, the buzzing of his tattoo irons starting up again. "Making art of your body is the greatest privilege I could think of."

Naruto was grinning to himself despite trying not to. Sasuke never tried to hide his desire when he looked at Naruto. He knew that Sasuke found him beautiful, even if he couldn't quite understand why.

"Who's the one saying corny shit now?" Naruto said, sticking his newly pierced tongue out at Sasuke. But he had to admit that Sasuke was smooth.

"Just the truth," Sasuke repeated.

Sasuke finished the crescent tattoo on his wrist, holding his wrist up for a final check.

"Wooow," Naruto said with a large smile on his face. "Now you've been claimed."

"Hn." Looking satisfied, Sasuke finally said, "Your turn."

"Yeeeah, about that," Naruto said, making an exaggerated wince and tilting his head. "I think I'll bow out now."

"Hilarious," Sasuke muttered, finally applying plastic wrap to his wrist and sitting up. He gestured down to his chair with his hand. "Sit."

Naruto sat and removed his sling, followed by his jacket. This was the second time he'd seen his arm today, and it still didn't feel any more his own. Naruto fought the temptation to hide it. He felt so exposed and vulnerable.

Sasuke gently caressed his palm over the underside of his forearm, which Naruto mostly felt. It was only somewhat muted by a pins and needles sensation.

"You good?"

In response, Naruto tugged Sasuke in by his shirt, wrapping his good arm around Sasuke's back and pressing his face into Sasuke's shoulder. He couldn't look at Sasuke right now. He counted himself so blessed as Sasuke held him there for seconds, which soon became minutes, requiring no explanation or response.

Once he'd gathered himself, he separated from Sasuke again.

"Want to talk?"

"Maybe later," Naruto said with a weak smile.

"Alright. I have to sterilize your skin. It might feel cold."

Naruto clearly felt the cool of the alcohol on his skin. Then came the application of the stencil. The only thing he could focus on now was the sight of the purple sun on his wrist. Yet even still, he couldn't fully shake that feeling of being alienated from his own body.

"Is this good?"

Naruto nodded, smiling.

"Yeah. It's perfect."

"Alright," Sasuke replied. "Starting now."

The sound of the needle on his skin followed with the feel of vibration against his forearm calmed him and made him remember a time much simpler than the present. His smile grew as the first black lines were left on Naruto's skin. They'd done so many intimate things with each other, but somehow, this seemed to top them all.

He remembered when Sasuke tattooed his back over those weeks. Always resting on his stomach, Naruto never got to see Sasuke's face while he worked. But he saw it now, Sasuke's brows knit just slightly in concentration. Naruto couldn't help but look up from his wrist and take Sasuke in. Gorgeous.

And then he winced as Sasuke hit a tender spot. His arm didn't feel like a prop now.

"That hurt?"

"Yeah," Naruto said with a big grin on his face. "It did."

Before Naruto knew it, Sasuke finished. Naruto couldn't stop staring at his wrist. He didn't see the marred skin and surgical wounds anymore; just the small sun that tied him to Sasuke. His grin ate up his face; he couldn't have stopped it even if he'd wanted to.

"I guess we match now, huh?" Naruto said.

"Yeah," Sasuke said, his face reflecting just a bit of Naruto's glow. "I guess we do."