Sasuke sighed as he watched Naruto wave to him from the entrance to his ground floor apartment, down the side of the building. It wasn't a sad, or depressed, or deflated sigh, just a release of something that he had been holding in - something he couldn't quite identify, but wasn't too concerned to try to; so many things had happened in just three short days that he didn't think it worth trying to sift through it all in order to stick a pin in it. He'd been around Naruto long enough by now to realise that, for the most part, life was completely unpredictable and wholly un-pin-downable.

As Sasuke drove back to his place, he supposed he should think about the show they had just performed to an audience for the first time, or the feedback from Tsunade, or what he personally thought went well and what didn't, or even how Sakura seemed to be warming up to him again during the run of the show - minus the overbearing crush she once harbored... But instead, all he could think about was Naruto. Warm, bright, happy, giggling Naruto who had, until mere moments ago, been sat next to him in his car, chirping away as though things were completely normal. Like this was just any normal night. Sasuke was struck with the thought that, to Naruto, it probably was. But to Sasuke... Well, it definitely was not.

When he got back to his cold and empty apartment - a smile on his face and a warmth in his chest despite himself - he heard the dull clunk of the lock mechanisms when he turned the key, heard the familiar squeaking of the hinges as he pushed the heavy security door open, heard the lock click again automatically when the door had swung shut, heard the other man in the room clear his throat... Sasuke looked up in shock, hand midway to the key hook by the door.

"Hello, Sasuke."

"Fugaku."

"Yes, Mikoto?" The man answered distractedly, hunched over his ornate wooden desk and organising some papers.

"Itachi asked me to tell you something." She said, knowing that for their eldest son, there wasn't much that could keep the stern, cold man from listening intently. She almost smiled when she was proven right, and he finally looked up at her.

"Oh? And, that would be..."

"He has arranged a few days off through his area manager, and asked me to tell you directly, as it would reach you faster than the paperwork would." She explained, flicking her eyes towards the large pile of said paperwork beside him. "It should be in that pile, somewhere." She added.

"Right..." Fugaku sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. "Great, another good man down. Those idiots in his office will be playing catch up for days. Why couldn't he just come to me and arrange it? I could have personally arranged someone more suitable to cover his shift myself." He said, mostly to himself, knowing that Itachi's area manager and head of human resources (and Fugaku's uncle, Madara) would once again pick his favourite - Obito - to cover Itachi's shift. Obito was good, but Fugaku suspected him of industrial espionage - a claim he unfortunately and frustratingly couldn't prove.

"He's going to Konoha for a couple of days." She said, ignoring his last comment.

"Konoha? Why?" He asked, frowning. Mikoto shrugged.

"Possibly because he wants to see his younger brother?" Mikoto said, just barely keeping the disdain for her husband out of her voice. "Plus, Sasuke is playing the lead in Romeo and Juliet this week, as you know... I suspect he's planning to watch him in that, too." She added, happy that at least one family member would be there for Sasuke.

She had tried to get the time off to go and watch, too, but her requests had been denied each time. As public relations manager, she had too many important meetings she couldn't miss, and travelling from Dubai to Konoha was a long trip and, unfortunately, within Uchiha Enterprises time was a lot of money. She had long since given up trying to convince them that some things were more important than that.

"Right, Romeo and Juliet..." Fugaku mumbled, rolling his eyes and directing his attention back to his work. "I hope it's worth it... I don't know why Sasuke bothers putting his time in to that for no pay, but, I suppose I never could get through to the boy..." He trailed off, now completely immersed in his work again. Mikoto sighed, and left her husband's office, the clicking of her black low heeled shoes echoing against the corridor walls as she walked - cool, calm, collected. She tolerated the man, but her love for him had long since left her. In her busy schedule she usually forgot about the love they no longer shared, but it was moments like the one that had just passed between them that reminded her. Now all that she wanted from him, was for him to be a good father for their kids, and that was something she would never give up on.

"Itachi? What... What are you doing here?"

"A hello would have been nice." Itachi said, smirking at his younger brother. "Aren't you happy to see me?" He asked, mock innocence plastered on his face. Sasuke nodded, dumbfounded.

"Of course I am, I..." He trailed off, not sure what to say. He didn't know why he did what he did next - maybe he really had been spending too much time with Naruto - but the next thing he knew he was buried in his brother's embrace, and inexplicably felt like he never wanted to let go.

"Woah, okay Sasuke, it's only been six months..." Itachi said, also surprised at his brother's behaviour yet returning the affectionate hug anyway. The gesture reminded him of a much younger Sasuke, and at the back of his mind he wondered what had happened in the last six months to change Sasuke like this.

"Yeah, sorry..." Sasuke mumbled, pulling away. "I'll get you something to eat, or perhaps a drink? How long have you been here? When did your flight land?" Sasuke asked, many more questions circling his mind as he walked in to his open plan kitchen and dining area, separated from the living room only by the counters.

"Kisame picked me up from the airport a little over an hour ago - I've been here at your apartment almost half an hour now... and yes, please, perhaps some scrambled eggs and a cup of tea would be nice, Sasuke. Thank you." Itachi said politely, sitting down on one of the tall chairs at the breakfast bar, facing Sasuke who was stood on the other side of it. He watched quietly, as Sasuke busied himself preparing the food and drink for him.

"So, how are you doing little brother?" Itachi asked a short while later, the both of them sitting opposite each other at Sasuke's ridiculously (for an apartment where only one person lived) large dining table.

"I'm doing fine. The show started this week, so I've been quite busy with rehearsals, and with work. That's about it..."

"Is that so?" Itachi asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Yes, well, I suppose no, there's Naruto..." Sasuke said, squirming a little in his seat and poking at his tomato slice with his fork, avoiding eye contact. Itachi could always see right through him, so he supposed there was no point in lying - he always lacked his usual conviction around the older man, though not for lack of trying.

"Naruto? Who's that?"

"Some guy from the theatre - his car broke down and demanded I drive him home one night after rehearsals, that's pretty much it." He said, giving 'playing the whole thing down' one last attempt, despite knowing it wouldn't work.

"Come on, Sasuke, I can tell something's different with you. Whoever this Naruto is, I want to thank him because whatever he's done to you, it shows." He said with a casual tone, as though he were talking about the weather. Sasuke blushed at the implication behind his brother's words. Itachi took a bite of his scrambled egg.

"He... Naruto..."

"Yes?"

"He wants to be with me. Romantically, I mean..."

"I see, and, do you? I mean, are you... You know...?" Itachi prompted, wanting it to come from Sasuke's mouth.

"Gay? Yeah... Um, yeah." Sasuke nodded slowly, ignoring the first question. It wasn't some grand coming out moment, like the videos he had seen on YouTube, but it was something quiet and simple that seemed perfect for the two of them. He knew Itachi would be okay with it and had probably suspected it, but the moment had never presented itself until now.

"Thank you for telling me." Itachi smiled, then continued. "So, is he nice?"

"Of course he is, but that doesn't matter. You know I can't do all that... Relationship stuff... I swore - we both did - seeing the way mum and dad are together, that that would never be us. I can't put myself through that... I can't put Naruto through that. He's..." Sasuke sighed. "I'm not good enough for him."

"Sasuke..." Itachi sighed. "I don't need to tell you what I think about that, you already know that's ridiculous."

"Anyway..." Sasuke looked away again, finally taking a bite of the tomato slice he had been playing with during the whole conversation. "I'm sure you didn't come all this way to talk to me about my love life. Why don't we talk about you for a change?"

"About me? Okay. I'm going to resign from Uchiha Enterprises." Sasuke almost choked on his tomato.

"You're ... what?!" He got out, after a bout of coughing.

"Resigning from Uchiha Enterprises." Itachi repeated calmly, as he took another bite of his scrambled egg.

"Why? You're... You'll be CEO one day!"

"Can't stand the place. I'd rather be back here. Plus, Kisame informed me of a good, well paid position within Red Cloud Incorporated - it's mine if I want it."

"I- What's dad going to say? Aren't Red Cloud rivaling Uchiha?" Sasuke asked, fighting the grin threatening to appear on his face. Having his brother back seemed too good to be true.

"Yes, they are - there's actually a rumour that my co-worker is feeding them information from the inside-but that's beside the point. Dad will understand... Eventually."

"I doubt it. You don't want them to suspect you're the double agent... You're not, are you?" He asked, and Itachi calmly shook his head.

"No, I think it's Obito." Itachi shrugged, ignoring Sasuke's shocked face - they'd both known the man for a long time (he was very distantly related to them, after all) and he definitely didn't seem like the type. Itachi decided to change the subject. "Anyway, I can't wait to see you play Romeo on Friday. Is Naruto your Juliet?" He asked with a wink, and this time, Sasuke did choke on his tomato.

"Good afternoon, Sasuke, please come through." Yamato stood in the doorway, and moved aside to let his next client in. "So, how are things going, are you enjoying the show?" He asked once the door was closed, and they were both sat down.

"Yes, it's a lot more fun than I thought it would be..." Sasuke said, unsure where to begin to tell his therapist all that had happened lately; between Naruto's fight, and Itachi arriving unannounced, he wasn't sure which was more important. Probably both, probably neither.

"Anything else interesting happen this month?" Yamato asked, keeping his expression neutral and meeting Sasuke where he was at - he had figured out soon enough that his two clients knew each other quite well (it wasn't as though they had kept each other a secret) - and he knew it was best not to meddle in these things; just help each of them arrive at the conclusion that was right for them. Still, he was quite delighted that he might get to inadvertently play cupid for the pair.

"Yeah, my older brother Itachi showed up unexpectedly yesterday."

"Oh? Is this the brother who you-"

"Yeah, the one I felt I had been abandoned by."

"Are you happy about this?"

"Yeah, I think so. I don't feel that way anymore - abandoned - not since I grew up and heard his side of the story."

"Can I ask, what is that story, Sasuke?"

"Just, the reasons he chose to join our parents in Dubai rather than stay here in the Konoha division of the family business... Now I'm older, it makes sense. It didn't back then... but I was only sixteen."

"I'm sure however you felt was perfectly understandable and valid, Sasuke."

"Maybe." Sasuke shifted in his seat, dangerously close to admitting that someone he looked up to might not be perfect.

"Do you know why he's here?"

"He said he's come to see me, and watch me in the show... He said he wants to move back here soon and leave the family business - he didn't tell me, but I imagine he's probably come to view properties too... In fact, he may be doing that as we speak."

"Is that good?"

"No, not really. I'm worried he might give our dad a heart attack, first one disappointment -" Sasuke gestured to himself. "And then another."

"You know your parent's better than I do, Sasuke, but I don't think you're a disappointment."

"In your eyes, maybe not." Sasuke crossed his legs and looked away, letting that particular conversation end before it had really begun, and hang awkwardly between them.

"So... This guy at the theatre you keep mentioning, how are things there?" Yamato prompted - deciding a subject change would be appropriate - bringing Sasuke's attention back to the present. "And have you been doing those CBT exercises that I've suggested?" He asked, referring to the cognitive behavioural therapy techniques they had worked on together, in order to help Sasuke handle social situations and negative thoughts better than he used to.

"Yes, I've been keeping track of my thought patterns, especially around N-the theatre guy." Sasuke explained, uncrossing his legs. "I've been able to let my walls down with him, a little..."

"That's great, Sasuke."

"Yeah..." Sasuke smiled, feeling foolish but proud, anyway. "He makes it hard not to..." He said, mostly to himself as he smiled fondly at the thought.

"That's a good thing, I'm glad you feel that way - it seems that this person is good for you."

"Maybe..." Sasuke shrugged, and then his smile fell away. 'Oh dear' Yamato thought, instantly noting the change in Sasuke and expecting what was to come next. "I'm not good for him."

"Sasuke, of course you are - you know you're a good person." Yamato gently insisted, Sasuke shook his head adamantly.

"No, I'm terrible, I'm a bad person..." Sasuke said, looking Yamato in the eyes - who fell silent at the intense gaze; completely different from the Sasuke who was avoiding eye contact just moments ago. "I would ruin him."

"Now then Sasuke, take a few deep breaths and hear what you just said - do you really, truly believe them?" He said, maintaining his composure and not breaking eye contact; he had dealt with worse, and knew how to deal with situations like these.

"I..." Sasuke started to say, but couldn't find the words to continue.

"Think back, Sasuke, when did these thoughts first occur? We need to find the source so you can begin to heal this wound." Yamato was leaning forwards slightly, but holding himself back so he didn't appear too intimidating.

"I..." He said again, looking down, his eyes occasionally darting back and forth as he tried to remember. "My father..."

"Sasuke, come here."

"Yes, dad?"

"I want you to watch this - watch Itachi's backswing here." Fugaku said, gesturing with his arm towards Itachi, about twelve years old, playing golf. The young, black haired boy watched in awe, as his older brother carefully and gracefully elevated his golf club above his head, flexing his muscles and shifting his stance, lining up with the hole he was aiming for with pinpoint precision... He watched as he swung the club down towards the golf ball, his body following through with the motion and twisting masterfully, to bring the club to the other side of his head.

"Wow..." Sasuke said, in awe.

"Now that, Sasuke, is how a real man swings."

"Can I try, dad?" He asked, with all the enthusiasm of a six year old wanting to impress.

"Of course, go ahead." He nodded, handing Sasuke the smallest golf club he had in his bag, and setting a ball for him on the golf tee that Itachi had just launched his own golf ball from. As Sasuke approached, undetected, Fugaku clasped his hand on to Itachi's shoulder to stop him walking away. "Just humour the boy." He muttered, before giving his eldest son another pat and turning to Sasuke, who he hadn't noticed had heard the exchange. "Go on then, son." He gave Sasuke a nod, and Sasuke positioned himself, feeling both pairs of eyes burning at his back. He began to sweat, and felt the overwhelming pressure from the two behind him. He pulled the club back like he had seen Itachi do, and swung it down violently, hitting the ground and sending dirt flying everywhere. The golf ball remained untouched. Sasuke quickly looked around at his dad and brother, devastated.

"Oh well, better luck next time Sasuke." Fugaku laughed, picking up the golf ball and pocketing it, then tearing the club from Sasuke's small hands. Sasuke fought back his tears, and looked towards his brother for some reassurance. Itachi crouched down so he was level with his brother, and smiled.

"Brother, teach me!" He demanded, puffing his cheeks out.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, next time." Itachi said softly, a hint of guilt bleeding in to his voice as he lifted up his arm. 'A hug?' Sasuke thought happily, smiling and stepping closer to Itachi, who instead proceeded to poke him on his forehead with his middle and forefinger.

"We're leaving you here in Itachi's care." Fugaku said, in what Sasuke had come to learn was his business voice. "He's more than capable."

"Okay." Sasuke nodded, holding back his tears as he looked to his mother for some kind of reassurance; something that he still hoped for despite his many disappointments. She gave him nothing but a guilty smile. He wondered if he'd done something wrong; why couldn't they take him? Was he too much of a bad kid that they could no longer raise him? What would Itachi think? Would he leave him alone too? Sasuke looked up quickly when his brother entered the room of their soon-to-be huge apartment, on the top floor of the building spanning almost the entire floor. "I don't want to stay here!" He said, in an unusual act of defiance. "It's big and scary and lonely, Itachi tell them!" He said, his voice cracking as the tears finally broke free, rolling down his cheeks thick and fast, like a river. "Please..."

Itachi bent down in front of him again, like so many times before, but this time Sasuke didn't dare hope for a hug. He held his breath, waiting for the inevitable tap on his forehead. When it came, it didn't stop the tears like he thought it would.

"Sorry, Sasuke."

"Sasuke... Sasuke." Yamato's calm voice broke through Sasuke's memories, and Sasuke finally looked back up. "There you are." Yamato smiled, and Sasuke frowned when he felt an odd wet feeling on his cheeks - how long had it been since he felt that? Five, maybe six years? He lifted up his hand just to make sure, and his suspicions were confirmed.

"Shit..." Sasuke sniffed, and wiped aggressively at his wet eyes. He was a grown man, he thought he was past this.

"It's okay, Sasuke. I'm here to help you. You're safe to let these things out here - and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that." Yamato said, and that was the first time Sasuke had heard anyone say that; a realisation that made his eyes prickle again with fresh tears.

"So he just showed up unannounced?" Naruto asked, as they sat in traffic down the street from Naruto's apartment. "Is he staying with you?" He asked.

"Yeah, just for a couple of days..." He said.

"You don't sound very excited."

"I'm just tired." Sasuke said truthfully, looking over at Naruto and giving him a reassuring smile, then quickly looked back at the road as the lights turned green.

"Hmm, okay..." Naruto said, not pressing it further. "So... Sasuke..." He said slowly, and Sasuke rolled his eyes; Naruto always did this whenever he wanted something he thought was unreasonable.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to stop over again? Ah, I understand now isn't the best time... I'd actually meant to ask you yesterday but forgot, and I understand you'd probably want to spend some time with your brother if he's not here for long, but... I just wanted to ask."

Sasuke thought for a moment, before replying. "...Yeah, okay. It's probably best if I keep my distance from him, for now."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah." He said, not wanting to explain the situation just yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time with Naruto. He did want to open up to him, but a little voice in his head would always tell him it was too soon. His sessions with Yamato had helped quieten the voice, but it was still there.

A while later, they were both dressed for bed, and Naruto flopped himself down on to his mattress.

"Sasuke, scooch on over here." He smiled, shuffling a bit to make some space. Sasuke blushed, looking at the small bed.

"There's not enough room..."

"Sure there is!" He grinned, and Sasuke smiled back and perched himself on the edge of the bed.

"Alright, I'm here." He smirked, teasing him.

"Sasukeeee..." Naruto whined, pouting without shame. Sasuke sighed, and lay down on his side to face Naruto. "Hi." Naruto smiled, and Sasuke smiled back at him.

"Hey." Sasuke said back and, after a few moments of comfortable silence, lifted up a finger to lightly trace the bruises still lingering on Naruto's face, now visible after the many layers of makeup had been wiped away - with Sasuke's help. Naruto flinched, but didn't tell him to stop.

"So... Did you and your brother fall out?" Naruto said quietly, no longer needing to use what Sasuke had dubbed his 'outside' voice at such close proximity.

"No, we didn't... It's just... I had a session with Yamato today."

"Ah, I see... So, you had one of those sessions, did you? How many times did you cry?" He said sympathetically, his eyes softening in understanding.

"I... Just once." He said, letting out a small, nervous laugh. "There's a lot of shared pain between me and my brother... So, as much as it pains me to say it," Sasuke said with a teasing tone of voice, and Naruto gently hit him on his shoulder. "I'd rather be here with you tonight..."

"Really?" Naruto whispered, not quite believing it. It felt like a breakthrough; Yamato was truly a genius.

"Yeah, really..."

"Does Itachi know you're here?"

"Yeah, I texted him while you were in the bathroom... Said I'm staying with a friend."

"Oh really, a friend huh?"

"Yep."

"You know I'm not your friend, right?" Naruto said, taking his turn to tease the other.

"Oh, you're not?" Sasuke answered him with another, falsely innocent question.

"Would a friend do this?" Naruto asked a little more seriously, before leaning forwards and kissing him. Sasuke subconsciously lifted his hand to rest on Naruto's upper arm, as he kissed him back.

"No, he wouldn't." Sasuke finally answered when they pulled back, only to make the move this time and go back in to connect their lips once more. A heat began to rise between then, and Sasuke heart raced faster when he felt Naruto's lips begin to move against his. Sasuke nervously moved his own; things were slow at first, until they got in to a rhythm. The intoxicating sound of Naruto breathing heavily through his nose, the feeling of his breath against his cheek, the feeling of a warm hand pressing against the small of his back, the feeling of Naruto's tongue as it moved against his own - it was almost too much for Sasuke to bear.

When they finally pulled back, both of them were almost gasping for air. Naruto pressed his forehead against Sasuke's, and Sasuke was reminded of Itachi's gesture of affection - this, however, was so much better.

"So..." Naruto said, opening his eyes.

"Hmmm..." Sasuke hummed, unable to find the right words. He mentally prepared himself for what was coming next - he'd already decided on his answer.

"Why did you join the theatre?" Naruto asked, and Sasuke's eyes snapped open. That was not the question he was expecting.

"Huh?"

"I said, why did you join the theatre?" He asked again, and Sasuke had to take a few moments to clear his mind of the post kiss foggy-ness, to actually think of an answer.

"Umm, oh, I had always enjoyed watching plays there with my parents, and all of my life I've done whatever they wanted me to and... When the opportunity came up, I took the chance and made a decision for myself, for a change..." Sasuke said.

"Aww.." Naruto smiled, and gave Sasuke's arm a reassuring squeeze.

"Why did you?"

"Oh... It's nothing quite as touching as that..." He said, looking away. "I mean, it's pretty obvious, for someone straight forward like me; acting is my passion, and I have to do it no matter what... There's just no other path for me, this is what I want to do with my life." Naruto smiled. "Simple guy, simple answer." He shrugged.

"Naruto..." Sasuke said, as he brought his hand up to Naruto's chin and turned his head to look back at him.

"... Yeah?"

"You're not simple, or obvious, or anything of the sort..." He said, not sure how else to say it.

"Thanks, Sasuke." Naruto smiled, seemingly understanding what he meant. "Now then... Answer me this, Sasuke..."

"... What."

"If friends don't kiss like that, what do you think that makes us?"

"Naruto... Are you asking me out?"

"Umm... Yes?"

"Ask me properly." He said, and Naruto nodded nervously.

"Sasuke, will you... Check your phone?"

"What?"

"Check your phone."

"Okay, idiot..." Sasuke sighed, reaching over to his jeans on the floor and pulling his phone out the pocket. A Facebook notification. A relationship request. From Naruto Uzumaki.

"Well?" Naruto asked, hopeful and nervous and terrified all at the same time. Sasuke didn't answer, and instead just tapped on his phone a few times before locking it and putting it back in his pocket.

"Check your phone." Sasuke said back to him, and Naruto did the same.

Sasuke Uchiha accepted your relationship request.

Naruto looked up from the notification, grinning from ear to ear. Sasuke couldn't help but smile back, a smile which didn't fade even as they kissed again.

AN: aaah c: some more context for Sasuke. This one was a week later than originally planned, because I had some of my own acting stuff going on last week. I recommend listening to the song To The Moon & Back by Savage Garden after reading this update - It's been on the soundtrack for this fanfic since the very beginning because I've always thought it was very 'Sasuke', but I think it really fits perfectly with this chapter. You could also listen to Golden by Harry Styles; in my eyes this is the official song of the story as it perfectly describes Sasuke's point of view regarding Naruto. By the way, if it seems like things don't add up with regards to Sasuke's words and actions about Naruto... He wants nothing more than to be with him, but he keeps telling himself and everyone else lies and reasons they shouldn't be together to protect himself (and in his own strange way, to protect Naruto too). This story has become like a beast, and is ever changing and even surprising me - the basic plot is mostly the same, but it has become more than I ever expected; there's lots going on in the background than I ever anticipated! Hope you're still enjoying this story so far, dear readers :D