Chapter 3

Posted on September 19th, 2021

Sasuke woke up abruptly as if something had startled him. He took in the room taking a deep breath. He was out of air for some reason – he'd just had one of those dreams where you don't remember the dream immediately after waking up but the emotional toll it took on you is still there. A look at his phone reveals that it was a little before 6am. He might as well get up and start getting ready. One look in the bathroom mirror and Sasuke saw how flushed he was.

Sasuke parked his expensive car at his expensive reserved parking space. Being an Uchiha came with both a heavy name and a heavy wallet. Him and Itachi were the only heirs of the large Uchiha empire after their parents' death several years ago. At the time, Itachi had taken over running the large Uchiha corporation and, as with everything Itachi did, he was incredible at it.

However, he had later decided to transfer the leadership of the company to their cousin Shisui who was also very good, older than them and more experienced. Shisui had agreed to act as a CEO for the time being, receiving a percentage of the profits and a hard salary with the agreement that the corporation still belonged to the Uchiha brothers in case one of them decided to get out of medicine and go into corporate business. Itachi enjoyed his job as head hospitalist in the university hospital, the best hospital in the region associated with the best university which he had graduated from and which currently Sasuke was currently attending. Itachi still sat on the board of the company and advised on most decisions. None of the important decisions were made without Itachi's approval.

Sasuke got out of the car. He saw his classmate Suigetsu walking in, talking to a red-haired girl with glasses and a quiet male with orange hair. What idiot dyed their hair orange? Sasuke felt something stir in his chest looking at them, remembering Naruto's words from yesterday about him being antisocial. Sasuke knew he was arrogant, but that was completely justified. He was an Uchiha after all and everyone knew Uchihas were superior. From their fierce intelligence, to their stone-cold discipline, determination, and godly physical appearance - flawless. The Uchihas were in many ways… superhumans. So, it was understandable that Sasuke felt somewhat above his classmates. Although… he wouldn't be attending this school if it wasn't famous for its standards when it came to matriculating students, especially medicine and law students. Tsunade was right… all of his classmates must have deserved one of the very limited spots in the program. Sasuke felt something looking at Suigetsu speaking to his friends, them obviously enjoying his company. As if… he wanted to join them too. Sasuke shook his head to chase that thought away. He didn't need any of them, they had nothing to offer him.

The room was buzzing quietly. It was morning so everyone was still a little sleepy. Not Sasuke though. He was ready to go, typical Uchiha. Their class consisted of 70 people, but the clinical groups were split in students of 6-8. Tsunade gathered everyone in a semi-circle around her.

"Good morning my little pupils," her strong voice carried over a little louder than it should for the morning, but it is a soothing motherly voice, Sasuke thought, so he didn't really mind. "We'll do the same things today we did yesterday, but this time we will begin grading. Every case is different and extra credit could be awarded for excellent performance, but most of the grade will come from the general rubric you received in your emails on Friday. Have you had a chance to glance look at it? Okay, good. Any questions about it? … Okay. The TA or instructor who watches you will also share their impressions and recommend a grade. The actor you work with will be able to share thoughts from their impressions as your patient in order to assist with grading. These comments will be collected and available to you after our actor simulation week has concluded and grading has been posted. The comments will be kept anonymous."

Tsunade and Shizune gave the students a few more instructions and again everyone drew a number. Tsunade asked who had number 7 and a girl with pink hair and green eyes raises her hand. Tsunade takes her to the side - it looked like she won't be doing her scenario right now. Seriously, what was up with these people and their strange hair colors?

Sasuke realizes he is looking around, hoping to see the blond guy from yesterday but only sees the guy with the slicked back hair and the other actors. There was something about the blond that unnerved and intrigued Sasuke. Sasuke's always had many admirers but he has never given anyone the time of day. None of them were his equal. He had to focus on more important things, he had to catch up to Itachi and not waste his time on silly things. Willing his focus to come back, Sasuke heads toward his assigned booth.

Sasuke was through with his first scenario which of course he got right in no time. The young Uchiha was feeling on edge for some reason but didn't want to invest the emotional intelligence needed to dwell on and analyzing why he felt that way right now. Then the door to the hall opens and Sasuke looks right over, beyond himself hoping that it would be the blond man from yesterday. The young Uchiha had a few things he should have said to him yesterday that he didn't. It's not him coming through the doo though and Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed when he saw that it is actually his brother Itachi. Itachi raises a brow at Sasuke's initially hopeful and then glaring gaze.

"What are you doing here?" Sasuke bit out.

"Good morning to you too, Otouto." Itachi smiled. "You seem a little on edge. Were you expecting someone else to come in perhaps?" Itachi teased Sasuke and went to poke two fingers on his forehead.

Sasuke slapped the hand away and hissed out.

"Stop it. I'm in class. What are you doing here?" Sasuke looked around to see if anyone was watching. Itachi's eyes were gleaming – he just loved embarrassing his little brother. Sasuke was always so focused and could really use kicking back a little bit and forming some bonds.

Tsunade is talking with Shizune and going over something on her tablet when she notices Itachi approaching.

"Ah, Uchiha-san. So glad you could make it." They shook hands. Sasuke tried to listen in but they had their backs turned to him now and he really didn't want to seem too interested. He had a reputation of being disinterested to upkeep, after all.

"Everyone, if I can have your attention for a moment please," Tsunade called out. "This is Dr. Uchiha Itachi. He, like yourselves, was a student here a few years ago when I was still just a clinical instructor. He showed great resolve and determination and that got him far. Currently, he is the head of the internal medicine department at the university hospital and yes, we will be seeing a lot of him around, mostly when you start your internal medicine clinicals and especially when it comes time for residency. He is here to meet you today and see if he can be of any use to you. For now, continue with your scenarios and Dr. Uchiha will be hopping from booth to booth. At the end of the exercise, we'll hold a little Q&A if you have any questions. Please respect his time and let's all thank him for taking the time to come today."

Itachi introduced himself and encouraged people to just continue as if he wasn't there and to ask any questions if they had any. It was said that he was there just to meet them and to answer any questions, but there was no mistaking it – Itachi was there to scout for any promising individuals which could be directed to the university residency. Everyone knew that you had to make good impressions from the very beginning and work toward the residency you want. It was obvious that Itachi was there to see if there were any outstanding students that could be groomed for residency at the university hospital and possibly maybe even take someone under his wing. All of the students knew that, as much as successful clinicians as Itachi genuinely wanted to be of help, at this level in their education, it was more so gather good first impressions for later on and networking.

Itachi was a gracious guest. He was respectful and approachable and had a discrete but welcoming smile. Sasuke felt stares on himself several times and overheard his name in whispers, no doubt because of the Uchihas' shared last name and because of their physical resemblance. It was obvious that they were close relatives in case people weren't sure if they're brothers. Great, now people would think Sasuke only got in because of his big shot brother. He felt even more annoyed with Itachi's presence there and with the intrusive thoughts that followed - that Sasuke is again in his shadow. Sasuke willed himself to focus.

Then, the door opened loudly and the guy – Naruto – barged in, backpack on one shoulder and almost out of breath. He was wearing ripped jeans again, this time tight and black, and a dark grey t-shirt going over the rim of his ripped jeans. The shirt was cotton and very complementing to his form, showing him off in a very tasteful way. The V-neck revealed the corners of his collarbones and his perfect posture. The necklace Sasuke noticed yesterday was resting on the blond's neck again and Sasuke feels bile rising at the thought that it could be someone's necklace on him as a sign to mark him. Sasuke felt something close to relief realizing that he was not wearing the same clothes as last night after going to out tio a bar. Then he pushed that worry away because why would he care about something like that.

The blond's hair looks casually done and at the same time gives a small wild vibe with the way the longer strands frame his face. Sasuke couldn't help but notice how the blond hair color contrasted with the golden skin and gave off the slight impression of glowing in a very healthy and attractive way.

The blond went straight to Tsunade to talk. The woman simply nodded. Honestly, Sasuke thought the man would get yelled at for being late. Sasuke wasn't surprised he was late – the guy looked like an idiot, Sasuke wasn't surprised he was late to his low-paying job. Naruto handed Tsunade something and the older woman rolled her eyes - suddenly now they are both smiling and laughing? Sasuke was confused at the familiarity between the medical director and this random girl. Maybe he really was a dead-beat and that had been his job for years, hence how he had gotten so close with Tsunade.

"So, I'm guessing this is who you wanted to come through the door when you were so disappointed to see me instead?" Itachi's smooth voice was right next to Sasuke and Sasuke almost jumped. When did Itachi?... By the amused look on Itachi's face and his relaxed posture leaning against the table, Sasuke made out that Itachi had been there for a while. And he had – Itachi had walked to talk to Sauske when the blond had come in and Itachi had noticed how Sasuke followed him with his eyes, completely entrenched with him. Sasuke's face had stayed expressionless as always but Itachi knew his little brother well and recognized when relief flashed through the younger's eyes, then anger, then confusion, and then just plain curiosity, and - was that lust?

Itachi hadn't missed the way Sasuke gave the blond the once-over and how his eyes would linger on certain parts of him. Itachi looked at the blond as well, amazed at the unmasked reaction his little brother was displaying. The guy was definitely very attractive and something about the way he moved and interacted with the Director made on keep their attention on hi. Itachi had never seen Sauske react to anyone like that. The older Uchiha was beginning to worry that Sauske would never find anyone intriguing and would spend his youth with his nose in the books. Itachi also knew that Sasuke had the Uchiha pride and stubbornness multiplied by tenfold, and he would think that it is beneath him to busy himself with love-related things.

Unless… there was something to spur him into action faster. Itachi smirked.

"I was wondering when you were going to notice me, Otouto. Distracted much?"

Sasuke looked away and made it a point to appear busy with rearranging some books.

"Shut up, Itachi. What do you want?"

"Well, I came to see how my little brother was doing. Did I interrupt your staring?"

Sasuke glared at him, much to Itachi's amusement. Did Sasuke know his cheeks were tinted pink? He was just too cute to tease. There is a six-year difference between the brothers and Itachi had taken care of Sasuke for most of his life. He knew exactly how to push his buttons.

Itachi walked to where Tsunade and Naruto were talking. Sasuke watched as Tsunade introduced the two and they shook hands. Naruto's hand fell in Itachi's in a graceful but strong way and Itachi was smiling a welcoming smile again, his upper body leaning forward toward Naruto. The blond then smiled a full smile and Sasuke blinked. Although he was just standing in profile, Sasuke could tell his smile was shiny and mesmerizing. Sasuke suddenly felt sick - something dark in him rose at the sight of sparks between his brother and Naruto. He didn't like how Itachi's eyes lingered on the blond or how the blond gave Itachi the once-over. Sasuke couldn't hear what they were talking about from that far away so he pretended to have some work to do closer to them and moved up.

He was almost within hearing distance when his scenario number was called and he had to proceed to the next scenario. He almost considered saying no to the assignment and just interrupting the conversation between Naruto and his brother. Thankfully, their conversation reaches a natural pause and Tsunade guided Naruto to the side to get ready for his scenario.

Naruto went into booth number seven and after a few minutes, Tsunade motioned for the pink-haired girl to come over and start her scenario with Naruto.

The day passed slowly or rather, it passed too slowly for Sasuke until he reached booth seven. There was an unfamiliar anxiety tingling in his chest. Something was making him worry that Itachi would talk to Naruto more and for some reason, that pissed the hell out of Sasuke. It made no sense. He was Uchiha Sasuke, ever composed and never distracted by such trivial matters.

Blue eyes meet his from under thick lashes. There was a smirk on the blond's face and challenge in his eyes as he let out a haughty "Ahh, Dr. Uchiha," - and something rose in Sasuke at him remembering his name. "Are you in a better mood today?"

He was looking at him from under those dark eyelashes and golden strands of hair and his skin was gold and his eyes are blue—Sasuke realizes he'd been staring and cleared his throat. There was no one else in the booth with them yet. He wanted to keep it that way, wanted time alone for them together, wanted to say and do things to him he still didn't understand himself.

"I was never in a bad mood." He walked closer to the other man.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to see your bad mood then." He pauses and his eyes linger on him and the tips of Sasuke's fingers tingle. "Say, how are you related to Itachi-san?"

Sasuke scoffed, instantly annoyed at Naruto being on first name base with his brother. "He's my brother."

"Oh? You needed big bro to come help you today?" Naruto teased and Sasuke shot him a menacing glare. He throws her hands up, "Hey, hey, don't kill me with those dark eyes of yours. I was just kidding. I just wanted to say, maybe you could learn from him and his bedside manner, he was already in here with several students and he was excellent… Oh? Did I strike a nerve?" Sasuke was glaring at the other man. But then the blond's head lolled back and he laughed, making Sasuke forget about his annoyance. He suddenly remembered that that was the sound that woke him up from his dream this morning, the sound of his laugh. Why… was he dreaming of Naruto laughing?

Then the blond man schooled his expression and observed the Uchiha. Blue eyes dragged across his body and scanned him. The air around them shifts and the environment now changed. Sasuke feels something inside him heat up.

"I like this color scrubs on you," the sitting man gestured toward the light blue surgical scrubs Sasuke was wearing today. "They contrast with your features better than the grey ones you had on yesterday. Although…" With a glimmer in his eyes, he hopped off the examination table to walk right into Sasuke's personal space. Normally Sasuke would just push the person away, not allowing anyone close. But Sasuke made no such move and instead looked straight at the blond – they were the same height - so close to him he could inhale his earthy scent. Suddenly he felt grounded and comfortable with the blond's proximity. He was so close, their bodies almost touched. It's as if the blond's body is a million degrees and it all radiated to Sasuke. His hands travelled up Sasuke's cladded arms slowly and something warm pooled in Sasuke's chest and travelled down to his belly.

Golden hands reached the collar of his doctor coat he held it, glancing up at Sasuke with mischievous and daring eyes. If the blond were to yank the Uchiha by the collar now and kissed him, Sasuke realizes that he would push him down on the table and ravage him, school be damned. Hold on – he wanted to ravage him? Sasuke didn't even have the time to process that because his brain almost short-circuited when his thumbs hooked under the seam of the collar and he pushed the doctor's coat off of Sasuke's arms slowly until it was fully off, all the while still looking up at him. Sasuke held the strong gaze. He was seemingly expressionless, but his eyelids were lowered, and his eyes darkened. He took in the younger man's face slowly as he lingered in front of him. The blond was the most beautiful person Sasuke had ever seen. He was too enthralled to even register his thoughts and the fact that this was the first time he had ever been interested in anyone, let alone to this degree.

"You look better without the coat," the blond finally said and withdrew holding the coat, stepping back to take in Sasuke's form now without the coat. Sauske didn't miss how the blue eyes slid appreciatively along his now bare biceps and forearms. "You're just hiding behind the coat. Don't hide, Sasuke."

There was a deeper meaning in his words. Sasuke saw understanding of deeper things in his eyes that he couldn't process at the moment. He walked back to the exam table, setting the coat on a chair, and climbed up to sit down and face him again.

"What specialty do you want to pursue?"

"Surgery." Why was Sasuke even answering him? He usually would just tell people to fuck off.

"Surgery." Naruto put his arms on the edge of the table and leaned back, considering that for a moment. "You're hiding again."

"What?"

"You're hiding. Surgery – minimal contact with conscious patients and their family, minimal exposure, a very controlled environment. You're using this safe specialty to once again hide."

"Why are you acting like you know anything? About medicine and especially about me?"

Naruto looked at him and smiled a sad smile. He decided to not answer the question directly and it was much later when Sasuke considered what the blond said next and their whole conversation.

"You have an intensity to you, Sasuke," Sasuke didn't miss that he knew his first name or the way he spoke it, "there is an intensity and darkness in your eyes. And brokenness. I can see that. We're not that different." His sad smile lingered and Sasuke didn't know what to say. And he didn't have to because his examiner walked in and they proceeded with the scenario as if nothing had happened.

Sasuke went through the scenario on autopilot. His thoughts were hijacked by the man in front of him and their conversation. The young Uchiha of course guessed the correct diagnosis and assigned the correct tests and treatment, the examiner gave him feedback and Sasuke simply nodded, not having heard a word. He was looking into the other man's eye and him - at Sasuke's. There was something between them, a connection that pulled the Uchiha in and robbed him of his usual defenses.

Itachi stood behind Sasuke with his arms crossed having walked in soundlessly to observe his brother's assessment. Itachi had been in front of the curtain earlier and had heard their conversation. The older Uchiha was in thought – at first, he was just going to tease Sasuke for having his first crush. But after observing Sasuke's interest in this man – Naruto - and his little brother's responsiveness to him, the deep and accurate observations he had made after seeing Sasuke only once, Itachi began to consider the situation something that could be more serious.

Itachi knew that Sasuke had not properly processed the grief of their parents' death from ten years ago – from a bubbly child he had gone to being stoic and withdrawn and always focused on proving himself and surpassing Itachi, although Itachi knew Sauske loved him. Itachi was proud of Sasuke's achievements but was worried that he was not forming any meaningful relationships and going through life as a robot. Now Itachi made a double take of this seemingly radiant new man – he must have darkness to himself to be able to recognize it in others. Perhaps he would be able to reach Sasuke and make him open up.

"Good job today, everyone! Very well done. On another note – in two weeks from now on the 23rd, there is a formal event to celebrate the 200th year anniversary of our medical university. You are of course, invited, but not obliged to come. It is a great spot to make connections though. I believe invitations have already been sent to your student emails and I believe you have until the end of the week to RSVP. You can bring a plus one if you'd like. It will be in the evening at 7pm in the grand hall here on campus, the dress code is formal. Anyway - your individual instructors have given you feedback. Take that, go home, and relax. Get rest. We'll see you again tomorrow."

Sasuke was gathering his things when suddenly a husky laugh caught his attention again. Dark gaze raised to follow the sound. He found Naruto laughing with Itachi in front of him, a genuine smile on his lips and Itachi is leaning into the blond's space again. How da-! That's the second time today Itachi had made his way to the blond man. Sasuke shoved the things in his backpack and went to pull Itachi by his forearm.

"Nii-san. We need to leave if we want to make dinner with Shisui."

"Aah," Itachi acknowledged and turned back to Naruto. "I apologize but it seems my little brother and I are expected at dinner. I believe I'll be seeing more of you around, Naruto-san."

Sasuke couldn't stay and watch how his brother was unabashedly flirting with this man. Out of everyone possible, it had to be this one-! Sasuke felt sick with the unusual flood of emotions today. He felt emotionally off-balance and was out the door in a second.

Sasuke was sitting in the backseat of Itachi's car - Sasuke lived close to campus and Itachi could drop him off after dinner.

"Why are you sulking tonight, Otouto?"

"I'm not."

"You've been sitting with your arms crossed and staring through the window for the last twenty minutes. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" Itachi's voice is welcoming but expectant.

"No."

"Oh? Is there anything I did to offend you?"

"No. Just-just stop." Suddenly, Sasuke feels his control slip. "You had to come today and instead of just doing your job and being professional, you had to flirt that guy up-!" Sasuke regrets saying anything when he sees how Itachi's eyes gleam in the rearview mirror and the young Uchiha made it a point to stare through the window again.

"Ah, so you've finally said what's bothering you. HE wasn't a student though, right? Why couldn't I talk to him?"

Sasuke knows Itachi is leading him somewhere with all these questions but he is just exhausted.

"No, she wasn't a student, but that's beside the point. You were being unprofessional and embarrassing. Honestly, you should not have come at all."

"You're being harsh, Sasuke. If he wasn't a student, I don't see a problem in talking to him. Or even asking him out." At that, Sasuke's eyes shoot up and he glares at Itachi in the rear-view mirror. "Can you think of anything stopping me from asking him out?" Itachi presses.

Sasuke's hands are balled up in fists without him realizing it. He huffs a no, tired of entertaining his brother but at the same time dreading that Itachi was serious. Itachi was a charmer. But Sasuke wouldn't say anything – there were certain bounds of his pride that he couldn't overstep.

The rest of the ride was quiet. At dinner with Shisui, they discuss the family business but Sasuke's mind wondered the whole time and he couldn't focus, contributing very little to the conversation. He wasn't very hungry either.

On the way back, he fell asleep in Itachi's car. It had been an emotionally exhausting day.