~ CHAPTER 2 ~

I can do this.

Sasuke thought encouragingly, as his fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly. He forced his teeth from his bottom lip, making himself take a deep breath.

I can do this, I just have to remember the plan.

His leg bounced nervously, as he pulled into the employee parking spot. His fingers still gripping the wheel tightly as his mind carried him to the conversation that lead him to this day, this moment in time. Today, Sasuke was going to put himself out there.

-Flashback-

"What did you have in mind Dei?"

Sasuke sat up in his bed facing the huge window, his fingers gripping the phone, as he stilled his breath to listen. Lifting his eyes from his phone, he saw that the sky was a beautiful swirl of purples, oranges and dusty blues, just seeing the colors made Sasuke feel as if it was sign, a good sign. He could vaguely hear Itachi in the background with his low voice filled with skepticism. Deidara's loud voice locked Sasuke back in, knocking him back down to the plan.

"Don't worry, hmm. I have the perfect plan! It's quite simple really."

Deidara said smugly as he giggled, he could hear Itachi mumbling in the background about Deidara's sass being sexy as hell, while Sasuke simply huffed.

"Focus! I need help. Stop distracting him Nīsan!" He said with a pout. Sasuke stood walking over to the window, leaning against it with his arms folded.

"Don't pout, Otōto." Itachi said with a chuckle, knowing that even though he wasn't there inside Sasuke's apartment, he would find his little brother pouting. Sasuke, annoyed that his brother knew him so well, rolled his eyes as Deidara moved straight into the plan.

"Sasuke, all you have to do is go to the coffee shop when you're not working and strike up a conversation." Deidara said brightly as if that would give Sasuke all the answers he needed.

"Dei! I need details! Like what do I say? What do I wear? How should I-

"Sas, all you need is an opening. You said he goes to the coffee shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays right? And you don't work this Thursday- So all you have to do is walk in, go to the employee break room as if you're picking up a check or something, and then when you come back out you make your move."

Sasuke, thinking on what Deidara said, was still very unsure.

"But what do I say?" Sasuke asked with a groan, still leaning against the window watching the skyline.

Notice me Senpai

(Mini Sasuke did this in his head)

He was pretty sure that was not what Deidara had in mind.

"Sas, start simple, just say hi and ask if you could sit down."

More like I'll ask if I can sit on that dic-

Sasuke thought with a tug of his bottom lip. Relenting, he agreed with a sigh.

"Ok"

Even though he agreed, Sasuke was still very apprehensive about the plan as he continued to tug nervously on his bottom lip. Itachi's deep voice was heard on the other line agreeing that it was simple but affective, while Deidara bragged about being a genius. Sasuke still felt like there were too many loopholes in the plan, but he did agree that it was simple and hopefully it would be affective. He just needed to get that blond's eyes from his phone first.

"So, what should I wear?"

Itachi groaned loudly as Deidara giggled excitedly, he couldn't wait to help Sas get hot as fuck.

"Dei, I love you, but please don't make my Otōto look like a prostitute."

As Deidara giggles he simply replied with, "Calm down, your baby brother won't look like a prostitute."

"Ugh, thank Kami"

"I was thinking more on the thotty side, maybe a little sluty if we could make it look casual enough- hey!"

Giggles filled the other end of the phone as Sasuke looked out into the now rich blue sky. He just hoped he would be ready to finally move forward and put himself out there. He hadn't really done that since his first.

-End of Flashback-

… And he was… not ready at all

Why does this guy get me so fucking flustered and tongue tied? This is definitely not what Uchiha's did.

Sasuke looked down at his outfit and it gave him a small smile. It wasn't anything too crazy.

'We just want to tease him just a tiny bit, but we really don't want to over do it.'

Sasuke could hear Deidara in his mind say, a flashback from when he came over the previous day to help Sasuke figure out something that was sexy, affective but casual.

Sasuke pulled his sweaty palms from the steering wheel as he wiped his hands over his fitted black jeans. His fingers gliding over the many zippers and buckles that decorated the jean material giving him an artsy but edgy look. His sweater was a pale baby blue, which he was told brought out the blue more in his unique hair color. The sweater was soft, simple, and also slightly oversize showing off his neck, collarbone and a bit of his chest, giving him a softer look. He added some layered silver chain necklaces with a soft black leather chocker that laid on his pale neck and collar. His favorite black doc martens and a dab of shimmery lip balm, completed the look to perfection.

It was casual but still eye catching.

He reminded himself as he grabbed his keys. He debated on if he should put on his black long coat, but decided against it. Sasuke locked his car, giving himself a reassuring smile as he saw his reflection in his car window. One more look over and Sasuke came to the same conclusion he always came to.

I look fucking hot.

He thought smugly as he gave himself a wink. Putting his keys away, he strolled to the door of the coffee shop radiating confidence. The bell rang like it always did as he entered the warm and inviting shop leaving behind the bitter cold and his chaotic nerves.

I got this.

He took another deep breath, waving indicating to his annoying coworkers that he was going to the break room. He dismissed their nosiness by ignoring them and staring towards the break room door. Once he could no longer feel his coworker's eyes on him, Sasuke's eyes slowly made its way around the shop.

It's pretty dead in here. Good.

Sasuke thought with a nod, as he made his way to the door with the employee's only sign at the back corner of the shop. His obsession was sitting in his usual table which was in route of the break room. As Sasuke's feet carried him closer, walking the route he has walked so many times before, he found himself giving a soft smile.

As he got closer, he saw how bright his obsession's blonde hair was bouncing off the in coming sunlight, and how wide his shoulders looked up close. Sasuke could feel his nerves starting to build again, but another emotion seemed to over throw the nerves. Sasuke was excited, practically humming as he strolled closer and closer to his obsession. His heart was beating loudly in his ears, as he realized how close he was.

Now only 10 steps away he noticed from this angle that his obsession had big hands. Biting his lower lip, his eyes roamed all over his palms to his finger tips, studying his hands. Sasuke briefly wondered what those hands would feel like on his heated skin.

I think I have a thing for hands.
I wonder if they are rough or soft?

Almost stopping in his tracks, Sasuke gave a shiver as a light, fresh musk hit his nose, halting his thoughts causing Sasuke to bit his bottom lip even harder. He smelled so good, Sasuke wanted to bottle the smell, savor it. He could feel the whimper in the back of his throat, as his cheeks tinted pink, his body and mind going into sensory overload as he began to pass the table. Just as he was about to pass the table that held his obsession, a simple and reoccurring thought popped into the forefront of his mind.

I want him.

Just as that thought entered Sasuke's mind, his obsession's head popped up, looking at him as if he heard him, startling Sasuke causing him to lose focus.

Who am I?

He thought dreamily as, onyx eyes met vivid cerulean blue. Caught off guard and taken completely by surprise, Sasuke blushed deeply. Sasuke let out a tiny giggle, when he notice those eyes start to appraise him, running down Sasuke's face and settling on his lips. Sasuke's giggles soon turned into a loud gasp as he immediately tripped over the chair leg from a nearby table causing him and said chair to fall hard, clanking to the floor loudly. The aggressive sound of the wood chair hitting the floor filled the dead coffee shop with a loud CRACK.

But the shit show didn't end there, of course it didn't, because that trip was simply the catalyst to the start of a shit show avalanche. His trip caused his obsession's table to shake violently, and in turn spill coffee, which Sasuke hoped was lukewarm, all over the table, spilling down onto the blond's chest and lap in a matter of seconds. The blond startled, hopped up in a grunt grabbing what napkins he could from his table.

The once quiet and peaceful coffee shop was now filled with apologizes from a red faced Sasuke and groans from the handsome blond that comes in every Tuesday and Thursday. Sasuke could feel the many eyes on him as he stumbled to his feet, apologizes still on his tongue. He grabbed napkins from a nearby table mortified that he spilled coffee all over his obsession's lap, trying his best to clean up the spill, not even aware that he was practically pawing at the man's muscular thighs and groin.

He continued to apologize as he rubbed his hands with now balled up damp napkins in them against his obsessions thighs trying his best to mop up the coffee stain. Not realizing were his hands were and how close they were to his obsession's package. Hearing a low moan from his obsession and feeling the outline of his impressive cock, making Sasuke still with clarity.

Oh fuck

With wide eyes and a face that was now almost burgundy, he moved his hand as if he touched a hot stove, refusing to meet the man's eyes, or anyone else's for that matter. The sound of his coworker Karin's voice getting closer to the table, was like a life raft to a drowning Sasuke.

Walking quickly to the employee's only door, he grabbed the handle with shaking hands. Before turning the knob, he turned his face towards the direction of his obsession, still not meeting his eyes or his face, with his eyes downcast he mumbled a quick "sorry", before throwing himself inside the break room. His back landed on the door harshly as his hands gripped his hair. Sasuke could feel the beads of sweat trailing down his forehead, as panic set in.

I have to get out of here.

Sasuke quickly made his way to the employee exit, racing through the parking lot, unlocking his car with fumbling keys as if he was being chased by a demon. Slamming the door of his car, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his hands turning white. His thoughts were racing, tripping over each other, just a stumbling mess.

What the fuck was that?!
His mind screamed out.

He peeled out of the parking lot, driving home with unsteady hands, glassy eyes, and a sobbed curse stuck in the back of his throat.

The rest of Sasuke's Thursday passed in a blur. He vaguely remembers opening his apartment door, taking off his outfit and necklaces, falling face first into a cool ocean of dark blue sheets. After 10 mins of laying in the ocean of blue, he got up stiffly, fishing his phone out of his pocket to silence it. The second time his face met his sheets he was out like a light, and to be honest he wasn't all that thrilled to wake and come back to his reality.

He just wanted to float into a sea of nothingness for a while. He needed time to turn everything, everyone, and every single thought into nothingness, just for a little while. His last thought before he fully drifted, was the same thought that had been on repeat earlier that day.

What the fuck was that?
His mind sighed in defeat

What the fuck indeed.
His final thought being swallowed into an awaiting abyss.

Hours later, Sasuke emerged from the slightly damp pillow and thought,

Let's turn these feelings into something.

So instead of laying in bed and wallowing, which is what he had been doing for the last 5 hours, he decided to take his embarrassment, fear, and discontent and create something from it.

Sasuke walked into his kitchen slowly, still waking from his saddened slumber, and started his coffee pot. His eyes met the clock above the stove seeing it was 7pm. The sound of the coffee brewing and the smell of the rich, dark drink filling the space, giving Sasuke some comfort as he stood in the middle of the kitchen feeling lost and out of sorts.

Shaking off the feeling, Sasuke grabbed an apple, not really being in the mood for food, but knowing that he needed to put something in his stomach besides the coffee he was making and the breakfast he had earlier that day. Grabbing his apple and his coffee mug, he made his way to the living room, opening the blinds to look out into the city. He sat there for a little while just sitting, thinking, and most importantly recovering. He sighed deeply drinking a generous amount of his coffee, before grabbing his apple to take a bite. He finished his apple quickly not really tasting it.

Taking one more sip of coffee, he grabbed his laptop and threw himself into his pride and joy, his baby, his novel that he had been working on for the last 5 years. Sasuke always found psychological thrillers and dystopian novels intriguing and he had always found himself writing and enjoying the genre. After an initial sigh, another gulp of the dark elixir, he threw himself head first into his passion, leaving the thoughts of blond hair and big hands behind him. Pushing his mind even further away, he bound himself to the story yet to be told.

Yes, I will create something from these feelings.

Sasuke woke the next day to the sound of foot steps and voices. Lifting his head slowly from his pillow, he saw his brothers come into view. Itachi and Deidara both looked as put together as ever, except they both had light bags under their eyes as if they lost some sleep. Feeling a pang in his chest Sasuke sighed turning his back to them, and pulling the cover over his head, knowing they were probably worried about him.

He knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now that they were here, groaning loudly after Itachi said his name, he pulled his covers down looking up at the ceiling heatedly. Sasuke was pissed that they where here waking him up, but mostly he felt jittery and embarrassed, like he was going to come out of his skin.

"The plan failed. Just leave me alone nii-san."
He said with a hoarse voice, low and bitterly. He hid his eyes knowing that they would see how red and puffy they were. He didn't feel like repeating what happened at the shop.

Sasuke felt the bed dip on both sides of him, a hand in his hair, giving it a gentle rub. Sasuke knew that it was Deidara sitting behind him running his hands through his hair while Itachi sat right by Sasuke's arm staring down at him. For a while they sat there in comforting silence, but he knew they were going to ask soon.

Sasuke wanted to live in denial. He really didn't want them to ask, but he knew they would want to know. Subconsciously deep down, Sasuke knew that he needed to confide to someone, to let the embarrassing weight off his chest.

"Sasuke"

Itachi sat in silence for another few seconds, giving Sasuke time to breathe and think. Their eyes locked, so similar but yet so different. Sasuke wanted to turn away, not wanting to show how shitty he was feeling, but he couldn't hide from Itachi. He never could. Itachi always got it out of him.

"What happened?"

His heart crashed violently into his chest, the question was finally out there, and all he could do was pull the covers over his face and groan loudly.

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad, hmm."

Deidara said softly, still running his hands through his hair comfortingly. Sasuke scoffed loudly, his mouth half muffled from the sheets, as Itachi pulled them from his face.

"Sasuke, what happened?"

Itachi asked again, his voice strong yet reassuring as his eyes locked in on Sasuke's. Sitting up, pushing his back against the headboard Sasuke sighed in defeat. He looked at both of his confidants, as they gave him a reassuring nod.

"It was a shit show…"

He started bravely from their encouragement. He explained every little detail to the couple, from the time he parked his car to the time he was back in said car, driving away like his life depended on it.

Itachi watched him, measured but soothingly as Deidara did what he did best, relieve tension with jokes and giggles. To some, this method may not have worked but for Sasuke, it always reminded him to not take life too seriously. And this was why they were the perfect pair to vent to, Itachi was quiet, soothing, strong, while Deidara made you smile, laugh, and forget that the issue wasn't really that much of an issue, just a small nuisance.

By the time Sasuke got to the part about trying to clean his obsession's lap with a napkin, Itachi was even cracking a small smile trying to not laugh. By the end of the retelling, they all were laughing loudly, even Sasuke found himself laughing along. The pressure from his chest slowly receding from confiding.

"Do you still think it wasn't that bad?" Sasuke asked mockingly as Deidara continued to laugh loudly.

"You're right. That was bad, Sas." He said as tears from laughing so hard glided down his now pink cheeks. As the laughing died down, Deidara pulled on his hair tie, releasing his hair to redo it putting it into a messy, more relaxed high bun on the top of his head. Wiping his cheeks, he put his hand into Sasuke's, giving it a squeeze.

"But you know- this maybe hard to believe- but I still think this could be salvaged, hmm."

He said with his blue eyes twinkling. Sasuke let out a "Tch" of disbelief as Itachi grabbed his other hand.

"I agree."

"You've got to be kidding me." Sasuke said completely deadpan looking at them as if they were insane.

"No, I really think this could still work. Plus technically- in a weird way- the plan worked." Deidara said with a giggle.

"The plan was to go up to his table and ask to sit, not spill coffee all over his expensive suit and grope him."

Deidara giggled once again as Itachi cut him off.

"The plan was to get him to talk to you, notice you. And I am almost certain that he noticed you."

Laughter filled the space, bouncing off the walls.

"And even though you spilled coffee on him, I'm sure you looked pretty hot while doing it- I mean I did pick out your outfit, hmmm. " Deidara said teasingly.

Sasuke rolled his eyes annoyed, as he pushed himself out of bed throwing the two on his bed a dirty look while flipping the bird.

"You both can leave now." He said, not really meaning it as he walked out of the room into his bathroom connected to the inside of his bedroom. Closing the door in a huff, he could hear shuffling behind him.

"What are we suppose to do with the breakfast we brought you, hmm?" Deidara said through the door, sounding as smug as ever. Taking a piss he responded mockingly,

"Leave it here, but you two idiots can go."

Flushing, he moved over to his sink washing his hands and grabbing his tooth brush. After putting a generous amount of tooth paste on the brush he shoved it into his mouth roughly rolling his eyes.

"Stop pouting Sasuke" Itachi said teasingly as Sasuke flipped off the door in between him at his annoying but very accurate brother. Finishing, he opened the door to see that they were no longer in his room but were sitting at the breakfast nook, food laid out on the counter.

"I thought I told you losers to leave."

Sasuke said as he grabbed his plate filling it with food after he plopped down with a "Tch." Itachi chuckled, ignoring the comment, opting to ruffle his baby brother's hair something he always did to Sasuke even now.

The clinking sounds of mugs filled with coffee, and the scrapping of forks filled Sasuke's apartment as they set at the table enjoying their breakfast, something they strived to do at least once a month. Which they did way more than once a month if you counted the numerous times Sasuke was dragged to have dinner at theirs or the usually Uchiha family dinners at his parent's house every other Friday night.

Sasuke took a large gulp of his black coffee as his brother cleared his throat. Looking over to his first confidant, Sasuke raised his eyebrow in question.

"Sasuke, you know that you can do anything you set your mind to do, right?"

His brother said casually taking his own sip of coffee, his lips forming a smug smile as he sipped.

"Yes, of course nii-san."

"You know that anyone would be lucky to have you, as a friend or a partner? You do know that right, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's response was stuck in his throat, as he realized exactly what his brother was now referring to. His eyes watered as he quickly thought to down cast them, but Itachi did what he always did best. He locked his eyes with Sasuke, forcing him not to hide. After several minutes of silence, which felt like hours, Itachi gave a smile that reached his eyes, his voice spilling over onto frayed nerves soothingly.

"I'm not trying to be mean here Sasuke, you know that, but I have to say it so you can get it through that thick skull of yours." His brother's two fingers poking him in the center of his forehead, keeping Sasuke even more engaged than he was before.

"So what you tripped and spilled coffee. It's not the end of the world, it was simply an accident. Yes, it's unfortunate that it happened in front of your crush, your only crush, but I do know that if he is interested, that simple accident wouldn't change his mind." Itachi said with a gentle pat to Sasuke's head, as he turned back to his coffee, taking another sip.

"Like I said he, hell anyone, would be lucky to have you by their side. If your crush can't see all of the amazing qualities that make up you, then he's the one missing out, not you." And with that Itachi gave Sasuke one more smile, putting down his mug and picking up his fork resuming his breakfast. Sasuke sat in complete silence for a few seconds, before a smile bloomed across his face. He picked up his fork, putting a generous amount into his mouth, suddenly starving.

He's right.

Sasuke thought with hum of agreement. They continued to eat and laugh, with conversation flowing all around them as coffee mugs were refilled numerous times. Deidara talked about his new passion project, and Sasuke raved about his book being in it's final stages of writing before the reworking and editing.

Even though the morning started off a bit rough, it was a typical Friday morning for Sasuke filled with crazy amounts of coffee and familiar laughs and silly antics. He gathered all of their plates, mugs, and silverware that had been dirtied, preparing to take them over to the sink. Right before he was about to take it over, Itachi's hand landed on him stopping him.

"Oh and otōto, don't keep beating yourself up over the 'incident'. Who know's maybe your crush thought it was cute." Itachi said with a teasing smirk.

"Tch"

Sasuke scowled at his brother, brushing off his hand as he made his way to the sink with the dirty dishes, but before he could make it to his destination he heard Deidara giggle and mumble "Yes. Definitely cute."

Sasuke sat in the Uchiha dining room trying to stay engaged, but was having a hard time focusing on anything. Sasuke was better, not nearly as anxiety ridden as he was the previous day. It still didn't change the fact that Sasuke had to go back to his job the next day, making him feel jittery and nervous. He never received any notice, messages, or even a call about what happened from his manager or his nosy coworkers. To be honest, Sasuke wasn't even sure if he still had a job at this point.

I did spill coffee all over a very frequent and high paying customer, while he was in one of his expensive business suits.

Sasuke thought bitterly, as he took a sip of his water. His mother's voice was heard, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Sasuke, honey, are you okay?"

Sasuke looked up giving a "Hn" with a smile, trying to show his mother there was nothing to worry about. She nodded, not quite buying it giving his cheeks a loving squeeze, letting them go with a grin.

"How is the book coming along, Sasuke?"

His father asked as he took a bite of his food, watching Sasuke with interest. Sasuke's once fake, small smile widened to a nice, big real one.

"It's going really good. Should be finished with it soon."

"That's exciting! You should tell us when you're done so we can throw you a little get together here."

His mother said, as she began to gather now empty plates from the table, saving his father's for last. Dad was always a slow eater. Sasuke simply nodded, so happy that his family all supported him and his choices. He knew a lot of his friends, especially his friends he had made through his dad, didn't always have this type of love and support. He was truly grateful.

"I told you Sasuke, once you've finished, we could always use one of our family connections. I'm not saying that we don't believe in you or have faith. I'm only offering to help you get a foot in the door. That's all."

His father said trying his best to come off more reassuring and less domineering that he knew he did sometimes, but he couldn't help it. He loved his kids and he wanted what was best for them. Sasuke saw the effort and simply nodded knowing that his father was simply showing his support in the only way he knew how. His mother moved quickly into the dining room now with desert in hand, as Deidara was behind her with coffee mugs.

"Does anyone want any coffee with their lemon pound cake? I just put a pot on." His mother asked with a big smile, placing the cake down in the middle of the table with a flourish. Coffee mugs were passed around, cake was cut and served along with several cups of coffee, as laughter and familiar chatter bounced off the walls around the Uchihas. With the atmosphere warm and inviting, they enjoyed their from scratch, handmade, with tons of love, lemon pound cake. But all good things must come to an end, right?

"So, Sasuke how is work going?"

His mother asked casually with a big smile, as Deidara, who just took a sip of his coffee, started choking. Itachi laughing loudly, patted Deidara's back as his mom continued to stare at him waiting for a response. Sasuke could feel his face beginning to grow hot under the kitchen lights and the infamous Uchiha stare.

"It's good."

He answered quickly with a shrug looking at his untouched second slice of cake begrudgingly.

I got to get the fuck out of here.
I knew I should have tried leaving after the first slice.

He thought as he took a sip of his coffee, trying to come off as nonchalant and not at all in a hurry. A pink face Deidara took a huge gulp of his water trying to avoid the young raven's gaze. Silence spread throughout the room, as Sasuke could feel his mind starting to panic even more.

There's no way.

Looking around the table with narrowed eyes.

Could they know?

Sasuke's eyes finally made it back around to a guilty looking Deidara, looking at him with an arched eyebrow, tilting his head in question.

"Dei, seriously?"

Itachi looked confused, while his mother bursted from a hand covered mouth, spilling out uncontrollable laughter.

"Really?!"

Sasuke asked loudly as his mother's laughter rang over the table. I'm sure we as a family looked like a sight to see: Deidara looking guilty trying to keep his laughter at bay, Itachi looking amused as ever now catching on to what was happening, His mother howling like a hyena, and his dad trying his best to fight off a smirk.

Wait, WHAT!? They told Dad?!

Seeing his Dad's face, Sasuke pushed his chair back in disbelief.

"Not you too!"

"Your mother told me."

His father said with a shrug as he too started to chuckle. Sasuke groaned loudly annoyed that he was the butt of jokes, over cups of coffee and a half devoured lemon pound cake.

Fucking family dinners!

Irritated and feeling completely self conscious as he pushed himself from the table, he was stopped by his father's voice before his feet could carry him out of his own personal hell.

"Did you really trip?"

That question, started a whole new round of laughter. His mother was to a point of laughter with no sound as tears streamed down her face and Deidara was right behind her. The only response Sasuke gave was a groan as he left from the dining room quickly, going up the stairs two at a time to escape to his bedroom.

Closing the door with a bang, Sasuke flopped down onto his old bed, face down with a sigh. He could still hear his family's laughter from down stairs, as he sat there in sulking silence.

This is the last time I ride with Itachi to family dinner. Next time, I'm taking my own car.

A/N: Yooo this chapter was so much fun to write! I'm so excited to keep posting, because the more I type the more I am falling head over heels in love.

Also it's my birthday this Friday :) all I want for my birthday is a comment about what you thought of this chapter. Did it make you laugh? Did you think Sas was being a bit dramatic and extra as fuck?

Let's chat about it! 😂

Sending y'all some love on today 💕

xoxo

Ci Mai