Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this re-adaptation, I think it's better written.
Disclaimer: this is parody content
Content warning: Failed suicide attempt, male on male, SasuNaru, medical terms may not be accurate.
I could hear you as soon as I entered our home: her moans, your grunts. I thought your sounds were only for me, but it was never true. Even if the house was far from quiet, I could still hear the voices that have accompanied me for as long as I can remember. They mocked me, giggling "we told you so". To be frank, I always knew it. I knew your sexual orientation didn't fit mine, and that you did not like me the same way I did. I also knew you were having an affair. I always knew. Maybe this is my fault… No, it IS my fault. I will never be able to give you what I want the most: children. I feel that you can't break up with me because you feel somewhat forced to keep this farce up - after all, we have been together for 7 years and you have made promises to me that must weight on your conscience and pride. It would be better if I wasn't here. No one would miss me, of that I am sure.
Chapter 1: Consequences of a betrayal on a fragile soul
It was an unusually chilly Friday evening, and the first day of the long weekend. Maybe that was the reason why the ramen shop, which was usually filled with office workers, didn't have a lot of clients, even if Friday was the most popular day of the week. Naruto sighed, as the crispy air filled his nostrils. It was the first time in the year he had been working in this small shop near downtown that the owner had given him an early evening. Everything was perfect: he could arrive early home, surprise his lover with a big kiss, and invite him to the movies.
As Naruto sat down on one of the free seats inside the metro, he opened the MovieApp to see if the movie he had been waiting for had any convenient screenings, and nine o'clock looked like a perfect hour. His shift was supposed to end at eight, but the owner let him leave at six sharp, so there was plenty of time before the movie started.
Oh, dear. Naruto was so excited for his unplanned-now-planned date, and he hoped he could arrive home soon, but the thirty minute commute wasn't going to be much faster. His lover is supposed to be at home, since his workaholic partner sent him a message that he had finished working at five and told him he didn't have any work-related plans for the evening.
Naruto opened his chat with Sasuke, and shot him three texts, planning to inform him of the impromptu date. It wasn't weird for his lover to leave his cellphone unattended, and for him to ignore the smartwatch, so he decided to call instead. It was weird, though, because both calls were sent directly to voicemail. Maybe his phone was in do not disturb?
The metro arrived to his destination, and Naruto hopped off the train. It was now just a fifteen minute walk to their house: a large, two story house inside of a quiet, gated community. The mortgage was paid in full by Sasuke, since Naruto's earnings wouldn't be able to afford even a quarter of the costs. As Naruto reached his home, he could see Sasuke's BMW X6 M parked in front of the house, and a smaller white Audi just in front of it. At first, Naruto didn't think much of it, even if the BMW wasn't parked in its usual spot in the driveway. Then, he noticed the light of the guest room was on. Sasuke rarely entered that room, so Naruto was slightly puzzled, but nothing really rung any alarms in him. He noticed that Sasuke hadn't read his messages, so he thought of surprising his lover. He entered his home and slowly walked upstairs, until he stopped abruptly after hearing soft bangs against a wall. Naruto's heart skipped a beat, and his respiration halted. He just knew that walking closer to that room would only give him pain, that he would be hurt again. But his legs didn't listen to his head, and they continued that slow, quiet walk towards the guest room.
—Yes! Sasuke, right there. - A girl suddenly shouted, scaring Naruto out of his trance and stopping him right in his tracks.
— I know. You know where else you like it? Here. - Sasuke's voice could be heard as the woman's moans became louder. The sexy, almost mocking voice resounded in Naruto's ears. He knew exactly what kind of face his lover was making.
—Oh god, I'm almost there, please go on.
Naruto couldn't completely process what just happened, but he knew he had to get out of there fast. As quietly as he entered, he left his own house. Was it even his? His mind was numb, and his heart completely shattered. He could only reach the side of the house before collapsing and desperately called his best friend.
—Hello? Naruto? Is everything okay? - The woman answered after a few rings. Her voice was puffy, as if she was in a hurry. Friday nights were the busiest at the café she worked and, by the sound of it, the cold didn't stop customers from going there.
—Sakura… - Naruto started to mumble softly, but before he could say anything, he heard a female voice scolding his friend in the background.
—I'm very, very sorry Naruto. The hard ass manager is the one in charge today, I don't have time to talk right now… I will call you back at ten during my break, okay? I'm sorry.
10-years-old
— I don't have time to talk to a freak, freak.
Oh, children can be so cruel.
— S-sorry… I just wanted to know if I could join you…
— Ew, get lost you freak!
Naruto watched as the kids walked away.
— Did you see? The freak tried to talk to me!
— Ewww, you are freak-contaminated now! - the kids group exploded in laughter.
— I heard my mom say that his parents were killed because they were doing something shady… And that he lives with some man who isn't even his family.
— And those weird marks on his cheeks? Creepy!
25-years-old
He heard the front door opening, so he subconsciously flinched, but thankfully, he was well hidden from the front door and the street.
— Goodbye, Sasuke! Call me tomorrow? - A fairly curved, blonde girl said while giving Sasuke a peck in the lips. Sasuke immediately held her by the shoulders and answered her sternly.
— I told you not to do things like this in public.
— Come on! It's starting to get dark already. Also… isn't it time for you to break up with that person?
Sasuke ignored her disgruntled tone, and just replied — Leave. I will call you tomorrow.
She hopped into the small and left. As soon as Naruto could hear the front door closing, he stood up and walked to the nearby park, since there was nowhere else he could go. His adoptive father moved to a smaller town three years ago and his best friend was way too busy to hear his nonsense.
There was no one in the streets nor in the community's well kept park, maybe because of the long weekend, or maybe the chilly air kept the affluent families in their warm homes. Naruto sat on a swing while blankly staring at the floor. His face started to get wet, tear after tear fell into his lap, and after a few seconds, his silent crying turned into hopeless sobbing.
14-years-old
— No one came again, huh? - the math teacher asked, knowing the answer already. Her tone was mocking, and her face looked rather smug. She disliked Naruto, as he was a problem kid in his class with learning difficulties.
— Iruka is on a business trip, ma'am, so he couldn't make it today. He sent a signed note to the school administration stating so… - Naruto wondered if the teacher hated him.
— Guess this is the reason why you don't understand anything, since no one really loves you huh?
25-years-old
His phone started buzzing. As Naruto lifted it to check who it was, he noticed the time.
It's already a quarter to eight, huh? The movie will start soon enough.
After composing himself just a little bit, he answered the phone.
— Hello, Sasuke?
— Naruto, where are you, Baka? I came to Ichiraku's and they told me you left early today, why didn't you tell me?
— I, I tried calling, but your phone seemed to be turned off. - after a deep breath, the blond continued, — I'm at X Store!
— X Store? Naruto, that's on the other side of the city. Only god knows how long it must've taken you to get there by public transport.
— Hehe, I know, but they had a discount on the jackets I told you about, remember? Those light-weight but heavy duty ones. Also, it only takes 30 minutes to get there by metro!
Sasuke sighed — I remember, but I have told you at least a million times in the past seven years that you do not need to worry about money. You don't even need to work at this lousy ramen shop to pay for your university. Stop doing useless things like this.
Seven years already, huh?
— I know, I know! I'm already at the registers, so I'll be home soon, okay? Don't miss me too much.
— Why would I miss you, dobe?
— Ha ha… - Naruto forcefully laughed — I know, I know.
That answer took Sasuke by surprise, and he wondered if he had crossed the line.
— Naru, love, you know it's…
— It's a joke, I know, I know! Don't get so serious.
— I'll just return home. It seems that the traffic is worsening, but I hope to be there in less than thirty minutes, so I'll probably arrive before you.
— Ok, I love you, Sasuke.
The blond man hung up, not waiting for an answer.
13-years-old
— Go die! No one would miss you, anyways.
25-years-old
Naruto knew what to do. He entered the empty house without turning the lights on and took a blank piece of paper, a pen, and a small utility knife from the kitchen counter. He was pondering going to the upstairs bathroom, but his heart ached as soon as he saw the stairs, so he decided to enter the closest one, right by the entrance.
As soon as he entered, he turned the lights on and opened the cabinet to take some ibuprofen. Cutting ones arm must hurt, right? Maybe this will help a little bit with the pain.
But the pain of writing a final goodbye wasn't something that some pills could ease. Tears were pouring from his eyes directly into the paper, smudging the ink as he wrote. Fuck, why couldn't he even do a final note right?
After inhaling deeply, Naruto exhaled and did a quick, vertical cut across his forearm, and watched as the blood started to drip down the floor.
I'm such an idiot, now he'll hate me more because of this mess.
After that one coherent thought, Naruto's mind turned blank. He giggled slowly while staring at the two toothbrushes they had in that small bathroom, which were there in case they needed to brush their teeth before leaving in a hurry. The illusion on a beautiful home life was palpable, but it was starting to become blurry. Or was it his mind, losing itself? One final look into the mirror confirmed his suspicions.
And so, everything went dark.
It hadn't even been a minute since Naruto fainted when Sasuke entered their house. He noticed immediately that the entrance's bathroom light was on, while everything else in the house was dark.
Did Ino leave that light on? Sasuke wondered, as he opened the door, oblivious to what he has about to see.
Naruto's motionless body laid on the floor, as if it was void of life. There was blood, so much blood.
— Naruto? NARUTO! - Sasuke shouted, taking the hand towel near him and covering Naruto's still bleeding forearm. Trembling, he dialed the emergency number.
Please, don't leave, don't leave, don't leave.
Naruto was barely breathing when the paramedics arrived.
I cannot understand anything that anyone is saying. 'IV-drip… we have… pulse stabilized… blood loss… type B…' The bright lights hurt my eyes. Someone keeps repeating my name, what a beautiful voice, but, why does it sound so sad? It hurts. Where am I? Did I do something wrong? Who is calling me?
Sasuke hated everything about hospitals: the smell made him nauseous and he wasn't particularly fond of doctors. Also, the fact that sick people were staying there made his skin crawl. Yet, he was now entering one with Naruto, his live-in partner.
20 minutes earlier
— Sir, we're sorry, but you cannot ride with us, the patient is in a very vulnerable state. Please, let go of the stretcher.
— You can't just… where? How? Does he have a chance? - Sasuke knew his words were making little to no sense, but creating a complete sentence seemed so difficult at the moment.
—We will be taking him to K hospital, he needs urgent care and blood transfusions as soon as possible.
Sasuke nodded, and as he was leaving the bathroom, he noticed a folded piece of paper, slightly stained with blood.
Present time
As much as Sasuke was in shock, he was an Uchiha, and it was unlike anything that had been taught to him to show any sort of emotion. He was trained to deal with stress with a stoic face. His hardened, handsome face looked devoid of emotion as he filled the admission paperwork. The stern receptionist couldn't help but feel nervous, because the tension surrounding them both could be cut with a butter knife. The fact that the young man had blood splattered over his hands and white shirt added to the unnerving feeling. As soon as he finished filling the forms, the old lady spoke in the most polite tone she could muster.
— Sir, would you like to use the restroom to clean yourself? It's down the hall to your left.
— Yes, thank you. If you'd excuse me.
Sasuke finished washing his hands and found himself staring at the sink, lost. He hated it, he hated everything. The uncertainty was eating him from the inside. What could make his bubbly lover try to kill himself?
The piece of paper.
Sasuke rubbed his temples, and pressed his moist hands across his face. It was clear he didn't want to read it, he didn't want to see what made Naruto try something as harsh as ending his life. But, deep inside, he had a vague idea what must have happened.
The note had been crumpled in his pants. Contrary to his stoic face, his hands were trembling as he reached to his pocket and took the note out. Unfolding this small piece of paper was one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life. With an expressionless face, the Uchiha heir began reading.
Dear Sasuke
By now I'm probably gone, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that happened between us, I'm sorry for forcing myself to you. Today I hate myself more than I have ever hated anything.
I love you, and I have since the first time I saw you in my second year of high school. It was pretty weird, wasn't it? I still remember our first accidental kiss, our first, date, our first real kiss, and the first time we made love. What a beautiful fairytale. I'll cherish it even in the afterlife, if there is one.
But fairytales aren't real and I'm aware I do not deserve any kind of happiness. I'm sorry for taking away your happiness and chances of having a real family for these past seven years. I know you are too nice to end this, so I decided to take the burden off of your shoulders. I also know that you will find someone better, who can meet your standards and, someday, make you a father.
As a last wish, please tell everyone who could somewhat stand me that I'm sorry for the pain this may cause.
Forever loving you
Naruto U
— Mister Uchiha? - a woman loudly spoke from outside of the bathroom. - There are some issues we need to discuss.
— Yes, ma'am. - Sasuke composed himself as he exited the bathroom.
— My name is Tsunade Senju, I am a neuropsychiatrist and I was called to be in charge of making a preliminary evaluation.
— I see, it's a pleasure, Mrs. Senju.
— I would prefer if you'd call me doctor or psychiatrist, Mister Uchiha.
Sasuke rolled his eyes internally at the attitude the woman was giving him during this time. He was not in the mood for some casual talking.
— Mister Uzumaki tried to kill himself.
No shit. With this blatant statement, Sasuke lost his temper.
— Do you think I'm not aware? I found him there laying down, cold and barely breathing in the bathroom floor!
— Mister Uchiha, please calm down and lower your voice. We'll get into the peculiarities once we make sure the boy is out of danger.
Out of danger? Was Naruto going to die?
Sasuke's eyes flinched, but since he didn't reply, doctor Senju continued to speak.
— The blood loss is significant, but he also has a concussion, probably due to the fall after losing consciousness. We won't be able to determine right now the severity of the damage until we make a magnetic resonance. It could be a mild concussion, it could be a hemorrhage. We have to make sure he is completely stable too before the procedure, since he lost a lot of blood. In the worst case, he might not be able to wake up.
Sasuke's world turned upside-down. Would Naruto be in a coma forever? No. Naruto was strong. He knew Naruto would make it, wake up the next morning and be with him forever, like they both always wanted. Yes, that would be nice. He wouldn't be with any other woman and… oh.
Though there was no confirmation, it was almost certain that Naruto knew about Ino.
What have I done, what have I done?
A smaller woman approached doctor Senju, and spouted some medical jargon Sasuke couldn't really pay attention to decipher.
—Mister Uchiha, follow me this way, please.
As Sasuke walked, those four words kept repeating in his head.
