Acknowledgement. A simple thing. Sasuke knows that Naruto yearns for it.
Knows that he can never give it. Acknowledging Naruto would mean admitting
aloud that something besides vengeance has meaning in his life.
Sometime during their stint as teammates, disdain and disgust have melted away. It surprises Sasuke now how satisfying Naruto's attention can feel. Hatred has become habit, but beneath that now trembles a need for Naruto's determined optimism that rivals Naruto's need for Sasuke's acknowledgement. The nature of their bickering has gradually changed, taken on a whole new meaning.
"Become worthy of me," Sasuke's drawled insults say now. "Become worthy of me and I will find the courage to give you what you want."
Because right now, Sasuke has everything that Naruto wants... And Naruto embodies everything that Sasuke needs.
Sometime during their stint as teammates, disdain and disgust have melted away. It surprises Sasuke now how satisfying Naruto's attention can feel. Hatred has become habit, but beneath that now trembles a need for Naruto's determined optimism that rivals Naruto's need for Sasuke's acknowledgement. The nature of their bickering has gradually changed, taken on a whole new meaning.
"Become worthy of me," Sasuke's drawled insults say now. "Become worthy of me and I will find the courage to give you what you want."
Because right now, Sasuke has everything that Naruto wants... And Naruto embodies everything that Sasuke needs.
