Author's note: I appreciate all of you so much. You're all lovely!
Enjoy!
The faint tang of sweat teased his nostrils as music pounded into his head, the vibrations shivering through his bloodstream. Eyes narrowing in sync with his amused smile, Naruto settled back into his original seat and enjoyed the catcalls he received. He splayed his legs before him, amused by the sight of his muscled calves clad in black leather.
In the back of his mind, he began a countdown for how many more seconds it would take Sasuke to rip off what little remained of Naruto's clothing.
Naruto chuckled as he placed his arms along the backs of their seats, turning to look at the shorter brunette.
"So, Uchiha, did you enjoy the show?" Naruto saw Neji scowl and take a strong sip of his drink, but Naruto ignored him in favor of the torn-between-hungry-and-mortified expression on his companion's face. He gave the boy a winning smile, pleased when Sasuke tensed.
"You are absolutely insane, you know that?" Sasuke eventually replied, his voice just slightly too husky to be considered normal. Naruto's grin widened. "How could you go up there...in that..." he gestured at the blonde's outfit, "and dance around like no one's watching?"
I can't tell if he's jealous or turned on beyond belief... Naruto mused. A quick once-over of Sasuke made him lift his eyebrows as he spotted the other boy's lap. Ok, scratch that last part.
Leaning closer, he lowered his voice. "Maybe I only cared about one pair of eyes, Sasuke."
The way the boy's midnight eyes seemed to darken made the slight embarrassment he felt when on stage entirely worth it.
An annoyed voice clearing its throat brought Naruto's head up. Neji was looking at him with a disgruntled expression on his face...which, come to think of it, was slightly odd for the impassive Hyuuga.
"Sorry to interrupt," he stated dryly, "but I think you may want to pay attention to this."
Naruto's eyebrows furrowed as he glanced towards the stage. Confusion set in almost immediately.
"Um...what's Gaara doing up there?"
The redhead was giving him a long, intense stare as Hershae spoke to him. Naruto got a strange feeling in his stomach.
Don't tell me...Gaara's going to let himself be dressed up? The blonde swallowed hard. Is that even allowed?
"We're going to do something a little original today," Hershae was saying, lifting a hand to brush her purple hair out of her face. "Our very own DJ has requested to put on a show for you darlings. What do you think? Want to see Red all dolled up?"
The audience screamed.
"I thought so." Hershae smiled mischievously. "Well then, let's send him back!"
Gaara's eyes never left Naruto's as he walked offstage, giving a slight nod in Kankuro's direction as he went. Naruto shifted in his seat, slightly uncomfortable.
"Why the hell is Gaara getting dressed in drag?" he wondered aloud. "I never would've pegged him as the type..."
Beside him, Neji took another long sip of his drink, looked down at it with a strange expression, and took another. "You'd be surprised, Naruto-kun." The Hyuuga seemed to miss the surprised look Naruto gave him at the suffix. "People always seem to do odd things when around you."
"For once, I actually agree with him," Sasuke murmured under his breath. Naruto shifted again.
"Maybe...Maybe I should go get changed," he stated hesitantly. Sasuke looked sharply at him, apparently about to say something.
"That'd be a true shame, Naruto-kun. More than one of us here is enjoying the view."
Both of the other boys turned to stare at him for that one, but Neji appeared unconcerned. A strange smile settled on his face as he turned to take in an eyeful.
"Honestly, you might find yourself arrested if you hide all that away again."
A blush began to bloom on Naruto's cheeks, and the boy lifted a hand to nervously rub the back of his neck. "Uh, thanks, Neji. I guess."
A hand on his bicep brought him back to Sasuke. Aiming a glare at the Hyuuga, Sasuke gently clenched his fingers.
"Maybe you should change, Naruto. I don't deny that you look..." He paused, glancing at the blonde's face. "...Good, but you don't want to end up the object of unwanted attention."
Even though that last statement was directed at Neji, Naruto felt annoyance stir in his gut. "You act like you don't think I can handle myself, Sasuke."
The Uchiha snorted. "Normally I'd say you could, but..."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "But what?"
Giving him a long look, Naruto watched Sasuke mentally tuck some comment away for later. His irritation grew.
"Nothing, Uzumaki."
"Dammit, Sasuke—"
Neji clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Now, now, Muscles, it's obscene to have a fight with the wife in public." Giving him a lopsided smile, he gestured with his rapidly dwindling drink. "If you fight where everyone can see you, people won't need an explanation for the strange bruises she has in the morning."
Naruto could tell Sasuke wanted to bristle at the "wife" comment, but both boys were starting to get confused by Neji's increasingly odd behavior.
Can he really be getting drunk off one drink? Shaking his head, Naruto decided to let it drop. He rubbed at his temples.
"Say...Naruto."
Glancing up, the blonde nearly jumped out of his seat when Neji abruptly leaned forward and poked him in the abs. "W-what?"
Poke. Poke. Poke.
"...Think you could iron a shirt on your stomach?"
"Huh?" As if the question itself wasn't weird enough, the reverent look on Neji's face made Naruto wonder if a body-snatcher had gotten ahold of his friend. Distinctly uneasy now, Naruto gently took hold of Neji's hand and pulled it away from his stomach.
"Neji, are you ok?" Why the hell is he looking at our hands like that? Naruto frowned at the Hyuuga's "woah, the shit is kicking in!" expression. "Neji?"
"You shouldn't call me that..." the other boy replied absently, retrieving his hand and staring at it. Shaking his head, Neji gave his ponytail a short tug and slouched in his seat, staring rather blankly up at the stage.
"...What drink did you give him again?" Sasuke asked reluctantly. Naruto tore his eyes off the pale Hyuuga and shrugged.
"Just gin and tonic...or so I thought."
The two fell into relative silence, watching the drag queen on stage shake her hips to a song by Destiny's child...and rip her skirt off. Eyebrows flying up, Naruto let his eyes be drawn to the black spanky pants the "girl" was wearing.
"Jesus, how much tape did they use?" Naruto wondered aloud.
Sasuke gave him an odd look. "Tape?"
Shit. Naruto found himself blushing again. "Um...well, yeah. I mean, otherwise, it'd be kind of hard to hide...um..."
Dammit, he hated that knowing smirk. "I see." Sasuke's gaze pointedly traveled down to Naruto's revealing "shorts."
"So...how much tape did they have to use on you, Uzumaki?"
He felt warmth continuing down his neck, but he flashed Sasuke a superior smile anyway. "Wouldn't you like to find out, eh, Uchiha?"
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. "...That little? I'm sorry, Naruto." He patted the blonde on the shoulder, ignoring the scandalized look on his companion's face. "It'll be ok. Lots of big guys end up...under stocked like that."
Eyes narrowing, the blonde leaned closer. "That's the second time you've insulted my package, Sasuke. You're just begging for a showdown."
"Oh, am I?" Sasuke suppressed a smirk. Naruto frowned. "Then maybe you should either put up or shut up, Uzumaki."
Oooh, he's so not getting away with that one. Deliberately shifting closer, Naruto reached an arm about Sasuke's shoulders and rested the other upon the boy's thigh. He placed his lips about an inch from the Uchiha's ear, pleased when Sasuke tensed.
"Oh, I can put up, Sasuke," he murmured, slowly stroking the inside of Sasuke's thigh with his thumb. "But when I do...I can guarantee neither of us will be very quiet."
Naruto smirked as he watched Sasuke swallow hard. God, he smells good... Inhaling deeply, he let his hand wander just a little higher in Sasuke's leg before he pulled away. Eeeeeasy, boy. Remember your priorities...Even if Sasuke does smell delicious.
Settling back in his seat, Naruto shifted to make himself more comfortable. Note to self—tape and hard-ons don't mix. Stop inflicting them on yourself.
Placing a self-satisfied smirk on his lips, Naruto decided to at least try to pay attention to the show. Even if it was free, he didn't come all this way to miss the entertainers.
Fate must have had it out for him because the moment he finally managed to focus on someone who wasn't the gorgeous brunette sitting next to him, Hershae strode back out on stage and quieted the crowd.
"We have another finished product, ladies and gentlemen and transvestites. Let's bring 'her' out!"
The audience went silent as a palpable moment of tension sifted through the air. After another moment, a bright blue high-heeled shoe stepped carefully out onto the stage. Gingerly touching his now shoulder-length red hair, Gaara slowly strode out onto the catwalk.
Naruto's jaw dropped.
Unlike the blonde, whom the "visionaries" backstage decided to dress as an intermediate between male and female...Gaara had been decked out as a full-fledged girl. The long, wavy red hair touched on the shoulder straps of a shimmering, cerulean dress than clung desperately to his frame. A gentle touch of red lipstick and some...interesting eyeshadow combined to give the boy sensuality, but the slightly unsure way he was looking around made him seem...huggable.
And dammit, if those boobs didn't look real, then Naruto was a fish.
Although, given the fact that my mouth is still hanging open, I probably look like one. Swallowing hard, Naruto watched as his friend moved center stage and paused, hands restlessly settled about his hips.
"Oh my, didn't you turn out lovely?" Hershae winked at the redhead, then turned to face the audience. "I have to let you know, this is a historic event. Out of all the shows he's DJ'd, Gaara has never shown the slightest interest in getting dolled up. How do you like his first step out of the closet?"
The audience hooted and hollered its enthusiasm. Trying to shake himself out of his stupor at seeing Gaara, of all people, dressed as a girl, Naruto smiled encouragingly up at his friend and applauded. The redhead's eyes shifted to meet his...
...And just as quickly, all hesitation and uncertainty fled from the boy's form. A seductive smile settled on those softly tinted lips, and Gaara shifted his pose. He placed one hand upon a slender hip, sticking his chest out just enough to be suggestive. Naruto gave him a weak smile.
...I'm going to be in a lot of trouble really soon, aren't I?
Sasuke was going to kill that fucking redhead if it was the LAST thing he did. He could feel his teeth wearing away as he ground them, his eyes on the silent interplay between Gaara and his Naruto. Forcing himself not to climb out on stage and shove his fist down the other boy's throat, Sasuke settled for scowling and folding his arms over his chest.
To be honest, all he wanted was to drag the blonde outside and take full advantage of his lack of decent clothing—and if Naruto's earlier actions were anything to go by, his chances of succeeding were delightfully high—but the damn redhead just had to go pull a stunt like this.
And damn Naruto for looking so fucking captivated.
A sour look on his face, Sasuke watched with hawk eyes as Hershae placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder.
"So, darling, what's your queen name?"
Keeping his eyes locked with Naruto—damn him, DAMN HIM to hell—Gaara gave the question a moment's thought.
"Aka...ne. Akane," he answered, his soft voice contrasting with the intense look in his eyes. "And, contrary to what you think, I'm not doing this because of some 'inner girl' that I 'denied'."
Hershae lifted an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why are you dressed up?"
"To make a very specific point to a very...specific person."
With those words, "Akane" gestured to "her" roommate. Hershae stepped offstage, "Akane" smiled, and the music began.
Don't wantcha for the weekend... Don't wantcha for a night.
I'm only intereeested if I can have you for life.
His eyes on Naruto, the redhead strode forward.
I know I sound serious...
Gaara paused, running a hand over his hip.
And baby I am.
Smirking, he leaned forward—giving the audience a glimpse of awfully realistic cleavage.
You're a fiiine piece of real estate and Iii'm gonna get me some land.
Naruto shifted in his seat.
So don't tryyy to ruuuuun, honey. Love can be fuuun.
There's no neeeed to be aloooone when you find that someone!
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in siiight.
I'm gonna getcha if it takes all niiiiiight.
Oh, Sasuke was SO going to kill him.
You can betcha by the time I say "go," you'll never say "no."
(I'm gonna getcha.)
I'm gonna getcha it's a matter of fact.
I'm gonna getcha don't you worry 'bout that.
You can bet your bottom dollar, in time you're gonna be miiiine.
Gaara got a very intimidating smile on his face.
Just like I should...I'll getcha good.
The redhead did a short sway of his hips at the dance break, lifting his arms over his head and tipping his head back, mouth open. Beside Sasuke, Naruto shifted again in his seat, but the Uchiha was too busy trying not to strangle Gaara to figure out if Naruto moved because he was uncomfortable, or because Gaara was making him "uncomfortable." Just the thought set Sasuke's blood aflame.
As the next set of lyrics began, Gaara began walking towards the end of the catwalk.
I've already planned it. Here's how it's gonna be.
He walked down the few steps to the area where Naruto was sitting, his eyes burning into the blonde's.
I'm gonna love yooou and you're gonna fall in love with me.
Lips moving along with the words, Gaara strode in front of Naruto and placed one hand gently under his chin. Sasuke burned with jealousy as Naruto swallowed hard, allowing his golden-haired head to be tipped up.
So don't try to ruuuun, honey. Love can be fuuun.
There's no need to be alooone, when you fiiind that someone!
(I'm gonna getcha.)
I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight.
At that, Gaara ran both of his hands through Naruto's hair and fisted them at the back, leaning forward and breathing heavily through his open mouth. Sasuke barely held back a growl, even though the crowd was going nuts.
(I'm gonna getcha.)
I'm gonna getcha if it takes all niiiight.
Gaara reached down, hiked up his dress, and sat down in Naruto's lap, his thighs encasing the blonde's. He placed his lips frustratingly close to Naruto's.
You can betcha by the time I say "go—"
He shifted closer.
You'll neeeever say "nooo."
Sasuke should be getting a medal for not ripping the redhead to pieces. A low growl rumbling up from his throat, he watched as Gaara continued to mildly molest HIS blonde. Sasuke wasn't quite sure WHY Naruto wasn't flinging the other boy off him, but at the moment, he didn't care.
Actually, YES, he DID.
How dare that dumb blonde put up with this treatment in public? Sasuke's scowl grew vicious. Did Naruto have some feelings for the other boy after all?
Fists clenching and unclenching in his lap, he watched as Gaara shifted subtly against Naruto, running his lips over the tall boy's exposed throat. A brief, smug glance in Sasuke's direction was nearly the breaking point for the other boy.
How dare he. How DARE he put his hands all over MY Naruto? HOW DARE HE?
Without realizing it, Sasuke rose to his feet, his vision colored red.
NARUTO IS MINE, DAMMIT! NARUTO IS FUCKING MINE!
Blood pounding in his ears, Sasuke started to reach out and rip Gaara off to suspiciously still blonde when the redhead abruptly paused...
...And licked him. On his fucking cheek, right next to his goddamn, fucking lips.
Uchiha Sasuke was no longer responsible for his actions.
Naruto was a dead man.
He'd been nervously aware of the steam coming out from Sasuke's ears during Gaara's little performance, but he couldn't just toss the boy off him in front of all those people...Gaara would be humiliated for LIFE. He swallowed hard as the boy rocked against him, silently wondering just how much longer either of them had left to live. His heart sinking, Naruto watched Sasuke get to his feet out of the corner of his eye.
Oh please...I'm too pretty to die...
Then Gaara licked his cheek, and Naruto knew that praying was useless. Closing his eyes, the blonde gave a short prayer anyway on the off chance that someone up there liked him.
When Sasuke kills me, please make him at least leave my manhood attached. I'm rather fond of it.
Immediately after the lick on the cheek, the boy on his lap whispered into his ear.
"I know you prefer women, Naruto...but I hope you now realize just how far I'll go to please you." Naruto shivered when a pair of warm lips gently tugged on his ear. "I'd do...anything...to make you happy. Remember that."
Before the startled blonde could even nod, Gaara peeled himself off him and stood, turning to face the infuriated Uchiha beside him. His song over, Gaara swept calmly at his fake red hair and gazed calmly at Sasuke.
"Is there a problem, Uchiha?"
As a response, Sasuke reached out and fisted his hands in the front of Gaara's dress and ranked him close.
"Hands...off," he ground out, too low for the rest of the audience to hear, though Naruto was fairly sure Sasuke didn't give a damn about anyone else right now.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Naruto prepared to work some damage control.
Neji beat him to it.
"Calm down, calm down you two," he stated, rising to his feet and waving his hands. "Is it truly worth fighting in front of all these people? Sasuke, let him go. You're wrinkling that pretty dress."
Apparently confusion won out over anger for the Uchiha, because he slowly released the redhead. Neji smiled, tilting his head to the side.
"I think I know what the real problem is, Uchiha." He stepped forward, patting the slightly shorter boy on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll fix it."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sasuke pulled away from him, exasperated. "Get away from me!"
"Nonono, can't do that. We have to let you compete!"
Naruto decided to finally open his mouth. "Compete? Neji, what the hell are you on?"
"I'd like to be on you, but that's neither here nor there," he replied distractedly, ignoring the way Sasuke tried to level him with an enraged glare. "Now then, let's get moving, shall we?"
If the look on Sasuke's face was any indication, he was getting the same sense of impending doom that Naruto was.
"Get moving where?" the Uchiha asked warily. Neji grinned in a very un-Hyuuga-like manner.
"To get you dolled up, of course!"
The look on Sasuke's face as Neji pushed the speechless boy towards the dressing room...pretty much made Naruto's life worth it.
Exactly how the Hyuuga managed to get him to go through with this, Sasuke wasn't quite sure. He tugged at his styled hair, irritated with the way it now hung about his shoulders—damn it, didn't people realize how much art went into getting it to stick up properly and still be soft?—but he supposed it was better than being forced to wear a wig.
The man toying with which set of shoes to give him looked up and gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry hun, but we're not going to have time to get you on stage. It's time for intermission."
"Intermission?" Why haven't I killed you yet?
The man nodded happily. "That's when Red puts on some dance music and you audience members get to shake your money-makers."
"Ah." I'm going to kill him. Please let me kill him. And Neji.
Yes, definitely Neji. He glared at the other boy, who was chatting rather animatedly with a hair stylist as he tugged his hair free of its ponytail. What the hell is WRONG with him, anyway?
Sasuke didn't get his answer, because the man attacking him with "final touches" finally stood and pronounced him done.
"Marvelous! Goodness me, I am just on fire tonight!"
"That's one way of putting it," Sasuke muttered under his breath, rising to his feet. With no small amount of reluctance, he made his way over to the full length mirror off to the side of the dressing room.
...And blinked.
The stylist had gone easy on him, forcing him to wear only a simple black dress that fell to somewhere about his knees—as opposed to Gaara's thigh-clinging number—some makeup and a pair of heels. Sasuke had flat-out refused to wear boobs. He'd take the arm off anyone who tried to make him that feminine.
He noted with more than a little irritation that even with a flat chest...he looked really girly. Damn his bone-structure, anyway.
"You can't expect me to go out there in this."
Flash!
The Uchiha turned slowly, staring at the Polaroid camera the other man held. Grinning, the man snagged the print and started waving it in the air.
"Too late now, gorgeous. You might want to get back out there...and besides, don't you have a man to worry about?"
Sasuke ground his teeth. "I am not letting Naruto see me like this—"
"Aw, c'mon, Blondie already dressed up. Do you really think he'll mind seeing how gorgeous you are?"
Sasuke frowned at himself. If I go out there, he'll never let me live this down.
"At the very least, if he teases you about this, you can tease him about those hot pants."
That's true... Sasuke pressed his lips together, debating whether it was more worth his time to change out of the outfit—even though he did look good in it—or to get out there and stop Gaara from molesting his great blonde idiot.
Images of Gaara plastering himself all over the blonde made up his mind rather quickly.
"Go get 'im, Tiger." The stylist winked at him. "He'll never know what hit him."
Scowling briefly at the giddy man beside him, Sasuke strode out of that hell. I swear, if Gaara tried anything while I'm gone...There won't even be DENTAL RECORDS left, bet or no bet. He scanned the crowd, detachedly noting the appreciative stares he was receiving. Where the hell is he?
As he walked, another song began that gave him pause. Recognizing it, he cast a suspicious glare back towards the dressing room. Sure enough, his stylist winked at him and gave him a thumbs up.
Give it your all girl. Give it all you got.
You can take your chance and take your best shot.
Say what you want girl. Do what you do.
He's never gonna, gonna make it with you.
Sasuke finally spotted his blonde, dancing by himself in a side area. The Uchiha looked around for Gaara, spotting him at his post beside Kankuro, headphones over his ears. The redhead looked up at Sasuke, eyes narrowing. Sasuke smirked.
Think you're the only one who can pull a fast one on Naruto? Hah!
Milking his outrageous outfit for all it was worth, Sasuke strode up to Naruto, tapped the tall blonde on the shoulder, and prepared to kiss his ego behind. Smiling, Naruto turned around—
—And froze, his eyes wide.
"S-Sasuke...you..." Sasuke felt a pleasant little sensation work its way down his spine as Naruto gave him a shell-shocked once-over. The blonde swallowed with difficulty. "You, um. You look awesome."
You're pulling petals off a flower trying to get your way.
Keep pulling 'til it says what you want it to say.
Girl you can pick a field full of daisies, but he'd still be my baby.
Sasuke smiled, placing his hands on his hips. "Ah, so you do like what you see, Uzumaki? I should have known you really were a pervert."
Naruto really must have been shocked by the Uchiha's appearance, because he only managed a short nod. Amused, Sasuke waved his hand at the area around them, where people had stopped dancing to stare at the two boys.
"So, any reason you were dancing by yourself?" he asked, a tiny bit of his earlier anger filtering through. Naruto finally met his eyes, something...intense swimming in those red eyes.
"I was waiting for you," he replied, his voice low.
I know you can hardly wait 'til I'm away from him.
Instinctively I know what you're thinking.
You'll be giving him an open invitation, but my baby won't be taken in, no.
Sasuke's heart jumped in his chest, but he simply lifted his eyebrow in challenge. "Oh? And what were you going to do when I got here?"
You can pout your cherry lips,
Or try to tempt him with a sweet kiss
You can flut your pretty eyes.
He ain't got his hands tied.
Naruto's eyes sparked, and he reached out to snag the slimmer Uchiha's hips. Sasuke found himself holding his breath as Naruto looked into his eyes, a warm smile settling on the blonde's face.
"Actually...I kind of had something I wanted to tell you."
"You did?" Sasuke's heart started pounding furiously in his chest. He forced his voice to remain level. "And what was that?"
No chains to unlock,
So free to do what he wants.
He's into what he's got.
He loves me, he loves you not.
Naruto's cheeks turned a little red. "Well, actually...I was going to say...um..."
Fine time to get nervous! Sasuke thought a little distractedly. Say what you're going to say!
No matter what you do, he's never gonna be with you.
He's into what he's got.
He loves me, he loves you not.
"Sasuke, I—"
"ROMEO, ROMEO, WHEREFORE ART THOU ROMEO?"
Both boys froze as Neji shoved through the crowd, staggering towards the blonde. The Hyuuga's hair fell in giant ringlets about his face, but his most startling feature was his pupils.
They were actually visible.
Dilated pupils nearly swallowing his pale eyes, Neji staggered up to Naruto and buried his face in the blonde's chest.
"Romeo! I lost sight of you in the crowd. How could you leave me?" he sobbed. Naruto stared down at him, obviously dumbfounded.
"N-Neji? What the hell—"
"I said not to call me that!" Neji lifted his head, abruptly angry. "My name is Juliet. JULIET!"
"O-Ok, Ne—Juliet. Just calm down, ok?" Naruto awkwardly patted the Hyuuga on the back, looking up to give Sasuke an apologetic look. "Um, 'Juliet,' have you been drinking anything other than the gin and tonic I gave you?"
"Oh you silly boy. Only a Montague would accuse a Capulet of getting drunk." Neji giggled. Giggled. "But that's not the problem... Why were you dancing with another woman?"
"Another... Neji, what the hell are you on?" Naruto frowned worriedly. "Did someone put something in your drink?"
"Do I give a damn about that? Run away with me already!"
Feeling more than a little put-out (and irritated that whatever Naruto had been about to say had been interrupted), Sasuke turned his back on the blonde and wandered off through the crowd. His fists clenched as he walked away.
The bastard didn't even call my name. Too absorbed in Neji when he should be telling me whatever the hell he was going to say! Scowling, Sasuke ordered a drink. And I'm sure it was going to be important!
"What's the matter, gorgeous? A face that pretty shouldn't be scowling like that."
Normally, Sasuke would've bitten the guy's head off, but the man behind him had spoken softly, almost as though he was concerned. Lifting an eyebrow, the Uchiha turned around and faced the man with long brown hair. Sasuke frowned in recognition.
"You're the guy from before," he stated dryly. The idiot sitting behind me.
The boy smiled sheepishly. "The name's Kohaku. I'm sorry about the way I acted before...it wasn't called for."
Giving the boy a noncommittal grunt as a reply, he retrieved his drink, paid, and took a sip. Kohaku shifted behind him.
"I think you lied to me before."
Against his will, Sasuke found himself turning to face the other boy. "About what?"
"One of you two is definitely with Blondie." He looked Sasuke over. "And I'm guessing that you wish it was you."
"Believe what you want," Sasuke replied stiffly. His eyes found the blonde, who was busy trying to peel Neji off him. Sasuke's grip tightened on his glass.
"...It's not fair, is it?" Kohaku waited until Sasuke's eyes were on him. "You go to all this trouble to get him to notice you...and he barely spares you a glance."
Sasuke frowned. "That's not..." He cut himself off. "I'm not discussing this with you."
Kohaku watched him for a moment, then shifted closer. "You know, you could fight fire with fire. Let him see how it feels for once."
"What are you talking about?" Irritation showed clearly in the Uchiha's tone.
"Let him see how it feels to be ignored." Kohaku smiled mischievously. "Wouldn't it be worth it, just to see the look on his face?"
Sasuke gave the boy a long, cool stare. "...You really think I'll fall for that? Like you would have nothing to gain in the bargain."
Kohaku shrugged. "Ok, so I get the chance to make out with a hottie. I've endured worse."
For some reason he couldn't fathom, Sasuke found himself inexplicably amused. Even though he knew the boy was WAY below his standards and would rather shoot himself in the foot than do anything with him...well. It wouldn't kill him to flirt this once, would it?
He wondered how much rum the bartender had put into his rum and coke.
"'Endured worse'? You should be so lucky." Allowing himself a small smirk, Sasuke took another sip of his drink. "I should be paid for being seen anywhere near you."
"Ouch. Am I really that bad?" The other placed a hand over his wounded heart. "I would think that you could at least be able to talk to me without my having to shell out."
Sasuke gave him a quick look. The boy wasn't really that bad looking; he was tall and lean, with a figure that suggested his metabolism was a bit too quick for his liking and a kind face.
...Definitely not his type. Sasuke would stick to the muscular, overly exuberant ones, thank you very much.
"I wouldn't be so sure," he replied. Kohaku sighed dramatically, shifting closer to the Uchiha. Sasuke's back straightened as a warm hand found its way to the small of his back.
"Now I'm curious. What can I do to improve myself?"
"You can take that hand off before you lose it, for starters," Sasuke replied coldly. He gave the other boy a disinterested glance. "...And lose the long hair. It makes you look like a hippie."
Kohaku used the hand that had been hastily removed from Sasuke's back to finger his hair. "I don't know, I kind of like it." He paused, getting a hungry look in his eyes as he stepped closer. "You could come to like it, I'm sure."
I can't believe he's actually still hitting on me. He has balls, I'll give him that.
"I'd rather date a rodent."
Kohaku frowned, shifting close enough to actually wrap his arms about Sasuke's waist. The Uchiha took a deep breath, ready to pound the other guy into oblivion.
"Aw, c'mon, I'm not that bad! What's the matter with—"
"Get your hands off him. Now."
The two stilled, glancing over at the tall blonde abruptly looming over them. An easy-going smile was fixed to his face, but Naruto's blue eyes were cold enough to give even Sasuke the shivers. Blinking in surprise, Sasuke found himself relieved that he was not on the receiving end of that look.
Kohaku stared at Naruto for a moment before collecting himself. "Hey, man, this doesn't involve you. You can talk to your friend la—"
"I'm sorry, you must not have heard me." Naruto stepped closer, snagging Kohaku's shirt in his fist and leaning close. His cheerful smile widened, but when coupled with the steel in his eyes...
...Frankly, the muscled blonde looked terrifying.
Stepping back as he was released, Sasuke folded his arms over his chest and watched those unfamiliar emotions cross Naruto's face. The blonde looked like he could happily kill with that smile on his face.
Showing his teeth in what was probably the most terrifying smile the blonde had ever given, he calmly lifted the other boy off the ground and let him dangle awkwardly from his fist.
"I said, Leave. Him. Alone." Naruto chuckled under his breath, making Sasuke fairly sure that Kohaku was going to wet himself. "I don't think you'll have a problem with that, now will you?"
Kohaku frantically shook his head.
"Good. Now leave."
The moment Naruto set the other boy down, Kohaku skittered off. Sasuke took a moment to register the odd feeling swirling about in his stomach before folding his arms over his chest.
"You know, I had that under control, Uzumaki."
"I know." Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at that, waiting as the blonde turned to face him. Naruto's eyes were apologetic, but fierce. "But I really, really didn't like seeing him put his hands on you."
"Oh, but everyone and their mother is allowed to put their hands on you?" Irritated now, Sasuke scowled. "Is that how things work?"
"Huh? Of course not!"
"You could've fooled me."
"Sasuke—" The boy in question simply turned his back on the other and started walking away, more than a little annoyed by the double-standard.
"Dammit, Sasuke, I'm sorry, ok? I couldn't help it!"
"Couldn't help it?" Sasuke whirled on him. "What the hell—"
"I was jealous!"
Sasuke's thoughts stopped in their tracks. "...What?"
Naruto ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Just now, when I saw that guy flirting with you...I was jealous. I know you don't really go for guys like him, but...I couldn't help it. I hated the idea of him coming on to you."
Sasuke blinked, surprised by this new information. If Naruto got that upset by someone flirting with me...maybe I really do have a better chance with him than I thought! Smiling gently, he rolled his eyes at the blonde.
"So? If he's not allowed to hit on me, then who is?"
Naruto gave him an irritated look and opened his mouth to reply.
"Uzumaki. Are you sure you should be over here?"
Sasuke fought down a growl as Gaara appeared at their sides, still wearing that skimpy blue dress and fucking fake boobs. The redhead barely spared him a glance.
"It's not good business to stand in front of the bar and fight," the shorter boy stated calmly. Reaching out, he gently pulled Naruto forward. "Have you thought about what I told you?"
Naruto blinked at him uncomprehendingly. "Huh? Look, Gaara, Sasuke and I were talking—"
"I asked if you had given any thought to what I told you, Uzumaki." Gaara managed to stop the blonde's words in their tracks. Sasuke ground his teeth, wishing fervently that he knew what the hell the redhead was talking about.
Naruto apparently knew, because his cheeks turned slightly red. "Look, Gaara, I—"
"I meant what I said, Naruto," Gaara quietly interrupted him. "I've always felt that way about you."
"You...have?"
Ooooooooh, no. No WAY am I letting THAT go any further. Sasuke scowled. If that little creep confesses to Naruto...shit! He might actually be dumb enough to consider it!
"Naruto, I'd like a word with you. Now." He placed a hand on the blonde's arm, sending Gaara one of the filthiest glares in his arsenal.
Before the blonde could even turn around, Gaara reached out, snagged the boy's head and pulled him in so fast that the two nearly ended up kissing. His voice carrying a desperate tone, Gaara kept his lips millimeters away from Naruto's.
Sasuke could feel something within him straining.
"Do you have any idea how long I've had feelings for you? Do you have any idea what it's like to keep it bottled up for years afraid that I was overstepping my boundaries? To get so close, only to have everything ripped out from beneath my fingertips?"
Naruto's eyes were saucer-wide. "G-Gaara, I...I didn't..."
Gaara rested his forehead upon the blonde's. "I refuse to lose you now. Not now, not after all this."
Ignoring the blonde's stuttered half-protests, Gaara brushed his lips over the very corner of Naruto's mouth.
"Kiss me."
Sasuke snapped.
Naruto started pulling his head away from the redhead, a worried frown on his face. Gaara...I'm sorry about this, but I just can't—
Before he could finish the thought, Gaara was abruptly ripped away from him. An enraged Sasuke growled—flat out growled—and planted his fist in Gaara's face.
"You keep your hands OFF HIM!" The surrounding area immediately fell quiet as Sasuke launched himself at the redhead, fists flying. Swiping at his smudged lipstick, Gaara scowled and threw himself at the other boy as well.
"What right do you have, Uchiha?" Gaara ground out, kicking at Sasuke's stomach. When the boy dodged, he swung and connected a fist to the brunette's face. "You've had feelings for him for how long? A month?"
"And what? You'd prefer I was a grubby little stalker like you?" Spitting at the ground, Sasuke grabbed the other boy's arm and wrenched it backwards, though his dark satisfaction was cut short by a high-heeled shoe connecting with his temple. Seeing stars, he backed away. How the hell...? That bastard!
Where have I seen this before... Starting to feel a little panicked by all the commotion, Naruto tried to wedge himself between the fighters.
"Guys, stop it! It's not worth—"
"You are worth it!" Gaara shouted at him, trying to wrap his fingers about Sasuke's neck while the other boy punched him soundly across his cheek. Some dim part of Naruto's brain noted that for Gaara to be this vocal, he either had to be really pissed...or this had been building up for a while. "I've been in love with you for years, Uzumaki. YEARS!"
Or both... Naruto's heart skipped a beat.
"And you know him how well?" Sasuke grunted as he took a blow to the stomach. "Maybe you've been shadowing him for years, but I know more about that idiot than you ever will!"
"You don't even deserve him! You've been a bastard to him for most of the time you've even known each other! How do you plan to make up for that, Uchiha!"
"I already have!"
"How the fuck do you gather that?"
"Because I'd die for him!" Sasuke froze momentarily at his own admission, but the shock on his face was nothing compared to how floored Naruto felt.
Holy shit, Sasuke... Are you in love with me? Without realizing it, Naruto found himself pushing the two snarling boys apart.
"Stop it. Stop it! You're causing a scene—"
Sasuke turned on him, slapping the hand on his arm away. "A scene? You, of all people, are worried about that? Fuck you!"
"Sasuke—"
"Typical. Uchiha still can't get it right." Gaara wiped a trail of blood from his lip. "Are you always that romantic?"
Before Sasuke could try to launch himself at the other boy again, Naruto firmly pushed the two away.
"I said stop it!" Keeping one hand on Sasuke's chest, he turned to Gaara. "If you keep this up, you could lose your job. I'd suggest getting back to work, Gaara. We'll talk about this later."
The redhead opened his mouth to argue, but he must have caught something in the blonde's eyes that told him to do otherwise. Feeling like a complete asshole, Naruto bit his lip as a light in Gaara's eyes dimmed and the shorter boy nodded. Sparing a brief glare at the brunette, Gaara stiffly turned on his heel and strode away.
The crowd around them began buzzing, loudly whispering to each other as they stared at Naruto and Sasuke. Stifling a sigh, Naruto turned to the other boy.
"Sas—"
"Come here." His words sounded like the crunch of boots on icy gravel. Eyes unfathomably dark, the brunette grabbed Naruto's wrist, turned, and proceeded to drag him out of the building.
"Sasuke...Sasuke, wait a second!" Slightly wary of the temper that was flaring almost visibly about the shorter boy, Naruto let himself be dragged around to the quiet courtyard in back of the tremendous food court. "Sasuke, we should talk about this!"
The boy in front of him came to an abrupt stop. "Talk? You want to talk?"
Before Naruto could reply, he found himself shoved backwards against the trunk of a tree. He blinked at the contorted expression on Sasuke's face.
"Y-yeah...I really think we should—"
"I only have one thing to say to you, Uzumaki." The boy's midnight eyes flashed, and he stepped closer. "And I'll be damned if I say anything else."
What is it? "Sasuke..."
Naruto went stiff with shock as a pair of warm lips closed over his own.
S...Sasuke...
All thoughts of priorities fled from his mind as the shorter boy sifted his fingers through Naruto's hair, Sasuke's lips capturing and recapturing his own. Hands shaking, Naruto carefully wound first one arm, then the other about the Uchiha's back. The other boy made a small noise in the back of his throat and shifted closer.
Oh my god. Oh god, Sasuke... How the hell did I deny myself this for so long? His resolve crumbling about him, Naruto tightened his grip on the other boy and pulled him flush against his mostly bared body. Sasuke moaned, giving him a prime opportunity to slide his tongue into the Uchiha's mouth.
Both boys froze, eyes wide as they stared at each other. Both shared the same thought.
It's about TIME!
Half a second later, all that could be heard were muffled gasps and the gentle smacking of lips as they kissed each other desperately. One large hand found its way to the back of Sasuke's head—dear god, how did he get that hair so soft?—as Naruto and Sasuke battled fiercely with their tongues. The kiss was almost brutal, a way of punishing themselves for taking so long to get to this point. Breathing sharply through his nose, Naruto bit at Sasuke's bottom lip, growling appreciatively when the other boy released a startled gasp.
Long, nimble fingers raced over Naruto's exposed chest, feverishly exploring every contour they could find. The contact sent shivers down Naruto's spine, and he fought to keep himself from grabbing the other boy's ass and grinding against him.
He did it anyway.
With a gasp, tinted lips ripped away from his, choosing instead to furiously attack the blonde's throat. Naruto groaned, pulling the other boy as close as he could without crushing him.
...Tape and hard-ons DON'T MIX!
The abrupt discomfort tore through the haze in Naruto's mind, forcing him to screw his eyes shut and try to catch his breath.
"S-Sasuke..." His voice came out almost unrecognizably husky. Sasuke seemed to like it, if the way he abruptly rocked against him was any indication. Naruto swallowed again.
"Sasuke...wait. We..." Fighting the temptation to just drown in sensation, flip the two of them around, and fuck Sasuke into the tree, Naruto forced himself to place his hands on Sasuke's shoulders and push him away. "We have to talk!"
The Uchiha stilled, his eyes unreadable as they stared into concerned sky blue. A second later, anger snapped within their depths.
"Why? What the fuck do we have to talk about now, Uzumaki?" Sasuke scowled viciously. "Is it suddenly not okay for me to touch you?"
"I didn't say that, but—"
"But it's fine for everyone else to lay their hands on you, is it?"
Exasperated at not being allowed to get a word in, Naruto gave Sasuke's shoulder a little shake. "What the hell are you talking about? I just wanted to ask—"
"What am I talking about? You fucking bastard, don't act like you have no idea what I'm saying!" Gripping what little there was of Naruto's shirt, he pressed his face closer to the tall blonde's. "It's alright for Neji or Gaara to put their filthy hands all over you, but god forbid I should try it!"
"Sasuke, you idiot! I never wanted them to—"
"But you won't shoot them down, will you? Why? Because it's soothing to your fucking EGO?"
"What?"
"Is that how you get off, Uzumaki? Stringing us along, tempting us with what we could have, if you deign to fucking give it to us?" Sasuke's words dripped venom, his eyes glowing with anger and jealousy.
"Is that what you really think of me?" The blonde chose to get angry rather than show how deeply Sasuke's words were cutting into him. "You really think I'd be so heartless as to—"
The other boy barked out a short laugh. "Yes, maybe you're right. After all, the great prankster of our youth wouldn't dip into screwing with people's hearts." An ugly sneer coated his normally handsome features. "You'd rather just screw them entirely, wouldn't you?"
Naruto's heart stopped for a moment, cold seeping into him. "What are you trying to say, Sasuke?" he questioned, his voice dangerously low.
"You never hid the fact that you were always open to an easy lay. Tell me, Naruto-kun, is it fun building up your harem, playing the sought-after martyr who couldn't help having so many people fall for him? Are you planning to fuck all three of us?"
Naruto's hands dropped from Sasuke's shoulders, balling into shaking fists at his sides. "Sasuke," he rasped. "Don't you dare..."
The other boy smirked, leaning closer. "Or is it simply a matter of who's willing to pay more?"
Silence settled into the air between them.
CRACK!
A hand flying to his stinging cheek, Sasuke stumbled backwards. Naruto breathed harshly in the suddenly chilly night air, his fist still elevated. Sasuke's slowly widening eyes didn't even register in his brain.
"You fucking bastard," Naruto found himself saying, his body trembling. "You fucking, sick BASTARD!"
Color was rapidly draining from the Uchiha's face, but Naruto didn't give a damn. He didn't give a fucking DAMN about him!
"I don't ever...want to see you again." His teeth clenched painfully against the tide of emotions—mainly anger and hurt—that swept through him. "Get out of my fucking life, Uchiha."
Closing his eyes briefly, he turned away. How could he say that about me? God, I thought I knew him!
"Naruto..." Sasuke's voice was barely audible, but it still cut another piece into Naruto's shattered heart. Steeling himself, he glanced back at the other boy and let all emotion drain out of his eyes and voice as he spoke his parting words.
"Find yourself another whore."