Warmth
Sasuke Uchiha sits just on the outskirts of some village they had stopped at to rest for the night. The sun was on the verge of setting, and the others were elsewhere. Sasuke wasn't sure he cared. There was a rose bush just next to him, and he could see their unique shape, bursts of vibrant crimson. He reached his hand out to touch them, even if just barely. They moved like magic to him, seeking the warmth, however slight, from his hand. He retracted his fingers and they moved back to their starting position. A ghost of a smile flitted across his normally stoic features.
He looked over his shoulder to see Naruto staring at him with his head cocked to the side like a curious bird.
"What, dobe?" Sasuke tried to sound snarky, but it came out weak.
Naruto sat down beside him on the springy grass and curled his legs up to his chest. His customary orange jacket was off, and it gave him a more laid-back appearance. They sat in silence for a moment, Sasuke still trying to figure out why Naruto was here with him.
"It's kinda cool, isn't it?"
Sasuke started at the sound of the blonde's voice beside him, then realized he must have seen Sasuke touching the flowers. He said nothing, but that was okay. He got the feeling that Naruto had come to expect his broody silence. He watched Naruto extend his fingers toward the cherry-colored blossoms and smiled as they wrapped tenderly around his finger. Sasuke thought how bright Naruto looked. He seemed to emit this…warmth from everywhere at once. His smile, his eyes, even his hair. He wondered if that was why he appeared to be pulled to him, because of that light. He wondered if, like the roses, he was naturally drawn to that warmth and desired the touch of it, if only for a moment.
Perhaps that was why he reached out his hand to Naruto's and entwined his fingers with the other boy's.
Naruto's eyes widened at the sudden contact, but quickly relaxed and gently pressed back. Sasuke was a little surprised by the swift acceptance, but was doubly rewarded when Naruto smiled that special smile that shone like the sun.
Over too soon, they heard Sakura calling for them for dinner. Naruto quietly pulled his hand away and stood. As they warmth retracted, Sasuke found himself recoiling into himself again. He sighed, and stood as well, and they started back to the village. Sasuke looked away for just a second, and Naruto whispered quickly in his ear, "Does this mean you're my rose now?" and ran off to meet Sakura. The question took him off guard for a moment, but then a genuine smile crept onto his pale face. He responded very softly under his breath, "Only if you'll be my sun."
-Fin-