Connection

Sometimes you need to look past what's on the outside to really see someone.

Chapter Five

Names and Urges

Their ninth date was on a cold, early winter night where they sat by a fire outside, listened to music and shared stories about their pasts and told each other their thoughts and plans for the future. There wasn't much to it, but it was in a way so intimate and soft. Kawaki was soft as hell for B. He didn't even care to fight or deny it, he just enjoyed being as sweet on him as he wanted. B never complained.

It was a cuddly night and they learned even more about each other, having yet to find anything that made them think twice about how close they were getting. There was never an uncomfortable silence between them and things were never awkward. They just wanted to be together and it felt as if they'd known each other for years. It was a lovely night and they hadn't wanted it to end—only moments after they'd separated, they ended up on the phone and the call went on all night.

It was on the day of their tenth date that they learned something new. As a reward for making it to the halfway mark, they would be able to share their first names with each other. Kawaki was excited, it was an unexpected treat and he couldn't wait to use B's name to get to him. It would be another home date, where they would have dinner and sit around, having a few drinks together.

Kawaki couldn't wait and for the first time, they were doing this at his house and he'd cooked himself this time as he'd waited impatiently for B to arrive. He wanted to learn his name as soon as he arrived and it was literally the first thing out of his mouth.

"Tell me." He breathed, pulling B up to his body and wrapping his arms around him.

"Boruto." He answered immediately. "My name is Boruto. And you?"

"Boruto." Kawaki hummed, grinning excitedly. He couldn't believe it. "It's Kawaki."

"Ka . . . fuck, why am I nervous?" Boruto chuckled. "Ka . . . Kawaki."

"Yes." Kawaki grinned again, feeling as if things had just took a step forward—one that he'd been waiting for. "You're so fucking cute, Boruto."

It felt completely different hearing it along with his name. "O-oh no. I don't think I'll get used to that." He said, not even trying to fight off his blush.

"Too bad you don't have a choice." Kawaki said darkly though he placed a soft kiss to Boruto's cheek before pulling him over to the couch. "Welcome to my home, even though you can't see it."

"I know, I hate that." Boruto pouted. "But I'm glad to be here." He said and the pout quickly turned into a smile. "Kawaki."

"Yes?" He pressed, loving the sound of his name on those lips that he really, really wanted to kiss.

"Ah, sorry, nothing. I just wanted to say it." Boruto confessed.

"Don't be sorry. I love to hear it." Kawaki told him happily. "And can you believe it . . . We're halfway to the reveal."

"Tell me about it. I'm nervous for that too . . . but mainly excited." He said and threaded their fingers together. "It's funny how reaching the halfway point makes it seem so much closer."

Kawaki nodded. "And yet so far at the same time. I just need this face in my life." He said as he stroked Boruto's cheek with his free hand.

The feeling was mutual. "It's the same for me . . . Kawaki." He would never get tired of saying his name. "It's so silly, getting worked up over a name, but I can't help it."

"I don't think it's silly at all, Boruto." Kawaki mused. "It's still so new, neither of us can help it."

"I really like it, it suits you so well." He complimented.

"Thanks, baby." Kawaki smiled, brushing his thumb across those perfectly kissable lips. "I really like yours too."

It was too much for Boruto to handle in the moment. "A-ah, don't . . ." He shied away and ducked his head, blushing again. "You're too much."

"Not even close." Kawaki huffed, pulling Boruto's head to his chest. "I'm only a little upset that you want to hide from me."

"What am I supposed to do . . . when you make me feel this way?" He asked, wrapping an arm around Kawaki's waist while the other fisted his shirt.

Chuckling, Kawaki asked, "No, what are you gonna do when you can't hide from me anymore?"

He was right, they weren't going to wear the blindfolds forever. "I have no idea." Boruto said honestly. He had never been this open and vulnerable with a man before and they hadn't even had sex yet.

"I get the feeling it's going to be cute as fuck."

That made Boruto grin. "What if I run?"

"I'd catch you of course." Kawaki stated the obvious. "You can't run from me, Boruto."

He gripped his shirt tighter at the sound of his name spoken in that deep voice. "I don't know . . . I'm pretty fast."

"Not as fast as me." Kawaki said with a smirk.

"Oh, so confident. I love it." Boruto admitted.

"You should be used to it by now." It was a trait that Kawaki had always had and it would never die.

"And cocky as fuck." Boruto chuckled. "I love that too."

"Hm. What else do you love?" He asked in anticipation.

The unexpected question made him pause. "Well . . . you're body for one thing." Boruto teased, though he did love it. "And the way you treat me . . . I feel . . . wanted. And special."

"Hm. You are." Kawaki smiled and slowly started massaging Boruto's back.

And there he was, proving it again. "Believe it or not, I've never felt spoiled. But I feel that way with you. I can't help but soak up all the attention and affection. Though sometimes it's so much that I get embarrassed."

"So much and yet I haven't even kissed you yet." They still had a long way to go. Boruto had no idea what he was getting himself into and Kawaki wasn't sure how much longer he could wait.

"Hey!" He laughed. "Alright, so I get flustered easily, I'll admit it. But I've got some moves of my own."

"Well fuck, lay one on me."

Boruto bit his lip. "Right now?"

"Now." He confirmed.

Well if he wanted it then he would get it. Boruto leaned back from the comfortable embrace to take on a more daring position, swinging his leg over so he was straddling Kawaki's lap.

"Damn, this is unexpected." Kawaki grinned, hands moving to Boruto's hips.

Kawaki had no idea. "You want to see more?" Boruto smirked.

"Hell yeah."

He leaned forward and let their bodies press together, his arms wrapping around Kawaki's shoulders. "More?" He breathed, taking his earlobe between his teeth. It was pierced.

Wanting so much more, Kawaki didn't have it in him to say no, yet he was already grunting at the way Boruto made him feel. "Yes."

"That's it." He encouraged, mouthing behind his ear, surprised to feel more piercings against his cheek.

He wanted to fist his fingers in Kawaki's hair, but couldn't risk messing with the blindfold. Instead he felt down his back with one hand and down his chest with the other. He could hear as much as feel Kawaki's breathing and it only urged him on to press his hips down.

"You don't wanna do that, baby." Kawaki warned.

Boruto couldn't stop the whine that escaped at the pet name. "I do. I want it."

"Shit. I'm not messing around. I can't take it, I won't be able to control myself."

It was more than just tempting, Boruto had to do it, he needed to do it. But he couldn't. With more restraint than he thought he possessed, he slowly removed himself from Kawaki's lap.

"Ten more dates, huh? I might not make it . . ."

"Well you're doing better than me because I know damn well I'm not gonna make it." Kawaki scoffed.

The confession only added to Boruto's own self doubt. "Maybe we shouldn't pull any more moves. Or else we'll reach the point of no return. Cause, fuck, I did not want to return just now."

"I believe you're right. And neither did I." Kawaki sighed. It had been too damn long and he was glad Boruto moved before he got a feel of his issue. "We will have to be good."

"Even though it's so fun being bad." Boruto added with a smile. "So food. Let's do that."

"I wanna be bad so much. But alright, I'll feed you." Kawaki got to his feet and tugged Boruto onto his feet, leading him from the living room to the kitchen. "I actually already cooked some soup for us, but we will have to be careful. Wouldn't want to spill it and have to strip."

"I believe that was a shot at me and I'm going to ignore it, but noted." Boruto stated.

Having already had everything set out to be easy to get to, Kawaki managed to prepare them both a bowl without incident. He had Boruto wait while he set the table and then he helped him to the table and they sat next to each other, forgetting what almost happened as they got wrapped in conversation and ate their soup.

They had to be close, often leaning against each other or seeking out their hands. It was otherworldly, feeling such happiness with a person you'd never seen before. Almost three months and in only ten dates—and many, many phone calls and they were crazy about each other. What they looked like was no longer a factor. It couldn't change how either of them felt.

After they'd had their fill, they returned to the living room and got in the recliner together. Kawaki held Boruto tightly, his chin resting atop his head that was comfortably on his chest. The TV was playing some music, the volume down low and the fireplace was warm but Kawaki had still thrown a blanket over them.

The conversation had slowed until it stopped completely, Kawaki absentmindedly running the tips of his fingers up and down Boruto's back while Boruto tried his best to stay awake. Kawaki was pretty tired himself, having to really work his ass off because the new boys he'd hired were completely inexperienced. He was the type that wanted to give everyone a chance. You had to learn, he understood this, so he would get through the difficulty regardless of how strenuous it was.

Needless to say, he was pretty worn down and not long after Boruto drifted off, so did he. It wasn't until early the next morning that Kawaki woke up with Boruto slump on him in the same position. Without being able to tell the time, he had no way of knowing how long they'd slept. The blindfold needed to come off where he could open his eyes for a while, but he would have to endure a little longer. His hand raised to Boruto's face, carefully checking to make sure his was still in place and it was.

It was morning he soon learned as the smell of sausage and pancakes drifted into the living room. Shikadai and Iwabe had decided not to disturb them and Kawaki was surprised at how well he slept in the recliner. Boruto had to be very tired, and he didn't wake up until Kawaki called to him, massaging his scalp until he was fully awake. They had breakfast together before Shikadai took Boruto away and after everyone was gone and the blindfold was off, Kawaki felt empty.