"Ahhhh." Naruto moaned out, and sat back in his seat, letting his now larger belly expand comfortably. "Sooo good."
Sasuke chuckled at him and slowly continued to drink the tea in front of him. "It was very good, thank you for taking me here." Sasuke said in between sips.
"Of course. Please. ANYTIME." Naruto said, and sat back up.
"Is there anywhere at home for you like this?" The blonde asked, taking a drink from his tea.
"Not really. I never really looked though. Or had a chance too. Things are very different there. Rules are heavily enforced and punishments are severe. And being that I was the younger brother, I had to work twice as hard for half the acknowledgment. So I didn't have time to really... Explore." Sasuke said, looking down at his tea.
"Hm." Naruto replied, thinking for a moment. "I can tell. It's different. The way your family is."
"Yes, and this is them relaxed. Without the families council constantly looming overhead. Even I feel more at peace without that. Without the constant pressure to live up to the Uchiha name." Sasuke said, now making eye contact with the blonde.
Naruto nodded, "I think... You guys were my 'council'. I knew, I could never be the way I wanted. No matter how much I wanted, your family would come. And the pressure to be what was expected always loomed overhead as well."
Sasuke seemed hurt by the statement but nodded as well, understanding. "But, I mean, you are different. For one, we are here. I'm dressed the way I want. And I'm not being forced to-... It's different. Not what I expected." Naruto finished, looking down at his empty bowl with flushed cheeks.
"I can't say that I've done much." Sasuke responded.
"But that's the thing. You haven't. You let me be. Which... Is more than I could've asked. Which is why I'm cautious." Naruto continued.
"It's... It's the least I can do. After... Everything. Is to recognize you as you are." Sasuke said, and Naruto could tell both of them were uncomfortable, dodging around mentioning Itachi and Naruto's gender.
"We should head back." Naruto offered after a pause. He appreciated the conversation but he knew they would need to return back shortly, to not get caught.
Sasuke nodded and Naruto paid their bill, the pair heading back to the castle in comfortable silence.
Once they arrived, they found it easy to sneak back in and made their way to their room quickly. Naruto immediately laid down, going spread eagle on the bed.
"I'm gonna be full forever." He moaned out and rubbed at his belly. He heard Sasuke chuckle and then head to the bathroom. When he returned the make up had been washed from his face and his outfit changed back.
The two sat for a moment together before Naruto broke the silence, "I still don't- Why are you doing this? It's not normal tradition to do what I want. And especially not to go off palace grounds for a meal."
"Hn." Sasuke responded and looked down at his hands. "Traditions have already been broken. So why not?"
"But are you really going to marry me? Move here with me, just to what? Apologize for Itachi? Get back at him? I still don't... I don't think I'll ever get it." Naruto said, still not sitting up to make eye contact. Instead staring at the ceiling.
"I... I'm not sure completely myself." Sasuke answered honestly, which had Naruto sitting up quickly.
"So what? You are just going to act without thinking? I mean, of course I am appreciative since I am the one to gain. But still... It's your whole life. Leaving your family. Can you really just walk away?" Naruto pressed.
"There isn't much I'm leaving. Like I said, I was not the oldest, so my accomplishments meant nothing. I wasn't the strongest or smartest, so my opinions meant nothing. Being here, at least I am being recognized." Sasuke said, avoiding eye contact.
"So you want to stay here for the fame? To be treated like a prince for once?" Naruto asked, feeling a little more heated. Maybe he shouldn't have asked, he was breaking the pleasant atmosphere.
"That's not- That's not what I'm saying. You even asking me is more than I would get at home. It would be either I can stay here, where I can be a person and be considered as- as anything. Or go back home, being a failure, until eventually they find a new treaty for me to marry into. And maybe it won't be as good. Maybe I'll still be a failure, the expectations too high and I can't be enough. At least here I'm stopping a war, helping you, and sure, maybe spiting my brother! Is that enough? Can I just want things for myself as well? I thought if I were to let you enjoy yourself maybe you could enjoy me too." Sasuke ranted, getting more irritated as he continued. Naruto was silenced, looking at the Uchiha, and for once, relating and trusting this was the truth.
"I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"I know you didn't. But you are. You are comparing me to him." Sasuke said and finally he made eye contact with Naruto, his eyes serious and maybe a little misty.
"I- I didnt- mean to. I'm sorry Sasuke." Naruto said, feeling hurt himself in the moment. Naruto began to approach the brunette but before he could reach him, the Uchiha got up and left the room.
Naruto stood still, looking at the door. Had he ruined his chances for anything to go right? Again?