A/N: Chapter 9 just as stated! :D (I hope there isn't any typos since I'm putting this up right after I just finished writing it. DX I'll fix any if I see them.) By the way! Just a little information, I'm not watching Boruto (probably won't ever :I) so my apologies if personalities are OOC. Then again, Sasuke and Naruto aren't very in character either, sooooo...I'm sorry about that. It is an AU. XD Though I try my best to keep them in character as much as possible.
Chapter Nine
He woke up like any other normal day. From the kitchen, he could hear noises and the girls talking. Outside, birds chirped and chimes of bicycles rung. He could hear Akamaru barking for his morning walk and Kiba calming him down. And yet he knew it wasn't the same. Sighing, he sat up, still tired and dreading his talk with Boruto. With a heavy heart, he got up for another long day.
Another intake of breath. In. Out. Naruto calmed his quickly beating heart as he stepped out into the kitchen after washing up. He braced for the moment, but stopped short when he noticed someone missing. Boruto wasn't there. Himawari and Sarada, however, sat at their usual spot at the dining table, talking as normal. Naruto blinked. It was a little anticlimactic, not that he wanted a big fuss over it. He trudged over to Sasuke who had just finished cooking. Making sure the girls couldn't hear them, Naruto leaned into the raven haired man. "Where is Boruto?" he asked under his breath.
Sasuke flicked a gaze to the girls, then to him. He whispered, "I haven't seen him all morning. I think he's still in his room."
Feeling anxious now, he began setting up the table to put his mind elsewhere. Sasuke requested the girls to wake Boruto up. The two quickly finished setting the table all the while straining their ears to listen to Himawari and Sarada. They were knocking on the door and telling him to wake up. A moment of silence. Then the crack of the door echoed down the hall, giving Naruto a jump. He nervously looked over to Sasuke who returned the same expression. This was not going well.
Naruto sat down, watching as the three children walked into the kitchen. Sarada and Himawari were glancing to each other, then to Boruto who walked ahead of them. Worried expressions were plastered on their face and Naruto couldn't blame them. Boruto's face was set as a glare. His blue eyes, so similar to his own, flicked between him and Sasuke. The girls, who decided not to bother him, hurried to their seats. Himawari sat to his right, but when Sasuke went to sit at his left, Boruto quickly jumped into the seat. Naruto frowned at his manners.
"Boru-" He stopped when Boruto looked up at him with a frown. He sighed. He needed to talk to his son soon before things got worst.
Sasuke moved to sit on Boruto's other side, but when he did, Boruto clearly scooted his chair away and even turned his face away. Himawari frowned from across the table.
"Why are you being mean to Uncle Sasuke?" Himawari asked.
"What would you know?" Boruto asked her with a snide.
"That's no way to talk to your sister," Naruto scolded and lightly tapping his head.
"And why are you," Boruto pointed to Sarada, "and your dad always here?! You only live next door. Do you have to stay here too?"
"Big brother!" Himawari shouted horrified.
"Boruto!" Naruto called his name harshly, "That's enough out of you. If you're going to throw a tantrum, go back to your room!"
"Fine! Not like I want to eat food cooked by him!" Boruto got up and ran back to his room, slamming the door shut.
Naruto winced, but not without missing the hurt look on Sarada's face. To his side, he heard a soft sigh. When he glanced over to Sasuke, his lover remained as neutral as ever. Sasuke caught his look, but silently urged him to stay quiet about the issue. With a sigh of his own, he persuaded the other two children to not mind Boruto and continue eating. But breakfast was eaten in silence and Naruto couldn't get over the look of dejection from Sarada. After they had eaten, Sasuke had to leave for work, leaving him with the dishes and alone with the children. He watched his raven hair lover go reluctantly, but pulled himself together when he noticed Sarada packing up her bag.
He arched a brow at her. "Going somewhere?" he asked.
Sarada jolted slightly at his words. Flushing a pink blush, she looked away. "U-um...I don't think Boruto wants me here," she whispered.
"That's nonsense," Naruto said. "He was just grumpy. He didn't mean it."
"I still think we should go. We do only live next door. Not like we have to be here everyday just because it's summer vacation. Besides, I have summer homework to finish. I'll grab my dad's stuff too." Sarada swung her bag over her shoulder and proceeded to lug Sasuke's bag.
Having nothing else to say, Naruto offered to help her. He grabbed the bag from Sarada and walked her over to their apartment. He was barely through the door and setting the bag down when Hmawari appeared. She wanted to stay with Sarada and finish her homework with her. When he turned to leave, Himawari frowned up at him.
"Big brother was being mean. I hope he gets in trouble," she muttered.
Naruto ruffled her head, not saying a word as he left the apartment and returned to his. He still needed to wash the dishes, so he walked over to the sink and turned on the water. The gush of water entranced him as he began washing. The soft clink of dishes soothed his frustration even as his mind wandered about what to do. He didn't think it was the gender that bothered Boruto. After all, his grandparents were both men. Not only that, but he and Hinata made sure to teach him and Himawari about discrimination and how hurtful it could be. Hinata taught them to be strong even if other children bullied them and that even if the others didn't understand, they had to know right from wrong. Boruto understood. He knew his son did, so he pondered what the core of the problem was that made Boruto react that way. Though he did have a sense of what it was, he didn't want to admit it.
He briefly realized there wasn't anymore dishes to wash, so he started drying them. For a moment, he stared at his reflection on the plate. Muffled shrills of excited screams and laughter scattered along a heated breezed wafted through the opened windows. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear wind chimes ringing. He sighed, setting the plate down. Maybe this wasn't the right time for a relationship. But just thinking that made his heart pang. He didn't want to let Sasuke go, but it would be selfish of him if he didn't, right?
Lost in thought, he hadn't heard the soft click of a door opening followed by soft trudges. A soft gasp behind him broke his mulling. He turned and stared at Boruto. His son at least had the humility to look ashamed. His hands flew to his back and his feet fidgeted, shifting from left to right. Naruto blinked, then returned to finish drying the plate. A beat passed and still Boruto hadn't moved from his spot.
"You must be hungry," Naruto said.
"N-no!" Boruto answered, but his stomach growled loud enough for them to hear.
Shaking his head, Naruto nodded to the plate wrapped in plastic. "Sasuke said to leave it out for you in case you got hungry. Go ahead and eat." Hoping this would be a time he could sit down and talk with Boruto, he turned to ask Boruto to sit, but before he could even utter a word, Boruto ran back to his room with the plate in his hands. The bedroom door slammed shut once more, leaving him speechless. Naruto didn't know whether to be angry or resign. Sighing in frustration, he stalked back to his bedroom where he grabbed his cell from the end table. There was only one other person he could call to ask for advice. He speed dialed the number and waited, his foot tapping with impatience. It rang twice before the familiar voice picked up the other end.
"Hello?" Iruka answered.
"Dad," Naruto called out, suddenly exhausted. He slumped onto the bed and curled into a ball.
"What happened?" Iruka sounded concern.
He felt bad for making his father worry, but there was no one else he could turn to. Iruka always knew the best answer. Hopefully even for this, Iruka knew something or an advice on how to approach it. "Let's see...how to say this...Boruto found out about Sasuke's and my relationship...in the worst possible way."
"Ah, I see. He didn't take it too well, I'm assuming since you are calling me?'
"No." Naruto groaned. "What am I suppose to tell him?"
"Exactly what it is. Boruto is twelve, isn't he? He's not young enough to not understand. Sometimes, children understand situations a lot better than adults."
"But that's the thing! I don't think he's happy with my relationship."
"And why is that?"
"Because...because..." Naruto sighed. He sat up, clutching one of the pillows close to his chest as he stared at the opposite wall. "I don't think he's gotten over Hinata's death. I was a useless father. I let my children carry my burden when she passed away and they had to grow up. Because of that, I think Boruto held onto his grief. He didn't get a chance to mourn properly."
"Then maybe give him time."
"What if he never opens up?"
"I don't think it will be like that. Boruto is very similar to you. When he gets frustrated enough, he'll face you head on. Like father, like son."
"Ngh, he has the worst of my personality then."
Iruka chuckled. "It will be fine."
Naruto grumbled, but eventually accepted his father's advice. He hung up and flopped back onto the bed. Yet, he still worried. Even as he prepared lunch for the children and got ready for work, his eyes always found their way back to Boruto's closed door, much like his son's closed heart. It felt the vacation with his parents happened years ago already. Sighing, he untied the strings of the apron and hung it up. Time was up. He had to get to work. Quietly, he shuffled over to Boruto's door. He knocked, but there wasn't an answer. With a sigh, he told him lunch was in the refrigerater and he was heading to work. Resigning himself, he left the apartment, but first dropped off lunch for Sarada and Himawari before he headed to work.
When he returned, it was late. The kids along with Sasuke were probably asleep. Naruto ran his fingers through his short dropped hair. All day, he couldn't stop thinking about what to say to Boruto to the point where he almost dropped a pot full of ramen broth. He got scolded by Ayame for not being careful and was even compared to Nishi and Matsu! He couldn't forgive himself for that, so he worked even harder, staying late to clean up. It was almost one thirty in the morning when he returned. He slowly walked up the stairs, reaching his apartment lethargically. As he rummaged through his pocket for his keys, the door opened next door. Naruto looked up to see Sasuke's head peeking around it.
"Welcome back" Sasuke greeted.
"Yeah, thanks," Naruto took out his keys and opened his door.
"Himawari is sleeping over. Hope you don't mind. I also had her drop off dinner for Boruto, though I'm not sure if he ate or not."
Naruto sighed. "I'm sorry." He closed the door, turning toward the other man. "I couldn't even talk to him this whole morning. He locked himself in the room. Honestly, I can't...get angry at him because I—" Naruto glanced away, unsure how to face Sasuke.
"Because Boruto is still grieving over Hinata," Sasuke finished for him.
Naruto guiltily looked back to him. Squatting down, he smothered his face into his arms. "I'm sorry," he said, voice muffled. "You, most of all, must feel awkward."
"Not at all." Sasuke's voice drifted near him.
Raising his head, he found Sasuke sitting down, his back leaning against the wall. His lover looked up at the night sky. Despite the summer heat and humidity, Sasuke wore his pajama pants, but a white tank top covered his torso, revealing his beautifully sculpted biceps. Their eyes met and Sasuke smiled softly. He leaned in slowly. Naruto could smell his scent, sending a shrill of excitement down his spine. His eyes fluttered closed. The heat of his lover emanated from his body, spreading to him like a forest fire. He shuttered. Warm lips pressed against his eyelids, then his left cheek, and finally his lips. Gentle, sweet like candy, and then hard and fierce like hot lava; it was a slow burn as Sasuke's hot tongue invaded his mouth, taking every bit of his breath, sweeping him in like ocean waves. High on ecstasy, he pressed into the kiss. His hands flung out, gripping tightly onto Sasuke's shirt. His knees touched the hard floor as he pushed his lover against the wall. A tangle of tongues and soft moans rumbled in his ears. When he pulled away, they panted in sync. Sasuke's right hand found its way to his nape and rubbed tenderly. It relieved some aches. He sighed into it.
"We'll give him time," Sasuke whispered.
"Okay," he whispered back.
They kissed one last time before standing up and saying goodnight. He watched Sasuke enter his apartment, then went inside his. Closing the door behind himself, he hoped tomorrow morning would be better.
Tomorrow was not better and neither was the days after. It was like winter in his apartment, cold and frozen. Himawari hadn't returned as she was still angry, even more so now since Boruto hadn't apologized. Naruto also couldn't meet up with Sasuke for their usual cooking lessons since Boruto acted up when Sasuke was there and honestly, he didn't think it was such a good idea either. Giving his son time didn't seem to be working. Frustrated, Naruto sat on the couch, slouched over with his fingers clinging his hair. Summer vacation was over in two days. If he didn't do something, he won't get another chance. The worst part, his son wasn't even home. He had left in the morning to go to a friend's house and hadn't returned. He had a rare off day since Teuchi had an emergency and had to close shop. He thought he would be able to talk to Boruto, but was brushed off.
Muttering to himself, he hadn't realized his phone was ringing. He picked it up on the last minute, answering a bit curtly. "Yes?"
"Dad?" Boruto's boyish voice rang from the other side of the line.
"Boruto? Where are you?" Naruto asked.
"I'm still over at my friend's house. I'm going to sleep over."
Naruto clench his teeth. He huffed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No."
"What?"
"No, you are not sleeping over at your friend's house. You're coming home right now."
"It's late though." Boruto's tone held a little rebellion.
"Then tell me your friend's address. I'll come over to pick you up."
"But dad—"
"Tell me your friend's address. Right. Now. You are not going to bother his parents when there is only two days left in your summer vacation."
Reluctantly, Boruto spouted his friend's address, then quickly hung out without a word. Naruto sighed again. He searched for the address and was glad they didn't too far away—just a few blocks down the street. He got up and slipped on a light sweater before heading out. He was locking up when Sasuke appeared from the stairs. Sasuke seemed a bit startled to see him.
He raised his dark brows at him. Sasuke asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I'm going to pick up Boruto. Himawari is still over at your place. Sorry, think you could watch her for a bit?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, I don't mind."
Naruto nodded his thanks and brushed passed him. He was a step down when Sasuke grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in his track. Looking over his shoulder, he lifted an eyebrow at the raven haired man. Sasuke seem to hesitate for a moment, but eventually gathered his strength. He straightened his back and looked him in the eyes.
"I know you're angry and frustrated, but please don't take your anger out on him. Boruto is still grieving and it might take some time," Sasuke said gently.
"I know that," Naruto said through gritted teeth. "I know that he is still grieving. I can't blame him for that. It's just...because I know and—"
Naruto groaned in frustration, raking his fingers through his hair. He dropped to the stair and sat down with his head in the palms of his hands. It wasn't even about Boruto not accepting him. The frustration inside him was directed at himself. Boruto's grief was something he knew very well and he had no idea how to sooth his son's pain. As a father, he should know these things, but he didn't. How was he suppose to tell his son it's okay because it wasn't okay. The boy lost his mother...he lost his beloved wife. There was so much going on and he couldn't say anything to Sasuke in fear he would leave him. And despite all his might, all the emotions he tried to bottle up broke through with a stifled cry. He covered his mouth, trying to stop the sobs, but slowly they filtered through. He shook as sob after sob racked his body.
A gentle hand rubbed his back, then pushed against him. Naruto let himself be pushed into the warm embrace of his lover who silently let him cry. Sasuke pressed his lips against his temple, wiped away tears, and kept him close till the crying ceded.
Sasuke's soft voice whispered against his ear. "I know it's hard to watch your son suffer while you sit idly by, unable to do anything. That no matter what you say won't take away the pain. But hold strong Naruto until he is ready to talk. You love your son, so I know you can."
"You must hate me for thinking about Boruto and...Hinata when we..." Naruto clenched his teeth together, "when we're together."
Sasuke huffed as he lifted his head up by the chin. "Now that's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. I can't replace Hinata, just as you can't replace Sakura. But it doesn't change that you are important to me. To put it in a more symbolic term as well as a very embarrassing one and something I'll never say again because this will be the only time, somewhere in this...cold...heart of mine, you have a spot in it where you've made it your home and I'm very pleased with it."
The words were endearing, but Naruto couldn't help himself. The laugh started small like a giggle, then grew into an outright laugh. "Fuck Sasuke, that was the cheesiest line ever," he said in between laughs.
"Hence why I'll never say it again, but you get my point." Sasuke's straight face didn't make the situation better.
Naruto wiped away tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes. Nodding his head, he leaned in for a kiss. Keeping their heads close as he pulled away from the kiss, he whispered, "Thank you. You are also very important to me."
"As I should be since we've gone this far."
Chuckling, he went in for another kiss. When they broke apart, he stood with the help of Sasuke. "Now go bring him home," Sasuke said, waving him off as he descended the stairs.
About thirty minutes later, he found the Nara household where Boruto was staying. He rang the doorbell on the gate and waited. A few seconds later, the front door opened. A man around the same age as him with hair pulled back into a pony tail and a beard stood by the doorway. Behind him was a young boy with similar features and beside him was Boruto, face marked with a scowl. He sighed inaudibly as the man walked the two kids to the gate and opened it. Boruto walked to his side, but didn't utter a word. Taking his eyes off his son, he turned his attention to the man instead. He looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place him. "Uzumaki Naruto. Thank you for taking care of my son and I'm sorry for his intrusion," Naruto said.
"Yeah, we met when Kiba wanted to do the hot pot party. I was friends with Lee. Nara Shikamaru. This here is my son, Nara Shikadai. And it wasn't a problem. The two get along very well. Must be their love for gaming."
Ah, so he found a friend with similar interests. Naruto smiled. "Oh yeah, sorry. It's been a while. Anyways, boys nowadays. I remember running around outside in my youths, not being holed up in the house."
The other father scratched his beard, thoughtfully saying, "Well, I wasn't much of an outdoorsy kid either. I preferred relaxing more than anything else, but yeah, I do get it."
Naruto chuckled. "Well, thank you Nara-san."
"Hm? Shikamaru is just fine, Uzumaki-san," he said.
"Ah, then Naruto is fine with me."
They bowed and then said their goodbyes. As he turned to leave, he caught sight of a woman standing near the doorway. Right, his wife. Naruto bowed to her too, then finally turned away from the Nara house.
Boruto kept to himself, walking in silence. Naruto stared at the back of his son's head while he internally racked his head about how to make conversation. Minutes ticked by and still he had nothing to say. Blinking, he shook his head. There wasn't anything he needed to say. He raised a hand and ruffled Boruto's hair. He felt rather than saw his son stiffen at his touch. Slowly, Boruto relaxed, then he knocked his hand away. He slowed his pace till the two of them were walking side by side.
"-rry," Boruto muttered with his head tilted.
"What?" Naruto asked in puzzlement.
"...Sorry," Boruto said louder this time, but his eyes remained on the ground.
Naruto smiled wryly. Maybe this was the first step or at least he hoped so. He patted Boruto's head once more. "Forgiven."
For the remainder of the walk, they remained silent. When they returned to the apartment complex, Boruto went inside first. Naruto knock on Sasuke's door to check up on Himawari. When his lover opened the door, the sudden urge to touch him overwhelmed him. He leaned forward, stealing a quick kiss.
"Welcome back," Sasuke said as they parted.
"I'm back. I brought Boruto back too," he said with a grin.
"How did it go?"
"He was mad, but I think he's calmed down. I hope this means he'll open up to me soon."
"I hope so too."
"How is Himawari?"
"Fast asleep next to Sarada. I left some dinner in your refrigerator if you and Boruto are hungry."
"Thanks."
They kissed once more, then parted much to Naruto's disappointment. Returning to his apartment room, he found Boruto sitting at the dining table with his hand held gaming console. He was focused on playing whatever game that was currently popular among young boys. Naruto sighed. There was still a long way to go before Boruto would talk to him. Seeing as it would be pointless to say anything, he directed himself to the fridge where he took out the dinner Sasuke made and reheated it. He placed a plate in front of Boruto, then proceeded to sit across from him with a plate of his own. His son seem to take notice of the food, quickly glancing at it, then at him. When he noticed that he was staring, Boruto immediately flicked his gaze away. Without a word, Naruto knocked on the table to get his attention once more. When a pair of blue eyes were on him, he pointed to the gaming console. Boruto quickly set it aside. With a nod, Naruto said his thanks for the food and started eating. Bruto took a moment, but he followed suit. Dead silence. Awkward and tense, but at least Boruto was responding. It was a step.
After dinner, Boruto washed up. Naruto stood by his bedroom door, watching his son till he made it to his room. Before he could enter, he called out, "Good night, Boruto."
Boruto hesitated, but whispered back, "Good night." He entered the bedroom, shutting the door quietly.
Another sigh escaped his lips. Naruto shut the door behind him, but he didn't move, choosing to stare at his bed. It felt empty. Without Sasuke by his side, the bed felt too big, too cold. He reluctantly trudged his way to the bed and sat down. The bed squeaked, dipping under his weight. He patted the blanket, smiling softly. It was the same bed he bought with Hinata when they first married. Her scent had once lingered on after her death. Each night he had slept in it, he was always reminded of her and wept to sleep. But now as he lay down, Sasuke's scent lingered on the sheets. Although his lover was only a room away, it felt much farther. His hand plopped on the empty side next to him where Sasuke usually slept. Although empty, he could see the transparent silhouette of his lover. Locks of his black hair trickling over his face as he breathed softly. Skin silky white. The way how he sometimes frowned in his sleep and each time, he would poke at the furrowed brows, chuckling to himself while he watched the brows ease. Missing him, Naruto pulled the body pillow into his chest and embraced it tightly. Tomorrow morning he was going to make sure he had his fill of Sasuke before he left for work. Smiling to himself, he eventually fell asleep dreaming of his raven hair lover.
A/N: These are kinda short chapters, but I hope you all still enjoyed them. Thanks again for reading!