Sasuke had never felt anything like kissing Naruto. He didn't think there could be anything better. It was messy, and unpracticed -both trying to find the rhythm. He wanted to stay like that; just kissing Naruto. Kissing the man he loves. He was completely at his will. Naruto could ask him for anything in that moment and he would do it. He would give Naruto everything.

Sasuke was drowning. Drowning in Naruto, but he didn't want to come up for air. He'd gladly end right there in Naruto's arms. He wanted to spend forever there, but sadly they both had to come up for air.

He pulled back, Naruto's lips chasing his as he did, not wanting Sasuke to escape him just yet. Sasuke broke them apart, taking a breath. He rested his forehead against Naruto's. He still needed him close. He was still crying, only they were tears of joy. Or maybe it was relief. He couldn't distinguish between the two in the daze he was in. All he knew was that it was like everything had suddenly fallen into place it was all going to be okay. These feelings had never been a luxury he had before.

Naruto held Sasuke's hand, resting against him. Sasuke was content to just have him there. Everything had just changed between them. They was no going back. Sasuke wouldn't even wanted to. Their future was uncertain that… it was okay, better this way.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said. Sasuke could feel Naruto's breath saying his name against his lips. He loved Naruto's voice. He loved his soft but chapped lips. He loved having him close enough that he could finally know what his lips felt like. He loved Naruto, his essence, his being - everything.

"Naruto…" It was all he could say. He loved him so much. So much of his pain just seemed to disappear. He could breathe easier. The cause was right against him -Naruto.

"You're still going to leave aren't you?" Naruto's question took Sasuke out of his thoughts. His chest tightened. He wished he could say no, but he wasn't done with his journey.

"I'm sorry." Sasuke whispered.

He pulled back from Naruto and looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes were now filled with sadness and desperation, and all of Sasuke's pain seemed to come back. It felt worse than before. He should have waited. Waited to repay for his sins before admitting his love. A love he knew he wasn't worthy of. It was a love he didn't know if he would ever be worthy of it. Especially because now he'd broken another vow. He had hurt Naruto, again.

"I'm not done. There's so much I have to still pay for. So many things I need to fix." Tears filled Naruto's eyes and started to stream down his face. Sasuke removed his hand from Naruto's . Naruto didn't want to let it go, but eventually he let Sasuke's fingers slip though his grasp. He placed his hand on Naruto's cheek, wiping away some of the tears.

"I will return." Naruto's own hand joined Sasuke's, grabbing tight as if it could slip away at any moment. "It will be much sooner than before." Sasuke could see Naruto's eyes starting to fill with their standard hope behind the tears.

"Will you wait for me?"

Naruto stared at him, not answering right away. The weight of the world seemed to rest on his face, as if his answer would change everything. And it would. It would change when Sasuke came back. Because if Naruto said no, he knew that he may as well never come back. He was the only thing he had left here. Naruto was all he wanted, but if he said yes -

"Yes."

Sasuke's heart stopped. Naruto promised to wait for him. Naruto made him want to come back.

"I'll wait for you. But promise that I won't wait forever." Sasuke stared at Naruto. "I can't wait for someone who isn't going to come back. We both leave the village, we're ninja. But I'm not going to wait if you're never going to come back. If you want us to be together, I need to know that you'll actually be with me."

"I promise." Sasuke didn't even hesitate, didn't even think about it. He'd do anything for Naruto. If Naruto had asked him too, he would have stayed, would never leave again. But Naruto knew him, and knew he couldn't do that to Sasuke. It was one of the things he loved about him. "I won't be gone forever. I'll come back soon. Just…" He felt the tears run down his face. "Just be with me."

"Where was this years ago?"

"It was being buried by an idiot who hadn't realized he loved you yet."

Naruto smiled with that dopey grin that made his stomach turn.

"You're so lucky I love you."

Naruto pulled him close and kissed him again. Sasuke didn't want it to end. He needed Naruto. He was going to come back, he'd hurt Naruto if he didn't. This was the last time it was going to happen. The last time he was going to hurt the man he loved. The man who loved him back. Sasuke's eyes opened wide and he pulled back from the kiss quickly.

"Say it again."

He wanted, no needed , to make sure it was real. Naruto gave him a quick look of confusion before bursting out into a smile. Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke's waist, pulling him close so that there was no space between them.

"I love you, Sasuke Uchiha." Sasuke smiled. Something that he didn't think he'd really done in years. Tears slipped down his cheeks.

"I love you." Naruto gave him a quick kiss, darting back before Sasuke could capture his lips in his own.

"I love you." Kiss.

"I love you." Kiss.

"I love you." Kiss. He rested his forehead against Sasuke's, his breathing heavy

"Tell me you love me."

"I love you." Sasuke didn't even hesitate to say it. He kept it inside him for years and he wasn't going to hide it any more. Especially not to him.

"I love you, Naruto Uzumaki."

Sasuke could barely stand, let alone walk. But the village was so close, the gates just ahead. He'd wanted to be back earlier, but things had a way of not working out for him, and he was jumped the day before. The bandits had caught him after a nasty battle. With his chakra so low, he let his guard down. The shots they got in slowed his quick pace into a slow trudge. His travel time turned into a full day, rather than a few hours.

The world started to blur in and out. He just needed to make it to the gates and he'd be fine. Naruto would be there and everything would be fine. He just needed to get there. That's all he needed. Just to get to Naruto.

He was at the gates before he even realized it. He was barely aware of his movements, not really knowing how he got there. Just that he was there. He now just needed to get to Naruto. His vision started to blacken more. He began to feel his legs grow more and more weak. They gave out beneath him. He heard the vague sound of people running. But he knew that none of them were who he wanted. His vision left him, and he went unconscious with one word on his lips.

"Naruto..."

Sasuke bolted up, breath still heavy. Too focused on the sound to search his surroundings.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke turned towards the voice.

Naruto was right at his side, bouncing on the calls of his feet, wringing his hands. Sasuke's breathing started to slow, as he focused on Naruto's face. Centering himself, he started to take notice of his surroundings. He was in a hospital room. He felt a sharp pain in his side, as he remembered falling at the gates, and the attack. Of course he'd be in the hospital.

"Naruto, how long…"

"Only a few hours," Naruto replied, smiling He slowly sat back down. "You were bleeding out, and your chakra was exhausted. I thought…"

"You really think after everything, I'm going out like that?" Naruto's nose crinkled, and he let out a small laugh. Sasuke laid himself back down on the hospital bed. "You're the only one that gets to take me out."

"Does that include for dinner?" Sasuke looked over at Naruto. He was now resting his head on his hands and looking up at him with a blank blinking stare. God, that face, thoseeyes .

"Only if you're paying," Naruto smile quickly turned to a scowl, crossed arms included.

"You're so horrible. Making me pay for our first date."

"You're the one who asked me. You should pay. Besides, I just nearly died."

"I thought you weren't dying like this?"

"I still shouldn't have to pay for dinner."

"You're an idiot."

"You're a loser."

There was a beat of silence before they both laughed. In the middle of it Sasuke started to feel a pain in his side again, and let out a loud groan. Naruto climbed next to him on the bed. He rubbed at Sasuke's side lightly, seeming to take away the pain.

"Thank you."

"You can thank me by paying for dinner." Sasuke frowned and sighed.

"Fine, but nothing expensive."

"Sasuke, my taste has not changed in the time that you've been gone. We're getting Ramen."

"Not tonight you're not."

The two looked over at the door. There stood Sakura, a clipboard in her hand.

"Sakura," Sasuke said. She didn't even look like she knew them, instead that they were any other patients. She was in her element. Sasuke was glad that she became a doctor. She was amazing at it.

"Hello, Sasuke," She replied. "You're not leaving this hospital room. You're chakra still hasn't been restored, and you're stitches are too fresh. Most people wouldn't even be conscious right now."

"I'll live," Sasuke said.

"He's already decided on how he's going to die." Naruto said. Sakura huffed, rolling her eyes.

"You two are the worst." She said. "And you have to stay here for three days."

"I will be fine if I stay for less time." Sasuke never liked hospitals, and wanted out as soon as possible. The quicker he left, the better. It was then that he noticed Sakura's eyes. They were practically on fire. Sasuke's mouth went dry.

"You are staying here for three days ." Not dumb enough to rebel in the face of an angry Sakura, he nodded.

"Good," She chirped, back to her usual pleasant demeanor. "Now I have other patients to attend too. Don't do anything to break your stitches. Nice seeing you again."

"You too." Sasuke said, finally getting the courage to speak as she walked out the door. He turned to Naruto. "When did she get so scary?"

"She's always been that scary. You just never noticed since you were too busy brooding." Naruto leaned back in his chair. "What are you going to do locked up here for three days?"

"Be bored out of my mind," He looked Naruto up and down. "Unless there was something to distract me." Naruto blushed, turning to face the door.

"Uh," Naruto began to rub at the back of his neck, a blush clearly forming. "Sakura said that you shouldn't do anything to break your stitches."

"I don't get how you talking to me would break my stitches." The redness stretched to Naruto's ears. Sasuke smirked, well aware of what he'd done.

"You're such a pervert. Haven't even taken me on a date and you're already thinking like that."

Naruto turned, mouth agape before pointing at him.

"You did that on purpose!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Naruto slammed his head onto the bed. Sasuke ran his hands through Naruto's hair, and gave a small chuckle. "You're lucky you're so cute." Naruto turned his head slightly, looking up at Sasuke with a pout. Sasuke.

"You're lucky I love you."

Sasuke's heart stopped. In the time that he'd been gone, all he wanted to hear were those words. Just to be reminded that it wasn't all a dream. Reading it in letters just didn't leave the same impact as hearing it from Naruto's lips.

"I really am."

"We don't have to go to Ichiraku's," Naruto said. "I would be fine wherever you wanted."

After being released from the hospital, the first thing he had done was grab Naruto and drag him down the streets of Konoha. He wanted to do something normal with Naruto. He felt warmth in his chest at the thought. Him and Naruto, on a date -

"I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you," Sasuke said, giving a quick squeeze to Naruto's hand. Naruto was blushing, and looked like he was about to squeal.

"When did you get so good at that?"

"At what?"

"You know? You're flirting."

"I have no idea. I just like making you blush."

Naruto hid his face in Sasuke's shoulder. He was too cute when he did stuff like that. Just giving Sasuke random bits of affection. Squeezing his hand, kissing his cheek, nudging him with his head. Sasuke started to notice a couple of glances from people around them, but chose to ignore them. He only wanted focus on Naruto tonight.

Ichiraku's was right up ahead. The glow coming from it was warm, and he could tell that there was no one inside. It would just be him and Naruto for a bit.

"Have you ever actually even been in Ichiraku's?" Naruto asked him, as they got closer.

"Yes, but not since I was a kid," Sasuke admitted.

"Well they've changed the menu since then," Naruto told him. He suddenly ran forward and pulled on Sasuke's arm, dragging him along.

They entered the small restaurant, a girl behind the counter waved to Naruto.

"Hello, Naruto!"

"Hi, Ayame," Naruto replied. He sat down at a chair, and turned to look at Sasuke, gesturing for him to sit down. Sasuke joined him, and noticed Ayame give him a skeptical look.

"Is this Sasuke?"

Naruto nodded. "Yup."

She looked Sasuke over, as if deciding if he was worthy of Naruto. Finally, she gave him a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you. Naruto talks about you all the time."

"He does?" Sasuke blinked several times. He never realized how much of Naruto's life he took over. Talking about him all the time . To people that Sasuke didn't know.

"Pretty much," She replied.

"Ayame…" Sasuke gave a side glance to Naruto, who had ducked his face into his hands.

"What? I think it's cute." Ayame shrugged and handed a menu to Sasuke. "Let me know when you're ready to order." She then cups of tea in front of them, and stepped in front of the stove.

"Don't I get a menu?"

"Why? You order the same thing every time." Naruto opened his mouth to defend himself, but closed it and just pouted as she started on his order.

"So, you talk about me all the time?" Sasuke asked, a smirk on his face. Naruto almost slammed his face on the counter. Did Ayame have to blab his secrets?.

"It's cute, really. Flattering even." Sasuke shrugged, still grinning at Naruto.

"Shut up." Naruto moaned out and then perked up. "I refuse to be embarrassed for the rest of the night. What are you going to order?"

"Um," Sasuke looked down at the menu. It was stupid that he felt inept at this. "I don't know, what do you normally get?"

"Large miso pork with a naruto fish cake." Sasuke gave him a look. "What?"

"You have toping named after you?"

"More like I'm named after the topping." Naruto beamed and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"You're very proud of that aren't you, loser?"

"Little bit," Naruto admitted. "Now order, before I order for you."

"Fine. Ayame," She looked up at Sasuke, only stopping a moment. "I'll take the same as Naruto."

"Got it!"

"Thank you." Sasuke looked over at Naruto again. He had a dreamy little look on his face.

"What?"

"This is so… I don't know - homey," Naruto replied. "I never thought I could get you to do something like this."

"And to think, all you had to do was ask."

"Well you're always out there doing super cool things, or whatever it is that you do." Naruto looked down at the counter, slouching and biting his lip. Sasuke's journey - a sore spot.

"You could come with me," Naruto gave him a look, as if he would take it back. "I mean it."

"Yeah," Naruto said. "But, then who'd be here to miss you." Sasuke squeezed Naruto's hand in response.

"Also Kakashi would get mad at me for skipping out on my duties, given that I'm probably going to be the seventh Hokage."

"Really?"

"Well, yeah. He actually asked Tsunde to wait for me to finish my training before she retired."

"Why did he take it again?"

"He wanted to honor Obito's memory."

Sasuke nodded as he took a sip of his tea. Honoring his friends memory was admirable of Kakashi. He would have done the same for Naruto. Although, he doubted the village would ever want him to be Hokage.

"You're going to make a great Hokage."

"It hasn't even actually been decided yet, and you've already decided that."

"Well I know you too well. You inspire people. I'd follow you anywhere."

"I think you're biased."

"Maybe. But, I'm right."

"Well it was bound to happen at some point." Sasuke poked his fingers into Naruto's forehead.

"Gah. Idiot."

"Loser."

"Here you go boys." Ayame slid their bowls in front of them. Sasuke thought it smelled like heaven. It made his mouth water. They thanked her and dug in.

"See ya, Ayame," Naruto said as they got up.

"Anytime Naruto," Ayame replied before turning her attention to Sasuke. "It was very nice to meet you, Sasuke."

"Likewise," Sasuke nodded at her. He felt Naruto grab him by the hand as they exited the restaurant.

"You have a look on your face," Naruto said. "What's up?"

"Nothing," Sasuke shrugged and squeezed Naruto's hand. "I'm just happy."

Naruto just squeezed Sasuke's hand back and smiled. The silence was comforting. Walking down the street with Naruto made Sasuke feel so content. It was so simple. It could happen to anyone, but he never thought anything like that could happen to him.

He loved it.