Note from the Author: I don't even like Sasuke. Why am I writing him birthday fics?
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"Hey, teme!" Naruto bounded up toward him in the high-energy way he was known for. "How's it going?"
Sasuke eyed him suspiciously. The grin plastered on his face was more pleasant than usual, less challenging, like he was truly curious about his emotional status. "None of your business," was the reply he heard himself giving, and he wondered if he didn't need to think anymore when it came to writing off his teammate.
Naruto's smile faded appropriately, and he nodded, leaning against the railing of the bridge, head tilted back to look at the sky. "So how 'bout after training we go get ramen, just you and me?"
Sasuke turned slowly to face him, dark eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Naruto's laugh was almost nervous, his cheeks growing pink, as he scratched the back of his head. "Well – you know – why not?" He shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat and looking at the ground. "I just thought it'd be nice." His eyes shot up, defenses raised. "But, don't come if you don't want to!" He crossed his arms over his chest, tossing his head.
Guilt wormed its way into Sasuke's chest, and he felt vaguely uncomfortable that he had just shot down dinner plans when he really did want to go.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun, Naruto!" Sakura waved as she ran, clutching a lunchbox to her side. "I made us breakfast!"
Sasuke swallowed his regret, standing up straight, and Naruto forgot about him, chattering to Sakura. It was too late now to take back his pride's rejection.
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"Naruto," Sasuke ran to catch up with his retreating teammate, nudging his shoulder to make space for himself beside him on the path. "You're buying."
The blue eyes blinked at him for a moment, uncomprehending, and his face broke into a bright smile. "I intended to all along!"
They walked, mostly silent, from the training grounds, feeling awkward and self-conscious, and Sasuke thought this resembled something like a first date, which made him shift that much more uncomfortably. Sometimes, their hands would brush together, and both would blush furiously, looking away from each other with all the deliberateness of school girls with across-the-playground crushes.
They both breathed in relief upon reaching Ichiraku, and collapsed together at the counter, ordering. The walk hone had taken much more energy, it seemed, than the training itself.
They spoke sparsely as they ate, keeping their eyes on their bowls, until finally, Naruto fished a box from his pocket, pushing it across the countertop toward his friend, refusing to make eye contact.
When Sasuke picked it up, his fingers running over colored paper, tossing him a questioning look, he simply murmured, "Happy birthday," and continued eating.
The Uchiha's mouth dropped open in surprise. He had forgotten his birthday. After all, he hadn't celebrated since his parents died. He hadn't even known Naruto knew what day it was.
"Aren't you going to open it?" Naruto was watching him nervously, his ramen momentarily abandoned.
Slowly, after a moment of thought, Sasuke shook his head, setting it down beside his bowl.
"Why not?" His voice raised, perplexed.
"I haven't celebrated the day I was born in five years, Naruto." He explained quietly, stirring his ramen absently. "Why would I start now?"
"Because I'm in your life now!" Naruto was seething, and his hand slammed on the counter, making the bowls quake. "Because I think your life is worth recognizing, whether you think so or not!" He took Sasuke's face in his hands, turning it toward him, and kissed him, almost harshly. "Sasuke, from now on, you're going to know that you're alive for a reason more important than revenge."
Sasuke stared at him, shocked by how close their faces were, by the fact that he had just been kissed by the only person he had ever cared about. "Why?" he breathed.
Naruto's anger softened from his face, and he smiled. "So I can love you."