I'm sorry for the delay again. I'm having real troubles with this story, not really knowing what to write. And it takes me more and more time to write each chapter. Geez, maybe I should be ending this story soon.
And yeah, I have something to tell ya. Since I was a little kid, I've wanted to be a writer. And I'm thinking that I should change Don't Say A Word a little, make it more realistic and stuff – but with few additional characters and a little bit of fantasy – and changing something little about the characters too. I have thought about writing a book for few years already, but there just hasn't been any good ideas... but this, this could be something. I'm already thinking about 'new' names for the characters and how I should change something little about their looks and stuff. Well, that's that.
(I just today played the part of Kingdom Hearts 2, where I have to kill Demyx. God it almost made me cry. He was so… childish and funny and had a pretty voice. :' I almost felt like punching Sora, but then again, I like Sora too and I pity him too and all that stuff. Dunno what to do!)
Songs listened:
Hyde – evergreen, The Cape of Storms
David Sylvian – For The Love Of Life
Three Days Grace – Pain
Ouran High School Host Club – Itsumo Gawa Ni
And I've also been listening to lots of music from Silent Hill. Especially Please Love Me.. Once More, Theme of Laura, Silent Hill, Promise, Waiting For You, Your Rain and of course Room of Angel have been great.
And music from the Kingdom Hearts-games too, I love Riku, Roxas, Organization XIII, Missing You and all those beautiful piano songs.
I'm feeling melancholic so these kind of songs fit.
Warnings: Attack of the rabid fangirls, random fluffiness.
(Note: Naruto's bathtub is like that, you can go behind it, it's not connected to the other wall at all, since it's not that big. ;) It's damn hard trying to explain that in English.)
Few days later, Naruto was cosily lying on his couch, limbs spread to every direction, a lollipop sticking out of his mouth. His bright orange jersey – sleeves rolled up – and green knee-high baggy trousers were a striking opposite to Sasuke, who was wearing all black again. He was sitting by the couch table, reading some book. His expression didn't change, but something in his posture told that he was enjoying himself. But, unfortunately, Naruto wasn't. And it rarely was a good thing that the blond got bored, 'cause it usually meant that he was going to do something…well, not so suitable. Radical, at it's best. This time something radical meant… a thing not so radical, at all. More likely just Naruto's protectiveness taking the lead.
"Oi, Sasuke." Naruto muttered and turned around to lay on his stomach, blue eyes blinking at Sasuke. He flinched and raised his head, staring at Naruto questioningly. The blond grinned.
"When was the last time you took a bath? I mean, I've got a really nice bathroom right here and there's this wonderful bath and all…" Naruto asked in his most innocent voice. Sasuke blinked, trying to understand. Then he did and coughed, looking down.
"I…" He had only time to start before he was interrupted by Naruto's laughter.
"Oookay, so today you're going to acquaint yourself with my bath. Come with me, boy." Naruto stood up, waiting for Sasuke to do the same. The raven-haired boy blinked again and then rose, still a little uncertain. Naruto grinned and turned to walk to the door leading to his bathroom. He opened it and then decided to be hesitant.
"Although…you shouldn't be alone. Maybe I -!" Sasuke actually poked Naruto's arm and shook his head, like a little kid. He was looking a little embarrassed.
"No?" The blond had the decency to look disappointed.
"…Oookay then, but I'll be just beside this door. If you need any help, just yell, ne?" Sasuke went a little redder, but he nodded anyway. Naruto patted his head and slid out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Sasuke stared after him for a while, before blushing. What was he thinking? Wishing that the other would have stayed…he coughed and started to take off his shirt. He tossed it to the floor and shivered. It was a little bit too cold for his tastes…or was it just the fact that… he slid his hands to his sides and winced, when he felt his bones a little too clearly. He shook his head, gulped and leaned down to open the tap. Sasuke put the plug to its place when water started to fill the tub. He backed to remove his trousers. He was almost halfway, pushing those black pants away from him, but something made him slip. Very fortunately, he managed to grap the edge of the tub, preventing a bump to his head like that. He took a deep breath to calm down. The door opened and Naruto burst in.
"I heard a yell. Are you okay? Did you hit your head or anything?" He went quiet when he saw how frightened Sasuke looked, black eyes wide. He straightened, putting his arms around himself. It took a moment for the blond to move his blue eyes from Sasuke's face to his body, his thin arms and legs and white skin, that hadn't nearly gotten any healthy color. Naruto felt overwhelming waves of sympathy as he saw and most importantly, understood the state that the other boy was in. Even after two weeks of living with him, Sasuke had gained hardly any weight. He remained still ghostly pale, thin like a skeleton. But what made Naruto even more horrified were the scars all over the other boy's body, the signs of beatings. And there it was, blood and snow, the crest of the Uchiha carved into the skin. The boys stared at each other for a moment, before Sasuke turned his head away, biting his lip. He felt horribly awkward standing there, without clothes that would shield him from worrying eyes.
"Geez, Sasuke, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have barged in like that. But I was a little worried…anyway, you're going to take that bath and I'm gonna help you, before you really do hit your head or something equally nasty." Sasuke only nodded, embarrassed again. Naruto smiled, keeping his eyes fixed on the other's black eyes.
"Now get in to that tub." Smaller boy did as he was told and stepped in to the warm water, flinching a little. He laid down. The water stinged his old scars from when he had slit his wrists. He barely saw the deathly white traces through the water. He sighed deeply. Suddenly, there were big hands on his head, strong, but gentle fingers diving in to his hair. Warm breath against his neck made a tingling feeling appear inside of him. Naruto laughed quietly.
"I hope you don't mind me washing your hair, Sasuke." The patient bit his lip, but shook his head. He was more confused than scared.
"Thought so. Close your eyes and just relax. Nothing's gonna happen to you." The little raven did so and gave in, letting out a soft sigh. It felt kind of… nice. Naruto's laughter floating to his ears from somewhere far, those rough hands washing his hair, massaging his head. It was also making him a little sleepy. He could imagine Naruto's grin right now. It must have looked funny, him looking like he was ready to fall asleep at any moment.
"Hey little guy, don't fall asleep yet." The blond said quietly, amusement clear in his voice. Sasuke opened his eyes only to see shiny blue eyes, sparkling. He opened his mouth to say something, but laid his head down immediately, feeling his cheeks heat up. How on earth other boy always managed to make him blush? The blond laughed again and surprised Sasuke by leaning forward and sneaking his arms around the patient. Naruto dared to nuzzle his necks, not caring when his t-shirt – he probably had tossed the jersey to somewhere – got wet. Sasuke went still and blinked, blushing again, embarrassingly so.
His trembling fingers touched Naruto's wrist and grabbed it, like searching for safety. The blond's hands were caressing his chest, the old scars on it. Sasuke closed his eyes again and leaned backwards, Naruto breathed against his neck. The blond was on his knees behind the bathtub, it wasn't that high. It was moments like these, being so close to the other boy that made Sasuke's whole body feel all…strange, warmth spreading from where Naruto's hands were caressing him, more comfortably than anything. They stayed like that for few minutes, before Naruto sighed and stood up. He pulled Sasuke up with him and helped him out of the tub.
"Here's a towel for you." Naruto gave Sasuke a big, fluffy and a very…orange towel, before removing the plug from the tub. Sasuke started to clean himself, but then his hands were gently pushed away, only to be replaces by two tanned hands.
"Let me do it." Naruto said, amused. Sasuke peeked at himself shyly. The blond dried his hair quickly, whistling like he was doing something he really enjoyed. Sasuke stared at him, confused again.
"There, it's done. Now come, you can take that towel with you, I don't mind. Anyway, are you hungry? Thirsty? Needy for anything?" Blue eyes blinked innocently. Sasuke grabbed the towel to put it tighter around him and shook his head sternly.
"Hey, hey! No need to look that scared. I'm just asking." Naruto hopped away to lay on the couch again. Sasuke followed, bare footed, looking for some new clothes. The blond directed him to some big wardrobe. There was a chest of drawers too and Sasuke started to dig it. He found the other pair of black trousers that they had bought some days ago and a dark blue shirt. He put on the pants, but before he was able to put on the shirt, a loud knock on the door made him stop. Naruto stood up.
"Who the hell it is?" He asked when he managed to get to the door. Sasuke quickly put on the shirt, suddenly feeling very nervous. Naruto opened the door. He blinked. The raven haired boy right behind him froze. The two girls on the doorstep blinked.
"Naruto? Who's that?" Ino pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, Sakura examined Sasuke sternly, hands on her hips. Naruto sighed.
"Girls… what the fuck are you doing here? Oi-!"
"Ooooh my gooood he's so pretty!"
"And shy? Cuuuute!" The she-devils had spotted Sasuke and were instantly next to the blackhaired boy, poking him, giggling madly and all the way scaring the poor boy out of his mind.
"I know dozens of girls who would give their lives to have skin this soft, this pale…"
"But what's wrong with his wrists…ohmygod is he one of…those?!"
"Girls…" Sasuke whispered, starting to tremble.
"Look at how thin he is – "
"Girls! Put your hands off him!" Naruto growled and pushed Ino and Sakura away from Sasuke, who was looking really scared. The girls protested, but the blond was more interested in Sasuke's health than theirs.
"Sasuke, they are just my classmates. And they're… well, girls." Naruto hugged the shorter boy briefly before turning to look at the dumbfounded girls. Sakura's eyes were narrow.
"Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again." He said in a quiet, threatening voice, arm remaining around Sasuke's shoulders. Ino and Sakura frowned and looked at each other and then back at the boys. Their eyes clearly said: 'what a weirdo.' Naruto barely controlled himself and sighed deeply.
"I'm not going to explain it to you, 'cause you wouldn't understand anyway. The only thing you need to know about this boy is his name, Sasuke and the fact that he fears you. Like he fears most of other people. So don't touch him." The blond gritted his teeth, fingers clutching Sasuke's other shoulder a little tighter.
"Naruto…" The pink-haired girl started, but Naruto revealed his teeth.
"And one more thing. If you must speak to him, don't get mad if he doesn't answer. He doesn't like talking - !"
"You sound…" The girls looked at each other and smiled deceptively sweetly.
"You sound possessive." Ino looked like she hadn't heard a thing Naruto just said. The poor boy was ready to kick her out of his apartment.
"Ino…be serious, for fuck's sake. I'm not joking." The blonde girl still smiled, but was cut off by Sakura.
"Ino-pig!" The pink-haired girl suddenly said, poking her friend. She had always been the more considerate one of the two. At least… usually.
"Maybe we should listen? I mean, I don't understand anything about this and why everything is the way… it is, but I'm not that stupid that I wouldn't notice there's something wrong with that kid." Sakura shrugged and stepped closer. Sasuke backed, hand clutching Naruto's shirt.
"What did you say his name was?" The she-devil asked.
"Sasuke." The said boy muttered, not looking at the girl. Sakura grinned, some of her considerateness slipping away. Naruto caressed Sasuke's hair, frowning at the girl.
"Yeah. And no, he's not a trophy so no poking or anything like that, okay?" The blond gritted his teeth again, poking Sakura between her eyes.
"You know, Naruto… you've hardly ever cared that much about us, your friends. So why are you doing everything for Sasuke-kun, huh? I really don't see any reason. If you don't tell me, I might believe the rumours about you having a… boyfriend." The she-devil said in her most annoying tone and made Naruto actually want to kick her out, like, right now.
"It's really none of your business, Sakura, but if you must hear…I'm just protecting him. He's had enough shit in his life already and he's just getting used to normal life. And most importantly, to people. I'm annoyed about this, 'cause you're not actually helping." Sakura inclined hear head and shrugged, like she didn't know if she should believe it or not. Ino actually dared to pout, like she had done nothing wrong.
Naruto shook his head. These girls were just…impossible.
"Okay, now tell me the real reason. Why did you two come here?"
"Geez, Naruto, you really are stupid. Of course we would come, 'cause we heard that Sai-sempai and Kiba visited you few days ago. But we never thought that you would actually be hiding a guy in your apartment…a very pretty guy, that is…" Sakura sighed deeply and stared at Sasuke with a mix of jealousy and admiration. Ino was almost drooling, now that she really had taken a good look at the smaller boy. Even though it was clear that she was annoyed by the fact that any boy could be prettier than her! What a terrifying thought, but unfortunately, it was real.
"Girls, just… take it seriously! I don't need you prancing around here and scaring him out of his mind." Naruto was starting to get annoyed again.
"But Naruto-kun! We are taking this seriously! We just think you two would make such a…gorgeous couple." The sentence was followed by few giggles, when both girls seemed to fall back to their natural habits. Sakura grinned, brushing few strands of shocking pink hair away from her face. Ino snickered. Sasuke blinked innocently. Naruto groaned.
"He's kinda weird…"
"…But we like you Naruto, quite a lot too." Sakura grinned. The two she-devils shrugged innocently.
"Don't say that. It's none of your business why he is the way he is, so don't go calling him weird when you don't even know him!" Naruto snarled. Sasuke tugged his sleeve, teeth again digging into his lip.
"Naruto…I-it's okay." He acted like the girls didn't even exist, his black eyes fixed on blue ones.
"Really." Ice melted instantly from Naruto's eyes and he smiled.
"If you say so, Sasuke." He said and leaned down to press his lips against the pale forehead again. There was a gasp from the girls and a soft sigh from Sasuke. But Naruto really didn't care. He watched Sasuke's face, fingers now tangling up in the black hair. He didn't turn his head to look at the girls.
"Ino, Sakura, please. Will you leave now? You've seen Sasuke and scared him to death. Shoo, shoo -!"
"Naruto, we –!!"
"Really, girls, I can't tolerate you now." The blond showed his teeth dangerously, his fingers now caressing Sasuke's face, like he hadn't even noticed. The girls sighed.
"Geez, no need to tear our heads off. We were just curious. Anyway, if our company is so frustrating, we're leaving…" So they went on they way. The only sound was the bang from the door and the clanking of the girls' boots.
Finally, the apartment was quiet. The boys were still standing face to face, Naruto's on Sasuke's hair.
"You okay?" He asked with a smile, blue eyes sparkling. Sasuke nodded, black eyes a little confused.
"Those girls were… scary." He muttered, almost lowering his head, but Naruto grabbed his chin and shook his head.
"Look at me. No need to be shy around me, I hardly mind anything." The blond ruffled Sasuke's hair and just watched him, smiling a little. Sasuke stared back, blinking, but somehow unable to look away. He grabbed Naruto's arms and opened his mouth to say something, but not a sound came out. He blinked, suddenly turning red. Naruto raised his eyebrows and leaned down a little. Sasuke blushed harder, when he felt warm breath against his face, fearing, yes fearing that the other boy would… would…but at the same time, kind of like he was wishing for it too. When Sasuke was almost sure that the other boy would give him a kiss – this time, not on his forehead -, Naruto backed away.
"I…got lost in the moment." The blond said, coughed, very embarrassed. He ruffled Sasuke's hair again and turned to leave the other on his own. The ex-patient grabbed his sleeve again, but really not knowing what to say, what to do.
"Naruto…!" The blond turned to see Sasuke staring at him with wide, wide eyes, blush still on his face, his black hair messily falling on his face. Naruto sighed.
"What?" Sasuke gulped.
"Don't leave. I don't want to be alone now."
The only answer he got was a warm smile, that made his cheeks burn harder.
They sat down on the couch, Sasuke carefully creeping right next to Naruto, laying his head on the strong shoulder. The blond blew a kiss to his hair, making him hid his blushed face behind his hands. Naruto laughed and settled down, pulling the other boy a little closer. Sasuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Funny. There was this unique scent that he noticed for the first time…a scent that reminded him of happiness, summer, bugs and most of all, family. It made him comfortable and he didn't even notice that a smile creeped on his face. If he just could stay like this, he knew he would be happy.
Hnnh. I didn't like this chapter half as much as I liked the others, but, oh well… it's like, 2am and I'm still writing this. I should be going to bed.
Ending Song: Lifehouse – Everything. (The unofficial NaruSasu song. Believe it!)
"'Cause you're all I want, you're all I need, you're everything, everything."
"It could be like this, just like this." – Brokeback Mountain. God I cried while watching that movie. That line came in to my mind when I ended this chapter. God I'm feeling like a little crybaby right now.