SasuNaru, yaoi, AU, OOC and unbeta-read (sort of)
Standard disclaimer applies.
Co-written by XKunoichiofthePaintbrushX
"Welcome home. Your mother is such a sweet lady," the blonde said almost in sarcastic humor.
"You look upset."
"What now?" the blonde asked him almost quietly and exhaustedly. "When things are getting messier; when the odds are heavier, what now?"
Would you still have me? Would you not abandon me?
The dark-haired man frowned. "What did my mother tell you?"
"I'm just thinking."
"You're thinking stupid things," the Uchiha stated with finality.
"Am I?"
The taller male nodded. However deep inside, he too was thinking.
Indeed, what now?
Chapter 18: Closer… deeper
Sometimes we get second chances
And sometimes we never make it past the first
It really makes you wonder why some things happen when they do
It really makes me wonder why it wasn't me instead of you
-"Second Chances", Michelle Branch
Itachi gracefully stumbled from his bed and sauntered towards his bathroom. Almost forty-five minutes later, he emerged from his room, dressed smartly and for someone who slept almost four hours, he looked alert and energetic.
He stopped short from walking when Sasuke dressed in his school uniform stepped out from his room. His brother just gave him a cool gaze before walking away.
To Itachi, it was an ordinary greeting. What was unusual was the bounciness slightly present in his brother's steps. But that wasn't the only thing that made the older Uchiha raise an eyebrow and wonder. Lately, Sasuke's glares had become a bit soft and he was less moody. Not to mention that excitement seemed to bubble from his calm aura whenever he was about to leave the house and when he came home, he looked so pleased like everything went the way he wanted them to.
A lot of times, Itachi would wonder if Sasuke was dating someone then crossed out that idea immediately. His brother was too determined in surpassing him to spend even a second seeing some girl. So what was making Sasuke strange? Their mother wanted to know too.
-SasuNaru is love-
Like the touch of Spring, you had made the bud of love in my heart blossom beautifully.
Sakura could feel the familiar heavy gaze following her as she walked towards the school. She didn't have to look over her shoulder to know who was following her with their eyes.
Ever since that time, she hadn't talked with Naruto or Sasuke. She spent only a trickle of her time with the gang. And whatever outing they had, she didn't go using the extracurricular clubs she was member of as an excuse.
She envied Ino and Hinata who after thirteen and eleven days respectively of avoiding the group, they had recovered. She wished her heart had such quick recovery.
"Sasuke, you bastard!" she heard Naruto scream and there were others who chuckled at his antics. She wondered if they would still be laughing if they knew those two were an item.
Like the protagonist in any fairytale, I was certain that I'd be happy in your arms after you swore your love and life for me.
-SasuNaru is love-
"You should pay attention to what you're doing," said the wife of the master of the cooking studio Naruto went to after school.
Naruto just remained quiet. Within a month, he had cut himself three times and burnt his hands twice and all because he kept thinking about the current situation his group was in. But unlike the woman in front of him, the master had reached his limit and forbade the blonde from coming to his studio until he could concentrate once more. After his wound was treated, he thanked the woman and approached his master to apologize again before leaving.
Stepping out from the building, he sighed. Until things weren't ok between him and Sakura, he wouldn't be able to concentrate.
"Oi, usuratonkachi," he heard someone said and even though, he wasn't fond of that word, he turned around. By then Sasuke who was sitting on a rail, was smirking. "Why are you leaving so early?"
Naruto shrugged. "My master got mad after I cut my hand again," the blonde replied while showing his bandage limb. "What are you doing here?"
"Council meeting was cancelled," Sasuke told him while looking disdainfully at the bandage. He checked his urge to reach for the injured hand and hold it gently. He knew it couldn't. Not in this broad daylight when people could see what they truly were.
The blonde grinned, "Then you're treating me at Ichiraku!"
Despite his negative reply, Sasuke found himself being dragged along a familiar street.
"I'm depressed, okay?"
"Depressed, my ass," Sasuke muttered, but he followed the blonde anyway.
"Ne, there is this firework display that will be held at a park few blocks from your place. Want to watch it with me?" Naruto asked almost casually but his heart was beating a bit faster.
Sasuke combed his hair with a hand before replying, "My mom will throw a party in honor of a close friend's wife. She wants me to attend it."
The blonde nodded. He told himself not to be disappointed because Sasuke had responsibilities. Now that he thought of it, the older they get the more different they had become from each other and yet...
Don't drift away from me.
-SasuNaru is love-
For someone who didn't want to attend the party, Sasuke was very polite... too polite to be true. He engaged in conversations on topics he had no interests with, talked with people he wished to avoid, tolerated few of the girls' discrete flirting, politely turned down invitations from some ladies and he was on his best behavior towards Itachi.
He had completely forgotten about the firework display until the sky seemed to burst with colors.
Want to watch it with me?
At that time, he could feel the tremors of the blonde's voice. Despite the many times Naruto asked him out, he was still nervous. How cute. Another explosion of light made him remember how Naruto looked at the posters about the event. He looked so childish at that time.
One more burst of light and Sasuke made up his mind. He stepped out from the washroom and stopped one maid. "Tell mom I need to settle some things." With that, he left and ran towards the place he knew he should be. And on his way, he imagined himself with Naruto just sitting side by side while sharing few kisses or Naruto sitting while he would be lying on the bench, his head pillowed by the blonde' s lap or vice versa. At such images, his heart raced and his body pumped more adrenaline.
I'm coming, Naruto.
-SasuNaru is love-
The ephemeral light bursting in the sky took Naruto's breath away and showed the loneliness tinting his blue eyes which were gazing at the sky. But even the beauty of the display couldn't eliminate the regret he had for coming there. Although they were families, there were a lot of dating couple who also attended to watch the event and the girls were within the safe confines of their boyfriends' arms. Other couples sharing short, yet intimate kisses with their significant other. Naruto let a soft sigh escape him, for once, almost wishing that Sasuke was there with him, to save him from the slight feeling of emptiness he was feeling. Because of that, he sat in the darkness in order to hide that he was alone, feeling sad and missing someone he needed so badly
The vibration of his mobile unit snapped him from his daze.
"Dobe, where you are right now?"
"Sasuke?" he muttered, hearing that much longed voice made his heart beat faster. And as pathetic as it sound, as long as he could hear that familiar voice, he could pretend that Sasuke was sitting beside him.
Sasuke stared at the pink burst of light that brightened the night sky and he could hear the dull sound of explosion clearly from his mobile unit. He then knew Naruto was there, gazing at the same sky. All alone. With a newfound determination, he picked up his pace in search of his boyfriend.
I'm coming..Naruto..
"I'm here under a Sakura tree hidden in the darkness."
"Dobe, there are a lot of Sakura trees!"
The blonde was s busy pretending that he didn't even question why Sasuke was asking for his location.
"Sasuke…" his eyes were cast down low.
Sasuke almost stop at the sudden drop of Naruto's voice. It was like he was breathing his words.
"I wish you're here." The honesty of such statement took Sasuke's breath away and he knew he made a right decision. He would never regret that he had run away from the party even if his mother would scold him later on. He was now in the park and was desperately searching for the person he wanted to see.
"Sasuke… just let me hear… your voice," Naruto continued. Sasuke could practically hear the loneliness from that soft voice. "And then… and then… I can-" His next words were drowned out by the noise.
As another firework went off in the sky, its light momentarily brightened not only the sky but also the dark areas of the park and that was when Sasuke saw Naruto, sitting on the bench all alone and clutching on the phone so tight it made Sasuke's heart break.
"Naruto, will you turn around?" Sasuke said quietly and huskily.
Wordlessly, the blonde did but all he saw was darkness until another light flashed through the sky and then he could see Sasuke walking towards him. Naruto couldn't fight the grin that broke his sober face. Coincidentally, they hang up at the same time. He tilted his head backward when Sasuke was standing behind the wooden bench.
"Hi," Naruto greeted shyly.
"I wanted to see you,・Sasuke confessed and he bent down just as Naruto grabbed his head down for a kiss. Their intention was for the kiss to be soft and gentle but at the feeling of other's lips pressed against their own, mouths performing a tender dance and arms lightly wrapping around each other, but as Naruto's tongue brushed over Sasuke's lips shyly, the young Uchiha lost all of what little control he had. Tongues were clashing against each other desperately and trying to be more comfortable, Sasuke climbed over the bench and settled beside the blonde who was now deliciously clinging unto him."
Sasuke plundered the sweet mouth that had surrendered to his tongue's ministrations and he moaned when the blonde deepened their kiss farther. He tightened his hold on Naruto as he let himself got lost on the tingling sensation.
Naruto mewled when Sasuke sucked his tongue. Normally, he would let his hands fist on Sasuke's shirt but at that moment, he couldn't keep his hands steady. He was blindly running and moving them against Sasuke's chest, getting headier at the feeling of how his boyfriend's muscles tensed under his slightest touch. Understanding but not knowing the limits of his power over this boyfriend made him heady of desire. He was so close to being consumed by it.
If the torridness of their kisses was an indication, Naruto knew Sasuke liked what his hands were doing on his back. Not to mention, that the Uchiha was all over him. All he could see, feel, hear and taste was Sasuke. He was closed to suffocation and what little time he was allowed to breath, he breathed his love's name in a sinful adoration.
'Not enough…' and 'More' were words that flashed through Sasuke's intoxicated mind and he pulled the blonde closer to him. He was even more pleased when the blonde straddled him. The lesser the distance, the better was what he thought. He moved his hot mouth to the tanned nape and easily replaced the already fading mark he had placed on a particular area.
Both of them threw their heads back and let out a rich moan when Naruto ground his hips against Sasuke's, whether it was an accident or not, neither of the two cared. The pleasure caused by the act made them even hungrier and more dazed. Naruto did it again just as Sasuke thrust his hips upwards. This time, they mewled and Sasuke quickly grabbed the trembling blonde's waist. He couldn't let go. He didn't want them to stop.
"Sasuke…" And the way the blonde whispered his name made Sasuke shiver. It was full of need that it was bordering near pleading. God! Was this another wet dream? "Sasuke…" He looked into smoky blue eyes when he felt a tanned hand cupping his left cheek. Oh! Dear God! Don't let this be another dream, he pleaded. He could feel himself getting harder at the intense way the blonde was staring at him. He felt hot. No, Naruto was hot. He was fire and he was melting him… slowly but surely. But he had no qualms about it. He wanted Naruto to burn him.
"Naruto," he whispered back, his breath fanning the flushed face. That was it and their world exploded. They let go of control knowing that they were under the safe blanket of darkness and any sounds they made would be covered by the noise.
Naruto shivered at the hands that were familiarly snaking under his shirt and touched where nobody had touched and in a way that nobody did. He unbuttoned Sasuke's shirt and pressed his palms against his chest. He closed his eyes, feeling happy at the way he made Sasuke's heart beat louder. He liked everything about Sasuke especially how his hands were worrying over his nipples; how his mouth was moving on his neck, how he was moaning as they thrust their hips against each other's and he especially like how he moved against him. Sasuke was completely surrounding him with heat.
While Naruto was busy nibbling Sasuke's earlobes and trailing dark wet kisses on his jaw, Sasuke was busy alternating of licking and nibbling any skin that was within reach of his mouth. They didn't stop moving against each other with their pace more frenzied than before.
All they could hear was the wild thumping of their hearts and the pants that spilled from their lips that kept clashing against each other. The fact that this was like one wet dream turned into reality fueled their passion and turned them into nothing but instincts to give and take pleasure.
Naruto grunted and gripped Sasuke's shoulders tighter when he thrust against the other's hips and ground theirs. "Sasuke," he muttered through gritted teeth as the heat that had been pooling in his stomach threatened to tip him over the edge.
Sasuke was having the same problem. "Keep it up," he begged, his fingers digging into Naruto's behind in desperation. He moaned appreciatively when Naruto increased his pace. It was getting better and better.
And when the finally reached the pinnacle of their passion, the beautiful firework they saw was behind their eyelids. It was beautiful beyond words.
Their bodies were still experiencing the tremors of their orgasm when they floated back to the world. Obsidian eyes gazed into sapphire ones before Naruto's lips were falling and Sasuke caught it with his own for a gentle kiss.
It was when their desire and longing receded back, reason and logic returned with vengeance and the propensity of their action hit them hard. Awkward silence immediately settled over them.
Naruto gingerly moved away from Sasuke and cringed at the wetness of his boxers. God! He prayed his jeans didn't get wet much less damp.
Sasuke unclenched and clenched his hands. "I've to go," he said above whisper. The wet part of his boxers was uncomfortably pasting on his skin. Deep down, he hated himself because he was always the first one to attack and the first one to retreat also. Although, it couldn't really be helped. Every kiss, every touch, anything that oozed of intimacy between himself and Naruto would fuel a fire of regret. He would always feel those judging eyes of his father, burning at the back of his head, as if, watching him. Doubts about his relationship with Naruto flooded his thoughts. How was he to beat his brother if all he was really doing was messing around with another boy? His long-time friend no less? He was, without question a coward, but he was dealing with something that kept evolving. Not to mention, that it involved not only him, but Naruto too
"Me too," Naruto whispered back. He had to go home. He needed to be in his room, on his bed and under his blanket before his thoughts would swallow him.
"Let me walk you home."
Sasuke's offer made him more tensed. "No need. Your mother is probably looking for you."
Sasuke knew it was Naruto's excuse to get away from him just as Naruto knew that Sasuke was relieved that he turned down the offer he made out of obligation.
The two stood up at the same time and cringed at the wetness they felt. "See ya," Naruto said in a forced cheerful voice.
Sasuke grunted. The two turned to opposite direction and walked. When they were certain that there was enough distance between them, they broke into a run as they desperately seek the only place that they could safely and cowardly.
And as they ran, one fact echoed in their head.
I had dry sex with him in the open field!
-SasuNaru is love-
It was so easy to pretend that nothing happened when both parties were desperate in pretending, Sasuke and Naruto realized.
Seeing each other the next day was awkward for them. Awkward was an understatement especially when the dream that followed the act was so vivid, it was disturbing. What they were feeling was shame that bordered near guilt. To have dry sex in an early stage of dating was wrong, their mind told them. However, their hearts argued. It told them that they weren't in an early stage anymore because everything had started when Sasuke asked Naruto to be his sky and the latter agreed. That seemingly innocent and very meaningful question had been made by Sasuke's heart and to be understood by Naruto's.
Because of these two entities' clashing opinions both boys became more confused on what to do- to accept or to pretend?
Naruto stood up from his seat so suddenly that it jarred Shikamaru from his nap and surprised Shino. The blonde shook his head before saying, "I had enough!" Then he left.
"H-hey Naruto! Where are you going?" Chouji called after but the blonde was gone leaving his lunch untouched. Chouji grinned, so did Kiba.
"I gratefully partake," the two duet.
Shikamaru sighed as he buried his head deeper into the comfort of his arms. "What is with him looking so fired up all of sudden?"
-SasuNaru is love-
Naruto ran towards the small grocery store a block from their school where he knew Sasuke was. He was going to settle things with Sasuke because he couldn't stand hiding from the truth. Although he was embarrassed for being so wanton that night, he had been truthful with his feelings. Besides, he didn't regret it. He never would because he knew that whatever things he'd do with Sasuke were and would be special for him.
Sasuke double checked what he brought against the list of ingredients he needed to buy then grumbled when he had forgotten to get butter.
If he was thinking straight, he'd be able to finish this task within ten minutes but a lot of thoughts all related to Naruto and last night plagued him that he was aimlessly walking along each aisle.
He went to the correct aisle, grabbed the product without looking then tossed it to his basket. But before it got in, a hand caught it.
"You got the wrong butter, Sasuke," he heard Naruto said and he immediately tensed. Even the marks on his skin seemed to burn.
And while the blonde explained to him the difference between a non-fat and an ordinary butter, he just stared at him... really stared at him. He always thought that Naruto was beautiful, but the latter was even more beautiful when his blue eyes were shining with resolve. Right there and then, Sasuke was no longer lost. Like his boyfriend, he realized he didn't like running away. There was no reason to hide. What had happened... he had not regretted it. If he could turn back time, he would still do the same thing because he wanted Naruto. Hell, he still wanted him even now.
"Then why don't you help me shop?" he said before he thrust the slip of paper to tanned hands.
Naruto looked smug. "What can I do? Things such as this shouldn't be done by a clueless person." He was about to lead Sasuke when the latter's hand stopped him. He questioningly looked at the other teen.
"W-when our afternoon classes are over, can we talk at the rooftop?"
The blonde nodded and hoped that whatever his boyfriend wanted to talk about, it won't result to his heart being broken.
-SasuNaru is love-
And like a glass, my hopes for love which you represented shattered seeing you with him.
Sakura had been staring through the window of her club room when the objects of her thoughts walked into her view. Her heart slightly lurched at the scene of Sasuke walking with Naruto. The blonde was talking with childish amazement in his eyes while his companion just listened while carrying one grocery bag.
My logic tells me that I should cry at life's cruelty but... but my heart was peaceful at the content look you have when you're with him.
Sakura wondered what Sasuke saw in Naruto. Although the blonde was a perfect material for a friend, the same thing couldn't be said about him in the boyfriend material department. Naruto obviously lack a lot of things to make him one.
In the end, I had accepted that my dreams would happen only when Morpheus is with me.
But when she saw Sasuke gave a smile- the smile which she had always dreamed about; which was more beautiful than she imagined and which she hoped would be aimed at her, she finally knew why. Naruto was the one who had changed Sasuke's world and who made him feel better. With that realization, the storm within her passed and her heart was now at peace.
You'll always have your eyes on him, ne Sasuke-kun?
-SasuNaru is love-
Among all the students in the cooking room, it was only Naruto who was really enjoying their activity to his heart's content. He didn't even mind nor scolded his boyfriend for a partner who was practically doing nothing. He could tease Sasuke later on his uselessness after they'd get the highest score for their rollcake. He mentally smirked at such thought.
"Naruto?" a voice from his side quietly said. He looked at its owner and found Sakura standing there with a saucer of small cupcake. Sasuke coolly stared at the girl wondering what she was doing there.
Sakura darted her eyes to the side, looking nervous. "Hinata and I can't figure out what my cupcake lacks. Can you help us?"
Naruto stared at the food a second or so before pinching a bite-sized from it. He frowned when he couldn't find anything wrong. The taste was perfect even a child would agree with his opinion so why did- Could it be? Was this her way of making up with him and Sasuke? His heart lurched.
Sakura seemed to fidget at Naruto's continued silence and under Sasuke's heavy gaze. It was obvious to her that the Uchiha was wary of her actions and that if she would do something that would be suspicious in those sharp eyes, Sasuke would certainly removed her from the blonde. Did Sasuke always think of her badly? No, her mind told her. Sasuke was just protecting the sensitive Naruto. That was all.
"What do you think?" she pressed. She had become so nervous, her hands had become clammy. She strongly hoped that Naruto would get her real purpose.
Eyelids fluttered open to reveal searching sapphire eyes locked on jade ones.
Upon finding the answer to his questions, Naruto beamed. "Nothing is wrong, Sakura-chan. The taste is perfect!"
The hopeful girl beamed back, relieved.
Naruto took the rest of the cupcake and divided it into three. He gave one to his pink-haired friend and the second one to Sasuke who stared at it briefly.
The dark-haired shook his head, the meaning still lost to him. "I don't like to eat anything swe-"
"Just eat it, bastard!" Naruto barked before he stuffed the offered part into Sasuke's mouth, silencing further protests.
The Uchiha glared. But he had to admit, the cupcake tasted good but not as good as Naruto's.
"And?" he heard the blonde asked almost impatiently.
He shrugged. "Hn." Just because it was a peace offering didn't mean he had to give praises. The blonde looked displeased not that he cared anyway.
"It's okay, Naruto," Sakura told the blonde. "Sasuke-kun is always like that," she then regarded the silent teen, "right, Sasuke-kun?"
Talking with you guys makes me understand your relationship a little bit more.
The Uchiha just shrugged. But Sakura just beamed and went back to her prep table.
And I wonder why I ever thought that I could have him. I was stupid.
"And that completes our group," Kiba muttered. He paused in his task realizing that the mixer stopped moving. He stared at the mixing bowl, blinked and cried out, "I put too much flour!"
-SasuNaru is love-
Trying to ignore his nervousness, Sasuke mentally hummed a song while drumming his fingers to the beat on the cemented ground. He was already on the rooftop waiting for the blonde who was two minutes and forty-three seconds late and counting.
Where was the dobe anyway? he wondered. Had he forgotten that they were supposed to meet here after their afternoon classes? Knowing Naruto and his passion for culinary arts, he might have gone to his club.
Sasuke sighed in irritation. He might as well get Naruto and dragged him here or anywhere that would give them complete privacy. Damn it! Was Naruto even serious with him?
He stood up and was about to leave when the object of his thoughts stepped into his line of vision.
"Sorry. Something came up," Naruto said apologetically. What he said wasn't exactly a lie because something really did. It was his fear of hearing whatever Sasuke wanted to tell him thus he dilly-dallied until he remembered his promise not to run away. So here he was with his heart ready to get broken because he was stupid that way.
Sasuke glared at him before he decided to let such trifling matter go. He turned his back towards the blonde because it was easier for him to speak with the latter with regards to his feelings when they were like that.
"I want us to continue seeing each other," he said without any nervousness he felt a second ago. He felt so calm like his mind and heart finally made a truce. Was this what it was like to be honest with oneself and one's feelings? "No matter what happens, I'm serious with this. And don't make me repeat myself ever!"
"I was in the impression that you are serious from the beginning," Naruto quipped as a wide grin broke across his visage. Was it possible for a grin to be this wide? Could it go wider? If so, what would happen to his face? He walked and stood in front of a very serious Sasuke. He brushed a smooth cheek once, loosely wrapped his arms around his shoulders and stood on his toes. It was very considerate of Sasuke to choose a place where nobody could spot them, he thought.
With confidence smeared with shyness, he brushed their lips together while saying, "Saying such things... that's very unlike you." But he was utterly happy and the other teen could see that.
Sasuke just made a soft throaty-like sound as his lips followed the blonde's. He wrapped a lazy arm around the blond teen's slim waist. He forced his eyes to remain open because he wanted to stare at his reflection on those clear blue eyes. His pulse jumped when he felt Naruto's tongue tracing his mouth languidly.
Naruto gave him one more smile before he initiated one hot kiss that went on and on until they were lost and they could do nothing but let the turbulence of such exchange tossed them around like ragged dolls.
And for the first time, they had truly and completely enjoyed the intimate gesture without any fear, doubts and guilt.
TBC
Not the lemon scene you guys expected, yeah? Let's just start with drysmex, okay?
Next chapter: Pale hands continued their trail on tanned planes, wringing sinful moans from swollen lips. His blonde begged for more and fluttered his eyelids open but what he saw, doused the hungry flames of desire licking at his every nerve and one word went past his mouth, "Itachi?!"