Today was a good day. Haku never imagined he'd get Kurama to agree to a follow up interview but here he was, sitting at his desk in Tsukuyomi, waiting for the mysterious vocalist to arrive. There was still a tiny, nagging thought that he could still reconsider last minute. Haku knew the man was professional but his anxiety was weighing heavily on him. It had taken many rejected calls and more than a few ignored emails but somehow his persistence had paid off. Haku had no shame in admitting that he happy danced when Jinchu's manager returned one of his emails informing him that Kurama had agreed to a follow up interview.
Haku had tried to get more information out of Shisui regarding his best friend's mysterious relationship with the band member but it turned out Sasuke and Itachi's previous punishment had more than dissuaded him from opening his mouth on Sasuke's budding relationship. He could have gone right to Sasuke and tried to pry for more information but after the conversation in his office he knew better than to push his luck. After all, Sasuke was the one who basically confirmed his relationship with Kurama.
Ever since that day Haku had spent time extensively combing through the many photos of the two together at the gala. Never had he seen Sasuke so enamoured by a single soul before. Sasuke was frivolous with his personal space even with his many late night hookups. Sasuke would never kiss someone openly, until recently apparently. Haku didn't think it was possible for his friends to look at someone like they hung the moon and scattered the stars. What Haku wouldn't give to be looked at that way.
To say that Haku was a little nervous would've been a huge understatement. Kurama was a presence that seemed to demand just as much respect as the Uchiha's, and that was a near impossible feat. This time the other band members wouldn't be there to break up any tension from unwanted questions, it was a little never wrecking, the vocalist was rather intimidating. Haku was banking on Kurama expecting intrusive questions this time. After all, he agreed to this interview and it wasn't like he held back the first time...okay maybe he did after his initial reprimanding. Second time's a charm right?
Haku swallowed thickly upon remembering the sheer intensity of the man during the first interview. Kurama's face was masked, but those crimson eyes felt like they could burn right through his soul. Would it be the same this time? Or would the vocalist be less daunting by himself? A heady feel ran through Haku as the rush of adrenaline began to take effect. Intimidated as he might be, he was thrilled, when this issue gets released it was going to launch his career. No more small fry for him, or at least that's what he was hoping for. He'd never wish bodily harm on anyone, but right now he was feeling extremely grateful for Kimimaro's accident. Haku knew that made him a shitty person but with his impending success he could find it in him to care, he felt like master of the goddamn universe.
Looking at the time he noticed that he only had a few minutes until Kurama was expected to arrive. Haku pushed out his chair and excited his cubicle. With sweaty palms, Haku pressed the elevator button to go down to the appropriate floor. He was using one of Tsukuyomi's reserved interview rooms, it was one of the stipulation's Jinchu's manager had requested upon Kurama's request. Haku had never had the privilege of using those rooms before so as he went down to meet the musician, he felt a rush that came from something aside the jostling elevator's descend.
When the elevator opened Haku was stunned. Standing there like a gaping fish he noticed not only was Kurama not alone like he'd expected him to be, but he was with Sasuke and they were involved in a rather animated conversation with Shisui. If Haku was intimidated by Kurama alone, the factor was doubled with his unexpected —self titled— best friend now present.
'Why the hell is here?' Haku mentally fretted. Sasuke never took time off work. When Itachi had forced him to it was worth than pulling teeth.
Sasuke's words of warning echoed in his head. He knew that Sasuke was going to find out eventually, but he didn't expect it to be so soon. The man was going to kill him the next time they were alone. Hell, he might kill him here and now. Sasuke may not have given him much information, but it was the Uchiha's equivalent to a fully detailed statement. Sasuke told him to drop it and he didn't, the air in the building started feeling too thick to breathe.
Haku stepped off the elevator, seemingly unnoticed and he couldn't help but hear Shisui's energetic voice. "So is it true?"
"Hn," Sasuke hummed evenly.
"Well shit, aunty must be thrilled!" Shisui chuckled with gleaming eyes. Haku could practically feel his energy from where he stood.
Sasuke rolled his eyes fondly. "You have no idea. Itachi was trying to tell her he wanted to keep it small but she wouldn't have it."
Shisui raised an amused eyebrow. "We're Uchiha's, we don't do small."
Sasuke huffed with amusement. "That and she's been waiting for this day her whole life."
"So she already has it all planned out then?" Shisui asked with a joking tone.
Haku's interest piqued to the point where he'd almost forgotten what he had come down for. The deep voice that spoke next brought him back to reality.
"She did let them pick their own date," Naruto added with his own amused tone.
"She wasn't thrilled that Itachi refused her original date," Sasuke quickly added. "But she quickly changed her tune when she found out that the wedding would be even sooner if she allowed them to pick the day."
'Itachi's finally getting married?!' Haku mentally gaped. He wasn't sure if he was surprised the duo were finally getting married or the fact that they finally decided to get married. Either way it was big.
"And when is the big day? 'Tachi hasn't told me anything!" Shisui pouted.
Sasuke's lips pulled into a superior smirk. "You'll just have to wait like everybody else."
Shisui hung his head with an exaggerated huff. "Come on mini-chi! That's cold."
Sasuke rolled his eyes but it held none of the annoyance it normally would. "It's already been nearly nine years, you can wait for their invites just like everybody else."
Shisui raised his head and narrowed his eyes at his younger cousin before turning his head to Naruto with a hopeful expression. "You'll tell me right?"
Naruto slow-blinked at him. It was all the answer he needed to provide.
"Guh," Shisui sighed pitifully. "Fiiiine. You guys are no fun."
"Maybe if that mouth of yours had a better track record," Sasuke quipped, earning an indignant splutter from his cousin.
Haku vaguely heard the threats of forcibly wearing a suit again and found the whole exchange between the three oddly familiar. Sure, Kurama has known Shisui for as long as Jinchu's been signed but the way the three conversed it was as if Kurama had known Sasuke and his family for far longer. Just who was Kurama to them?
Haku cleared his throat nervously. "Good afternoon."
All heads turn towards him. Haku shivered a little between the icy gaze Sasuke bestowed upon him and the intensity of Kurama's crimson orbs. This wasn't going to be a fun interview. So much for that earlier thrill.
The elevator ride up to the interview floor was uncomfortably quiet. Shisui was quick to bail, he didn't even bother making an excuse. Shisui had no qualms voicing that the whole situation was a little too uncomfortable for him and he'd rather not stick his foot in his mouth any further than he already had so he stayed behind.
Haku's anxiety made him make a few mundane comments about traffic over and the weather but all he got were a few grunts and one lame shrug. If it wasn't for the pictures and the close proximity of the two men, Haku would have assumed there was no way two of the most stoic men he'd ever met could ever be romantically involved with anyone. There was also how he'd caught them talking about Itachi's apparent wedding, Shisui just assumed Kurama knew about it. What was that about? If there was anyone as guarded as Sasuke it was Itachi. It was inconceivable that Kurama had developed a bond with Itachi in such a short amount of time. Itachi barely tolerated his presence and he'd known Sasuke for years.
The journalist's senses were tingling, everything pointed to the Uchiha family being familiar with the vocalist, but Haku was unsure of what to do with this epiphany. Every fibre in his being was telling him to dig, get to the bottom of what could amount to the biggest story of his career. Granted, he still had his whole career ahead of him, a story about one of the most enigmatic vocalists and Sasuke Uchiha would put anyone on the map. The problem being he worked for an Uchiha and his —self proclaimed— best friend was one of the men in question. Shisui was a goofy, empathetic guy but ruthless in business and anything that involved his family.
The moment Sasuke became involved with one of Tsukuyomi's most esteemed clients was the moment a line was drawn. The moral line that blurred business and family was one even Shisui wouldn't cross, not for anything. After Haku had informed him about the follow up interview, Shisui had lost some of that bubbliness immediately. There was a warning in his eyes that told him not to push this thing too far. Before Sasuke had been seen at the gala rather intimately with Kurama, Shisui was more than onboard with getting every facet of information he could by using any means necessary, now he just seemed reluctant.
Haku just couldn't figure out if it was because of the threat from the man's cousins or something to do with the relationship between Kurama and the Uchiha's. As terrifying as the two brothers can be —especially together— Haku's journalist senses told him it was the latter. After seeing the interaction between the three there was no doubt in his mind the Uchiha's knew the elusive vocalist, if only he knew what to do with this sudden realisation. He wished he'd knew about this before moments before the interview, it would have given him more to prepare for.
The elevator dinged, drawing Haku from his thoughts. He turned and gave the two a tight smile and told him to follow him. Sasuke rolled his eyes, he already knew where they were going, Naruto smirked under his mask at his ornery lover and accepted Sasuke grabbing his hand and dragging him along behind him. Seeing Sasuke holding anyone's hand was enough to halt the earths orbit so it was no surprise that the two were getting some rather scandalous looks from the few employee's they passed as they followed Haku to the interview room.
Haku held the door open for the two to enter and even he couldn't hold back his surprised look at Sasuke's display of affection. Sasuke paid him no mind as he dragged Naruto to one side of the table and plopped down taking him with him.
"Water?" Sasuke asked Naruto as he gestured to the pitcher of ice water in the middle of the table.
"Please," Naruto nodded softly. He could have poured his own water, but he could tell Sasuke needed to do something to occupy himself.
They had agreed that Naruto would accept this interview, but Sasuke couldn't help but feel anxious. Part of him was thrilled for the world to know that Kurama was his, but another part was annoyed because he wanted the world to know that Naruto was his. If only Haku could have minded his own damn business. He reluctantly liked the man, but pushing Naruto into this interview would never sit right with him. He was just glad Naruto agreed to have him tag along. This way he could be sure Haku doesn't try to push things too far.
Using every ounce of restraint, Haku kept quiet and walked towards the opposite side of the table and followed Sasuke's example and poured himself a glass of water. Taking a quick sip he finally took his seat.
Haku cleared his throat as he took out his phone. "Like before, I'm going to ask if it's alright that I record this?"
"That's fine," Naruto answered curtly.
Haku began the recording. "Alright, let's get right into it shall we?" Haku didn't pause for acknowledgement. "After seeing the images of Sasuke Uchiha and you at the gala, is it safe to assume you two are involved?"
"We are," Naruto answers easily.
Haku barely held back his bulging eyes, he didn't expect Kurama to answer so effortlessly. He quickly composed himself and fired off his next question. "Just how involved? You two were rather...close in the images I've seen."
Sasuke glared at him. "What do you think it means?"
Naruto gently squeezed his hand, reassuring him everything was alright. "We're dating."
Haku's surprise made Naruto snort.
Realising his gasp wasn't mentally he sheepishly apologised. "Sorry, it's just Sasuke's never settled down before and no one even knows your preference in partners so it's strange to hear you so effortlessly admit to dating."
Sasuke wanted to shout that no one else was worth his time but he knew this wasn't his interview, this was Naruto's. Sasuke's purpose was to be there for support and make sure Haku didn't push things too far. He knew it was ridiculous, like Naruto ever needed some knight in shining armor to come to his defence, he was more than capable of defending himself. He'd done it all his life, Sasuke knew he didn't need him there, but he wanted to be there. Whether it was for moral support or just his own selfish reassurance, Sasuke wasn't going to let Naruto face this alone.
Sasuke could have laughed at himself. Naruto was the last person who ever needed support, after the explanation about how he helped Itachi it was even more apparent. Sasuke was troubled when Naruto finally explained to him how he'd exchanged his healthy cells with his brother's cancer ridden ones. He had been so terrified that Naruto was going to die that he didn't bother to think how impossible what Naruto told him seemed. Once Naruto had calmed his ramped mind down and explained that his body naturally metabolized the diseased cells after a week and he wasn't dying, he finally allowed the magnitude of what Naruto was capable of set in. Naruto was like a god. The thought should have concerned him but it didn't.
To Sasuke, Naruto would always be his love, nothing would change that. So yeah, just because Naruto didn't need his support and protection, didn't mean Sasuke wouldn't give him it unconditionally.
Sasuke was shaken from his thoughts when Naruto let go of his hand to lift his mask and take a sip of his water. "What is it you really want to know?" Naruto asked Haku dryly.
Haku licked his lips nervously. Seeing the musicians lips felt almost taboo. "I want to know how you know Sasuke. I overheard your conversation with Shisui and couldn't help bu-"
Naruto raised his hand and cut him off. "Let me stop you right there. I already confirmed my relationship with Sasuke so unless these questions pertain to Jinchu in some shape or form I will not be answering them."
"But everyone's going to want to know how you two met and when you started dating," Haku prattled off.
"And I don't care," Naruto responded coolly. "I've never cared about people's opinions before and that certainly hasn't changed. I'm only confirming our relationship so that I have control over how it comes out."
Sasuke smirked. He loved this side of Naruto.
Haku's eyes drifted around the room in a silent panic as he searched for his words. "You have to know that people are going to dig then. You say you want to control how this news comes out but what are you going to do when people start to dig on their own? Once they hear you two are exclusive the prying isn't going to stop, it's only going to get worse. Instead of just my asking these questions, the whole world will be."
Naruto shrugged. "You think me telling all wouldn't have them doing the same? I tell you, they dig trying to confirm or discredit it. I stay silent, they dig trying to confirm or discredit it."
"If the outcome is the same, why not just tell me?" Haku asked, his words coming out in almost a jumble.
"Haku," Sasuke warned.
Naruto glanced at Sasuke with amused eyes. "It's fine Sasuke." When Sasuke reluctantly relaxed, Naruto turned his attention back towards the journalist. "Because this is on my terms. I get to choose what I want or don't want to say. I get that you see me as your golden ticket but you're not the only person to see me or my band that way. Just take what I'm willing to give you and move on. It's more than anyone else has ever gotten."
"I-I," Haku stammered. He was going to ramble on how he didn't see him that way but even he could shell out a bold faced lie like that. That was exactly what he was doing. During that first interview Kurama had accused him of acting like a scummy paparazzi and he was definitely doing it again. Haku couldn't help it, he was excited and born to push boundaries. This interview just proved that he had to find the right balance of being ruthless and courteous.
Haku paused his recording and looked up with new resolve. "You're absolutely right and I apologise. This is my dream job and being able to interview you and your band has been a dream come true. When I was given this chance I couldn't believe it was real, then I came across the gala photos of you two and I was even more curious. I've known Sasuke for a while now and I've never seen him like this," Haku made a rather crude gesture towards Sasuke who was leaning comfortably against Kurama. "I not only wanted to have the privilege of being the first to find out about this but-"
"You wanted to pry into Sasuke's personal life," Naruto stated without surprise.
Haku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as a pink hue rose up his cheeks. "Pry may be too harsh a word."
Sasuke snorted. "Please, you showed up to my office to gossip and when I told you not to push this you went and started pestering Kurama's manager. I think 'pry' is a rather polite way of putting it."
"Well is it so shocking that I want to see my best friend happy?" Haku huffed exasperatedly. "Honestly Sasuke, you can't blame me. All these years and I only know anything about you because of my... dedication to getting the details."
Naruto leaned back in his chair and got comfortable. Maybe this interview wasn't so bad after all.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Dedication? You mean invasion of privacy."
The two bickered back and forth and Naruto could only watch on with amusement. As irritating as the little journalist was, he was kind of growing on him. Anyone who could annoy and bring out this side of Sasuke was okay in his books.
"Okay, what about that time-"
Naruto cut Haku off. "Turn on your recording."
Both Haku and Sasuke looked at the fox. Naruto had the sudden feeling that both of them had forgotten he was even in the room.
"Uh, okay," Haku awkwardly complied as Sasuke eyed his lover curiously.
"Sasuke and I have known each other for a long time. We-" Naruto paused to figure out how to phrase it. "We lost touch. He was like everybody else and didn't know who Kurama was. At his birthday party I revealed myself and not long after the gala we started dating."
Haku stared at him like he'd grown a second head. Sasuke even seemed a bit astounded.
"That's all you get," Naruto said before Haku could overwhelm him with a barrage of questions.
"But I have so many follow up questions I want to ask now though," Haku almost whined as he visibly deflated.
Naruto found himself chuckling slightly. "How about I just tell some of the boring things about me instead?"
Haku's lower lip jutted out just a bit in a poor attempt to hide his enthusiasm. "I'm listening."
Naruto smirked in victory, though he wasn't sure why. He hated talking about himself so this was hardly a win. "Let's see, my favourite colour is green, but not just any green, that vibrant green of a mallard duck's head. I don't have a favourite band or song because it's impossible to choose. I obviously lean towards rock and metal but I have an appreciation for all genres except techno and country. I just can't cope with them no matter how many times I've tried. My favourite ice cream is vegan mint-chip. I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian, I'm just not big on the taste of dairy. I don't like holidays and my favorite-"
Naruto continued to list a bunch of things he liked and disliked and Sasuke found himself smiling softly. Not only did Naruto have the most amazing voice he'd ever heard, but there was something cathartic about hearing him talk about himself so freely. It wasn't anything big of life changing but it was everything. They had spent so much time apart that hearing all these little things about Naruto just made him feel that much closer to him and that's saying something because he already had a narutomaki tattooed on his ass cheek and you can't get much closer than that.
Kisame and himself hadn't talked much about their impromptu brother-in law bonding aside from Sasuke taking credit for Kisame's proposal while simultaneously blaming the man for their unsightly tattoos. Kisame seemed to think it was hilarious while Sasuke felt rightfully embarrassed. One thing was certain, he wasn't drinking alone with Kisame again. Who knew putting them together would cause such shenanigans?
Sasuke wasn't sure what Itachi told Kisame regarding his illness or rather lack thereof because the man never mentioned it again. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement between the four of them that no word of this would go beyond their knowledge. There wasn't any point in upsetting anyone if they didn't have to.
By the time the interview was over both Sasuke and Naruto were starving. They had skipped lunch because neither of them had had much of an appetite at the time. Now that it was over they were both rather ravenous.
Naruto was anxious to go home and get changed out of his gear so he went home while Sasuke took it upon himself to pick the two of them up some food. There was this great little deli that made the most amazing sandwiches that Naruto had yet to try, so Sasuke was rectifying that. The little old lady that owned the place was all about feeding people. What she called a sandwich most people would call a monstrosity but sometimes you just needed a little comfort food and no one did it better than her.
Driving over to Naruto's place, Sasuke took his time mulling over recent events. He figured the interview had gone decently. Haku managed to calm his raging news hardon down to a mere chub so that was a win. Sasuke knew his friend had heard about Itachi's wedding but seeing as it didn't pertain to his interview he knew he didn't have to worry about him leaking the news.
Itachi had it bad enough dealing with their mother. Both Itachi and Kisame would have been content to go down to city hall but Mikoto wouldn't hear such nonsense. "We're Uchiha's," she would repeat, as if speaking their family name held some kind of mythical power to change her son's mind to see things her way. Joke was on Itachi because it apparently did. His small wedding was quickly turning into an opulent event.
Mikoto wanted it to be a spring wedding among fields of freshly bloomed flowers but Itachi and Kisame wanted a winter wedding. Mikoto would have fought it until she realised they meant this coming winter. With only a few months for her to plan she was in her glory.
Before Sasuke knew it he was parking in front of Naruto's place. No matter how many times he went there, it never failed to surprise him with how unbelievably peaceful it was. The way the environment mixed with the aesthetics of the actual house just made it feel calm, leaving Sasuke with a pleasant warmth blooming inside. It was a feeling no home had ever given him. Sasuke wondered if it was truly the place, or the person who occupied the place. As he walked into Naruto's kitchen and watched as his love talked rather animatedly on the phone he knew without a doubt it wasn't the place.
Hey everybody! I'm alive.
I know it's been ages since I've updated but life has been hectic. Any second I've had to myself I haven't been able to bring my brain to focus on writing. Hopefully this shorter chapter isn't a total let down, it's all I was able to accomplish.
Anyways, thanks for sticking around and I'll see ya in the next update.
- GrimTopography