Number 2 of my one-shot challenge!

Summary: Its their first year anniversary, and Naruto thinks he has the perfect idea for the event. But even the best laid plans can be affected by Murphy's law.

Warnings: Cursing, a bit of citrus hints, and mentions of child abuse

Genre: Humor

Sinking

One full year. Naruto couldn't believe that he was finally in a true relationship. Some people might think that one year is just a drop in a barrel, but for him, it was a great accomplishment. He had never been one to stay in relationships very long. His need for affection and his overly hyper attitude tended to tire out any person who he tried to date and he always seemed to keep some of his barriers up. No one had ever been able to break it down, never understood why he even had one in the first place. The longest relationship he had before this was with a woman that had lasted for 7 months in college. She had broken up with him the day before graduation because she was moving to Georgia for a job offer.

Then he had met Sasuke. Really it was an awful meeting. He was walking home from work after finding out his car had died sometime during the one day that mother nature decided to drop an unexpected rainstorm. His funds were already depressingly low after he had to pay his rent and utilities, and adding in the tow truck and any costs to get the vehicle fixed was just adding to his despair toward not being able to buy anything remotely fun or going out with his friends until his next paycheck. He had been happy he had been able to find an apartment within five miles of his job, until this moment when he realized just how far five miles was. He was by the local lake, and just on the other side he could see the apartment complex.

He looked up toward the sky and let out a deep sigh, pulling his collar down now that the rain had dropped to a slow misty drizzle, knowing that he was just about halfway home. He stopped and turned his head over to the lake when he heard a goose make a noise close to him. He didn't want to get bit by one and those suckers could be mean when they got too close.

Just as he found the goose in question, he caught a flash of light off of metal a second too late. A bicycle ran right into him, causing him to fall to the cement, and causing the rider to fall off his bike and roll straight into the lake. He supposed this was just the icing on the cake for his awful past hour. He quickly got to his knees, assessing himself for any damage. He had a few scrapes along his palm and his arm had that dumb tingling sensation of his funny bone getting hit. He looked over to where he heard splashing and immediately cupped his hand over his mouth to hide his laughter.

The guy that was on the bike had taken a tumble into the lake right where a bunch of cattails and tall grass sat along the edge. His black hair was flat to his skull and had pieces of the greenery throughout it. His clothes were all soaked through, even his raincoat, and he had this look on his face that was a mix of annoyance and exasperation that had Naruto still trying to stifle his laughter.

He got to his feet, rubbing his elbow. "You okay down there?"

The man glared up at him and wiped his bangs away from his face. "I wouldn't be down here if you didn't randomly stop in the middle of the sidewalk."

"You could have yelled out that you were behind me." Naruto kept the grin on his face as he walked over to the man to help him out of the lake. It was a long struggle filled with many curses on the dark haired man's side, and many chuckles from Naruto's side, but eventually they were both back up on the sidewalk by the bike. They talked a bit, making sure that there weren't any serious injuries on either side, and exchanging more sarcastic barbs and eventually their names.

They both started walking down the sidewalk, Sasuke not wanting to get back on the bike since his legs were still shaking a bit from the scare from the tumble. Though he didn't admit that to Naruto until three months into the relationship. They both found out they lived in the same apartment complex as they walked home and found that they shared many other similarities. By the time they got to the parking lot, they had set-up a date for that Friday night. The date had gone well and quickly they had developed a relationship. After Naruto's lease was over in November, he moved in with Sasuke with barely any arguments over what Naruto could keep and what he had to sell.

He had been planning this day for weeks. Calling the right people, getting the right materials, even trying to read Sasuke's mind to find out what he really wanted. Whenever Naruto had asked, all Sasuke had answered was that he was happy if he got to spend the day with him. Naruto had gone to bed last night with everything put into place, a plan to enact, and a romantic day to enjoy.

Naruto awoke to a faint buzzing noise. He tried to ignore it but soon he started feeling a constant thumping on his arm. He groaned, fighting off the waking world with all his might. It was too late however, and he recognized the noise as being his phone, and the thumping as being Sasuke whacking him repeatedly in the arm. He got up on his elbow and groped around on his bedside table for his phone. He brought it to his face, blinking quickly as the light aggravated his eyes temporarily. He groaned again, noticing that it was 4:00 in the morning as he swiped the screen to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Well you don't sound very awake." His boss's voice came over the line, his voice low and gravely like he had just been woken up as well.

"You're one to talk. Wha'd ya want?" Naruto said in the midst of a yawn, starting to wake up a bit more.

"I just got a call that Ricky is having a hard night, and I'll need you to go in for at least a few hours. You know your presence always helps him, and the sub for you today won't be able to help."

Naruto turned to his back and sat up, squinting at the door at the far end of the room. Ricky had been only one of two children that stayed at the psych center that were under Naruto's therapy cases. All of his other cases were out of facility, and he knew that what his boss said was true. He looked to his right and saw that Sasuke was laying on his side, facing him, his eyes closed, but his breathing was not deep enough for him to be asleep.

"I got it, I'll make my way in." Naruto exchanged a few more details with his boss before hanging up. He sat his phone back on the nightstand and laid back down next to Sasuke. He brought his hand up and started slowly massaged Sasuke's scalp. Sasuke opened his eyes only halfway and Naruto chuckled at just how tired his boyfriend looked. Sasuke yawned and Naruto heard his jaw crack from how wide his jaw got.

"Who was that?"

"Happy Anniversary. My boss called. Ricky is having a rough night." Naruto kissed under his chin, not wanting to have his boyfriend suffer from his morning breath.

"You have to go in?" Sasuke seemed to not care, though, and set his hand on the side of Naruto's face, pulling his face up to kiss him properly.

They kissed leisurely a few more times before Naruto finally backed his head away, keeping Sasuke's hand on his face. "Yeah, it shouldn't take me more than a few hours, and then I'll be right back home. I bet you won't even be out of bed by the time I get back."

Sasuke brushed his thumb across a his cheek and brought him close for one last kiss before moving his hand to Naruto's chest and giving a gentle push. "Go help him. The kid needs you and I need to get some more sleep."

"Fine. M'goin." Naruto got out of the bed and stretched his arms above his head, a little disappointed that he wasn't going to be able to spend the morning in bed with Sasuke. He quickly got a pair of jeans and a pair of boxer briefs out of his drawer in the dresser and stole one of Sasuke's blue short sleeve shirts and a pair of his socks out of one of his drawers and made his way into the bathroom for a shower, hoping that Ricky would just be calmed by him being there and go right to sleep. Right.

~o~0~o~

He made it out to his car around 11 in the morning. Ricky had a pretty bad night terror and Naruto had been talking him down from his fear of his step father for over 3 hours. When it was pill time, he had to help the other orderlies get him to take them. He was just lucky he was wearing the Kevlar shirt because he definitely would have lost some skin with the bite he had received. A manic depressive child with autistic problems and a past with an abusive step father could be taxing.

Naruto buckled his seat belt, and turned the keys in the ignition. All he heard was a click. He turned them back and tried again. Again, nothing but a click. He dropped his head onto the steering wheel. What was it with his car and the battery dying on the exact same day two years in a row? His car had worked perfectly after he had gotten the battery replaced, why would it decide to break now of all times?

Naruto dug around in his jean pocket for his phone. Hopefully Sasuke was up and could give him a jump so he didn't have to call a tow truck. He found his number under his favorites and hit the call button, putting it on speaker phone so he didn't have to put it up on his ear. After the fourth ring, Sasuke answered.

"I thought you were supposed to be home before I got up." Sasuke's voice came through clear through the phone sounding slightly amused.

"Yeah, it was pretty bad, I don't think I've seen him like this since he was first admitted." Naruto scratched his jaw, feeling the stubble there since he didn't shave this morning.

"Well at least he's better now." Naruto didn't have the heart, or the ability because of doctor patient confidentiality, to tell him that they had to sedate him after he started hurting himself when he couldn't hurt the adults holding him down. Hopefully they could keep him calm until Naruto came back to work tomorrow.

"So, I need you to come and give me a jump. Turns out my car and electricity always fight on this day."

"I can't, Itachi took my car yesterday since his will be in the shop for the week, remember?"

"Apparently not. And I'm guessing your brother is at work right now, isn't he?" Naruto let out a long sigh. Looks like he was going to be taking a tow truck. Wait.

"You realize that this means we will have to call my brother to chauffeur us to to dinner tonight, right?" The smirk was easy to hear in Sasuke's voice. Looks like he was going to have to cancel their reservations.

"Well shit, what are we going to do for dinner then?"

"Language, Naruto. I don't know. Guess you'll have to think of something."

With that the phone went dead. Well that was weird. Was Sasuke really looking forward to eating at that restaurant? He usually didn't hang up on Naruto like that. Maybe he was mad that he had to go into work today? But he seemed fine when he left, if not a little grouchy because it was so early. Hm.

Not thinking anymore about it, he got out of his car and started the long walk back to the apartment. He didn't mind it as much this time since it was actually a pretty nice day out. Maybe a little warm, but it was June. He eventually got to the lake and saw all the kids running around on the beach area he passed on his way to the apartment. A smile lit his face as he heard them giggling and splashing around in the lake. He had walked another few feet before he started hearing one of the kids yelling for help. He turned to see one of the younger kids far out in the lake splashing in the water in erratic movements.

He immediately sprang into action and ran down the sandy bank and into the water. He swam out to the kid and grabbed him around the waist, pulling him toward the shore, the kid coughing out the water from his lungs. Once the kid could stand on his own Naruto set him on his feet and helped him over to the sand. His friends swarmed him, buzzing around him asking if he was okay, why was he out that far when he couldn't swim, how did it feel to drown, and why did he have to be so dumb?

"Hey!" Naruto shouted, gaining all five of the kids attention. "Are you guys swimming here without an adult?"

The kids started looking between each other, different looks of guilt and nervousness. Naruto went into a lecture, all the kids dropping their heads as he scolded them. The only thing going through his own mind was what would Sasuke say when he found out Naruto was the one that took a swim this year.

~o~0~o~

Naruto walked into the apartment, his clothes mostly dry by now, but definitely feeling like he needed another shower. He took his shoes off on the mat by the door and dropped his keys in the bowl on the little table they kept by the mat. He turned the corner from the from the front hallway and found Sasuke sitting on the couch folding clothes.

"I'm home." Naruto plopped down next to Sasuke, hoping that he could steal his attention away from being domestic.

"I can see that." Sasuke set down the shirt he finished folding and turned to Naruto, a grin on his face. Naruto quickly moved in and kissed him, putting his hand behind his head to deepen the kiss. When they pulled apart Naruto was smiling and Sasuke's eyes were a little glazed. "Why do you smell like lake water?"

"Ah. Kid was drowning. I jumped in to save him." Naruto felt his cheeks redden a bit and he scratched the bridge of his nose.

"How very heroic. Did his mother thank you for your bravery?" Sasuke smirked and brought his hand up to loosely wrap around Naruto's wrist, rubbing his thumb on the inside of his wrist.

"There weren't any adults there. Apparently the kids had lied to their parents about not swimming in the lake. Hopefully that teaches them to be a little more careful."

"Yes, and I suppose you were the poster child for safety when you were their age."

"That's different."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Obviously. I was just so awesome as a child that I didn't have to worry about death. I laughed in its face."

"Alright Simba, bring the ego down."

Sasuke had an amused smirk on his face that was doing funny things to Naruto's stomach. He leaned in for another kiss as his stomach growled. Sasuke chuckled during the kiss and eventually pushed Naruto back softly as he got off the couch.

"Lets go make a small lunch and discuss what new dinner plans we want to do."

"You know just what I want." Naruto got up from the couch and grabbed his boyfriends hand, following him into the kitchen.

~o~0~o~

While they were eating the awesome grilled cheese sandwiches Sasuke had made, Naruto had come up with a brilliant idea. He had to keep it from Sasuke though, explaining that it would ruin the rest of the surprise he had in store for him. He did need him out of the apartment, though, as he made preparations, so after Sasuke was done putting the laundry away, he pushed him out the door with a kiss and the grocery list. The store was only two blocks away on this side of the lake, so it wouldn't be that bad of a trip. Naruto set to work quickly, making sure everything would be done by the time Sasuke came back. When he did walk through the door all that could be seen was Naruto's old college book bag and Naruto cleaning the last of the dishes he must have been using.

Naruto turned when he heard Sasuke walking across the tiled floor and smiled at him. Sasuke walked up behind him, kissed the back of his neck and wrapped his arms around Naruto's torso.

"You've been rather cuddly today Sasuke. Did someone slip you something while I was gone?"

"It must have been you. I know how much you like affection."

"Oh no, you caught me. I guess I shouldn't make us any kind of food anymore since I can't be trusted." Naruto set the last dish in the dish drainer, and turned in Sasuke's arms to face him.

"Do you really hate cooking so much that you would drug me to get out of it?" Sasuke leaned in and started kissing along his jaw.

"Its not so much the cooking I don't like, its the cleanup."

"Ah yes. I remember how bad your apartment used to be. I must admit you are also a terrible influence on me. I never would have let it get as bad as it sometimes does now that you live here." Sasuke moved down to his neck and Naruto ran his hands through Sasuke's hair. He hummed in appreciation.

"Oh please, now it actually looks like someone lives here. It used to be so clean I thought you lived in a hospital." Sasuke started moving his hands up and down Naruto's sides as he moved his way back up to Naruto's mouth.

"Have I ever told you that you talk too much." Sasuke took Naruto's mouth with his own, moving his hands to Naruto's lower stomach. Naruto dropped his hands down to his ass and pulled his body closer. Sasuke moved his hands up to Naruto's chest as the lower part of their bodies came together. Naruto moved his hands up and down his back a few times before breaking their make-out session.

"Haven't you ever heard good things come to those who wait?" Naruto asked, his voice rather gruff and his eyes had a definite glaze. Sasuke wasn't much better and his hair was going in all sorts of directions from Naruto running his hands through it.

"Why wait for something you could have now." Sasuke was using that voice and Naruto was having a hard time fighting against it. But no, he had made plans and they were going to stick to it. They could be adults and keep their libido under control.

"I demand to have dinner first at least. I can't be too easy or you'll lose interest in me." Naruto grinned cheekily at him and waggled his eyebrows.

"Never." Sasuke gave him a look he could only describe as open affection. It made Naruto's heart flutter and he leaned in to give Sasuke one last chaste kiss before grabbing Sasuke's hips and pushing him backward a bit.

"Well, how about we get ready for our date then, and maybe, if you play your cards right, you can get lucky tonight." Naruto let go and started to walk away when he heard Sasuke murmur behind him.

"I think I already did get lucky."

~o~0~o~

So far his day hadn't gone according to plan, but this would be different. He hadn't worn anything fancy and Sasuke followed his lead by wearing a simple red button-up shirt and dark wash jeans. Naruto helped him out by rolling the sleeves up past his elbows. Sasuke didn't like how the left one was a little smaller than the right, so he ended up undoing it and redoing it himself as Naruto changed into his white cargo shorts and a simple black and orange polo.

They kept up the light atmosphere from earlier in the kitchen as they got ready and even as they left the apartment, Naruto grabbing the backpack. Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand as they walked toward the lake, Naruto gabbing about anything that came to mind and Sasuke saying something when it was needed. Eventually they reached the boat dock located on their side of the lake and Sasuke gave him a confused, surprised look. When they came up to the specific boat Naruto wanted, Sasuke's look changed to one of incredulity and amusement.

The dingy they would be using for the evening was a small little fishing boat with a motor on the end, a snug fit for four people. He had asked one of their neighbors if it would be okay to borrow it for the night if he paid for whatever gas they used. He helped Sasuke get in the little boat, untied it from its port, and got in himself. He pulled the motor cord a couple of times before it finally took and he steered it carefully out and into a nice quiet spot of the lake where they wouldn't be disturbed. Naruto took the backpack off his back and turned off the engine.

"Well this wasn't what I was expecting. I can tell you went all out." the corner of Sasuke's lip twitched, giving away that he was more amused than anything else. Naruto stuck his tongue out at him as he started taking his carefully prepared BLTs and chips out of his backpack.

"Well I'm sorry, but I don't really have the money for any of those fancy boats. Do you?" Naruto finished setting everything on the seat in front of them and looked up at Sasuke, seeing the amused quirk to his lips and the love in his eyes. Naruto felt the need to kiss him again, and started leaning forward when he heard a loud metallic creak.

He and Sasuke started looking around them for where the sound had come from when they both heard a sort of popping, ripping noise. Naruto looked under his bench to find water seeping into the tiny boat, a large x of duct tape floating on the rapidly invading water. Naruto cursed loudly and Sasuke grabbed what he could of their dinner throwing it into the back pack. Naruto tried to put the duct tape back on, but soon discovered that it wasn't really supposed to be used to keep water out of boats. Rather quickly, the boat had filled up with water and Sasuke and he moved into the water, the backpack on Sasuke's back.

"Well that was rather romantic." Sasuke watched as the last part of the motor sank below the blue-green surface. Naruto put a pout on his face as he tread water.

"This sucks."

"Its not that bad." Sasuke swam over closer to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him in the direction of the shore.

"Yes it is. Its like today I'm a living Murphy's law. Everything I've tried to do today has failed. It started with sleeping in, continued with car trouble and not being able to go to your favorite restaurant, and now I've sank Mr. Miller's boat down into the bottom of the lake." Naruto felt tears start to prickle the corner of his eyes, so he dunked down into the water to hopefully hide any stray tears. He just wanted this day to be so perfect, and he ended up screwing it up.

They reached the shore, a bit short of breath, and sat on it. Sasuke opened the back pack and found that the wrapping on the sandwiches wasn't tight enough. The sandwiches had been soaked through and the chips were soggy. Naruto looked away, not wanting to see the annoyed look on Sasuke's face that he was sure must be there. He had screwed it all up just by being himself. He had ruined something he was so excited for. All he wanted was to show Sasuke how much he meant to him, show him that they were meant to be, but instead he just showed him how much of a screw-up he was.

Naruto continued to dwell in his new melancholic mood, until he heard something he wasn't expecting. He turned back toward Sasuke, hoping his ears weren't playing tricks on him. Sasuke was sitting next to him, laughing. Not just the chuckles he had been used to, but actually laughing. The sound of it had Naruto enraptured for several seconds before Sasuke turned to him wiping tears from his eyes.

"Sorry, it was just the bad kind of ironic how our relationship started exactly one year ago because of this lake and now we are sitting on the bank, wet from our boat sinking. I say that sometime soon we move away from the lake, so no more accidents can happen." Sasuke smirked over to him, humor still present in his gaze.

"You mean you aren't mad?"

"Why would I be mad about something that wasn't your fault?"

Naruto searched Sasuke's face, trying to find some hint of annoyance or anger. Whether Sasuke was aware of what he was doing or not, his expression was open and full of nothing but his earlier mirth and something that made his chest feel tight and his heart flutter. It was something he had seen many times, and something he had never gotten tired of. He sniffed a bit, feeling his emotion get the better of him.

"Thank you for the wonderful year Sasuke." Naruto gave him a smile full of love and affection, and saw Sasuke's version pointed right back at him. Sasuke cupped the side of Naruto's neck and leaned in for a long chaste kiss. The pulled away from each other, twin smiles on their faces.

"Happy Anniversary, Naruto."

And that was part two! I noticed as I was writing it I need to work a little on movement descriptions and definitely dialog. I keep forgetting that people need to talk...anyway.

If anyone was interested, Naru has a masters degree in child psychology with an emphasis of abuse and its effects and works at a place called the children's psych center that is connected to one of the local hospitals. Sasuke is actually a secretary for the city school director. Both have obviously lost their parents and Naruto used be a part of a abusive foster family. Its why he does what he does.

I hope you enjoyed, tune in next time for the title Father.