A/N: ……… Uh, I was making a dramatic pause? And now, the final chapter of A Helping Hand!
Chapter X
Sasuke walked quickly, angrily, but not noticing where his feet were taking him. Not caring where they were taking him, as long as it was away. Away from his humiliation, his anger, his care.
When he was barely ten paces from his front door, he finally took note of his surroundings. Why had he headed home, of all places, was beyond him, as he had wanted to get away. He continued his glare for another minute or two, but finally realized that doing that was getting him absolutely nowhere.
So he turned haughtily on his heel and spun right into the body of the person he had no idea was behind him. Only pure reflex kept him from breaking his nose on the chin of the teen in front of him.
At least Sasuke wasn't the only one who was caught completely off guard; Naruto almost had a heart attack when Sasuke had turned around so abruptly and ran right into him. Some indescribable pull had brought him here, he could barely understand why, but he knew that he'd have regretted it his entire life if he didn't try and follow.
Sasuke jerked backward, away from the warm body with a strict glare, just daring the other to say something about the lapse in awareness. And if he hadn't currently been completely maxed out in the embarrassment department, he may have flushed.
As it was, he took another step back, regaining his personal space bubble all for himself once more, and hardened his gaze when he recognized just who had scared the living bejesus out of him.
"What?" he spat out, really not wanting company at that precise moment.
He could've been silent, for all Naruto cared, because no amount of venom or anger in Sasuke's tone would change his mind of staying. All Naruto cared about was if Sasuke was okay or if he wasn't doing well at all – which he obviously wasn't. " I just wanted to know if you were okay? You kind of stormed out back there, and I guess I was worried…"
Sasuke froze momentarily. The honest and steadfast emotion in the blonde's voice was all but impossible to miss and it seemed to strike something from deep within the depths of his heart. Unbeknownst to him, Sasuke's glare dulled slightly, much to Naruto's delight. In no control over his mouth, Sasuke answered, "I'm fine," he said, more than just a little bitterly. Not that anyone could truly blame him for it, however.
In an attempt to diffuse the still tense air, through it was less angry then before, Naruto joked, "Yes, you do seem 'fine.'"
Instead of alighting his anger once more, like he'd hoped, Sasuke found himself actually amused. He felt like a stranger in his own skin – this just wasn't him! He did not joke, didn't make friends, didn't do anything! He suddenly felt awkward, out of place, in uncharted territory. He shoved that away, though, boxed these insecurities up tight and erased all evidence. In a similarly but faux-venomous voice as before, he replied, "Whatever. Did you need something or were you just coming to make fun of me?"
Sasuke didn't honestly think that, it was only a sad attempt to save face. Naruto could also clearly see that, as Sasuke was not aware of how much his thoughts were seen through his eyes. It was either that or Naruto has just gotten better at reading Sasuke, which is a normally unachievable feat for those that even know him.
To Sasuke's horror, Naruto obviously didn't take to toxicity of his tone seriously. "I would never make fun of you," Naruto said emphatically serious. In a sudden moment of clarity, Naruto paused at his revelation. Sasuke was self-conscious and unsure of himself. He would've never expected that. Then again, everything else that had happened today was unexpected, so he really shouldn't be all that surprised.
Sasuke's eyes widened minutely at the emotion in the blonde's voice. He wanted to, for the first time, let someone who was reaching out to him in. But only because the someone was this someone. The thought almost scared him on levels he didn't even know existed; that he was getting so attached to someone who probably wouldn't stick around with him for long. That maybe he was actually developing feelings for the annoying blonde he enjoyed the company of.
"Tch," he sounded, looking away and crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest loosely.
Naruto wasn't sure what it was about that move had amused him so much, but it did. If he didn't know better, he'd say Sasuke looked like a stubbornly embarrassed child pouting. He paused, ever so slightly, when the term "cute" passed across the forefront of his mind. He refrained from chuckling, however, because he'd either look like a loon for laughing out loud, or he'd get his ass kicked if he, god forbid, told the now moody Uchiha.
Sasuke let the silence between the two lengthen until Naruto was almost squirming. He didn't know what was going on behind the blonde's open blue eyes, which made him more than just a little disturbed.
What he didn't know, the reason behind his inability to calculate the various emotions in Naruto's eyes was because of his own clouded vision. He couldn't read the emotions because he wasn't as emotionally devoid as he normally was, and it was beginning to cloud his judgement and ability to read people.
"Plus," Naruto began, needing to break the silence. "I guess I just wanted to see you." Faintly embarrassed about his direct declaration, but not about to take it back, Naruto settled for the next best thing – preparing for Sasuke's reaction. He expected it to be explosive and offensive, or maybe indignant and disturbed, but what he definitely didn't expect what he got.
Sasuke gained a marginally dejected look with just an undercurrent of curiosity. "Why? I mean, why bother?" he said in a tone devoid of all previous venom and anger. What was left was the voice of a lost boy, unsure of himself and the motives of others.
Which left Naruto just a bit stunned. Not just how he'd said it, but what he'd actually said. Did Sasuke really think that poorly of him? He really hoped not because it was sort of a depressing thought. "Because you're my friend, and I like you. And like I said, I was worried." Naruto felt fairly vulnerable at this moment in time; Sasuke could easily reject him and it would probably be the "kiss of death" for their friendship.
And Sasuke picked up on the vulnerability, knowing full well he could easily push aside the blonde and go on about his life, woefully alone. And for the first time, he didn't want that. He'd always been alone, yes, but he'd never really felt lonely. Not really anyways. But if he were to force the blonde away now, after coming to care for him as well, he'd be lonely. And he really didn't want that.
After a pause long enough to cause Naruto to start to sweat, Sasuke spoke. "Tch, I guess we are friends," he said, a small smile playing at the very corners of his mouth.
Naruto, on the other hand, had much less restraint in place on his face. A brilliantly relieved smile broke through and lit up his whole face, ecstatic to have finally broken down the barriers of the icy Uchiha's wall around his heart.
Sasuke took that moment, however, to have another internal revelation. He realized that he was no longer as blindly in a rage as he had been when he'd stumbled into Naruto. He was, of course, still furious with Kakashi and the others, but at this particular moment, he could let it got just a little. He was even less embarrassed about it, for which he was grateful – red really wasn't his colour.
He felt compelled to laugh as his dry joke, but thankfully repressed it quick enough; he had been embarrassed enough for this lifetime. He sighed, an empty night in front of him, as he thought it best to bail out from the dinner Kakashi had told him to come to. He figured it was best for both their safety; he just might fly of the handle just a little and pound his fists into Kakashi's face instead of "using his words" like Kakashi was constantly telling him to do when he made Sasuke angry.
Suddenly bored within the confines of his own mind, he moved towards the front door, pulling out his keys simultaneously. After unlocking the door, he looked back uncertainly at Naruto, who was looking at him fairly expectantly. He sighed soundlessly and closed his eyes momentarily. "Do you want to come in? We could order some take-out or something?"
Naruto nodded, content with the situation. That and his stomach took the opportunity to make its presence known with a roar. He laughed sheepishly and replied, "Sounds great."
'Make yourself at home,' Sasuke had said. So Naruto, being Naruto, stuck his nose in everything, looking over all his worldly possessions as fascinated as a paleontologist would be upon discovering a new species of dinosaurs. He interestedly looked over every spine, or every book, and had asked about the various pictures on the shelf. To which Sasuke answered, amusedly, that the first were his parents, next was him and his brother, then finally him and his foster family.
The last Naruto was most interested in, but Sasuke kept stubbornly tight-lipped about. But he just shrugged it off and continued with hid exploration with renewed fervor.
Sasuke was once again reminded of how small the apartment was with another body in it. Thank goodness he wasn't claustrophobic or he'd already be having a panic attack at the very least. When Naruto had finally run out of things to look at, Sasuke chucked various take-out menus at him from his seat at the table, his feet languidly propped on the table.
It took less than ten minutes for them to agree on pizza, call it in, and Sasuke give permission for Naruto to move his books so he could sit at the table with Sasuke.
They talked of mainly inconsequential and light subjects, nothing nearly as heavy as before, until Naruto began asking about books. Sasuke got marginally more interested, and just a little more proactive in the conversation. Naruto was picking up books and asking if they were any good, and why or why not.
Naruto had just picked up a heavy, seven hundred plus page book, when the bell rang, signaling the arrival of food. Their book discussion was put on hold as they scarfed down a quarter each. Sasuke continuously refused Naruto's offer to pay half, and as he quickly realized, it was a matter of pride for the Uchiha. So he meekly said his thanks and they ate in relative silence.
A silence that, surprisingly, didn't last very long, if Naruto had anything to say about that. Sasuke mostly listened, added input only when the situation called for it. Naruto's topic of conversation was of himself, since he felt almost guilty about knowing about Sasuke without him knowing of his.
All too soon, the conversation hit a lull, comfortably. "There is something that I've been dying to know. How is it that you know Kakashi? 'Cause the two of you are obviously close, right?"
Sasuke took a moment to ponder that. He hadn't really thought about it for such a long time that he had to really think to come up with the answer. "He was best friends with my uncle and godfather. And even after he died, Kakashi still came around for dinner a few times a week. He is, for all intents and purposes, my godfather now. And I think we'd both appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anyone," Sasuke finished with a look directed towards Naruto.
Said teen leaned back in his chair, squawked indignantly and a fake-hurt crossed his face. "Such little faith!" he said and was pleased to see a smile flit across Sasuke's face. Those smiles seemed to be coming at increasing intervals, but each were received and memorized all the same.
Switching topics once again, Naruto asked slyly, "Have you planned your revenge against Kakashi and them?"
Sasuke, instead of being thoroughly freaked that maybe the blonde can read minds, smirked rather evilly. "I'm still working on it. The punishment should fit the crime, no?"
Naruto laughed. "Definitely. Should you need any help, I'm more than willing. In fact, I insist on being able to help in any way possible."
Halfway across town, with a cold dinner set for two in front of him, Kakashi felt a shiver run down his spine. He looked around frantically before locking all the windows and doors, shutting all the lights off, and taking his dinner up to his room, locking his bedroom door behind him. Sasuke wasn't going to be coming for dinner after all…
Sasuke refrained from laughing and settles for a chuckle or two. "Be careful what you wish for, I may take you up on that."
Naruto laughed again. His eyes slid over to the alarm clock on Sasuke's end table by his bed. He sighed, it was getting late, and he should get home before Jiraiya started to worry about him. So he consolidated the thought and said, "I should probably get home – it's getting late."
Sasuke made a noncommittal noise and made to go and open the door. He was stopped, however, when Naruto stepped in front of him, door open an inch, sincere smile ever present. "I had fun," he said.
Sasuke, stunned by the sincerity, wasn't able to stop the words tumbling from his lips, the surprised smile on his face he was unaware of. "I did too."
"Good," Naruto said, relieved he wasn't the only one. "'Cause I'm thinking we ought to do this again, soon."
"Sure," Sasuke answered, for an unknown happy reason. Until realization dawned on him, giving reason to the butterflies in his stomach he'd been adamant in ignoring. The feelings of friendship had, in the course of one evening, evolved into something more. More intense, more frightening, and much more embarrassing. But if he had to be totally true with himself, he would have to recognize the possibility of them always being there, from day one, starting with the bud.
What Sasuke didn't know was that Naruto's emotions were mirroring his own, only Naruto's were much more torn. It was against his nature to not be forthcoming with his feelings, but he was afraid he'd scare Sasuke off if he said anything.
While both were battling inwardly, trying to quickly figure out their feelings, Fate decided to intervene. Sasuke had long since let go of the door knob, so when a strong gust of wind decided it needed to enter the room ad exit as a cross breeze through the opposite window, it slammed into Naruto's back. Caught completely unaware, Naruto was pitched forward – right into Sasuke. More specifically, lip-to-lip with Sasuke.
Cursing his previous weakness, at being too thoughtful in regard to his feelings, Naruto took full advantage of the situation, cautiously adding a bit of pressure behind his lips.
Sasuke, once again stunned "speechless" the moment their lips made contact, was even more shocked when Naruto, instead of immediately pulling away like Sasuke thought he would, added pressure. But he was almost too stunned to respond, until Naruto had a bad feeling and begun to pull away. That was when his body started to move on its own accord.
Hands snaked around to grab the retracting head, Sasuke took a step closer and locked lips once again, surprising the both of them with his uncharacteristic boldness. Naruto, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, took advantage of Sasuke's agreeance and deepened the kiss.
After a fight for dominance with no apparent victor, they broke apart, the need for air becoming top priority. A trail of saliva strung out between their mouths, ragged breathing all to clear in the otherwise silent room. Sasuke looked at Naruto with heavy lidded eyes, Naruto doing the same.
The serious atmosphere between the two continued, seemingly communicating solely with their eyes. Sasuke's thought were much more raced and frantic, not his own. Analyzing everything that's happened since this point and not seeing any signs that Naruto could have felt this way about him.
Naruto's thoughts were much the same, only more paced and calmer. He wrote it off as spur of the moment, and that it should happen again.
With a blinding smile, Naruto leaned in and whispered in Sasuke's ear, "We should definitely do this again soon."
A/N: And it is done! Just the epilogue left, and I have no idea when I'll get that done. It'll be done by October 1st, I'm hoping for. Thanks for those who reviewed the last chapter, I appreciated it!
Anyway, I've been busy as all get out lately, and having a… not easy time with the amount of schoolwork I've had in the past week and a half. Totally fried, and my sleeping problems are back… I'm lucky if I get six hours. And they are not even consecutive…