By the time Sasuke could get himself to stand up and stop yelling at Naruto inside of his head like a crazy person, he went down the stairs just in time to see his parents (as well as Naruto) coming through the door while carrying an unexpected overabundance of groceries. Immediately, it was his response to ask if there was anything else that needed to be carried in, but his father insisted he not overexert himself.
"If it's only groceries, I can handle that much. I'm fine, Dad."
Naruto brushed past him to set some bags on the counter, and then went right by him again without making eye contact. That was... surprisingly annoying.
Before he could follow after him to help, his mother placed her hand to his forehead, checking for a temperature. Why were people always doing that to him? Did he really look that awful?
"I'm fine," he murmured. "I was a little overheated earlier. I'm good now."
"Well, we'll keep an eye on you just to make sure. Your father and I bought you some Gatorade and some cold medicine, but you're not coughing and you don't have a fever. Maybe we should have Naruto sleep in the spare room? Or, I'm sure Itachi could spend the night with one of his friends tonight or even take the basement."
He couldn't decide if that was a good suggestion or not. Considering everything going on between them whenever they shared the same space, maybe they both needed room to breathe, and yet the idea of not sharing a bed with Naruto tonight also... felt kind of disappointing.
"We'll see," he ended up saying. "I'll ask Naruto."
"Okay, dear. Whatever you want. By the way, I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that your father and I are going on a date tonight. We know you boys want to have your own fun with the bonfire, and since Itachi's going to be here, we thought you might like for us to leave."
"You don't have to do that," he murmured, though that was very thoughtful of her.
"It's not just for you," she said, leaning in close. "How often does your father ask me out to dinner and a movie?"
"Rarely." Sasuke smiled at her.
By then, Naruto had come in with the rest of the groceries.
"I think this is the last of them," he said.
"Thank you for your help, son," said Fugaku, putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Are you this helpful around your own home?"
"Er." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "I try to be, but my room is pretty sloppy, and I'm really bad at folding laundry. My dad says I even fold the socks wrong."
Fugaku actually chuckled, which surprised Sasuke greatly. "Well, honestly I can't say I'm a big fan of laundry either."
"Or ironing," Mikoto added. "Or cooking. You know, I think Sasuke inherited his cooking skills from his father."
Naruto smiled crookedly at her. So far, he'd yet to even glance Sasuke's way. Why did that irritate him so much? Wasn't he the one that was supposed to be angry? And now both of his parents were fawning all over him.
"Well, that may be," said Fugaku. "But at least he gets his good looks from his mother."
"Oh, you," Mikoto giggled and touched her husband's arm.
Sasuke wanted to ask if they'd been drinking, but he happened to notice Naruto's broadening smile.
"It's cool to see a couple that's still in love after bein' married so long," Naruto told his parents.
"You know, Naruto. You're so charming that if I wasn't married and a mother of two older boys, and also about two and a half times your age..." She stopped there, thank God.
"I can only hope that someday a woman as pretty as you would take interest in me, Mrs. Uchiha," said Naruto. "I'd be very flattered and grateful."
As Mikoto went to hug Naruto, Sasuke inwardly felt an odd pang of something very unpleasant. For the time being, he tried to ignore it so that it wouldn't show on his face.
"I never thought I'd have to worry about losing my wife to someone my youngest son's age," said Fugaku, but he was smiling.
When Mikoto released Naruto from the hug, he appeared a little shocked. There was an odd mix of emotions playing on his face, like he was either about to laugh or burst into tears.
"Heh. I feel a bit embarrassed now," Naruto mumbled. "Um. Do you have anything else you need me to do? I may not look it, but I'm pretty good with my hands. You said on the way in you were gonna do some yard work. I used to do the mowin' when we were in Illinois. I'd like to help out if I can."
Mikoto and Fugaku exchanged a look.
"Dear, you don't have to do anything. You're supposed to relax and do what boys do," said his mother. She glanced (what he perceived to be) curiously at Sasuke. "Surely you two would rather play video games or something else fun?"
"I don't mind," said Naruto. "We've already done a lot of that stuff. Might be good to get some fresh air since it's still nice out. If Sasuke's not feelin' well, he could hang out inside and chill."
"That's true," agreed Mikoto. "If he is coming down with something, maybe we should let him rest some more before tonight."
"I said I was fine," Sasuke insisted, knowing his tone was short and snappish. But, really.
The three of them glanced at him and, oddly, with very similar expressions.
"Sorry. But I'm feeling fine now. I'd also like to help outside if you're going to be doing work around the house."
"If you really think you're feeling up to it." said Fugaku. "Your mother wanted to get a jump on the garden and the area around the porch, so there are several bags of mulch in the back of the car. I suppose the two of you could carry those out and help her."
"Sounds good to me. I love to do that kinda stuff," Naruto offered cheerfully.
Honestly. Was he the only one that could tell Naruto was faking it? He sent him a glare, but the other boy continued to pretend as though he didn't exist.
"Now that that's settled," said Mikoto. "Let me find a few pairs of gloves, and we'll get started. I'm so excited!"
"I'll do some mowing in the back before it gets too dark," said Fugaku. "What's your brother up to, Sasuke?"
"He was going to take a shower last time I talked to him," he replied.
"I wonder if he has a lot of work to do before he goes back to Stanford."
"Knowing Itachi, he's probably already finished everything," said Sasuke.
"You're probably right. I've never had to worry much about him," Fugaku commented absently. "I suppose I should change then. We only have so much time before our dinner reservations."
Sasuke peered at the clock on the microwave. It was a little after 4.30.
"Sasuke, do you know what time all of Itachi's friends are coming over?" asked Mikoto.
"I'm not sure. Itachi didn't say. Maybe around 7 or 8? I think they were going out afterward."
"Well, before your father and I leave, I'll make sure all your snacks and food are set out. Naruto," she glanced at the blond very seriously, "Now make sure Sasuke wears something warm or bring a blanket out. It can get very cold at night here, and we wouldn't want him to spend all spring break sick now, would we?"
It was the first time Naruto bothered to acknowledge him since the incident upstairs. He regarded Sasuke quickly and returned his gaze to Mikoto.
"Yes, ma'am," said Naruto. "I'll make sure of it."
"I want to pinch your cheeks, but I won't because I know it will embarrass Sasuke," she said. "You really are adorable, Naruto, and a very nice young man. I have a feeling the girls at your school won't stand a chance once they get to know you."
"Er..." Naruto bit his lip. "I dunno about that. But, thank you for sayin' so."
Afterward, his mother and father went to change and get their various tools. It left the both of them alone in the kitchen. Naruto did look over at him; Sasuke looked back. He wasn't exactly sure what Naruto was thinking, but in his eyes, he could tell that he was thinking deeply about something.
"I'll head out first," Naruto mumbled and immediately retreated out of the kitchen. Sasuke heard the front door open and close. Then he could see Naruto going down the walkway toward the driveway. The trunk of his dad's SUV was open and Naruto started pulling the heavy bags of mulch out by himself.
Frowning, Sasuke watched for just a little while, with every intention of going out to help. It was hard to stay mad at Naruto, especially when he had that kicked puppy look. It did seem that everything with Naruto was complicated. At first, he'd thought Naruto was a lot more simple, and, frankly, an idiot. But the more time he spent with him, the more he realized Naruto was an incredibly complex and unpredictable person. That type of personality made Sasuke very edgy to say the least. He didn't know how to deal with him, even after all the time they'd spent together, and yet, Naruto always seemed to know the right thing to say to him when he needed it.
But, Sasuke didn't think he had what it took to do the same. That made him angry, too. More at himself, obviously. How was he 16 years old and this terrible at dealing with other people? How could he look at Naruto and know he wanted to make things right, but not be able to go out there and do it? What did it take to be that kind of person? What had made Naruto that way?
Discouraged, he sighed. Finally, he saw his mother come out from the garage. She was pushing a wheelbarrow that had a couple of shovels in it. Smiling, she went up to Naruto and offered him a pair of gloves. For some reason - and he didn't know how she knew he was still there - she turned around and waved at him. It drew Naruto's attention to the window, too, but only briefly. He immediately returned to unloading mulch into the wheelbarrow after tossing the shovels on the ground.
"Damn it," he muttered.
He went to the entranceway, put on his shoes, and headed out the door to join them.
The three of them spent the next hour spreading mulch around the front of the house. Naruto talked with his mother about a lot of random things. He realized Naruto was particularly good at asking questions, and, unlike some people, he seemed genuinely interested in the answers. He had to admit his mother looked incredibly happy to have someone to talk to about flowers, plants, and gardening. They talked about other things, too, and Sasuke listened, but tried hard to pretend that he wasn't.
Only someone who wasn't as good at small talk, who was really lousy at asking people about themselves, could appreciate the ease with which Naruto spoke to others. Sasuke almost found himself jealous, not about Naruto monopolizing his mother, but of the fact, well... would it be so bad if he paid him a little attention, too? The best Sasuke could do was ask Naruto to hand him the rake that was leaning against the side of the house so that he could use it. Naruto did so without a word to him or any kind of eye contact. His mother seemed oblivious to the tension, but maybe she was that engaged in her conversation with Naruto.
"What did you say, dear?" Mikoto asked him.
He must've muttered something under his breath without realizing it. "Nothing, Mother. What time did you say your reservation was for?"
"Seven," she answered. "You know, at the one steakhouse your father likes but won't ever take us to because it's so expensive."
Of course, that led Naruto to ask questions about where they usually went to eat and what kind of food she liked best. Sasuke was, once again, forgotten. After he finished raking, he gave up on the landscaping in favor of going around to the back of the house to see if his father needed any help. He could hear the mower going and thought he might walk out to the firepit to see if there was enough wood. As he opened the fence to the back yard, he saw his father on the riding mower, wearing a pair of headphones to protect his ears from the noise. He also had on this funny straw hat he and Itachi had bought him for Father's Day last year. When he saw Sasuke, he waved to him; Sasuke waved back.
He wondered what Itachi was up to, but he supposed his brother wanted some time to himself. He was probably anxious to get back to school and see all of his other friends. On his way to the shed, he thought about Yahiko and what about him he'd been attracted to. Sure, he was older and had experience with guys, but beyond the physical, had there been much else?
As a comparison, he thought about Naruto, too, and wondered what, if any, were the similarities there? Did he have a type when it came to men? Was Naruto his type? Sasuke, honestly, had never considered it. He didn't have any gay friends his age. In fact, the most he'd ever talked about it to anyone his age was with Naruto, so it's not as if he knew how everything worked exactly.
But Naruto was apparently too busy avoiding him in favor of his mother.
Love, relationships, dating... all of it had never been a priority for him because he'd never considered it a real possibility. Not only because of his parents, but why did the idea of dating a boy while he was in high school seem so unappealing? Maybe dating itself just wasn't appealing to him, and yet, spending time with Naruto had awakened him to the benefits of having someone there to talk to, to provide comfort, to give support, and the physical aspect of it wasn't so bad either. The glances, the smallest touches... the times he got to hold Naruto's hand... all of it was nice, welcome even. He wasn't even referring to the times where he felt like he'd love to jump Naruto, but the other stuff, too, like being able to hold Naruto in his arms, comfort him, and want only good things to happen to him, or that he could have such an effect on Naruto's moods. Even though it was annoying, knowing that he was the one who'd caused Naruto to get so pissed off was somehow...
Oh.
Exhilarating?
Sasuke smirked, remembering the time Naruto came to see him in the nurse's office. What Naruto did then, was that friendship? Was it more? He supposed if he was to really think on it, what he would ideally want in another partner was... everything he had with Naruto. But, it was more complicated than that. At best, they could really only be friends. Maybe the line would continue to blur. Maybe he should draw that line more definitively, but he also didn't think he could stick to it.
So what answer could he possibly give to Naruto, and would it be worth it?
It made his head hurt to try and figure it out.
The shed and firepit was a good walk from the back of the house, but it seemed short once he'd lost himself to his thoughts. The pit was nicely landscaped. It was surrounded by a circle of neutral colored flat stones, and usually they put the branches that fell from the trees in it, so there was a large pile already in there. He stepped over to the shed and unlocked the door. It was dark and smelled musty. He wanted to make sure there'd be everything they might need - the long metal prongs for the hot dogs and marshmallows, some lighter fluid, and buckets for water or sand to put the fire out. There were also some benches and folding chairs. He figured he could at least take some of those out and arrange them around the pit for now. As he was hauling out the folding chairs, he saw Naruto heading this way but pretended to ignore him. After he'd finished setting up the chairs, Naruto walked up and stood beside him.
"Can I help?" He asked Sasuke.
"Don't you have more chores you'd like to do with my mother?"
"Not really," he said. "We finished up, and so she was going to go take a shower and get ready for dinner."
"Well, I'm fine here," Sasuke told him. "You can go inside and do what you want."
But Naruto didn't go, he just stood there, watching him.
"What?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto folded his arms behind his head. There was a sheen of sweat on his skin. He also swore he appeared a bit darker in complexion than even this morning. He almost wanted to ask if Naruto did tan easily, but then he remembered he was supposed to be angry.
"If you're just going to stare at me," he said, "Why don't you at least get out of my way?"
"Oh," Naruto said in a mocking tone, "Am I in your way?"
Sasuke glared at him. "Always."
Naruto chuckled and glanced up at the sky.
"What's so funny?" Sasuke asked.
"You," Naruto answered, lowering his gaze from the clouds to look at him. "You're so stubborn. Y'know that?"
"You're ridiculous." Walking past Naruto - and bumping harder than necessary into his shoulder - he went into the shed to grab one of the benches. Without having asked for his help, Naruto followed and grabbed the other end to help him carry it out.
"Where do you want it?" Naruto asked.
"Here's fine," he said, and they set it opposite of the chairs. He wasn't sure how many friends Itachi invited, but they could always bring out more seating if necessary.
For a moment, he really did consider starting a conversation about all the stuff he'd been thinking about, but... it was too hard for him. He always expected Naruto to be the one to bring it up, but it was almost as if Naruto was testing him, as if he was waiting for Sasuke to realize that he expected him to do it this time. Could Naruto even come up with a scheme like that, or was he just overthinking things? And why did he care?
"Um, so. Are you goin' back in then?" Naruto asked. "Or are you just gonna stay out here and glare at the bench?"
"Why?" He asked nastily. "Do you have a problem with me glaring at the bench?"
"Not really. At least you're not glarin' at me, so that's fine."
"Well, I'm glad I have your approval."
Naruto made a humming noise, but he didn't say anything. Finally, he shrugged.
"Suit yourself," he told Sasuke and, sticking his hands in his pockets, started back toward the house.
Sasuke watched him go, frustrated and perplexed. He slammed the door shut and locked it. Not wanting to look like he was in a hurry to catch up, he only walked briskly toward the blond, who was moving a lot slower than him. His father had stopped mowing and had presumably gone inside to get ready for dinner. As Naruto walked up to the koi pond, Sasuke followed after him silently. Like this morning, Naruto crouched by the edge of the water and swirled his fingers along the surface. Some of the fish swam over to him, acting very interested in his fingers. When one of them nibbled at Naruto's fingertip, the boy let out a quiet laugh of delight and glanced up at Sasuke with a pleased grin. The sun was directly behind Sasuke, so it was hitting Naruto in the face, forcing him to squint and hold a hand up to shield his eyes. Sasuke moved a little to the side so that it better blocked the sunlight for him.
"You really like this pond, don't you?" Sasuke asked softly.
"I do." Naruto dropped his hand and went back to tormenting the fish. They seemed to like it for some reason. Masochistic fish.
"I'm sure you could feed them," he said, "If you wanted to."
"Mm. That's okay. I'm fine like this." Naruto sat down on the grass, crossed his legs underneath him, and leaned back on his arms. "It feels nice out."
"It does," Sasuke replied a little awkwardly.
It wasn't especially easy for him to make conversation when it felt forced. He didn't know why it felt forced exactly, but, for him, it was just difficult to talk about things that didn't matter when he thought there were other things that needed to be said.
With his eyes on the water, Naruto said to him in a quiet voice, "You could sit down next to me. If you wanted."
Sasuke studied the back of his head before complying. He sat beside Naruto, but with a fair amount of space between them. He also sat cross-legged but was hunched forward, distracting himself by watching the fish. Two of them were chasing each other around, and the smaller one was nipping at the other's tail.
"That little guy's feisty," Naruto said.
"It could be a female. Look at the belly. It's swollen. Or do I need to explain the facts of life to you?"
"Might be a little late for that." Naruto picked at the grass and then threw the blades to the breeze. "I like the smell of freshly cut grass, don't you?"
"I suppose," he replied, closely watching him. "I hadn't really thought about it before."
"Really?" Naruto turned to look at him. "That's weird, isn't it? You know, the smell of cut grass, gasoline, the markers you used to play with in kindergarten?"
"You sniffing markers at a young age explains a lot." He smirked, but Naruto frowned at him and mumbled.
"And people say I'm never serious."
Sasuke sighed. "What is it you want from me, Naruto?"
"Nothin'," he answered. "I'm not sure I have any expectations anymore."
Sasuke didn't know what he meant by that, but it still managed to sting. "So that's it? You don't expect anything from me? Why? Because I haven't lived up to your expectations and inconsistent principles?"
"I'm okay if that's what you want to think of it as," Naruto replied, poking at the water.
Sasuke reached over and took hold of his wrist, bringing it toward him. He had so much he wanted to say, but he couldn't figure out where to start.
"What?" Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes at him and then at the fingers on his wrist. "What is it you want to say, Sasuke?"
"Plenty." He let his fingers press even harder on the underside of Naruto's wrist as if feeling for his pulse. "What you're doing isn't fair to me."
"What am I doing?"
"You're testing me," he replied. "It's irritating."
"I'm not testing you," said Naruto.
"Because I've already failed? You're such a hypocrite. You expect me to give you some answer to a question neither of us has really asked, and I know you knowwhy." For a breath, he drew Naruto's hand closer toward him before letting it fall to the ground. "Tch. I don't know why I bother. You're so judgmental."
"Me?" Naruto asked. "How am I judgmental? I've been nothing but open with you, and all you ever do is put up walls. You've made it clear you want me to stop tryin' to get past them, so what else do you want me to do?"
Sasuke bit his lip. "...I don't know."
"If you don't know, then how the hell should I know?" Naruto asked, bottom lip sticking out as he sulked.
"Because," he said. "You always know. You always know what to say or what the right thing is to do."
"Not always." Naruto returned to leaning back on his arms, his gaze drifting up again even though it seemed to be directly confronting the sun. "That's too much pressure anyway. To assume I always can do the right thing. I don't wanna always do the right thing. Sometimes I wanna do the wrong thing even though I know it's wrong, and sometimes I want things I wouldn't even know what to do with..." He looked at Sasuke after saying this. "Y'know?"
"I know."
"And there we are." Naruto smiled lop-sidedly and shrugged as if it was no big deal, as if it was all a finality. The end had come before anything had even started. "No one gets hurt. As you pretty much said before, what would be the point, right?"
"I suppose." He kept staring at Naruto, wondering why it felt as if his heart had just been broken.
"So, that means you can stop jerkin' off so much. I'll be sure to keep my distance."
Sasuke lowered his head. "I don't jerk off that much."
"Well, whatever. It's none of my business. Jerk off as much as you want or as little, or somewhere in between. I wouldn't want you to think I'm tellin' you what to do with your life."
"Now you're just being an asshole," he remarked.
"So. Who cares?" Naruto scowled petulantly at him. "I thought that... I guess I thought..." He shook his head. "I was probably wrong anyway. I usually am. I'm not as smart as you, so it's not like I have all the answers. Not even close."
"What did you think?" Sasuke asked him, genuinely curious. "That I'd confess? Is that what you want to hear?"
Naruto shrugged again. "I dunno. I thought if you told me what you obviously didn't want to, that I'd automatically know how to handle it. But, I suppose you're right. That's unfair. So what if you're attracted to me? Doesn't mean you'd date me. Doesn't mean you're in love with me. Doesn't mean it means anything at all. I guess I just felt like, after Mom died... I didn't really wanna waste time playing games. I'd rather be honest with people so they know where I stand. To tell you the truth, I don't think people really like when others are honest with them. Sometimes I don't even like it. I'm sure you think I do it 'cause I have some... sense of justice or I'm bein' a champion of the truth or whatever, but... it's really 'cause I only want to put my time into the stuff that's really worth it. That's meaningful. Your friendship," he plucked at more of the grass, not looking at Sasuke, "It meant somethin' to me. I admired you from the moment I met you... and when you were honest with me in the locker room about bein' gay... I was just so... in awe, I think."
"You," said Sasuke, "Were in awe of... me?"
"Sure. I guess I felt drawn to you even more than before, but when you kissed me, I thought... it must've had to do with the relief you felt in tellin' someone. And that you trusted me enough to tell me... I guess I didn't think of it beyond that. I wouldn't have flattered myself to think someone like you could like me. And I still don't think..." He sighed and didn't seem like he would continue his thoughts.
"Finish," Sasuke urged. "Please."
Naruto shook his head. "It doesn't matter." He brought his knees to his chest, hugged them, and rested his head there, gazing sadly at Sasuke. "There's only two more years of high school. I think I'd like to go back to Illinois for college. That's where my friends are. We'd all made plans go to the same place. Maybe my dad will be ready to go back by then... and, y'know. You'll go to college, probably to some Ivy League school or somewhere else amazing, and you won't even remember me."
It took a moment for Sasuke to process the idea of Naruto not sticking around after college. He hadn't thought of that, but maybe he should've. Maybe he could consider it a blessing, a reason not to get any closer to Naruto from now on, or to dial down his affection to nothing more than friendship. They could hang out, talk to each other at school, pretend as if this confusing, topsy-turvy weekend had never existed for either of them, but the truth was... it had.
There was something there, and as much as he was afraid to admit it, Naruto was, too.
"Naruto," he found himself saying.
"Hm?" Naruto replied on reflex.
"In a perfect world...I would want more."
"More? What more?"
Sasuke sighed. "Just... more."
"Master of vague, Obi-Wan strikes back," said Naruto.
"It's a little difficult for me," he replied irritably, "I'm not as good at sharing my feelings as you are."
"No kidding."
"Why are you being a jerk right now when I'm trying as hard as I can?"
Naruto looked shocked by his words. "...Sorry. That's... not really my intention. It's... frustrating, I guess. Sorry."
"Stop apologizing. Now I feel bad. I only want to say that I'd prefer you not be mad at me. I'll try to figure out how to be more open about these things. I..." He let out a growl. "Why is this so hard?"
"Years of intense repression?" Naruto suggested, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
"Explains why I'm always trying to jump you, doesn't it?"
Naruto barked out a laugh. "I cannot believe you just said that."
Sasuke smirked. "I told you I was trying. I don't feel comfortable sharingeverything, not even with Itachi."
Naruto nodded. "I get it. No hard feelings. Let's just... let it go. We'll have a good time tonight. Other people will be there that are cool. We'll go to bed, and then I'll go home tomorrow, and I won't be in your face all the time."
"Naruto," he said. "That's never been the problem."
"Sorta feels like it."
Sasuke resisted the urge to move closer to him. He glanced up at the window of his parents' bedroom. Not that he'd be able to see into it with all that glare, but the blinds seemed to be drawn.
"It's me, I think," he quietly posed. "Even your flaws are all fairly attractive, so I can't see how it's you."
Naruto's mouth started to open and close, resembling the fish he'd been tormenting.
"What? Don't look so surprised." He leaned over and put his finger between Naruto's eyebrows, trying to force the wrinkles down. "That offends me, don't raise them like that."
"Life is weird," Naruto said, "'Cause I swear to God if you were a girl, I would think... jeez, she's amazing. Except, I'd still figure you were so outta my league that I wouldn't even consider askin' you out, and you'd probably treat me like an idiot just like you do now, but I wouldn't be able to keep away from you, and I'd always wanna say, 'you're so smart, Sasuke' or 'why can't you see how much potential you have, you friggin' bastard?'."
"Well." He licked his lips and considered what Naruto was trying to say, "If you were a girl. Actually, I suppose if you were a girl, I would feel differently because I would never be attracted to you, but if I was a girl, as unpleasant as that sounds... I suppose I'd think something similar. That you were too good for me, and that you'd think I'm too different and too difficult to ever match you in a way that you'd deserve."
"Like you said," Naruto's hand found its way into the grass, and he moved it over until it was on top of Sasuke's, "In a perfect world."
"Or," Sasuke attempted a smile, "We wait a few years, when we're older and wiser and have a little more idea about how relationships work, and I will attempt to sway you about the perks of dating a man."
Naruto squinted one eye shut as he tilted his head, the sun hitting him again. "Can we still make out from time to time?"
Sasuke smiled even wider. "Maybe. We'll see."
"What if we're at prom, and someone spikes the punch so we're both drunk, and you accidentally stick your hand down my pants?"
"Why would I do that? Of the two of us, you're far more crude. It sounds like something you'd do."
"True," Naruto said with a short nod. "You are a bit of a prude, so I s'pose if one of us was gonna make a move, it'd have to be me."
"Not entirely true," he said, a bit offended. "If I come off that way, it's only because you keep reminding me of your heterosexuality and how you'd probably shag me ifI was a girl."
"That's not what I said! I said even if you - "
Sasuke sat forward and had to use his other hand to cover Naruto's mouth. "Shh. You're too loud. Everyone in the neighborhood is going to hear you."
"So? I dunno your neighbors."
"Tch. You're so reckless."
"You are."
"Hardly. I'm anything but or I would've had my way with you by now." He smirked at Naruto and removed his hand from underneath the other boy's.
Naruto smiled at him coyly before running his hand through his own hair, ruffling up the back.
"Now it's sticking up everywhere," Sasuke said and, without even thinking about it, reached over to fix it.
On a whim it seemed, Naruto, with a rather intense look, grabbed for that hand and squeezed it. But, suddenly he blinked a few times, let out an embarrassed chuckle, and dropped it on the ground.
"Sorry. I dunno why I did that."
"It's all that sexual tension," Sasuke said, attempting to make it sound like a joke, but it was clear that remained an issue for them.
Naruto blew out a breath. "I suppose we should go back in, huh? I bet your parents are ready to go. I've never taken so many showers in one day, but I think I'm gonna need one more."
"I don't know. I don't mind your smell."
"Gross dude," he said to Sasuke and got to his feet, holding out his hand for Sasuke to take.
He reached for it and held on a little while longer before allowing himself to be pulled up. Surprising him, Naruto threw an arm around his shoulders.
Sasuke glared. "What are you doing?"
"It's what friends do, right?"
"No. It's annoying." He tried to push Naruto off of him, but the blond wouldn't budge.
"Shut up. You know you like it," Naruto said. "Me thinks thou doth protest too much."
"You probably don't even know what that's from."
"Sure I do. It's from Dr. Who or whatever. I think I heard it there."
"You really are an idiot." Sasuke glanced at him with a smile, lifting his bangs out of the way.
"For a little longer, I can be your idiot." Naruto grinned at him and then dropped his arm to nudge him in the side with an elbow. "I'm sure that's what you'll be thinkin' when you take your shower at least."
Sasuke suddenly put his own arm around Naruto's shoulders and pulled him in close so that he could whisper in his ear. "And if I do?"
"Um..."
"Like you won't think about it when you're in there? Me, as perfect as I am, thinking about you, some dead-last loser. How I'd only be imagining all the ways I can bring you pleasure," he lowered his voice, "About how to make you feel good until you were moaning my name and whimpering under me... Oh Sasuke, yes Sasuke..." He laughed when he saw the way Naruto's face turned bright red.
Even though Naruto had stopped walking, Sasuke continued on toward the house.
A minute or two later, Naruto caught up to his side.
"Ha ha, asshole. Very funny."
"I thought it was," he replied, smiling in a cocksure manner.
"You still never answered my question, though."
"What question was that?" He held open the gate for Naruto.
"Whether you really thought about me, y'know," he waited for Sasuke to close the gate, "While you masturbated."
"Is it really that important?" Sasuke asked.
"I'd... like to know."
"Fine." Sasuke stuck his hands in his pockets as they walked side by side. "I thought about you while I jerked off. The dirtiest stuff I could think of, but so what," he said, glancing at Naruto sidelong, "It's not as if it was the first time."
"WHAT?!"
He sniggered and smacked the boy on the back of the head. "Get over it. I'm going inside." He stopped near the walkway when Naruto hadn't followed after him yet. "Are you coming?"
Naruto scrunched his nose. "I dunno. Is that what I do in all your graphic fantasies of me?"
Sasuke smirked. "As much as I can make you."
"Graaaaah! Life is so cruel!"
He sniggered. "Come on, idiot. It's going to be colder later on. Did you bring a sweatshirt?"
"No, but I have my school blazer."
"That's just going to smell like smoke if you wear it out. Plus, you'll look like a moron. Which is no different than usual, by the way."
"Fine. I'll ask if I can borrow one from Itachi."
"Why don't you just ask me?"
"'Cause... then I'd have your scent all over me." Naruto sort of pouted at him.
"So?"
"It'd be like we were... y'know."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"
"Like... we were datin' or whatever."
"Okay, then don't wear it," he said, but paused just short of the door. "Wait, if you feel that way, then why did you ask about wearing something of Itachi's?"
"Heh, well." Naruto opened the door for them. "Male or female, who wouldn't wanna date your brother?"
Sasuke gave him the evil eye as Naruto went inside the house before him. "Why does everyone always say that?!"
The two of them were in the kitchen, drinking a couple of bottled waters when his parents appeared in the doorway, dressed and ready for their date. His father was wearing a nice charcoal-colored suit and silvery tie while his mother wore a lacy black dress that had 3/4-length sleeves and a high waist.
Naruto stopped drinking from his water to gawk. "Oh wow, you look amazing, Mrs. Uchiha."
"You look nice, Mom," Sasuke added.
"And doesn't your father look handsome, as well?" She hugged his arm. "I love when I can convince him to wear a suit."
"You look good, Dad," he said, and Naruto nodded his head in agreement.
"Itachi knows we're leaving," said Fugaku. "We should be back by the time he goes into the city, but, if not, just make sure the fire is out before you two go to bed."
"Of course, father," said Sasuke. "Naruto and I will take care of it."
"Did you see that I laid everything out for you on the counter?" Mikoto asked. "Tell everyone to help themselves to anything we have in the refrigerator. There's still some ramen left."
"Yes, thanks very much," said Sasuke.
His mother came to each one of them, kissing Naruto on the cheek and then him.
"Have a good time," she said, smiling.
As his parents left the kitchen, giggling could be heard on their way out the front door.
Naruto leaned over and rubbed his thumb across Sasuke's cheek. "You got a little somethin' right there."
"So do you." He smirked.
"Ah well," said Naruto. "It's more proof that older women love me."
"You're so full of it. Why don't you go take a shower?"
"Yeah, figures you'd let me have first dibs considerin' the mess you're gonna make in it."
"You know," he said. "If you talk about it that much it makes me less interested in doing it."
"I doubt it." Naruto chuckled. "Is it weird that I'm kinda hungry? I've got the munchies."
"Do you now? Have you been partaking of activities that I would've liked to have been privy to?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow at him. "You? Smoke pot? But you're such a goody two-shoes."
"I am not." He scowled. "Wait until you see who my brother hangs out with. I've already been tainted."
"Tainted, eh? That's... suspicious. It never occurred to me that - "
Sasuke, knowing where Naruto's train of thought was headed, decided to divert his attention. "What exactly is it you're hungry for? I could make you something."
"Oh, really?" Naruto grinned. "Hm. I suddenly had a craving, for, like... Spaghettio's."
"You're joking."
"Maybe I'm pregnant?"
"Well, it's certainly not mine." Sasuke threw his bottle into the recycling bin under the sink.
"Even if it's not, would you still take care of it with me and help me raise it?"
"I'm not sure I have any obligation to do anything like that."
"Stingy." Naruto punched him in the arm. "But my children would be so beautiful. Maybe they'd have my blue eyes."
"It'd be very unfortunate if they had your brains."
"Or your temper," said Naruto.
"My temper? Your temper is just as bad as mine."
"See, you're already gettin' defensive. The baby should definitely have my temperament."
"This is the stupidest conversation we've had yet," Sasuke told him. "If you reallywant Spaghettio's, I can run to the gas station a few blocks away while you're in the shower and get some for you."
Naruto stared at him.
"What?"
The blond boy shook his head. "I wouldn't ask you to do that. I'm fine with anything you already have."
He shrugged. "I don't mind."
Naruto started to give him one of those goofy grins.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.
"M'havin another one of those 'if you were a girl' moments."
"Those moments sound very annoying to me. Do you want Spaghettio's or not?"
"Yes, please." Naruto nodded his head. "If you're sure it's not too much trouble."
Since Naruto was finished with his water, Sasuke took that from him, too, and threw it in the bin.
"What is this...?" Naruto asked. "You're bein' all... considerate."
"It's nothing," he replied. "I threw a bottle away. Not worth writing home about."
Naruto looked at him suspiciously. "You're trying to woo me, aren't you?"
"Do people still say that?" He asked.
Tilting his head to the side, Naruto continued to smile at him in that infectious way he did sometimes.
With a frown, Sasuke reached for the piece of hair hanging in front of his left eye and moved it behind his ear. "That was bothering me," he said.
"You better go soon," said Naruto, "Or I may take you up on that offer of makin' out."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. You bein' charming is both eerie and powerful. Like dark magic. Like David Bowie in the Labyrinth."
"I love that movie, so I will take that as a compliment," he said and gave Naruto a push. "Now go shower. By the time you get out, I may be back with yourSpaghettio's. Even though I really shouldn't be contributing to your poor eating habits."
"Speakin' of, will you get me a small bottle of Coke, too?" He batted his eyelashes at Sasuke.
Surprisingly, it was kind of working. "I will."
"Will you get some alcohol, too?"
"How could I possibly do that?"
Naruto shrugged. "Bring Itachi?"
"If you're that desperate, I'm sure we have something around the house. It's not as if my parents keep the liquor hidden."
"That sort of surprises me to be honest," said Naruto. "Okay, well I'm gonna go get naked and roll around in your shower now."
"Okay..." He didn't want to ask what Naruto meant by "rolling around" but he assumed it was a comment intended to tease and infuriate. It was distracting at the most, but naked Narutos inside his head had become a bit commonplace.
Naruto leaned in closer. Too close, really. They were nearly nose to nose.
"I don't like that look you have," Naruto told him. "You're thinkin' somethin' perverted."
Sasuke put a hand to his chest and, gently, pushed him away. "I was only thinking that there are limits to how often I can think of you wet and naked."
Naruto scowled. "How is that possible? You're tired of me already? You're so fickle, Sasuke!"
"Do you ever listen to yourself?" He asked, and, reaching behind, grabbed his mother's keys off the hook.
"Fine. While you're gone, I'll see if Itachi wants to molest me instead!"
Sasuke raised a brow. "If you truly feel you must."
"Argh!" Naruto came up to him and poked his chest.
"Yes?"
"I dunno! This isn't goin' the way I thought it would, so now I'm just mad."
"I'm sorry," he said. "Am I not teasing you enough? Not paying you enough attention? Now you know how I felt earlier."
"Huh?"
"When you were ignoring me in favor of talking to my mother."
"Oh." Naruto stepped back and glanced somewhere else. "I was mad."
"I could tell."
"Sorry 'bout that."
"So long as you know you were in the wrong. I accept your apology." He smirked broadly.
"Hey, you ass! It was your damn fault for bein' so, so - "
"I told you you had a limited vocabulary."
Growling, Naruto grabbed hold of the front of his shirt and pulled at it. "I am not as stupid as you think I am."
"I know," he said. "But I like to piss you off. Anger looks good on you." He gave another piece of Naruto's wild fringe a tug.
Naruto let go of his shirt and stared at him like he was trying to work out what he was playing at. He wasn't really playing at anything, though.
"If you're done," he said to Naruto. "I'm going to go get your food."
"Yeah..."
"Okay then." He started to walk past Naruto when the other boy caught hold of his wrist. Sasuke turned to him.
"Thank you." He let go of Sasuke and looked at him sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck. "Drive careful, okay? Your mom would kill me if I let anything happen to you."
"I'll come back safely to you, don't worry." He offered a smile.
Naruto's eyes widened a bit before he broke out into a grin, too. "Bye, Sasuke. I'll touch myself in the shower thinkin' of you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Playfully, he gave Naruto's cheek a pat and headed to the garage. "If Itachi surfaces from his room, tell him where I went."
He heard Naruto follow after him as he started down the stairs to the basement.
"Don't take too long!" He shouted after Sasuke. "What'll I do if I get lonely?"
"Then talk to yourself, idiot," he replied loudly and made his way through the basement and into the garage.
Really. When did he start being the type of guy who'd run out for one person's moronic cravings? The thought of even buying those damn things made him feel embarrassed. Still. It couldn't be helped. When Naruto smiled like that, it was getting harder to ignore the urge to do nice things for him every once in a while. What else did Sasuke have to do anyway? Otherwise he just would've waited in the bedroom until Naruto came back in with his... towel. Hm. Maybe if he drove fast enough he could get there and back in time to get another peek at Naruto'sattributes.
Or he could try to think about something else for once.
Unfortunately, as he got into the car and pushed the garage door opener, he couldn't think of a single damn thing that could top the image of a dripping wet Naruto.
xxx
It took less than 20 minutes to drive there and back from the gas station. He didn't check, but he thought Naruto was out of the shower. Sasuke gave him time to get dressed in privacy as he opened the can of, he cringed, Spaghettio's. He didn't think anyone above the age of 8 still ate this garbage. It slopped out into the pot after he'd turned on the burner. He stirred it once or twice before reaching into the cabinet to get a bowl. He'd put Naruto's Coke into the refrigerator.
"What are you making?" Itachi appeared in the doorway, looking as if he'd recently woken from a nap.
"Were you asleep?" He asked.
"I did manage to fall asleep for a while, yes. I didn't get much sleep last night. Perhaps it was the fear of my little brother being violated down the hallway."
Sasuke gave Naruto's early-evening snack another few stirs and turned down the heat when it began to simmer. "Or, maybe the fact you got in late had something to do with it. Are you still going out tonight, too?"
Itachi came up behind him and looked over his shoulder. "Is that... Spaghettio's? Did we have that in our pantry?"
"No," he said. "Naruto was hungry for some, so I went to get a can while he took a shower."
"Pardon me, but did you just say that you went on an errand for Naruto to get him some Spaghettio's?"
"Yes."
Itachi put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm confused. Are the two of you an old married couple?"
"No. If I didn't go get it, he would've whined about it all night. The gas station is a whole five minutes away, so it wasn't a big deal."
"Okay," said his brother, removing his hand. "It's only that I'm not used to this side of you."
"What side?" He asked, turning off the burner and moving it to another.
"The side where you clearly care about someone and do things to make them happy." Itachi pushed the bowl closer to him as Sasuke started to pour half of the contents into it.
"I think you're reading too much into it. I needed the fresh air anyway."
"Of course. To answer your earlier question, I will be going into the city again tonight. But mostly because I thought it might be brotherly of me to give you time alone with your new... friend."
Sasuke shook his head. "Could you be more obvious?"
"It's not like I'm trying to be subtle. I wish the both of you would admit your feelings already."
"There's nothing to admit," said Sasuke. "He knows I'm attracted to him, and Naruto, well, he's about as interested in dating another boy as I am. At least not until I get to college."
"That sounds confusing and unfortunate. Is this because of what happened with father today?"
"Not just today," Sasuke answered. "It would be a hassle right now. Not that Naruto even feels that way. It's no big deal, but let's please stop talking about it. When is everyone coming? Mom left all of this food here. Oh, and Naruto wanted alcohol earlier."
"Did he?" Itachi asked and leaned against the counter. "I suppose if we got him drunk, you could definitely take advantage of him."
"I won't let him get drunk. It's not like I haven't had a few drinks with you and your friends."
"True, but I'm not sure that's such a good idea either."
Sasuke turned to him, eyebrow raised. "Why not?"
"Well," said Itachi, "What if one of my friends was to take advantage of you?"
"As if any of them would have the balls to try. Besides, I can take care of myself."
Itachi made a dubious humming noise. "If you say so."
"Oh my God! It smells like Spaghettio's!" Naruto rushed into the kitchen, dressed in the same jeans as earlier, but it looked as though...
"Are you wearing one of my shirts?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah. I told you I was runnin' out of stuff to wear. I figured you wouldn't care. You have about 10 short-sleeved black shirts. I figured you wouldn't miss it if I borrowed one of them." Naruto pulled at it.
"Don't pull at it," Sasuke glared at him. "You'll stretch it."
"I'm not gonna stretch it just by doin' this!" Naruto pulled at it again.
"I'm making you your stupid food, the least you can do is not ruin my clothes."
"Feh." Naruto sauntered up beside him. "Yo, Itachi. Where've you been?"
"Sleeping," Itachi answered. "I'm not as young as you so if I want to stay up late tonight I needed my beauty rest."
Naruto chuckled. "Why would a guy already as good lookin' as you need beauty rest?" He stole the spoon out of Sasuke's hand and rather than eating out of the bowl Sasuke made for him, he scooped it right out of the pot.
"Why do I bother?" Sasuke asked.
"It always tastes good right out of the pot!" But, he did slide over to the corner and grabbed his bowl. "Did you get me Coke?"
"I did." Sasuke scowled. "It's in the refrigerator."
"I'll get it for you," said Itachi, walking over to retrieve it from the fridge. He brought it to the blond, and, sending Sasuke a smirk, asked, "Naruto, that looks good. Would you mind if I had a bite?"
"Oh sure," said Naruto and he handed Itachi a spoon filled with the tiny, tomato-soaked o's. His brother appeared to eat it with relish.
"Reminds me of when Sasuke and I were younger," said his brother.
Sasuke glared at him. He knew what Itachi was trying to do.
"Sasuke," said Naruto. "Do you want a bite?" He held a spoon full of Spaghettio's out to him.
"I really don't..." He stared at the spoon and then up at Naruto.
Itachi gave him a push toward the other boy.
"Fine," he grumbled, reluctantly opened his mouth, and let Naruto feed it to him.
Naruto grinned. "See, doesn't it taste great?"
He chewed slowly and swallowed. "Tastes like rubber soaked in tomato soup."
"But Sasuke," said Itachi. "You do love tomatoes."
"Not when they're processed to death," he remarked.
"Fine, more for me," said Naruto. "So, Itachi. When are your friends comin'? Should we start the fire soon?"
"I still want to shower," said Sasuke. "But if you and Itachi want to take care of it, I'll meet you out there."
"I can wait," said Naruto. "Don't forget to put on somethin' warm. Oh, and we'll bring a blanket out if you have one."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You don't have to look out for me, Naruto. I'm not really sick."
Naruto shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Plus, I gave my word to your mom. But, you gotta bring blankets out. That's part of the fun. Hey, Itachi. Do you have a sweatshirt I can borrow?"
"I told you that you can borrow one of mine," Sasuke told him.
"I'm sure I do have one you can borrow, Naruto. But wouldn't one of Sasuke's fit you much better? Although, I feel flattered that you want to wear my belongings."
"You're both weird," Naruto commented and slurped up more of his soup or whatever that crap could be categorized as. He opened his bottle of Coke, took a large gulp and let out a sigh of pleasure. "That's good stuff."
"It's the small things in life, isn't it?" Itachi asked.
"Yeah." Naruto wiped his hand across his mouth. "I love Coke. I dunno what I'd do without it."
"Probably drop about ten pounds," said Sasuke. He leaned over and poked Naruto in the stomach.
"Tch. You weren't complainin' earlier," said Naruto, and, realizing what he'd done, glanced over at Itachi in a panic, turned bright red, and then stammered out some unintelligible explanation.
Sasuke sighed. "It's not like my brother isn't aware, Naruto. He has a very perverted imagination. Why else do you think he hangs out with Kakashi?"
"Er. What exactly does he know?" Naruto asked.
Itachi shrugged. "I only know what Sasuke tells me, and I assure you it isn't much."
Naruto looked as though he didn't believe him. "Nothin's happened," he mumbled.
"That's good," said Itachi, "Because I would be very sad and upset if something happened to my brother. Such as you taking his virginity."
Naruto immediately started coughing on his Spaghettio's and pounding at his chest.
Sasuke handed him his Coke. "Don't let him get to you. It only eggs him on when you respond like that."
"Sheesh. Warn a guy before you're gonna say stuff like that," Naruto said and set his Coke aside. "But I can assure you that that's not gonna be a problem. I have no intention of takin' Sasuke's virginity."
"Why?" asked Itachi. "Is my brother not good enough for you?"
Sasuke punched his brother in the arm. "Would you give it a rest?"
"Huh? Your brother's way too good for me," said Naruto. "I wouldn't try to pop his cherry anyway."
"What if you let him pop yours?" Itachi questioned with a smirk.
"Well, he'd need a time machine," Naruto replied.
"I see. I remember boys your age always saying they had experience premature to the actual experience. I understand."
"Are you two seriously having this conversation?" Sasuke asked them only to be ignored.
"I've had sex," Naruto argued, shoving his empty bowl toward the sink. "Maybe not as much as you, but I've had sex, and for your information, I think I'm pretty good at it."
"Really?" said Itachi. "Where's your proof?"
"Do I need to call witnesses?" Naruto asked.
"Naruto, would you shut up already," Sasuke said and went to stand between him and his brother. "You," he told Itachi, "Stop provoking him. It's far too easy and you know it. And you," he turned to Naruto, "Stop letting him provoke you. No one cares if you've had sex or not or how good you are - "
"I wouldn't mind knowing more about his successful techniques," Itachi mused. "Wouldn't you, Sasuke? Maybe you could learn something from him."
Sasuke sighed. He no longer wanted to contribute to this conversation, so he picked up Naruto's bowl, rinsed it off, and put it in the dishwasher.
"Hey, I was gonna eat more of that," Naruto complained.
"Then you can eat it out of the pot," said Sasuke. "I'm going to take my shower, so I'll leave you two to discuss Naruto's all-important sex life."
As he was leaving, he heard Itachi say playfully to Naruto, "What do you think his problem is?"
Naruto answered him: "He's probably just jealous of our awesome sex lives."
Sasuke ignored them. Somehow he felt Naruto being in Itachi's presence sucked the intelligence out of both of their brains. It was irritating, and the last thing he wanted to talk about with Naruto was sex. He entered the bedroom and went through his clothes to find something to wear. He also pulled out a couple of sweatshirts from the closet for himself and for Naruto. He was going to let him borrow one of his favorites - a navy hoodie that his brother had bought him at college. Sasuke chose a black Adidas hoodie to wear over a dark gray long-sleeved shirt. He left the clothes in a pile on the edge of his bed and wandered into the bathroom. He thought he could hear Naruto's raised voice from the kitchen but thought it was best not to know.
Sasuke had thought so before when Naruto came into the kitchen, but smelling his cologne in the bathroom had him wondering if Naruto had borrowed some? Curious.
He made his shower quick, only wanting to get the smell of sweat and dirt off his body. He brushed his teeth again and put a little more time into styling his hair. Not that he was interested in impressing Itachi's friends or anything. He fussed with the back for a while, using a mixture of gel and wax to get it to stick up the right way and put his bangs into place. As he left the bathroom, he was only wearing a towel, and when he walked into the bedroom, Naruto was sitting at the desk chair, apparently texting someone.
Naruto looked up when he heard him come in. "That was fast."
"I figured you'd still be having that meaningful conversation with my brother."
"Eh. It's all just fun. I know he likes to rile the both of us. Oh, hey. Your hair looks good, by the way."
Sasuke picked up his pile of clothes. "Thanks." He started to walk out of the room again so that he could change in the bathroom.
"You can change in here, y'know," Naruto told him. "I'll turn the chair around if it's that big of a deal. It's not like we haven't seen each other in the locker room."
"Not naked," he said.
"We've got the same equipment, but it's not like m'gonna stare at your penis. I'm not Sai." Naruto turned the chair around so that he was facing away from him.
"I think Sai would be more interested in staring at your penis," said Sasuke.
"Ha, I'll have to tell him y'said that. I'm texting him now."
Though Sasuke had his back to Naruto, he frowned. "What's he up to tonight?" He let his towel fall to the floor and picked up the black pair of boxer-briefs he'd taken from the drawer.
"He says he's at some coffee house in the city. An open mic night or somethin'."
"Really?" He asked, a little more interested now. "Where at?"
"I dunno. He didn't say, and now he's headed off to some dance club with a guy."
"What guy?" Sasuke tugged the shirt over his head.
Naruto spun the chair around. "Nice underwear. You always have such nice underwear."
"I didn't realize you were always looking."
"Well, it's 'cause you always dress nicely. Even out of your uniform, you always look good."
Sasuke, of course, raised an eyebrow. "Are you hitting on me right now?"
"If complimentin' you on how you look is hittin' on you, then I guess?"
"It's hard to tell sometimes," he replied and sat down on the bed to pull his jeans on. "Anyway, I'm not sure how sexy I look in an Adidas sweatshirt. There's yours, by the way." After he'd put his own on, he tossed the other hoodie to Naruto. "Don't get anything on it. It's one of my favorites."
"If it's one of your favorites, why would you give it to me?"
Sasuke shrugged. "I trust you not to destroy it."
"Ah, but now you've messed up your hair." Naruto, placing his phone on the desk, got up and came toward him. He stood right in front of Sasuke and, as if it was perfectly normal, began playing with his hair.
It felt good, so he didn't comment about it and allowed Naruto to preen him.
"Are you... wearing my cologne?" Sasuke asked in a low voice.
"Yeah, I borrowed some. I hope that's okay. I didn't bring any with me."
Sasuke nodded. "It smells good on you."
Naruto chuckled. "I think it smells the same on me as it does on you."
Sasuke wanted to beg to differ. Smelling it on Naruto was a bit... let's just say it felt as though his territory had been marked. While Naruto continued to run fingers through his hair, he shut his eyes and sighed in pleasure.
"Does it feel good?" Naruto asked. "It felt good when you did it to me last night."
"Say that again," he said.
"What? Oh." He laughed. "Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"It felt good when you did it to me last night," Naruto said, lowering his voice and sounding purposely sexy as hell.
"Define 'it'," he murmured.
"I never woulda thought you'd be into dirty talk."
"I think I could be if it's you."
When Naruto's fingers stopped, Sasuke opened his eyes again to regard him. Naruto looked pensive. His lips were parted, and his eyes were set on Sasuke's... mouth? Then Naruto looked up more and met his gaze.
"What was that about?" Sasuke asked.
"Gimme your hand," Naruto told him. "Don't ask questions either."
It went against his nature to not ask questions, but he did, after a brief hesitation, offer Naruto his right hand. Stepping even closer to him, Naruto placed it on his left hip and then covered it with his own hand.
"Now give me your other."
"What are you doing?"
"Rewarding your honesty," said Naruto. "Give me your hand."
Looking at him curiously, Sasuke gave him the hand, which he placed on his other hip.
"Are we doing the hokey pokey?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto snorted. "I'm tryin' to be semi-serious here. Besides, I don't think they call it the hokey pokey anymore."
"Oh? What do they call it?" Sasuke pulled Naruto closer to him so that he stood in between his legs.
"Horizontal mambo?" Naruto smirked as he lifted his hands off of Sasuke's and went back to fussing with his hair. He made small noises of complaint or satisfaction as he adjusted the spikes and tugged gently at his bangs to set them however he felt looked best.
Biting his lip, Sasuke let his thumb rub over Naruto's jeans. "So this is my reward?"
"Mm. Sure."
Since Naruto seemed so distracted, he let his hand wander up to the boy's waist, under his t-shirt, so that he could touch skin. When Naruto still didn't react, he moved his right hand more toward the middle and set it flat against Naruto's stomach.
Finally, Naruto's gaze lowered, and he looked at him.
"Do you feel anything when I do this to you?" Sasuke asked.
"What do you think?"
"Give me an honest answer," he said and let his hand travel up even further, lifting the t-shirt with it.
"Yeah," he said. "You know I feel somethin'."
"You're teasing me." Sasuke leaned in, head lowered so that he could breathe against Naruto's skin. "We agreed nothing was going to happen."
"Nothing's happening, Sasuke. We're both fully clothed."
Sasuke pressed his lips to Naruto's stomach and glanced up. "That can always be changed."
It appeared as though Naruto's lids lowered a little. He shifted in between Sasuke's legs and put his hands on both of Sasuke's shoulders.
"Are you curious?" Sasuke asked him.
"About what?"
"About being with a guy."
This time, as Sasuke leaned in again, he dragged his lips from the center of Naruto's stomach to below his chest. His right hand traveled upward, too, fingers spread apart. They were just barely under Naruto's nipple, which remained covered by his shirt.
"It's not that I'm curious about that," Naruto said, while taking in a sharp breath when Sasuke's middle finger brushed over his nipple.
"No?" He grabbed one of Naruto's belt loops with his left hand and tugged him closer. As he let his right hand fall lower again, he kissed him above his belly-button. It wasn't a quick kiss, nor was it chaste. He opened his mouth when he pressed his lips against Naruto, embarking on an upward trail until he felt Naruto's fingers squeezing at his shoulders.
"If I'm curious about anything," Naruto said, "It's just about you."
Sasuke gave his stomach one last wet kiss before tugging his shirt down for him. He let his hands settle on Naruto's hips again, only briefly, and then placed them in his lap so that Naruto was free to move away if he wanted.
He didn't move, though, and still held onto Sasuke's shoulders.
"You're... really kinda sexy when you want to be," Naruto told him.
"I'm happy you think so." He smirked. "You look like you're in a daze."
Naruto bit his lip before replying, "That's 'cause I might be a little turned on at the moment."
Sasuke sucked in a breath. "Naruto..."
He was about to put his hand on Naruto's waist and do something - when there was a knock at the door, breaking the spell.
"If you two are ready, I think we should get the fire started. Everyone's on their way," said Itachi.
Naruto stepped away a couple of feet and scratched the back of his head.
Sasuke regarded him as coolly as he could possibly manage. "We should probably go outside then..."
"Yeah."
Sasuke got to his feet. "Don't forget to put on the sweatshirt."
"Mm. I will. You go on ahead then, and I'll meet you out there."
"Naruto," he said. "We're good, right?"
Naruto nodded, but there was something off about the way he looked. "We're good. I'll be right out. Ah, and don't forget a blanket."
"I'll get one from the linen closet."
His eyes lingered on Naruto a little longer; Naruto smiled at him, but it was odd. Sasuke had the urge to embrace him at the very least, or maybe he should say something that could take the tension away, but his own head was swimming a bit. Maybe a little distance would be good because each time they were left alone, things between them seemed to intensify.
So, turning his back on Naruto, he left the room to find Itachi, and, hopefully, Naruto would join them as soon as he was ready.
