Sasuke stood there, looking off to the side as Itachi started in on a lecture about how he was too young, especially as homosexual boy, to be sexually active. Although, why it mattered more that he was gay, he wasn't sure. He knew about safe sex, of course. Last night, when Naruto mentioned he'd had sex, hadn't Itachi pretty much clapped him on the back for it? Supposedly heterosexuals couldn't catch STDs from each other?

"At least tell me you used a condom," said Itachi.

"Yes," he nearly growled. "We used a condom. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"I'm beginning to wonder. And who is this mysterious other boy? Should I assume that since Naruto knows of him that he attends your school?"

Sasuke preferred not to have to directly lie. "It's none of your business. It was a one-time thing anyway."

"Well what if he causes trouble for you at school? Have you thought of that? You worry so much about what father thinks, and then you go and do something so reckless. I didn't even know about it."

"It's not something I felt comfortable talking to you about, okay? Mostly because I knew you'd blow it out of proportion like you're doing now," he said.

"You think I'm overreacting?" Itachi laughed at him. "You're still a child, Sasuke."

"Please, you were probably about my age when you had sex for the first time."

"No," said Itachi. "I was definitely older, because I'm a lot smarter than you."

"Whatever."

Itachi put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard enough that it hurt. "I'm not telling you all this because I think you're different than a straight boy, but I do think you need to be more careful and think a little harder about the decisions you make. It's also because I'm your brother, and I care about you. I've seen how my friends can treat the men in their lives, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"It's not like I'm looking for a relationship. Clearly that's out of the question until I graduate."

"If I really thought you believed that," replied Itachi, "you wouldn't be trying so hard with Naruto. I don't know why he's upset, but you should go talk to him. It worries me that he doesn't seem very happy with your choice in sexual partners, so I can only imagine that I wouldn't be pleased if I knew all of the truth. However, I'll respect your decision to keep it private. Just know that I am not thrilled about this, especially that I had to learn about it from Deidara."

After that, Itachi walked away from him, leaving him there in the dark like he was a toddler being sat in a corner for time out.

Was it just him, or did it seem as if everyone was ganging up on him these days? How was his sex life anyone's business? Yes, he felt bad about lying and giving the impression that it was someone at their school, but he didn't feel bad that he'd slept with Yahiko. Maybe he would even confess to it if he didn't want to ruin the friendship Yahiko and Itachi shared. Plus, Sasuke was proud of his first time. It had been with someone who was a decent guy, someone he was attracted to, it had been fun, they'd been safe, and he wasn't necessarily romantically interested in him. As for Naruto. How the hell was he supposed to know Naruto would show up months afterward? So what if he did. Sure, they were apparently attracted to each other on some level and yes he'd admitted that in a perfect world he would date the other boy, but... it wasn't a perfect world! He couldn't wait around until the end of time hoping that Naruto would somehow magically fall for him and be able to see himself in a relationship with another guy. What the hell kind of alternate universe would that be?

And...how exactly could he get there?

Sasuke rubbed at his aching head. First thing was first. He needed to find Naruto.


When he returned to the fire, everything seemed suspiciously normal. The guys were talking about what they wanted to do tonight and barely paid him any attention as he walked past them. Since he hadn't seen Naruto, he figured he was pouting somewhere nearby. As he went around to the back of the shed, he discovered Naruto and Hidan leaning against the siding, the both of them smoking a cigarette. Hidan was talking about baseball, and Naruto stood there with his head down and one foot lifted and pressed up against the shed.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked. "Are you smoking?"

"What gave it away?" Naruto sent him a side-long glare. "Hidan and I were talkin' if you don't mind."

Sasuke walked up to him in a hurry, grabbed the cigarette from his fingers, and tossed it out into the yard.

"Hey," said Hidan. "That's how forest fires get started."

"Shut up," Sasuke told him. "I'd like to talk to Naruto alone."

"Mind your manners, brat. Naruto doesn't seem like he wants to be bothered with you right now, and I can't imagine why. Probably 'cause you seem to think the world revolves around you." Hidan handed his cigarette to Naruto, but Sasuke snatched that one, as well, and threw it on the ground.

"The fuck, Sasuke? What is your problem?" Naruto left the side of the shed and got in his face.

"Why are you acting like a child?" Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Tch. Funny you say that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, and why I'm pissed off right now." Naruto put a hand to his chest and pushed him away. "Give me some space, jeez."

"Really? Really. You're going to act angry over something that is none of yourfucking business, Naruto?"

"You better keep your voice down if you don't want everyone to hear about your business," Naruto said.

"Is that what you want? Do you want me to tell my brother about it? Do you know the damage that could do?"

"Er. Naruto, maybe I will take off, eh? It's making me ill to hear about Sasuke's sex life. I cannot believe I just had to say that sentence." After shuddering, Hidan pulled out another cigarette and slid it behind Naruto's ear. "Here, try not to let him trash this one, too. You might need it for later." He squeezed Naruto's shoulder. "Good luck, kid."

They both waited for Hidan to leave. Sasuke was about to grab that cigarette, too, but Naruto held up a hand.

"If you so much as touch me right now, you're gonna regret it."

Sasuke sneered. "You're threatening me?"

"Yeah, 'cause I'm fuckin' tired of you throwin' away my cigarettes."

"Why?" asked Sasuke. "Since you like to make a thing about not respecting my choices, I should respect your stupid decision to smoke? Jesus, Naruto. Didn't your mother die of cancer?"

Next thing he knew, he was flat on the ground with Naruto crouched over him, looking positively feral. He had a hold of Sasuke's sweatshirt.

Sasuke glared up at him and swiped at the corner of his mouth. He glanced at his fingers, spotting blood.

"Don't," said Naruto. "Don't ever talk about my mother. Don't you fuckin' compare any of this shit with her."

Sasuke didn't say anything. He shouldn't have said that, but it was stupid of Naruto to go all self-destructive over something so small.

"Just leave me alone, Sasuke." Naruto got off of him and went over to lean against the shed again. He grabbed for the cigarette and then cursed. "Bastard left me with a cigarette and no goddam lighter."

Sasuke didn't leave him alone, but he didn't get up from the grass either. He let his eyes stray to the sky, which was clouding over, but through the gaps, he could see an array of stars. He let his palm rub over the newly-cut grass. It was weird to think, but Naruto punching him had calmed him. It would've made more sense for him to be angry, maybe even retaliate, but a part of him wondered if maybe he did deserve it - whether it be for the comment about Naruto's mother or that he'd had sex with his brother's best friend, five years his senior, at a stupid party, in a cramped bathroom, and under the influence of alcohol.

But, how was that different from what he knew of Naruto's first time? Other than the sibling's friend-thing, and that she was only two years older...

Sasuke closed his eyes, waiting for the answer to come to him. He didn't know how long he lay there like that, but when he opened his eyes, it was to find Naruto crouching beside him.

"I know I didn't punch you that hard."

"You didn't," he said. "I barely felt it."

"Tch. You're an asshole even now."

"I've never been anything but an asshole, Naruto. You should know that."

Naruto hummed. "Maybe you're right." He sighed. "No wonder you didn't want to tell me."

Sasuke tried to make out his expression in the dark. Naruto was looking off to the side, and the moonlight was temporarily hidden by the clouds.

"I wish I could be as honest as you," he quietly confessed. "But I don't think I'm at a place where I can be."

Naruto nodded. "I told you it's 'cause I don't have time for games or pretenses or posturing."

"I'm surprised you know what those words mean."

Slowly, Naruto turned his head to regard him. He stood up and put his foot on top of Sasuke's chest. He didn't apply pressure or anything.

"You could do it," said Sasuke. "After all, there's nothing inside."

"God, you're like that one guy in that play we're talkin' about in English class. Hamlet or whatever. You're gonna go all tortured on me, aren't you?"

"This above all: to thine own self be true," murmured Sasuke, "And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

"Er, yeah. Did Hamlet say that?"

"No. Pelonius. He was a bit of an idiot, though."

"Still good advice," Naruto muttered. "Even if he's an idiot."

Sasuke reached for his ankle and held onto it. "Shall I put my life in your hands and let you exact judgment on me for my offenses?"

"Maybe I did punch you too hard," said Naruto.

"I'm being serious. You think I did something wrong according to your principles and morals, so what can I possibly do to make it right in the court of Naruto?"

"I don't think in court you should be the jury, judge, and executioner, right?" Naruto tried to move his foot, but Sasuke kept it in place right over his heart. "It's not like that. When I get angry or disappointed I can't always easily change how I feel. And it's not that I'm mad at you, or that I'm jealous... I feel mad at that Yahiko guy for takin' advantage of you, I feel bad that your brother doesn't know, I feel mad that you've lied to him, and, yeah, I do kinda feel mad that your first time really was with a pedo. Not an online one, but same thing."

"He's not a pedophile," Sasuke said. "I came onto him. It's what I wanted. I have no regrets."

"You don't feel a little bit bad for your brother?"

"It's none of his business, and also, I could've done worse. You don't know him, but Yahiko is a decent guy. He's nice, which is more than I can say about most of my brother's queer friends. As in, I knew I could trust him to be my first time."

"Those are your honest feelings?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke squeezed at his ankle. "Yes. There's nothing left anymore. You know everything."

"Hm."

Biting his lip, Sasuke let go of him. "Since they're all going into town soon, you're still welcome to catch a ride. They could drop you off at your apartment."

Naruto removed his foot, stared for a handful of seconds, and then knelt beside him on the grass. "Do you really think the guy with abandonment issues is gonna allow himself to abandon anyone else?"

"Is that rhetorical?" Sasuke smirked.

Finally, Naruto let out a laugh, and, afterward, he grabbed hold of Sasuke's sweatshirt sleeve, pinching at it every so often.

"It's weird," he said to Sasuke, "That I can get so worked up on your behalf, and that... the result of my anger is to wanna push you away."

"That's what being self-righteous is," Sasuke responded. "You were disappointed in me, weren't you?"

"I dunno. Maybe. I thought it was that, but when I really think about it... it's just me bein' mad that someone would take advantage of you or hurt you. I guess if our positions were reversed, and my first time had been with a woman five years older than me, would anyone get mad about that?"

"Maybe," he said. "Then again, the way people see gender roles is all over the place. It could be that an older woman and a younger boy isn't seen the same because of, well, the method of penetration. Would you think of it differently if I had been the one to top him? I don't know."

"I'm not sure," Naruto answered. "I still can't help but see him as this guy drivin' an unmarked white van with tinted windows, and he hands you some candy, and then, regardless of whether he diddles you or you diddle him... it doesn't sit well with me. But, add in the fact, he's your brother's friend, Sasuke... what were you thinking?"

"That I was horny and really wanted to be able to experience sex with a man before I turned 30?"

"You're only 16," Naruto said. "Were you at least, y'know, safe?"

"I already got the safe sex lecture from Itachi, thank you. Yes, we used a condom. Did you use one with that girl?"

"I did. Of course I did! What teenage boy doesn't carry around one in his wallet? At least to show off to his friends."

Sasuke smirked. "You know, you can't use the same one all night."

Naruto scrunched his nose. "I know that! I... took care of it."

"You never know," he said, "Maybe a little Naruto will be running around Illinois within a few months."

"Holy shit. Don't even joke about that!" Naruto, unknowingly, squeezed his arm. "You're lucky. At least you won't have to worry about knockin' up a girl."

"True." Sasuke sat up, knees drawn to his chest; Naruto's hand fell away.

"It's getting cold," said Naruto.

Sasuke reached over and pulled up his hood. "There, how's that? I wouldn't want you to catch pneumonia. Then I'd have to get you naked, throw you in my bed, and rub my own naked body against yours."

"I'm surprised you're not rippin' my clothes off in that case." Naruto grinned. "Youwant me to get pneumonia, don't you?"

"What are you trying to say?" asked Sasuke. "You think I want to do disgusting things like rub up on another boy? That's disturbing and wrong."

"Shut up." Naruto chuckled and shoved him in the shoulder. He shifted around until he sat cross-legged next to him. "If only I'd gotten here sooner. I mighta volunteered to be your first time. That way you wouldn't have been violated by a pedo, and you wouldn't have slept with your brother's friend."

"You said you watch Dr. Who. Why don't you go look for a TARDIS?"

"Eh, I dunno if I coulda made your first time all that special. I've been a brat over the past year or so. I'm still a brat."

"Well," Sasuke grabbed the bottom of Naruto's pant leg. "You could be my second time, or you can get down on all fours and help me experience my first time as a top? I think it's how I would prefer sex with another guy if I'm honest. But how will I know for sure?"

Naruto appeared to be thinking on it.

"I was kidding, Naruto," he said.

"I figured, but... the idea of helpin' you out..."

"Naruto." He tugged at his jeans and studied his face closely.

"What? It's just a thought. We'd have to work up to you stickin' your dick up my ass, but I mean... the idea of lettin' some other old guy perv on you 'cause you have nowhere else to go but Itachi's entourage..."

"Why don't I just save myself until you come around?" Sasuke suggested with a smirk.

"Wouldn't it be the other way around?" Naruto asked. "Since I haven't had anal sex. I'd be savin' my butt virginity for you?"

"The things you say sometimes." Sasuke sighed.

"You really wanna do me on all fours? That's so... impersonal."

"I'm sorry. Would you prefer I make love to you, Naruto?"

Naruto rubbed at the back of his neck. "Asshole."

"Are you blushing?" He teased.

"No."

"You are." Sasuke let his hand wander up to Naruto's shin, then up some more to his knee. "You're lucky I jerked off earlier. Now I won't have to attack you when we go to bed."

"Yeah, right. You jerked off once? Do you know how often I jerk off in a day sometimes?"

"No, but I'd be happy to hear about it. In detail." Sasuke grinned.

Naruto sniggered. "You're so bad."

"At least I know you like making out with me."

Naruto fidgeted a bit and cleared his throat.

"I'll take that as confirmation," he murmured. "Since I know you don't like to lie if you can help it."

"Of course I liked kissin' you." Naruto stuck out his bottom lip at him. "We've been dancin' around stuff like that for the past several days. Even before comin' to your house. Last week, there were several moments that I wondered..."

"Hmm?" Sasuke moved his hand back to Naruto's shin.

"Tell me a fantasy you've had of me."

Sasuke nearly choked on his own spit. "What?"

"You owe me. So, tell me what you thought of. From today or whenever if you really have thought about me more than once."

"You're kidding." His hand dropped to the grass.

Naruto shook his head. "Nope."

"What do I get out of it if I tell you?"

"My respect that you're willin' to be honest and open with me about everything even if it's embarrassing or awkward?"

"Right," he said. "Because you'd be so eager to do the same. By the way, have you thought of me yet?"

"Don't change the subject." Naruto pushed at his knee.

"Well, there's not much to tell regarding this afternoon because it didn't last exceptionally long."

"No?"

"I'd say under three minutes."

"Ah, that's how long it takes for instant ramen to be ready!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"What?" asked Naruto. "Just sayin'. 'Cause we had real ramen and all today."

"Wonderful."

"I can come that fast, too, but only if I think really nasty stuff." He leaned in close to Sasuke. "Were you thinkin' really nasty shit about me, Sasuke?"

Sasuke covered Naruto's face with a hand and pushed him away. "You're too close, idiot."

"I bet you were." Naruto looked smug.

"Anyway," he said. "I did have a dream. Very soon after meeting you. I didn't even think I liked you at that point."

"Mm. Continue. Although, I dunno what you mean as I was likable from the beginning."

"Hardly. You were very clingy."

"Hmph. Jerk."

"If you're done interrupting me." Sasuke leaned toward him and then back again. "I was in the shower at school. You knocked on the door, and because I thought maybe it was an emergency, I opened it, and then you walked in and pretty much assaulted me."

"I did? I assaulted you? I wouldn't do that!"

"I suppose it wasn't exactly like that. You did come in, dressed in your school clothes, and pushed me up against the wall."

"Interesting," said Naruto. "I can see myself doin' that. I like to take the lead. Then what happened?"

"We kissed." He licked his lips and tilted his head, inclining it toward Naruto. "You were very... forceful."

"Was I?" Naruto smirked. "Is that how you like it?"

"I like it different ways." Sasuke stared at him for a moment.

"How would you know?"

"Okay. Then I have a variety of fantasies I've imagined and I'd like to have happen. Or that's all they are - just fantasies. Do you really want to try everythingyou fantasize?"

"Uh, yeah. Usually. If I could." Naruto pulled his knees up.

Sasuke figured he meant it, which was... very appealing. "I bet sex with you would never be boring at least."

"Gee, thanks. So in your dream, did we, y'know, do it?"

"Are you still on about that?" He asked, running a hand through his hair as he heard laughter coming from over by the fire. "I think you, being the brute you are, shoved me face-first against the wall... and then my alarm went off."

"Ah, bummer." Naruto smiled. "What day was that? Thursday? In anticipation of goin' out with me, I'm sure?"

"Not quite." Sasuke's gaze slipped to Naruto's hand, which was settled in his lap. "More like... Monday night?"

"M-Monday? Are you kiddin' me? That was the first day we met! And you were such a dick to me! Wait, is that why you were such a douche on Tuesday morning?"

"So you are capable of putting two and two together? Besides," he said. "It's not like I wanted to be having dreams about you at that point. I'm sure I was just sexually frustrated."

"Ha ha. You wanted to bone me from the very beginning! Or, wanted me to bone you it seems. In the shower, eh? That is dirty, Sasuke. You really are the exhibitionist I thought you were."

"It's why I was annoyed with you for wandering around the locker room in that towel."

"You really do have a towel fetish," Naruto remarked.

"Or, it's annoying to be attracted to you when you're always walking around half-naked in front of me."

"Ah, I see your dilemma. You could've said somethin'."

"I always do!"

"Well. It's not as if a lotta the times I don't know what I'm doin'."

"Pardon?" Sasuke turned himself so that he was facing Naruto. "So help me if you say you purposely pranced around in a towel in front of me to drive me crazy - "

"I definitely do not prance," said Naruto, and he had the audacity to grin that stupid wolfish, sexy grin of his.

Sasuke glared at him. "You suck."

"Not always," Naruto clarified. "Sometimes I know. I dunno why I do it. Maybe I just liked the attention. Maybe I'm sometimes into you. Who knows?"

"You're so frustrating, you know that?" Sasuke groaned. "I told you you're full of mixed signals."

"Yeah, but when stuff happens, I never stop it, or haven't you noticed?"

Sasuke had to think on it. It's true that on the couch, they'd been interrupted by his father, and that time upstairs had come to a stop because Sasuke wouldn't answer Naruto's question, and then in his room, they'd been interrupted by Itachi. Even last night, when they were about to get on the bus to come to his house, Naruto said something about kissing... and Sasuke had become nervous and walked away first. The truth or dare game, too. Naruto had followed through, only walking away when Sasuke told him about Yahiko.

It occurred to him that if he ever really wanted something to happen between them, he should keep his mouth shut, answer any and all of Naruto's questions, or lock the fucking door!

Hm. Was there a way he could get Naruto to help keep his mouth occupied?

"Sasuke, you're zonin' out." Naruto grabbed his knee and tugged him so that he nearly wobbled in the other boy's direction.

"I was just thinking of all the reasons why we have stopped. I've come to the conclusion that you should find a creative way to keep my mouth from saying anything that might piss you off."

Naruto blinked at him. "Holy shit. I cannot believe you just said exactly what you were thinkin'. I dunno whether to kiss you as a reward or go hide somewhere 'cause maybe once you start, you won't be able to stop."

"Is that really such a bad thing?" Sasuke asked. "Also, I'd prefer the kiss as my reward."

"Yeah, it's a bad thing. Bad for my heart. I'm not prepared for an honest you!"

"Oh. Why not?"

"Just... just 'cause!"

"Naruto," he called him in a low voice and put a hand on his thigh, squeezing it. "Does it get you all flustered when I'm honest?"

"...No!"

Sasuke chuckled. "Uh huh. You should never have told me about this power. You should've left it alone. Why did you have to go and make an honest man of me?"

Naruto fell over onto the grass, pounding his fist against the ground. "Stop it!"

Sasuke got up on his knees and leaned partially on top of him. "Wait until I get to the part where I tell you all of the dirty stuff I've thought about when it comes to you. Stuff I've honestly thought or imagined..."

"Grah! Cut it out!"

Feeling playful, Sasuke nipped at Naruto's earlobe and then blew into his ear. "Naruto..."

He put a hand on the other boy's hip, and pulled him against the front of his body. Sasuke pushed the hair falling across the back of his neck to the side and scraped his teeth across Naruto's skin.

"Sasuke," Naruto groaned, and because it sounded like a sexy whimper or whine, he gave pause. His hand on the blond's hip tightened a bit, almost possessively. Naruto was practically underneath him, and he certainly wasn't protesting.

Again, it was Sasuke that was the one hesitating.

"It's getting cold," he said to Naruto.

"Really? Feels kinda warm to me."

He snaked an arm around Naruto's chest and held him for just a little while longer.

"You suck," he whispered and, lifting up, kissed him at the nape of his neck before burying his face there, smelling the scent of his own cologne on him. "Why do you have to be so sexy, huh?"

Sasuke, moving his hand, let it wander up inside the other boy's sweatshirt. Naruto was quiet, but his breathing seemed heavier. Watching for a reaction - and it was hard to see Naruto's face from this angle - Sasuke pushed the t-shirt up, too, so that he could touch skin.

Naruto let out a hiss. "Your hand's cold."

"Sorry," his voice came out husky. "I should've warmed it up first."

"I'm sure your brother and his friends are about ready to go. Maybe it's time to go inside anyway."

"Can we... continue where we left off when we go in the house?" Sasuke removed his hand and tugged Naruto's shirt down for him. He sat up, and as he did, Naruto rolled over, looking up at him.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" he asked.

"Right now, there are parts of me that think it's a very great idea."

"Can I think on it?"

"I don't want to do anything you wouldn't want to."

Naruto nodded and sat up. He got to his feet first, and then held out a hand. Sasuke took it, allowing himself to be pulled up. Naruto kept holding onto his hand as they looked at one another.

"Fuck it," Sasuke muttered and leaned in, pressing his mouth to Naruto's. It took a few seconds, but Naruto's mouth began to move against his, and it was so indescribably amazing that it felt like his heart was ready to jump out of his ribcage in joy.

Sasuke cupped the side of Naruto's face and opened his mouth more, resulting in their tongues touching for the first time. He absolutely could not stop himself from groaning wantonly. The kiss ended, much to his dismay, because Naruto started to laugh at him. He didn't move far from Sasuke. In fact, he was clinging to the front of his sweatshirt with his right hand. He had his head bowed, and a smile played upon his lips.

God, he was so attracted to this person that he wanted them to go at it right here.

"Come on," Naruto said to him, and grabbing his hand, urged him to start walking. He only let go when they were rounding the shed and faced with the group still loitering by the fire.

All at once, every single one of them looked their way and, simultaneously, they burst out into whoops and catcalls.

Even Sasuke felt his face turning red.

"I believe that's a sign to take our leave," Itachi said, standing up from his chair. "We'll take care of all of this out here before we go. See you tomorrow, Sasuke. Good night, Naruto."

"Heh." Naruto gave them a wave. "Night, guys. Have a good time."

Unfortunately, Deidara sprinted over and grabbed Naruto up in his arms. "I could not be prouder. I'm sure Sasuke is in good hands. Don't mess with him, Naruto, because you'll have all of us to deal with!"

"I got it," said Naruto, and without being bothered to do so, he reached for Sasuke's hand and led them on a slow walk toward the house. Sasuke was too struck with giddiness to be able to string a coherent sentence together, let alone a single word.

He glanced over at Naruto, who glanced back at him... and grinned.

Sasuke smiled, too, but almost shyly. Naruto laughed at him.

"Shut up, idiot." Sasuke looked off, scowling playfully.

"You're kinda cute when you play all hard to get," Naruto told him.

"Hn. I don't know about cute, but maybe it's something I can try more often."


It wasn't long before they'd wandered down to the basement, both in the mood to take advantage of having the house to themselves by playing a record at full volume. They were briefly interrupted by Itachi who'd brought his guitar in for him, and, not so subtly, mentioned that their parents wouldn't be home for another two hours. A few minutes later, and he was gone, leaving them conveniently alone. Sasuke was sitting on the edge of the couch, one leg drawn up onto the cushions while Naruto was busy nosing through the records, making fun of him for all of the Michael Jackson albums he owned. He'd let Naruto be the one to choose what to play, and he'd gone with the record they'd bought at the store together.

"Trying to relive our first date?" Sasuke teased.

"Shut up, Sasuke," he replied with a laugh. "I liked it when we were listenin' to it in the phone booth. That lady sure had a lot of cats, didn't she?"

"She did. As far back as I remember, she's always had lots of cats running around. Sometimes there are kittens. When I bring my mom, she often comments about adopting one."

"Oh, yeah? You should tell her to get an orange one and name it after me."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Does it have to be orange?"

"Yes," Naruto said, giving a succinct nod but not elaborating as to the why, other than he apparently shared an affinity for orange-colored boxers.

When Naruto finished pawing through all of the albums, he turned the volume down just a bit and wandered over to the sofa. They were both in shirts and jeans since Sasuke had thrown the sweatshirts in the wash because they smelled like smoke. While Naruto stood in front of him with that cocky grin he sometimes wore, Sasuke impulsively grabbed for one of his belt loops. Because he was an idiot, Naruto fell forward into his lap when he gave him a hard tug.

"You asshole," said Naruto, one of his hands holding onto Sasuke's shoulder for support.

"Sorry, I should've remembered how clumsy you can be." He kept his hands off and simply enjoyed the image of Naruto straddling his thighs. "You smell like beer."

"I wonder why."

"Also, you tasted like cigarettes earlier."

"I barely had time to smoke that one before you got rid of it," Naruto argued. "Oh." He reached up, frowning when he realized the one Hidan had given him was no longer there. "Shit, where did it go?"

"Probably fell out when we were rolling around in the grass together."

Naruto stared at him suspiciously. "What's happened to you, like, for real? Are you just gonna say everything that comes to mind now?"

"That's what you always do, am I right?"

"Well, yeah. 'Cause that's my thing."

Much to his disappointment, Naruto decided to get off of his lap, but only so that he could sit right next to him. Their sides and arms touched. Naruto had a habit of getting in someone's personal space. There could be a whole room full of couches and he would choose the one you were sitting on and then sit right on top of you, too.

Not that Sasuke minded. He kept staring at Naruto's hand, wanting to grab it, but somehow that felt even more intimate than stealing a kiss.

"Hey," Naruto said to him suddenly.

Sasuke looked up, realizing that he'd been caught.

Naruto tilted his head, smiling at him. "What were you thinkin' just then?"

He sighed. "I was thinking about grabbing your hand."

The blond boy lifted an eyebrow. "And doin' what with it?"

"Holding it."

Naruto stared at him for a long time, and Sasuke kept his gaze even. It wasn't easy to always be honest when Naruto asked questions, but the result was always encouraging, and it was amusing that the other teen continued to be surprised when he said exactly what he thought.

"Man, this really is dangerous," Naruto murmured and reached for Sasuke's hand. He interlaced their fingers and let their hands rest between them. "Happy now?"

"Don't do it because I'm some crusade to you."

Naruto made a face. "God, your pillow talk needs some work. I've done so well at chippin' away at your evasiveness. Now I have to work on the paranoia, it seems."

"I see. So I'm a pet project?"

"It's not at all like that. Could you just shut up and enjoy the moment? You didn't have a problem shuttin' off your brain when we were outside."

"If I shut down my brain, I may make another mistake and piss you off again."

"Why do we have to overanalyze stuff? Let's just do what we wanna do."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Now that could be a very dangerous thing to say."

"We'll set ground rules then," Naruto declared. "I don't really wanna have sex as in,y'know. For a few reasons."

"That's your only ground rule? What if, in the heat of the moment, you change your mind?"

Naruto bit his lip. "As much as I'd love to help you out with your gay experiences, you're gonna wind up on the bottom in that case."

"But I bought your dinner last night." Sasuke smirked. "Isn't that how it works with you heterosexual couples?"

Naruto's hand squeezed his a little tighter as he lifted it up and dropped it again. "You really think you wanna have sex with me?"

Sasuke was surprised by the seriousness of his tone. "Is this a trick question?"

He shook his head. "No. I mean... what would be the point? You're attracted to me, yeah, but say we have sex, and then what... I'm just some straight kid you had sex with that one time?"

Sasuke felt confused, and it probably showed on his face. "I don't know what you mean."

"If you don't, then that's fine, too."

"I'm sorry, if we have sex together, do you want it to mean something? I didn't think that either of us was that type of person. It would mean something to me in that I genuinely like you as a person, Naruto. I didn't realize you wanted it to mean something more than that."

"Hm. Maybe it's me that would like it to mean somethin'? That could be why the idea of me bein' part of your first, uh, top experience sorta appeals to me."

"That's sort of strange, you realize that, don't you? That you'd have sex with me just to 'help me out'."

"It's not like I'd do that for anybody. I would do it 'cause I trust you, and because I like you, and... I'd know it would be a safe, comfortable experience for you..."

Sasuke actually laughed.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Naruto sat up and turned toward him on the couch.

"I think I would only do it if there was some part of me that truly believed you'd enjoy it."

Naruto frowned. "Didn't you say we could rub up on trees and get excited? I'll just pretend you're a big fuckin' pine tree in that case."

Frustrated, Sasuke sighed and let go of Naruto's hand. He was going to stand up and mention something about taking a shower since all the smoke smell was giving him a headache, but Naruto, for whatever reason, decided to slide over into his lap again. With an expression of determination, he pushed Sasuke into the couch, and then he reached around to grab hold of his hair, forcing Sasuke's head back. The unexpected violence of it caused him to release a gasp.

Naruto shifted forward on his lap, their crotches almost pressed together, and leaned in close to his face. At first, he sucked experimentally at Sasuke's bottom lip as if getting a feel for it, but, with another yank of his hair, the other boy attacked his mouth with all the passion one would expect from Naruto.

He stopped thinking entirely other than he knew he wanted to put his hands on Naruto somewhere. So, he slipped them under the back of his shirt, pushing it up until they were just under his shoulder blades. While they kissed, Naruto tilted his head to the other side, nipping and sucking at his top lip. Sasuke let him do as he pleased, only responding when Naruto seemed to be seeking it, demanding it from him. If Sasuke played passive, it apparently drove Naruto to be more aggressive, as if trying to get him to give in to...letting everything go. But the blond's frustration was so amusing that he couldn't help but simply remain patient only to, at the last minute, return Naruto's kisses with equal fervor. He removed his hands from Naruto's shirt and, taking a firm hold of his hips, forced him to start moving on top of his lap.

It must've had an effect on Naruto because he broke their kiss and tilted his head up, mouth opening in a brief moment of pleasure. Grabbing the front of his shirt, Sasuke pulled him down and began another series of kisses that he took complete control of. Still grinding against him, Naruto wrapped both arms around his neck, and Sasuke no longer needed to guide the movement of his hips.

After a few more wet kisses where it felt like he was swallowing Naruto's tongue, he pushed him away so that he could pay some attention to the boy's neck. He tugged at Naruto's shirt so that he could suck along the curve of his collarbone.

"Don't you dare make me come in my pants, you bastard," Naruto gasped when Sasuke went for a spot on his neck that seemed particularly sensitive.

"Or what?" Sasuke smirked as he sucked on him again. "You'll punish me? How terrible." Because he felt like it, he gave Naruto's ass a smack.

"You did not just - "

Cutting him off, Sasuke cupped his face and, this time, kissed him more slowly, more gently.

Naruto melted into the kiss, murmuring softly as the angles of their kisses changed. On his own, Naruto began to move his hips again, mouth widening to him as their tongues slid under and over - until, in a more playful gesture - Naruto caught the tip of Sasuke's tongue between his teeth. He proceeded to suck it into his mouth. More deep kissing began. With a growl, Naruto snuck a hand under his shirt, and when Sasuke felt his palm rub over a nipple, he grunted into one of their kisses. So, of course, Naruto did it again, but this time, gave it a hard pinch. Sasuke growled at him, but all it earned was an arrogant, sexy smirk in return. It was the first time he'd gotten a good look at Naruto in the last 10 minutes they'd been making out. His hair was a mess, his cheeks were flushed, and he had tiny red marks all over his neck. Fuck it if he didn't want to push him down on the couch and have his wicked way with him.

"Yes...?" Naruto asked in a low voice.

"Just in case. Maybe we should go upstairs?"

"Hm. Maybe you're right. But it was startin' to get really good."

"Tell me about it," he replied. "Be careful as you're getting off my lap."

"Ha. You're hard already?" Naruto wiped his hand across his lips.

Sasuke raised a brow. "You can't tell?"

"Er. I was a bit distracted." Naruto shifted around on his lap. "Oh. Not your wallet or cell phone, eh?"

"Nope." Sasuke placed his hands on Naruto's thighs.

"Alright. I guess I could shower again? I don't wanna make your sheets smell like smoke."

"If things continue the way they have, I really don't think it will matter because they'll need to be changed anyway."

"Maybe you could take one with me?" Naruto said sarcastically. "Just like your fantasy."

"Oi, bastard. I was kiddin'."

"You shouldn't joke about a man's fantasies so easily."

"Well, I suppose if you really want... I didn't know we were at that stage."

"No, I suppose we're not, though I don't really believe in 'stages'," he said and, unable to stop himself, took a piece of Naruto's hair and tucked it behind his ear. "It's fine. I'll take one in Itachi's bathroom, and we could always just go to sleep...?"

With reasonable care, Naruto slid off of him and was kind enough not to poke fun at him for the current state of his arousal. He did give a passing glance to the other boy's crotch, but there wasn't anything obvious to be seen yet.

"I'll meet you up in the room afterward, yeah?" Naruto said.

"Sure. I might need a minute."

Naruto chuckled. "Fair enough. Try to get your boner under control, Sasuke." He jogged up the basement stairs, leaving him alone.

Sasuke swiped a hand through his hair. "Jesus."

It took a moment or two for him to put together the pieces of his brain. It's not what he'd expected to happen, especially after all the ups and downs of today, but holy hell, he had absolutely no complaints about it. Other than, he did wonder if this was doing even half of what it was doing to him, to Naruto.

When he was able, he got up from the couch. By the time he went upstairs and into his room to get something to wear, the shower was already going in the bathroom. On his way back out, he did pause by the door, imagining what might happen if he popped in on a naked Naruto - but. As open as Naruto was to, well, kissing, would he really be open to more? Even if he was, was he just doing it for Sasuke's sake?

No matter Naruto's encouragement, it always seemed easier to give into the doubt.

He left it alone and decided to make it a quick shower. After all, if something was to happen, he wouldn't mind starting it before his parents came home.