PHOSPHENES

(n.) The light and colours produced by rubbing your eyes.

When you experience an unexpected fear of being betrayed, the sensation often leaves your heart a pounding mess; just like when walking up the stairs at night, taking an extra step that was assumed to have been there, only to realize there was no extra step, giving a sense of falling. Heart jumps desperately as the momentum of the body is unable to save itself from crashing into the ground. The pain that would inevitably arrive once a person crashes into something is what brings the fear.

As the heart drops and sinks into panic, senses begin to heat up, arms try to grapple on to something to stop falling sensations, the flipping of the stomach creates a dizzy effect.

Fear of falling is the main thing to think about, because the body had failed its duty in being aware of the stairs, betraying the controller of the body. Betrayal often ends with pain and disappointment. Just like when someone loses hope.

Of course, all of that is cut short once the feeling of flat ground assures the mind. The heart and body would have lingering waves of relief out of safety.

So the whole matter pops a question; If doubting one's body, would one still be able to maintain faith in others?

This would have been a key question to ask Naruto since his heart was fluttering and tripping over its usual beats.

"Could you love someone as cold hearted as me? Or was that just another lie?"

Naruto shakily took a step back as a tight wave of shock struck his stomach. As a man who practically worshipped surprise, he found himself more confused rather than joyful, which was vexing. All these past years, Naruto had been searching for his friend without rest. Now, he'd found him, the only issue was that he never expected it to be Sasuke Uchiha; that he had unknowingly confessed to, which meant Sasuke had been playing him for any amount of time from their first meeting.

Sasuke wasn't offended by the distance placed between them when Naruto stumbled back in obvious shock. In fact, he took pride in Naruto's flabbergasted twist in expression. Sasuke mistook this shock for fear, like being caught in a lie. First would come the shock, the disgust, and then denial.

"But I thought you'd be harder to find… if you knew who I was, why didn't you say anything?" he asked with a shallow breath, still caught off guard to find that his best friend was under his nose all this time.

He should have been happy―which he was― but he was finding himself rejecting the idea of his childhood best friend being Sasuke by his conflicted feelings of dislike and like. Sasuke Uchiha is that same person as his best friend, but before he knew that, he believed Sasuke was someone complicated and harsh. Now that Sasuke Uchiha was Naruto's best friend with a difficult past, the optimistic flaxen man couldn't help but develop an internal struggle with his moral compass to his impatience.

Luckily, due to Naruto's impatient nature, the momentary conflict settled quickly. Sasuke was still someone important to Naruto's life. There was no 'ifs' or 'buts'. Nothing changed his goal. Staying in Sasuke's life would have been a preferred settlement, but if Sasuke truly desired nothing to do with him, Naruto would return the favour Sasuke had paid him, and leave.

"Well… If you haven't noticed, I've been refereed as a business genius. Which brings forth many opportunists trying to win my affections."

Sasuke strolled in a smooth manner to Naruto, for some reason his eyes were dead ash, and they spoke of something akin to hatred.

It wasn't towards to Naruto though.

"That symbol you drew was my family's. It wouldn't have been surprising to come across a journalist who wanted to dig up some dirt regarding my biological family." To hear more about his family's slaughter. To find something controversial to bring light to the media to agitate Sasuke.

Sasuke leaned over to Naruto, smirking at the flinching at the frozen euclase pools that stared at him, offering swirls of something soft and muted, like smoke if not for the sloe flecks in his eyes. Naruto's fingers trembled in anxiety, his fingers clenching together to tighten his resolve when the daring blonde had met with steeled eyes. "What are you―" he began to ask, finding the closeness oddly dangerous.

In a teasing whisper and a cold expression Sasuke asked "Are you here to use me?"

Like the rest?

Alarm had softened to empathy at the question. Realization finally arrived. Sasuke was trying to push him away. Somehow Naruto knew, the reasoning behind his stubbornness was possibly from the wavering glare. It was a solid threat through intense eyes, but the faint tremor in the narrowed eyes told Naruto leaving would mean he'd given up. That wasn't an option until he got the chance to return the favour Sasuke had done for him.

Sasuke couldn't have wanted to be alone. No one could ever enjoy loneliness. This was a truth Naruto understood too well through the years of growing with loneliness. Something was blocking Sasuke from allowing the brunette to accept any joy.

It must have been terrible to have to swim in constant distrust. If Naruto had arrived earlier, Sasuke's eyes would've been filled with energy instead of hollow anger, already expecting the worse to happen― in any case, Naruto refused to give into to Sasuke's pessimistic expectations, if Sasuke thought mere words could push him away, he'd have to gather an army to even have the strong artist to consider leaving.

Shaking his head, Naruto pressed soft fingers along Sasuke's chiselled jaw, moving up as his hand eventually cupped the agitated face, gliding to the chin. The air in Sasuke's lungs shrunk, surprised by the foreign gesture that had selfless intentions.

"That's not it. I could never use you. For the last couple of years, I've been trying to contact you again. When I had been told you were gone when I woke up cram nearly freezing to death, it was the worst moment of my life. Everything around me seemed to have grown bigger, my chest tightened, and my blood ached. When you left I should have searched for you… but I didn't because I thought you moved on."

Sasuke's hand twitched at Naruto's soft words.

"Why didn't you keep it that way? Everyone else did."

Naruto felt his body stiffen remembering how he had turned his back on Sasuke for his own selfish wants. As a child, Naruto only bothered to feel sorry for himself instead of empathising with the other orphaned children around him, not even Sasuke was an excepting to his old nature. Growing up changed Naruto, he experienced extreme loss, having a taste of despair which tormented his heart.

All the overflowing angst and grief threw Naruto into icy waters. Others had experienced the same feeling of loss, especially among young orphans. Sasuke had suffered, and Naruto never cared enough to think about it until he lost his godfather Jiraya Sanin. Both had met at a ramen stand when Jiraya had commented on Naruto's name and how ironic it was for Naruto's favorite dish to be ramen―the meaning of his name.

It was revealed Jiraya had been searching for his godson in the town since the older man received unfortunate news of the boy's parent passing.

Taking an odd liking to the stranger, they became close drinking buddies, conversing about practically everything―becoming something akin to family. If only Naruto had known he was the godson Jiraya had been searching for, then he could have told the old man before he'd passed away.

To old age comes failure of the human body, Jiraya died so quickly, the truth about his godson having been found had been left unsaid. Jiraya died believing he failed in search of his godson, never having the joy to realize he had been by his side all along. Or perhaps, Jiraya did know, and refrained from bringing light to the truth, wanting to leave Naruto's carefree life undisturbed by his entrance, which would have hurt all the more. In some way, Naruto would have liked to think it was enough for both of them to have spent time with each other. The time spent getting to know allowed Naruto to assume Jiraya knew the truth, he wouldn't have put it past the old man, he did like bittersweet endings as it was shown in his books The Gutsy Ninja.

The way things were heading, Sasuke was trying to end things on a bitter note. But Naruto wouldn't allow that, he was not going to be pushed away. He refused.

Naruto would have had no problem impulsively ranting about his true intentions, only, his muscles were tense at the close proximity of their bodies, his heart was loud as a drum, at least that's what it seemed like, his skin feeling light from the gentle scent that tickled his nose like petals.

Sasuke's presence was overbearing. The spicy cologne was addicting and attracting Naruto's senses, it was something exotic and natural.

"It didn't feel right, but I'm here now. No matter what, I'm not leaving this time."

Sasuke's lips thinned, his eyes fanned in disapproval. Anxiously, Naruto shifted his feet, glancing at Sasuke "Do you… uh, remember who I am?" he asked, his voice just audible enough for him to hear.

"It would be difficult for me to recall since you haven't given me much to trace back." He dryly snapped, ignoring the distasteful lie on his tongue. The businessman did remember. The fox grave, laughter, body warmth, the hungry winter, and the loss of their friendship. Sasuke had been so sure of his friend passing on to the next life, he could have sworn his childhood friend had faded with the snowfall, disappearing into pure white. The rest of the memory was jogged up. Memories of his best friend were pure like the way he died in pure snow, never to be touched by the filthy world around them. Clear eyes refused to flinch or glance away, casual breathing, and the facial scars were the same. Which was the truth?

"Oh shit you're right…" Naruto realized "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I grew up in a pretty rough orphanage… You came to the orphanage when you were a kid… you were there at the fox grave I built."

"I remember that."

Nodding at Sasuke's words, Naruto dared to ask a dangerous question "So… what was the kiss about?"

Sniffing softly, Sasuke tilted his chin upwards, looking from the side he answered "Just wanted to observe the reaction."

"So―" Naruto wetted his lips "You were playing with me."

"That wasn't my intention." He defended.

"But that's what you were doing." The golden man pointed out on the blatant excuse.

Smirking, Sasuke dropped his eyes to Naruto's face "Perhaps."

"Then you remember." Naruto found himself smiling at the soft nod Sasuke gave. Holding his smile, the truth's weight dropped on Naruto like rocks. This was it. Sasuke Uchiha was his lost friend. The search was over, the years he spent tracking Sasuke's location without a name to follow proved rewarding.

I sound like some kind of stalker now… Naruto admitted to himself, conflicted on whether to feel happy or embarrassed. Oh well, at this point, he didn't care.

"Of course I did. You were my best friend."

A soft sigh escaped Naruto, disappointment tickled his chest. Being an idealist, Naruto hadn't wanted to believe Sasuke had made peace of their friendship ending

"Disappointed?" Sasuke inquired, his eye a cold dark shadow, finding the fall of expression the first sign of rejection. He was going to exploit while he was ahead.

Thinning his lips, Naruto shook his head "No." his hand reached to rub the back of his neck "Just wish I woke up earlier in the hospital so I could have said a goodbye."

The hard expression Sasuke carried had immediately fell "You're here now."

Finding his smile returning, Naruto nodded "That's true." Blue eyes glanced at the old brush with affection. "But I owe you a lot for helping me."

"From what?"

"Accepting me."

Sasuke didn't say a word. Taking the silence as rejection, Naruto huffed softly, reaching to grab his sketches. "I'll go redesign this, had I known I already found you, I wouldn't have used your family's logo, sorry about th-"

"Why did you use it?" Smooth words flowed out, careful eyes observed Naruto from afar, stopping Naruto from withdrawing the last sketch.

Without hesitation "By using your family's symbol, I knew it would have gotten a rise out of you, that'd you'd seek me out to angrily rant."

"How could you possibly guess that? Time changes people."

Naruto shrugged "You wore it every as a kid, just figured it was something you took pride in. Like they say 'Time won't change me, but I can't change time."

Ignoring the odd reference, Sasuke chose to return to his seat, unsure how to feel of the current situation which promoted Naruto to sit as well.

The soft cushion wheeled back as Sasuke took a seat, he frowned at the rough sketch of his beloved crest, staring at it brought pulses of dizziness, sending images of fire in his head, a voice calling him. Before he could identify the voice, Naruto spoke up with uncertainty.

"Is it alright if I keep my plans to use it?"

"Didn't you say you were going to redesign your sketches?"

"Redesigning them isn't an issue, changing my inspiration theme is… Don't get me wrong, there's a lot that I find inspirational, it's just..." Naruto's eyes softened, his face beginning to twist in happiness. "You were the root of it all. The starting point that I always wondered about, regretted for never bearing your burden even though you carried mine."

Sasuke nodded after minimal contemplation, he doubted Naruto's intentions were impure. In addition, he felt warm affection pour into his hollowed heart, which irritated him, but he couldn't bring himself to hurt Naruto with his usual words of harshness. It wasn't in him to inflict pain to those who never hurt him.

"If that's the case, do as you wish as long as it doesn't violate the terms of the event."

Appreciating the odd turn of leniency, Naruto agreed with a nod.

Biting the inside of his cheek, impatience overtook Naruto "Why did you kiss me?" he finally asked, clear eyes looking for an earnest answer, the tips of his ears were a shade pinker than its natural hue.

"Are you that much of an airhead to have forgotten that I wanted to test you?"

The red from his ears quickly stained his cheeks and neck. "No, you don't have to be such a bitch about it though. Besides, there are different types of skills than memory."

Sneering, Sasuke shook his head "That's only an excuse for others to feel better about their inferiority."

Opening his mouth to retaliate with an equally snide remark, Naruto stopped. Instead, he laughed off the pain of the returning flashes of how he had been treated during his first few years in school. Despite the school's slogan to be "Courteous, and respectful," Naruto was treated with spreading malice against him. Teachers purposely lead him to fail, ignoring any of the fighting that was against him.

"For some people I suppose."

Narrowing his eyes, Sasuke found Naruto's reply displeasing. Rejection was an obvious factor that had changed Naruto's attitude. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

"What's this? Sasuke Uchiha being kind? It must be my birthday." Naruto joked, knowing there wasn't much humour in his sentence.

Wanting to get back on track, Sasuke transitioned their conversation back to the sketches "Regarding your plans, what's your colour scheme?"

Sasuke had a fair idea of what it could be based on Naruto's clothes and personality. Radiating warmth and happiness with every movement, unknowingly rejuvenating other's spirits. Extroverted and uninhibited in the best ways. Naruto was an open book of emotions and trust, brightly encouraging.

There it was, that smile glowed brighter "Orange, blue, violet, lime, and yellow. Different hues splashed together."

"Anything else?" he asked, wanting a clearer understanding of what Naruto had in mind for the first entry, Sasuke wouldn't be satisfied unless he had complete knowledge of Naruto's plans, he simply had to know.

"Black. It's not a colour, it's a–"

"Shade." Sasuke finished. Before either could add on to the slowing conversation, Sasuke cellphone rang. He had a meeting with a new pastel industry, recent pastel had been growing in popularity with its soft cloudy tones and cotton colours, he wouldn't lose out on an opportunity to branch his company out more. Glancing at his phone, Sasuke felt frustration at the idea of having to leave when he still had many questions to ask Naruto. All this time, he believed he was alone, ever since his family died, revenge was the only thing on his mind until he became friends with someone different. It changed a part of Sasuke meeting Naruto for the first time. They both lost their family, but Naruto never experienced family love before. That was the difference and reason Sasuke had never contacted Naruto; the blond just never knew it was like to lose a family, but now, the older shade of blue and softer appearance of his friend told something akin to tragedy. It was likely Naruto lost someone he considered family.

But that was another topic to bring up for another time.

Getting up, Sasuke offered a reassuring nod "Your ideas aren't bad, keep up the work and maybe it'll be up to my standards." He smiled.

"Oh than-wait, what do you mean by that?!" Naruto snapped at the arrogance in his voice and face.

"Nothing that wasn't obvious." Sasuke replied over Naruto's banter, finding it amusing and uplifting at the vigorous energy Naruto brought to him. "And Naruto?"

Blue stained eyes looked up "Yeah?"

"Although we're here again, for your own sake, don't assume we're best friends." The venom in Sasukes was bluntly harsh.

Before the brunette could escape, Naruto couldn't help but boldly dive for his question "Why are you being so cold?"

Dark eyes were impassive when they met Naruto's eyes, looking right through him "You'd be amazed by my reasons."

Slowly he left the room, leaving Naruto in his office, simmering in confusion and guilt.

As Naruto gathered his things to leave as well and catch up with the cheeky brunette, he received a text. Press down on the side, the screen flickered, and showed that Neji had requested to meet at a bar that night.

Quickly, Naruto texted back.

'You couldn't have asked me earlier? I got things to do, got places to go :p How'd you get my cell number?'

'A meeting was cancelled today, Sasuke has your number and sent it to me to contact you for any changes in the rules or expectations of the upcoming art event.'

Not that Naruto actually had anything planned for the rest of the day, he just enjoyed getting a rouse out of his friends, especially new ones since it made them more honest when he asked them questions, he was that type of man. But he was a good friend despite this frustrating characteristic.

'What do U hve in mind?' he texted back, shoving his phone in his pocket, gathering the approved papers into a neat pile before he headed out, surprised to find Neji waiting out the building in his waxed car.

"Is the bar any good? I have a rare day off, thought we could catch up on our history." Neji's smug smile caught Naruto off, before Neji smiled light opal were shining. Finding the atmosphere infectious, Naruto returned the smile and nodded, heading to the car, never noticing the text he received from Sasuke.

"I got time today." And he sat right next to Neji, the leather a shiny smooth surface on his skin.

"Especially for this beauty of a car."

The classy bar was filled with sophisticated exchange of words; the soft, light, mesmerizing, piano echoed with the soft singing, easing the tension to the customers of the bar, blocking out any stressful thoughts.

Naruto of course could never afford to buy a drink in such a place where the shot glasses were made of crystal, and offered rich wine with a cherry aftertaste.

But Neji insisted on bringing Naruto to his favorite bar, he had seen Naruto in the building and invited him, he couldn't pass the chance of spending some time with him.

Naruto eagerly agreed, telling Neji he had good news of finding his friend again, and how ironic it was. Neji wanted to share his enthusiasm, but he had a hard time doing so when Naruto explained what happened between him and Sasuke that morning.

Of course he had the mind to refrain from telling Neji that Sasuke kissed him passionately just to test his honesty, just remembering the kiss made the skin of his lips and tongue tingle and ache for another taste, it would have been humiliating if he could only accomplish that much. A date was required before kissing could ensue. Not that Naruto was interested in Sasuke for that reason.

"Sasuke was your lost friend after all this time." Neji concluded with an irritated breath, finding his fingers tighten a little on his cup of sweet vermouth, he kept his bitterness at bay though to keep it hidden from Naruto's observing eyes.

"Not surprised." He tasted dry sweetness on lips, the mild taste of crystal cooled him. Sasuke was always the composed mystery man that women and men fought over, it had seemed his looks were attracting Naruto as well. It was still the same; from the start of high school Sasuke was first for his looks, charisma, and money; Neji was always second. He picked at his small salad and stabbed the thinly sliced cucumber with his fork and brought it to his mouth to chew softly. The watery liquid was decorated with a tangy, bursting sour taste that Neji savoured, it was just chilled enough to appeal to his sensitive palate, strong flavours were overpowering for him. The fact Naruto hasn't realized this made it all the more painful to deal with.

"Luckily for me..." Naruto sipped his chilled beer, he never drank often, but this was an excusable night, it was to celebrate; he had reached his destination, but not his goal. Naruto still had so much to do to accomplish his goal. From what Naruto observed, Sasuke was unhappy; to make up for never getting to know his burdens, Naruto would carry them all and change them to something happier. Even if Sasuke could never accept him, Naruto could at least find someone that made him happy, that way he'd leave with a satisfied heart.

"Things are starting to look up."

"I can see where you're coming from, but..." Neji began, finishing his salad and wiping the corners of his mouth of the creamy dressing.

"Why would you go so far with him?" He folded the paper napkin in half and placed it in his bowel to be taken by the waiter.

He looked to Naruto to further explain his confusion of Naruto's resolve.

No matter what sort of past or closeness they had shared as children, wasn't this going a bit too far?

"As kids, I found him intriguing… and he felt the same, we became friends, but he was the only one out of the friendship that took time to understand the different parts of me no one cared to get to know. I was young at the time to realize I liked him more than a friend." Naruto bluntly admitted, he didn't think much of his sentence until he saw Neji's pause and horrified expression. Naruto blushed when he processed on how his sentence came out.

"Like a brother of course." He added, taking note of the immediate relief in Neji's expression.

"We were like siblings, or at least I thought so." Naruto's arm stretched out to chew on the plate of baked potatoes chips, enjoying the flavour of barbecue dance on his tongue.

"What do you plan to do if that's not the case?" Neji inquired curiously. Neji paused for a moment and looked at the bartender to order himself a whiskey.

"Tsk, I could always try to convince him, of that doesn't work, I'll try harder." Naruto told, like he was talking about the weather. Obviously feeling reluctant to the mere idea of leaving his best friend.

"Why go through all that trouble?" Neji asked, hoping Naruto didn't mean it when he said he wouldn't give up, the idea of watching to golden laced blue eyes yearn for someone else sent tremors of falling down his spine, settling in his feet as uncomfortable balls of needles.

"When I first met Sasuke the 'asshole', I spilt a drink all over his sassy ass. My friend Shikamaru knew him and suddenly had the ingenious idea to propose that I audition to represent an art company." Naruto rolled his eyes to the memory of Sasuke sputtering at the idea when it was presented.

Naruto found this new quality of Sasuke rather annoying, everyone knew from the start of childhood, that being greedy was wrong but they eventually chose money as they enter adulthood. Iruka always told Naruto that it was important to make the right choices instead of choosing the easy choices.

"Of course, I objected at the idea of having to work with such a jerk, but I could barely afford my apartment at the time, with no good income I didn't have much to keep my apartment or afford that much, so the manager wanted to kick me out because I kept requesting an extension to pay rent, crazy bastard I swear." He vowed to Neji, chuckling. He was surprised at Neji's narrowed eyes.

The waiter gave the cup of whiskey to Neji silently, winking at Neji while his hand slid down his back for a brief second, not enough to be called sexual harassment, but he wasn't ignorant to brush it off as an accidental stroke of contact when it was by purpose. Neji returned an icy warning to the flirtatious man, bringing out a disappointed huff as the waiter brushed it off. Neji drank his cup, ignoring the burning liquid down his throat, boiling in the pit of his stomach.

He settled his attention back to Naruto.

"Naruto why didn't you inform me of this? Such a simple issue could have been dealt without problems."

Naruto flinched at Neji's fierce outburst, this being the first time witnessing the classy man losing his composure; Neji was quick to realize his temper was flaring at a dangerously high rate. He cleared his throat and took another long gulp of his whiskey, it burned his throat a bit but the aftereffects left a blissfully numb throb in his head that made everything feel less intense.

"You know, living with me would've been better, I wouldn't have ever kicked you out on the streets." Neji breathed, purposely making it so Naruto would hear his words. The words shocked Naruto, unclear if it was a positive reaction or a negative one.

He finished the rest of his whiskey, where Naruto ordered some cold water, deciding that alcohol wasn't a good idea for tonight. Naruto was all for a night of debauchery, but he didn't want stopover the line with Neji, from Naruto understood, the air painted around Neji was much more silver than him, a graceful dove doesn't commit reckless deeds if not tricked.

Being a man of conscience, Naruto wanted to make sure Neji's pride was intact

"Neji, I get you want to help me out for our friendship, but I would never accept that money. I'm not a charity."

"I never said you we-"

"―And I never implied you were saying that." Naruto shook his head modestly and continued to reason why he absolutely couldn't accept Neji's generous. As attempting as it was, Naruto would have felt like he was taking advantage of Neji if he accepted, it just wouldn't sit well with him.

"But I just like working hard without having to ask for help on things that are in my own power to fix, being helpless isn't me, which was why I already started packing to move to a better apartment. Besides, I didn't know where you were before joining you guys remember?"

Neji felt conflicted, he was certainly satisfied of Naruto's choice to move somewhere better since he could afford it now, but it contrasted with his sinking disappointment that Naruto wouldn't' be sharing a roof with him, he wouldn't have minded the warm spirited company, lately he had been feeling rather lonely.

His kindred cousin had shared residence within his household up until a year ago when she moved out to start off by herself in the real world, to respect her wishes, Neji didn't stop her.

Hinata, his cousin, was prone to being sick since birth, though that never stopped her from curiously venturing out the house, it certainly caused concern for the entire family until she began to progressively develop a stronger immune system.

Being a willful lady with a quiet attitude, Hinata was simple with her goals. She wanted to travel and train herself to become stronger, so that she could prove herself to her family that took pride in martial arts.

Wanting to see her determination to grow instead of wilting, Neji helped her get away from her family to achieve this dream. Somewhere, Hinata was practicing her balance and instincts in the mountains of Asia, getting closer and closer to her goal.

Neji would also, get closer to his goal.

"I insist Naruto you stay with me, you wouldn't need to waste your money to get to the Uchiha corps, I would drive us both to our workplaces." Neji attempted to keep up his persuasion, hoping Naruto would bend at his quiet forcefulness; that he would be able to help Naruto live an easier life, he'd show it to Naruto if words couldn't push the bright man in the right direction.

Right into safety, away from Sasuke's manipulative hands. Naruto still believed that Sasuke was a man of honesty, which would lead to a disappointing truth. Sasuke might have been a child with a good heart when they last met as children, but Neji had witnessed the distasteful and twisted ways of Sasuke growing up.

Allowing Sasuke to use Naruto would be crossing the line for Neji, no matter what, Naruto was not going to be one of Sasuke's victims, he wouldn't allow another tragedy to occur. No more pain, he had enough of the cliché tragedies.

Overwhelmed at Neji's unusual forwardness, Naruto reminded himself that this turn of behaviour was likely due to the alcohol Neji had consumed, besides the occasional slur in his sentences, Neji had gotten his worry and underlying warning through Naruto's ignorance.

Rubbing the side of his neck rather anxiously "I guess i'll consider it… Thanks." Naruto bashfully smiled, looking coy.

Naruto had known Neji was a good guy, so when he thought about it, moving in with Neji meant he could solidify their friendship, and it took one worry off his mind to give him more time to get closer to Sasuke.

Naruto a sip from his glass of iced water, pleasantly surprised to find traces of raspberry as he shifted in his cushioned stool, oddly enough, it satisfied the dryness in his throat.

"No need to thank me, I simply wanted to help out an old friend." The pale beige of his cheeks were pinched with mild pink. "Just returning a favour if it eases your conscience." The long haired man looked to Naruto with glowing opal.

The mood tempted Neji to place his hand over Naruto's sun baked skin, but he still had some restraint so he refrained himself for the night.

Naruto didn't think much of Neji's peculiar behaviour, so he shrugged it off as one of the heavy effects of whiskey.

"But that doesn't mean I can just forget about it, you're doing me a huge favour letting me stay with you. Once I find a good place I'll be out of your hair before you know it." Sky blue eyes promised with its wonder and innocence. Whenever Naruto made a promise, he meant it with every blood cell and breath.

Shaking his head, Neji's lips curled in a knowing smile. The clear gaze filled with was focused in him, bitter happiness barely filled his breaking heart. He closed his eyes momentarily to push away the heavy burn in the pit of his stomach, the smoke of unwanted emotions trying to escape his throat.

When he opened them, he felt the burn begin to cool. "Of course Naruto." At least he persuaded him to stay with him, Naruto was still fair game.

"Anyway, I have to ask, have you ever thought about settling?" Naruto asked with a teasing stare, he wondered if it Neji had found someone that softened the dark haired man's usual uptight attitude, he couldn't place his finger on it, but something changed by the passing thought he had seen Neji take.

Clearing his throated "What sort of 'settling' do you mean?" Neji asked with a flushed face, he began to wonder if it was because it was from the alcohol, heat, or because of Naruto. Maybe it was all three.

"To be blunt, an intimate lover." Naruto chuckled, taking in Neji's blush with glee, only to grin to such a reaction, Neji most certainly did find someone; a lady of true grace and strength. Neji never really placed an interest in men so that was crossed off, but he did occasionally take an interest in women, if Naruto remembered correctly, Neji dated a pretty woman with chestnut hair and eyes in high school. TenTen was her name.

She was a martial arts master, an understanding, strong, and independent female. Naruto couldn't help but wonder why they weren't together, at the time they had seemed happy.

"...O-Oh." Neji stammered "No, but I do have someone I..." He glanced at Naruto and his heart threatened to jump out of his chest when he realized Naruto was observing him closely.

"…Fancy." He finally managed to finish once he was sure his voice wouldn't quiver.

"Oh? So there is someone, you just haven't made any moves." The blonde man wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, Naruto had never seen the refined man in a stuttering, he was tempted to poke at the chance to find out whom had been so lucky to snatch Neji's distant affections.

"If you mean that my affections have yet to be voiced, you aren't wrong." The soothing music of the piano seemed to all of a sudden stop, and it felt like the seething silence was pressuring him to confess his feelings.

"What's stopping you?" Naruto question as he leaned forward.

"Because I've recently found myself admiring men than women." Neji admitted, fearful he had scared that Naruto away, Naruto was not the type of person to be prejudice, but Neji just couldn't find the heart to be sure. So far in his lifetime, many people have surprised Neji with a hidden characteristic, more often a bad thing than good.

"You don't have to be ashamed about it." In truth, this surprised Naruto, he always visualized Neji preferring to be with dainty, high-class ladies. When in reality, men where what Neji craved. Which was fine, it didn't change how Naruto felt towards Neji.

"You don't care?" Neji was relieved see Naruto still accepted him, although it was to be expected the extravagant, overbearing man to be open-minded of these sort of things.

"Of course not, I mean I'm bisexual, I'd be a hypocrite if I did." Naruto explained with enthusiasm. One of the waitresses passed by them, the wafts of vanilla left by her perfume overpowered their noses.

Neji coughed at the overwhelming smell, his nose was very sensitive to perfumes, he wished people wouldn't douse themselves in ridiculous scents, it made everything seem more artificial than it already was.

"You enjoy both genders?" Neji's voice was soft spoken much like a piano playing a lullaby. The piano in the bar softly began to play out a soft sonnet. A sweet tune that seemed to encourage the pink atmosphere, even couples were exchanging loving kisses.

Anxiously, Neji wetted his lips to calm his rising nerves, and brought his iced water to drink,

"Well, yeah. Though I don't exactly think I could handle both at the same time."

Neji nearly choked on his water, plenty of it invaded his nose.

"By guessing, you're no longer with Sakura Haruno?" He knew Sakura was not the type to stay with men like Naruto. At first, Sakura Haruno was indeed a spoiled lady, she bettered herself after her mother had left the family. He had hoped by some miracle Naruto had broken things off with Sakura during their high school years. He might have hated Sakura for taking him away.

"Recently she dumped me." Naruto answered, eating a peanut from the bowl in front of him. Naruto did love Sakura, which made it that much harder to let go, but sit recent events, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if his feelings for Sakura were platonic than romantic. Comparing his feelings towards to Sakura to Sasuke―which he felt a brotherly bund with― Sakura was a candle to the bonfire of emotions he held for the uptight Uchiha.

This was definitely a sign that Neji had been waiting for, go take this chance before a certain Uchiha did.

"Surely not." He feigned his shock. In fact inside he was jumping for joy, if he was any normal person he would have blurted out everything to Naruto.

If this were a movie, he'd stroke the side of Naruto's face, admiring the vast curves of baked skin and golden hair.

He felt his blood rush to pool into his loins, fuelling his desire.

He coughed harder and waved off Naruto's concerned look. Re-adjusting his dress shirt from the humid temperature.

Originally it was hard to believe Sakura would date someone like Naruto, she never considered Naruto because of his rough personality, she was the type to have shallow expectations, naturally it was a surprise when news broke out that they both began going out in the early spring. Neji had been heartbroken when he'd heard, that was when he turned his back to avoid facing the bitter truth. That was a truly foolish decision, to run away at something painful was cowardly.

"You can say that again, I thought she was into me, guess I was wrong though, we end things on a good note, so I can't complain. " Naruto smiled sadly, he did have great times being with Sakura, but when she brought the topic up, he couldn't deny something was astray from their relationship.

"Continue." Neji gritted through his teeth.

Hesitantly, Naruto did, the tine of Neji's voice tipped him off that something was off.

"But I figured out that she was never really a hundred percent into the relationship." Naruto admitted to both Neji and himself, finding a bitter smile begin to curl.

"But why did sh-" Neji felt hot with anger towards Sakura, why would she go out with him then?

Naruto quickly began to explain before Neji jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"She was suffering at the time...I remember the day she came up to me, she was in tears about this one guy she really liked...He'd told her that she was a disgusting whore who'd latch on to anyone who would give her attention. To be honest, I couldn't believe a person could be so cruel, now that I'm older, it's not so far fetched."

Naruto's voice sounded a bit strangulated, he finished his beer and exhaled a satisfied breath.

"She was my best friend at the time so I couldn't leave her, so when she asked to start going out, I couldn't refuse...So we dated and it turned out badly." Naruto rolled the beer in a circle with his thumbs as he encircled the brown glass with his palms.

Neji nodded slowly as Naruto continued to explain, it seemed Naruto had a reason for explaining, perhaps he'd learn something.

"We both thought of each other as siblings, which was why we agreed to stay as friends before she left for university." Naruto lifted his arms to stretch some sore muscles he had, tightening his muscles and relaxing them to release some tension that built up, Neji took the time to scan over the tanned abdomen that was revealed from his shirt being lifted.

"So I'm just waiting to find another person who sparks my life, no point in whining over spilled milk." Naruto's head tilted to the side, his eyes were sentimental and his smile was warm.

"Cause I do want to find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with."

He ordered another beer and tapped his fingers against the dark marble counter. Blue eyes began to blur like a dream.

Naruto couldn't help but daydream what it would be like to be with someone you wanted to spend the rest of your life with, to have complete trust and faith that you could be happy with that one person.

To love and be loved, it seemed like the best sort of life to lead, but it'd never be easy.

"Then..." Neji took a deep breath and held it in for a few seconds, exhaling, bringing an excitable rush in his veins, it was now or never.

A second passed.

Neji wasn't going to allow this chance to slip away again. He swallowed slowly, his throat was suddenly dry.

Two seconds passed.

His soft lilac eyes locked dangerously to Naruto's gentle blue ones. He licked his dry lips softly.

Three seconds passed.

He breathed in slowly, he was prepared for a rejection, was this too soon? Perhaps, but he waited too long to let Naruto slip through his fingers like water.

"Would you consider me?"

Time stopped