Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me

This chapter has four short moments (five on AO3) all combined together for one mega chapter. This is my way of apologizing for being so behind in updating and bribing you guys to keep reading.

Ages:
Naruto: 20
Sasuke: 22

Beat The Odds
Chapter 6: The Sounds of Airplanes

December 5 2007 - 1 year and 3 months together

Naruto's flight had been delayed due to weather conditions, which only increased his nerves because he now had more time to sit and think about the fated meeting. That is what he did for those two extra hours in Toronto- repeating encouraging mantras and hoping that this was not some sick joke. Can you imagine if he went all the way there to find out nobody was coming?

But now he was standing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport waiting at the luggage carousel and his stomach was just a mess. He was sure he was about to throw up, he glanced around the area searching for any close restrooms and found one near the exit.

He took a shuddering breath and grabbed his black suitcase off the belt almost stumbling as he did so. He sheepishly looked around, nobody seemed to notice his slip up. He sighed in relief and moved towards the exit of the terminal, taking a deep breath and trying to quell his stomach. He was sure he was going to puke but he kept telling himself that there was no reason to even if his mind supplied him with the image of nobody standing in the crowd for him.

He bit his tongue and tried to focus on the sensation of seeing Sasuke rather than his stomach flips. He left the terminal and emerged into the sea of people waiting for loved ones, some holding signs with names on it. He doubted Sasuke would be there with a sign. He knew exactly what Sasuke looked like and he almost wished that the man wouldn't be there to pick him up so he could high tail it back to Toronto and not deal with this sick feeling.

But he was there.

Naruto almost didn't walk towards him, instead he let his eyes drift anywhere but the man who was standing close to the back where there was less people around. He repeated the mantra of 'man up' in his mind as he began walking slowly towards the stoic man.

Sasuke's eyes met his and Naruto felt his breath shorten and his stomach twist painfully. He wonder why he felt so sick. It couldn't just be nerves at this point, he was sure he was catching something. He never felt so horrible. He tried to ignore the feeling, pushing it down and took his steady steps towards the man who was watching him like a hawk. It was almost too much to handle, to know that Sasuke was there - and not in some other country. He was within arms reach and that he had come for Naruto.

"Naruto." He reached Sasuke sooner than he expected, and suddenly he wanted to run. It was too much for his brain to processes, too many thoughts and emotions where running wildly. He pushed those aside, the fear and nervous to look at the man he loved.

Sasuke was taller than him by half an inch, his ebony hair styled uniquely. His posture was tense, but Naruto couldn't blame him. This was probably just as nerve-wracking for him as it was for Naruto.

Though his eyes were what caught Naruto's attention. He knew how dark they were, but to see them in person with clear relief in them was indescribable. It brought a smile to his face.

Suddenly he did not feel so sick anymore.

"Sasuke." He acknowledged, standing directly in front of him. Should he hug him? Was that too forward, they had just met after all but they had been dating and-

'Fuck it.'

He reached his arms around the taller male and pulled him close, breathing deeply and thanking his stomach for calming down enough for this precious moment.

"I can't believe it." He whispered quietly and held Sasuke tightly. This was real; Sasuke was real.

"I know."

They stood there for several seconds before pulling apart. Sasuke seemed to be less tense, ignoring the fact that a few people were staring at them. Who cared about what strangers thought?

December 5 2007 - 1 year and 3 months together

Naruto was happy to note that the hotel had two beds, and the pressure of sharing a bed with Sasuke left him feeling refreshed. It's not that he didn't want to share with Sasuke, but he didn't want to obligation too either. It was nice to have options.

He peeled open his suitcase and started unpacking some of his clothes. His stomach still was storming but it had significantly become bearable. The ride from the airport to the hotel was pleasant; they spoke about the weather, the flight, and embraced the silence of just being in the same space. It was still processing in Naruto's mind that Sasuke, the guy he had only known through messages, Skype and small phone calls, was right beside him.

He wanted to do so much with him. Everything couples did: go on dates, hold hands (maybe, he wasn't sure he liked that idea too much), share food, steal blankets, watch movies, kiss...

Naruto watched as Sasuke slowly opened the closet door beside the dresser where he was placing his clothes. Sasuke was devilishly handsome, and it almost surreal. How could a guy like that want someone like Naruto? He was not self-conscious in any form, but it baffled him slightly. Sasuke was perfect porcelain, raven feather hair with soft features, yet there was nothing feminine about him. He could have anybody if he wanted but he seemed to want him.

"Hey Sasuke?" Sasuke turned his head to regard Naruto.

Naruto took one step towards him, ignoring the curious gaze. He reached forwards, pulling Sasuke close to his body before hesitantly placing his lips over Sasuke's. Dark eyes widened and his posture stiffened, he was not expecting that.

Naruto hoped he was doing this right as he gently moved his lips against still ones. This was his first time kissing someone, and he only had television and movies to base what he was doing off of.

Just before he was about to pull back, he felt Sasuke move his lips in sync with his own. His mind happily cheered that he got a response before they quietly pulled apart.

Was that how a first kiss felt like? He frowned, it didn't feel like it was supposed to.

"What's wrong?"

Naruto averted his eyes, the frown still not leaving his face. Wasn't the first kiss supposed to have sparks? Shouldn't he have had butterflies in his stomach? Swooning into a puddle?

He took a seat on the bed, Sasuke hastily followed suit.

"You going to tell me what's bothering you?"

"I just..." Naruto bit his lip, he was never good at keeping things to himself. He liked to share and be open with those he considered important, but would it be insulting to say that he felt nothing with that kiss?

He sighed, mentally scolding himself for acting unusual. He turned his eyes to face dark questioning ones.

"No sparks..."

Sasuke quirked an eyebrow. "No sparks?" he questioned in a teasing voice.

Naruto huffed and glared good naturally at him. "Isn't that supposed to happen? Sparks, butterflies..."

"Only in a disney movie."

"No need to make fun of me," He hotly told and began to stand but Sasuke pulled him back down onto the bed.

"I'm not." He said, keeping hold of his hand. It was warm and Naruto almost wanted to pull his hand away because it was just too warm, but he kept himself focused. He had wanted this (sort of) and he was going to welcome it.

"But then, doesn't that mean there's no chemistry between us? Maybe we're just not-"

"Do you want to kiss me again?"

Naruto turned questioning eyes to him. He recalled the feel of Sasuke's lips against his own and knew right then that yes, he did want to do it again.

"Yes."

"That's your answer."

Naruto blinked, "my answer?"

"You want to kiss me again, obviously there is 'sparks'" he air quoted which earned a gentle punch, courtesy of Naruto. "Though if you truly want to feel sparks, take a metal fork and find an outle-"

"Asshole," Naruto lightly commented, and was pleasantly surprised when Sasuke leaned over to press a firm kiss to his lips. He felt Sasuke's lips move, and he slowly followed his lead. It only last a few short seconds, but it gave back his confidence.

A kiss was not supposed to be a spark, the movies had it wrong. It was a drug; you wanted and craved for more of it. Naruto found himself yearning for the contact again, so he pulled Sasuke close and wrapped his arms around his neck. He watched memorized as a ghost of smile found it's way onto Sasuke's face before covering those enticing lips with his own.

Yes, it definitely was a drug.

December 9 2007 - 1 year and 3 months together

He didn't quite understand why Naruto seemed so nervous about meeting his brother. It was not like he was going to meet the Queen of England, even though he was fussing probably just as much as he would be if he were meeting her grace.

"He won't eat me will he?"

"Why would he eat you?"

"I'm dating his little brother," Naruto replied, "isn't that enough?"

"Tch," Sasuke stood beside Naruto, adjusting the collar of the orange polo shirt that he had put on. "No, he will not eat you. You have nothing to worry about, I'm the one who should be worried."

"Why?"

"You'll find out." Sasuke irritably told, recalling the time that Itachi thought it would be fun to tell embarrassing stories to his last boyfriend. They both had a good time at his expense.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Hey," Naruto called out softly, "it'll be fine right?"

Sasuke nodded before he grabbed the room key. The coffee shop they were meeting the elder Uchiha at was just at the corner, less than a couple of minutes away by foot.

He turned to see Naruto following him out the door, his face showed his clear anxiety about the meeting and Sasuke wished he could ease his worries, but the only thing to ease his problems would be just getting it over with. So he walked at a decent pace, Naruto matching it.

They left the hotel relatively quickly, and walked towards the coffee shop. They chatted about the weather, the city, and the differences he found between Chicago and Toronto. All too soon they reached the small coffee shop nestled at the corner beside a convenience store.

Sasuke opened the door to the shop, ignoring the lead weight in his belly. He held the door for Naruto, who graciously thanked him before he followed the boy into the shop. He let his eyes roam around the room, searching for the elder of the two.

Naruto gently nudged him, "is that him?" he tilted his head towards the fireplace. Sasuke trailed his eyes to that area, landing on his brother who was smiling at them with a sadistic gleam in his eyes.

"Yeah." He wet his lips, feeling his shoulders tense in preparation for the meeting. He noted that Naruto was not fairing much better, he gently brushed his hand against tanned ones. He let his fingers linger against Naruto's for a few seconds before turning his attention back to this brother.

"He looks like you but older."

"Hn."

Slowly he took a step forward, hearing Naruto follow behind him. They moved quietly and nervously towards the elder Uchiha.

"Ah Sasuke," Itachi stood up fluidly and analyzed both boys. "This must be Naruto." He smiled politely and gestured for the two of them to take a seat.

"Hello Itachi," Naruto softly spoke, taking a seat directly across from Itachi, while Sasuke sat directly beside his boyfriend.

"I have heard a lot about you Naruto."

"Really?"

"No." Itachi replied instantly, a demonic smile on his face, "Sasuke only recently told me he was even in a relationship."

Sasuke glowered at the man, but didn't deny it. It was true after all.

Thankfully Naruto wasn't offended, and let out a deep chuckle. "I just recently told my dad about Sasuke as well," he grinned. "Man that was awkward."

"Indeed," Itachi replied and gracefully picked up his drink and took a sip.

"I find it interesting that your dad let you fly away to meet someone you've never met before."

"Itachi," Sasuke growled in warning, but his eyes snapped to Naruto when he felt a gentle squeeze on his knee. Tanned fingers rested on his kneecap, and a smile was on his face. It was reassuring to see that Naruto was okay to handle himself.

"Well actually, my dad thinks I met Sasuke at school."

"Oh?" Another devilish smile. "Lying to your parents is not a good trait to have."

Naruto shrugged, "everyone lies to their parents."

"I have not."

"Tch," Sasuke replied, his eyes challenging his elder brother.

"What was that?"

"Don't lie Itachi, it doesn't suit you."

"I am not lying."

"Oh?" He smirked, mirroring his brothers. "Konan."

Itachi's shoulders stiffened and a frowned worked its way onto his face. He placed his hands around the coffee cup and stared into the liquid.

"Really little brother, you're going to bring her up?"

Naruto looked confused between the two, and he mentally filed away the name 'Konan' for future discussions and possible leverage over Itachi if he ever needed some.

"Hn."

Itachi placed his cup on the table, levelling a look at Sasuke, seriousness etched in those similar dark eyes.

"To go that far...you must be really serious about this boy."

"Hn."

The elder of the two nodded, ignoring the confused look that Naruto was hopelessly throwing between the two. Itachi smiled, turning his attention fully to the youngest one in the room. It was time to fulfill his duty as older brother.

"Naruto, did you know when Sasuke was about eight years old, he believed that aliens had abducted our mom as a child and removed her penis."

December 13 2007 - 1 year and 3 months together

Sasuke saw Naruto fiddle with his boarding pass. It seemed like only yesterday the man had landed with his bright personality and appearance. It was not fair that he was already leaving, but the eight days together were glorious and although his heart stung at the thought of Naruto leaving, he assured himself it was only temporary; they would meet again.

One day they would be living together and this distance will no longer be a problem.

Naruto turned his attention to his boyfriend. Sasuke caught the look, and making an exception clasped his hand with clammy tanned ones. They were both dreading this, yet it was something that could not be avoided.

Sasuke had school and although the semester was out, he still had some work to do for the upcoming semester in January. He also worked at his parents office during his breaks, and he was fortunate enough to get the week off without his family sniffing around.

Naruto also had to head back to school. He had postponed one of his exams for this trip and Sasuke knew that once that exam was over he was going back home to live with Kakashi for the winter break. So he had a lot of packing and studying to do when he returned back to his dorm.

As sad as it is to say, they had separate lives away from each other that could not be ignored indefinitely. Even if they wanted to.

"I should go," Naruto reluctantly said and Sasuke numbly nodded. He still had to get through security and customs and those lines could be ridiculously long.

Naruto released Sasuke's hand and placed a soft kiss to his lips.

"Thank you."

Sasuke swallowed hard, his heart was hurting and he didn't want to see Naruto leave. But he couldn't stop him either, it wasn't practical.

"Soon." Sasuke murmured, "we'll be together soon."

Naruto's eyes shined with determination and love. Sasuke loved his eyes the most. They were always so expressive and could swallow a person with how much emotion was in them, and the fact this love was directed towards him out of everyone else in the world, was amazing.

"You know it." Naruto grinned and they stood there, awkwardly not wanting to go but knowing they had to.

"Go."

Naruto closed his eyes, "yeah." He slowly pulled his luggage behind him as he made his way to the check in counter, showing the lady his boarding pass and getting his luggage weighed.

Sasuke swallowed the thick lump in his throat as he watched Naruto disappear behind an area he was not allowed to go. He felt like a child again, wanting his mother - or in this case Naruto - to make things better. To just come back and be together again, but he forced himself to turn away.

He walked dazedly to his car and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts and landing on Naruto's name.

Text me when you land. [10:13am]

He sighed and closed his phone and eyes. He decided to just listen to the sound of planes taking off and landing, wishing things were different.

First Lemon/Lime has been edited out and can be found on my AO3 account, link in profile.