Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Ages:
Naruto: 23
Sasuke: 25

Beat The Odds
Chapter 14: Roast

January 3 2011 - 4 years and 4 months together

It was almost surreal to be back in Illinois. He had the money saved for months now, but when school started back up he got hectic and when he did have time to go, Sasuke didn't. It was hard to coordinate but they finally did, and it was worth all the hassle.

It was going to be a short visit, months saved for only four days in Illinois. But he wouldn't trade it, not when he had whom he loved beside him.

He smiled lightly to the dark haired man who just gave a curt nod before opening the front door of the modest house that was located two hours out of the city towards the south. He hadn't had the pleasure of being there last time he was in the country, so it was high time he got to see Sasuke's family's house. Sasuke had lived there until he was twenty-two, after he finished college and gotten his first full-time steady job.

He was meeting Sasuke's family. Although he had met Itachi briefly the first time he visited, this was going to be different. This was a dinner, with both his parents and brother. It was nerve wrecking but his boyfriend would gently reassure him by leaning into his body or brushing his fingers over his arm. It was subtle but it reminded him he wasn't alone.

When he toed off his shoes, following closely behind Sasuke - who didn't ring the bell or knock. He was lead to a beautiful kitchen, dark wood with a light counter and tile. His eyes focused on the woman who was standing by the counter dicing some onions and adding them to a sizzling pan.

"Sasuke dear," she greeted, her body pivoting towards the duo. Instantly Naruto lost his breath. She was beautiful. Her eyes were the same shape and colour as Sasuke's and her smile was small and warm. She wiped her hand on the white apron and walked towards them.

"You must be Naruto," she eyed him with that same sweet smile on her lips. She walked to the dinning room table that was just off of the kitchen and took a seat, motioning both boys to follow her. "We're having roast for dinner, is that okay?"

Naruto gave a quick nod, as did Sasuke before they took their seats beside each other. He felt like he was under the microscope as she stared at him with that sweet smile. It was a bit unnerving and he refrained from grabbing ahold of his boyfriend's hand for some sort of moral support.

She glanced up to the right, causing Naruto to turn in his seat and see Itachi walking slowly towards them. He swooped down and gave a quick peck to his mother on her cheek before taking a seat beside her, his eyes landing directly on Naruto and not moving.

A part of his mind was screaming to run. To fake death and just get out of the house before he started to sweat through his shirt. Sasuke didn't seem to notice, probably unaware. But he was starting to panic, he wanted to make a good impression but he didn't know what to say. Should he initiate the conversation or should he-

"You're all here," a baritone voiced spoke just behind him causing him a slight startled jump in his seat. It resulted in a condescending smirk from Itachi which he glared angrily at the man. He diverted his eyes away to see a tall man walking towards Mikoto, regal and proud. Obviously Sasuke's dad, he had an air of authority and power about him which made Naruto want to shrink into this seat until he was invisible.

"Good evening dear," Mikoto politely cooed, giving him a quick peck as he moved down the table to sit beside Itachi. He turned his gaze to Sasuke, gave a curt nod before his eyes landed on him. Naruto gulped.

"It's nice to finally meet you Naruto," he smiled and Naruto was struck with a feeling of being reassured. He almost felt like he could breathe again but he caught Itachi's eye again and that thought flew far away.

"Likewise, Mr. Uchiha." He muttered out, meeting his dark eyes.

"Mr. Uchiha?" There was a quiet chuckle from Itachi, which caused Naruto to turn his eyes to the man, and half-heartedly glare at him. There was no need to be made fun of.

"Just call me Fugaku," he smiled and Naruto just gave a quick nod.

"Are you done school?"

Naruto turned his eyes to Mikoto, the smile was no longer on her face but it was still warm. He felt a little uneasy around her because it was the momma bear, and she definitely had that aura about her.

"Not yet," He murmured out, feeling Sasuke's hand brush against his leg made him perk up. "I'm taking a graduate course in Social Work."

He was sure Sasuke had already told them this.

"What do you see yourself doing in social work?"

It was odd being ganged up on by three people who seemed extremely nice. Fugaku had collected and caring eyes; Mikoto had the face of an angel, while Itachi...okay maybe it was two people who seemed kind. Itachi was sadistic, and although Naruto could respect the man for his protectiveness of his brother, he felt that he was no threat to deserve such a hateful glare.

"I want to help homeless youth."

Mikoto's eyes widened briefly before her eyes softened and a soft smile came onto her face, while Itachi just scuffed with a whisper that sounded faintly like the word 'saint'.

"Why homeless youth?"

Naruto turned his attention back to Fugaku, the question having come from him. He debated whether or not to disclose his childhood, about how he had bounced around foster home to foster home. He was fortunate enough to get good families; he just never really fit until he met Kakashi when he was ten.

Growing up he saw homeless people along the downtown of the city. But when he turned sixteen he saw a kid around his age asking for something hot to drink at a dirty corner of the city, people looking away in shame while others pretending he didn't exist. Naruto was torn and ended up giving the kid all the money he had and offered to give him the umbrella he had tucked in his backpack because it was about to rain.

That was when he wanted to work with homeless youth. He could have easily been one of those kids. Ended up at the wrong foster family, or having abusive parents. He couldn't image and he shuddered now just thinking about it. It caused the eyes at the table to stare at him.

"Sorry," he sheepishly replied, still torn on whether or not to tell. A part of him knew that they would find out eventually, but eventually. Not today, not on their first meeting. He bit his lip and sighed, closing his eyes and squishing down the mixed emotions he was having.

"I could have easily been one of them."

The silence was palpable, causing Sasuke to slowly slide his hand into Naruto's slightly calmly ones. Mikoto's eyes had softened considerably, but there was no pity in them. Fugaku gave a curt nod, averting his eyes to seek out his wife's. Itachi on the other hand had no reaction to the declaration, instead seemed even more calculative than when they arrived.

"Hn."

Sasuke wanted to roll his eyes at his brother's dismissive tone but decided to leave it alone and just glare heatedly at his elder sibling. Naruto didn't pay it any attention, instead wearing a goofy grin.

"Hn? Nobody would ever doubt that you're brothers."

Fugaku chuckled; it was deep and throaty but left a proud feeling swell through his body. It's always good to have the parents of your boyfriend laugh at something you said. Mikoto on the other hand shook her head but had a radiant smile on her face.

Itachi stared blankly, not finding it humours before turning his eyes to Sasuke. "We look similar, I don't need to talk for people to figure out we're related."

Naruto nodded, "that is true." He said shifting his eyes to turn to his boyfriend. "You do look similar but with Sasuke, he has these dark eyes. Almost like yours, but yours have a tint of red. His...his are soul sucking dark that it can consume you and make you forget where you are."

"Soul sucking?"

Naruto impishly smiled, "sort of. They're so dark that they're almost scary but have this beauty to them. They're captivating."

"Right." Itachi drawled out with sarcasm, while Sasuke seemed completely clueless with tinted pink cheeks.

"Itachi behave." Fugaku warned, while Mikoto was glaring at her eldest with something akin to distaste for his attitude.

Naruto blinked sluggishly, he felt Sasuke release their hands from under the table. He was thankful for that, it was too warm to hold his hand, even for comfort and moral support.

"Do you have a job?"

The hostility in the voice almost made Sasuke step in, but he bit his tongue knowing that Naruto could handle himself. Itachi may take out the fangs but Naruto had fangs and claws. He wasn't intimated by anyone. His parents scowled in disapproval but didn't intervene with their eldest's questions.

Naruto let a cocky grin slip onto his face, leaning back into his chair. Sasuke could already see a cartoon version of Naruto throwing his hands up in the air and making fists, preparing for the fight.

"$11 an hour*."

"That's pretty good." Mikoto muttered out.

"It's minimum wage in Ontario." Naruto brushed off, glancing at Mikoto. "I work at a coffee shop, part-time."

She nodded and smiled, "that's a high minimum wage."

Naruto hummed lightly before shaking his head, "it's not enough actually. Cost of living is extremely high in the Ontario. It doesn't help that gas is always going up and taxes eat up a good chunk of our paychecks. If you have a full time job with $11 an hour you would be living below the poverty line." He sighed. "But I guess that's the story everywhere."

Everyone around the table gave a solemn nod. After a few tense seconds Mikoto stood, brushing a strand of her jet-black hair behind her ear.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to check on the roast." She gave a polite bow and exited the dinning room, heading into the adjoined kitchen.

Itachi remained quiet and Naruto almost pouted at the lack of comments from the elder brother but still was happy to be in their company. It was nice to be seated around a table with an entire family, not just him and Kakashi. It was a good different, even with Itachi's roasting and prodding every part of his life and future.

"So Fugaku how do you build your own company?"

The man lit up like a child in a foreign candy store, as he cleared his throat and began his journey down memory lane.

*minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25 (at the time and according to my research).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although, this is the second time I've written Naruto and Sasuke meeting, does not necessarily mean they've only met up twice.

So I have decided to remove all explicit content out of this story, and it will be available on my AO3 account. So there was a lemon/lime for this chapter (which is why it took me so long to get it out there), but it is now available on my AO3 account.

Link to my AO3 account can be found in my profile!