Perfection
A/N: Here at last! I bring you a chapter full of fluff and romance! I know it's over a month before his birthday but I didn't want to wait. Re-writing some parts of it is the only thing that took time. I may have overdone the cheesy but the situation between them demands it. I hope you enjoy!
Sleep doesn't come to me. I've tried calling him about a million times now! My messages also won't get through. I frantically pack my stuff before I'm out the door. I can't wait another minute. I am mad at the both of us to extents that make me want to punch a wall. Of course I've asked him this question a thousand times but he's always evaded it, never telling me when his birthday is. It's been vexing and I've even tried coaxing it out of Kiyoshi to no avail. Hell, I've even nosed through his desk calendar to see a mark or a note but have only come up empty-handed. And he chooses to tell me now? When I've gone on a trip he pushed me go to? Why would he do something so stupid?
But I'm going to rectify it.
I march downstairs, booking a cab along the way.
Today feels like the most important day of my life and I will do anything in my power to spend it with the only person who this day belongs to.
Once I'm in the cab, I drop Sasuke a text: "My guide wants to meet me today for the draft I submitted. She is going out of town for the rest of the week and she needs to explain some changes face-to-face. So I need to go see her. Sorry," I press send and lean back against the headrest. I don't want to think about him or the potential carnage that's going to ensue once I confirm his suspicions. But right now, I can't be bothered. I close my eyes and welcome sleep when it comes. I know I'm going to need all the rest I can get.
It is five-thirty in the morning when I get to his shop. I don't know his home address and this is the only place I know where I'll find him. I pay the cab driver and hurriedly make my way towards the steps. I sit down and take out my phone as I begin planning. My thoughts go back to my Valentine's Day plan where I wanted to whisk him away with me, somewhere near the sea. But then I think again of the date we had this Friday where he became all secretive about the plans he had concocted.
I smile. It is his day after all! It is only fair that we celebrate it his style. I rest my head on my lap and close my eyes as happiness fills me. I want to make all his dreams come true!
I open my eyes and look around blearily for a few seconds. I don't know when I fell asleep. The rays of the sun on my face are too bright and I quickly look around to gather my bearings. I check the time to see it is around eight-thirty in the morning. I stand up quickly. Itachi's usually here by a quarter to nine and that gives me fifteen minutes to rush to the nearest florist and buy him a huge bouquet of roses. They are red of course!
I smile like a loon and begin running when I see him at the door, sliding in his key. My right arm winds around his waist as I quietly tiptoe behind him and pull him to me. "Happy Birthday, Itachi-sama!" I murmur in his ear before he can react in surprise. His keys fall to the floor. His heart under my hand is ready to burst with how hard it is beating. I hold out the bouquet for him.
"Naruto," he gasps when his eyes round on me. He laughs as he takes the roses and smells them. My heart turns all over again. He looks up at me, still smiling, his face radiant with happiness. We hug like we haven't seen each other for days. His arms are wound tightly around me, his nose buried in my neck as he breathes me in. My own face is buried in his hair as I take in the smell of him, the feel of him in my arms. It's only been a day apart since Friday and I feel like I haven't touched this man in years.
I don't care who sees us. I bend down and kiss his lips. I gasp softly when his mouth opens beneath mine and he returns the kiss. "Why didn't you tell me?"
He smiles as he looks at me. "Because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it! It's just a birthday, Naruto! I regret letting it slip last night," he looks away.
"Sometimes I don't get you. You say you love me for real and then you hide something this important from me!" I look at him reproachingly.
He tucks a lock of his hair behind his ear. "But everything is alright now, isn't it?" he smiles again as he looks away. And then he looks back at me intensely. "Besides, from the moment I learnt of Sasuke's trip to Hakone, I'd planned on spending the day with you. It didn't matter if you knew about it or not." He pushes back a lock of my golden hair from where it falls across my left eye. He doesn't even realize his actions. "I mean, spending time with you alone feels like it's special. Labeling it wouldn't matter at all," he shakes his head at me.
"But then why did you make me go?" I ask him quietly.
"Because it felt like the right thing to do!" he smooths a hand across my shoulder. It's something that he does a lot. This lack of hesitancy he shows in touching me feels like I've conquered a mountain.
"Alright then, spill the plan," I tell him as I pull my arms from around him. I bend down and pick the keys he dropped.
"Oh that plan," He regards me for a quiet moment before he turns the key and opens the door. "That can't happen."
I wait patiently as he removes the keys and pockets them.
Then I turn him around and kiss him again. "And why is that?" I ask him, raising a brow.
Itachi sighs as he looks at me wistfully. He slides his eyes away. "That grand plan did not involve Kiyoshi but since he is with me, I'm afraid we're going to have to discard the idea."
I hug him to me. "Nah, we could have all child-safe activities and the best of your plans. What say?"
He bites his lip for a second. "Alright then. I know exactly where I'm taking you."
"You keep pampering me by taking me places enough, Itachi-sama! Don't you have a store to run?" I ask.
He laughs. "Not now, not today. Not when you are here." He runs his eyes over me once and smirks. "And now that you are here," he smiles while I grin, "maybe we could negotiate about that sideways you were talking about." He turns and locks the store from the inside.
This man, one day. I swear.
"I'm saving it for later," I say as I pull my hand from around his waist and look at him.
"Why? Why not now?" he asks.
"Because somethings are better done against horizontal surfaces," I nip the tip of his nose playfully. "And I want you to be able to walk."
"And why do you get to decide who's bottoming?" Itachi folds his arms across his chest and regards me with dry amusement.
"Someone told me last night they want me to fuck them like I mean it," I raise my eyebrows at him.
"Does that mean I have to wait for my birthday sex?" he asks.
"Maybe, but there are other things we could do that won't cause hindrance," I muse out loud. I look at the door to the storage room. "We could start from there," I suggest.
I burst into quiet laughter when he takes my hand and goes down on one knee to kiss it. "Then let us make haste, milady," his samurai tone makes me want to stop time forever.
"Turn around and guide the way, boy!" Itachi joins me in laughter as I put in my best performance in imitating his Showa lady.
Itachi just marches us towards the storage area.
I follow my king.
Itachi laughs as he looks at me. It is now slowly creeping into my heart how much I love the sound of it. He quietens after a moment as he regards me. "You…" he starts and then shakes his head as if he's denying something.
I burst out laughing. "What else could I have done when I was at the end of my rope?" I'd once snuck into the girls' bathroom because I had to do my business and got caught.
"Well, a man's got to do what a man's got to do," Itachi shrugs. We stand against a bookrack. The radio plays a soft melody and I lift his hand and put it on my waist as I bring him closer. The song is old, the singer's voice soft. I've never heard it before but the tune hits just right.
I sway him slightly and my heart lies in a puddle on the floor when he moves along with me, chuckling in surprise. We start moving to a dance to our rhythm. "Itachi-sama," I bend down and whisper in his ear. "I've missed you," I tell him.
Itachi moves closer and puts his arms around me. His face is buried in my shoulder. He begins singing the song that's playing. His eyes meet mine and his voice gets louder, more confident.
Every nerve in my body draws taut. I hold my breath. If I thought Sasuke's voice was beautiful, it has nothing on this man. There's a haunting edge to his voice that makes goosebumps rise on my skin. It's beautiful just like every inch of this perfection I hold in my arms.
We dance for a long time. We don't stop even when the song ends.
Apart from the slight swishing of our clothes as they brush against each other and the music, there's perfect silence. It's like time has stopped for us.
In between heartbeats, Itachi turns his mouth to my ear. "I love you," he whispers.
My reply is a kiss full of everything I feel. Itachi smiles against my lips and kisses me again.
And damn if this isn't magical enough.
I accompany Itachi to Kiyoshi's kindergarten to pick him up. He's brought his car with him to the shop. I sit in the passenger seat, my attention focused on the man seated next to me expertly maneuvering the car. He glances at me once and when he sees me watching him, he straightens slightly. My lips stretch in a smile when I notice the color rising on his cheeks.
A sudden thought comes to my mind. Shit.
"I don't think I should be going with you." I start, shaking my head. There's a hundred percent chance Kiyoshi will tell Sasuke about meeting me. After the lie I've told to get out of Hakone, this could prove to be an absolute disaster. "What if Kiyoshi tells Sasuke?" I ask, dread filling me at the very thought of it.
His mouth tightens at that. "I'll talk to Kiyoshi. Don't worry. He can keep a secret." He smiles tightly.
I reach out and take his hand at a red light. "How can you be so sure?" I ask.
Itachi turns to me. He turns his palm upside and stretches his fingers. "Because this won't be the only secret of ours that he'll be keeping," he says.
I frown. "You mean there's more?" I ask, panic rising in my insides.
He squeezes my fingers in reassurance. He smiles suddenly. "You remember the first time you met Kiyoshi?" he asks.
I narrow my eyes. "Yes. I went to the shop and he called me sunshine. Why?"
Itachi chuckles. "Remember what you did, right after you entered the shop?" Itachi asks as I let his hands go and he shifts gears and hits the gas when the light turns green.
I think back to it. I was too excited at the prospect of seeing him again that I'd just run in and kissed him. My sharp inhale makes him chuckle when he nods slightly. I'd kissed him right in front of Kiyoshi! Oh my fucking god! It was me! I'd outed us!
"Does he…" I clear my throat and try again. "Does he know about us?" I ask, finally. Nervousness mixes with hope to form a jittery reaction.
Itachi hums before he answers. "I don't think so. I mean he's only three, Naruto! Besides, he hasn't said anything."
"But you never know!" I protest.
Itachi taps his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel at another red light. He doesn't say a word. I quickly decide to drop it.
Itachi makes the last turn to the kindergarten and my heart picks up speed.
Even though it's a Sunday, he's been called to practice for a dance for their annual day. The little tyke makes me laugh when he looks extremely shocked and delighted to see me. I immediately scoop down and pick him up. "Since you missed me yesterday, here I am!" I greet him when he jumps into my arms and puts his arms around my neck and I whirl him around once. I laugh when he giggles in delight. I immediately turn to smell him then I place a small kiss against his cheek.
He turns shy as he buries his head in my neck and my arms tighten around him. Standing here like this makes me realize how much I've really missed him.
He turns to look at his father after a moment, his cheeks red and splotchy with happiness. His hand snakes into my hair and he giggles elatedly. "You came with the sun daddy!" he giggles again.
Itachi laughs contagiously. "Yes, so now give Daddy his prize?" Itachi says, bending towards his son in my arms, his mouth turned up in a smile. Kiyoshi laughs and kisses his father's cheek. He smiles as he bends down and gathers Kiyoshi's things with a smile and then we move towards his car.
It takes a bit of an effort to extract a very reluctant Kiyoshi from my arms. I finally bend down and place him in the backseat and strap on the seatbelt. He doesn't let go of my jacket when I try to pry his tiny fist from around it. I kiss the crown of his dark head, making him giggle. "The sooner we leave, the faster we'll get to go to lunch." I tell him as I gently take his chin in my hand. "You wanna eat lunch with me?" I ask him, smiling when he nods eagerly and releases his grip on my jacket.
"Really?" he asks like Christmas has come early.
I nod. "Ask your dad if you don't believe me." He glances at me and then his father.
"Daddy, is Naruto joining us for lunch?" Kiyoshi asks his dad for confirmation. My eyes turn to my lover to see him looking at us with a frown. He only nods as he gets into the driver's seat. My eyes meet Kiyoshi's puzzled ones.
"Alright bud, you're the boss. Today we're getting what you want to eat!" I tell him.
"Hamburger! Do you like hamburgers, Naruto?" he asks as he looks up at me.
"I love them." I tell him as I slowly close his door. I make my way to the passenger seat and clip my seatbelt dutifully, my gaze on Itachi. I don't like this frown on his face.
Itachi moves his hand to the gearbox and I grab it. "What's wrong?" I ask him, quietly not wanting Kiyoshi to be a part of this.
Itachi looks visibly startled when my hand touches his. His gaze slides from the front towards me. His eyes meet mine and then he's moving his body towards me. I stay frozen knowing that if I were to act on this impulse, the consequences would be disastrous. Kiyoshi is seated in the backseat after all! His face comes closer to mine and my heartbeat picks up again. I glance at Kiyoshi only to find him fidgeting with something. I anticipate a kiss but his hands just move to my seatbelt as if to unnecessarily set it right. His lips skim my cheek and his fingers touch my hair when he withdraws. There's not a word, not even a whispered sigh during this exchange. I want to turn my head and claim his lips but he's gone. He's already back in position as he turns the key and starts the car.
Once we're out of the parking lot, I turn to him. "What was that about?" I ask, trying to keep the whole of me from reacting to the proximity of this man. My eyes cut to his hand on the gearstick. Every time he changes gears, his hand skims the side of my knee on purpose.
Itachi keeps his eyes on the road as he takes a left turn towards the city center. He thumb touches my knee again but he doesn't look at me. "Hmm?" Itachi hums, looking distracted as he brakes gently at the red light.
Kiyoshi knows where we're going as he interrupts the moment with a loud cry. "Daddy, are we going to Denny's?" he asks.
Itachi raises his eyes from the road to look at the rear-view mirror at his son. He smiles when their eyes meet. "Yes. Didn't you say they make the best hamburgers?" Itachi asks, his eyes fixed on his son in the rearview mirror.
His left hand is still on the gearstick but now he lifts it slowly and places his hand on my thigh. His fingers fold against my jeans as Kiyoshi replies and they start making conversation. Itachi shields all the questions that Kiyoshi throws involving me as his hand gets braver when it slides up my thigh. I let in a stuttered breath as I bring my hand above his to grasp it tightly. Itachi tears his gaze from the mirror to look at me, his eyes heavy with want and possessiveness.
Before this can get any more dangerous, the light mercifully turns green.
Inasmuch as I hate the idea of being away from him, I shift a little towards the door. Itachi gets the message because he chuckles under his breath but refrains from putting me in deeper shit. We arrive at Denny's and Itachi parks the car before he unclips Kiyoshi. I'm standing right beside Itachi by the door when he unbuckles Kiyoshi. Immediately that little charmer raises his arms towards me, his powerful eyes turned into puppy ones. Itachi sighs as he shifts a little to the left to give me space. His arms encircle my neck as I breathe in the baby scent of his, feeling that sense of belonging each time I'm with him. I shut the door with my left hand as I shift him to the right. His face is still buried in my neck but I can feel his lips stretching into a smile.
"Hi." I turn towards him and speak near the crown of his head.
"Hi," he giggles in delight as he buries his face deeper in my neck. We haven't moved from where we're standing by the car. I bask in the happiness that radiates from every pore of this small being.
Itachi tsks as he comes to my left. "Are we just going to stand here watching as you two flirt with each other or are we getting some food?" he crosses his arms and regards us, his expressions pulled tight into that mask of public politeness that he showed me the first two times we met. He knows how much I hate it. I peer at him while Kiyoshi puts his hands in my hair. Itachi's eyes are fixated on where Kiyoshi's hand is and he tsks. Realization hits me in a flash.
My lips tip up as I raise my brows at him. Oh no, this man will be the very death of me! Elation fills me to the point that I could burst. "Kiyoshi," I call out, my eyes fixed on Itachi's whose turn towards his son. Kiyoshi looks up in giddy delight. I bend down till my lips are near his cheek. With my eyes still on Itachi's, I ask, "Shall we go on our date now?" I know he's too small to understand these things but he surprises me by nodding coyly. I kiss his cheek then with a loud smack that makes him giggle, my eyes still on Itachi's who's still watching this exchange silently.
I can't help it when he tsks again. I burst into laughter, happy beyond thought when Kiyoshi kisses my cheek in return.
"Your shenanigans are going to come around and bite you in the ass someday."
"I'd rather they kissed it instead," I laugh when Itachi turns on his heel and starts stalking towards the restaurant. Immediately I run to catch his right hand in mine.
He doesn't even flinch as my hand grabs his. He lets me and I use it to yank him closer.
"This ain't a date without you." I tell him.
"It'd better not be," he says and links our fingers as we enter the restaurant.
Oh my god! This man will kill me.
We enjoy our lunch and once we're back in the car and Itachi puts the key in the ignition, he turns to me. He blinks nervously as he licks his lips like he's choosing his words carefully. He'd been slightly lost in his thoughts while we ate, barely saying anything as he sat across from me. And now, my body language reacts to his as every bit of me tenses in anticipation.
"Would you like to…come home?" Itachi asks, finally. He waits for a heartbeat as I try to gather my thoughts. I've never been to their house. Japanese people are very particular about who they invite over but this feels like a right than a privilege. It's been long overdue.
"Like to? I would love to go to your place, Itachi-sama!" I tell him, ecstatic beyond thought.
Itachi lets out a small smile at that. His eyes move up to the rearview mirror and he winks at his son.
Oh, I see. This was especially orchestrated.
Kiyoshi's giggles can be heard till we reach the city square again.
It takes us ten minutes of driving till Itachi automatically opens the gate to a large traditional-style Japanese house. They aren't rare in the town I'm in and I've seen plenty of them from the outside. That is maybe why I can tell this is magnificent. It looks like it could belong to a daimyo during the period of the samurais.
"This is beautiful," I breathe, standing beside him as he unlocks the front door with a key. Kiyoshi is quiet in my arms for a change. He smiles when our eyes meet. I put him down when he asks me to but the energy he was exuding not too long ago has dwindled quite a bit.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Itachi says, gesturing to the inside.
Itachi nods as we step in and take off our shoes. Kiyoshi neatly lines his against his father's while I put mine next to his. I'm a melted ball of cheese when I see our shoes lined up and it feels familial. I want this with them. Every moment together just goes on to assure me that this is right. I cannot let this go.
I put on the slippers Itachi lays out for me. I place one step inside the house, grinning with Itachi when I say the standard greeting. "Sorry for the intrusion."
Itachi beckons me as Kiyoshi stands beside him, all shy and adorable. We walk through a short corridor into the drawing room. It's got a low table in the center with cushions stacked neatly. There's also a set of sofa towards the right side, with the three-seater in the middle and two sets of two-seaters on its either sides. A rich, wooden coffee table stands in the center of it.
"I should go and check on Kiyoshi. Give me a moment." He gestures around. "Make yourself comfortable," he says, vanishing into a corridor on the side I didn't notice till now. I look up and sure enough, Kiyoshi is nowhere to be seen.
I nod as I turn my attention back to surveying the room. To the left is a floor-to-ceiling window with a loveseat. Against my will, my feet are pulled towards it. There's a table against the side. I pass by it and stop when my eyes fall on them. I retrace my steps and glance at them. These are pictures of him. Some with family, some of Sasuke's, some of theirs with their friends at some vacation, there's the family photo that Sasuke posted on New Year's, and about a dozen frames with Kiyoshi in them. But there's one that catches my eye. I shoot a look at Itachi for permission to pick it up, taking liberty when I see he still hasn't returned.
I look back at the picture that's captivated me. It's a picture of the four of them: Itachi's parents, Itachi and Sasuke. They're all dressed formally with the gents in similar black suits while Itachi's mother wears an elegant black dress. Itachi's parents sit on a luxurious wooden sofa while their sons stand behind them. A smiling Sasuke behind his father who's wearing a somewhat foreboding expression on his face and Itachi behind his mother who's smiling at the camera, his right hand on his mother's shoulder. His mother has placed her hand on his. My eyes are stuck to this younger version of him. His hair is clipped much shorter than how he wears it now. He doesn't look a day beyond eighteen. I take in every detail of him. His youth, his eyes, his mouth set in a pleasant smile. My finger traces every bit of this proof of him. I touch Itachi's hand where he's loosely clasping his mother's hand. Smiling at the gesture, I take out my phone, ready to snap a picture of his face. I meticulously set the angle and pinch the screen to focus and zoom right. My hand freezes over the click button when he clears his throat from somewhere behind me.
I turn to him, panicked and frozen as I glance down at my phone which is very close to his face in the photo frame. I tap the button on my phone and take a picture of the photo. "Guilty not guilty," I plead, locking my phone and pocketing it before he can move but he doesn't charge towards me. He stays at a distance, out of my grasp.
He merely rolls his eyes. "I'll give you more if you want them," he says.
"Yes." I nod, liking the idea very much. I've already resolved to steal all his yearbooks and albums if I have to, like a psychotic stalker.
"Where's Kiyoshi?" I ask, looking around him expecting the little imp to pop up with a grin.
"He's down for his afternoon nap. I guess he had too much fun at his date with his sunshine and now he wants to rest before he can have more fun with him." Itachi replies dryly, still not making a move to close the distance between us. I would have moved towards him but his reply stops me.
I process his words as excitement runs through me. The prospect of spending time alone with this man fills me with so much happiness. I'm here in his house! I'm so curious to know everything about him. Of course, I'm dying to see the room I've only seen during our video calls. But right now I'm curious about the picture I'm still very much holding in my hand than my lover's bedroom.
"Come here," I tell him quietly. He comes to stand next to me then. "When was this?" I ask, my breath catching in my throat when he comes all into my personal space to see better. Impulsively, I grab his hand with my other and bring him to the loveseat. He leans against one half of the window and I sit beside him. He's so close, a lock of his hair brushes my shoulder. We look at the picture together.
"This was taken a week after I graduated high school. Sasuke had also just finished his first year of middle school. Mother wanted a formal photograph because it was tradition. She asked us and both of us were okay with it, so we thought Father would be too. It was a good idea but for some reason Father was against it for the longest time." He chuckles. "Mother snapped and put down her chopsticks at the table during dinner the night before we went to take the picture. She told Father to follow her as she walked into the kitchen. Father was flabbergasted to silence for a change. But I could see his temper flaring. I thought this was going to be a serious fight but Father stood up and followed her." He laughs. "Sasuke and I didn't say a single word as we stood up to eavesdrop on them. They were quiet but then we both heard the booming laugh and sat back down. Father came out of the kitchen not a moment too soon and announced we were getting the picture taken the next day. His cheeks were red and he didn't meet our eyes. The awkward silence that followed it…" he laughs at the memory. He runs a hand across his chin thoughtfully. "We never really learned why Father was so against it, though." He grins at me, all good-naturedly.
I don't speculate on it. My thoughts are too preoccupied with their own obsession.
"We should get a picture too," the words spill with the intensity of a car without brakes racing downhill. My voice is shaky with how much I want it. "All three of us."
"We already have plenty," he laughs.
I look down at the picture and then him. "You know what I mean."
Itachi smiles at me as he runs his hand through my hair. "Whatever you want," he breathes.
My arm encircles him as I pull him closer to me. Itachi's eyes close even as the tip of his tongue wets the seams of his lips. Our lips touch and those fireworks that spark between us flair to life as light explodes behind my lids when his mouth opens against mine. A roar pounds in my ear when his tongue touches mine. This temptation, this insatiability I feel each time I'm with this man licks at my skin like an untamed fire. I pull him to my lap as he settles between my legs and grabs my face to pull me in for another kiss. The heat rises, intensifies, when his hands tug at my hair impatiently and he pushes back my head to deepen the kiss. We kiss for a long time. From chaste pecks to deep open-mouthed kisses, we kiss like it's the end of the world. I moan when he shifts and his crotch brushes mine. He breaks the kiss to look at me with heated eyes and then he bucks his hips into me. It comes into contact with the thick vein on the underside of my shaft, sending a jolt of current through me.
I lift him up, getting out of the loveseat. "Where's your room?" I ask him. I need him. And I need him right fucking now. This is recklessness to its extreme. Kiyoshi is right here in this house. But Itachi captures my lips and my need is all I can think of when he points towards the same corridor he'd taken before.
"Last room on the left," he whispers as he takes my lips again in a passionate kiss. Each step is a torture with how his body is aligned against mine and the friction causes a sensational overdrive. Itachi feels it too. His hands around my shoulders tighten for a moment each time that happens. I pause when I reach the door. I lift my mouth from his and regard him, solemnly.
His eyes take a moment to rise up to mine as he opens his eyes. He smiles slyly when he reaches behind him and opens the door. "Welcome to my room, Naruto," he says against my lips before touching his to them.
All that initial curiosity that was boiling in me has condensed when I kick the door shut behind me, leaving my rationality behind. I find his bed and walk towards it with purposeful steps. I lower him but don't let go completely. We kiss like that. I've fantasized about this moment too many times to count. Him on his knees on his bed and me bent over him. Itachi tugs me over after another scorching kiss. "Come here," he repeats my words to me.
I bend down over him, my arms of either side of him. My hands tangle in his hair as I kiss him while lying over him. One of my legs is thrown across his as I align our hips purposely. I settle my weight on him gently till there's nothing but the obstacle of our clothes between us. I want time to stop. This moment alone is monumental. Against my better judgment, I decide to take it slow.
I lower my mouth and my lips skim the curve of his neck. I run my lips back up again. Against that same beat that pounds there. Itachi's hands grab my hair as he tilts his neck for more. His hand in my hair moves to guide me lower but I keep to my pace. Running my lips across the same span of skin that I was touching before. He smells divine. The renewed urge to touch every centimeter of his skin takes over. Itachi moves his neck. His hands in my hair get demanding as he pulls my mouth down to the base of his neck, where his pulse runs wildly at the juncture of his neck and shoulders. "Naruto," he whispers as his hands clutch my hair mindlessly. His legs come up around me, bringing his rigid desire closer to mine when his hips rise.
I bite his neck then, the urge instinctive. His head lowers to meet mine for a kiss as his right hand moves to my ass and squeezes it. "I've been thinking about sideways, ever since you mentioned it," he starts against my lips. I love this curious Itachi. He pushes me a little as he sits up and opens his bedside drawer to pull out a bottle of lubricant and a box of condoms. My heart thuds wildly in my chest. Itachi has anticipated this. He's prepared for it. Did he prepare it when he made the plan? Exhilaration runs through me. As for me, as spontaneous as it is, I didn't even think of getting this far! And yet here I am on his bed, watching as his hand moves to the bottom of his t-shirt to tug it up. His eyes meet mine and then he lets it go. He gives me a 'come hither' finger.
Instantly, I'm up and standing in front of him. "Take my clothes off me?" Itachi asks suggestively. His hands snake around my neck and he kisses me. "Make it quick," he breathes against my mouth. He turns sideways and licks my ear. "Hurry," his fingers tighten on my shoulders even as he utters the order.
I grab his face gently and tug it from wherever it's going to foray next to distract me. But Itachi uses his hands now. He touches me freely with so much possessiveness, it turns me into a voracious beast who can never have enough of him. I look into his eyes that shine with so much greed, it's arousing as fuck. "Wanna see who can strip the other faster?" I challenge him.
His lips tilt up. For someone who was vastly disturbed by his brother being competitive, I've come to discover that Itachi is fairly competitive himself. His hand moves to the helm of my t-shirt while mine moves to his belt. Surprisingly we undress with an unspoken strategy. Once the clothes are ditched at record speed, Itachi grabs my hand and pulls me to the bed. He takes charge and I let him as my hands busily acquaint themselves with his silky skin. His mouth roves down greedily on my chest and his hands cup my pecs. He squeezes them lightly before his tongue circles my right nipple as he takes it his mouth. He sucks on it greedily as his left hand works on my right nipple. A pulse races inside me, making me jerk my hips. Both my hands are pressed hard against his shoulders. My fingers strain with the effort of holding myself from exploding as white heat fills inside me. I'm a teenager all over again. I gasp helplessly, my fingers tightening further as I force my body to cool. I'm a hairsbreadth away from orgasming and we've only just started.
I breathe shakily when Itachi lets go of the tip to look up at me. His cheeks are my favorite rosy pink and his lips… the urge strikes again to just let go when he licks them, his gaze at me. We look at each other for a moment as if waiting for the other to start. My hand starts to lift towards his hair when he leans down and licks the nipple he's just teased. Every nerve-ending in me explodes and I grunt with the force of my orgasm as it roars through me, coating the skin between us. I don't even care when Itachi lets out a breathless chuckle. I'm breathing like a marathon runner as I come back from my high. The fireworks behind my lids are on full display. My eyes open as Itachi claims his prize with a swipe of his tongue where the evidence of my desire lies. He licks it and the fire that should have cooled, heats instantly. It hurts but he looks so beautiful right now, it drives me crazy.
He gathers it in his mouth and grabs my head to kiss me. His tongue tangles with mine as I taste myself. I moan when climbs on top of me again.
"We were going to do it sideways, remember?" I ask him. His eyes are heated as he moves his stiff cock against my cum, enjoying the sensation it provides.
"As if I can forget! I've never been this excited." Itachi breathes sharply as he moves his hips. I turn towards the bedside and pick up the bottle of lube, too impatient now to wait. I pull him down to me, my hand going to his stiff cock, taking its now familiar weight in my hand. I stroke him leisurely. He moans at the stimulation.
"You want to hold me or you want to be held?" I ask. He knows I'm game for both. He just needs to know he'll always have this choice with me, forever.
"Didn't we establish that last night?" he asks.
I chuckle as I work the lube bottle open with my left hand. I pour it generously over his cock and balls, all the way down to where I want to be. The liquid makes gliding my hand smoother. I smile when Itachi shudders under me. My hand moves lower and I work him methodically, preparing him. "Is this alright?" I ask him when I slowly curve my fingers, searching for the place he likes.
Itachi's answer is a hoarse whisper. "Yes."
I look down at the banquet in front of me. I bend down and take him in my mouth when I find his prostate. His moan is low and loud when his hands fist hungrily in my hair and he bends his body. "Feels good?" I ask him with my mouth still wrapped around him.
His fingers yank at my hair. "Don't talk," he mumbles and lets out another groan. I work my fingers inside him till I know he's ready.
A small sound of protest leaves him when I raise my head from his cock and kiss him. It's sinful and dark with how he opens his mouth under my mouth. I lift myself till I'm lying beside him. He turns to his right and I spoon him from the back. One of my arms goes across his neck and I use it to pull him closer to kiss him again. I lift his leg, raising it as I move to kneel in front of him. I put on the condom quickly and lube it up. "Quick," Itachi's voice is impatient as he looks at me. "I'm ready."
I nod as I stroke myself once, settling the condom. I carefully enter him, mindful of every single movement of his. My senses are being forced to not think about how tight he is as my cock probes his entrance. He tenses and I stop immediately. "Relax, please," I whisper, nuzzling his neck. Pressing tiny kisses there. Itachi relaxes a bit. I withdraw from his heat and thrust my hips again. The head of my cock tastes his hole, making me draw a ragged breath. I put his leg over my shoulder for a better angle. Itachi tightens his hands on the sheets. I focus on burning this very image in my retinas. He looks erotic as fuck. The very definition of sin. I push out and thrust in again, slowly. I savor every inch of contact I make with his insides.
"Harder," Itachi whispers breathlessly. It is all I need as I push out and pull in faster this time. I glance down to see his cock standing taut against his stomach. I move my hips faster. I'm glad I orgasmed before this or I don't think I could have lasted this far. I pull out again and his hips buck, as if chasing my cock. I slide against him, pulling him taut against every inch of my body and push all the way inside him in one go. I still. It feels too good. My dick feels like it's going to melt sheathed inside his heat. From there on, I let go. I need this for me. I move my hips working up a steady rhythm as I fuck him. His left hand comes to cup my face, pulling me down for a kiss. My hand moves to where his cock pulses. I stroke him in turn with my hips. He pants as his tongue sticks out to meet mine. I take it in my mouth, kissing him urgently. "I'm close," he whispers, his hand tightening in my hair. My hand pumps him faster.
His hand yanks my hair as he comes with a grunt. His body strains against his passion as every muscle around me tightens to maddening degrees. I work my hips faster now. My body chasing that high that's almost within its grasp. I grip his waist in a vice as white takes over my brain. My hips jerk as I milk my pleasure. I shudder when I come to. Itachi's still lying to his side breathing hard.
"Are you okay?" I ask, slowly pulling out my cock from inside him.
"I don't know," he laughs euphorically.
I bend down and kiss his nose. "Stay right here. I'll clean you up." Atami has taught me how much I like to take care of him afterwards.
"Naruto?" Itachi grips my arm when I move to get up.
"Yeah?" I ask, concern flowing through.
He rubs a thumb across my creased brows. He smiles. "This may sound selfish but thank you for coming back home to me." I smile not mistaking the meaning behind the verb used. "I am very happy to see you here."
The things this man does to me! I fucking live for him. I press my lips to his. "There's nothing that can keep me away from you, Itachi-sama. This humble man is all yours. Happy Birthday!"
Itachi rips the band-aid on my neck and bites me there again. The tender skin stings with the hurt but it does wicked things to my libido. "Thank you," he replies primly before pressing one last kiss to it. He kisses me once on my mouth and then pushes me away. "Get to work, Naruto-kun! Chop-chop!" he says.
I tie the condom in a knot and move towards the adjoining bathroom to trash it and clean up. I bring out some wet wipes I find in his bedside drawer and clean him up as best as I can. He lets me. I know he can't move. I laugh when he mutters something about "old age" and moves immediately to his stomach to lie comfortably.
"Daddy," I blurt before I can process it.
Itachi stops breathing as he looks at me and then he grimaces adorably. "Naruto, ew! Why would you say that?" he asks.
My cheeks are on fire with embarrassment. "Because you were bitching about old age," I mutter.
Itachi gives me a funny look. It's a cross between amusement and puzzlement. "Is it weird that I just thought of my dad and my son and still got aroused?" he breathes.
My lips threaten to spill my laugh. "Is it weird that despite what you just said, I'm still mad about you?" I ask as I trash the wipes and wash my hands before sliding into the bed beside him. The sheets are still soiled with our sperm cooling on them but I don't mind as I slide in behind him. I spoon him to me, burying my face in his neck.
"Should I call you that again?" I ask him, pressing a kiss against his shoulder.
He squirms but I don't relent. When we're like this, I cannot think. Right now all I know is that my mouth craves to worship every inch of him. He pushes my face away. "Not if you want a repeat of this," Itachi says, making me still in a heartbeat.
"Do you?" I ask in return.
"Oh yes! We're definitely doing this again." he says as he relaxes. Sleek strands of his hair fall over his shoulder as he tilts his head deeper into my arm. My fingers capture them as I learn their texture again.
"Like I said, my ass is yours for the taking, Itachi-sama," I repeat, grinning.
Itachi kisses the grin off my lips. "Oh, I'm going to do you so hard, you're going to wish you hadn't said that." Itachi returns. He smirks at me. "I'm going to destroy you."
Little does this man know he's already done that. "Is that a challenge?" I ask, raising a brow. "You seem to have forgotten what happens when I'm challenged," I smirk confidently. I feel like the cat who stole the cream.
He moves his waist and winces. "Nope. The pain is there all right." He grins cheekily at me. "Not that I'm complaining," he says.
I raise my brow at him. "Will you be up for the said challenge seeing as you were complaining about old age?" I grin slyly at him as I trace my fingers lightly on his back.
Itachi's lips push up into a smile. He rubs my lips slowly and then looks into my eyes. "You forget I count underestimating me as a grudge," he whispers. His eyes twinkle when they land on me. "And what did I say about grudges?"
I laugh and he bends down and kisses it right off my lips. I'm once again lost in the blissful bubble that's ours, in our own stupor. It feels like being drunk.
And I never want to come back from this high.
I blink my eyes open when a sound startles me. I look around my surroundings, trying to place the sound and realization hits me when I see him sleeping beside me. We got talking after that and then we made love again. I glance at the clock to see it is a little after three in the afternoon. Kiyoshi must be awake, I think.
I take a quick shower and put on my clothes again. I ditch the underwear in his room, smiling at the thought of Itachi finding it. He can keep it. I move towards the living room to find out the source of the sound. Kiyoshi sits there, doing some artwork on the low table. His left hand moves with a yellow crayon as he works on coloring his creation with gusto. I sit opposite him. I peer at what he's doing. "What is that you're making young man?" I ask him, jovially. He tugs on his hair and puts down his other hand on the drawing as if to hide it.
"Naruto!" he shrieks, closing his artbook.
I grin at him, opening a hand. "Show me what you were making," I ask him, raising a brow.
He shakes his head as his arms go behind him with the book. "No," he shakes his head, moving away.
I pull him closer. "Not even if I give you a kiss?" I ask him coyly.
He looks torn and I chuckle.
"Come here, you little champ," I say, pulling him closer. He giggles when he comes closer. I press my lips against his forehead.
I settle him against my lap as he opens his artbook to show me the picture he's drawing of me. My eyes widen in sheer happiness and I turn and kiss his temple. "It's perfect, thank you." He giggles as he buries his face in my neck and it's perfect. I've never particularly thought of having children in my life, but this one, he just fits.
"Would you like to bake a cake with me?" I ask him suddenly.
Kiyoshi looks up at me and smiles. "I love cake! We eat cakes on birthdays!" he says cheerfully.
"That's right! And today is your father's! So, we're going grocery shopping and then baking your father a cake," I tell him.
I know he's too young to understand things, but seeing how smart and mature he is, I smile when he nods at me. "Let's go," he chortles happily.
I help him in his shoes at the entrance and pick him up. He puts his head on my shoulder and looks at me. "I like Naruto!"
"More than anyone else?" I raise a brow challengingly as we set out towards the store.
He giggles once and then buries his face in my neck. "You are sunshine, you're the best."
Warm, my heart feels warm at his words. "Should I live with you forever?"
He looks up at me. "Will you do that?" impossibly large eyes widen when they look at me.
"Hmm, I'll have to talk to your father about it but I'd love to," I say, smiling down at him. "Would you like to be family with me?" my lover's son looks at me with an eerie sense of comprehension.
"Let's be family!" Kiyoshi hugs me again and I close my eyes to inhale the moment. To commit this happiness to memory.
I know I'm getting ahead of myself seeing as Itachi and I have just started. But with Itachi I know. I just know.
He is my destiny.
I'm just putting the cake in the fridge when Kiyoshi's stomach growls. "Want some ramen?" I ask.
He giggles excitedly and nods. His excitement is palpable. I find myself laughing as I open a cupboard to the right where I saw packets of ramen and grab two.
I wonder if Kiyoshi watches his father cooking. An image of Itachi cooking as Kiyoshi keeps him company flits across my mind. I want to see myself in it. Beside the two of them, till we grow old together. I brush the thought aside as I place the soft-boiled egg up on the bowl of ramen and take the steaming bowl to the dining table as Kiyoshi leads me there. He places himself on my lap. My left hand automatically encircles him, securing him to me.
I pop the yolk and Kiyoshi giggles. I grab some noodles on my chopsticks and blow on them gently for a couple of times, till it's cool enough. I offer him the bite and he happily takes it. "Is it good?" I ask him, blowing on another bite.
He nods as he opens his mouth for another. He thinks for a couple of seconds. His eyes light up with whatever they are lost in. He turns to me. "It's perfect, thank you," he repeats as he takes another bite.
A swirl of pure bliss surges in my chest.
A chip off the old block.
Was it even possible to not fall in love with them?
That's how Itachi finds us five minutes later. We're fighting over who should have the last bite of the ramen. Kiyoshi smiles shyly when he shakes his head, his eyes still on the noodles. I smile as I wave my hand in the air like a plane. The plane is in the process of landing in the little mouth when we look up to see Itachi watching us silently. His arms are loosely folded across his chest as he watches Kiyoshi bend down and take in the bite. His eyes shine as they look at the two people who are now his very life.
My eyes are stuck to Itachi. My body immediately moving to stand against him. Kiyoshi is still in my arms as I come to stand in front of him. I take him in. He's showered as well. But now he's wearing a casual long-sleeved turtleneck and loose sweatpants. His wet hair is draped across his left shoulder carelessly. My hand itches to touch it when I see the water droplets in his hair. I have half a mind to take him and dry it myself but his stomach growls then.
"Shall we make Daddy some ramen?" I ask, my eyes on Itachi's. I laugh when he inhales sharply as he looks at me. He makes the same face which is a cross between a laugh and a grimace.
"Okay," Kiyoshi laughs when he sees his father's expression. He reaches his arms out and straightaway Itachi's expression straightens as he takes his son from me.
His nose immediately goes to his head as his arms tighten around his son. A minute of being squished later, he squirms and Itachi puts him down just as I move towards the stove.
"I'll be borrowing your kitchen," I tell him grinning as I put on the apron and get to work on making him a bowl of ramen. Kiyoshi goes over to the dining table and perches himself on a seat.
"You look very comfortable in my kitchen," Itachi says, moving towards the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. I block his path.
"Uh yeah. It's kind of like my secret talent, you know?" I fake a cringe-worthy laugh. "Why don't you go take a seat while I bring you what you need," I steer him slowly towards the dining table. He frowns at me for a moment.
"Okay," he acquiesces and takes a seat. He winces slightly, making me grin when I hand him the bottle.
"Your food will be here in five minutes," I mimic a server, making both of them laugh.
Once the ramen comes to boil, I carefully transfer it to a bowl. Since Itachi told me he doesn't like egg in his ramen, I carefully pick the bowl and bring it to the table.
I neatly arrange everything in front of my lover, earning a pleased chuckle from him. "You must be famished," I murmur in his ear as I take my seat next to him. Itachi covers his mouth with his hand to hold back a laugh. He picks up his chopsticks and dives in. I watch on tenterhooks as he finishes chewing. "It's good," he says.
"Slept well?" I ask him.
He lets out a laugh. "Very well. Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You looked so peaceful and I had my reasons to, so…"
"What reasons?"
Itachi dives in for another bite and I shrug. Kiyoshi's promised to keep the cake a secret and he'll keep it I know. Itachi has convinced me of it. So I carefully begin talking about some anime he watches and immediately his eyes shine. Itachi watches us amused. I keep an eye on his bowl and just when he's about to finish his ramen, I bring out his cake from the refrigerator.
His chopsticks clatter on the table when he sees the cake. "Naruto baked the cake and I helped," my little man puts his hands on his waist and looks at his father proudly.
Melted onyx look back at me. He tries but fails at hiding his smile. "You didn't have to," he whispers while I place it on the table.
"Daddy quickly cut the cake!" Kiyoshi exclaims, eyeing the cake like it's a Christmas present. The urge to bake all their birthday cakes in this life takes me by surprise.
Itachi laughs as he looks at his son and then me. "Thank you," my throat clenches, caught in the maelstrom of emotions I can see in those eyes. This moment is poignant.
He picks up the knife and then looks at his son. He clears his throat before he speaks. "Come here both of you," he commands quietly.
Kiyoshi and I are beside him in an instant. He takes his son's hand and places it on the hilt then covers it with his. Tears clog my throat when he turns to me and nods. "Put your hand here," he says softly. I nod as I hold mine over his. When he confessed to me in Atami, I thought that was when all my wishes were fulfilled. But now I can see just how much more there is, as I watch Itachi bend down to blow the candle while Kiyoshi reminds him to make his wish.
He turns to look at me and then at his son. "I don't need it. I've already had every wish fulfilled." He closes his eyes and blows out the candle.
I close my eyes to fight these tears of happiness that threaten to spill, not wanting to ruin this moment. But right now, I'm afraid I'll go down on my knees and beg for the eternity that awaits us. I want to rush through everything and marry this man. I take a deep breath and clap when Kiyoshi does. Itachi cuts a slice of the cake and Kiyoshi leaps out of his arms to take a bite, making me laugh. He bites off a sizeable chunk of the cake and eats it leisurely while we watch. I'm more on tenterhooks than I was when I met Kiyoshi for the first time. His opinion matters to me more than anything suddenly. "It's yummy," he gives me a thumbs-up sign.
I bow grandly and cut a slice for the man this cake belongs to. "Are you always like this with all your lovers?" my beloved hasn't tasted the cake I baked for him. And that right now is paramount to me.
I bring the slice up to his mouth. "Just the one I'm crazy about," I say. "Now hurry up and eat it before I have to feed you mouth-to-mouth."
Itachi instantly opens his mouth and takes a bite. He chews it slowly as his lips tilt in a smile. "It's perfect, like you."
Once we're done eating the cake, we get to the dishes. I couldn't really do the dishes for the fear that I'd wake him up but I'd cleared up as best as I could. He washes while I dry the dishes afterward. It becomes difficult when Itachi hands me a plate and then kisses me. I take the plate and kiss him and we go on like this. Just exchanging utensils and small kisses. Kiyoshi's slipped off to finish his drawing till we do the dishes. We've decided to play a game afterwards.
Kiyoshi calls out to his father when we end up taking longer than required. Itachi removes his hand from where it was assessing my ass as he straightens as if struck by lightning.
I glance down immediately. Kiyoshi stands in front of us and eyes us with mild curiosity. "Daddy?" he questions, looking at his father who's trying to compose himself.
One more secret.
My blood runs cold, belatedly realizing how absolutely defenseless we are right now. How stupidly reckless we've been.
"Uh…something went into my eye," I rub it for emphasis. "He was…er…helping me remove it." It was probably a common lie but the words feel heavy. Despite trying to find desperate measures to prevent Kiyoshi from telling Sasuke everything, I don't like lying to him.
A wafer-thin slice of me thinks I should have never succumbed to my greed. I should have stayed in Hakone. At least then, I wouldn't have known this feeling.
Kiyoshi nods. "Are we playing tag?" he asks, coming to stand ahead of us. He looks at the both of us, his eyes still inquisitive. I fight the urge to squirm.
Itachi wipes his hands and immediately bends down. "Is that what you want to play?" he asks him with a smile.
Kiyoshi nods, moving closer to his father. I bend down as well. "Well, what are we waiting for? Last one to the wall," I say pointing to the far wall behind him, "is it," I say.
Kiyoshi laughs as he turns around quickly to race to the wall. I kiss Itachi's lips before he can rise. "Let's play," I say standing up and winking at him.
He takes a moment to interpret the meaning and then he's running towards the wall without any notice. "Catch me if you can," is all he says as he dashes.
I laugh as I hasten my steps behind him.
We switched from tag to hide-and-seek sometime back and now Kiyoshi is the den. He counts the numbers dutifully against the wall when I grab Itachi's hand to whisk him to a space near the sofas. Wasting no time, I grab his face and kiss him. I've been doing that a lot. A random two-second hand-holding here, a kiss when I can steal it and the casual ass-groping there. Initially, he froze but now he's a willing participant too. His gasp when he found out I wasn't wearing underwear makes me chuckle. But he's putting it to good use.
We are making out like horny teenagers when my phone pings. I check my phone to see it's from Sasuke. He's letting me know he's back in town and is getting something to eat with Sui and Juugo before going home. I've been dutifully contacting him throughout the day to determine his whereabouts at Itachi's suggestion. I look outside the windows and it hits me just how much time has passed. Dusk is right at hand. It should be a crime for time to pass like it's on wings when I'm with this man. I don't want to part. Ever.
"I must go," I tell him regretfully. My head tilts to listen to the pit-pat of Kiyoshi's feet as he searches for us.
These are the final few seconds of privacy I'll get with this man who's the center of my world. Itachi takes my mouth again in a soft kiss. He runs a hand through my hair. "I wish you could've stayed the night."
"Someday soon," I smile hopefully at him. I want that very much as well. I lift my head and kiss him quickly as tottering feet get closer.
We draw apart before Kiyoshi can witness anything. He laughs delightedly when he sees us. We rise to our feet from the place we'd used for cover. "Naruto is den!" Kiyoshi exclaims, grinning.
His grin dims when I smile sadly at him and don't move. There's not a cell in me that wants to part from him. He knows something is wrong. Unconsciously his body tenses. I bend down again till I'm at eye level with him. "I have to go," I tell him woefully.
Kiyoshi's eyes darken with sadness as his lips jut out into an endearing pout. "Now?" Kiyoshi asks as I draw him into my lap and take one of his hands in mine. His lip trembles threateningly and my heart squeezes with pain at that. I just nod. My throat is tight with a lump.
His eyes cut to his father's who's come to sit beside me. Itachi looks at me, his eyes mirroring his son's when those dark orbs look into mine. "Sadly, yes," he says.
Kiyoshi whines when I put him down from my lap to stand. I turn when I feel his small fist holding my jeans. I crouch back down in front of him again. "Who's my little man?" I ask him. Kiyoshi's lip gets captured by his teeth as he looks down. "We had a lot of fun today, didn't we?" I ask him politely. He nods, sniffling a little, his eyes still on the floor. I take his face in my hand as I lift his wobbling chin gently in my hand. "We'll play again soon, I promise." I hold out my little finger. When he links his finger with mine, I smile at him. I miss him already. We seal our promise with our thumbs and I ruffle his hair affectionately when we're done. "I'll bake you your favorite cookies too!"
He manages a smile.
"I'll show you out," Itachi murmurs when I wave at the tiny tot who waves back mindlessly, his chin beginning to tremble dangerously. I can't help it. I bend down and scoop him up in my arms again. I kiss his head which he buries in my neck.
"I'll miss you," I tell him.
He doesn't acknowledge it. He merely clutches my neck in a vice-like grip. I can feel the wetness of his tears at the parting searing my insides. I glance at Itachi, the lump in my throat growing in size. He stretches his arms and gently pries Kiyoshi off me. "C'mon," Itachi coaxes his son who wails harder when he's in his father's arms. "You know Naruto has to go," Itachi explains to him, crooning softly in the child's ear.
"I'll come back again," I tell him as I bend down and kiss the crown of his head again. My own heart feels broken. I glance at Itachi, hoping against all odds for him to tell me to stay even when I know he shouldn't; even when I know he won't. Sasuke is still a minefield we're both circling around.
Finally, once Kiyoshi calms down, Itachi puts him down on the floor to walk towards the entrance. We put on our shoes quietly. I slip my feet into my sneakers while Itachi puts on a pair of outdoor wooden slippers. We stand quietly beside each other. My hand grabs his and he squeezes it lightly before letting go. The part of me that saddens every time at his brusque goodbyes emerges.
The bomb called Hakone is ready to explode inside my chest. I need to tell him. I have to tell him. Just not today. Not now. The moment I sat in the taxi, I'd made up my mind. But each goodbye felt like it was on the verge of becoming second to last we'd ever have. He may love me like he does but Sasuke is family. How I long to hold a place like this! Words bubble, my greed for wanting to know which side of the fence I belong to. "Itachi, I-"
Light pattering of feet against hardwood floors disrupts me, making me break away from Itachi just in time to see Kiyoshi running towards the entrance, a paper out of his artbook clutched in one small fist. He stops when he sees us. He holds the sheet with both his hands as he extends it towards me. He's all shy now. His eyes are wide as they gaze into mine when I step closer towards him. "For you," he says as his eyes dip lower. I glance at the paper with the drawing which is completed now. While I was alone in the picture when I'd seen it last, I'm now standing beside Itachi on my right and Kiyoshi to my left with Sasuke beside him. My heart swells when I see that we're all holding hands.
It feels like a wish fulfilled. I'd wanted a family portrait of ours after I saw Itachi's and I've been given a much, much more beautiful one. I want to protect these hands with my life. My hands shake when I take it from him. I'm perilously close to tears. I kneel in front of him as I tousle his hair again and muster the ghost of a smile. I'm late now. I really must get going. Sasuke will be home soon. The thought of Sasuke enjoying the simple pleasure of being in the same space as them has my heart hurt hurting with jealousy. "It's beautiful just like you," I whisper, placing another kiss to the top of his tiny head. "Thank you," I say.
Kiyoshi smiles shyly.
I pick him up and tickle him a little. The atmosphere is too heavy and I know I'll end up crying if I don't lighten it. "There's something that's been bothering me," I tell him when he squeals. "What's with you calling me Naruto, huh? It's Naruto-sama for you, you little brat!" he giggles loudly when I set him down.
"Naruto, you need to leave," Itachi's voice sounds urgent from behind me.
I put him down and move towards the door. "Bye," I say.
Kiyoshi giggles when he returns the greeting. "Bye-bye," he says.
I turn to Itachi. He opens the wooden doors and we move out into the front yard. I take his hand in mine for the short journey to the car to take my bag. We walk in silence to the trunk which Itachi unlocks with his key. I bend down to pull out my bag but he ducks his head inside a second later to kiss me.
I break the kiss choosing instead to take in his fine features in the little light of the waning sun. His exceptional beauty blows me away. I kiss his cheeks which are deliciously red. I kiss his nose and chin before pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"Thank you for inviting me." I tell him, just wanting him to know this. That he, is most important to me. "Even though this wasn't your grand plan, I hope you liked it," I smile shyly at him. God, I really don't want to part from him. Not today when it's his birthday!
Itachi's lips steal another kiss. "It was beyond anything I'd hoped for," he whispers softly.
He sighs as I pick up my bag and gently tuck in the precious artwork I've received and then I hoist the bag over my shoulder. "I'll call you later," I tell him, pressing my lips against his for one last time and then he closes the trunk. "I love you," I tell him.
"I love you too," Itachi whispers breathlessly. I close my eyes as I breathe in his words and then slowly step back.
"I'll go from here." I move towards the majestic gates but he holds my hand.
"Let me see you till the gate," he says softly. I continue staring at the gate. I shake my head, gently prying my hand from his. "Why?" he asks.
"I won't be able to leave," I tell him truthfully.
He lets go then and I stonily make my way to the gate.
My right foot freezes before it can touch the ground. "I'll be waiting." It comes from right behind me. So close that it tickles my nape. I feel his lips on my neck for the briefest second, making a spark run down my spine.
Even though every atom in me struggles to turn back and touch him again, I don't turn back. Instead, I nod once, slowly before I take the right and begin walking down the street. It's a ten-minute walk to the bus stand. I'm still basking in the afterglow of my day with Itachi. I'm unlocking my door when Kiba opens his. He smiles brightly when he sees me. "Naruto! Glad to see you're back." He walks over to me and I put down my bag on the floor and greet him. "How was your trip man? You went with Sasuke to Hakone, right?" Kiba asks.
I nod, thinking back to the wonder this day has been. But today won't let me fall back into the vicious clutches of yesterday. I smile when I regard him. "It was amazing" I tell him.
Kiba's eyes widen. It's a miracle that for someone who's so dense most times, Kiba can pick up things like these in a heartbeat. Maybe it's me. Maybe I am that obvious when it comes to Itachi. He smirks at me. "You weren't in Hakone with Sasuke were you?" he asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
I shake my head. "No, I wasn't."
"Uh-huh, let me guess. Was it a certain Uchiha elder brother who whisked you away? He does after all have you completely whipped," Kiba chuckles as he regards me. "I'd guessed it immediately," he shakes his head. He chuckles as he straightens and then hugs me tightly. "You made it work, Naruto!"
I hug him back, laughing happily. "Yes! But Itachi wants to keep it a secret so you can't absolutely tell anyone," I look at him seriously.
I honestly think Kiba is going to roll his eyes or say something silly, he clasps my hand again. "It's a promise," he says equally seriously. And then he smiles happily again. "I'm so fucking happy for you dude!"
I hug him back.
I call Itachi as soon as I can, not wanting to spend another moment apart. My chat with Kiba ran long and it was already nine-thirty by the time Kiba finally walked to his room. My lips part when I see him seated up on his bed. He smiles back when he sees me. "Looks like you made it home alright," Itachi grins at me.
"I know how to use a map, Itachi-sama!" I chuckle good-naturedly.
Itachi doesn't chuckle. "I kept wishing you'd get lost and end up back here," he says with his eyes lowered.
"I wanted to. You know I didn't want to go," I say. "I didn't want to end this day like this."
His eyes slide away from mine as if lost in thought. Then he looks at me and smiles. "In ten minutes, could you come to the parking lot of your dorm?" he asks. I grin, liking his train of thought already. I stand and as I bend down to pick up my phone, Itachi says, "Wear the blue jeans and the leather jacket." I nod my head.
"Okay…" I say, eyeing this miracle of a man dubiously.
Itachi laughs as he disconnects the call.
I immediately run to my mirror cabinet and dab on some cologne. I throw on my jeans, some shoes, the jacket and grab my wallet and make a mad dash to the nearest convenience store. I grab the lube and condoms and run to pay for it quickly. The sales staff eyes my purchases and then looks at me. He hides his smirk behind his hair. I smirk openly at him when I pay, rushing to the parking lot.
I jump back when a motorbike stops next to me and I let out a gasp when it is my king, taking off his helmet and shaking his tresses. "Jesus Christ! Itachi-sama?" I ask, laughing when he comes to stand beside me. He's wearing a leather jacket and skinny jeans tucked into ankle-length boots.
He waggles his eyebrows playfully at me as he pushes his hair back. "Wanna go with me for a ride, hotshot?" Itachi asks.
I eye the stylish Yamaha motorbike under the parking lights. It looks like a fucking beast.
My heart is ready to burst. It is his birthday and I feel like I'm the one receiving one thing after another repeatedly. One layer of this man unpeeling, revealing everything he hides inside. And every discovery feels like its fate all over again. "Is it yours?" I ask.
"Yep," he pats it lovingly.
"Just what are you?" I ask, laughing and shaking his head at him.
"Just a man asking his humble man for a ride," he winks and ruffles my hair cockily.
I eye him with all the awe I feel, making him laugh. I eye the bike and then this wonderful man beside me. "I have to say," I clear my throat, "I am impressed," I raise my brows at him.
"Then, shall we?" Itachi asks laughing when he unclips the spare helmet and hands it to me.
I do a Victorian bow as I take the helmet, making him laugh some more. I really don't know what I've done to deserve this man.
He's perfect!
Itachi zips up his leather jacket after he puts on his helmet. I take my place behind him. He starts the engine and I put my arms around him. I keep my fingers fisted tightly because I'll get handsy otherwise. His hands cover my fists, opening them as he settles my arms around him, drawing me tighter against his chest. "Hold me tighter Naruto," I squeeze him to me. I hate these helmets right now. I want to bury my nose in its favorite corner and never move from there. I remove my helmet. To my surprise, he quietly removes his as well.
My eyes look into his, under that single streetlamp. "As tight as I can?" It feels like somehow I've managed to squeeze out all of my trip in Hakone with that question.
His eyes widen. He knows what I'm talking about. Loaded questions. Then he looks at me and smiles. "You are so cute Naruto!" he kisses me. "Don't keep making me repeat myself. You can do anything you want."
I smirk at him. "Anything entails a lot of things."
He smirks back at me. "Well, we've got an hour and I'm all yours."
"You're full of a lot of surprises, Itachi-sama."
"Let's just say you bring out the best in me," he says and turns to kiss me again.
I've come to realize I cannot live without him.
"Can I ask you a question?" he chuckles as he hums in assent. We lie with my head on his arm in the tiny room of the first love hotel we could find. And here we are, basking in the after glory of the orgasm we've had quietly in the light of the lamp on the nightstand. His eyes are following the movement of his hand tracing my arm.
"Does she have a name?" I ask, raising a brow at him and smiling.
His eyes slide up to mine and his lips quirk up when realization dawns. "Yes, Amaterasu," he says.
I nod, liking the name immensely. "She from your Akatsuki days?" I inquire politely.
"No. I sold that long ago. Worked my flesh and bone for her. She was love at first sight," he sighs dreamily.
I mimic his sigh. "I think she's perhaps the only she in your life I'm not jealous about." He laughs nudging me. "So do I get to ride her?"
"That's what she said," Itachi giggles as he looks at me. "Let me think about it," he teases.
My lips threaten to burst under the weight of my smile. "How long is this thinking process? Does it involve index cards for reservations? Where do I need to sign up?" I let it all out in one go and Itachi howls with laughter.
"I'm beginning to think you like her more than me," he says laughing.
"Maybe," I smirk at him and then sigh dreamily, imitating him. "She was love at first sight."
"Hey! She's mine!" he punches me lightly on the arm.
"And I'm yours and by extension hers too. You've got to share her with me!" I argue like a five-year old.
"And why do you get to decide that?" Itachi asks. He bites his lip to hide his smile.
"It would be her right to decide it so," I smile sweetly at him, "she's got to let me ride her to ascertain I deserve her."
"Why has my bike become a third, imaginary female lover who I've got to share with you?" he asks politely and then he bursts out laughing at the absurdity. "I never thought I'd say this but if you're so insistent, even though it's my birthday and I'm supposed to call the shots, I'll let you ride her just once," he puts up a finger and eyes me coyly.
I bite his finger. "Wait till you see me in action!"
He waggles his bitten finger at me. "Aw shucks Naruto, your naricissism is ruining your chances, I'm afraid."
"Heh! Amaterasu gets to decide who she wants. And I know she won't reject me."
"We'll see."
"Hmm, can I ask you a question?" I ask and he chuckles.
"Sure," he says.
I trace the curve of his cheek with my fingers. "How many students have you tutored before me?" I ask.
A smile escapes his lips before he looks at me. He laughs a little self-consciously. "I don't remember the exact count, but maybe close to thirty. Why?"
"I dunno, just curious I guess," I say looking at him. "And did anyone ask you out?"
He sits up and looks at me. "You're awfully nosy about my past Naruto!"
I sit up with a valiant effort. He smiles at that. I've given up underestimating this man in bed, though I'll never tell him that. "Comes with the territory," I say shrugging and instantly regretting it when my waist aches.
"Were you like this with your past lovers too?" he asks.
I squeeze his nose, making him glare at me. "Now who's being nosy?" I tease him. I pretend to count on my fingers and Itachi's brow rises when I lift both my hands to show a sizeable number. "Just with these many I guess?" I fight my smirk as I regard him seriously.
"You've got to be joking right?" Itachi's frown turns heavy when he glares at me.
I bite the tip of his nose. "Before you, I've never even thought about my partner's dating history. You bring out the absolute worst in me."
"Does that mean I'm not right for you?" he asks and I straighten because he always throws a curveball when I least expect it.
"Well, seeing as you're still here putting up with my absolute worst, I would like to think otherwise," I say, tossing the ball in his court.
"I wonder why too." He laughs when I tickle him. "I mean, let's be honest, you are a nosy narcissist with a hideous taste in sports outfits and cheesy lines…" he squeals loudly when I tickle him again.
"I rock your fucking world, okay!" I look at him affronted.
He only laughs harder. "Ugh Naruto! I'm beginning to find your narcissism adorable."
"So you are admitting my absolute worst is adorable," I nip his neck.
"I know right!" he laughs some more. "Something is really wrong with me. Maybe it's the sex," he muses out loud.
I hum against his neck. "Hmm, only the sex?"
"There you go trying to be cute again," he waggles a finger like a reproaching headmaster.
"You still haven't answered my question," I bite his shoulder.
He swats him away like a pesky fly, making me laugh. "I am not answering that question," he says.
"Did you get handsy with anyone of them?" I ask, waggling my eyebrows at him.
He flicks me on my forehead. "You watch too much porn," he admonishes.
"Nah, I just have a very vivid imagination when it comes to you."
"Uh-huh and are you putting it to good use?" he asks. All questions and thoughts fly out when his eyes darken.
I smirk at him. "Very."
He smirks back "By imagining me in hypothetical scenarios with my students?" he asks, laughing incredulously.
"That depends on the answer to the question I asked. I'm not opposed to saying I wouldn't wring their necks in said vivid imagination."
"Ugh, shut up and come here!" he pulls me to him and puts his arms around me. The mood changes instantly. I pull his face down to kiss him. We kiss slowly for a long moment. "I love you Naruto," when it is he who says it first, my heart can't take it anymore. It's his special day and I'm the one receiving gifts. Anything this man offers is a treasure. How in the world can I live without this?
"I love you too Itachi-sama. Though this day didn't start the way you'd envisioned, I hope it's ending the way you want it to," I say, looking solemnly into his.
"That and beyond," he smiles shyly at me while I grin embarrassed. His eyes close when his arms around me tighten. "It's eleven fifty-five. Let's just stay like this for five minutes and then we'll go."
I nod, pulling him into my arms. I breathe him in and the entire wonder this day has been. Lying like this, breathing him in slowly makes me feel like I've found my safe haven.
"Happy birthday, my love," I say it English.
He just nods as he pushes his face into my neck and smiles. My hands tighten around him, my right hand stopping at right where his heart beats.
My smile gets hidden by his shoulder when I realize it's beating to the tune of my heart.
This man, one day. I swear.
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