"Just how much did this Lotus set you back?" Sasuke asked out of curiosity. Naruto was not an extravagant person by any means, but he'd been known to splurge on automobiles.

"Mah," Naruto was smiling, but he did appear at least a little embarrassed. "Not as much as you'd think. Mind if I put the top down?" But he went ahead and pushed the button to retract the top before Sasuke even answered.

Driving with the top down made it difficult to hold any sort of conversation, which was fine with Sasuke. He had some things he wanted to think about. The scenery out in the countryside of Connecticut was rather nice. There were sloping hills and lush green meadows, and as they drove past a lake, the entire landscape was reflected in the water. The Lotus' engine gave a purr as Naruto switched gears. Maybe it should've seemed strange how unaffected Naruto was after rehearsing such a dramatic scene. Sasuke was still holding onto something of his own character, although it had been perfectly easy to dismiss the kiss after it happened. He hadn't meant it to happen, but it did. End of story. If anything, it was Naruto's damn fault for being charismatic. It had lured him in, bound him, and obviously caused him to do something he never would have if he'd been in his right mind.

The drive wasn't long. The cottage they were staying at was on the outskirts of Essex, and apparently Naruto had a friend who was a chef in the nearby village of Ivoryton at a bistro called Brasserie Pip.

As they entered Ivoryton, Naruto put the top up, and as they drove into the parking lot, Sasuke sarcastically remarked, "I don't think your car is in any way going to be conspicuous."

Naruto parked, to the far left of the lot. As he cut the engine, he turned to Sasuke with a grin. "You're a real smartass, you know that, right? I'm trying to take you out for a nice, romantic dinner, and you're already givin' me crap?"

"Romantic dinner?"

"Sure, if it's just the two of us. It's like a date, right? Guys can go on dates, can't they?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "They can, but in an entirely separate way to what you think this is." He took off his seat belt. "It's a good thing there are others to write dialogue for you, because your vocabulary is somewhat perverse, even at the best of times."

"What?" Naruto removed his sunglasses. "I didn't say anything perverted, did I?"

Sasuke only stared. "Just... it's not a date."

"Fine, fine. It's not a date, but I am paying to show you I appreciate you comin' all the way out here to help me with work."

"Okay," he answered simply.

"Yeah?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes. I know better than to argue with you, so it's fine."

"Hm. Alright. Thought you'd put up more of a fight. You must be gettin' more agreeable in your old age, huh?" Naruto opened the door, got out, and Sasuke watched him through the window as he stretched and folded his arms behind his head.

"Yes, that's it," Sasuke murmured before following suit and stepping out of the car.

They walked inside the entrance to the bistro. They'd, of course, made reservations beforehand and were greeted at the hostess stand by an extremely pleasant middle-aged woman with curly dark hair and an olive complexion. There was a heavy French accent to her words as she spoke excitedly to Naruto, who must've been to the establishment before, or at least knew this woman quite well.

Sasuke followed a few steps behind. Some people, who were already sitting down for dinner, looked up at them as they passed, but no one seemed to really recognize Naruto. Maybe it was the sunglasses, scarf, and coat. His hair was also wild and unkempt from the drive over. The woman, who Naruto kept referring to as Mimi, explained to Naruto that Chef would come by shortly to greet him. She informed them of the specials - swordfish with white bean puree, scallops with capers, or duck breast with soubise sauce. Mimi departed and left them to peruse their menus. Most of it was simple fair, nothing overly fancy, but it all sounded delicious.

"What looks good?" Naruto asked, disrobing from his "disguise" now that they were in the sanctity of their private room, and he wouldn't be bothered.

"Everything," Sasuke answered honestly.

"Oh, good. I know you're picky about what you like to eat."

Sasuke glanced at him briefly over the top of the menu. "I'm not that picky. It's just that your tastes are very simple."

"True. I'd have been fine if we just made some Hamburger Helper at the cottage."

Sasuke shook his head. "So, who's this chef friend of yours, and how do you know Mimi so well?"

Naruto took a sip of water as he set down his menu, apparently having already decided what he'd have for dinner. "I've been here a couple of times, and Mimi's been at a few events the bistro has catered in the city. The chef? Ah, you know him. You met him once at that party in Soho we went to where you were bored with everybody because no one knew as much about the collection of Diego Rivera paintings as you did."

"Okay, first of all," Sasuke set his menu to the side, "The event was centered around that collection and how the one piece was going to be privately auctioned to a bunch of celubutantes who wouldn't know their ass from a Giorgio Morandi."

Naruto laughed at him. "You're such a snob. If you hate the city so much, then why do you live there? Come to California, and I promise you'll become less angry. You'll have no choice after so many colon cleansings and yoga sessions."

"No way in hell will you ever convince me to move to California. I love the city. I wouldn't live anywhere else."

"Fine. I didn't mean to insult you. I like New York, too, but I also like sunshine, friendly people, and avocados, so, y'know. It's a place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."

Sasuke shrugged. "But I still don't quite remember anyone you introduced me to as being a chef."

"Ah, you'll remember him once he comes by, and, oh, speaking of!" Naruto was already getting up from the chair and heading across the room. Sasuke turned, frowning because oh yes he did recognize the chef, and what immediately came to mind was how much he'd disliked him at the party for no particular reason other than he seemed a bit stuck on himself and had gone on for a considerable amount of time about some award his restaurant had received from Zagat. That, and Sasuke was almost positive Neji had been flirting with Naruto as it had gone way beyond simple sucking up. It's not as if Sasuke cared who Naruto made friends with, though. Naruto would befriend a fire hydrant if it talked back to him.

"Neji, you remember Sasuke, right? I introduced the two of you at Rin's party?"

"Of course," said Neji. He had his long, sleek hair pulled back into a ponytail. His chef clothes were immaculately white and wrinkle-free. He looked as if he'd stepped right out of a celebrity magazine. Then again, so did Naruto, so, perhaps, he was the one who stood out here as not belonging.

"Pleasure to see you again," Sasuke said as politely as he could manage. "Naruto told me the bistro was voted top new restaurant in Connecticut. Congratulations."

Neji bowed his head and seemed to take his words with (more) sincerity than Sasuke had meant, but still. He couldn't fault Neji for his good breeding and manners.

"Thank you," said Neji. "We're proud of what we're doing here. Naruto, you look well. What brings you to Connecticut? Shooting a movie in the area?"

"No, no, I'm gonna be in a play, can ya believe that? Like, live audiences every night."

"I think that will suit you quite well," said Neji, his gaze shifting from Naruto to Sasuke. "And Sasuke is here to help you rehearse, I take it?"

"Ha, yeah. I know you know he helps me out."

"I remember most things you tell me, Naruto." Neji smiled at him fondly, which, no surprise here, that Naruto started to grin stupidly since he always got sentimental at any type of friendly reunion because, down to his core, Naruto would always be a sentimental idiot like that.

"Good, good. So what do you recommend we have tonight? The specials or somethin' else?"

"I'll make you anything you desire, you know that," replied Neji. "But off the menu, I do recommend the swordfish, which is the special tonight or the New York Strip. Or, if you're indecisive, then there's the chef's tasting menu, which comes with seven courses and there are available wine pairings."

"Oh yeah, that sounds good." Naruto looked at Sasuke. "Does that sound good to you?"

"Whatever you want," he answered, having already returned to perusing the menu. As much as he wanted to listen to the other two moon over each other. Not.

"Yeah, that sounds good, Neji. Thanks for comin' to say hi, I know you'll get pretty busy since it's a Friday night."

"It's no problem. It's always good to see you." They hugged, and before he left the room, Neji offered Sasuke a goodbye that he returned with a short and curt response.

As Naruto sat down again, he said, "I think that chef outfit suits him well, don't you? How come I don't have a job where I get to wear a uniform? You wanted to be a cop when we were young, didn't you, Sasuke?"

He hadn't thought of that in years. His own father had been a beat cop for many years until he'd been injured one day and could no longer meet the physical requirements. Basically, he'd been assigned a desk job for the past five years.

"I'm surprised you remember that," said Sasuke.

"Ah, how could I forget? We used to play cops and robbers in your backyard and your mom would bring us some lemonade. Or, oh yeah, remember this?" Naruto put his elbows on the table, and Sasuke wanted to scold him, but bit his tongue. "That time we were at my house, and we were up in my room. Like, I don't know what we were doing, fightin' about something because we were wrestlin' around on the floor, and then the door flew open and it was Itachi! He'd come to get you to bring you home for dinner, and," Naruto stopped to laugh some more, "He said something really funny when he saw us because you were on top of me, pulling at my shirt. What was it he said? Oh crap, I forget." He scratched the side of his head.

"He said," Sasuke cleared his throat, annoyed by the memory, "'My how kids grow up so fast these days. Make sure you take responsibility, Sasuke, and Mother wanted me to tell you to come home for dinner. We're having pot roast.'"

Naruto slapped his hand on the table as he laughed again, making their glasses of water shake. "Oh my God, you sounded just like him right there! How is he, by the way? Is he still out in South Korea?"

"He is."

Mimi came into the room again with their wine, a sauvignon blanc to accompany the first course. Again, she and Naruto struck up a conversation that Sasuke listened to politely, answering questions when they were asked of him. The woman was extremely friendly and probably one of the sharpest people Sasuke had ever come across, but she appeared rather attached to and amused by Naruto, who also seemed to share a similar fondness for the hostess. She left after five minutes, and they were alone again, talking about inconsequential things or recent press junkets Naruto had done over the past two weeks.

Neji stopped by sometime after the fourth course, but only briefly, just to check on what they thought of the food.

Sasuke thought it was some of the best food he'd had in years, but tried to downplay his compliments so that it didn't go to his head. Naruto was more ecstatic and verbose about his own praise to the point Sasuke was rolling his eyes at his glass of pinot noir.

By the time they had finished eating, Sasuke felt full and content. Naruto's face was a little red, but he had more to drink than Sasuke, and by the way he was talking non-stop, Sasuke could guess he was flirting with this side of drunk.

"I think you may need to drive us back," said Naruto, handing the keys over to Sasuke.

Fine with Sasuke. It wasn't every day he got to drive a 2012 Lotus Elise. Naruto paid, said his fond farewells to Mimi and Neji, and then they were outside on the front porch of the inn, gazing up at the stars. Naruto wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"See, it is like a date."

Sasuke turned his head, staring at his friend, who still had his eyes directed toward the sky.

Naruto didn't seem to notice, speaking again, "That's Leo, right?"

"Hm?" Sasuke glanced up at the sky, trying to find where Naruto was looking.

"The constellation? I went out with a girl about six months ago who'd majored in astronomy, so she used to point out the constellations and all that when we'd go out onto the roof of the house in L.A."

They moved along, since others were starting to come out of the entrance behind them, and as Sasuke unlocked the doors of the Lotus, he stopped before he got inside.

"I don't remember you dating anyone six months ago," he said.

Naruto put his arms on top of the car. "I'm sure I told you about her. She was an actor friend's publicist. Long blond hair, blue eyes? Pretty great sense of humor."

Sasuke shook his head and sat down in the seat. He didn't remember. Not that he made a habit of keeping up with Naruto's love life. Naruto got in, grouching about how Sasuke never paid any attention to what he told him ever. Sasuke sort of tuned him out, focusing more on how fucking amazing this car felt to drive. It was practically sex on wheels. He opted to keep the top up. Naruto chatted incessantly, working off all of the alcohol with his mouth, but Sasuke listened to most of it, attentive. The back roads were empty, and at Naruto's encouragement, his speed topped out at around 100 mph on a straight section of road. What a thrill. It might've been the first time he envied Naruto for his job and the luxuries he could afford. Not that Sasuke did terribly. He had an IT job in the city with a new company that offered plenty of opportunity for advancement and kept things new and fresh every day, so he was never bored. In fact, he liked the company, his co-workers, and what he did for a living.

While driving, there was some mention of Naruto wanting to buy more alcohol, so, along the way, they stopped at a gas station. Sasuke went in to get some cheap wine. He'd told Naruto to stay put in case anyone recognized him.

Not that there were many people there getting gas or in the store. For a second, he eyed the packs of cigarettes behind the counter and debated buying a pack.

"That's a nice car you have there," the clerk said to him as he took Sasuke's money.

"Thanks," he replied and, grabbing the paper bag with one arm, went back to the car, where, upon opening the door, White Snake's "Here I Go Again" blared at him and he nearly dropped the wine. He yelled at Naruto to turn it down, feeling like a teenager again as he crawled into the driver's seat and gave his friend a few slaps to the head for being a moron.

"Okay, okay, I'll turn it down," said Naruto, laughing and pushing Sasuke off, his hand pressed to his sweater, scrunching it.

Smirking about beating Naruto into submission, Sasuke sat back into his seat and buckled up. He started the ignition. Naruto had the bag in his lap and went rummaging through it. He pulled out the pack of cigarettes Sasuke had bought.

"Hey," Naruto was scowling, "I thought you quit."

"Well, I just started up again."

Back on the road, he tuned Naruto out once more a he started to lecture him about lung cancer, bad breath, and yellow fingernails. He imagined that it never once occurred to Naruto as to why he had this sudden craving for a cigarette. Naruto's prattling only stopped when they pulled up to the cottage and Sasuke was out of the car. Naruto came out, still going on and on about it until he threw the cigarettes across the yard, where the grass was a little bit higher.

"You did not just do that."

Naruto crossed his arms. "I just saved your life."

"Oh yeah?" said Sasuke. "Well, I'm about to end yours!" He ran toward his friend, pushing him back a few steps with the force of the contact, and Naruto, being the drunk idiot he was, fell onto his ass and brought Sasuke down with him. They rolled around on the ground for a while until Sasuke had Naruto pinned beneath him.

"You are going to help me find those goddam cigarettes or else."

"Or else what?" Naruto glared and had a hold of him by the front of his sweater. Sasuke leaned over until their faces were only inches apart. "You'll give me a swirly? A wedgie? Call Itachi and tell him I'm pickin' on you?"

"You're such a child sometimes," Sasuke snarled and got up. He wandered around the grass, searching for a while, but it ultimately wasn't worth it. Naruto still lay there in the grass, watching him and keeping his mouth shut.

Sasuke walked over to him. "Fine. I won't have a smoke."

"Good!" Naruto said cheerily and was up instantly, standing by his side, ignoring or completely oblivious to Sasuke's death glare. "Have some wine and relax, Sasuke, if you're so stressed out. Why are you so stressed anyway?"

Sasuke kept glaring, but, slowly, he turned away and mumbled. "It must be the company I keep."

After two hours of drinking, they had ended up on the kitchen floor. Sasuke was leaning against the stainless steel refrigerator; Naruto had his back against the oven. The lights were set low. Sounds from outside drifted through the open windows. Crickets were chirping and he could hear the light melody of the wind chimes. There hadn't been any wine glasses, but there were tumblers. Sasuke had his head down, staring into the glass. They'd been talking about old times, high school and the people they used to know, what they were doing now. Naruto had plugged his phone into the speakers, a random, low-key playlist filling the gaps in conversation. And there were some, but they were never awkward.

A somber song played, making Sasuke feel morose. Flashes of nostalgia were nibbling at him as his finger moved in tandem to the slow beat of the song, the melancholy vocals leaving him temporarily distracted. He let his head fall back against the fridge, his eyes closed as he took in a deep breath. When he opened them next, Naruto was at his side, filling his glass nearly to the brim. Naruto shuffled up against him, their shoulders and arms touching.

"Penny for your thoughts," Naruto said in a low tone of voice.

"Just thinking."

"I know, that's why I asked what you were thinkin'. You seem sad all of a sudden."

"I'm not sad," he said thoughtfully, looking at him out of the corner of his eye and then turning his gaze to the wine swishing around in the glass.

"We didn't talk about this at dinner, but, so, what you said before we left..."

"Hm?"

"You said you're interested in someone? That's rare, isn't it? I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't, like, respond to you liking them," said Naruto.

Sasuke shifted. "We don't have to talk about this."

"Why not?" asked Naruto. "I tell you everything, right? You can tell me anything you want."

"There are some things I'd prefer to keep to myself, Naruto."

Naruto started poking and prodding him and, eventually giving up, simply rested his head against Sasuke's shoulder. "Fine. But I have a feeling that if you just tell them you like them instead of expecting them to get a clue without you saying anything, she'll probably feel the same way."

"Is that so?" Sasuke turned his head slightly and rested it against Naruto's, blowing his hair out of the way.

"Yeah. I imagine it's probably pretty intimidating to like you. You tend to scare a lot of my friends I introduce you to because they don't know how to read you."

"I scare them?" This made him smirk. Good. He was happy if he scared people away. He had little patience for those who were weak and couldn't keep up with him.

"You do. You can be scary."

"But I don't scare you?" His voice came out a bit gruffer than he'd intended.

"Nah. Of course not. You're my best friend, right? There isn't much we haven't been through."

Sasuke couldn't stop himself from eyeing Naruto's hand, squashing the urge to want to reach for it and hold it. "Right," he said, letting the irony wash over him. "Best friends." He started to stand and wobbled. Naruto was looking up at him in a way that gave him pause. He'd been ready to say he was tired and ready for bed, but Naruto grabbed a hold of his sweater. Sasuke gazed down at the fingers.

"Where are you goin'?" Naruto asked and gave the sweater another tug, his eyes and tone a little childish and pleading as if he expected Sasuke to stay on the kitchen floor all night, keeping him company.

"Bed," he said, finding that his mind felt a bit fuzzy, "I think."

"So soon? It's only 11.30."

"And that's way past my usual bedtime," Sasuke replied, in a more patient tone of voice than he'd expected to come out. He put his hand on Naruto's head, ruffling his blond hair fondly. "We have all of tomorrow to hang out, you know."

"I know." Naruto bowed his head. "But I don't get to see you so much anymore, and even if I'll be living in the city while the play has its run, I won't have much time to hang out."

"That's okay," said Sasuke. "You're a famous actor now, so..." He gave Naruto's head a last pat. "Just do your best."

"Heh. When you say stuff like that, I almost feel jealous there's a person out there that you like."

Sasuke's small smile suddenly faltered, and he frowned, his reply coming out a little choked. "... Yeah?"

Naruto let go of his sweater. "I mean, I'd be happy for you. I want you to be happy, but I guess it'd make me feel kinda lonely."

Maybe it was the alcohol that made him do this, but suddenly he dropped into a crouch next to Naruto and stared.

"What?" Naruto asked self-consciously.

Sasuke shook his head once, still staring, and then let his head fall, bangs swaying in front of his eyes. "It's... nothing."

"So mysterious," Naruto said and hummed dubiously at him. "Sasuke Uchiha is so mysterious. He plays it close to the chest." For emphasis, he poked Sasuke there, but on reflex, Sasuke grabbed for his wrist and held onto it.

"You shouldn't poke," he said.

"Sorry." Naruto grinned.

"If you're going to say you're sorry, you should at least look the part. Aren't you supposed to be an actor?"

Naruto chuckled and leaned forward, placing a hand on Sasuke's knee and almost making him lose his balance. "So does that mean when you kissed me earlier, you were thinking of this woman you like? I almost feel used. And here I thought it was because my talent's so great, I pulled you into the zone, as they say."

Sasuke had to bite down on his lip. "Naruto..."

Naruto pushed at him, making him wobble again. His brow furrowed, and he scowled as he dropped into a kneel. Naruto appeared placated that he wasn't going anywhere yet.

"Why so serious?" Naruto asked in a raspy voice and pulled a face.

"Hn. It's hard to...," he licked his lips, tasting the wine on them, "...Have a serious conversation with you for some reason." He'd left his glass on the floor and picked it up, drinking what was left and then setting it on the counter above their heads.

"Why's that?" Naruto's eyebrows drew up. Sasuke thought maybe he looked offended.

He had his hand in a loose fist and brought it to his mouth, lips brushing the knuckle of his thumb. Sasuke's answer came in a sigh, "...I don't know."

"Hm." Naruto had his legs spread out with Sasuke kneeling between them. Sighing, Naruto leaned forward until his head was resting against Sasuke's chest. "Well, I hope it works out for you"

Sasuke couldn't help himself as his arms went around Naruto, embracing him. He put his chin on top of Naruto's head. "Me, too."