The fifth chapter! Let's be honest, I never thought I would make it this far. With more than 15.000 words, it is the longest story I have ever written. I was actually quite scared that I would run into a metaphorical brick wall as I did with my other story Someday. (Sorry for not updating it, I will get back to it eventually.) Hope you enjoy!

Sasuke drove home from work gritting his teeth. The meeting with Kakashi had dragged on for hours because the silver haired man insisted on giving him a bunch of useless advice about dogs. He had barely made it in time for lunch with Naruto, which was a little weird now that he thought about it. It wasn't like Naruto couldn't wait for him, especially after the stunt he pulled that morning. But it was the kid's birthday and Sasuke didn't want that.

Besides he wasn't that angry at him, not anymore at least. When he got angry at other people he could hold a grudge forever and plan revenge in silence. With Naruto he just exploded and it ended quickly afterwards, like a firecracker. Naruto didn't seem to hold a grudge either, and if there had been any it certainly disappeared when Sasuke let him have cake for lunch. He was so easy to please that way.

They had gotten to the subject about being a grownup or not once again and Sasuke had threatened with the only useful advice Kakashi had given him. Discipline. Naruto had had not taken him seriously at all and laughed loudly at the threat saying that there was no way Sasuke could make him tame like some lapdog. Sasuke feared Naruto was right, but insisted that he at least use a spoon instead of his fingers to eat the knew Naruto would have been happy with eating cake all day long, but felt it was his duty as the older one to make sure Naruto was fed and looked after properly.

He had decided to take him out for dinner on the occasion of his birthday, but not until Naruto had gotten his birthday presents. Sasuke figured those might have been few and rare in between for the boy. He pressed his lips together to avoid smiling like an idiot, when he saw Naruto standing in front of the apartment building and wave at him when he got home. Instead of driving into the parking lot he pulled over in front of the blond and said;

"Jump in."

Naruto had stars in his eyes as he jumped in and made himself comfortable. He picked up Sasuke's sunglasses lying between the front seats and put them on. "Cool, where are we going?"

"Shopping. Take of those glasses. It's autumn and you look ridiculous."

"Nuh uh, I look like a secret agent. Black car, sunglasses, incognito street wear, I even have an assistant to drive the car while I shoot after the bad guys." He said with a grin as he tried to open the window and stick his upper body out of it at the same time.

"Would you stop that! It's freezing outside!" Sasuke said and hit the button to make the window close. Thank god for fancy cars and all their buttons that made it possible for the driver to control just about everything.

"Arggh what are you doing?! I'm gonna get stuck here you bastard!" Naruto whined while struggling to get his head inside the car.

"Then stop fooling around."

"Stop smirking and being so smug all the time." Naruto pouted. "Where are we going shopping anyway? 'Cause if you're taking me grocery shopping again I'm gonna jump out the window for real. "

"You got all that instant noddle stuff, so stop complaining."

"I admit that's true, but you spent half an hour picking out vegetables!" Naruto replied with a miserable voice. "Who does that?"

"I'm particular about what I eat, and to answer your question; no we are not going grocery shopping."

"Where then?"

"You'll see."

15 minutes later they arrived at the biggest furniture store in the city, and when Sasuke pulled into the parking lot, Naruto looked quite confused.

"What are we doing here? You're not moving out, are you?" there was a hint of panic in his voice.

"No. We're getting something for the guestroom. It's time for it to look like someone is actually living there, don't you agree?"

The boy's eyes widened at this and he didn't move an inch when Sasuke started walking towards the entrance.

"Stop gaping like a fool. We don't have all day."

That was enough to get the blond running after him.

At first they picked out a table and chair, since the room was actually plenty big enough to have more furniture in it. Then lamps, one for the ceiling to replace the anonymous light bulb, and one for the new table.

Naruto didn't feel very comfortable about receiving such big gifts, so Sasuke told him that he would have bought all of it anyway to make the room more useful. They also got some shelves and a rug, at which point Sasuke realized how empty the room truly had been. There were only two of the things they bought that weren't really necessary.

Sasuke bought both after he saw how much Naruto stared at them and kept making detours to get back to them, though still refusing to ask for them. The first was a poster with some kind of superhero on it, and the second was a beanbag. The one Naruto had been circling around was bright red, and Sasuke, who wasn't exactly a fan of bright colors, sighed and told him he could get one if he could find it in another color. The boy returned with an orange beanbag and such a hopeful and happy look in his eyes that Sasuke didn't have it in his heart to refuse him.

Damn puppy eyes.

They left with all of it stacked on two huge trolleys. Sasuke tried to steer his in a straight line towards the car whereas Naruto thought it too boring and zig zagged between the lines of parked cars.

"Make sure you don't get my car scratched while you put the stuff in."

"Hmm, do you even think it's gonna fit inside? I mean I know it's all ready-to-assemble sets, but still, it just doesn't look like it'll fit." Naruto asked skeptically.

"Of course it's going to fit, we just have to pack it the right way. Here, hand me the table."

After some pushing and shoving they did indeed manage to fit it all inside, though Naruto would have to have the ceiling lamp in his lap.

"Okay let's get back with the trolleys and then go and get some food it's already seven."

"I know I'm starving!" Then Naruto turned to Sasuke with a mischievous smile. "Race you back to the store!" He yelled and put one foot on the trolley so he could use it as a scooter.

"Hey, no fair, you're getting a head start!"

"Haha you're just too old and slow!" Naruto yelled back at him and stuck his tongue out.

"I'll show you who's old and slow you little brat!" he yelled back and grabbed the trolley, with a predatory smile. Naruto was about to learn that Sasuke was a very competitive man.

"I won 'cause I got out of the parking lot first!"

"The goal was to get to the store, which means that I won." The older of them said with a smirk. "Besides you got a head start you little cheater."

"I didn't cheat! I'm just faster than you!"

Sasuke could see another "am-not" "are-too!" argument coming and ended the discussion by giving Naruto a noggie. They got back to the car and drove to an Asian restaurant nearby. It was a simple and cozy place which fit Naruto's personality much better than the fancy places Sasuke had been dragged to for his own childhood birthdays. Sasuke had discovered Naruto love of Asian food early on and decided it would be another way of acknowledging Naruto's birthday. Naruto knew what he wanted the moment he stepped into the restaurant, some kind of noodle dish called ramen, and Sasuke decided to get the same just to try something new.

"Mmm Sasuke this is amazing. This is the best birthday ever!"

Sasuke felt torn about that statement. He was happy that Naruto enjoyed himself, but at the same his chest felt heavy and tense thinking about how the other birthdays must have been. He was pretty sure that this birthday wasn't competing with memories of birthday parties filled with balloons, presents and happy children.

"You're welcome."

"You know what?"

"Hn. No."

"I'm really glad that you ran me over that day." He said it with such a genuine smile that Sasuke stopped breathing for a moment.

"I mean it really hurt, and you were way too serious about everything. You must have had a stick up yo-"

"You're ruining the moment." Sasuke cut him off. "But thank you, I'm glad I met you too."

The blond scratched at the back of his head and fought the blush creeping up on his face. "Dude, why did you have go and make it sound totally embarrassing…"

Being made aware of it Sasuke got embarrassed as well and had to fight his own blush at seeing the blond's.

"Just eat your noodles."

"It's not noodles, it's ramen." Naruto mumbled.

They stopped at a convenience store on their way home and were both quite tired when they finally got back. Naruto insisted on at least trying to assemble the chair, since that seemed to be the easiest thing, so Sasuke found the toolbox for him. They tried to do it together at first, but disagreed heavily on how to read the manual. Sasuke was sure the black screws had to fasten the legs whereas Naruto argued that they were for the top part.

They agreed to disagree which was an improvement for the two of them, and Sasuke let Naruto do it all by himself. He hijacked the new beanbag and tried to get some work done, while keeping an eye on Naruto, to make sure the boy didn't hurt himself. After almost an hour of assembling and disassembling the chair Naruto proudly presented the new addition to his room.

At this point Sasuke realized two things. The first was how much influence Naruto had on him. The orange beanbag, the chair which was a light green like grass, the rug with three different colors, not to mention the poster and the lamps shaped like bubbles. He wouldn't have chosen any of it, had he gone to the store himself, and the guestroom would be the most colorful room in his apartment from now on. The second thing that came to mind was that the lamps and table was lying on Naruto's bed with pieces of cardboard, screws and tools scattered there as well.

"I think it's time to clean up, if you're going to sleep in your bed tonight. I'm going to bed now, you should too."

Naruto suddenly looked crestfallen. "Aww man, can't I do that tomorrow?"

"Where would you sleep then?"

"The beanbag?"

"Don't be an idiot." Sasuke sighed. He looked at the slightly smaller boy, trying to force him into cleaning up with just a look. It didn't really work that well, probably because he was tired. Speaking of looks…

No, not the puppy eyes! I don't know how to deal with those, damnit…

"Fine you can sleep in my bed, but don't you dare hog the covers!"

"Yay! Promise not to!" Naruto shouted and flung himself at Sasuke. The out of the blue attack turned into a hug, and Sasuke allowed himself to relish the rare heat of another human being. He even went as far as letting his arms encircle the other briefly, before pushing him towards the bathroom gently and clearing his throat.

"Go brush your teeth, I just need to go and get something." He said and escaped the embarrassing situation.

He wasn't really a hugging type and it was not like Naruto was family, not that he hugged Itachi often, god no. The blond wasn't his brother and despite their difference in age he didn't feel parental about Naruto either. The thought alone seemed preposterous. But did friends really describe what they were to each other? He was nothing like the rest of Sasuke's friends but there was no other category to put him in. He decided to let the matter rest, who cared anyway, it wasn't like anyone else knew of their connection to each other. He went into the bathroom with one of the plastic bags from the convenience store and dropped it on the cabinet in front of Naruto.

"Happy birthday."

"What's that?"

"Your present."

Naruto gave him a disbelieving stare. "But… I already got all that other stuff…"

"That was for the guestroom, this is just for you."

The blond reached into the plastic bag hesitantly and pulled his present out. Then his face split into a huge grin. "You got me shaving gear."

"Since you are sixteen now and you already showed me your impressive beard growth this morning," Sasuke said sarcastically "You will have to act as a man and take care of it properly."

"Thanks Sasuke!" Naruto hugged the older male again, and this time the raven didn't pry him off.

"You're welcome. I'll even teach you how to shave properly if you promise never to use my shaving stuff again."

"Hehe, promise promise." Naruto said and pressed himself even closer to Sasuke. When he finally let go Sasuke felt like he was about to explode of embarrassment and weird fluffy feelings. Uchihas were not meant for hugs, puppy eyes or any other adorable shit. It broke their brains and was therefore to be avoided at all costs. He was still standing in a daze when he realized Naruto had left the room.

They slept side by side that night as they had a couple of times before, when Naruto had had his nightmares. Naruto fell asleep first and Sasuke lay beside him listening to his small snores and deep breathing. It was the first time Sasuke wasn't exhausted enough to fall asleep immediately.

He knew there had been no singing or finely wrapped presents, but still felt that Naruto's birthday had gone well. He had given him what had felt right and it seemed to be plenty enough. Naruto expected nothing, so he would have been happy with even the smallest thing.

Sasuke turned around, so he faced the boy, and studied his features. Naruto didn't look like some sleeping beauty and neither did he give off some peaceful or serene air, he was just a sleeping teenager sprawled all over the bed. His limbs were going in all directions and his cheek was squished against the pillow. What made him so different from everyone else Sasuke usually were surrounded by, was that he was always so genuine and always wore his emotions on his sleeve.

He didn't think or care about how he appeared in front of Sasuke; he simply was the way he was. Even though the blond had his share of secrets and had lied about his age, Sasuke still felt like he was one of the most honest persons he had ever met, because he always said exactly what was on his mind without any regards for the situation.

It was refreshing to be treated as if they were equals, although all social rules directed that the most assuredly weren't. One lock of blond hair was sticking up straight into the air and Sasuke gently tucked it in behind a tanned ear. Then he hurriedly pulled his hand back to his own side, surprised by his own gentleness. Naruto would be able to wrap Sasuke around his little finger soon, if he didn't watch out.

Everything was warm and comfy. He was still in the state of not really being awake yet, but neither asleep anymore. He cuddled closer to where the heat came from and felt something tickle his cheek. It took him several long seconds to realize the position he was in and when he did, his eyes opened wide. The thing tickling him was a lock of blond hair, and the lovely warmth next to him was Naruto cuddled up to him. He even had his arm around the blond and they were laying chest to chest, only separated by one of Naruto's arms. The other arm was on Sasuke's side gently holding onto his night shirt.

What in the ever living hell am I doing? This is not all right in any way! I shouldn't have- Oh God too late for thinking about that. I got to do something, right the fuck now!

Sasuke, whose body was now stiff as a board, gently tried to pry himself out of the boy's grip on him and sneak out of the bed. The tan hand tightened its grip and a small noise of displeasure came from the blond's lips. The older male froze his movement, removed the hand carefully and continued his escape from the crime scene. He stood absolutely still and stared at the teenager in his bed, whom had moved to his side of the bed during the night. His heart was thudding heavily in his chest and took a deep breath to relax himself.

Nothing happened. Nothing. I- I am not some kind of child molesting scum who would take advantage of a young boy, that was not why I brought him to my apartment. Fuck, why do I even have to tell myself that? It was just an accident that he rolled over to my side. I just won't let him sleep here again, problem solved. His room will be nice and ready soon, he won't have any reason for coming in here …

Sasuke didn't realize that he had started internally rambling to himself. The thought of something… sexual… happening between him and Naruto had never crossed his mind before, and now that it did it made him more than a little uncomfortable. Some people might claim that Sasuke's morals about treating other people well could be a bit off, but he had strong principles about certain things. He just didn't yell out loud about them for the world to hear.

One of those was about children or other people who couldn't take care of themselves, for no fault of their own. Children were precious and vulnerable things that had to be taken care of. Though he had not encountered many in his adult life, he still had this almost instinctive protectiveness of them. Just the thought of something… sexual… between him and Naruto was not only absurd but also horrible.

But Naruto was no longer a child, at least not fully anymore. He might not be an adult in the eyes of the law, but he had made it out there in the real world on his own, and his body was quickly becoming the one of an adult. Sasuke didn't doubt he would catch up to him in height soon. None of this mattered though. Naruto was not to be even thought of in that way. End of discussion.

I admit that there hasn't been much romance so far, but it will begin in the next chapter. I needed to get Sasuke and Naruto to know each other before I could steer them into that direction. (Mostly because I am sick of reading fanfics with grown up/teenage relationships, where neither of them seem to have any qualms about what they're doing, nor any kind of morals...)

Please review and let me know what you think of the story so far :)