Happy Tuesday my darlings!

My sweethearts? I hope you are all doing ok. My anxiety has sort of been off the charts these past two weeks so I apologize for going MIA on you all for a bit there. I had been so proud of myself for keeping a sort of weekly consistent update for you all too ?

I'll keep working on it darlings, but for now, please hang in there, I am pushing through the haze and trying my hardest to get back on track. Thank you as always for all the love and support sent my way through kudos (we hit 500 and I was honestly crying, frustrated because I couldn't get this chapter/story/ or myself together but so grateful all at the same time), comments (241 is surreal?), and bookmarks (over 100 ?)

Rating: M (Explicit): All in good time~

Disclaimer: They are not mine ok? Any characters portrayed in this fic belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I just use my writing powers to right his wrongs...mainly the fact that he never made Sasuke and Naru Canon.

Falling Hard

Chapter 9: All I Think About

It had barely been two weeks since school started up again and he was already exhausted, he let his body fall onto the bed and took a deep breath as he allowed the fading smell of sunshine and oranges to wash over him. He couldn't get the image of the writhing blonde on his bedsheets out of his head and it wasn't even like it'd been long since they'd been together.

He'd never found an issue in rooming with Juugo, they were friends, but it was better for him to go to Naruto's than to bring his baby boy to his apartment. He didn't want to make him uncomfortable and there were too many chances that Juugo or Karin would bring other people in.

But...he missed having Naruto on his bed. He missed having the blonde in his space period.

"Sas you here?" The door opened and Karin poked her head in, given she'd stopped asking for permission to come into his room long ago, but he felt annoyed as the girl plopped down on the bed next to him.

"You've barely been home"

"I've you've noticed that means you've been here too much for someone who doesn't live here"

She ignored the comment and smoothly climbed over him "You in the mood for something different yet?" She asked her lips falling on his, sweet strawberries replacing oranges and sunshine.

She swirled her hips, her hands sliding under his shirt "I've missed this"

It's not that it didn't feel good, it's not that she wasn't pretty, Karin had a beautiful body and the sex had always been good, and more importantly, she'd never asked for more… still right in the forefront of his mind was his baby boy. He growled slightly and flipped their positions hovering over her and leaning down to kiss her, his hands sliding under her shirt and ghosting over her soft skin.

She hummed and stopped the kiss for a second so she could pull her shirt over her head, Sasuke opened his eyes looking down at the pliant omega, but he didn't lean back down, Naru's voice kept ringing in his head over and over.

"Just because I'm willing right now that doesn't entitle you to have me whenever you want"

But he always did, he always wanted him. He craved him. He could have sex and feel good but …it wasn't the same anymore. He groaned frustrated as he fell next to the redhead grabbing her shirt and handing it back to her.

"I'm not in the mood K"

"Anything I can do?" her hand sliding from his abdomen down towards his crotch and she smirked "Looks to me like you're down"

He sat up her hand falling off him "I'm taking a shower, go home"

She sat there a little stunned, letting the anger bubble inside of her, it couldn't be, he couldn't be turning her down because of that insipid little bitch. Sasuke had never turned down sex, no matter who he was fucking at the time. He couldn't possibly be thinking about going exclusive-Naruto was nothing but novelty, he'd played hard to get for as long as he could and now Sasuke thought his pussy was something special. She put her shirt back on and left the apartment, the raven always moved on to someone else…but she was always the constant. It wouldn't be long before Naruto asked for more, and Sasuke would set him aside just like he'd done with all the others, then it would be her turn to step up again.

The raven dropped for a second time on his bed fuck, whatever lingering smell had been there was gone, replaced by sweet strawberries. He undid his bedding and threw it in the washer his frustration growing.

He was such a joke…he wanted to date him, he wanted to be with him, he was all he could think about, he really needed to grow the fuck up. Playing it cool with his baby boy when he was really…just falling apart at the idea of losing him before he ever had him.

He clicked the blonde's contact on the phone and brought the device to his ear, and after a couple of rings the soothing voice came through the speaker "Hey"

"Hey, have you made it home yet?"

"Uh-uh trying to figure out food, but I might just crash, today kicked my butt"

"I can bring you food" he offered, uncomfortable with the idea of the blonde going to bed without eating.

"And why the generosity?"

"Let me sleep there? My blankets are in the washer"

There was a bit of silence on the other end "What? You don't you have spares?" Naruto asked playfully.

"Oh yeah because that's something a college student worries about, spare sheets"

The blonde laughed "You could ask Juugo if he has some"

"Where is all this heartlessness coming from?"

More laughter "fine but you're bringing me dinner tonight and bringing coffee during my shift tomorrow"

"You want to switch to law? I think you'd make a great lawyer" He said into the phone amused.

Their first month came and went and they'd kept busy by trying to get used to their new schedules. Naruto was glad Sasuke would always drop by the library if he had time, and he began asking more and more frequently if he could stay at his apartment.

The raven had tried to resume his 'harassment' from last semester caging him against bookshelves and muttering all kinds of propositions—except this time Naru would blush and mutter a 'later' growing in the mischief the raven's smell promised. To his dismay, those little interactions didn't last long. Itachi's arrival changed what the library looked like, really what the law division at their school looked like. Sasuke himself typically attracted plenty of attention, and people had figured out where exactly it was that Sasuke had taken to spending his free time during the Fall. Now add Itachi to that equation and just like that the library was overtaken. As more and more omegas and betas walked in just to get a look at the brothers, to try and talk to them, ask for their numbers, and even leave gifts for them.

They hadn't brought up Itachi directly…both of them had probably been a little too uncomfortable revisiting that first fight, Sasuke too afraid of knowing what his baby boy thought of his brother, and Naruto too afraid of upsetting the raven. However, Sasuke would make it a point to always arrive early for prep well before Itachi arrived, his subtle way of reminding Itachi that they weren't after all just friends…or so he guessed.

"Naru" he felt a slight shiver run down his spine at hearing the shorthand for his name coming off Itachi's lips.

"You're way early today," he said as he looked at the clock on his computer then his attention was drawn to the Starbucks cup Itachi was placing on the desk, nudging the drink towards him.

"Yeah, finished prepping for a case and figured I might as well come over before I fell asleep on my office couch, I got you a hot cocoa"

He laughed a little, somehow he couldn't imagine the picture-perfect raven falling asleep in his office, much less on a couch. Then his eyes fell back on the cup and a soft blush settled on his face, remembering the first time Sasuke had brought him something.

"Thanks, you really didn't have to," he said as he grabbed the cup

"I had an ulterior motive" The blonde raised an eyebrow at him "Hoping you'd agree to drink it while we wait for everyone else to get here" he shook his head bemused, what was it with Uchihas trying to exchange Starbucks drinks with him for other things?

"Funny, your brother brought me a Starbucks drink in exchange for my number"

"That worked?" Itachi asked with a smirk.

"Well I'm talking to you now am I not?" He sipped from his hot cocoa snickering, drawing another laugh from Itachi

"It's going to start getting warm out, do you stick to hot drinks or do you switch up to cold?"

"Now that you mention it I guess I do switch to iced when it gets hotter out"

"Mmm what do you like to order?" Truth be told Itachi liked talking to Naruto, he enjoyed the way the blonde never had to try too hard or pretend—he really just remained himself, and treated him just like he would any other person.

'Because if anything, I thought you looked vanilla' Sasuke's voice rang in Naruto's head.

And he blushed furiously "I'll tell you but you can't tell Sasuke" Itachi raised an eyebrow

"Why what is it?"

"I guess if it comes down to my regular, it'd be a vanilla iced latte" He muttered the blush on his cheeks intensifying.

"Ok, and why does that need to remain a secret?" Itachi asked, he thought he had an idea of why the blonde was lighting up like a Christmas tree and wondered if he could get him to say it out loud.

"What needs to remain a secret?" Sasuke asked as he walked up to the desk standing right next to Itachi, his eyes traveling from the coffee in Itachi's hand to the hot cup in the blonde's hand.

"Nothing" The blonde muttered in a rush

"You do have my number, don't you? How come only Naru gets something to drink?" The raven asked

"You never pick up my calls or answer my texts," Itachi said with a shrug and a smirk. Daring Sasuke to keep ignoring him when he called or messaged. Though he knew his brother's least concern was getting caffeinated and had more to do with the fact that he'dprovided for his omega.

"You'll have to share baby boy," The raven said as he reached over grabbed his cup, and sipped from it. Naruto didn't think he could get any redder but the raven calling him baby boy right in front of Itachi did things to him.

Sasuke had totally bullied him into telling him what the 'secret' between him and Itachi was later that night and ended up in a laughing fit when he finally gave in and told him.

"So you are vanilla baby boy"

"I like vanilla in my drinks, asshole," He said as he shoved the raven off his bed.

He'd been afraid he'd further the rift between brothers, but it was a relief to see that both of them got along just fine, in their own weird way. Naruto couldn't help but smile when he heard their banter, he found their competitiveness sort of adorable.

He let out a sigh and bumped his forehead against the bookshelf he'd been standing by, even if it had been easy to spend most of the break together, they really shouldn't have, now he felt so uneasy when Sasuke wasn't there and he never knew if he wanted to ask the raven how his day had been, what he'd done or if he'd taken any of those numbers offered to him…

Sasuke made time for him, he did—but that didn't mean he'd stopped hanging out with his friends, and even if they were dating that shouldn't mean the raven should give up his social life if that's what he thrived on. However, in this less-than-perfect arrangement, Sasuke's social life was proving to be a hard adjustment from their dedicated one-on-one time over break, especially because every time the raven was out on the weekends all he could do was imagine him with others.

Ino had been right, he wasn't cut out for this type of relationship. Split between feeling right at home in the raven's arms and waiting for the hit to come every time they were apart. He really should have made a point of bringing that up when they had fought in New Year…but he hadn't wanted to prematurely push Sasuke into a relationship before he felt ready to commit.

Strong arms surrounded him and rain and trees invaded his senses "Hey" he muttered as he turned in the raven's arms. But it always ended like this…in Sasuke's arms, all his doubts melted because he could feel how Sasuke felt about him, every time the raven sought him out, be it a good or a bad day, around him he relaxed, he was content and happy.

The raven kissed him, it was a soft kiss almost tender drawing a small noise from the back of his throat before he stepped back "I'm working" he muttered.

"Take a break, I'll meet you in the bathroom," Sasuke whispered against his lips and he smirked "You wish" he muttered as his forehead hit the raven's chest and he took a deep breath, feeling relief wash over him. Just Sasuke….it was just rain and trees mingled with his own smell lingering ever so lightly.

Maybe he should take a restroom break and fix that.

"No fair, I can't smell you"

"Oh what a pity," he said teasing the raven.

"Oh, the sass is coming out now baby boy? You must be getting real comfortable around me" Sasuke pushed him against the bookcase, and he shouldn't be as turned on by the action as he was. He shrugged playfully as he ducked under the raven's arms and making way back to the circulation desk. Sasuke reached for his hand nudging him to turn around "I'll wait until you get off"

He offered the raven a smile and after looking around leaned over for a quick kiss on the cheek. That was yet another unspoken thing…what they wanted their 'arrangement' to look like to the public eye. It's not like he judged anyone who chose to be in an agreement like he had, but he didn't want people talking, about his secondary gender; or for random alphas to start showing up trying to talk to him. Because apparently agreeing to be in a sexual relationship with one person suddenly meant he was all for it with anyone that asked.

But the rumor mill was already at work and plenty of people had made snide remarks around him about what his relationship with the raven was-damn passive-aggressive assholes.

"Really, he doesn't look like his type at all"

"I heard Sasuke only slept with him because of a bet"

"You think he actually has a body under those layers"

"Maybe he just smells really good, thought he was beta tho"

He took a deep breath pushing the gossip to the back of his mind as his eyes fell on the raven, who'd sat on a table close to the circulation desk and started working on some of his assignments. He plopped on the desk chair and got to work as well, they could talk all they wanted. Sasuke could work from the comfort of his home but he chose to do it at the library instead so he could keep him company.

The library finally grew quiet, girls giving up on trying to talk to the raven when he'd give them short answers and go back to whatever assignment he'd been working on. He walked over and plopped on the chair next to the raven.

"So is your presence being requested anywhere this weekend?"

Sasuke smiled softly "You know there's always a party" he pouted and rolled his eyes.

"If you want me to stay in with you just say so" he replied with a small smile and the blonde huffed crossing his arms.

"You know you're always welcome to come with too," Sasuke said as he closed his laptop giving the blonde his attention.

"So you've said"

Sasuke reached over interlacing his fingers with his "You're the one that always turns me down"

"I can hardly get comfortable when I go with Ino, wouldn't want to ruin your fun by making you leave early if I feel like I don't fit with your crowd"

"I'd make sure you have fun, and if we need to leave then we leave," Sasuke said his voice soft and his thumb making small circles on his hand.

"How about you take me to dinner and spend the night so I don't miss you too much later this weekend"

He should have gone, Sasuke had asked again not once but twice, but he couldn't figure out what he wanted. Part of him wanted to go…make out with the raven in public and stay by him all night so no other omega or beta would dare make a move.

Then the other part of him worried about what he would do if Sasuke ended up making out with someone else while he was there. What would he do when people asked Sasuke who he was and he said 'a friend'

Fuck

He shot up on the couch as the lock to his apartment turned and Ino walked in looking spectacular as always. She'd opted for white shorts and a purple bandeau.

"You know I could be walking around naked," he said from the couch and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Or banging a dark-haired beau"

"Hey!"

"I knew you'd be here sulking"

"Not sulking"

"No? Not wondering how Sasuke's night is going? Perhaps regretting not taking him up on his invitation to go with for the hundredth time"

"I turned him down three times"

"This weekend, what about the past four?" She plopped down next to him and moved his hoody aside so she could smirk at the trail of hickeys on his neck.

"Hey!"

"Did you leave your own set? You know so omegas would know to back the fuck off tonight?" He groaned as he covered his face with the blanket he'd had over himself. He didn't—he should have. Ugh! What was he even thinking?

"Come out with me"

"No" She pulled on the fabric "Naru!"

"Don't wanna"

"Don't wanna flaunt the trail of hickeys he left on you? His smell maybe? Cause you reek of him"

"Go away"

She gave up on trying to pull the blanket off of him "Mmm I guess, I'll have to go to the party he'll be at all by my lonesome" he sat up "Ino when do you ever go to any party all by your lone—" it dawned on him exactly what she'd said.

"How do you know he'll be there" he hadn't even bothered asking where Sasuke would be going.

"One has her ways" she pulled the blanket completely off of him "Now, are you getting changed or what?"

"Ino, I don't need" he brought his knees up to his face "Maybe I don't need to know what happens when he goes out" She bit her lower lip, she'd asked around, and so far rumor was Sasuke wasn't sleeping with other people or if he was he wasn't doing it carelessly as he had in the past.

She reached for her friend's hand and squeezed "Maybe you don't, or maybe you do" Naru looked up at her and she could feel the uncertainty in the air.

"If he's fucking around and you hate it you can tell him to fuck off and then we'll drink until we black out, and if he isn't…maybe you can walk up to him and show everyone the exact reason he's been off limits" He laughed softly—like he would…but it's not like he hasn't been doing a lot of things he thought he'd never do since he started seeing the raven.

He closed his eyes "I hate you"

"Love you too, now what are you wearing?"

He worried over his bottom lip as he looked at himself in the mirror in black skinny jeans and a form-fitting mock-neck white tank "Umm" you could see the trail of lovebites Sasuke had left the night prior peeking over the mock neck "Are you trying to make sure I freeze tonight? I'll wear the long sleeve"

"Naru this look is perfection and I won't let you mess with it, if you get cold you can ask Sasuke to hug you" she winked at him as he blushed "Now let me line your eyes a little" she didn't want him to freeze to death, she wanted the sorry ass omegas and betas that had been talking shit about how Naru looked to eat their fucking words.

"You should skip them," She said when she saw the blonde's eyes trailing to the spray bottle on the bathroom vanity.

"Don't you think it's all a little much?" Damn right, she thought Sasuke better get a move on, because his baby boy was about to make front page.

"I doubt he'll be wearing any blockers, maybe you should give him a little taste of what is like when other people leer after what's yours" Maybe Ino was right, how would Sasuke know how he felt every time he went out smelling like pure alpha, with those looks, if he'd never been put in that situation. And his weekly response was to stay home and wallow in self-pity?

"You'll keep an eye on me right?" She smiled brightly at him "always"

Oh you know it's going to get messy next chapter ?

Hopefully, this upcoming weekend will be much less busy than my last two and I'll be able to make some headway on this story. I think we only have a couple of chapters left! (Ahh I know, we don't want it to end, we never do ?) but as I always say, an ending only means there will be a beginning to a new story ? (or that's what I tell myself so my attachment issues won't keep me holding on to this one for dear life ?).

If there was something you really wanted to see and it doesn't make it on this one remember I have other prompts waiting to be tapped into, I don't plan on going anywhere yet ? (we just need to convince the anxiety/depressive-riddled part of my brain to take a godamn vacation-a permanent one would be best)

Hope you enjoyed this update ? until the next one my darlings,

Chio~