Disclaimers: Naruto is someone else's, this is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, hopefully some decent jokes, and (of course) beautiful SasuNaru love.

Chapter 9: A Timeless Kiss

"This kiss, these words, they feel like beginning."

-Ally Condie

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Naruto wanted space.

So, Sasuke gave him space.

Well, he tried to. For a while. But being away from Naruto made him extremely anxious; like if he took his eyes off of him for too long he would just fade away, a wayward leaf in an indifferent wind. So, after another round of bitter coffee to match his bitter morning, he made his way outside to find him.

He didn't see him at first, which lately has been a horrifying feeling, but luckily he was wearing just enough orange to give away his location. This time he had picked a thick branch in an old oak to escape to. He sat with his knees pulled close, head resting back against the trunk, and turned away from Sasuke. He didn't know if he had already been like that or if he had purposefully turned away when he heard him approaching. He assumed it was the latter.

Sasuke sent chakra down to his feet and slowly walked up the oak, hoping that Naruto wouldn't reject his company- though he knew he deserved it. He hated admitting it, but there was no point in denying it. He had been an insensitive prick- especially after everything Naruto had been through the night before.

When he got to the branch, he sat down facing Naruto, who still had yet to acknowledge him. Sasuke ran his palms along the rough tree bark as he tried to think of the right thing to say. He opened his mouth a few times to speak, but rejected each idea as it sprang to mind. He was never good with this sort of thing. In situations like this, Naruto was usually the one who stepped in and spoke for him.

He looked over at the blonde. Really wish he would do that now too. He swallowed nervously, then decided to do this bandaid style- just rip the fucker off and deal with the repercussions later.

"I.. shouldn't have done that," he started. "It wasn't fair to you."

"No, it wasn't" Naruto murmured softly. He shifted his head just enough for Sasuke to see him bite his lip, but he still wouldn't look at him.

Come on, Sasuke. Talk to him. You know what you want to say- so just freaking say it.

"Naruto.. what makes you think that I don't want to?"

The blonde whipped his head around and stared at him. "What?" he breathed out. Is Sasuke actually saying what I think he's saying?

"You said you don't want to kiss me because it isn't real", he locked onto his eyes, wanting Naruto to see everything he felt reflecting in his own, ".. but what if it is."

Naruto shook his head. "Please don't, Sasuke. Don't just say things like that. I'll.. I'll kiss you to reset the curse, ok? You don't need to say things that you don't mean."

"When have I ever said something that I didn't mean?"

Naruto's heart skipped a beat as Sasuke shifted closer, slowly, never breaking eye contact. He felt like he was in the memory of a dream. Muted background, clouded thoughts- and Sasuke, perfectly in focus. It was surreal. It was impossible.

It was all he ever wanted.

Sasuke studied those deep blues, reading every emotion that flickered across them. Seeing the caution, the fear.. the hope. Sasuke held his breath as he hesitantly reached out and tucked a blonde lock behind Naruto's ear. He let his fingertips linger, before slowly drifting down the curve of his face. Then he gently guided Naruto closer as he leaned in ever so slowly.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, his breath brushing lightly across his lips, warm and inviting. "You already.. kissed me today.."

"This one isn't for the curse.." he whispered back, and then he gently pressed his lips against Naruto's.

Just for a moment.

A beautiful, earth-shattering moment.

Time stopped- fully, truly, stopped- the minute their lips met. Naruto felt that kiss, that small fragile kiss, everywhere. It coursed through his veins, fluttered in his stomach, curled in his toes. Because this kiss didn't come from a place of fear. It wasn't required. It wasn't necessary. It just.. was.

Sasuke pulled back just enough to see his face again. Naruto's eyes were closed, his lips slightly open. Long lashes parted, revealing deep azure wells filled with longing and confusion.

"It's real for me, Naruto.." Sasuke whispered. "It always has been." Then he leaned in for another timeless kiss.

Author Note:

I'm sorry for the short chapter, but I felt that this moment truly deserved its own spotlight. :)