Chapter 9: Fuming
Summary:
Shit hit's the fan as Naruto and Sasuke try to navigate the consequences of their decisions
Notes:
Sorry this took so long! Editing took everything out of me!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Itachi looked at the time and sighed. I told him to be back before the end of the hour. Itachi figured Sasuke may be a little distracted by his crush's presence, but it was still unlike him to be late. Itachi felt a pang of anxiety suddenly, and was alarmed to realize the emotion, unsure of what caused him to feel that way. He felt his pulse jump slightly and a bead of sweat begin to form under his bangs. No sooner had he noticed his body's reaction that he looked up to see Sasuke slowly approaching. He was less than 10 feet away when Itachi realized Sasuke smelled different.
"What did he do to you?" Itachi growled.
"What I asked him to do," Sasuke responded nonchalantly. Itachi glared at Sasuke intensely.
"You DO realize this is irreversible. Naruto is now your mate for life. You have to be with him forever, even another alpha biting over his mark won't completely release you from this bond. Is that really what you wanted? Some alpha you spent a week with six months ago and haven't seen or talked to since is who you gave yourself to?" Itachi was fuming.
"We've talked every single day since then." Sasuke admitted, happy to have something to throw in his brothers face. "We kept in contact with a cell phone Naruto gave me before we were ripped apart." Itachi clenched his jaw at the confession and the implication of his role in Sasuke and Naruto's separation.
"Sasuke --"
"No! You yourself just said we can't undo it. And I don't want to undo it. Did it ever occur to you that this is what we both want?"
"Sasuke, you're 20." Itachi rolled his eyes. "Where is he? Is he back at his desk?" Itachi didn't wait for Sasuke to answer, he just stormed by him to the elevator, seething the whole way.
~*~*~*
Naruto had made his way back down to his desk, noticing that Orochimaru was gone. No doubt unwilling to wait however long it would take Naruto to come back. He'd probably said everything he wanted to say to Naruto anyway. Naruto just wished he could see the look on Orochimaru's face when he realized that Sasuke was officially mated. Mated. I'm mated. Naruto felt a small grin forming, but his bliss was short lived.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Itachi snapped from behind Naruto, causing him to momentarily tense in shock. He turned around to look at and answer Itachi, but truthfully, he didn't have an answer to his question. He opened and then closed his mouth at the realization. "You are 26, correct? You're in a very different time in your life than he is. You are taking advantage of him and his naivety. Sasuke may not know better, but you definitely do."
"Sasuke made a decision for his life, and it's one that I also wanted." Naruto stated.
"Well here's my decision. You're fired. Get the fuck out of here." Naruto had expected that he could be fired, but not by Itachi. He wasn't even sure Itachi had that kind of authority. Still, he wasn't going to argue with him. Besides, now that Sasuke and I are mated, they can't keep us apart. Naruto thought to himself. Now I have legal standing over him. Naruto smirked at the realization. If he wanted Sasuke to live with him now there was no way Sasuke's family could say no. Feeling reassured, Naruto smoothly got up from his desk and gathered his things to go home.
"Alright. I'll see you later, though." Naruto grinned and walked away. As soon as he was to his car a wave of anxiety hit him. He had no job, nowhere he could get a job right now except for with Orochimaru (and that position may actually be off the table now), and he was now legally responsible for another person. Maybe I fucked up, Naruto pondered before getting a text from Sasuke.
Sasuke: Meet me at my house at 5:30pm. We all need to talk.
Naruto quickly sent off a response and then drove home where he waited on his couch for 3 hours, anticipating and dreading the evening. On one hand, Naruto wasn't sure what he was going to do financially. He didn't really have anything to fall back on, and he doubted Sasuke's family was going to help him. He was dreading the possibility of Fugaku asking him what his plans were for taking care of his son. However, on the other hand, he was excited to see Fugaku's face now that he couldn't just mate Sasuke off anymore. Naruto grinned to himself.
When 5:30 rolled around, Naruto was right outside the Uchiha gate. Naruto had actually been there since 5:15, early for nearly the first time in his life. He texted Sasuke at 5:30 on the dot and less than a minute later the gate began to open. Sasuke opened the front door before Naruto even got halfway up the driveway. Naruto felt his anxiety ease at the sight of Sasuke, and when he was close enough, he pulled him into a tight embrace and buried himself in Sasuke's scent gland. I forgot that we're emotionally tied now, Naruto thought, piecing together why Sasuke's presence made him feel so calm suddenly. He could tell Sasuke felt the same, but neither said anything about it.
"Naruto, come in." Itachi said dryly from behind Sasuke, obviously still peeved at Naruto and Sasuke's, "decision." Naruto followed Sasuke in and was led by both of them to the dining room, just like the last time he was in the Uchiha household. Everyone took a seat, except for Fugaku, who was already sitting at the head of the table. His expression unreadable.
"Naruto. Welcome back. I have to say, I never expected you to do something so bold. Mating my son after not seeing him for six months. Congratulations on taking Sasuke's options and for throwing away all of yours." He mocked.
"His options? That's funny. I wasn't aware he had options after speaking with Orochimaru today." Naruto snapped, straight to the point. Sasuke's eyes widened and Itachi let his brows furrow, minutely, in confusion. Fugaku didn't speak, obviously unaware that Orochimaru had paid Naruto a visit that day. Naruto took in Sasuke and Itachi's response and explained himself. "Oh, he didn't tell you? The deal with Orochimaru had been revisited, I guess, because suddenly today was going to be my last day working for Uchiha Corp, even before you fired me Itachi, and I was officially going to work at Orochimaru's company across town. But I was assured that I didn't need to worry, he'd secured a place for me to live so that I could truly depend on him for everything while being out of the way for him to be with Sasuke. Maybe I would've considered it if I hadn't been battered by you and him for the last six months!" He directed his last sentence toward Fugaku.
"What do you mean by that," Itachi inquired further.
"You really don't know? I guess Sasuke isn't the only one he wants under his thumb." Itachi blinked at that. The implication that he had been manipulated by his father in a similar fashion as Sasuke rubbed him the wrong way. "My work from home privileges were taken immediately, despite my good performance. I was the only on my floor to not get a raise, and the only one who's been forced to do at least 10 hours of over time each week! I was made to either sign a non-compete agreement that would take away all job opportunities within 100 miles, or resign and it's not like finding a new job would be easy for me. At least not till Orochimaru's offer today. And don't even get me started on him! He's found a new way to piss me off every week! I've been scrutinized daily, hourly almost. My workload has been tripled, I've got three new gray hairs! And all that was for nothing? Just because you were mad at me?" He locked eyes with Fugaku. "Well fuck you. The only bright side of my life has been that I've still been able to talk to Sasuke everyday. I thought by suffering in silence that I was doing what was best for Sasuke and that maybe one day in the far future we could be together if you ever took the stick out of your ass. But after today's little slap in the face? Fuck it. I love him. And I was going to do that from a distance, without interfering with anyone, but I changed my mind."
Fugaku continued to stare at Naruto expressionlessly. But Sasuke was in shock that showed slightly on his face. He looked toward Itachi, who wore an expression that was somehow both stoic and angry. Itachi had been upset when he found Sasuke at Naruto's apartment six months ago, but he had found a way to get over it; he thought is father had as well. To find out that all this time he'd been tormenting Naruto, without reason given that he didn't know Sasuke and Naruto were still speaking to one another, made Itachi furious. Sasuke could see this clearly on Itachi's face and felt relief that his brother seemed to be on Naruto's side.
"It's not as if you would never have seen Sasuke again, you'd see him with Orochimaru." Fugaku replied coldly.
"I thought we were past you trying to mate me off?" Sasuke grit his teeth.
"I would've let you continue to work at Uchiha Corp mated to Orochimaru, so it was a win for everyone."
"No! It wasn't! I didn't want to be mated off to him!"
"Sasuke, you're still a child, you don't know what you want." Fugaku scoffed.
"A point I wish Naruto would also have considered." Itachi chimed in dryly.
"If he's a child, why are you trying to mate him off?" Fugaku broke eye contact at that. "He's not a little kid, he can make his own decisions."
"And he also doesn't like being talked about like he's not right here," Sasuke glowered.
"Enough." Fugaku interrupted. "Naruto, as his alpha, how do you intend to take care of my son?" Naruto felt his body warm up with nervous energy. The exact thing he was afraid of being asked. He thought for a moment before Fugaku continued speaking. "You have no job. You have no where around that will readily hire you, so I expect you'll be out of work for a while. Based on what I've heard from Itachi and my security men, you don't exactly have the room for another person where you live. Either way, you need money to live there, and very soon you will not have any of that." Naruto wasn't sure where he was going with this. Or if there was a point at all other than to lower morale.
"You took my son's innocence. You kept him hidden away from his family for a week. You continued to talk to him in secret despite being told to let him go. You took away his options for a worthy mate and you've officially lost me 1.2 million. What you will not do is make my son homeless. Sasuke will continue to live here and since you cannot be separated, you will too. If you don't agree, I will make your life as miserable as I can." Fugaku gave Naruto and expectant look.
"There's no fucking way." Naruto responded, a small chuckle leaving his mouth at Fugaku's expression in response to Naruto's answer. "You really think we're all just going to live here together like the Adam's Family? You do realize what I'll be doing with your son right? Especially since I'm out of a job. I've got nothing better to do...other than doing--"
"Fine." Fugaku put up his hand. "Then what exactly do you want to happen here. You want him to live like a sardine with you?"
"I'd rather that, yes." Naruto said. Fugaku looked over to Sasuke.
"And what would you prefer, Sasuke? Are you ready to live in poverty? Ready to give up all the perks I've given you in your life?" Truthfully, no, he wasn't, but Sasuke nodded nevertheless. "Fine. Then get your stuff, and get out."
Sasuke and Naruto packed up as much of Sasuke's stuff as they could while still trying to be mindful of what would actually fit in Naruto's tiny apartment. They stuffed Sasuke's things into Naruto's car and drove away in silence. Fugaku didn't say goodbye to Sasuke when he left, but Itachi hugged Sasuke and gave him a small smile.
"Be careful, little brother." He hugged him again and whispered, "if you ever need help, tell me." Sasuke was surprised by the offer, but gave a nod anyway.
After arriving at Naruto's apartment and bringing in Sasuke's things, Sasuke finally decided to ask."
"So what are we going to do now that you have no job?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, actually, I do have another option...er an idea at least. I've tried to never use it because I didn't want to be a burden, but I've really got no other choice now I feel like, especially with Jiraiya gone." It seemed like Naruto was almost lost in thought as he spoke. "I'm gonna have to call Granny."
~*~*~*~*
Sasuke had no idea who, "Granny," was, but Naruto had been on the phone with her for over two hours now. It had started with an enthusiastic greeting, it seemed the two hadn't talked in a long time. Then it moved onto catching up...all the way to current events. The conversation flowed from current events to Naruto being scolded, and finally, him asking for help.
"I'm not sure what to do now, I know I'm asking for a lot, but is there anyway you could lend a hand?" Naruto pleaded.
"Naruto, of course. But first, I want to meet your new mate. I want to see you both for dinner tomorrow night." Granny, or, as Sasuke had heard said a few times, Tsunade insisted.
"Sounds great, we'll definitely be there." Naruto responded before finally saying his goodbye's and hanging up. Sasuke quirked a brow, silently asking for an explanation. "Right," Naruto began, "Tsunade is someone I met through Jiraiya. We used to see each other all the time, but after he passed, I kind of stopped reaching out as much. She's been there for me ,though, and said that I could always go to her for help, and we definitely need help." Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment before taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again his eyes landed on Sasuke and he smiled. "So. How's it feel to be a mated omega living with your alpha?" Naruto teased.
"It feels like we're going to be able to work out the sexual frustration of the last few months," Sasuke smirked. Naruto chuckled darkly and made his way to Sasuke who had been sitting on the stool by the bar. Naruto grabbed both of Sasuke's hips and lifted him up onto the bar, making Sasuke taller than Naruto by a few inches. He leaned in and kissed Sasuke deeply, allowing his tongue to dip out softly to lick Sasuke's lips. Sasuke understood the implication and parted his lips for his mate. He whined into the kiss when he felt Naruto undoing his pants. Sasuke lifted his hips slightly to help Naruto who was tugging on his pants to expose more of Sasuke's body. He pulled Sasuke's pants and underwear down to his ankles before dragging Sasuke to the edge of the counter so he could stick two fingers quickly into Sasuke. Naruto's fingers slipped in easily; Sasuke anticipating sex just as much as him.
"Ngh, please Naruto, just do it." Sasuke whimpered, too impatient to wait for Naruto to completely prepare him. He felt ready enough anyway. "I want your cock in me, please." He begged. For a moment Naruto was startled hearing Sasuke's dirty talk. Turns out phone sex and sexy text messages had made the omega much more open to saying what was on his mind. Naruto took mercy on Sasuke, and his own dick, and wasted no more time prepping Sasuke. He licked his fingers and tilted Sasuke's hips back and thrust himself into the hilt, then paused for Sasuke and him to catch their breath.
"God, you feel so fucking amazing, Sasuke." Naruto panted, already feeling the arousal pool in his gut. "You ready?" He asked. When Sasuke nodded frantically, Naruto quickly pulled back and slammed back in, fucking Sasuke hard from the start. Sasuke couldn't stop the moans pouring from his lips if he'd tried. Fortunately, he knew how his sounds affected Naruto, so he elected to not attempt to hide his enjoyment. Naruto began breathing faster as he pumped his hips as hard as he could. He leaned down and licked Sasuke's scent glad, scabbed over from earlier that day, lightly. Sasuke shuddered at the feeling, sparks tickling his skin. He threw back his head and bit his lip as another moan slid out of his lungs.
Naruto could already feel his knot growing, and quickly grabbed Sasuke's cock, pumping in time with his thrusts, trying to get the omega to cum before him. He adjusted his position a couple times, trying to find Sasuke's prostate with his cock. He was successful and Sasuke screamed out while he came on his chest and stomach, hole twitching violently around Naruto who couldn't hold back any longer. Naruto thrust hard and fast a few more times before his knot caught on Sasuke's rim and locked into place. Sasuke leaned back on his elbows and sighed lightly. It was then that Sasuke's phone rang. His original phone. From his father. Itachi's name and contact photo lit up Sasuke's phone. Sasuke looked up at Naruto who was looking at him deviously.
"Answer it." Naruto commanded. He pushed out some of his alpha scent, trying to assert his status over Sasuke and persuade him to listen. It worked. Sasuke answered the phone, trying to hide his anxiety from Itachi and Naruto both.
"Hello?" Sasuke hoped his voice didn't sound as shaky as he felt. 'Speaker' Naruto mouthed at Sasuke, who complied.
"Sasuke, I need to talk to you, do you have a moment?" Sasuke looked at Naruto again, who nodded.
"Yes." He said shortly.
"About earlier...I'm sorry father treated you that way, and Naruto too. I think he was wrong, and even though I don't approve of how you went about things, I understand that it is your life, and you are an adult who is allowed to make this decision for himself." Sasuke was shocked at Itachi's words, he had figured Itachi would try to convince him to come back...again. "Just know that if you and Naruto need any help financially, I will help you." Naruto looked down at the phone, barely keeping himself from telling Itachi he'd never accept it. "You WILL accept it, Naruto," Itachi said, knowingly. "I have no doubt this call is on speaker." Sasuke rolled his eyes. Of course his brother would be able to see through that.
"Thank you, Itachi, but I'm sure we'll be just fine on our own." Sasuke tried to nip the conversation in the bud. Naruto nodded, approvingly, but other parts of his body moved with the definitive nod of his head and his knot tugged at Sasuke who let out a small shuddering sound. He hoped dearly that it was quiet enough that Itachi didn't hear it. If he did though, he didn't say anything about it.
"I know you're both stubborn, but I will make sure you are taken care of whether you want to accept the help or not." Sasuke rolled his eyes at Itachi's statement. "Please keep me informed on how you're doing, Sasuke. I'm asking as your big brother." Sasuke glared down at the phone for a moment before sighing and agreeing to keep Itachi informed. "Good, thank you. I'll talk to you soon, I hope. Goodbye Sasuke, and goodbye Naruto." Itachi called out. "Have fun, and please, never answer the phone again while you two are being intimate." With that, Itachi hung up the phone. Sasuke gapped at the phone. Of course Itachi had heard him. In fact, knowing Itachi, he may have figured it out before then even. Either way, Sasuke felt mortified.
The next day Sasuke and Naruto spent the day trying to figure out how to fit Sasuke's stuff in the small apartment before dinner that evening with Tsunade.
"Sorry I don't have a larger space, we can try to upgrade once I get a new job," Naruto apologized. He had thought of all the reasons why he and Sasuke shouldn't be together at that time before, not having the space or the true capacity to take care of him was on the top of the list. But after seeing Orochimaru the previous day, all Naruto's logic had flown out of his head. When it was time to leave for dinner, Naruto tried to dress nicely. He wore a light blue button down shirt and dark blue jeans with black shoes that straddled the line of casual and dress. Sasuke matched Naruto's level of effort with a Navy button down and black slacks and dress shoes.
"This Tsunade person must be pretty important?" Sasuke questioned.
"She was kind of my mother...ish figure and she can be pretty strict. I spent most of my time with Jiraiya, but Tsunade has been a huge part of my life and has helped me through a lot. I don't like asking her for help because she's already done so much for me, but I kind of don't know what else to do." Naruto admitted. Sasuke nodded solemnly. He hadn't considered how much Naruto was giving up to be with him, he hadn't actually thought Naruto would lose his job. Suddenly it occurred to him, would Sasuke still be allowed to work at his family's company? Sasuke quickly texted Itachi before shoving his phone in his pocket, determined to be as present as possible with Naruto tonight.
When the two arrived at the large cottage looking house, Naruto took a deep breath before getting out of the car, steadying himself. The door to the cottage opened before Naruto and Sasuke made it all the way up the walkway. A large breasted woman with a low cut shirt opened the door. It was clear from her scent that she was a beta, but the dominance pouring off of her was still bold and fierce.
"Hey, Granny!" Naruto called out in a more excited tone than he had used with the woman the night before.
"Hey, brat. Come inside and tell me what kind of a mess you've gotten yourself into." Sasuke and Naruto entered the house and after pleasantries and thoroughly explaining the situation Naruto and Sasuke were in, she nodded definitively and held the attention of both Naruto and Sasuke effortlessly. "Right, well, Naruto, I think you should be able to guess what I'm going to say. Obviously, you are going to come work for me at the hospital." Naruto's eyes widened.
"Whoa, Granny, I'm no doctor..."
"And you won't be, you'll be on the IT team." She clarified.
"IT...that's a little below my usual skill set..." Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, Brat. But, on one condition. You have to move into an apartment of MY choosing." Naruto looked away sheepishly before meeting Tsunade's eyes again.
"You know I don't have that many options..."
"I can think of one or two places, down the street, that will work with you upon my recommendation." Naruto was shocked.
"Granny, thank you so much, I don't know how to repay you, really." Tsunade looked at Naruto softly.
"Naruto, you're very important to me, I'm happy to help as long as you're willing to work to keep yourself out of trouble. Please. Try to stay out of trouble." Naruto gave a small smile and a nod. It was at that point that Naruto's stomach growled loudly, effectively breaking the sentimentality felt in the room. "Come on, I made ramen." Naruto looked as though he might cry tears of joy.
"Granny, truly, I don't deserve you."
"No, you don't" Tsunade laughed before leading the two of them to the kitchen where they had a very nice dinner together, laughing about nothing, excited about the future. Still there was a collective anxiety amongst the three about what the future held.
Notes:
Okay, so things are starting to wrap up. If you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading, commenting and giving kudos, I really appreciate all your kind words! Please let me know if there's any loose ends you're looking forward to being tied. I'm trying to make sure I've got everything covered, but I want to make sure everything is answered. Thanks again, you guys are great!