Summary:
Naruto had been a good boy all through high school, and what had it gotten him? Rejected by his best friend for a series of one-night-stands. (OOC: darker Naruto, sexual Sasuke) SasuNaru - College AU
Warning 17+ only: Yaoi (Boy x Boy) Not appropriate for young readers.
Author's note: Ok, so evidently I am not the only one who doesn't like fluff, since the previous chapter had the lowest number of reviews of this whole fic. I promise not to write anymore when I am that brain-dead, LOL. Sorry about that. Anyway, there is drama in this chapter to save us from all the fluffiness. Hooray!
-xXx-
Nagato noticed Jiraya and Naruto immediately, a look of slight apprehension crossing his face. He paused just inside the doorway, looking at their group. Yahiko followed Nagato's gaze and felt no such hesitation. He walked over directly to Naruto, Hidan and Deidara following behind.
"Naruto! Come party with us, yeah?" Deidara said. "You haven't gone out with us in forever. Let's get smashed, hn. I promise not to let you get another tattoo."
Hidan snickered. He was already grinding against the nearest hot dancing body. He looked sexy enough wearing black jeans with just an open black jacket, no shirt, and a choker around his neck that pretty much anyone - male or female - was willing to dance with him. "That was fucking classic. Naruto, you sexy bitch. You should have seen yourself. Didn't even flinch when they did that big ass tattoo on your stomach. And the piercing. It was fucking awesome. Too bad we didn't have Sai take a fucking video of that night. Though we didn't get to see your ass. Still, woulda been classic."
Naruto's cheeks were now scarlet. He looked at Jiraya to see if the man was having any reaction, and was relieved - though a bit curious - to discover that the man was paying absolutely no attention to their conversation. His eyes remained locked on Nagato.
Slowly, Nagato walked over. "Jiraya Sensei. It's good to see you. I didn't realize that you were back in town," Nagato said, his voice cautious, but with honest affection showing.
"I just got back at the start of the semester," Jiraya said, his voice less warm. "I hear that you and Naruto have become friends. That's quite a coincidence."
Hidan and Deidara continued to banter back and forth (while Hidan continued to move from one 'dance partner' to the next but staying close enough to the table to continue in the conversation), largely teasing Naruto and commenting on which of the people out on the dance floor they planned to fuck tonight. Naruto ignored them to focus on the strangely tense conversation that was going on between his guardian and Nagato.
"Yes. I actually met Naruto at one of the writers' workshops. And I... wanted to get to know him," Nagato said, his glance sliding to Naruto, clearly aware that the boy was listening to their conversation. And uncomfortable about it.
"How has your health been lately? Are you still having... problems?" Jiraya asked, his voice a strange mixture of both concern and wariness.
"No. I'm better. I... it's been a long time. And things are better now," Nagato said. Naruto had the feeling there was a lot more to this conversation than what he was catching. But he wasn't going to push them to disclose whatever personal back-story this was referring to in a crowded bar. He'd talk to Nagato and Jiraya separately and try to find out what this was all about.
He felt a hand slide on his shoulder, and turned to see Yahiko standing behind him, holding a drink. Evidently he had gone to the bar and ordered while Nagato and Jiraya had been talking. He put one down in front of Naruto.
Naruto shrugged Yahiko's hand off his shoulder. "I thought you were on tour. Did it end early?" He ignored the drink. He'd learned that lesson already.
"We're playing in Suna for the next three nights. I'm just in town for the shows, but I had tonight off, so I decided to go out with Nagato and the guys. Zetsu is coming by soon. And what about your little boyfriend? Is he here?"
"No. He's... really busy this semester. He had to work," Naruto said, feeling somehow nervous talking with Yahiko about Sasuke.
Yahiko knocked back his entire drink, then set down the empty glass in front of Naruto. "You're not drinking tonight?" Yahiko asked, looking pointedly at the other drink sitting untouched on the table.
"Um, no. I don't think that would be a very good idea," Naruto said. He looked over at Gaara, who was watching Yahiko through narrowed eyes.
Yahiko didn't even spare Gaara a glance. Instead, he leaned over Naruto, picking up the full drink he had given to him, and whispered in Naruto's ear, "That's too bad. I think it would be a great idea. Why don't you ditch these guys and come back to the VIP section with us? We can catch up on old times, talk about the next album, whatever. Since your boyfriend is 'busy'."
Naruto could smell the alcohol on Yahiko's breath and realized that the drink the man had just had was far from the first he'd had this evening. It didn't surprise him. He knew the band partied hard, especially when they were on tour. The stress of performing every night, needing to be 'on' and perfect and full of energy took a high toll.
Naruto twisted around in his chair, putting his hand on Yahiko's chest to keep the man from leaning in closer. "Yahiko, I'm here with friends. I think you should go. We'll catch up when you're sober," Naruto said in a low voice, not wanting his words to carry and draw attention to the situation. He was sure there were paparazzi following Yahiko. They always were when he went out.
A voice coming from behind him almost made Naruto jump. "What, I get a little busy with work and school, and I find you out drinking and pawing your ex?" Sasuke's voice dripped with seething anger.
Naruto turned to see Sasuke standing at their table looking extremely pissed off.
"Sasuke! You made it," Naruto said, trying to show through his voice that he was glad Sasuke was here, trying to extract himself from Yahiko but discovering that he needed to keep his hand in place on the man's chest, as Yahiko had no intention of backing off. "Yahiko just had a little too much to drink. They're heading to the back room now. Why don't you come sit with us here? I didn't think you'd be able to come."
"Yeah, it's pretty clear that you weren't expecting me," Sasuke said coldly, his eyes running up and down Yahiko, who was still half leaning against Naruto's palm.
Naruto gave Yahiko a little shove, and he stumbled back a few steps. "Are you... Sasuke, are you fucking kidding me? I didn't come here with Yahiko, he -" Naruto started to try to explain, but Sasuke cut him off.
"Oh, so then this is just some guy who looks a lot like him?" Sasuke's eyes were locked on Yahiko's smirk.
"Yahiko came here with Nagato, Dei, and Hidan. I didn't know they'd be here. I came here with the sparring club."
"So getting drunk with some guy you fucked on TV was just... by chance?"
"Sasuke, you asshole, I haven't had a single drink. Gaara and I are just hanging out with the sparring club. Yahiko just came in like five minutes ago. What's wrong with you?"
Sasuke had been shocked when he'd walked in the club and seen Yahiko whispering in Naruto's ear. He couldn't hear what they'd said, but he had noticed the way the blond had turned toward the man and put his hand on his chest. He had felt his stomach turn to ice. Sasuke was tired and stressed and all he had wanted was to spend an hour or two out with his boyfriend and go back to his apartment and have sex and go to sleep. He didn't want to deal with all this shit of Naruto's famous, hot-as-hell ex draped all over him and listen to excuses for how that had happened. It shouldn't have happened at all. Period.
Sasuke was willing to accept that Naruto might work with Yahiko on another album, but this was clearly not work. It crossed the line. He wasn't even listening to the words pouring out of Naruto's mouth to explain the situation. Without a word, Sasuke turned on his heel to go.
"Sasuke... that's your name, right?" Yahiko said, his words slightly slurred. "Nice hair," Yahiko said, his voice mocking.
"Yahiko..." Naruto said warningly, seeing the way Sasuke had frozen in his tracks.
"Hey, since you're leaving, I guess that's permission of a sort. Clearly you're fine leaving him here with me," Yahiko continued. "Funny. I thought you guys had known each other since you were kids. I haven't even known Naruto for a year, but..." Yahiko looked at Naruto. "... even I know that he wouldn't cheat, if he were with me. You sure you made the right choice there, Naruto? Is he really the one you want to be with? Seems like an ass to me."
"You fucking asshole," Sasuke said, taking a step toward Yahiko. Gaara stood up and blocked Sasuke while Naruto stood and shoved Yahiko over to Hidan and Deidara.
"Hidan, Dei - take him to the back room. Get him some girls or some guys or whatever," Naruto said, shoving Yahiko over to them. Naruto glared at Yahiko. "For a guy who didn't call me after everything went down, you sure play the jealous ex pretty well. Knock it off."
Yahiko laughed, "What, it's not like I was going to jump you here in the club. I just wanted to be by you. And catch up. You smell nice. But I'm not going to fuck you in a club full of paparazzi. Your little boyfriend needs to relax."
Gaara kept his hand on Sasuke's arm, slowly but forcibly guiding him towards the exit. "Let's go outside. No point causing a scene in the club." Sasuke stood for a moment, glaring at Yahiko. But Naruto was already walking away from Yahiko and heading towards Gaara, so Sasuke turned and headed for the exit.
Naruto paused to say goodbye to the rest of the group, who had been watching with tense attention the scene that had unfolded.
"Hey, Pervert, I'm heading out. I'll come see you tomorrow. We need to catch up," Naruto said to Jiraya. The conversation with Nagato still playing in his mind despite the scene that had just happened. He turned to Nagato. "Nagato, it was good seeing you. Later, guys," Naruto said a final goodbye to the rest of the sparring club, and turned to follow Sasuke and Gaara out. Hidan's voice stopped him.
"Damn, blondie," Hidan said to Naruto, watching as Sasuke walked out of the club with Gaara. "Your boyfriend's fuckin' hot. I'd totally bang him. If you don't sort things out with him, you let me know. Shit, I don't even know which one of you I'd do first."
Deidara laughed. "Hidan, somehow I don't think Sasuke's your type, yeah? That kid's already got a pole wedged so far up his ass I don't think there would be room for your dick, hn," Dei turned to Naruto, and his face softened. "Go talk to him, yeah? It's hard to be in competition with Yahiko for someone."
Naruto looked at Sasuke's stiff back. "Maybe. But he's still a fucking asshole. Both of them are."
Deidara grimaced sympathetically. "But you like assholes, yeah? That's why you picked them. This is just part of the package. Explosive sex, explosive tempers."
"Shit," Naruto said, walking out after Gaara and Sasuke, knowing that Deidara wasn't wrong.
. . . . . .
Gaara and Sasuke were standing just outside the door of the club.
"Why did you stop me from hitting that guy? He totally deserved it," Sasuke bit out, glaring at Gaara.
"You think it would be good for your business to get your face in the papers for a bar fight over your boyfriend? Paparazzi follow Yahiko everywhere. They'd only been there a few minutes, which is why we weren't swarmed yet. As it is, I'm sure we'll see something about this in the tabloids. You want to get into it with him, fine. Just don't do it in a public place." With that, Gaara turned and headed to his motorcycle.
He looked at Naruto. "You coming back to the dorm tonight?"
"Yeah. I'll be there in a minute," Naruto said, then turned to look at Sasuke. He walked up to him and blew a big breath into his face. "See that? No alcohol. Honestly, I don't know which I am more angry about, the fact that you didn't believe me when I said I just bumped into Yahiko here, or the fact that you think I would be dumb enough to go out drinking with him when we agreed not to see other people. I'm dating you. We talked about what that meant. It means I don't have sex with someone who is not you. Which means I wouldn't get drunk and go out with people I know I can't trust in those situations."
"What, you're going to be mad at me, but not Yahiko?"
"I'm mad at Yahiko, but he's not the one I'm dating so as far as I am concerned right now he can go fuck himself."
Sasuke didn't pretend that he wasn't just a little bit pleased with that answer, though he didn't really know what to say in response.
Naruto continued, "Look, you're busy. I get it. Do I love it? No. Of course not. I am dating you because I like to spend time with you. So I miss you and yes I get frustrated sometimes that I don't get to. I wish it was like it was back in high school, where we had every class together and hung out all day after school with each other. But as much as I'd love to live in each other's pockets for the next fifty years, I know that that's not going to happen with you because of your career and ambitions and just... who you are. And I've made my peace with that... at least, I'm trying to. But if you really think that I would meet up with Yahiko behind your back because you don't spend all the time together, then what the fuck kind of relationship do you think we're in? You are going to have a busy life, Sasuke. But in order for that to work with us together, you need to trust me. And I need to trust you. And if that's not the case, then... then I don't know what we're doing."
Naruto walked over and got on his motorcycle, pulling on his helmet. Sasuke stood there, looking almost confused.
"How did this somehow become my fault? I get done from a fucking endless day of classes and work. I get a text from you to meet up at a club, and I show up to find your drunken ex all over you, and your hand on his fucking chest, with drinks all around you. What was I supposed to think? How was I supposed to react?"
"You were supposed to ask me what the hell was going on, and give me a chance to actually answer the question. If I had been drunk or had met Yahiko at the bar intentionally, then you totally would have had the license to kick my ass over it. But you didn't even listen. What kind of trust is that?" Naruto started his bike, afraid that if he stayed he end up making this worse. "I know you're tired and mad. But you need to go home and figure out what you want, Sasuke. Because this here tonight was bullshit."
Sasuke watched as Naruto drove away. He was still mad, but some of what Naruto said made sense.
He walked to his car and sat there for a few minutes. He trusted Naruto. He did. It was Yahiko that he didn't trust. But he had mainly felt anger towards Naruto, for spending time with Yahiko instead of him. For touching Yahiko instead of him. For not throwing Yahiko across the room when he'd come close to him.
Sasuke really wished he had something to punch right then. He finally had a night free, but he was going to be spending it alone. He decided he needed to go home and cool off. Then he'd try to call Naruto and talk this through.
. . . .
Ten minutes later, Naruto walked into his dorm room as Gaara was just taking out his laptop. Gaara paused, then closed the screen and looked over at Naruto.
"You sure this is where you should be right now?" Gaara asked, his voice low but curious.
Naruto threw himself down on his bed. "I think... I think if I went to his place right now I'd make it worse."
Gaara looked at him consideringly for a few seconds. "Are you saying you wouldn't have been upset if you saw one of the girls Sasuke had hooked up with hanging on him at a bar?"
Naruto leveled a look at his friend. "Of course I would be upset. I get upset just thinking about him with all those other people, and we weren't even dating then."
Gaara raised a hairless brow, so then why are you pissed at Sasuke?
Able to interpret the non-verbalized question, Naruto answered. "I'm mad at him for this because... yeah, I would be upset at seeing someone hang on him. Of course. But I would have trusted him enough to let him explain what was going on. Sasuke and I were really clear with each other that we were exclusive now. After all the time apart and how long we'd known each other, we skipped the 'casual dating' phase. And I know Sasuke well enough that I trust him not to lie to me about something like that. If he wanted to go back to fucking truckloads of girls, he'd tell me. It would kill me, but he'd tell me before he did it. So if I walked into a club and saw someone he banged once standing by him, I wouldn't assume that he was trying to hook up with her. I'd ask him about it."
Naruto sat up, clearly too restless to stay laying down. "So either Sasuke thinks I'm a liar, and doesn't trust me, or he thinks I'm fucking retarded and don't know that going out and getting drunk with Yahiko would be a bad idea. Either way, I'm pretty pissed off with him. He always acted like I was an idiot. But I didn't really think he actually thought that."
Gaara digested what Naruto was saying. "Did you ever consider that maybe he didn't really think it through, and just reacted at seeing his boyfriend touching someone he's probably still a bit jealous and insecure about?"
"Sasuke isn't insecure about Yahiko," Naruto said automatically, then paused. The idea of an insecure Sasuke was... like frozen fire. Not possible. Was it? "I mean, obviously I want to be with Sasuke. Not Yahiko. Yahiko and I just had that one time thing, and it's over. We never really even dated. But Sasuke and I... we've been together since we were kids. I'd never choose Yahiko over him, even if Yahiko wanted an actual relationship and not just a video extra. Besides, Sasuke never 'just reacts'. That guy always thinks everything through. He's like a freaking machine."
Gaara made an annoyed sound.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"You're doing the same thing to him that you're accusing him of doing to you. You say he always jokes about you being dumb. And so you were mad when you thought he was treating you like you had no judgment. But you always joke that he's a cold bastard. And now you're treating him like he actually has no emotions. He cares about you, and he walked in to a scene that probably freaked the hell out of him. He's human. Of course he's going to react. Give the guy a break."
Naruto looked nonplussed. He turned Gaara's words over in his head. "I guess... maybe. But he still needs to trust me more than this. His life is going to be insanely busy if its even a little like Itachi's. If he can't trust me enough to not freak out when he sees me in public with someone else, then... he just has to trust me."
Gaara shrugged. "True. But you guys haven't been dating for very long, and did a dick poor job trusting each other or making sense in the year before this, so give it some time. But not talking to him isn't going to help."
"I guess. Maybe I should -" Naruto paused when his cell went off. It was Sasuke's ring tone, "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea. Naruto had picked it because it was currently Sasuke's least favorite song in the universe. Of course, Sasuke had retaliated by making Naruto's ring tone "I Feel Pretty". Naruto pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"Naruto?" Sasuke's voice sounded slightly hesitant.
"Hey, Sasuke."
"Are you back in your dorm room?"
"Yeah."
There was an awkward silence.
"I - can we talk about this?" Sasuke asked. The fact that he was asking this almost took Naruto by surprise.
"Um... sure. Should I... come over?"
"Yeah. I don't... want this to mess things up between us," Sasuke's voice sounded upset, not really angry anymore.
"Yeah... me, neither," Naruto said, and meant it. "I'll be right over."
"Hn," Sasuke gave his standard 'goodbye'. Naruto had a small smile. My bastard.
Gaara smirked hearing the end of the conversation, and re-opened his laptop. "See you tomorrow," he said as Naruto grabbed his keys.
"Hey, Gaara," Naruto said, his voice gruff. "Thanks."
Gaara ignored him, continuing to flick through on his laptop. But Naruto could see the tiny smile on his face. He grinned in response, and headed out.
Gaara called out, though, just as Naruto was going to close the door to their room. "Naruto, no matter what happens tonight, you need to talk to Jiraya Sensei tomorrow. I know I wasn't the only one who thought that conversation he had with Nagato tonight was weird. And definitely involved you. Find out if there's something you need to worry about other than Sasuke."
Naruto nodded. He hadn't forgotten. But first he needed to deal with his boyfriend before things got completely out of control.
-xXx-
Sasuke threw his keys across the room when he got back from the club, then paced around his empty apartment trying to put his thoughts in order. He didn't feel guilty about getting angry at seeing Yahiko all over Naruto. He was pretty sure that he was justified in not being happy after walking in on that scene.
He felt... somewhat more guilty about assuming that Naruto had been drunk, and not questioning whether or not Naruto had known Yahiko would be there. What Naruto had shouted at him outside of the club made sense. Of course he didn't think Naruto would cheat. Whatever people could say about the blond, he was honest almost to a fault. He would never cheat, in any circumstance.
Well, at least, not when he was aware of what was going on around him. Which was why Sasuke had been so upset to see the empty glass sitting on the table in front of him with Yahiko and the others hanging around him. He had heard enough stories about what Naruto's life had been like before he and Sasuke had finally gotten their act together to know what kind of things happened when Naruto went out drinking with those guys.
Sasuke blew out a breath. Naruto was right in that if they were going to be in a relationship for the long haul, they needed to trust each other. And up until tonight, Sasuke really felt like he did trust Naruto. But that didn't explain why he had automatically assumed Naruto was getting drunk and about to end up sleeping with Yahiko if he hadn't walked in when he did.
That wasn't trust, and Sasuke acknowledge that Naruto did have some reason to be a little angry. Especially since Naruto was evidently being careful to not drink around his old crew. He had been being responsible, and Sasuke had assumed he was fucking up.
Sasuke grabbed picked up his keys from the floor. The apartment felt too stifling, despite the air conditioning being on. He walked outside and sat down on the steps to the building. Anyone would have been seeing their boyfriend with an ex. And it's not like he broke up with Naruto, or punched him or anything crazy. He just walked out.
But he should have let Naruto explain. He shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. And... he should have known Naruto wouldn't do what it looked like he was doing. If this had happened back in high school, Sasuke would reacted differently. But he had seen Naruto slowly sinking into the alcohol and party scene, and he hadn't really been sure if that had changed since they had been dating. They hadn't really talked about it explicitly, and they didn't have much time together. He didn't really know how Naruto spent most of his evenings. He had just assumed it was studying or hanging out with Gaara or other friends on campus. But when he had walked in and seen that, it had made Sasuke think about all the things Naruto had done when they were apart last year.
And Sasuke had just reacted. As angry as Sasuke had felt, though, he hadn't meant to hurt Naruto by making him feel that he didn't think Naruto was capable of keeping his word. Or of keeping it in his pants.
He needed to talk to Naruto.
Sasuke pulled out his phone and dialed Naruto's number. At least this time, he knew the call would go through. Whether Naruto would choose to answer it was something else.
. . . . .
Sasuke was still sitting on the steps to his apartment when Naruto drove up five minutes later. Even though it was close by, Naruto had decided to drive to save time.
Sasuke stood as Naruto got off his bike and pulled off his helmet. They looked at each other for a few seconds, neither exactly sure where to start.
"So..." Naruto said, scratching the back of his head. "... thanks for letting me come over. I just... thought it would be better if we talked this out in person."
Sasuke looked at him, then nodded. "Yeah. I... thought about what you said. And some of it made sense."
Sasuke threw a sharp glance at Naruto, as though to be sure that this didn't come across as complete agreement with everything Naruto had said. But it was a start. More than Sasuke usually gave in their arguments.
"Ok, so... should we talk about it here, or are we going inside?" Naruto asked, not really sure if Sasuke was meeting him outside because he didn't want to let him in, or if Sasuke had just been waiting here for him to come.
Sasuke didn't answer, but turned and walked up the steps into the apartment building. Naruto followed. Sasuke didn't seem angry anymore. But he seemed... uncertain. Which was something Naruto wasn't used to seeing in his friend.
Once they got inside, Naruto closed the door to Sasuke's apartment. They took off their shoes, still not speaking, then Naruto followed Sasuke to the living room. Sasuke sat on the couch. Naruto hesitated, then sat in the arm chair next to the couch, instead of sitting next to Sasuke as he normally would have.
Sasuke noted this, but didn't say anything.
"My hand was on his chest to push him away, not to touch him," Naruto said abruptly, figuring this was as good a place as any to start this conversation.
Sasuke thought about what he'd seen, and accepted that what Naruto said fit with the way his hand had been placed. He felt a knot of tension uncoil in his stomach. "Was he hitting on you?"
"Sort of. He was really drunk. But he wasn't trying to have sex with me. He was just being a jerk," Naruto stopped, realizing continuing probably wouldn't help things.
"He said you smelled good," Sasuke said, obviously not going to let Naruto get away without full disclosure.
"He... was really drunk," Naruto said, flinching at the possessive anger he saw in Sasuke's expression.
"And you actually think he wasn't wanting to have sex with you?"
"Not right then. Yahiko would have sex with just about anyone attractive if the time was right, including you. But he wasn't trying to do it then. Like I said, he was just drunk and in my space. I didn't want to make a scene, especially with the Pervert and Nagato right there, so I was just keeping my hand on him to keep him from getting too close. There was nothing going on. Even if you hadn't shown up, nothing would have happened. I was going to leave with Gaara. I wouldn't be dating you if I still wanted to be with him, Sasuke. I would never do that to either of us."
"I know," Sasuke looked down, unclenching the fists he didn't realize he had made. "I didn't mean to sound like I thought you were cheating."
"Well, either you thought I was cheating or you thought I was stupid," Naruto said, his voice hardening a bit.
"Look, the last year you have to admit you did some pretty stupid things. You drank a lot, and hooked up with people. I just -" Sasuke started.
Naruto stood up, seriously angry again. "Yeah, I drank a lot, and hooked up sometimes. Because I was trying to get over you and find a way to forget about you. I got drunk fully expecting to get laid. It wasn't an accident. The only time that I got in trouble was when someone spiked my drink. But I learned from that and I am more careful now. But did you really think that I wouldn't realize that I'd have to stop that shit when we started dating? Aside from the fact that my whole reason for doing it was gone now that I finally had you, I take my word seriously, Sasuke. I told you that I wouldn't sleep with anyone else, and I am going to keep my word. Being drunk isn't an excuse, and I know it. So I haven't been going out drinking this semester. I take our relationship seriously, asshole. I'd never risk it for some stupid shit like that."
Sasuke looked at Naruto, not exactly sure what to say. He heard the accusation in the last part of it, and he supposed it was justified. Sasuke should know Naruto well enough to know that he would take them seriously. He did know that. But it hadn't stopped him from reacting the way he did.
Naruto continued. "I mean, you slept around even more than I did. But you don't see me setting up video cameras in your bedroom to be sure that you aren't banging your neighbors or the librarian or whatever. Because I trust you. You did stupid stuff, too. But I am assuming that you're not doing it anymore. Right?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a small smirk on his face. "I wouldn't mind if you put a video camera in the bedroom, as long as you don't turn it into a music video."
Naruto chuckled a little, then scrubbed his hands over his face as he felt the tension between them start to ease. "So I take it that's as close to an apology that I'm going to get from you, Bastard?"
Sasuke leaned back into the corner of the sofa. "Come sit by me."
Naruto hesitated. He knew an invitation when he heard one. He was still feeling somewhat upset about the whole thing. But Sasuke had believed him once they had calmed down and talked. He hadn't accused Naruto of anything. And, Naruto conceded, Sasuke did have a right to react to seeing what he had. He supposed that was about as close to an apology from Sasuke as could be expected, given the circumstances. Naruto hadn't exactly apologized either.
And even though Naruto wanted to, he couldn't keep his eyes from sliding over Sasuke's body. It didn't escape his attention that the longer he looked at his boyfriend, the more pronounced the bulge in Sasuke's pants was becoming. Naruto felt an answering heat in his own abdomen. They hadn't seen each other all week.
But he wasn't totally ready to just jump into bed. Naruto walked over to the couch, but sat on the far side, away from Sasuke. The raven smirked, then leaned forward and into Naruto's space.
"Still mad?" He asked.
"I dunno," Naruto said, trying to stay focused on something other than the heat and scent coming off Sasuke.
Sasuke slid his hands up under Naruto's shirt, skimming his fingers along the abdominal muscles that clenched at his touch. "I didn't like seeing him touching you," Sasuke said, his voice low. "I can't apologize for that."
Naruto frowned at his words, trying to fight the almost overwhelming arousal of his touch.
"But, I should have known that you weren't participating," Sasuke said, his fingertips skimming over Naruto's nipples lightly, then the palms rubbing more forcefully, with friction.
Naruto's head fell back, slightly. "Yeah, you should have known that," he managed to say, his voice only slightly shaken.
"And next time I will talk to you first, before jumping to conclusions," Sasuke said, running his tongue along Naruto's collar bone.
"Fuck, Sasuke," Naruto said.
"There's no question about that, Naruto," Sasuke said, slowly sliding his hips along his lover's. "You know, this is our first real fight since we started dating."
"Is it?" Naruto said his gaze dropping to Sasuke's mouth. Unconsciously, he licked his lips.
"And do you know what's great about that?" Sasuke asked, brushing his lips across Naruto's, feeling the shiver in response.
"Yeah. Make-up sex," Naruto decided he'd held out long enough. He grabbed Sasuke's hips and pulled their groins together. Sasuke's ragged groan eased Naruto's pride a bit. Sasuke was at least as desperate as he was for this.
They didn't make it to the bedroom until many hours later.
-xXx-
Naruto swung by Jiraya's office the next morning, but of course the Pervert wasn't there. He'd probably stayed out late drinking. Naruto seriously hoped the guy hadn't hooked up with either of the girls from the sparring club. That would be just... ew.
Naruto wandered over to where Sasuke's last class before lunch would be finishing soon. He wanted to see if they could at least catch lunch together today. After everything that had happened, he was feeling an almost visceral need to see him.
He didn't want to go in and drag Sasuke out, though. He knew that clinginess would only annoy Sasuke. So he waited outside the building, and sat down on a bench under a tree by the entryway. He figured he might have better luck trying to call Jiraya rather than tracking him down in person. He dialed Jiraya's number. Surprisingly, he answered and sounded awake.
"Hey, Pervert. I swung by your office this morning, but you weren't in. Where are you?
"Naruto, you brat. You'd better not be standing in the hallway outside my office calling me a pervert."
"Why? Given that they sent you packing for almost a year, I'm guessing the cat's been out of that bag in your department for quite some time."
"Did you call me just to be annoying? Or did you have something you actually needed."
"Yeah, actually... I kinda wanted to talk to you in person."
"What's wrong? Are you in trouble?"
"No... I'm fine. I just wanted you to tell me what the deal was with you and Nagato last night."
There was along pause, then, "Why... did something happen with you and Nagato?"
"No, nothing happened with me and Nagato. I just... you seemed weird when I told you that we were friends a while back, and then last night, the way you said it to Nagato made me wonder if there's something going on that I should know."
Jiraya sighed. "It's not really my place to tell you, but I guess... I guess if he hasn't maybe I should. Are you nearby? I'm in my office now, but I have to teach in half an hour."
Naruto frowned, "Is this a conversation that needs more than half an hour?"
"Not with me. I'll give you the little I know. If you want the full story, though, you'll have to talk to Nagato."
"Ok, I'll be right over," Naruto picked up his backpack, deciding he'd have to catch Sasuke later. He turned to find the raven standing behind him.
"What was that all about?"
"I..." Naruto knew that Sasuke didn't like Nagato. And he had no idea what Jiraya was going to tell him. But he didn't want to keep secrets either. "I'm honestly not sure. The Pervert had kind of a weird reaction when he found out Nagato and I were friends. And then last night, when Nagato showed up, he grilled Nagato about how he knew me. Something about they way he said it seemed... off. Like he didn't believe that it was a coincidence that we knew each other. And he also said something about Nagato's health, like he'd been sick or something. The whole conversation seemed really strange. I was going to ask you if you could come out for lunch with me, but the Pervert only has half an hour before his next class and-"
"Let's go," Sasuke said, swinging his pack over his shoulder and walking in the direction of Jiraya's office.
Naruto jumped up and grabbed his pack. "Do you have time for this? You don't have to come."
Sasuke just glared at him over his shoulder. "Something is not right with that Nagato guy. Even Neji thought so. If he's dangerous to you, I want to know."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "So you can be my big strong boyfriend and protect me? Don't be lame. You might be the one who tops, but I'm better than you in a fight. I don't need your protection. If you start treating me as the girl in this relationship, you're never topping again, believe it."
Sasuke slowed. It was a threat that carried quite a bit of weight with him. "I can be concerned for you. As your boyfriend. It doesn't make you the girl." He turned and pulled Naruto in between the biology building and the chemistry building, then slid his hand along the front of Naruto's pants. "I'm well aware that you're no girl."
Naruto shivered, then shoved Sasuke off. "If you get me hard right when we're going to go see my guardian, I'm totally going to kick your ass. Don't think that Pervert wouldn't notice and say something about it."
Sasuke snickered, but didn't object when Naruto led them out of the narrow alley and continued on towards Jiraya's building.
They reached Jiraya's office, and Naruto opened the door without bothering to knock.
Jiraya looked up, narrowing his eyes slightly at Sasuke. "You two kiss and make up last night then?"
Sasuke just raised an arrogant brow at the perverted professor. "We did more than kiss," he said smugly. Sasuke had very little respect for Naruto's guardian, and didn't feel like pretending he did.
He let out a small hiss when Naruto elbowed him hard in the gut. "We're not here to talk about my sex life. I want to know why you thought it was strange that Nagato and I are friends."
Jiraya paused, trying to decide if there was a way to soften the words, but deciding after a few seconds that directness was probably the best bet.
"Because," Jiraya said, seeming to hesitate before going on, knowing this was not going to go well. "Because he knew your father. Your father was in the process of trying to adopt him when he died."
"What?" Naruto said, his face looking pale.
-xXx-
to be continued...