A/N: I wasn't updating this because I was really close to deleting it and focusing on other projects, (not because I didn't feel like updating). After this chapter, if readers still aren't interested, I'll trash bin it. No sweat off my back. In the end, the most important person knows the pre-plot to Excavation—Me (:
I can always keep it to myself. It's not hard—trust me.
I was planning on updating this every weekend/every couple of days but… mmm, should I even waste my time?
Thanks in advance. Now on with the chapter.
:::Element:::
Fuck Sasuke. Fuck Sasuke. Fuck Sasuke. Did he say fuck Sasuke? In case he didn't… Fuck Sasuke.
How dare he just stand there and say, oh, "Just until you don't know math anymore, right?"
He had no fucking right to insinuate that he was some type of drunkard when he barely even knew him!
Who the fuck did he think he was talking to exactly?
Lindsay Lohan?
Was it a punishable crime to party and have fun after a long week of studying and consecutive exams?
The answer was hell no.
Once upon a time, a hundred million years ago when the dinosaurs were roaming, Sasuke went to college. Regardless of how rundown and filthy the facilities were, it was still an institution of higher learning. Considering these fables were true, then Sasuke had to understand that there was nothing wrong with having a little bit of liquid fun from time to time.
If he was talking about him getting wasted every single weekend since he entered college… then maybe he might have a valid point. Maybe.
But wasn't that normal among young people?
The answer was hell yes.
Youngsters got drunk off their ass all the time. It wasn't a big deal. It never was a big deal, which is exactly why like a spoiled child, he demanded to home so he could rush inside, into the cupboard to pull out a… bottle of vodka.
Wait, if he had no attachment to alcohol like he claimed then why did he run straight into the arms of the bitter substance?
Did he have no resolve other than alcohol?
Looking at the zebra coaster that held the condensing cold drink, Naruto asked himself, 'Why do I drink so much?'
This question wasn't particularly necessary, nor did it leave him vulnerable to up to change—he thought he was fine the way he was. He was only wondering if this certain component of his personality was…disposable.
He didn't drink it for the taste. It was bitter.
Like him.
He didn't drink for the thrill.
That's what amusement parks were for.
He drank it because he could.
A minor indulging in alcohol was legally forbidden and considered taboo.
Maybe that's why he did it… Because it was forbidden.
Everybody liked a little taste of danger now and then. It was a human feeling. Glancing at the condensation on the outside of the glass, grazing his fingers outside slippery droplets Naruto's heart jolted like a horse carriage, realizing that that fucker named Sasuke, could be on to something.
;;
"What happened? Don't make you ask you again, Sasuke. What happened between you and Naruto?" Sakura stared down at the man molded on the couch like a silent owl. Flicking his head back against the couch edge, he mouthed a 'oh my god,' hoping he could will away the extending issue with his dismissive attitude. But with Sakura prolonging the issue, it was impossible to just bury it—where it belonged. She was bound to keep digging, until she encountered the answer she wanted. Lifting his head, attempting to dispel the accusatory tone floating in the room, he spoke with a clout of irritation—"I already told you. Nothing happened."
He wasn't about to share the fact that Naruto planned to drink until he forgot his own name, passed out in a sea of strangers. He calculated by Naruto's body language that she wasn't exactly keen about his party mannerisms or crazy drinking habits. Ranking her reactions from their little spat now, she appeared to easily become concerned. Naruto obviously didn't want to be dragged into a long battle with her about drug use and a complicated triangle of emotions. If he were to tell her the marrow of their argument, Sakura would instantly become worried about Naruto—Naruto would hate him forever and he could possibly be left out in the cold… or in the hot, since it was a million degrees outside.
Sakura's green eyes hit the ceiling as she rolled her shoulders—bravery sculpting her face.
"Then why did Naruto say that if you ever came near him again he could castrate you and turn you into a eunuch…?" Sakura looked at Sasuke, tilting her head as Sasuke glared.
"All I said was—He said that?" Knitting his eyebrows together like a sweater, he thought about what his girlfriend had just said.
Naruto felt that passionately toward him?
Too bad it wasn't in the way he wished it would be.
It wasn't the beautiful, lovely, erotic kind of passion.
It was the angry, 'I'll leave you balless'type ofpassion.
The dangerous type but not exactly the lustfully sinful type.
Taking it in like a black hole, Sasuke knew he was going to have this rectify this. By any way possible.
"Of course, he said that. He was livid, Sasuke," She explained. "Look, Sasuke, Naruto is a special case. You have to be careful with him. You can't insult him, or—"
"He insults me all the time," Sasuke said in disbelief. Was she seriously defending Naruto when she knew all of his social downfalls? Such as his ability to tell you exactly what he disliked you, thus making you feel like the world made a mistake of allowing you to live past infancy.
"I understand that but he's not really serious—" She offered in a motherly, mellow tone.
"He offered to help me kill myself," Sasuke interrupted with a straight face, wondering when Sakura was planning on admitting Naruto had personal issues that spanned beyond just their rocky first meeting. He hated him for some unknown reason that he didn't even bother explaining, all he did was express his hate in every possible way.
Sakura wasn't planning on accepting that this arrangement was going to fail. Even if she had to force it—they were going to get along, even if it was the last thing she did.
"I'm sure, he was just kidding. He would never really say that to someone."
"I know when someone's kidding, Sakura. My sexuality professor was kidding when he asked me to demonstrate sex on the table. Naruto was not kidding! He seriously offered to assist in my suicide."
He knew that he would never kill himself.
If there was any violent contact involving him—it was Naruto trying to kill him. Rope. Chloroform. Or stabbing.
Ouch.
Sadly, he would never retaliate against the blond haired beauty. He just wanted them to be on even ground. Was that so much to ask?
It wasn't his fault Naruto was so fucking stunning that he couldn't form a single syllable after he greeted him. He was a victim of circumstance. Certainly he wouldn't hold that against him…
Or maybe he would.
"Okay, forget it." Sakura closed her eyes, thinking closely. "How about I bake—"
"Buy."
Sasuke's fear stirred. Sakura's cooking skills were left to be desired. If she baked a cake for Naruto, he could spontaneously combust. Then… all bets were off.
Sakura glared.
"—Him a cake and you give it to him as a peace offering—even though it might not be your fault." Sakura encouragingly smiled, loving the idea almost as she loved her knife collection. Almost. But not quite.
Sasuke stared at her, perturbed that all his options were exhausted. There was nothing left to do but navigate through this suicide mission.
…
Planted in the elevator of Naruto's vintage styled apartment complex, the lone Uchiha balanced a thin cardboard box containing a decadent raspberry cheesecake. Gazing down at the crummy graham cracker crust and thick jelly-like glaze coating the edge of the circular 9x13 cake through the transparent plastic, Sasuke hoped this apology was the best choice, aside from letting this dubiously blow over.
Though Sakura manufactured the brightidea, she didn't contribute to the fruition of its execution. She wasn't much help when he tried figuring out Naruto's favorite treat. It didn't help that Sasuke knew nothing about desserts, seeing as he wasn't much of a patron for sweets. With their teamed inexperience of baking and pastries, Sasuke holstered some bravery and traveled downtown, purchasing the cake he thought Naruto would enjoy the most. The oozing raspberry filling, bordering berries and sweet syrup carefully drizzled around the scrumptious delicacy, called his name, the creamy cheesecake detailing something elegant.
When he asked Sakura about Naruto's favorite cake, she pitifully admitted that she wasn't sure. She said that he had never clearly stated any flavor that he greatly preferred flavor.
Annoyed, he left, relying on his instincts as he purchased the dessert.
After he bought the fifty-nine dollar cake, he drove to Naruto's, securing the cake in the passenger with a seatbelt, like a baby. It would be all for not, if he ruined the cake before he ever reached his destination.
Sakura lent him the apartment security door to the building, so he would eliminate the barrier for the sake of time. In the elevator, he stared at the paper, unbelieving that Sakura had given him Naruto's address without even asking for it. What if he was up to no good?
What if he sold his address to people looking for 'a good time' out of revenge? He could imagine Naruto getting hysterically mad and blasting the visitor to kingdom come with his disgustingly nasty tongue, calling them offensively scarring names—candyass fucknuggets. Fucking hilarious. Too bad his conscious wouldn't admit him to do something as horrible as selling Naruto's address. But how could Sakura be so sure he wouldn't do that?
He had shown enough trustworthiness during the course of their relationship but that didn't mean that he wasn't faking and really batshit crazy.
Standing in the luminously designed elevator of the 17th floor apartment building, he tucked the paper back into his pocket with haste as he cautiously verified the cheesecake container was closed.
She was too trusting.
Or stupid.
The elevator car jolted to a harsh stop, pricking Sasuke from his slightly acidic contemplations. Grey eyes narrowed as he channeled the tall man entering the elevator. With broad, strapping shoulders buttoned down in a green flannel shirt, cramped into a pair of black American Eagle jeans, and rocking a classic black pair of Vans, Sasuke felt threatened by the arrogance seeping into the air. When tropical moss colored eyes grazed the glowing elevator buttons and the strong, long limbs made no move to press a floor destination Sasuke's suspicion arose like hummingbirds did at the buttcrack of dawn. Quick and eager.
The fiery scarlet hair and thick ringlets of eyeliner hollered an unspoken statement as he slunk beside Sasuke, ignoring that invaded one square inch of the elevator space.
Uncomfortable by the slightly condescending aura of the ash-white man, Sasuke's shot the conjecture—he didn't like him at all.
Egos wordlessly clashed—and Sasuke's mouth escaped him. "Irish parade today?"
The man cracked his neck, sneaking his fingers into the slit of his pockets. "Depends. Is it Asian Persuasion week?"
Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at the quick wit of the man that nearly modeled his height. Feeling slightly violent at the moment, Sasuke poured metaphorical watering can of water on his flames of anger. Ignorant of his ignition of nastiness, Sasuke hoarded all his anger in a glass case as he focused on just reaching on Naruto's apartment in one piece without tearing this troll doll into severalpieces.
Reaching the eighth floor, Sasuke's fearful suspicions were confirmed as the cold toy that reminded him of the serial killer Chucky followed him in the same direction. Sasuke clutched the cherry blossom designed box as discovered Naruto's apartment 8-4, wondering if Naruto's apartment was organized and sparkling clean or a college student certified shambles. Guess soon enough he would find out.
Feeling the near presence behind him, Sasuke foiled—this joker was here to see Naruto as well.
The red haired man lifted his hand to ring the small doorbell but his hand was swatted his hand away, parsimoniously. Instead, he rang the doorbell Gaara glared but didn't dignify Sasuke's petty actions with a response. If he spent time paling around with Asian roosters, how was he ever going to be a respected assassin anywhere?
"You can always leave now," Sasuke's mysterious rival coldly and condescendingly propositioned.
Sasuke snarled under his breath—finding his fingers too tightly wound around the basin of the cake. "Ladies first."
The irritation was thickening as Sasuke purposely chippered away at the redhead's overconfidence.
A muffled 'coming' rebounded off the red velvet corridor walls as the two men anticipated Naruto shuffling toward the door.
Sasuke feared the comfortability factor as the man rested his forearm above his head on the doorjamb.
Since he was personally here visiting Naruto—that implied they were familiar with one another, causing Sasuke to wonder exactly how familiar they were with each other.
"Hey—"A flood of dim evening light poured out of the central living area from the Moroccan styled lanterns as Naruto's beam changed into a panicked mask of surprise. Peering into the faces of the two tall men, Naruto let loose a nervous giggle as he attempted to slide the door back into a closed position. "I'm not available," He said in a small voice, backing into the apartment.
"Naruto, open the door." The unidentified man commanded as one blue eye peeped from behind the rich oak wood.
Sasuke realized how deeply his glare intensified at the male next to him. Did he think that he could just talk to Naruto like that? Did he think that was appropriate? Naruto's didn't deserve to be treated like that especially by a large troll. Wait—could trolls be that tall? What exactly defined if someone was a troll? Were…were trolls even real?
Baffled by his own train of thought, Sasuke's confusion increased as Naruto pulled the door past his body.
Sighing at the peaking suspense, Naruto's agate eyes blinked innocently at the two lingering men. He sensed Sasuke's increasing annoyance standing in the wooden doorway. He didn't know why they were so much tension among them at the door—they didn't even know each other.
"Hey, Gaara." His lips slightly twitted up in a smile at the red haired man as Sasuke resisted the urge to sneer. Why was he so glad to see this asshole who was an asshole, who acted like an asshole?
What, was he his boyfriend or something…?
'So this fucker's name is Gaara?' Sasuke seethed in his head as realized that Gaara might be something special to Naruto.
As his gaze rolled to Sasuke, his happiness dissipated and frosted like a popsicle from the hell of the north pole. "Sasuke," He regarded with smidgen of irritation, concealing the incident that happened when they were supposed to be having 'a great time' in Seattle.
Blond hair teetered into the edge of sweeping black lashes as the plump periwinkle pink lips parted with confusion.
Why were both here at the same time? Now?
'Could my life be any less like a play-written drama?' Naruto internally rolled his eyes, sifting for a way to end this moment as soon as possible.
Sasuke ego was set ablaze as Gaara overshadowed Naruto's small stature, temporarily gripping his slightly exposed hips, kissing him on the cheek, freely earning one back from Naruto.
Being nothing more than a bystander to the sub-romantic gestures—Sasuke prayed that the butcher knives he was glaring would end this 'Gaara's' life. Sure, Naruto would be sad for a while but he would eventually get over it when he realized that it was better for everyone.
The intimate way Naruto caressed Gaara's rippling triceps ignited a fuel of jealousy in Sasuke that he knew that he would never feel for Sakura.
Erm… Sakura, who?
Sweat beaded on Sasuke's fingers as Gaara pulled away slipping something that resembled a key into Naruto's hands—whispering something that he wasn't meant to hear. Naruto smiled like a drug addict that had just gotten his daily fix, taking the trinket with great appreciation.
"Thank you," Naruto sweetly accepting—his eyes dishing a fondness and an odd but present attraction for the man before him. Squeezing his shoulder and nodding his head Gaara departed—without retaliation from either party, specifically Sasuke. "Don't forget to call me."
"I won't."
'They talk on the phone…' Sasuke raked in, a wave of heat flashing his body. What were they to each other again? Oh, wait, he didn't know because they never stated the dynamics of their relationship.
Gaara confrontationally brushed Sasuke's shoulder—Naruto noticed but summed it up to pride—childishness.
Sasuke ignored Gaara—he's an asshole.
Feeling inadequate and spotlighted by the event, Sasuke couldn't shed any words—because there weren't any to give.
"Yes?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, dropping the item into his pocket, clutching the door as if he was preparing to slam it if he disliked the response he got from his friend's boyfriend. How did he find out that he lived here, anyways? Oh well, duh, Sakura.
The orbs of soft glowing light transformed Naruto's eyes to a rich hue of tanzanite, lulling Sasuke in like a soft lullaby. The sleekness to the soft caramel skin beneath the brim of Naruto's shirt drew something foul out in Sasuke—something perverted—as he glanced down at the exposed bit of flesh near the waistband of his sweatpants. The hips that Gaara touched but he couldn't.
Life was so fucking unfair—so unfair—regardless of how you spin it, turn it, twist, fold it, fuck it…
He felt the weight of the immense pressure thrust the box of cake forward as Ebonics exited his mouth. "Um, this is—for you."
Naruto looked down at the present with rapture as his impatience deeply blended with a swirling band of awe.
S-Sasuke did this for him?
Looking at Sasuke's trembling hands and then through the clear plastic opening—he read the artistically drawn 'sorry' on the frosting.
Disbelieving blue eyes scanned apologetic grey ones.
He was…apologizing? To him?
"Forgive me?" Sasuke rhetorically asked with a warped mix of guilt and repentance.
Naruto's heart lurched—twice—after he read the logo on the container.
It was from the small, French bakery downtown Seattle that he could never afford. Every time he saw the bakery's sky high prices tags, he fell into a consuming depression. Even when he got paid, the money was still never enough to delegate between his outstanding bills and monthly payments of rent. Still, he spent countless days relishing in the professional gourmet sweet courses through the stainless glass window. Never in his life had he thought he would ever have a sample of their cuisines—no less a cake.
Impulsively, Naruto's fingertips brushed Sasuke's jaw, moving the hair that freely rested there. His gracious blue eyes swelled with appreciation—not for the cake but for the kindness.
Such thoughtfulness wasn't commonplace for him—Sasuke perceived this notion from the compassionate touch that felt like more than just a brush of skin. More like a conjoining of the soul… Two souls.
Naruto smiled—'thank you for taking your time with me'— a blush glowing on his cheeks, as he removed his hand and said, "Thank you."
Though it was Sakura's idea, the execution was all his.
Sasuke smirked, muttering, "You're welcome," he muttered, claiming the victory under his belt.
Naruto took the cake off Sasuke's hands. "How did you know this was my favorite?" Naruto thoughtlessly asked the model of perfection stationed at his door. In reply, it shrugged, with a faint trace of a smile, secretly unaware of the small tidbit of information.
"I had a hunch."
Naruto's smile grew like a garden bursting into life. He pulled Sasuke's hand toward him and heartily whispered, "Come in."
Sinisterly glimpsing out of the corner of his eye at the Gaara, Sasuke mouthed, 'I win,' like it was a life or death competition. Waiting for the return of the elevator, his eyes bore witness to Naruto pulling the older man into his apartment.
…
Sasuke expected something extraordinary when he entered the living space—and he got it. The soft radiance from the dangling lanterns wasn't the only unusually beautiful trademark. The hand painted Arabic letters whipped onto the 18th Century frameless canvas also chaperoned an exotic uniqueness. Every piece of furniture was systematically structured into the apartment like it was ordained to be there. All of it was Moroccan styled, from the Modern hexagonal glass console table to the Prestige 54 Leather Sky blue ottoman. Impressed, Sasuke drank in every breathing detail—in case Naruto changed his mind about having him so close—admiring the wooden shingle blinds, the hanging flat screen and the Carolina cabinet distanced approximately ten feet from the space of the tile patterned three piece sofa.
Sasuke reserved himself from stepping anywhere near the stark white carpet that the furniture rested on blended into the soft orange and white wall theme.
Two textbooks with several handouts were scattered on the cocktail table. Apparently before he or Gaara arrived, Naruto was buckling down causing that homework to relinquish and become sorry it ever met him. Mm, like the 3.9 wasn't a story—it was reality.
Wandering into the kitchen, Naruto flipped on the light and placed the cake into the refrigerator. He couldn't wait for it to melt in his mouth.
Sasuke was officially forgiven.
Naruto returned to attending to Sasuke, his guest.
Pleasantly surprised, Sasuke leaned against the curve of the wall, watching the ball of adorableness emerge from the modernized kitchen.
Naruto felt oddly plain in domestic clothes. The last time they had seen one another, he had put so much effort into his outfit. This time around he looked like a bum. Atleast he was a fabulous bum, goddamnit.
"So, have you ever been to Morocco?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto rested on the edge of his couch, moving his bangs out of his eyes. He was surprised Sasuke was familiar with the intricate designs enough to be able to identify the origin within a moment's notice. He had a good eye, more so than his girlfriend. When he introduced her to his apartment she asked him why it looked so strange. Then, he figured out Sakura was intelligent but not cultured.
"I wish!" Naruto rolled his eyes. "I…would love to go one day. I'm completely inspired by the culture, as you can see." He flicked his hand carelessly, though it wasmagnificent. "Hopefully one day I can visit Ouzoud Falls, or maybe the Casablancas Twin Center."
Sasuke smirked, nodding. "Maybe become a flag for a day?"
Naruto snorted, adoring eyes sizing up the dark haired man. "Right at the tippy-tippy top for a whole month."
Sasuke mused that Naruto wasn't biting his head off, nor preparing fighting words that would cause him to fear for his safety. Did this mean that he was in safe territory?
Could they progress into something that wasn't destructive—firebombs—? Perhaps acquaintances?—burying the hope they become more than that.
Even though the touch from his jaw to his cheek was gratuitous, it had to mean something, right?
Maybe something progressive?
He had to be clear. He had to be forward. He had to—
"Let me take you to the movies," Sasuke offered, pushing his hands into his pocket.
Naruto paused like a media player device as his jaw flexed up and down—in a wordlessness motion.
"I don't know about that—I mean, I have homework to do, tonight and—"
"And?" Sasuke contorted his face with careless inquisition. "Fuck it, come with me. You can do all of this—" Only then did Naruto truly measure how close Sasuke had gotten as he watched his lips form each word with equal conviction. Captivated by the fan of breath on his lips, his entranced daze shattered with the slam of his Business 2 textbook. Looking at the contours of Sasuke's flawlessly structured face, he felt his throat dry and his guard surrender—like walls of Jericho crumbling to the ground.
"—Later. Wouldn't you agree?" Sasuke tilted his head, enjoying the Naruto's current mental incompetence.
"Um, okay. I guess I can take a break."
Sasuke smirked.
New Document: Easily broken with minimalseduction.
Use for later.
File, save as: Note Number 1.
Naruto stood up and stretched like a flexible cat, unknowingly giving Sasuke a store full of eye candy.
Gobbling up the honey toned flat, toned abs, the older man lightly gnawed on the inside of his lip, curbing his inner desires to a minimum. If Naruto were to discover his dark intentions then he would be certain to spasm into madness disgusted by the show of betrayal. Sakura was his best friend and he would never do anything to hurt her, including getting any closer to him than he was now.
That was a fact but…facts can change.
A filthy smirk slithered onto Sasuke's face as Naruto slipped into his bedroom to change.
…
Within minutes, Naruto stood before Sasuke, hands on his hips. "Now, I will allow you to chauffer me to the movie theater." With an arrogant smile, he looked down at Sasuke who was heighted at his waist, twisting his checkered vans into the carpet.
Sasuke focused on Naruto's waist and fleetingly thought—what would Naruto taste like?
When looked at Naruto, particularly his skin, he something sugary always came to mind—like caramel, mocha.
With a dash of hope, his morality writhing in the dust, Sasuke promised himself that he would get a flavoring of that savory skin in such a way that his tastebuds would be hollering for more.
Looking up, head in his hand, Sasuke's eye twitched. "How kind of you." Examining the Hollister denim draped over the Aero graphic tee and slackly stitched jeans, Sasuke repressed the naughty smirk that threatened to peel onto his pale face.
Sasuke dug into his pocket for his chain of keys, standing up, feeling oddly complacent into Naruto's home, like it become his second home.
"I know, right?" Naruto sarcastically answered, pulling the loop containing his checkered studded belt.
Sasuke sighed. Naruto's vanity complex was inexcusably huge.
…Well he did have something to be conceited about… So he guessed, it was excused.
"Shut up and get your keys."
…
As they marched into the fresh twilight, the choruses of the chirping summer birds clouding the air, the scorching heat rising from the cracks in the asphalt struck them like ballistics target practice. Weaving between the cars, Sasuke led Naruto, accidentally becoming nudged by the car mirror of a Toyota minivan.
"It's fucking hot."
"I know." Naruto agreed, feeling the thick layer of humidity address him face to face as they made their way to the other end of the parking lot. Why the hell did Sasuke park so fucking far? Couldn't he have stolen a handicapped spot? They sure as hell didn't need it. If they're handicapped then they shouldn't be fucking driving.
Naruto deviously smiled as he touched the moisture on the tip of his perfect nose. "You know, there's one thing people do to keep cool."
"And what's that?" Sasuke asked, occupied by the flipping through his key chain, searching for the remote under the cover of darkness.
"Strip. I don't mean just your clothes. Underwear too, merchandise. Everything. Step 2, streak like there's no tomorrow. Through neighborhoods, public streets—it's like having your own personal AC." Sasuke dished an unreadable look to Naruto and raised an eyebrow. With the delving glance, Naruto wildly recanted, "Not that I know…It's just from what I've heard…" He scratched the back of his head, blushing.
"Uh-huh." Sasuke chuckled. "Are you giving me advice? Or are you naming alternatives besides a movie that involves clothes?"
"No, I—uh," Naruto stuttered.
"Or do you just want to see me naked?" Sasuke smirked, clicking the unlock button on his car, the synchronized beeping jarring Naruto slightly.
Naruto's face impersonated a tomato's skin as a rush of inappropriate thoughts invaded his head like the Germany invaded Poland. Hard and fast.
Even though Sasuke was a guy—Naruto could admit he was really hot. Okay, maybe he was more than really hot. He was super-duper extraterrestrial hot—almost like he wasn't real…Was he?
Okay, stupid question. He had to be. Even though he was attractive and very veryreal, it didn't mean that he found him attractive. It just meant that…he found him attractive?
Naruto damned himself to hell as the heat of Sasuke's stare intensified.
Um, he was talking to the boyfriend of his best friend. The answer to this question should have been an instant no. Instant.
Instead, he was here staring back like a frightened mouse. Andhe neglected to dignify the foolish question with a response.
Sasuke popped his car door open. "Would it kill you to say no?"
Looking over the roof of the car soaked in amber glow of the parking lot lights, Sasuke fully pulled out his car door.
Naruto's lips were tickled into a smile, acknowledging he backed himself into a corner.
"No, but I think it would kill me to say yes," Naruto coyly answered, invoking a rush in Sasuke that extended past the harmless flirtingthey were toying with.
Sasuke never thought Naruto would respond to him with such playfulness. It was a gift—wrapped with silver lining.
Naruto unexpectedly touched Sasuke's vehicle with a bated curiosity. Okay, last time they met, didn't he have a different car?
How many of them did he fucking have?
He suspected the number was somewhere between 1 and 30… with a motorcycle somewhere in between.
But there was never any way to be sure.
He could always lie because he didn't want him to feel bad or seem like he was an elitist asshole, who only engrossed in expensive materials.
So far… that's what his guy looked like. A big ass Benjamin.
"I'm in love with your ride," Naruto complimented, glimpsing the Mercedes emblem on the hood of his car.
Warmed by the comment, Sasuke rested on his arm on the car door, slyly locking eyes with Naruto. The mass of their gravitational pull crushed them closer as Naruto's lips upturned with a sensually seductive—or friendly, he couldn't be certain—smile.
"Thanks, if it's any solace, you can ride…" Sasuke momentarily left the sentence unfinished, for dramatic effect. And oh, what an effect it was.
Naruto's hand slid to the door handle, his eyes not leaving Sasuke enrapturing grey pools for a second.
Patiently, he awaited the 'me' that he was sure to come but never did.
"With me," Sasuke's smirk expanded into a lascivious smile. "Anytime."
Naruto smiled.
And maybe, just maybe, he would take Sasuke up on that offer.
…
Maneuvering the steering wheel, Sasuke was tempted to ask about who Gaarawas and why he coincidentally showed up as the same time as him. Their relationship seemed more than friends but less than lovers—leaving Sasuke curiously outraged. To think this numbnuts red head deserved Naruto, made him want to puke.
Just the knowledge of why he was there would make Sasuke feel worlds better. He wanted to ask—badly. But after catching the image of Naruto relishing in the humid wind as it fingered through his hair, he decided to hold his tongue. If he abruptly brought up Gaara, he risked ruining the mood. He riskedNaruto shutting down on him—like before.
Impassively seated in the passenger seat, Naruto gaped at the windy street they speeded down piecing in his head how Sasuke seemed so pieced together. Faux leather jacket (hopefully Sasuke wasn't into animal cruelty), Tommy Bahamas v-neck shirt, purposely bleach stained jeans, and hightop black and white Adidas.
A looker. No doubt.
Him?
Not worth his time.
So why did he even bother?
Sure, Sakura wanted them to hang out but it strangely, it felt like there was more to the story. Not like Sasuke was seeking approval or a blessing. Like he was exerting some sort of effort into establishing a relationship with him…
What kind—was yet to be determined.
…
When they arrived at the Cinerama in Seattle, there was a line to contend with. After the snaking line cleared inside for the 11:30 showing, Sasuke and Naruto headed the ticket line. Looking at the list of blockbusters, Naruto swished his mouth from side to side as he indecisively looked at his options. They could pick an action-packed movie or something adventurous, possibly even a romantic headliner. There seemed to be every type of movie on the market lately.
The ticket distributor, a lanky black haired girl with green eyes, patiently waited behind the sliding glass. She didn't mind the wait. It gave her a window to reply to her boyfriend's text message with 'Eat Ryan's dick. I'm sure you'll like it much more than Arby's.' Slipping her phone back into her red uniform shirt, she tapped her foot, wanting him to suck on that for a bit. Asshole.
Sasuke looked before contemplatively asking. "Let's see Paranormal Activity?"
Naruto shivered, questionably questioning Sasuke. "Uhhh…"
Sasuke smelled the appetizing scent of Naruto's fear. "What's wrong? Scared?" Naruto flinched at Sasuke's goading question.
Was he implying that he was weak?
It was just a stupid suspense movie about the paranormal… that appeared surprisingly real.
He had seen the commercials, heard the hype, and theorized about the plausibility of the film… But that didn't mean he was interested in paying to sit down and watch the movie.
Wait a second, hold the fucking phone! Did that make him a pussy?
No.
Maybe.
Yes.
He was no pussy! There was no way in hell he was going to back down from a challenge, big or small. If Sasuke thought he was scared, then he had no choice but to prove the bastard wrong.
"I'm not scared!" Naruto fired back, in the depth of the night, only causing Sasuke's smirk to increase.
"I'd say you are."
"I'm not scared!"
"Prove it," Sasuke said, leaning on the counter.
"Fine," Naruto dug in his pocket for his wallet.
Sasuke seemed to rebuke the idea as he grabbed Naruto's lithe wrist. "What are you doing?"
"Paying for my ticket?" Naruto said with an upward inflection, glimpsing down at the pale hand attached to his.
"Why would you pay? I invited you. I'll pay."
"Well, everytime I go to the movies with anyone, I pay my own way. It's not a problem, Sasuke." Naruto's blue sealed a vile of hurt as he looked away from Sasuke.
Sasuke quickly jumped in. "I'm not those other people, Naruto. I want to pay for you."
Naruto looked mildly puzzled, his emotions tangoing awkwardly with what he thought was unwarranted kindness. "Um, thank you. I'll pay you ba—"
Sasuke held his hand up. "No need. Like I said, it's on me." Naruto looked unsure, as he tried to continue his nagging protest. "Really." Sasuke charmingly smiled, causing Naruto to toss his head away, red like a cherry sherbet treat. God, he shouldn't smile at him like that—it made him want to melt… Like an ice cube at the peak of a summer day.
As Sasuke paid for them both, Naruto wanted to know what the ulterior motive Sasuke had.
The clean, quiet theater with velvet red seats in neat rows, and the imaginatively constructed balcony made Naruto feel the way he had always felt when he came here – merry. Relishing in the gift of Sasuke's generosity, Naruto realized that his footsteps were even lighter than they had been in a long time.
The theater was packed with individuals, faces filled with anticipation, prepared to be scared out of their fucking wits from the late night showing. They too must have wanted the movie to be all it was cracked up to be.
As the thick, gold curtain pulled to their respective sides, previews skittering across the enormous screen, Naruto spotted the perfect area. It was the usual place that he saw the movie the clearest.
Muttering a million 'excuse me's to faceless nobodies, Naruto shuffled through the crimson theater chairs as Sasuke carted all the mounds of food he had purchased at the stand. The college graduate guessed he made a grave mistake when he insisted that Naruto additionally purchase the overpriced food as well. He just filed the accumulation of food into his arms piece by piece like he was a personal shopping cart.
Oh, what a mistake. But well worth it.
The fluorescent lights hugged the room as Naruto searched for the perfect view. Standing mid-row in the theater, Naruto settled on that space, his blue eyes confirming to Sasuke they shall sit here. Sasuke dumped the pizza, two buckets of popcorn, assorted chips, a box of pizza, two drinks, ice cream dots, a variation of candy bars, pretzels, and eatables Sasuke had never seen before. These items that a junk food king like Naruto would know about.
The lights cut off as they sat down and got comfortable for the film.
A chunky meatball made its way across the screen and Naruto asked for the box of pizza on the left of Sasuke.
Sasuke handed the box over as Naruto began to snack like a food-friendly-fiend.
Sasuke wet his lips as he smelled the delight from the tomato sauce and the melted mozzarella cheese. Leaning over the arm of the chair as Naruto lifted the first piece of pizza to his lips, Sasuke whispered the curse words that any food-lover dreaded hearing. "Can I have some?"
Naruto paused and curiously looked at Sasuke. "What?" Naruto asked finding that Sasuke was too close for comfort.
"Can I have a piece?" Sasuke asked. Immediately, Naruto handed him the box, figuring he couldn't be too stingy about it, considering Sasuke bought it with his own money along with everything else.
Sasuke gave a box a lifeless glance to Naruto.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. Um, why wasn't he taking it?
Naruto pushed it again, this time earning a reply from Sasuke. "I don't want a piece of that. I want to a bite of that slice," Sasuke jerked his chin toward the slice in Naruto's hand.
"No, this is mine. You can take one of your own from here," Naruto condescendingly said, placing the open box between them.
"I already told you I don't want one of those. I want a piece of the one in your hand."
Under the blanket of artificial darkness Naruto's eyes became a homogenous mixture of confusion and incredulity.
This was a new one…
"…Whhhhy?" Naruto stretched his neck out, knowingthis explanation was going to be way over his head.
"Conserve energy… It is a lot of work to get another slice from the box and I get lazier as the night progresses, seeing as it is night time…"
Naruto burned red from slight embarrassment but also with the awkward temptation to concede to Sasuke's odd whim.
Naruto tried to pass the piece of pizza but again, Sasuke rejected it.
Rolling his eyes, Naruto couldn't fathom what he did wrong now.
Was nothing good enough for this damned Uchiha?
Did he want him to fucking… Uh-oh…
"Feed it to me."
"What?" Naruto recoiled. "Hell no! I'm not your mother or your fucking wife! To make matters worse, you're not handicapped!"
"But I am extremely lazy, Naruto." Sasuke smirked, hovering over Naruto like mother hen.
Naruto fell back a bit, feeling like someone was holding him hostage with a lighter to his cheeks.
"I've been up so early this morning—5:30 to be exact and I've been working all day."
Naruto remembered—after a so called 'hard day', he had taken the time to buy him a cake and even treat him a movie.
"All I want is one bite, Naruto."
Naruto caved like a manhole and held the pizza to Sasuke's mouth. With a demented allurement, Sasuke sunk his teeth into the hot doe, locked in a gazing match, the direct eye contact creating a pool of fire on their outside layers.
Sasuke severed the small piece from the pizza with his insanely white teeth, licking from crevice to crevice on his flawless bottom lip—daring Naruto. Daring him to look away.
What a challenge—Naruto knew damn well he couldn't.
It was like being contained in a cage, unaware of how you were captured behind the steel bars in the first place.
As Sasuke playful gander traced Naruto's astonished face, he slowly pulled away like a retreating snake.
Naruto gasped in a breath after he realized that he hadn't been breathing through the entire ordeal. A sore burning in his lungs begged for air as he snapped his head away from Sasuke.
The guy was fucking tease.
He was doing this on purpose for kicks.
This was a ploy. Some sort of gateway drug to get him addicted—no rehab available.
Swallowing hard, Naruto wondered, was it working?
Aiming for a speedy recovery, Naruto jerked the slice away, stuffing a great majority into his mouth, comprehending that Sasuke's mouth had been in the same place only moments before. Oh god, he thought he was going to be sick. Weren't only girlfriends supposed to take untroubled bites after their boyfriends?
Not the best friend?
Right?
Naruto whispered, "F-m-l," hearing in his ear a calm, reserved thank you that had an edge of smugness that was absolutely unparalleled.
As the previews passed, the chatter ceased, and the movie began, Naruto wasn't sinking into the movie at all. He hoped it was the loads of food or the anticipation of the movie but it wasn't. It was because he was sharing the arm rest with Sasuke—touching his softness of his hand.
Distracted. Distracted. Distracted.
He continually snacked on the bag of skittles, watching the film unfold. The suspense was a little slow but definitely building. A large thud bombed the loud speakers and Naruto hurled himself against Sasuke's arm. Collected, Sasuke internally smiled like an emancipated demon from hell. With Naruto all over him like this, he could face any foe, dial any phone, drive any car, not just his car but anyone's car—
As the female lead in the movie, Katie, stood at the side of the bed watching her live in boyfriend, Micah, Naruto buried himself in Sasuke's shoulder, muttering a prayer for his shivering soul.
The movie continued—like a charm—and Naruto clung to Sasuke's right arm, muffling his shrill screams in them.
Sasuke clearly enjoyed his warmth, every step of the way.
Toward the end of the film when the demonically possessed girlfriend hurled Micah at the home camera, Naruto yelped, clawing Sasuke's leather jacket into his fingers, pulling them skin to skin as he trembled with trepidation. "Oh my fucking God, hold me."
Not shaken by the plot for the second, Sasuke thought, no, knew, that he chose the best for the occasion.
—Slowly courting Naruto.
"Turn them on…" Naruto shivered against Sasuke's leathered back. "Hurry up and turn them on!" Naruto slapped Sasuke on the back. He sighed flipping on the lights in Naruto's home.
The small male crested from the obscuring view of Sasuke's brawny arm, inspecting the apartment with a fine toothed comb.
Eyes shooting from right to left, Naruto surmised that nothing obviouswas going to jump out at him—which was good. Very good.
The reaction caused Sasuke to pinch his nose bone. He grabbed Naruto's hand from his body and dragged further inside, despite his struggle.
"Come sweetheart. Nothing here is going to bite you—your imagination is the only thing with teeth," Sasuke cynically drawled, guiding Naruto to his own couch.
"No! No! There are ghosts in every home. Who's to say there's not one in here!" Naruto yanked his hand, covering his hand over Sasuke's, a distinctive flickering of fireworks inhabiting abreast the situation.
"I do." Sasuke still cradled Naruto's hand. "You lived in here before you watched the movie, correct?"
"Yea, but—" Naruto started but was abruptly interrupted.
"Then you can live here after. Stop being such a baby before I go the pharmacy and get you some Huggies."
"I'm not being a baby," Naruto muttered, folding his arms, a pout forming on his pinkened face.
Sasuke shadowed over his small figure, sternly securing their eyes, two pairs of pupils. "Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not. Stop calling me a baby, buttface." Naruto pouted, making Sasuke's heart leap several beats at Naruto's luscious pink lips, and tantalizing crystalline eyes. Weathering the picture of gorgeousness without shoving him against the soft painted wall and ravishing those full plump lips, Sasuke guided Naruto to the entrance of his kitchen to remind him of a certain something.
"I'm not being a baby. The movie was scary." Naruto whined, Sasuke still holding his hand behind his enormous body. "Maybe I should eat some cheesecake and try to calm down."
Sasuke's heart teetered as Naruto caught on.
He knew he would come around soon enough. Comfort foods usually eased someone after a traumatic event.
Naruto opened the fridge, his troubled features worrying Sasuke. "Umm. Can I ask you a big favor? And you can say no if you want, it's just—"
"What is it?"
"Can you stay over a little bit longer—I mean just until I, you know—filter the movie out of my head," Naruto threaded his hands together restlessly, the light from the fridge indicating he valued the conversation more than the price on his energy bill.
Sasuke felt like literally leaping at the opportunity, but he kept his metaphorical cool—"Sure, I don't mind."
Naruto's grinned thankfully, warming to Sasuke like moth to an open flame.
Forbidden—exactly what Naruto wanted.
Naruto eventually took the cake out of the fridge and placed it on the circular dining table that housed the relaxed Uchiha, who adorned the table contentedly. Slapping the pastry spatula down on the sleek wood, Naruto inspected the cake like a sweets detective, dipping his finger into the sugared script writing. In a delighted daze, Naruto swirled the able pink muscle around the coated finger and hugged his perfectly stunning lips around his the digit.
Forgetting that Sasuke was watching him like an obsessive hawk, Naruto's blue eyes rose to the steel colored irises trained on him with an innocent question. "Want a piece?"
Sasuke was temporarily stapled into the vortex of the space time continuum, unable to generate a response—which was common around Naruto—as he felt his crotch tighten. He licked his lips, improved his posture, determining he wanted a piece of something. But it wasn't cake.
…
MMM, it's your decision if I continue this or not. I'll sleep fine either way.
But in case you're wondering, the breakdown works something like this… "Updates every week and upcoming, frequently served lemonade? Sasuke and Naruto being naughty? Sakura getting cast aside like an evil brujeria?"
If that soundssss good to you, you'll drop me and my monster Miranda a line. Or pick up a line?
Ja,ja, ja, :D