A/N. I am so sorry this has taken me so long. My laptop decided it hated me and I had to deal with the blue screen of death! I finally got it back after 3 weeks of it being sent off to the manufacturer to fix it! But thankfully they could and I didn't lose anything on my D drive which is where I keep all my stories!. I will try update again either next week or the week after at the latest (I've started uni again so have to fit it in between assignments and lecs).
….
Naruto looked down at the coffee in his hand, a bored expression on his face as Nagato chatted animatedly with the journalist across from them. For the most part he had been ignored, which he was thankful for but he was getting sick of hearing his 'husband' speak. It was if the man was in love with his own voice and he wondered when his bullshit spiel would end so they could get the photo shoot over and done with. Naruto swirled the liquid in the cup, watching the remaining foam spin in a spiral pattern in a hypnotic manor.
"How do you feel about it Naruto?" He looked up quickly, cocking his head to the side and his brows knitted.
"I'm sorry, I missed the question" He flicked his eyes to Nagato who was watching him smugly and his gut tightened. He really should have paid more attention.
"Nagato said that you will be accompanying him on his next trip to Amegakure no Sato, it must be hard to leave your volunteer commitment's behind" Naruto's face blanched and he turned to Nagato in a panicked state. He hadn't agreed to that, he didn't even know about it.
"I-I didn't know about it" He spluttered out, stumbling over his words as he tried to regain his composure. Nagato seemed unfazed by his outburst, almost as if he was expecting it.
"It's only just been planned, I made a few calls and arranged you some time off" Naruto balled his hand's into fist's but put on a fake smile before turning back to the journalist. "You've been working so hard lately I thought it would be nice for you to have a break"
"A break would be nice…" Naruto paraphrased. The journalist scribbled down on the pad in her hand quickly, a small smile on her lips. "How many more questions do you have? I'm a bit pressed for time"
"Just one more…" Nagato nodded in agreement, if they didn't wrap up the interview part of the shoot they would both be late for other engagements. "What is your relationship with Sasuke Uchiha?"
"E-excuse me?" Naruto felt hot coffee spill onto his hand as his grip on the cup weakened and some of the brown liquid fell out. "What kind of question is that?!"
"I didn't mean to offend you, I just wanted to address the rumour that you two have been seen interacting at event's recently" Naruto shook his head and stood up, his hand was slightly red and he was to thrown by the question to answer it in a rational sense.
"Sharingan Corporation is backing my campaign financially and through that connect the Uchiha brothers have taken an interest in the youth shelter. Naruto as you know is a dedicated volunteer so it is silly to speculate a relationship other than that of a professional one. I assure you my husband is faithful to me" Naruto listened intently to Nagato's reply, picking up on the suspicious undertone in it that the journalist would miss.
"What about the rumours that Naruto is no longer living in your house?" Naruto looked at the door, tempted to walk out it and never come back but he knew that he had to remain calm and stick it out.
"That would be my fault, I decided to renovate while Naruto spent time on his numerous projects but the smell of paint affects his sinuses' terribly and he's been forced to stay with a friend until it's finished" Naruto sat back down, deciding to go along with Nagato's story.
"I can't afford to get sick" The tanned blonde smiled weakly "The smell was giving me terrible headaches and under my eyes were all swollen and tender, I had no choice really" The woman looked at him with sympathetic eyes, buying into the lies they were feeding her.
"I know that feeling all too well myself" Nagato reached over and placed a hand on Naruto's leg, the move would look like the man was reassuring him but it held a warning to Naruto that made him uneasy. Naruto had sworn he had been careful, he only approached Sasuke when he was certain it wouldn't look suspicious. Naruto bit his lip, wondering if Nagato had played a part in the question, trying to see if he could pull any information from him. Was this Nagato's way of telling him that he had noticed his closeness to Sasuke? "Alright, the photographer should be set up by now so if you would follow me into the next room well get started"
Nagato grabbed the shaken, whiskered scared man's hand as they stood up and Naruto knew it was to show that their relationship wasn't on rocky grounds as the woman had suggested. The hold felt unnatural to Naruto as he had grown so use to Sasuke's warm and comforting hands. He found it surprising that over such a short time Sasuke had managed to force Nagato completely out of his heart and the things that he used to hold so dear to him now bore no emotion from him whatsoever. He wondered if he ever really loved Nagato at all, that what he had felt in their marriage was just the lie's Nagato had tripped him into.
"Your daydreaming Naruto" The tall red head frowned, raising his hand to Naruto's hair and brushing it to the side. A frown was set on his pale features as the blonde lock's refused to be tamed.
"Sorry" Naruto mumbled. "How do we do this?"
"Come here" Nagato stood behind him and wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist, his hands clasped together. The blonde sighed, annoyed at the fake embrace. "I've missed having you in my arms"
"Don't get used to it" Naruto snapped, his face contorted into a forced look of happiness. Nagato's arm's flinched at the response but didn't let his disappointment shine through as the camera light flashed every few seconds.
"I do wish you would stop being so stubborn and just come home already" Naruto sighed and pulled out of the grip and stood next to Nagato instead. He was use to this by now, every time the two saw each other Nagato tried to convince Naruto to return to him. He of course always refused. "Is it because of Uchiha?"
"You only have yourself to blame Nagato and you said it yourself, there is nothing between Sasuke and me…" Nagato growled in his throat and narrowed his eyes. "You still can't see it can you?"
"My actions were justified" Nagato replied. The shorter but more toned Naruto sighed, shaking his head in disbelief and wondered if Nagato would ever listen.
"Abuse is never justified Nagato…" Naruto began to walk away from the backdrop behind them, his disgust for his delusional ex taking over.
"Sorry! Can we please just get one last photo?!" The journalist ran forward, alarm sketched into her face. "I promised my boss one of you two kissing, the readers love that sort of thing"
"Of course" Nagato replied from behind them. Naruto felt his shoulders drop but nodded, the youth shelter firm in his mind. It was just a kiss, a fake one at that and he would endure it so the kid's he cared for would have a home.
Naruto walked back to his previous position and faced Nagato, his face blank of emotion. He could do this, it was just a small peck and then he could leave and scrub himself down in his shower. Nagato pulled him to his chest, an arm snaked around his back. Naruto pictured Sasuke in his mind, maybe if he pretend it was his boyfriend then he wouldn't feel so disgusted. He watched as Nagato tilted his head to the side and leant his face down; his chest picked up pace in chest. A few more inches and those lips that spit such vile thoughts would be on his. Naruto felt the urge to pull away and closed his eyes, willing himself to think of Sasuke.
"I-I can't" Naruto whispered out, guilt washing over him. He couldn't kiss another man, he couldn't betray Sasuke like that. Nagato ignored him and closed the gap, crushing his harsh lips onto Naurto's trembling ones. He squeezed his eyes tight and counted the seconds until the kiss ended. Nagato tried to get Naruto to cooperate, moving his mouth harshly but Naruto remained still. Would Sasuke forgive him? Would he hate him? By agreeing to this had Naruto just thrown away his entire relationship?.
"I swear Naruto if you don't kiss me properly…" Nagato mumbled, pulling away slightly.
"Alright, I think we've got everything we need!" The journalist's voice broke through their tension and Naruto stepped away quickly. "Thank you so much for your time! I know you two are busy so I'm grateful that you made room for me!"
"Anytime, would you mind if I looked through the photos? I would like to approve the ones you have chosen" Naruto took his exit quickly, leaving Nagato with the journalist as he went into the other room and grabbed his things. He wanted to called Sasuke and tell him what happened, he couldn't have this weighing down on him.
…
Sasuke looked up at Shikamaru who handed him a pile of contracts, a bored look on the uninterested lawyers face. Sasuke knew Shikamaru hated the paperwork that came with the job and Sasuke had to agree with him, paperwork was the bane of his existence. Sasuke picked up the first one and flicked through the pages, signing his signature whenever there was a red sticker arrow. He knew he should probably read them but he trusted Shikamaru with his life so he saw no point in checking the man's work.
"Naruto's been spending a lot of time with his husband" Shikamaru yawned, sitting down in the leather chair on the other side of the desk as he waited for Sasuke to finish.
"Ex husband and yes…it's necessary" Sasuke ground his teeth. He hated knowing he had to take a step back and that the man who had hurt Naruto was spending more time with his boyfriend then he was. Ever since Itachi had shown him the information on Madara he had restrained himself from seeing the fox like man.
"How bothersome" Shikamaru leant backwards in the chair and put his feet on Sasuke's desk. "Seems to be working though, Nagato's points have jumped up enough for him to be a strong choice in the polls"
"Only a few more months and then Naruto never has to see that bastard again" Sasuke couldn't wait for the election to be over, he already had plans to take Naruto away on holiday to celebrate. The thought brought a smile to his face, the idea of having Naruto all to himself for two weeks giving him something to look forward to.
"You know it doesn't add up right?" Sasuke smirked and nodded, nothing got past his friend. "I hope you're ready for the fallout"
"I'm getting things in order…" Itachi had come up with a plan, one that made sure that Naruto would be the one to benefit from the contract. Not only would the youth shelter be safe but Sasuke was certain every dirty truth about Nagato would come to light, he would bury the man so deeply in his own lies that he would never be able to recover his career.
"You finished yet?" Sasuke signed the last page and handed the contracts over. Shikamaru checked them to make sure nothing was missed then gave a curt nod and left. Sasuke turned to his phone, the black item had begun to buzz and Naruto's name flashed on it.
"Dobe, are you alright" It was unusual for Naruto to be calling him at this time, usually the man was at work.
"I'm sorry! Please, please don't hate me" Naruto sounded frazzled on the line and Sasuke sat up straight quickly. "I didn't want to do it…"
"Naruto, slow down and explain…what's happened" He heard Naruto take a deep breath before replying with a shaky voice.
"He…Nagato and me…we…kissed" Sasuke gripped his phone tightly, his eyes flashing dangerously. "It was for this stupid article and the journalist asked for a photo of us kissing…please believe me when I say I didn't want to, I tried to tell Nagato but he just ignored me"
"I see…" Sasuke was trying to remain calm, he knew that at some point something like this would happen. "It's…it's alright"
"Don't lie to me Teme, you're angry" Naruto sounded heartbroken and Sasuke groaned. Yes, he was angry but not at Naruto. He knew that Nagato had played the situation into his favour and Naruto wasn't to blame, the man was just trying to do what was right. "I'm sorry, I won't hold it against you if you wanted to break up"
"Dobe…I don't want to break up I'm just…frustrated. I knew that this wasn't going to be easy and I'm grateful that you told me" It was the truth, most people would have tried to hide a situation like that and Naruto telling him only showed Sasuke how much Naruto cared for him.
"Are you…are you sure? I swear I didn't kiss him back Sasuke, I couldn't…all I could think about was you and how much it would hurt you…" That brought a smile to Sasuke's face, it would kill Nagato to know that Naruto was thinking of him.
"Naruto, it was for show right? You're pretending and sometimes things like that will happen and as long as I know that your heart is with me and not him then I can move past it. Does it hurt? Yes. But I knew what I was getting myself into and I can't hold something like that against you" There was silence on the end of the line and Sasuke waited for his words to sink in before continuing. "The only person I can be angry at is Nagato for putting you in positions like that and I count down the days that we will be free to do as we please"
"I think…I think he knows about us Sasuke" it was barely a whisper but Sasuke still heard it "The journalist…she asked about us and we've been so careful…he had to have set it up right? To try a shake me or something"
"Naruto…would you come around tonight?" Itachi has sworn Sasuke not to tell Naruto about Madara's plans but Naruto had a right to know what was going on. "There is something I need to show you"
"Yeah, sure…Are you sure we're okay?" Sasuke brushed a hand through his black tresses as he wondered how the energetic blonde would take the information.
"Yes Naruto, I will explain everything tonight" The men said their goodbyes and Sasuke put his phone on the desk before looking at his watch. Itachi would be out of his meeting soon and he needed to ask his advice on how to approach the subject, he had never been very good at breaking bad news.
…..