Cliche, sappy ending I know, there's so much sweetness it gives me a toothache! Yes, this is unfortunately the final chapter. I hope you enjoyed my story and check out my other stuff! More SasuNaru stories coming soon!

o.O.o

Chapter 8

It was ten to nine and Naruto sat nervously at one of the tables in the restaurant, fighting the urge to get up and work. He hadn't actually eaten in the restaurant since he was a boy and was unaccustomed to it. At the resort there were people who served him food, but this was different. This was where he'd worked for five years and here he was, being served like a normal customer. Sasuke better appreciate the pain I'm going through right now. I hate just sitting here while everyone else is running about to get everything done.

Sakura and Ino were taking orders smoothly, smiling at everyone. Shino, Choji and Gaara were slaving away in the kitchen to make perfect food. Lee was smiling from behind the bar, his hair shining in the soft light. Naruto stared at the empty front desk, wishing he could sit there and welcome in the guests. Tenten had been unavailable that night and no one was there to welcome the customers and take down their details. Sakura was going to take all the calls but there was no organisation tonight. Everything's been thrown off. Thanks a lot Sasuke.

It was nine o'clock and Naruto sat back in his chair, fidgeting impatiently. His eyes flicked to the door every time someone entered, mostly out of habit, but he couldn't see Sasuke's trademark pale skin and dark hair. His heart pounded so hard he was sure it was driving the table beside him crazy. His hands were sweating and he wiped them on his shorts.

There he was. The raven walked casually through the front door, looking smoking hot in exactly what he wore when he first met Naruto. Sakura and Ino snapped around to stare as he entered, gaping. They turned and stared at Naruto. He nodded and they fought back their squeals, returning to work with difficulty.

Sasuke saw Naruto immediately and strolled over, smirking. He sat down and laid his hands on the table. "Hey Naruto. You're sweating."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I preferred talking to you over the phone. You sounded happier."

"That's because I was happier. You called me and I was ecstatic. I honestly didn't think you would."

"How was the rest of the week?"

"Hn. It was boring without you. I had half a mind to leave early, but I liked the memories too much."

Sakura approached with a jug of water. "Can I tempt you with some water?" she asked professionally, her grin extremely unprofessional.

"Sure," Sasuke said warmly, "and what kind of wine do you have?"

"We have cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot grigio." She poured their water expertly.

Sasuke pressed a finger to his lips. "The chardonnay doesn't sound too bad."

"Sure," Naruto agreed. Sakura giggled.

"Would you also like to place an order?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "I'll have the beef ramen."

"I'll have the rice ball entrée and the Caesar salad for main." Sasuke handed over his menu and Sakura accepted it, leaving for the kitchen. The two men turned their gazes onto one another and the entire last week flooded Naruto's mind with astonishing force. He felt every kiss and caress and his entire body tingled with the memories. I swear I'm in love with this guy. He wouldn't be here if he didn't feel something too.

"How's the job hunt going?"

"It could be better. Honestly, I just can't be bothered right now." Sasuke sipped his water and sighed, smiling. "Hell, if this is what your water tastes like, I can't wait for the food. So who works here?"

"I've got three waitresses: Sakura with the pink hair, Ino with the blonde hair and Hinata isn't here. In the kitchen there's Shino, Choji and Gaara, and Kiba isn't here. At the bar there's Lee, and Shikamaru left just before. Tenten isn't here either."

"You've got a lot of absent people."

Naruto shrugged. "They worked their asses off to keep the place going when I was on holiday. They deserve a break too."

Sasuke nudged his foot against Naruto's leg. "Stop looking at the front desk. It's not going anywhere!"

"I know I know! I'm just not used to being a customer."

The raven snickered. "You should take a walk in my shoes for a day. I'm always the customer. It gets old after a while."

Sakura approached with rice balls in hand, laying it on the table in front of Sasuke. She also poured some wine before retreating to give the two some space. Naruto could see Gaara peeping out of the kitchen to watch the proceedings, ready to step in if his boss was in danger. I'm not in danger, not with Sasuke.

"How's your brother doing?"

"Oh, he's just fine. The idiot finally proposed to his boyfriend."

"No way! Who?"

"His name's Kisame." Sasuke rolled his eyes. "They met at the bank and they've been in love for years." He dug into his rice balls and glanced up at Naruto, grinning devilishly. "Would you like me to feed you?"

Naruto blanched. "You what?"

Sasuke stabbed a ball with his fork and held it out, smirking. Naruto glared and ate the rice ball off the fork, perfectly aware of how the people around them stiffened at the action. Yeah, we're not two friends just catching up. We're gay, deal with it.

"See? That wasn't so hard." The raven continued eating as if nothing had happened. "If they don't like it they can deal with it."

"They're my customers," Naruto sighed. "Its business and they keep me afloat."

Sasuke blinked, understanding. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wouldn't want you to lose business just because I wanted to feed you."

"Not that I don't like it – I do – but this isn't the right setting."

"So what if we were alone? Or in another restaurant?"

"Sure, that'd be fine. Thanks for understanding."

"Anytime." Sasuke finished his rice balls and looked up eagerly as Sakura approached with the food. He sat back as she traded plates. "Give my compliments to the chef," he said easily. "Was it Shino, Gaara or Choji?"

"Choji made your food," Sakura said, placing Naruto's ramen down. "Gaara made the ramen and I didn't let him near the Caesar salad." She left them to eat.

"Why was Gaara kept away?" Sasuke asked, digging into his salad.

"He's very protective of his friends," the blonde said carefully. "He could have put laxatives on your food or something. That's what happened when Tenten's boyfriend came in to eat."

The raven chuckled. "You've got some really good friends. I wish I had friends like that."

They continued eating, talking about random things and eventually debating the meaning of life. It was a scatter-brained conversation that they both enjoyed while devouring their delicious food. The restaurant slowly emptied, as it closed at ten, and eventually the pair were the only ones left seated. They decided against having dessert, as Sasuke didn't like sweets and the kitchen was being cleaned anyway. Sakura and Ino fluttered around them, clearing the tables. As soon as the final guests left, Sasuke reached out and grasped Naruto's hand on the table.

I think I'm either falling in love with him or have already fallen in love with him. I have to say something. I have to do something about it. I'll never meet someone like him again and I sure as hell won't walk away again. I'm not afraid.

"So I have a question for you," Naruto said hesitantly.

"Me too. You go first."

"Well…" It's now or never. You'll regret it forever if you don't. "Would you like to work for me?"

Sasuke looked taken aback, obviously not expecting that question. "What position?"

"Like a co-business-manager. You can handle the Bill Book and real estate and I can focus on other things. I pay well."

The raven grinned and squeezed the tan hand. "I'd be happy to! After all, it's not what you know: it's who you know. I sure am glad I got fired."

Naruto let out a breath. "What did you have to ask me?"

"Not something as life-changing as that. I just wanted to ask if you'd be my boyfriend."

Oh my God! He asked! I have to accept! I know it's so cliché and I sound and feel like a giddy schoolgirl, but I can't help it. I really like this guy. What started out as a fling developed into something more. We might have a future together and I don't want to turn that down. Why not give us a chance?

"I'd be happy to!"

Sasuke smiled. "Well, the easy part's done. Now we've got all the hard stuff ahead of us. I'm so grateful to Itachi for forcing me to that resort. It was the best week of my life."

"Same here. You wanna go get some actual dessert?"

Fire entered the raven's eyes. "Sure, as long as you're paying."

They stood and laced their fingers together, heading to the door. Naruto turned back and waved at his friends. "I'll be back tomorrow with Sasuke, our new staff member! I love you all!"

"We'll take good care of her," Sakura called, waving back. Lee ran to her side and began to cheer for the men. He was joined by the others and Naruto and Sasuke walked from the restaurant happily amidst the cheers and cries of joy.

o.O.o

Owari