11. Emi's One Wish and The One Shared Bed

The rest of the week at university wasn't as awful as Naruto had feared. Sure, he would never go back to the campus cafeteria again after having been swarmed by people either asking him a million and one questions about Sasuke and the rest of the Uchihas or giving him the stink eye and dropping awful comments with self-satisfied smirks, as if they had accomplished something great only they apparently knew of.

Not sitting in the cafeteria wasn't a great loss in Naruto's opinion, though.

His friends had continued keeping an eye on him, to which he was both grateful and frustrated. But he wouldn't complain. He had other things to worry about – like the midterms in about two weeks.

Studying had been almost all he had done as soon as he got home. He usually gave Emi something to color or watch as he sat for hours pouring over his books. She only interrupted his studies if she absolutely needed, and he loved her for it. She was smart for her age.

"Na-chan," Emi said that Friday evening after hours of silence.

They were in the living room, Naruto on the floor in front of the coffee table for his daily midterms studying; Emi on the couch, watching some cartoon Naruto couldn't care less about at the moment.

"Mh?" he hummed distracted, highlighting another sentence in his book that looked important.

Emi slid off the cushions to take a seat beside him and lean into his side. Naruto absentmindedly put his free arm around her in a loose hug and they sat in comfortable silence for another moment.

"Why can't you be my papa?" she finally asked.

Naruto's concentration on what he was reading came to a screeching halt and he blinked at his book before looking at her. She watched him, unwavering, patiently waiting for his excuses.

He sighed and pulled her into his lap, putting both arms around her.

She had been asking the same thing everyday since she had gotten the idea into her head and he really didn't know what to say to her anymore. Whatever he tried telling her fell flat, like 'My name's Na-chan', 'Na-chan's cooler', and 'You already have a father', and she didn't seem to buy any of it.

It was also a conversation he hadn't had with Sasuke yet. If she referred to him as 'papa' people outside the safety of the house could hurt her.

He and Sasuke had meant to have a discussion about it, but as Sasuke had been home late from work that week due to some new business deal, looking exhausted and tense, and Naruto was concentrating on his studies, they hadn't had the time to talk properly about what they would say to Emi. They barely managed to catch other, and when they did there were only quick kisses before going to work, school or bed.

Naruto kind of wanted to ask Sasuke if they could sleep in the same bed, because, really, they hadn't seen much of each other the entire week, but he was too worried he'd cross a boundary. Maybe Sasuke wanted to take things slow, for the sake of Emi.

Naruto sighed which made Emi look up at him and he caressed her hair, smiling softly. Maybe he should just try telling her the truth for once?

"You can't call me papa because there are people who don't like it when someone has two dads or two moms," Naruto explained as gently as he could.

Emi frowned.

"Why?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "Because they think it's wrong and not natural. And if they hear you call me papa when you already have a dad they might hurt you or say mean things to you and make you feel bad. Your dad and I don't want that to happen, so it would be best if I'm just Na-chan."

Emi's frown deepened and she turned around to settle against Naruto's chest.

"But Na-chan loves daddy," Emi stated. "And daddy loves Na-chan."

Naruto stilled.

"Uh–," he hesitated.

"I saw Na-chan kiss daddy yesterday," Emi elaborated. "It means you love each other."

Naruto could feel his cheeks heat up and he bit his lip. It must have been when he had followed Sasuke to the door to say goodbye since that was the only time they had managed to catch a moment alone. He hadn't noticed Emi had left the kitchen; she had still been in her chair at the table when he returned.

"Emi," he muttered. "It's not nice to spy on people."

Emi ignored him as she laughed at something on the TV, apparently having deemed the conversation over. Naruto shook his head at her and tilted his book so he could continue reading it over her head.

They returned to their previous peaceful silence and sat like that until Naruto's stomach made a loud noise, startling both of them.

Emi turned wide eyes to him and he laughed a little.

"I'm hungry. Do you want to eat?" he asked.

When she nodded he gathered her in his arms and nuzzled her cheek, drawing giggles from her, before he stood up to make his way over to the kitchen.

"So, what do you want to eat today?" Naruto asked as he deposited her on the counter for their usual kitchen routine where he cooked and sang and danced and Emi made all the song requests and taste tested the food.

She thought for a moment as Naruto moved about cleaning the counter of dried dishes, then her face lit up.

"Pasketti!"

Naruto burst out laughing.

"It's spa-ghetti, baby," he chortled and put away a bowl.

"Spa-ghetti," Emi repeated. "I want spa-ghetti. With tomatoes! Daddy likes tomatoes!"

"Okay," Naruto smiled and pulled out the pasta pot. "Spaghetti with tomatoes it is then."

He brought out all the ingredients he needed and set to work, already taking song requests from Emi, which ended up with him singing one song over and over again since it was her favorite at the moment. She sang along with the few lines she knew and Naruto pretended the wooden spoon he used for the tomato sauce was a microphone as he held it out for her to sing into.

Soon the song ended for the twentieth time and Naruto patiently waited for her next request as he pulled out plates and cutlery, already knowing it was going to be the same song again. But the request never came and he frowned at the plates he placed on the table.

"If it's at home, can I call you papa?" Emi said at last just as Naruto began placing the cutlery. His movements faltered a little and his grip on the fork currently in his hand tightened. "We don't have bad people here."

He straightened and turned to her, which was a mistake, because once he saw her hopeful face he couldn't find it in him to continue refusing her. If it only were at home it would be okay, right? Or maybe he should wait until Sasuke and he had established what they would tell Emi.

He hesitated for another moment and Emi's face began to fall. The sight of it made Naruto's heart clench.

"Okay," he sighed. "But only at home."

She broke into a big, radiant smile and kicked her legs happily.

"Then we're a real family now," she declared brightly. "I finally have two parents!"

Naruto smiled a little though there was a small twinge in his chest. He hadn't known two parents was something Emi wanted that badly. Though it shouldn't be so surprising considering all the children around her had two parents. Of course she would want that too. God knows how much Naruto himself had yearned for parents – any parent – when he was her age.

He decided right then he'd do his damndest to be a good parent if that was what Emi wanted him to be even if it scared him a little at the same time. He knew nothing about being a dad; he'd never had one as a reference. Also, he really should speak to Sasuke about it, because their relationship was still quite new, he shouldn't be taking liberties.

"Let's eat," he said to distract himself from his thoughts and helped Emi down from the counter.

She grinned up at him and obediently made her way over to her chair by the table. Naruto followed and served up some spaghetti and tomato sauce for her.

They ate in peace for about ten minutes with mostly Emi talking about her day at the kindergarten and Naruto giving his input where it was required. Just as she was describing how she and her two friends, Yuki and Kousuke, had finger-painted flowers on one of the walls because of some art project the entire kindergarten was participating in, the front door opened. Emi stopped talking abruptly and both of them listened to Sasuke shuffling in the foyer before his footsteps sounded down the hall and he appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. He looked as exhausted as ever but he smiled faintly at the sight of them.

"Welcome home daddy!" Emi greeted him.

"I'm home," he answered and entered to kiss the top of her head. Then he looked up at Naruto and gave him another soft smile.

"Welcome home," Naruto said, smiling back.

"I'm home. What are you eating?" Sasuke asked.

"Papa made spa-ghetti," Emi told him and dug into her food again.

Sasuke looked at Naruto with raised eyebrows and mouthed 'papa'. Biting his lip, Naruto pulled one shoulder up in an I-didn't-know-what-to-do-motion and Sasuke let out a small snort.

Well, at least he didn't seem to think it was bad.

"And tomatoes," Emi added proudly, completely missing their little exchange. "I told papa you like tomatoes, daddy."

"Thank you, Emi," Sasuke said, giving her hair a caress.

He shrugged off his suit jacket and hung it across the back of his chair, removed his tie and placed it on top of the jacket, and rolled up his sleeves before sitting down at the table and piling some food on his plate. The entire thing made Naruto's heart do a little weird hop-skip-thing and he really wanted to lean over and press a kiss to Sasuke's lips.

He resisted the urge though, and took a large bite of his spaghetti instead.

Once Sasuke began eating as well, Emi continued retelling her day from the beginning so Sasuke would be brought up to speed on what she had been telling Naruto when he had come through the door.

Sasuke's full attention was on her, though he looked as if he could fall asleep any moment, and it warmed Naruto's heart, like it did every time Sasuke put Emi in the center of his world.

Soon Emi's story ended and Sasuke turned to Naruto. He opened his mouth to say something but it was lost when Emi let out an enormous yawn.

"Oh wow," Naruto chuckled. "Someone's tired."

"It is time to go to bed," Sasuke said, glancing at the clock as Emi rubbed the tears from the yawn out of her eyes. "It's already way past your bedtime and we have the family barbeque tomorrow."

Emi lit up.

"Then papa will meet everyone!" she said.

Naruto smiled at her but threw a nervous glance at Sasuke, who gave him a quick look as well, though it was hard to decipher if it was supposed to be reassuring or apologetic.

"He will," Sasuke agreed and Emi let out another yawn, prompting Sasuke to do the same.

"Okay," Naruto said. "I guess it's bedtime for both of you."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him.

"I wanna read a story before bed," Emi said.

"Want to, Emi," Sasuke corrected.

Both Naruto and Emi grimaced and she scowled at her plate. Sasuke blinked at them questioningly.

"Spa-ghetti," she muttered. "Want to."

Naruto chuckled a little.

"Don't mind it," he said with a sly glance at Sasuke. "If you wanna say wanna, then do it. As long as you write it properly in the future."

Emi gave an understanding nod and Sasuke shook his head at him, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Well, proper education…" he began but trailed off to then sigh as Emi slipped off her chair, clearly not listening to him now that she'd gotten the go ahead from Naruto. Instead, he muttered, so quietly Naruto barely heard it: "Until you learn to write I'll allow it."

Naruto laughed lightly and Sasuke shot him a look of exasperation, before returning his attention to Emi who was now grabbing at his arm.

"Daddy, can you read with me?" she asked.

Sasuke glanced at his half-eaten plate and Naruto stood up. He knew she had missed him during the week, but Sasuke had apparently not eaten properly that day, judging by how he eyed his food.

"Tell you what, Emi," Naruto said. "Why don't you and I go get ready for bed and then your dad can come and read with you?"

Emi let go of Sasuke's arm to grab Naruto's hand instead.

"Okay," she agreed.

Naruto sent a small smile at Sasuke, who returned it with one of his own, and led Emi out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

It had been a hectic week.

Sasuke had no idea how he had gotten so busy, it was just a business deal, something he had been through a hundred times already, but he had barely found time to do anything besides work, eat and sleep.

Which was irritating, seeing as how he had progressed in his relationship with Naruto. Normally he would be annoyed because he saw so little of Emi during times like these, but now he missed two people instead of one.

Nor did it help that he was more cautious of the media than usual since he had gotten calls from an unknown number during the past three days. He couldn't trace it as it was anonymous and it put him on edge. Who was the person calling him and how had they gotten his number? It should be nearly impossible to find.

Emi let out a heavy sigh in her sleep, which brought Sasuke out of his thoughts. He watched her for a moment, love filling his chest. Then he stood heavily and put away the book they had been reading. He made sure the cover was tucked around her properly before he kissed her forehead and turned off the lights. He left the door open the slightest on his way out and made his way down the stairs to the living room, stopping in the doorway.

Naruto was sprawled out on the couch, having sunk so low half his body was nearly on the floor. He blinked slowly at the TV-screen, as if he was trying his hardest to keep his eyes open, though it looked as if it became harder and harder for him each time he closed them.

A sound must have escaped Sasuke because Naruto looked over at him and grinned sleepily before straightening himself up to sit properly.

"Hey," he said as Sasuke approached and sat down beside him. "I was trying to find some news but there's only commercial on every channel."

Sasuke glanced at the TV and settled deeper into the cushions of the couch.

"Just leave it on this channel," he said. "There is usually news on it."

"Okay," Naruto said and yawned.

They were quiet for a moment as they watched a car zoom across the screen to some beat-heavy music. Peace settled over Sasuke. His shoulders relaxed, his breathing deepened and he felt all the tension that had accumulated throughout the day trickle away.

Somewhere in the middle of the commercial Naruto's head slid down to rest on Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke smiled a little to himself and, after a second of hesitating, moved his hand to grab Naruto's and interlace their fingers. He felt more than saw Naruto smile.

"So, you gave in to Emi?" Sasuke murmured when another commercial began.

"Hm?" Naruto hummed, before he seemed to realize what Sasuke meant. "Oh, yeah… she told me she wanted to have two parents just like everyone else, and I just couldn't say no. Especially since that was all I ever wished for when I was her age."

Sasuke's chest got tighter for a moment and he squeezed Naruto's hand.

"But she promised only to use it at home," Naruto continued. "Where no one can hurt her. Is… is that okay? I mean, I didn't mean to just assume it was okay to be her parent, but–"

"No that's not the issue," Sasuke interrupted. "I'm just worried about what the rest of the world will do to either of you if they ever find out."

The fingers of Naruto's other hand traced small patterns into the back of Sasuke's.

"Yeah, I'm a little worried for Emi, too," Naruto murmured. "But I'll be fine, whatever they say about me. As long as you and Emi are there."

Sasuke hummed and Naruto raised his head to look at him. Sasuke met his eyes steadily.

"I'm worried I won't be a good parent, though," he whispered. "I really have nothing to go off here and I'm afraid I'll make everything a mess. What if she ends up hating me? Or changes her mind? What if–"

Sasuke raised his free hand to cup the back of Naruto's head and pull him into a kiss. Naruto responded easily, pressing closer, but it didn't take long before he pulled back to continue what he had been saying before.

"It's not going to happen," Sasuke said, cutting off whatever he was about to say. "It's already been a few months and not once have you done anything to make either of us hate you or change our minds."

Chewing on his lip, Naruto looked away. Sasuke brought up their linked hands to brush his lips against Naruto's knuckles, which made Naruto look back at him with a soft smile.

"We should go to bed," Sasuke murmured against his skin. "We're both tired and you'll have to deal with my entire family for the most part of tomorrow."

He saw Naruto swallow nervously before he nodded. Sasuke snorted and stood, pulling him with him.

"They're not dangerous," he said. "Just a little pushy."

Naruto let out a weak chuckle.

"Right," he said.

Sasuke smirked at him and picked up the remote, turning the TV off just as the news came on. There was a picture of a vaguely familiar face on the screen, but Sasuke didn't have the energy to place it at the moment. It was most likely one of Uchiha Corp's business partners. He almost always saw one of them on the news, and they were in the middle of a new deal with another company, so it wasn't very surprising to see someone familiar on the TV.

He put the remote back on the coffee table and pulled Naruto with him up the stairs. They paused at the top for a moment, both a little unsure how to proceed. Naruto's door was just to the right and Sasuke's was down the hall, across from his office.

He had wanted to ask Naruto to share his bed for a few nights now, but hadn't had the time or the courage to actually do it. Judging by the hesitation on Naruto's face he felt the same.

It was as well; because Sasuke couldn't find it in himself to let go of his hand and leave. So instead he wordlessly pulled Naruto along, down the hall, and to his room, smiling a little at the surprised gasp coming from behind him.

"I-I don't h-have my pajamas," Naruto stammered, voice breathless, as the bedroom door shut behind him. Then his cheeks darkened. "U-unless you were th-thinking–"

Sasuke shook his head with a small laugh and went over to his closet to pull out a t-shirt and sweatpants.

"I think we're both too tired. Here," he said and tossed them to Naruto.

He caught them and stared as if he had never seen such clothes before. Then he looked up at Sasuke, who couldn't quite meet his eyes and stared somewhere above his eyebrows.

"I didn't feel like letting you leave my side," he admitted softly and his face felt warm.

He saw Naruto hide a grin as he looked down at the clothes again.

"You really are cute," he commented and put the clothes on the bed.

Sasuke opened his mouth to protest, but was rendered speechless as Naruto proceeded to pull his shirt over his head. He couldn't help but stare at the exposed skin, heat stirring in his stomach, and Naruto grinned.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, sounding much more confident than he had just a minute ago.

Sasuke met his gaze steadily this time.

"No," he answered, his voice coming out low and gravelly.

This time it was Naruto's turn to blush but, to Sasuke's surprise, he didn't shy away. Instead he walked up to him, standing so close he could feel his breath on his lips. Keeping their eyes locked, he reached down to grab Sasuke's hands and guided them to his waist.

Sasuke wasn't slow in getting the hint and let his fingers wander over Naruto's warm, soft skin, tracing invisible patterns and leaving goose bumps. Naruto's breath stuttered every now and then but otherwise he stood perfectly still, his eyes following the movements of Sasuke's fingers.

When he was done, his hands back at Naruto's waist, Naruto leaned in and caught his lips in a gentle kiss while he began undoing the buttons of Sasuke's shirt. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat and he wondered if Naruto was going to take things further than either of them had planned, but Naruto simply let the shirt slide to the floor before he kissed him again, pressing their bodies close for skin on skin contact.

"We should really go to bed," Naruto murmured against his lips.

Sasuke nodded, but couldn't bring himself to stop kissing Naruto. He buried his hands in Naruto's hair to keep him close and it seemed Naruto had no plans of ending the kiss either. His arms settled around Sasuke's waist to pull him closer and he could feel Naruto's lips turn up in a smile.

They needed to breathe eventually, so Sasuke pulled back only to rest their foreheads together.

"It's been a long week," he sighed and Naruto chuckled.

"Yeah, but weekends are for resting," he said.

"There'll be no resting until tomorrow's over," Sasuke muttered which made Naruto laugh.

"Come on," he chortled and untangled himself from Sasuke's arms. "Let's go to bed."

Sasuke nodded and grabbed his hand to pull him along to the bathroom. Soon they were curled around each other in bed and Sasuke wasn't sure he had ever had such a peaceful night's sleep.

Another chapter :) I'm sorry it took so long! I haven't proof read any of it, just so you know.

You guys are great, you know that? I try to answer all the comments, but sometimes I just forget, especially those that come later. I'll try and be better, but if I don't answer it's not because the comment sucks, I'm just forgetful is all. I do read all of them!

And also, critique is good, those of you that have given me any. I just want to say, though, that I know Sasuke isn't the same moody, broody type of person he is in the manga, but that's because he's led a completely different life in this universe. I think that would make him a little different, right? Same goes for Naruto.

And! To the person who made the pancake analogy, thank you. That had me chuckling for a while and I don't know why I found it so funny, but it still makes me smile when I think of it.

Anyway, sorry to bother you with all this nonsense! I just wanted to point those things out!

See you guys in the next chapter!