14. An Unknown Caller and The Child Whisperer

Sasuke leaned his head back with a sigh and rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that always followed when he stared at his laptop screen for too long. He closed his eyes and decided to rest them for a moment.

It had been a hectic week – what with their business deal finally going through – but somehow his soul had never felt more at ease. And he knew it had a lot to do with Naruto.

Even if both of them had been busy this week – Sasuke with his work, though it wasn't as stressful as it had been before the business deal, and Naruto with his studies – it felt as if they had become even closer. It might be normal, seeing as what had happened at his parents that weekend was a big step in their relationship, but it still baffled Sasuke a little. He had never had a relationship like this, where he wanted to give and give and give, to make his partner happy and ensure they wanted for nothing. Up until now Emi had been the only one he wholly gave himself to and was open with.

But with Naruto, it was just so easy to be himself without fear of… well everything.

They hadn't really been able or had the time to be intimate again, though it still felt like it in the way Naruto would lean against Sasuke's legs when he studied while Sasuke watched the evening news, in how he curled up to him during the night in his sleep and how Sasuke wasn't bothered or irritated about it the same way he had been with his ex-wife, in the kisses they would share before they fell asleep and after they woke up, and in how the touches between them lingered a little longer than necessary.

"I like this Sasuke," Itachi had commented one day during lunch.

Sasuke had raised his eyebrows at him and his brother had grinned.

"Your so calm, tranquil, sociable and smiley," he had elaborated. "It's quite nice to see."

Sasuke had muttered something unintelligible and went back to his food, though his face had warmed.

His phone began ringing and pulled him out of his thoughts. He heaved a heavy sigh and opened his eyes again to look at it. He frowned when the screen lit up with only the name 'Unknown', no number. He stared at it for a moment as uneasiness settled over him like a heavy blanket.

He couldn't be certain it was the same person, but Unknown had been calling him two or three times a day all week, on his personal phone. It was unsettling, seeing as no one could get his number had he himself not given it to them. It should be impossible to look up and yet, here he was with an untraceable, unknown number calling him. They never left a voicemail either, which was weird considering they called him so often.

The phone stopped ringing and Sasuke let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He stared at his phone for another moment, before he shook himself out of it and went back to work.

He soon lost himself in numbers and charts and forgot all about the unknown caller. Time seemed to fly past and it felt like just minutes later his secretary knocked on his door to announce she was going home, which always indicated it was late afternoon, bordering on evening.

Sasuke thanked her with a faint, distracted smile and wished her a nice weekend. He caught her blush as she retreated with an 'And to you too, sir'.

Sasuke blinked at the door. His secretary usually didn't blush, but then again, Sasuke usually didn't talk to her. His brother's earlier comment about being sociable came back to him and he snorted, but decided to not mind it and went back to his laptop.

He finished what he was currently working on before he packed up and made his way home, one of the last to leave the building. His brother was still there, judging by the light he could see through the frosted glass to his office, but Sasuke chose not to disturb him.

The sound of running feet greeted him when he entered his home and soon Emi came into view, skidding out of the kitchen towards the stairs to the upper floor.

"Be careful, Emi," Sasuke said as he took off his suit jacket and hung it up.

She glanced over at him, startled.

"Oh, hi daddy!" she greeted hastily before she hurried up the stairs and left Sasuke staring after her in bewilderment.

He shook his head and removed his shoes. Something clearly had her worked up. He thought it might have to do with her friends visiting tomorrow, but he couldn't figure out why she was in such a hurry upstairs.

He made his way into the kitchen where he found Naruto bent over a cookbook at the kitchen island. A smile tugged at his lips and he moved up behind him, placing a hand on his hip and pressing a kiss to the side of his neck.

Naruto jumped a little in surprise but turned to him with a grin.

"Hey," he said. "I didn't hear you come in."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Instead he chose to lean in and capture Naruto's lips with his. Naruto turned to him fully, wrapping his arms around his middle to bring him closer.

"Welcome home," he breathed once they broke apart.

Sasuke gave him another soft kiss.

"I'm home," he murmured.

Naruto smiled and turned back to the cookbook. Sasuke watched him flip through it for a moment before he decided to break the silence.

"Naruto."

"Hm?" Naruto hummed.

"Why was Emi in such a hurry?"

Naruto looked up at him with a laugh.

"Oh, that," he said, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, she wanted Kousuke and Yuki to come over and play tomorrow right? I told her that would only happen if she cleaned her room."

Sasuke frowned. He remembered having a conversation with the parents of Emi's friend, and he thought he had already made arrangements. They were supposed to be dropped off tomorrow after breakfast and stay until dinner.

"I thought it was already decided they were coming," he said. "I've notified the guard at the gates and everything."

Naruto grinned.

"Oh, I know," he said with a wink. "Emi, however, doesn't. I thought she needed an incentive to pick up her toys since I've asked her to all week without development. I'll help her clean her room properly after dinner, but her toys she can handle herself."

Sasuke was silent for an astonished moment before he burst out laughing.

"You really know how to make her do things willingly," he chuckled. "She didn't even put up a fight?"

Naruto waggled his eyebrows.

"Nope," he laughed. "I'm the child whisperer."

Sasuke smiled.

"Apparently you are," he agreed.

Naruto sat staring unseeingly at his book, the words and sentences blurring together. He blinked a few times to try and focus again, but gave up once he had read the same paragraph three times without taking in what it actually said.

He sighed, put the book down on the coffee table along with the orange marker he had used to highlight important passages, and heaved himself up from the living room floor onto the couch where he proceeded to stare at the muted TV-screen instead. Right now there was a commercial for some new sports drink, but soon the news would start. He reached for the remote and turned the sound on again, though he kept it low so the sound wouldn't travel upstairs where Sasuke was putting Emi to bed.

As he relaxed, Naruto couldn't remember feeling this calm and peaceful and content in his entire life, as if he had found something he hadn't known was missing. Or well, he had known what he was missing, which was a family, but he hadn't known just how much.

He was still a little afraid this was all just too good to be true. Everything had gone so smoothly, which usually didn't happen in his experience. He had always had to fight or work extremely hard for everything his entire life. He had never had money, so he had instead worked hours on end to be able to hang out and do things with his friends that cost money. He had learned to save up months in advance; just to be sure he could go to the arcade or carnival. He had perfected the art of finding second hand clothes that didn't look like they had been used and school supplies that looked new, so his friends wouldn't pity him. He always bought the cheapest food he could find, usually things that were to expire soon and were on sale. That was the story of his life, ever since he was old enough to make decisions for himself.

Sasuke wasn't aware of this and Naruto didn't know if he ever wanted him to be. People usually assumed he had become friends with them or entered a relationship only because he wanted to use them once they learned how bad his life truly was. Especially those he were in a relationship with. He feared Sasuke and his family would begin to suspect that as well, were they ever to learn how he truly had led his life.

But it was as far from the truth as it could be. Naruto had never ever wanted to use anyone since he knew all to well how it felt to be used himself. Employers didn't pay him enough because they could get away with him being too young or inexperienced and the patrons at the orphanage had seen him as free labor.

Sasuke wasn't unreasonable and he had a warm heart, Naruto knew that, but he couldn't help dreading telling him someday, because what if? What if Sasuke couldn't see past Naruto's background, like so many others in this world, though he tried? What if the suspicion of Naruto's true intentions grew too strong for him to continue being with him? It had all happened before; Naruto didn't doubt it could happen again. Even though all he ever wanted was to love and be loved unconditionally.

He could at least start with telling Sasuke to stop paying him for taking care of Emi. He could find another part time job and help pay for things around the house. He hadn't remembered until that morning that he actually was still Sasuke's employee, and it just felt weird.

The ringing of a phone startled him out of his thoughts and he jumped a little before he looked over at Sasuke's laptop and cellphone on the seat cushion beside him. He peeked at the phone screen, in case it was Itachi calling, but frowned as his eyes fell upon the name 'Unknown'. He stared at it as he waited for it to stop ringing, wondering who would be calling this late on Sasuke's personal phone. He hoped it wasn't some big corporate boss wanting another deal or something, because that meant Sasuke would once again be stressed – more than he usually was – and not have time to be with Emi as much. Or Naruto, but that was secondary.

"Did you give up with studying for tonight?"

Naruto startled and looked over at Sasuke who was making his way over to him.

"Yeah," Naruto answered. "I realized I had read the same thing over and over again without understanding what it said."

Sasuke snorted a little and fell down on the couch beside him, on the other side of his laptop and phone, putting an arm around Naruto to pull him to his side. Naruto went willingly and adjusted so they both could be comfortable. They watched the news together in silence, Sasuke's fingers playing with Naruto's hair and Naruto fiddling with the fingers of Sasuke's other hand.

"Hey," Naruto murmured once the news had gone from global and local to entertainment. "You had a phone call from someone Unknown."

He felt Sasuke still and then sigh heavily.

"Great, they're even calling me in the evening now?" he muttered.

Naruto sat up a little to look at him. Sasuke looked decidedly unhappy and annoyed.

"Who is it?" he asked.

Sasuke met his eyes and shrugged.

"I don't know," he said scowling. "And I probably never will, since I don't plan on answering the caller anytime soon. I only give my private number to those I trust, and none of them have Unknown as their identity."

Naruto frowned and worry coiled in his stomach.

"Do you think it's someone who wants to hurt you?" he whispered.

Sasuke looked at him for a long moment before he sighed again.

"Honestly, I can't rule that out," he said softly. "They have been so very persistent this past week. It would be a very strange way to get to me however."

Naruto bit his lip and turned his attention back to the TV, where the commercials had returned. He couldn't concentrate on them though, as Sasuke's story of his father's uncle and his lover echoed in Naruto's head like a broken record. The media couldn't have found out, could they?

He couldn't suppress the small shiver running down his spine and glanced out the window. It was ridiculous, since the entire neighborhood was strictly guarded and no paparazzi could get in, but he still couldn't help it.

He felt a hand stroke down his back and looked over at Sasuke again, who was watching him seriously.

"Are you okay?"

Naruto considered nodding but decided that honesty was better and shook his head.

"It worries me a little," he said quietly. "Especially because of what you told me about your father's uncle. You'll be careful, right?"

Sasuke smiled faintly.

"Of course," he murmured.

Naruto gave a weak smile back before a yawn forced its way out, bringing tears to his eyes. Sasuke raised his eyebrows in amusement and Naruto wrinkled his nose at him.

"Maybe you should go to bed?" Sasuke suggested.

Naruto nodded and stood, gathering up his book and marker from the coffee table. He leaned down to kiss Sasuke goodnight, but found that when he pulled away he couldn't leave without another kiss. So he bent down again, to Sasuke's obvious amusement and pleasure. His book was soon pushed to the side as Sasuke pulled him onto his lap and Naruto chuckled into the kiss.

"You're gonna damage the book," he murmured against Sasuke's insistent lips.

Sasuke pulled back to gently grab the book and properly put it aside. Naruto grinned at him when he looked back up, and Sasuke rolled his eyes. Then Naruto cupped his face to kiss him again and the book was quickly forgotten.

Soon Sasuke's kisses grew more intent and his touches more intimate. Naruto's heart began fluttering in his chest and he could feel warmth pool in his stomach. He bit his lip as Sasuke moved his lips to his throat and leaned his head back with a soft breath.

"Sasuke," he murmured and Sasuke hummed. "I'm not doing this on the couch. Again."

Sasuke snorted but pulled away and Naruto looked down at him again, meeting his dark, piercing gaze. He swallowed and resisted leaning in to kiss Sasuke's reddened lips again.

"Especially since Emi could come in at any given moment," he continued in a whisper instead.

That did seem to sober Sasuke up a bit and he motioned for Naruto to stand up, following him. He turned the television off, closed his laptop, and after a moment of consideration apparently decided to leave his phone as well, since he took Naruto's hand and pulled him up the stairs and to the bedroom without taking it with him.

Sasuke opened the door to the bedroom and stood back for Naruto to enter. He grinned at him.

"Such a gentleman," he teased and Sasuke leveled him with an unimpressed look.

Naruto hooked his finger in one of the belt loops on Sasuke's pants and pulled him inside as well, making Sasuke let out a small surprised noise. Naruto's grin widened but his heart skipped a beat as the lock on the bedroom door clicked.

"Good idea," he said quietly and Sasuke let out a small laugh.

Naruto's grin turned into a fond smile and he pulled Sasuke to the bed, falling down on it and pulling Sasuke with him so he landed on top of him. Apparently Sasuke had very quick reflexes so he managed to catch himself on his hands by Naruto's head before he narrowed his eyes at him, though there was amusement in them.

"Hi there," Naruto said softly and reached up to cup Sasuke's cheek.

One side of Sasuke's mouth pulled up and he huffed.

"Hello," he answered and turned his head to kiss Naruto's palm. Then he bent down to kiss him full on the lips, slow and languid, taking his time.

Fingers began wandering then, exploring, mapping out every expanse of skin they could, the way they had been too hurried to do last week. Quiet gasps and held back moans filled the room and heat blossomed quickly in the air as their bodies began to move together in a dance that was still relatively new to them but none the less pleasurable.

"Naruto?" Sasuke breathed at one point and Naruto looked up at him.

"Yeah?" he gasped.

Sasuke met his eyes, looking hesitant, and Naruto couldn't tell if he had forgotten what he wanted to say or just couldn't bring himself to do it. So instead of prompting him he smiled and leaned up to catch his lips.

Whatever it was, if it was important, Sasuke could tell him later. And if he had forgotten, then it wasn't that important to begin with.

"Daddy! Your phone!"

Sasuke woke up with a start and sat up to find Emi bursting into the bedroom. He quickly assessed the state he and Naruto, who was now stirring beside him, were in and breathed a sigh of relief that they had had the foresight to clean up and get properly dressed before falling asleep.

He groaned as Emi clambered onto the bed and accidentally elbowed him in the stomach, soon having an armful of energetic child. Emi handed him the phone and then rolled down, or rather squeezed down, into the very tiny space between him and Naruto with a gleeful giggle.

Naruto opened the eye that wasn't obscured by his pillow and growled playfully before he brought his arm up and pulled Emi closer to him. Emi shrieked out a laugh and tried to squirm out of his grip, but he wouldn't let her.

"Do not wake a sleeping bear," he scolded, though laughter could be heard in his sleep rough voice. Then he proceeded to tickle her and until she couldn't breathe from laughter.

"Papa, no!" she gasped.

Sasuke couldn't help the smile spreading on his face and the skip in his heart when Emi called Naruto papa. Naruto grinned at her and stopped his tickle attack of death to bring her into a hug instead, which she snuggled into immediately, her little hand reaching up to pat his cheek.

"Sorry I woke you up," she mumbled.

Naruto chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"It's okay, baby," he said.

Sasuke leaned back against the headboard of the bed and watched them for a moment before he remembered the phone in his hand.

"Emi, what did you want with my phone?" he asked and his daughter turned in Naruto's arms to peer up at him through the mess that was her hair.

"I was watching Ariel and then the phone ringed and I took it up here," she explained.

Sasuke looked down at his phone and woke the screen up while Naruto told Emi the proper conjugation was rang not ringed. He felt dread for a moment as he looked down at the notification but breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Itachi's name instead of Unknown.

He had left a voice mail and Sasuke decided to listen to it, giving Emi's hair a caress. Naruto looked up at him inquiringly, clearly trying to look unbothered but Sasuke could still see the worry in his eyes.

"It's Itachi," he said.

Naruto relaxed and gave a small nod before he returned his attention to Emi while Sasuke listened to the message.

"Hello, Sasuke! I just wanted to let you know I'm dropping by today. I haven't seen Emi or Naruto since last week. Mother and father are also thinking of visiting soon, though I don't know if it'll be today. Anyway, they were quite taken by Naruto and want to get to know him better so expect more visits or invitations from them! Okay, see you later! Bye!"

Sasuke rubbed the side of his face and ended the call when the operator asked him if he wanted to listen to the message again or delete it.

"I guess we should get up and get ready," he said and put his phone on the bedside table. "Seems Itachi wants to come over today too."

"Tachi is coming?" Emi sat up. "Will he play with me and Kousuke and Yuki?"

Sasuke got out of bed and picked her up.

"I'm sure he will, princess," he said as he put her down on the floor again. "But you need to go wash up before that."

Emi glanced at Naruto who smiled.

"You wanted braids today, right?" he asked and she nodded. "Then go brush your hair so we can make that happen."

"Okay!" Emi said and rushed off to her room.

Sasuke shook his head.

"You really are the child whisperer," he muttered.

Naruto snorted a laugh and got up, stopping to kiss Sasuke briefly before he followed Emi to her room. Sasuke watched him until go, then sighed and began making the bed. It was most likely going to be a chaotic day.

Hey!

New chapter :) And they were at it again... But well, yeah... new relationship and all that. And both Sasuke and Naruto had actually bought lube and condoms for this time and there were a few minutes of laughing when they realized it before they got back to business haha xD I might have written the entire thing out, had I not been tired and unmotivated. But you are welcome to use your imagination!

So, I hope this chapter was okay. I feel it might not make much sense, but then again, I feel like I myself don't make much sense most of the time.

Okay, I'll stop talking and go to bed.

Until the next chapter!