Chapter 4, "The groom's side"

A few minutes later, the blond sat on the bathroom's floor, fisting his golden mope. The door slowly opened, before the raven walked in.

"Your guests are here. You shouldn't keep them waiti-"

"You are hard to love, but you are impossible to like."

"Is this because of what I said to that old-"

"Don't!"

"Hn."

"He's my family!"

"How about when you were meddling into mine? Didn't you say-"

"You might be okay not talking to your family even on your wedding day, hating them, and holding grudges. But I'm not. I can't even imagine a day passing without him calling to check on me, so unless you have something constructive to say, stay out of my family business."

"I was standing up for you," the raven hissed, regretting revealing his thoughts. "He was just trying to make himself feel better by getting you to convince him that it was your choice-"

"It is my choice! I choose to be happy when I help people I love."

"You choose to be naïve. You're wasting your life for the sake of a person-"

"Beats wasting my life for the sake of envy and insecurity."

The Uchiha remained silent for a few minutes, before finally speaking, "I think you insecure too. You are so terrified people won't like you so you have to resort to grand gestures to guilt them into giving you affection. You know you are a loser, and the only thing you have to offer is acting like an overly friendly puppy. This is why you go around the streets giving people sweets, isn't it? No one would love a loud loser dying for affection without some encouragement," Even before the last word had left his mouth, the guilt had stricken Sasuke.

The blond stood up, frowning, and holding his chest. He had hoped he could get along with the man, but that aspiration was slipping away by the second. He was already tired and exhausted today, he didn't need that bastard pushing his buttons; pouring salt over his open wounds.

Sasuke hissed lowly, walking towards Naruto. He cornered the other into the wall, wiping away tears off tanned cheeks with his thumb. "You look like a mess."

The blond furrowed his eyebrows; He didn't realize he had started crying. "I'm not crying…"

"It's allergies, right?" Sasuke mocked, hand getting slapped away by Naruto. "Seriously crying even though you were the one dashing it first?"

"I can wipe my own face!" Why was he being this emotional? He cussed inwardly. He would have never cried because of a silly argument. The stress of the step he was about to take, perhaps.

Sasuke bit his lips. The taste of guilt like acid in his throat; it made him nauseous. Fake husband or real; wasn't he supposed to look after the blond? Plus, he honestly hated tears. Seeing people exposed in front of him, made him uncomfortable to say the least ever since he was a child.

"You are not a child. I won't feel bad because you have over active tear glands." Was that really his attempt to make Naruto feel better? He groaned inwardly. He was the worst person when it came to consoling others. His tongue never obeyed him, even after making resolutions about wanting to become kinder.

"Fuck you! Just leave and I'll be out soon!"

He hissed, crossing his arms. Naruto ignored him, and began to wash his face as he sniffled, body shaking. The raven gulped, reaching his hands out in hesitation, his fingers brushing against Naruto's back. Suddenly, Naruto turned around. "What are you doing?!"

"Nothing," he gulped.

"Don't touch me!"

"I wasn't touching you."

"I felt your fingers against my back, you perve."

"I'm an idiot for trying to comfort you," Sasuke whispered inwardly. "I just wanted to give you this," he pulled something out of his pocket.

Naruto took it into his hands, glancing down intently. "Homemade caramels?"

"Yeah."

"Are you bribing me? Because fuck you. I'm not that cheap."

The raven shifted his weight on his feet, eyes staring at the doorknob as someone tried to open the locked door from outside.

"You don't have to worry. I'll keep my word. I'll act like I love I get out of the bathroom. I'll fucking love you in public like no one ever did," Naruto sniffled.

Sasuke nodded. He still didn't want Naruto tormenting through out the event. He could apologize now, but apologizing was yet another weakness of his. He wasn't a people person, was he? He wondered. "Naruto-"

"I'm ready. Lets go ahead," he headed for the door, faking a brave face.

"Naruto!"

The blond froze, "What?"

Sasuke took in one deep breath, "Remember when I told you if people listened to me instead of crying, they might learn something?"

"You're so smug," the blond jeered.

Sasuke heaved another deep breath, "Sometimes words don't come out the way…"

"Are you trying to apologize?" the blond turned around, looking Sasuke in the eye.

Sasuke cracked his neck. Yes, he hated this. "Do you accept it?"

"Finish it first."

He hissed, "Seriously?"

"Go ahead."

He stared at Naruto for a second before muttering quickly, "I'm sorry I said those things to you."

"Why?"

"Don't rub it in."

"…"

"Because I don't want you on the verge of crying all day long when this is supposed to be a happy occasion. I don't think it matters if the shame wedding is happy or not, but obviously you care; so I don't want you to be miserable today."

"So you think I'm a loser, you just don't want me tormenting over it?"

"That's not what I said."

"I'll prove you wrong, you know. I don't care if you think I'm a loser or not, I'll just take that pain inside of me and use it as ammo. And when I'm on the big screen, bigger than life, you'll see me and know how wrong you were about me," the blond smirked, smile cracking at the sides. "And you'll beg me to come visit your store for promotion!"

Sasuke smiled back, "You better do it, or I'll never let you hear the end of it."

"And you'll never be able to call me a dobe again. Believe it."

"Until then, dobe," he ruffled with Naruto's blond mop, earning himself a pout. "Lets do it."

On the count of three, the newly weds pushed the bathroom door open, and immediately they were pulled from one group to the other getting congratulated. Somehow they all seemed to be friends on Naruto.

"Is that the lucky guy?" Omoi jumped over Naruto, burring him under his arm.

"I have good taste, don't I?" The blond chuckled, before leaning against Sasuke. He hesitated for a second, before kissing the milky cheek. Sasuke gulped, looking away. "He doesn't like when I do that in public, but I can't help myself."

"How come I didn't meet him earlier? Huh? Do you like keeping him all to your self?" The man chuckled, eyeing Sasuke. The raven was smirking at him, or was that just the natural expression his friend's new husband always wore. No, he definitely smirking of him. Did the raven have bad intentions? He gulped; what if Sasuke hated him? He wouldn't let Naruto invite him to future events. After a while, Naruto would start to forget about him. Their bond would dissolve and in a couple of years, Naruto would not even remember his name, he thought.

"What's with this expression?" Naruto chuckled, pinching his friends tanned cheeks. "You look scared."

"Nothing. Nothing at all! I need to go…" He walked away.

"What's wrong with him?" Sasuke whispered in Naruto's ear.

"He gets lost in his thoughts sometimes, and you sort of scared him. Smile for God's sake!"

"I'm smiling."

"You're smirking. How many times do I have to tell you there is a difference between smiling and smirking? Smiling doesn't creep people out, American psycho's smirks do."

The raven stared at Naruto blankly for a second before losing the smirk completely.

"Now you're frowning!"

"This is my blank expression. It happens to be very-"

"Rapy?"

"Next comment costs you a tooth."

The blond pursed his lips trying to hide his smile at the third expression on Sasuke's face. It was true; Sasuke was cute when angry. He pulled him in suddenly, and placed a kiss on forehead. Sasuke gulped, eyes wide open.

He stared at the blond who had recovered fast and began to smile at the other guests. He could see the nape of Naruto's neck, tanned, with a few soft blondish hairs. Handsome. Beautiful. But he was just a business partner or all he cared, he repeated internally.

"Sasuke, Sasuke, come here. Meet Ayami. We went to school together," the blond gestured in the air.

Sasuke put on a soft smile, before heading towards the cluster of guests. "Nice to meet you."

"Ahhh, Naruto!" The girl chuckled. "You know how to pick'em. How handsome!"

"Isn't he?!" Naruto grinned widely, before tapping Sasuke on the shoulder and winking at him, "Everyone is fawning all over you today, lucky groom. I'm starting to get jealous. I need some love too. I spent an hour on my hair."

Sasuke coughed twice, looking away, trying to hide his blush. He didn't like to be the center of attention, and Naruto was forcing him under the spotlight.

"You're not wearing the rings yet?!" The girl pulled on Naruto's hand.

The blond smiled anxiously for a second, freaking out internally. Had they forgotten all about the rings?

"In a few minutes we will be wearing them," Sasuke added quickly. "We thought we should do it here in front of all our friends and family instead down by the registrar."

Naruto added, "I wish we could've had a priest or someone here, but you know…"

"I know…" She frowned.

"Plus, neither of us is religious anyway," he smiled again.

"But you could've gotten one of your friends to preform your wedding. You know Jacky did this for-"

"I need to go check on the buffet," Sasuke interrupted. "Excuse me."

Once the man was a couple of feet away, the friend smiled at Naruto, "How come I haven't heard of him before?"

Naruto gulped. It seemed to be a popular question today. "It is all recent, but…" he lied. "I feel like I've known him for years though. I know he's the one."

"So romantic!" The girl squealed again. "When and how did you meet?"

"You have to wait with everyone else," he poked his tongue out. "I didn't get to say my vows in front of you guys, so I have a little speech prepared instead."

"Speaking of guests, where are your in laws? Are they nice?"

Naruto bit his lip, "I didn't meet them yet."

The girl gasped, "They are not here." She then pursed her lips as if she had realized something tragic about the other man. "He didn't come out to them yet, did he?"

"Our marriage is just so sudden, we thought we shouldn't spring it on them-"

"Is he estranged?"

"No-"

"Naruto, be honest with me. There are support groups I can recommend."

Immediately Sasuke popped in, "Can I borrow him for a second?"

"Yes," Naruto smiled, relieved that the man had just rescued him from the interrogation. Once they were alone in one of the dressing rooms, he let out a deep breath, "Man, we were about to get made. What did you need me for?" He noticed that Sasuke was frowning. He gulped. "What's wrong?"

"Did you invite Itachi?" Sasuke gritted his teeth, looking as if he was about to bust out of his rails.

"No," Naruto stated. "I wouldn't do it after-"

"Someone must've invited him, Naruto, and-"

"Maybe it is someone who knows him from your guests-"

"What guests?! The only guests here from my side are my co-workers and only because you made me invite them today!"

"You didn't invite any family?" Naruto lowered his voice, a little sad.

"Most of my family loves in Suna, Naruto. They wouldn't bother coming here even if invited them."

"Why not?"

"That's not even the point now. Did you invite Itachi-"

"I didn't! I already said I didn't! Plus I don't know how to reach him even if I wanted too."

Sasuke walked back, chest raising and plummeting. "Whatever. I have to get rid of him as soon as possible."

"Why? He's your brother. Just enjoy having him around. For just one day, set aside all the negative feelings you have for him."

"He's just here to measure you up against Kisame."

Naruto wet his lips, walking towards one of the overly decorated chairs and sitting down, "So are you ashamed he's going to see me?"

"No. He just has bad intentions."

"I doubt it. But even if he do, don't let him ruin the day. Pretend to be happy in front of him. No. Be happy!"

"Come with me," Sasuke suddenly heaved Naruto's hand and began to dashed outside.

The raven maneuvered between the people quickly, forcing Naruto to bumping into a few, and ignoring at the people tried to congratulate them.

"Sasuke, slow down."

"Where is he?" He didn't even look back.

"Chill. We'll find him-"

"Is that him?"

"Ah-" He pulled Naruto towards the pool outside, before letting go of his hand once he had a closer at the man outside.

Naruto held his sore hand, "It's going to leave a bruise. Already abusive?"

"Where is he? I'm sure. I saw him come in," Sasuke turned around, trying to scan the surroundings for his brother. "Come-" He reached for Naruto's hand.

"No!" The blond swept his hand away. "People don't even pull their dogs like that!"

Sasuke took in a deep breath, "I want to find him."

"Then find him alone!"

"I won't drag you anymore. Just keep up with me."

"Lets just do it," Naruto pushed him to the side and began to walk into the crowd again. He suddenly froze, as he a face oddly familiar to Sasuke's. "Is that him? Oh, you look like twins."

"That's him right."

"Sasuke," the man suddenly spotted them, and began to walk their way with an angelic smile on his face.

"See how he's smiling at us," Sasuke hissed. "You could just see the evil-"

The blond rolled his eyes, "Sasuke, you, especially, don't talk about smiles. Plus, he looks like the more normal between you two-"

"He's a good actor. He likes to pretend like he's the good guy-"

The man hugged Sasuke as soon as he arrived, holding the very distressedyounger brother for a little too long. He moved away, ruffling with Sasuke's hair. "I miss you, little Sasuke."

"I'm not little anymore," the raven grumbled.

"Hello. I'm Itachi Uchiha. I'm Sasuke's older brother," he said to Naruto.

Naruto smiled, "I'm Naruto. You might figure it out from the tux, but I'm marrying your brother."

"Welcome to the family-"

Sasuke huffed loudly, "Yeah, right."

Itachi turned to Sasuke, "Mother told me you came to Konoha last year. I tried to contact you, but it seems that I keep missing you. I left you messages."

"I never check my messages."

"I figured."

"Who invited you to my wedding, Itachi?"

"Sasuke!" Naruto elbowed him. "You are being rude."

"It's okay Naruto," the older brother's smile faded. "I thought my invitation must've been lost in the mail. You wouldn't get married without inviting your family, would you? You were my best man."

"It was just a spontaneous thing!" Naruto butted in to justify. "We were basically eloping until I screwed up and mass publicized it today on my facebook."

"I see… Well it's good the real-estate agent told me about it then."

"Real-estate agent?" Sasuke asked. He invited her.

"The Uchiha name is unique I guess. She thought you were buying the store right next to me as an extension for mine, so she called yesterday to set the date for finalizing the paper work. She said you are probably busy with the preparations for your honeymoon," Itachi said as if he was blaming the other. As if his words should have continued on about how shocking and saddening it was to hear about his brother buying a shop next to his and getting married from a stranger.

Sasuke looked away, "You know about the shop."

"You always loved competing with me Sasuke," he smiled, as if he didn't want to blame the other anymore on his special day. "Congratulations on your marriage. Naruto looks like a great guy."

"Thank you."

"I'll be leaving now," he nodded, before turning to Naruto. "Take care of him. He can be a little aloof sometimes, but don't let it fool you. He has a soft creamy surprise center like the hard candy he used to love so much."

As the man walked away, the two grooms stood in silence as if he had dropped a silent bomb.

"I thought you didn't like sweets?"

"I don't. He used past tense."

"I see…"

"Hn."

"I want to say he looks nice and kind, and a little hurt, but you'd get upset."

"I would."

"So your shop is right next to your brother's?"

"It wouldn't make sense if it was in an area with a different traffic."

"Yes, it wouldn't make sense to spite someone, but not steal their customers too," Naruto whispered.

"Are you going to start blaming me again?"

"No. I'll let you do that to yourself."

"I won't."

"Not now. Not yet, you won't."

"Lets head inside," Sasuke walked faster.

"Sasuke, come dance with me," Naruto suddenly smiled.

"Recovered already? I thought you were going to hate me for the rest of the day."

Naruto ignored him, dragging him from the hand to the dance floor. Sasuke almost tripped as the man forced him towards him. "Doesn't feel good to be dragged, does it?"

"Whatever!"

"That's my favorite song. Remember?" He chuckled loudly, trying to get the other to hear him over the sound of the music. He wrapped his hands around a Sasuke's neck, and poked their noses together.

"I don't like dancing."

"C'mon!"

"I don't-"

"Please," Naruto poked out his bottom lip, trying to be cute. Suddenly he whined as the song faded away. "It ended."

"Now this song I can dance to," a slower song came on. Ballade. Sasuke wrapped his hands around Naruto's waist, immediately taking the lead.

"I thought you didn't like dancing?" Naruto said as he tried to fight him for the lead role, before realizing it looked bizarre and gave up his struggle.

"I don't, but I know how to do some ball room dances."

"Ball room dancing, pastry making, wedding organizing, custom suits. Are you gay?" Naruto pretended to be shocked, teasing.

Sasuke smiled, then pouted, "Does it show? I always thought it would always be all the gay sex that outs me."

"You won't be having much of it for the next three years."

"Hmm."

"Do you think by the time we will be divorced, dating will have changed? Sex? Like new kinky stuff will be all hip, and I'll be like a grandpa-"

"Sex has always been the same, silly."

"I doubt that. I've done some things that might have been illegal in the past."

"Like what?" Sasuke smirked at the other.

"You are a pervert," Naruto chuckled.

"I think if anyone heard our conversation, they would agree you are the pervert."

"Whatever! It means I'm fun."

"It doesn't."

"It does!"

"Doesn't."

"Does!"

"Do-"

"You better be nice to me. I'm your only chance at sex for the next couple of years."

Sasuke pulled Naruto closer, letting the other rest his head on his shoulder, "Is that an offer?"

"I bet people looking at us now think we are so in love. I'm resting my head on your shoulder as we dance to a romantic song," Naruto whispered. "They probably don't think we are talking about sex-stuff."

"Was it an offer?"

"No," Naruto gulped.

"I'm your only chance too, and I can tell-"

"If you said anything about me being easy, I'm stepping on your foot."

"I didn't know your easy, but now that you've say it-" Sasuke suddenly bit his lip as pain shoot from his foot.

"Oh, sorry baby, did I step on your foot? I'm so clumsy," Naruto struggled against the urge to poke his tongue out. "Aw!"

"Ah, I slipped."

"Your foot slipped?!"

Sasuke quickly pulled him to his chest, before anyone else noticed their scuffle. "We can't sleep together though."

"Whatever. Plus you only sleep with people who have slept with your brother-"

"I wasn't trying to insult you," Sasuke hissed. "I was just making an observation. We can't sleep together, because we can't risk someone falling in love with the other."

"I guess you mean me when you say someone. Because your dick is made out of cupid's arrows, right? Get over yourself," Naruto huffed. "Although your food…"

"You're going to fall in love with me over cookies?"

"I have a weakness."

"I can't feed you then."

"But then I might fall in love with some other chef, and end our deal," Naruto pulled the other's leg.

"Hn."

Naruto then lowered his head back onto Sasuke's shoulder, whispering, "You really smell good."

"So you have said."

"I can just stay this all night," he closed his eyes. Sasuke's scent was truly relaxing.

The raven slowly wrapped his hands around him, letting one hand wonder into the blond mope. "Don't sleep."

"I won't," he tightened his grip around Sasuke.

- To be continued -

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