A reviewer (to one of my other stories) pointed out my lack of line breakers. I think it hasn't been too horrible in this story but in that one it was just embarrassing... Haha so now I'm probably going to overuse them:p Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. It might not be what you were expecting... hehe...


Chapter seven: Doubts and a realization

xxx

-October 22nd, 2012-

Naruto laid in bed, eyes closed against the world, ears processing the conversation he'd just overheard. Sasuke was so smooth and urbane, never seeming to be startled or not knowing what to say. Unlike Naruto. If he'd been the one to walk out he would have probably done the same as Hinata, maybe apologizing frantically as well. It made him think about the differences between himself and his new lover. What was he even thinking, getting it on with a guy like Sasuke? Someone with expectations, someone successful and with a bright future. Although, Sasuke didn't seem to enjoy his great life that much. Still, they were worlds apart, like in one of those classic stories about the nobleman falling in love with the maid. Or like Titanic. Well, the list could go on but he sure hoped he wouldn't end up drowning.

Things had been quiet for a while, and he wondered if Sasuke had found a towel yet. He was starting to feel cold and sticky, and he'd much rather have Sasuke there to warm him up. Damn it there were those thoughts again! Why couldn't he just take this as happy-go-lucky as he did with the rest of his life? But that was a lie, and he knew that he couldn't. He didn't want things to end up like with Kiba; he'd been thrown away like a used piece of gum that had lost its taste. He didn't want to be picked up only to be thrown away again when Sasuke found him lacking in taste a well. He clenched his fists, irritated with himself for thinking like this, and turned over to bury his face in the Batman symbol on his pillow. It didn't smell as good as Sasuke's pillow. Was it even possible to be so affected by someone he'd met only days ago? It didn't seem to bother Sasuke though. Maybe the bottoming part, but that didn't count.

He heard footsteps nearing the door, and buried his head deeper as it opened. He could sense Sasuke hesitating; he had probably been smirking and ready to tell Naruto all about his meeting with Hinata and been surprised. He heard Sasuke walk closer, and the bed dipped down as he put his weight on it. A hand was placed on his back, slowly starting to caress him as if unsure of why Naruto was looking like that.

"Is something wrong?" Sasuke whispered, and Naruto felt like laughing out loud. Why would Sasuke sound so worried? He certainly didn't have anything to worry about at the moment.

"I'm sorry if I was rude to Hinata." Naruto could hear the stiffness in Sasuke's voice when he said that. He probably wasn't used to apologizing. Naruto felt like laughing again, but then he realized that Sasuke actually thought that Naruto was upset because of that.

"It's not that" he mumbled, trying to get rid of his doubts and act like nothing happened but not feeling better at all.

Sasuke seemed to think for a while, most likely trying to figure out what else could have caused Naruto to react like this in the short space of time he'd been gone. His hand was still gliding up and down his back, and it felt warm and reassuring. He felt like crying instead.

"Well I can't think of anything else so you'll have to tell me."

Sasuke actually sounded awkward, and that made Naruto turn his head to look at the raven. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Naruto uncertainly while worrying his lip between straight white teeth. He also looked determined not to move until he had been told what was up. Naruto turned back into the pillow, hugging it.

"I'm scared" he whispered in such a low voice he wasn't sure that Sasuke had heard him speak at all. He tensed, wondering what the raven's reaction would be. Sasuke's hand had stilled, and Naruto felt as if he would die if it didn't start moving again. Then Sasuke moved, pushing Naruto onto his side so that he could fit his own body along his side, and embraced him tightly. He couldn't help but curl into those warm arms, nuzzling his face into Sasuke's chest, his nose breathing in the scent of the perfume that still lingered faintly around his throat.

"What for" Sasuke exhaled questioningly.

It took a while for Naruto to make sense of his feelings. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" he finally asked.

"Is what a good idea?"

"The whole moving in thing. I just… don't know what you're expecting from me."

Sasuke was quiet for a couple of seconds, mulling this over. "What do you mean?" He sounded so confused that Naruto almost couldn't voice his thoughts, finding them so silly and stupid in his own head.

"I… well you're so completely out of my league Sasuke. And you're going to realize that once we're back in reality and if we already live together it will be so awkward and I'm just really, really wondering what the hell you see in me anyway. And it's not like I could even pay the rent!"

"Look at me, Naruto" Sasuke demanded, forcefully turning his head up and glaring until blue eyes opened reluctantly. "What kind of person do you see me as? And be honest."

Naruto lowered his gaze but Sasuke forced him to look up again. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to break down.

"I think you're amazing, Sasuke" he said, his voice too thick and he had to swallow several times before continuing. "You're beautiful and smart, and you're so strong and kind too. You make me feel important. I…" his voice broke a little, as he tried to force back the tears threatening to spill. He'd been thinking about this the whole day, spacing out at work and getting yelled at repeatedly. He didn't want Sasuke to leave him. He wanted to live with him and be happy and all the mushy things you could possibly think of. He blinked furiously, but suddenly noticed Sasuke smiling at him.

"I could say the exact same things about you, except then it would actually be true." He looked at Naruto seriously. "All those things you said… well I can't deny that I'm good-looking and smart, but strong and kind? I wish." He gave a wry smile, and pecked Naruto's nose. "I'm petty, childish, selfish, ignorant, haughty and plain rude. But somehow, when I'm with you, I feel like a completely different person. You make me want to be nice. You also make me do as you say, and if there's something I've tried to be free of in my life it's to be told what to do. I absolutely hate it. But you can boss me around as much as you like."

He smiled again, then seemed to think of something.

"Do you remember what I said on the bus? That I like you, and even if I didn't like you I'd still need you. And I do need you, and it's scaring the shit out of me, Naruto. How am I supposed to know if one of these days you'll wake up and see what a horrible person I truly am, and then you'll leave me for someone that's better for you, and I won't be able to stop you."

They looked at each other in silence. Then Sasuke slowly leaned forwards, hesitating for a second before pressing his lips against Naruto's, moving them carefully. Naruto didn't respond at first, but then he sighed deeply and pressed himself closer to Sasuke. He didn't feel entirely better, but he felt like he could breathe again. Sasuke wasn't as unaffected as he'd thought, and it made him think that they had a chance. And even if they didn't last it would be much more pleasant to spend that time together instead of alone, or with someone other than Sasuke.

xxx

They found Hinata in the kitchen when they had cleaned up and felt like facing the world again. She was reading a textbook while waiting for something to start boiling in the pot on the stove, and flinched when they entered.

"Hey, Hinata" Naruto said, feeling awkward. He had been screaming some embarrassing things after all.

"H-hello" she said, not looking up from her reading.

"So, um, you already met Sasuke." He had no idea what to say really.

She nodded. Sasuke thought it was quite funny to watch the tall girl trying to hide behind the book. He was leaning leisurely on the wall and staring at her, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. He was good at looking like that. It always unnerved people for some reason, Hinata no exception. She kept glancing at him, but avoiding eye contact.

"We're just gonna drink some water and finish the packing so…" Naruto went to the kitchen cabinet to take out two glasses. He hadn't really talked to Hinata about moving out, just texted her before work this morning. He poured water in the glasses, and gave one to Sasuke. He also gave Sasuke a warning look. Hinata was a really shy girl, and it wouldn't help if Sasuke made her run away in tears. Well, that's how Sasuke interpreted the look anyway. He really wanted to do that though. Instead he just drank the water quietly, still staring at Hinata, trying to figure her out. He'd never been good at reading people and to him she just looked like your regular meek girly girl. How did she become Naruto's best friend?

"I'm sorry" Hinata suddenly mumbled, standing up. "I'll leave you two alone." She hurriedly escaped the room, probably to hide in her own.

Naruto looked after her with concern. He knew how sensitive Hinata could be, that's why it had come as such a shock when Kiba had declared their relationship behind his back. Automatically he moved to run after her, but stopped himself. She had hurt him after all, and their friendship was pretty much on hold right now. Kiba could comfort her instead. He noticed Sasuke watching him and shrugged, finishing his water.

"Let's go pack" he said, and left the kitchen as well.

Sasuke eyes trailed after him for a couple of seconds before he got up to follow. He wasn't good with this 'friends' thing but he figured things weren't so smooth between Naruto and Hinata right now. Then he turned back again to turn off the stove. He was a bastard, but burning down the place might be a little exaggerated.

-October 23rd, 2012-

Sasuke woke up the next morning by the sound of his alarm clock. He groaned and rubbed his eyes with one hand, the other being captured underneath Naruto. Last night had only consisted of packing, eating a quick dinner and then going to bed, sadly only to sleep. But Naruto had seemed pretty down, and Sasuke hadn't been sure of how to cheer him up. He had the feeling it was the kind of thing you just needed to let pass. Like he himself had felt after the fight with his brother. He groaned again when he remembered what he had to do today, not exactly thrilled about appearing in public. And he would have to wear a formal suit too. He turned his head to look at Naruto, the blond still sleeping soundly on his arm. The corners of his lips turned upwards at the small amount of drool slipping out of the corner of his mouth, his nose slightly scrunched up as if he was dreaming about something unpleasant. He turned onto his side to face him, stroking the yellow locks back from his forehead and kissing it. Sure he was facing the public and all those nasty reporters today, but for once he actually had good news about his private life.

He smirked and eased out of bed, Naruto protesting with a muffled groan when he had to lift his head a little. Since today was such an important day he had decided to get up extra early, but Naruto didn't have work today so he figured he could let him sleep in. He quietly went about his business, eating some breakfast and spending a long time in the bathroom. He wanted to show those reporters how happily in love he was at the moment. He kept brushing his hair and almost hummed a tune, and then froze completely, mouth agape and brush slipping out of his hand to noisily fall down into the sink and then the floor. What the hell had he just thought?! That he was, that he, and Naruto… He leaned closer to the mirror, staring at his reflection. He thought: I like Naruto. Instantly he felt his cheeks heat up a little and a smile tug at the corner of his lips. Oh god this was bad. This was really bad. Love wasn't something Sasuke had given much thought; he'd grown up in a pretty cold environment after all and he'd never really had the chance to explore these kinds of feelings.

Sure, he loved his brother but that wasn't something to be expressed or thought about. He grimaced. Well, what was he supposed to do now? His experience was pretty much zero. Maybe it was on minus even. He scrutinized himself in the mirror. It was so hard to believe that he was actually in love. Suddenly he felt like going all 'eepomgomg' and jump up and down like all those crazy fangirls used to do in school. He was in fucking love! He hadn't thought himself capable of feeling like that. It was incredible! It was huge! No wonder he acted so strangely.

He rubbed his red cheeks with his palms, finding his shiny eyes slightly unnerving. He'd have to learn to control himself; it wouldn't do to have an Uchiha randomly squeal or smile like a teenager far off in dreamland. He tried hard to calm down, but then he thought of the cute expression Naruto had made this morning and got all those insane urges again. He shook his head violently, not even remembering that he'd just spent thirty minutes to groom his hair perfectly.

"Sasuke I need to pee, let me in!"

Sasuke was going to deny it until the day he died, but he jumped high into the air and clutched at his heart when he heard Naruto's voice so suddenly. What the hell was he going to do? Should he tell him? He groaned, thinking of Naruto's reaction. He'd probably use that knowledge to make Sasuke bottom all the time. Not going to happen. Hmm, maybe Naruto could say it first? And then he could be like 'me too'. Yeah, that sounded like a good plan. He nodded to himself, happy that his amazing brain was still functioning.

"Sasuuu, come ooonnn" Naruto whined, and Sasuke finally let him in. "What have you been doing in here for so long anyway? Obviously not taking care of your hair."

Sasuke spun his head around to look in the mirror again.

"Fuck, my hair! And it was so perfect too! Damn it Naruto this is your fault!"

Naruto just raised an eyebrow at Sasuke's overly dramatic expression. "Yeah, whatever, now move it, unless you want to watch me pee."

Sasuke pursed his lips in distaste in a, according to Naruto, very funny way.

"Dude you can't look that funny when I seriously need to go" he said, trying to stop himself from chuckling. He pushed Sasuke out of the bathroom, the raven glaring at him the whole way.

"Don't call me dude. It makes you sound stupid."

"Whatever" Naruto mumbled and shut the door behind Sasuke.

Sasuke huffed and decided to go get dressed while he waited.

xxx

Naruto felt groggy, he'd had trouble sleeping again, even though Sasuke had felt so comfortable. He splashed cold water in his face, trying to wake up. Sasuke would soon leave for the press conference and Naruto didn't want him to go there thinking that he was still feeling upset. He'd done some thinking during the night and calmed down. He also brushed his teeth since he felt nice enough to give Sasuke a goodbye kiss without the pleasure of morning breath. He left the bathroom to search for his new roommate/lover and found him in the bedroom. Sasuke was just putting on his tie, and Naruto couldn't help but stop and just stare at a sight too sexy to be true. Damn, Sasuke was born to wear a suit! It was dark and expensive-looking, the shirt underneath a deep blue. It fit perfectly, showing off how slim and tall he was even if you could easily see that his shoulders were a tad broader than your average business man's. All in all it was fucking hot.

Sasuke noticed his entrance and looked up, of course smirking at the sight of the stunned blond.

"See something you like?" he teased.

Naruto watched him in disbelief. Was this really his boyfriend? Maybe he was still dreaming.

"Looking like that should be illegal" he said, undressing Sasuke with his eyes. Sasuke didn't mind.

"Rumor says I can make girls come just by winking at them while wearing this." Sasuke was smirking seductively and winked at Naruto.

"Well, I think those rumors apply to me as well" he answered huskily, walking towards the man that could have easily been voted 'sexiest person in the universe'.

Sasuke didn't reply, he finished with his tie just as Naruto reached him and allowed the blond to grip his hips and pull him close. Then Naruto kissed him, bit his lip and sucked on his tongue, forcing Sasuke to hold back more than one moan.

"Fuck I'm so hard right now" Naruto groaned into Sasuke's ear when he'd let go, cursing over the fact that the raven had to leave soon.

"Kissing was such a bad idea" Sasuke groaned back, trying hard to calm his very eager lower parts down.

"When you get back I'm going to fuck you in that suit" Naruto growled, pinching Sasuke's ass.

"Well, I need to leave in order to come back, so you should probably let go now." What Sasuke really wanted to say was 'Screw the conference and take me now!'. He'd never do that though.

Naruto pouted of course and gave him another kiss, before stepping away to let Sasuke walk past him. The raven quickly tried to repair the damage done to his hair and put on some perfume, before he picked up his brief-case in the kitchen and went to put on his shoes. Naruto was waiting beside the front door, still wearing that pout. He wasn't wearing a shirt though and looked very good covered in all those marks. Sasuke definitely regretted having to leave.

"I want some good stories when you come back, alright?" Naruto said with a big grin.

"Right" Sasuke said, rolling his eyes. "Because press conferences are such adventures."

"Come on baby, at least make them gasp and faint."

Sasuke gave the grinning blond an irritated look. "I'd rather not have this on the national news thank you very much."

"Aww, but you look so dashing today. It'd be so awesome if everyone could see what a sexy boyfriend I have."

Sasuke's stomach couldn't help but produce some butterflies at hearing that. He quickly looked away to hide his small smile.

"Hn."

Naruto's grin got even wider as he slowly walked closer to the slightly taller man. Sasuke was just too cute sometimes, and he had a feeling not many people were able to cause such expressions on his handsome face. It made him want to fist pump and yell 'Hell yeah!' loud enough to reach that conference.

"And if you get too bored," he said seductively, "you can just think about how hard I'm going to take you when you get back home to me."

Naruto barely managed to keep his balance when Sasuke suddenly closed the last gap between them and crashed his lips hungrily against his own. He found himself slammed against the wall, Sasuke's body pressing him to it hard. Their tongues moved fiercely and they both moaned when their groins came in contact. Gasping, Naruto broke free from the heated kiss, trying to stop Sasuke before they went too far.

"Dammit Sasuke, you have to nnngh, leave!"

He tried to push the mouth currently busy with his pulse away, only succeeding after kicking Sasuke in the shin. The raven glared at him, but then seemed to regain his senses.

"Damn" he muttered, trying to straighten his hair and suit, Naruto helping him and chuckling at his appearance.

"At least you're going to look convincing" he said, feeling pretty self-satisfied at the moment.

"Sure" Sasuke drawled, rolling his eyes for the second time this morning. But he couldn't help quirking his lips at Naruto's obviously gloating expression.

xxx

When Sasuke had finally managed to leave, Naruto sat in the kitchen and tried to convince himself that yogurt with defrosted blueberries was a good replacement for ramen. Sasuke had outright refused to buy some for him; he'd seemed to think Naruto was in need of a healthier life style. Just what had he gotten himself into? Then, as he was putting the third spoon into his mouth with a frown on his face, the doorbell rang. His frown deepened. Had Sasuke forgotten something? But then he'd just unlock the door himself, unless he'd forgotten his keys. Not that he'd need them since Naruto wasn't going anywhere. Maybe it was one of his crazy stalkers?

Naruto slowly inched his way towards the door as whoever stood outside impatiently rang the bell again. He tried to listen through the door but couldn't hear anything. Hesitantly he eased it open, peeking out through the crack. What he saw? Pink.

"Oh my god please don't kill me! I haven't eaten enough ramen yet!" he yelled as he slammed the door shut again, turning around to press his back against it as if that would keep the danger out.

"Don't be an idiot Naruto! I'm just here to talk!" came a muffled shout through the thick door, accompanied by a heavy banging.

"But you always try to kill me!" Naruto whined, rubbing imaginary bruises on his head.

"Stop exaggerating so goddamn much and let me in!"

Naruto huffed and pouted, but realized that getting out of talking to Sakura was probably as impossible as thinking that ramen wasn't tasty. He turned around to unlock the door again and then quickly jumped out of the way when Sakura threw it open.

"God you're still such a wimp" she said when she found him desperately trying to hide behind one of Sasuke's black coats.

"Am not! I just know what you're capable of!" He winced, thinking she would knock him over the head for that comment, like she'd done so many times when they were kids. But she didn't. Instead she bit her lip, looking like she felt bad about something. He took a closer look at the girl he hadn't seen since he was fifteen. She'd cut her hair so that it now reached just below her chin, and she was wearing clothes in a different, more grown up style. She was still really pretty though, just like when he'd had that crush on her before he realized that guys were probably better for him. She watched him just as closely.

"Wow, you grew taller! That's hard to believe."

Naruto pouted and came out from behind the coat, deeming things to be safe enough. "I had a growth spurt in high school" he said, hesitantly inviting her further into the apartment.

Sakura ventured off into the living room, taking in the interior and glancing at him now and then.

"Do you mind if I keep eating my breakfast? I'm pretty hungry" Naruto said, rubbing his empty stomach.

"Go ahead" she replied, not making a move to follow him into the kitchen. He figured he'd just bring his bowl here then.

She was inspecting one of the large bookcases when he came back, seemingly searching for something. He stopped beside her, munching on his yogurt.

"He's added to his collection" she mused, sweeping her eyes around the spacious room instead. Naruto followed her gaze, not really having noticed all the books before. The dark bookcases were built into the walls and sort of looked like wallpaper to him. Books weren't his thing anyway.

"Huh" he said.

She flicked her hair irritably and gave him a look. "You are aware of his interest in books though?" she asked, pursing her lips when he simply shrugged as an answer. "And you're supposed to be his boyfriend" she snorted, opting to look back at the books instead.

"It just hasn't come up yet" Naruto defended himself. Then he realized exactly what she'd said. "Hey! How do you even know that?!"

It was her turn to shrug. "I heard it from Ino who heard it from Shikamaru who heard it from Chouji."

Naruto was silent for a while, contemplating the situation. "Aren't you mad?" he finally asked.

She froze, then cast him a quick glance. "I was at first." When Naruto didn't comment she continued with another shrug. "We were doomed anyway."

Naruto looked at her in disbelief. "Is this really the same Sakura I used to know and got described to me by Sasuke?"

She snorted again and turned around to face him, making a grimace.

"Well, believe it or not but that break-up got me to question a lot of things" she started. "And when I found out that the blond was you a lot of things suddenly made sense. Like, why Sasuke wasn't even remotely attracted to me." She paused and let her hands swing back and forth; obviously making an effort to act like it wasn't a big deal. It was clear that it was though, as she started talking again. "I just…" She thinned her lips into a line, swallowed thickly and clenched her fists.

Naruto wasn't sure of what to do. This wasn't exactly how he'd expected his encounter with Sakura to go. His imagination had expected a lot more violence for example.

"C'mon, let's sit down" he said and went ahead to the beige and sinfully comfy couch. He put his bowl on the small table and faced Sakura, surprised to find her still standing in the same spot. He patted the space beside him, and she hesitantly came over to sit down.

They sat in silence for a moment, Naruto watching Sakura with concern and Sakura looking down at her perfectly manicured hands.

"So, I'd heard you got engaged but I never bothered to remember the name of the guy. I had my suspicions when Sasuke talked about a Sakura but…"

She smiled faintly. "I'm sure he said such nice things too" she whispered.

"Did you really tell him to buy you a necklace and instead he bought the Jacuzzi?"

Sakura sighed and raised her head to look up at the ceiling.

"I suppose."

She swallowed, but suddenly couldn't hold it in any longer and threw herself at Naruto, clinging to him desperately as her whole body shook with violent sobs. He'd put on a t-shirt after Sasuke left, and she twisted it in her hands as her tears fell onto his shoulder, the fabric rapidly getting wet. With a sigh he started rubbing her back. Somehow he doubted that Sasuke had been the only one suffering in that relationship.


So I was just writing and then suddenly, Sasuke turned out like that! But I think it was pretty funny... Let's hope Naruto gets over his doubts as well! BUT what did you think about Hinata and Sakura? I don't want you to think I'm doing any character bashing here, if anything, Sasuke was the one acting like a jerk... Next chapter will have the press conference (and some NaruSasu goodness) yay:p