It's strange, how a chapter can seem one way while writing it and so different when I'm proof-reading.
Well, whatever. I was going to say how depressing it was and apologize for it but now I don't know anymore hahaaaa...
And yeah yeah sorry for being late and everything but damn I had problems with this chap. Anyway, lots of stuff happened in-between the last chapter and this... For example my poll! And I just closed it, so go check out the result! I'll be writing on my profile what oneshots I'll be writing. It's funny how, at the very last minute, NaruSasu was beaten by one point by Lots of smexual tension. Haha. But I'm happy NaruSasu got so many votesX)
I'm gonna go home over easter break to visit, which feels weird. It really is the weirdest feeling to visit your home from a different country. Not sure if I'll have time to write anything at all during the break, and then my grandmother will be visiting and then I'll go visit my lovely adgxvnetu again... :3
And let's not talk about my homework, although I was actually doing pretty well this weekend, and I got a surprisingly good grade on my literature test. Isn't it depressing that I have to do all my tests in Finnish... It makes everything twice as difficult! But oh well I'm improving I hope... XD
Now then, why don't you read the chapter and you can go rage a little afterwards... Unless you like what's revealed:p
Chapter thirty: Promise
'
Naruto regained consciousness brutally the morning after, thanks to a certain kid slamming their bedroom door open and proceeding to jump on top of them until they acknowledged his existence.
"Wake up! Come ooon you promised I'd get pancakes for breakfast! And I'm hungry!" Yukio shouted impatiently, shaking them in turns.
"Gah stop jumping Yukio, we're up!" Naruto grumbled, rubbing sleep out of his eyes, not really daring to look at the time and realize how little he'd slept.
"Well hurry!"
"Why don't you go to the kitchen Yukio, I'll be there in a minute" Sasuke said, sounding too awake for Naruto's liking.
The little kid nodded his head and crawled off the bed, almost falling over the edge but then hurriedly straightened up and ran off. Naruto smiled, no matter how early it was no one could be angry if they got woken up by someone that cute.
"How are you feeling?"
Hearing Sasuke's calm, quiet voice made him freeze for a second, remembering last night, sighing as he sank down on his pillow again.
"I'm okay" he said, glancing at Sasuke's faintly disbelieving and concerned face. "Really, don't worry so much."
"I feel like that's my line you know" Sasuke answered and scooted closer, putting an arm over his chest and kissing his cheek. "I'll go make those pancakes; you should try and get some more sleep."
Naruto opened his mouth to object but was stopped by a finger silencing him.
"Otherwise you'll just be all whiny when we meet up with Itachi."
Sasuke finished off his order with a chaste kiss then gingerly got out of bed, putting on clothes before heading towards the kitchen. Naruto stared after him for a few seconds, then sighed again and tried to find a comfortable position so he could continue sleeping.
Five minutes later he realized he wouldn't be able to, but he was still too sluggish to get out of bed. When he heard a loud crash from the kitchen though instinct took over and he shot up, almost running the short way to get there. He stopped in the doorway, finding Yukio sitting on the counter with his hands covering his eyes and Sasuke squatting to pick up pieces of broken glass.
"I'm sorry" Yukio whispered, and Sasuke looked up at him.
"It's fine, don't worry about it. I just don't want you to step in it and get hurt, that's why you're on the counter."
"Oh."
Naruto knew Sasuke had changed his view on kids, but really, the kind concern and reassuring smile on his face convinced him that he'd found the perfect guy. As if he didn't know that already. But at the same time, this kind of scene…
Unconsciously he clenched his fists, leaning his forehead against the doorframe. At times like these, when he should just join them with a large smile on his face, telling a stupid joke to make Yukio laugh and Sasuke smack his head… all he felt was this annoying churn in his body.
Frustration.
"Aah uncle Naru, why are you naked?!"
Naruto froze, looking up at Yukio's and Sasuke's surprised faces.
"Uuh… I just heard the crash and…"
Sasuke chuckled, shaking his head slowly. Then he stood up and leaned against the counter, Yukio joining in on his laughter. Naruto wished he had a camera, they looked so perfect together, laughing like that, happily on a normal Saturday morning. Looking down briefly he snorted, then raised his head again with a smile.
"I'll just go put something on I guess. And then we're making awesome pancakes, alright Yukio?" he said, pointing at the kid.
"Yes sir!" Yukio shouted and saluted him.
And suddenly his frustration felt much less heavy.
~Line breaker~
Walking down the street Yukio felt happy. No, he felt more than happy. Happy was a normal day. So he was extra happy. Because both his uncle Naru and uncle Sasu were there with him, both of them holding his hands securely, but they were walking a little fast so he had to skip his step now and then to keep up. But he didn't mind, because the sun was shining even though it was still cold, and his stomach was full of pancakes. He snickered to himself when he remembered uncle Naru standing in the doorway naked, that was so stupid like always! He had a feeling uncle Sasu would never do that.
As they walked he tried to look into the windows they were passing, if maybe there was something interesting there. Since they were going shopping uncle Sasu might buy him something, which was really nice. His mom always told him he couldn't have the things he wanted. Maybe today he could get ice cream? When he grew up he wanted to be cool just like uncle Sasu, and then he'd buy a house that looked like a dragon, and it would be full of only dragon stuff!
They stopped at a streetlight, and he looked up first at uncle Naru, and then uncle Sasu. Uncle Naru had been sort of serious this morning but he said he was just tired from his trip. He wanted to think that everything was alright so he believed him. He also wanted to grow up and fly in an airplane like uncle Naru, so he was a bit jealous. Once they'd reached the other side he heard a surprised sound from uncle Naru, and he looked up to see that he was looking at something.
"What's Sakura doing with your brother?" his uncle said, but uncle Sasu didn't answer.
"Who's that?" he asked, but neither of the grown-ups paid attention to him, they just started walking again.
He felt a little nervous now, he wondered what uncle Sasu's big brother was like. A girl in his class was always picked up by her brother and he was much taller and a bit scary, so maybe uncle Sasu's brother was also scary…
Suddenly they came to a halt, and his uncles greeted two people. He craned his neck to look at them. One of them was really tall with dark hair, and he did look a bit scary so it must be uncle Itachi. The other one was a girl and she… had pink hair.
He blinked.
She was wearing really colorful clothes too, and he wondered if she was trying to look like a flower. Then she looked down at him.
"Oh! This must be Yukio! Nice to meet you, I'm Sakura!" she said in a cheerful voice.
He blinked again.
Then he swallowed nervously and backed away slowly to finally jump behind Sasuke's leg. If he had to pick someone who could scare away scary people during an attack then uncle Sasu was the best choice. They would probably give ramen to uncle Naru and then he'd lose.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked confused, but Yukio wasn't really listening.
His little heart was beating really fast, and he clung to Sasuke's pant leg, hiding his face. His mom had always told him that girls with pink hair were mean and terrible people. He wondered why uncle Sasu's brother would know someone like that. Maybe he should warn him? What if she was controlling him with freakish mind powers?!
"Yukio are you okay?" uncle Sasu asked, squatting so they were eyelevel with each other.
Yukio wanted to be brave but he felt his lower lip tremble, and he threw his arms around uncle Sasu's neck and buried his face in his scarf. Then he was lifted up and hugged, and he tried to make himself invisible so the scary girl couldn't see him.
"What's up?" he heard uncle Naru ask.
"I don't know. Yukio, what's wrong?"
Uncle Sasu's voice was always so calm and sounded so nice, he loved it when they read stories together at night. But right now he didn't know what to say, so he just shook his head and tightened his grip.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare him" the girl he would from here on call Miss Pink said, sounding nicer than he thought possible. It must be a trick.
"It's okay, he'll come around later. Let's go" uncle Naru said, and the others agreed.
As he hid in uncle Sasu's arms the adults were talking, and apparently Miss Pink was only there by chance. He didn't trust her. These were the times he really wished he was bigger, like a super hero. It would be nice if his dad had been there too, but…
That's right, if both uncle Naru and uncle Sasu was there, then he should be okay. Slowly he relaxed, telling himself that it would be fine. It helped that uncle Sasu was running a hand through his hair, calming him down. Hesitantly he raised his head, and uncle Sasu leaned him back a little so that Yukio could see his face up close.
"Are you okay?" he asked, and he sounded so worried that Yukio felt guilty.
"I'm sorry" he answered, looking down.
"Hey, don't look like that, just tell me what's wrong."
He glanced up at Sasuke, biting the inside of his cheek and thinking about whether he should tell him or not.
"Umm… that girl…"
"You mean Sakura?"
He nodded.
"Can we trust her?"
He glanced up at uncle Sasu's surprised face and quickly looked down again. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything.
"You don't like her?"
Yukio blushed with embarrassment.
"Mom says pink hair is bad" he mumbled, blushing even more when uncle Sasu chuckled.
"Don't worry, she won't do anything. She's a friend."
"Even if she has pink hair?"
He chanced another glance at uncle Sasu, his face torn between amusement and something he didn't really understand.
"Yes, even if she has pink hair."
But uncle Sasu's voice sounded a little strained, so he didn't think the coast was clear just yet. So he refused to be put down on the ground as they entered stores, a little reluctant when uncle Sasu finally handed him over to uncle Naru instead.
"Hey kid, you're clingy today aren't you?" uncle Naru said.
He didn't answer. He was busy keeping an eye on Miss Pink so she didn't do anything suspicious.
"And you're really staring at Sakura, do you think she's pretty or something?"
Yukio froze, turning his head to see uncle Naru grinning at him.
"Uncle Naru is an idiot!" he shouted, smacking a hand over his grin and succeeding in making him stop.
When the others laughed he blushed and hid his face, he didn't want Miss Pink to notice him.
"Isn't it about time we head for lunch anyway?" uncle Itachi said, and Yukio sneakily glanced at him.
He'd been so busy with his self-proclaimed task of making sure they weren't tricked by Miss Pink that he'd forgotten all about uncle Sasu's brother. Looking at him he decided that he really did look like uncle Sasu, but he was taller, and his hair was longer. He looked strong, but he had a nice voice. Oh no – he'd completely forgotten his promise to be friends with him! Uncle Sasu had said that he really wanted to meet Yukio, and he wasn't talking to him at all. What if he was feeling sad?
"Hm? What is it?" uncle Naru asked after he'd tugged at his jacket.
"Umm…" he fiddled with the zipper on uncle Naru's bright orange coat. "Do you think… umm… that maybe uncle Itachi could carry me?"
Uncle Naru came to a sudden stop, and Yukio wondered if he'd said something bad.
"No, sure, I mean I'll ask him."
Yukio hid his face in his hands as uncle Naru walked closer to uncle Itachi, peeking between his fingers and seeing the surprised man nod at uncle Naru's question. He allowed himself to be handed over, taking a hold of the collar of uncle Itachi's dark winter trench coat.
"Hello Yukio, it's nice to meet you."
Yukio nodded, too shy to answer. Uncle Itachi smelled nice too, but not as good as uncle Sasu. Since he didn't dare to meet his eyes yet he looked at his hair, the ponytail was slung over one shoulder, the opposite of the one Yukio leaned on. Without thinking he reached out to touch it.
"You have really long hair" he mumbled, making the adult laugh quietly.
"Do you like it?"
Yukio nodded, feeling his cheeks heat up again.
"I wanted to have long hair, but uncle Sasu says short is better."
"Yes, Sasuke doesn't like long hair. He let it grow once but after I told him he looked like a girl he cut it all off."
"Really?" Yukio asked, turning his head to look at uncle Sasu and imagine him looking like a girl. It made him giggle. "Do you like dragons?" he then asked, finally looking up at the man carrying him.
"I do" uncle Itachi said with a smile.
Yukio sighed, completely satisfied. If he liked dragons then he was good in his books. After a few more nervous moments he got over his hesitation, starting to chatter excitedly about anything he could think of, oblivious to the look Naruto and Sasuke shared and the jealous looks Sakura gave him.
~Line breaker~
There was a palpable tension between the four adults sitting at the table for five. Itachi had taken them to a newly opened restaurant featuring a playground for children to occupy them as they waited for their food to arrive, thinking that Yukio would like it. He did. Amazingly enough the sound of the playing children didn't reach into the restaurant part, which meant their conversation was mainly undisturbed.
Sasuke was rather tense, his gaze flickering between his brother and Sakura. The pink-haired girl being there by coincidence, he called bullshit on that. The fact that a heavy silence lay over the table strengthened his suspicions that something was definitely going on, and most likely he wouldn't end up liking it.
"How am I supposed to be able to choose between these?" Naruto complained in a light tone, seemingly unaware of the thickening atmosphere as he read the menu.
"I'm happy you like it" Itachi said, glancing briefly at Sasuke but quickly avoiding his eyes again.
Yes, something was definitely up and Sasuke wasn't in the mood right now. It was bad enough trying to act as if everything was fine and normal when in reality he just wanted to drag Naruto back to bed and hold him tight so he could never leave.
Trying to shake off those urges he focused on the menu as well, gritting his teeth when he kept drifting off. Not having come to a decision when the waiter showed up he picked something at random, not really caring and leaving Yukio's meal up to Naruto's choice.
As soon as the waiter had reappeared with their drinks and then left them alone again Itachi cleared his throat, and Sasuke closed his eyes briefly to try and stay in control of his emotions. Whatever Itachi was going to say he didn't want to cause a scene. He'd like to think he'd outgrown those things during the past months.
"There's something Sakura and I would like to discuss with the two of you" his brother said, using the kind of voice he saved for giving bad news he worried Sasuke would blow a fuse over.
"Can't we do this some other time?" he asked quietly, suddenly finding the table cloth very interesting.
"I think now is as good a time as any" Sakura said, sounding apologetic.
No he wanted to say. No it's not a good time at all, and I don't want to know. But he stayed silent, knowing that if Itachi had made up his mind he'd tell him whether he liked it or not.
"Well?" Naruto asked. "You're not telling us you're getting married or something right?"
It was obviously a joke accompanied by a chuckle, but it made Sasuke freeze. And since there was no denying reply, he really wondered if this was the week all his nightmares were coming true.
"Marriage is taking it a bit too far, but… Sasuke?"
Sasuke had stood up without realizing it, his fingers digging into his palms.
"I need to use the restroom" he said, his voice as emotionless as possible as he turned and walked off.
He knew his brother would probably follow, but he didn't care right now. He just had to get away. Maybe if he walked fast enough he could lock himself into one of the stalls and only come back when the food had arrived and Yukio was there to work as a distraction.
Surprised by how well his plan had worked out he locked the door, too out of it to notice the nice interior. He leaned his head against the door, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. He'd put on a strong front the whole morning and day so far, but he could feel the edges cracking, slipping through his fingers. He wanted to be reliable, he wanted to be the strong forte Naruto could return to.
He didn't want to feel this weak and vulnerable, and he didn't want to think about anything at all that had to do with his brother and Sakura. Not now. Maybe some other time.
He knew his brother was seeing someone. It had been obvious. Really, he was happy that everything worked out for the best with his divorce and that he seemed to be cheering up, not overworking like he usually did.
But this?
He couldn't face it right now.
"Sasuke?" a voice gently called, and he heaved a sigh of relief.
It was Naruto, not his brother, and he opened the door to let him in, closing it again behind them.
"I told them it was a bad time."
Sasuke glanced at the blond. He was looking too concerned, gnawing worriedly on his lip.
"It's always a bad time for that kind of conversation" he sighed, slumping back against the wall and looking at Naruto tiredly.
When Naruto looked as if he didn't know what to say he stretched his hands out, taking a hold of his shirt and pulling him close, pressing their foreheads together as Naruto's arms snuck around his waist.
"They said it just happened."
He snorted, a rather bitter sound.
"I don't care about the reason."
"Sasuke…"
He looked into Naruto's eyes, a million things passing between them.
"I'm sorry" he mumbled, suddenly feeling so tired. "I'm just…"
Naruto tightened his hold, bringing their lips close enough to touch.
"I know. I'm sorry too" he breathed against them.
"Don't feel guilty."
"But-"
Sasuke closed the distance, kissing Naruto to silence him.
"We already went through this yesterday. And it has nothing to do with, with… Itachi and Sakura."
Naruto looked at him, swallowing the words of doubt he wanted to release. Sasuke raised his hand to trace Naruto's cheek with the back of his fingers, running a finger along his jaw line. He didn't know how long they stood there trying to reassure each other silently, it could have been five minutes just as well as five hours, but when Naruto finally smiled and pecked his lips he felt much better.
"Let's not think about it too much" the blond said, taking a step back and unlocking the door.
Sasuke nodded and followed him back to the table, fingers intertwined. Itachi watched him worriedly as he sat down, and he met his eyes with a small glare.
"I won't say anything" he said, holding up a hand when both his brother and Sakura opened their mouths. "It's none of my business and I really don't want to know any details. Just do what you want."
He could dislike the relieved smile on Sakura's face all he wanted, but he couldn't stay unaffected when Itachi smiled that thankfully at him.
"Thank you Sasuke."
"Don't. I haven't forgiven you for keeping it a secret yet."
"We didn't want to say anything until we were sure" Sakura said.
"You mean you didn't want me to object until you had a good reason to not care about it. But it's fine" he hurriedly added, seeing as they were about to give him some kind of apology. "I'd just rather think of this some other day."
Both Sakura and Itachi stared at him for such a long time he almost worried he'd grown an extra head without noticing. Then they both turned to Naruto.
"How do you do that? Seriously, what's your secret Naruto? I've never seen him this agreeable before" Sakura asked the blond, sounding shocked.
"Yes, I thought he would go on a rampage through the restaurant" Itachi added.
"Then why the hell did you tell me in a restaurant in the first place! Do you want me to throw a fit or something? Because I could."
Three heads hurriedly shook a no.
"No really, it's no problem, I'll just start with throwing this vase at the wall and then I could shout obscenities until they called for security."
They way dark and green eyes widened made him lose his train of thought. Did they really believe he'd do that? Had he really done that before?
"Sasuke."
At the sound of his name he turned to Naruto, and he must have noticed the lost look on his face because he hugged him tight, hiding his face against his chest for a few moments.
"What do you say we go get Yukio? I bet the food's ready soon" Naruto then said, standing and pulling Sasuke up with him.
When they'd reached a quieter part on the way to the playground Naruto squeezed his hand.
"You handled that really well" he said, and when Sasuke stared at him in surprise Naruto was smiling at him. "I knew you would."
Sasuke faltered a few steps, then swallowed and squared his shoulders, tightening his hold of Naruto's hand.
That's right. He wasn't the same anymore. He was stronger now. He could handle it.
Even if Naruto wasn't here. He could handle it.
~Line breaker~
A few days later Naruto laid spread eagle on the couch watching some uninteresting cooking show on the TV when he felt a weight behind him, creating a dip in the back of the couch. He looked up to see Sasuke standing there, a serious look on his face.
"Here" he said, holding out a paper for him.
There was a strange edge to Sasuke's voice, and Naruto reluctantly took the page from him, not sure if he wanted to know what it said. Starting to read it his eyes widened, his fingers clenched around the paper and he stared up at Sasuke for confirmation.
"I know I said I didn't want you to go there, but it's where you seemed most interested in so…"
"Sasuke…"
"You can pay me back later, so don't worry about it."
"But-"
"I know. I know Naruto, but please, just let me do this for you. I won't meddle anymore after this. But seeing you walk around looking so depressed, there's a limit you know?"
Sasuke looked so pleading, so he swallowed all the objections building up in his throat.
"What about my job?" he asked instead.
"I already talked to Kakashi. He wasn't that happy with the short notice I guess, but I promised him we'd treat him and Obito to a nice dinner when you come back so…"
"Short notice?" Naruto asked quietly, looking at the paper containing the details for his trip to Australia.
Scanning it to reach the date he almost choked.
One week.
He was supposed to leave in just one week.
"I thought… I thought that it's better if you go soon" Sasuke answered his silent question with. "So you can come back sooner."
He looked up at Sasuke again. The pale beautiful face wore such an insecure look. He didn't like it. He raised a hand to cup Sasuke's cheek, searching his eyes for a moment.
"Thank you" he whispered, forcing himself to produce a small smile. "It's too much, but thank you."
A hesitant smile made its way onto Sasuke's face as he put a hand over Naruto's, no doubt feeling the same bittersweet sort of pain that came from the knowledge that they loved each other, but that they would have to separate soon.
There were a thousand reasons he could think of why he shouldn't go, but it didn't help. He was going. And now, he even had a date for it, written in black ink on white paper, undeniable. It hurt. It hurt so much.
"Uncle Sasu?"
Yukio had snuck up on them unnoticed, hidden from Naruto's view by the sofa.
"Can you help me?"
"Are you doing homework?"
Sasuke had turned around, still holding Naruto's hand in his. Yukio must have nodded because Sasuke smiled at him and patted his head.
"Aren't you overworking yourself?" he scolded lightly, poking his forehead, chuckling at the expression Yukio must have made.
"But uncle Sasu! The teacher said we have to finish it by tomorrow!"
Yukio sounded so serious and lecturing that Naruto couldn't help but quirk his lips. That little boy definitely took school seriously.
"Well come on then, let's sit down" Sasuke said, letting go of Naruto and guiding the kid around to the front of the couch.
Naruto made room for them, Sasuke sitting down first and Yukio crawling onto his lap.
"It's this one" Yukio said, pointing at something in his workbook with his pencil.
"Hmm, I see."
Naruto watched them as Sasuke explained everything, helping him with a few other questions as well. Seeing them together like this it struck him again how close the two had grown while he wasn't looking. He smiled fondly when Sasuke made a silly joke and Yukio giggled, telling him it was stupid.
In a perfect world Sasuke would be Yukio's dad, and they'd live together happily all three of them. Maybe he and Sasuke would be married, they could have a cute little house with a small garden, going on summer vacations to the sea. There wouldn't be any insecurities, no hurt feelings, no mothers or godparents, and everybody else in society would mind their own business.
Why wasn't the world as perfect as those two looked, too sweet for such a normal thing as doing homework on a Tuesday?
Feeling strangely left out he grabbed his phone, snapping a picture of them.
"Hey" he said softly, taking another picture when they turned towards him. "You two should model or something, it's ridiculous how photogenic you are."
Sasuke snorted, then he hugged Yukio closer and nuzzled the top of his head.
"Take another" he said.
Naruto stared at the picture for a long time after taking it. Sasuke was smiling, looking into the camera with his mouth hidden behind Yukio's dark brown locks. Yukio was blushing cutely while looking down, trying to hold on to his book and pencil as well as Sasuke's arms.
It was perfect.
It was more than perfect.
It made his heart swell and ache and he didn't know how long he could take these feelings without exploding.
"Uncle Sasu, I almost dropped everything" Yukio complained with a pout, making Sasuke release his hold and let him sit up straight again.
Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Hey, Yukio" he said, meeting the child's eyes when they turned to look at him. "I'm… I'm going on a trip again."
Yukio looked surprised, then tilted his head curiously.
"On a plane?"
"Yes, on a plane. I'll be gone for a while."
This time Yukio frowned, looking very much like Sasuke did when he didn't like something.
"But you just came back."
"I'm sorry. I'll probably leave before your mom comes back, so you'll have to stay with uncle Sasu for a little while again."
Yukio looked down at his book, biting his lip. When Sasuke rubbed his arm comfortingly he leaned back against his chest and gave Naruto a put out look.
"I don't want you to leave. You should stay and mom doesn't have to come back."
"Yukio, don't say that."
Yukio buried his face in Sasuke's shirt, rubbing his nose against it.
"I don't want to go home" he mumbled.
"Yukio" Sasuke started, embracing him again. "Your mom loves you the most, she'll be sad if you're not with her when she comes back."
"B-but" Yukio sniffled, lower lip trembling and the force of his puppy eyes almost knocking Sasuke out when he raised his head to look up at him. "Doesn't uncle Sasu love me the most?"
Sasuke looked as if the air had been forced out of his lungs, and he carefully cradled Yukio's head in his hands, smiling at him with so much emotion Naruto thought he'd die for sure this time.
"Of course I love you Yukio. I love you the most. You and Naruto, I love you two the most."
Naruto felt as if his heart would burst out of his chest as he almost threw himself forwards, his arms hugging the other two as tight as possible.
"It's okay" he said, repeating it over and over again. "It's okay. We'll be fine Yukio. I promise we'll be fine."
Yukio was clutching his book tight to his chest; he wanted to stay like that forever, squeezed in-between, feeling hidden and safe.
"Promise?" he whispered.
"I promise" Naruto whispered back, and Sasuke nodded.
Yukio lifted up his hand, holding out his pinky finger.
"Pinky promise" he said, and both Naruto and Sasuke held out their pinkies as well to swear with him.
"We'll be fine" Sasuke said, and Naruto wanted to believe him.
He wanted to believe him so bad.
~Line breaker~
Naruto dumped his probably over-stuffed backpack in the back of the car, hardly believing that the day had finally arrived. He was leaving. His stomach had been flip-flopping the whole week every time he thought of it, and he felt so nervous he could puke.
But on the other hand, he was so excited he didn't know what to do with himself. He was finally, finally doing it, after having talked and thought about it for so many years. He stared at his bag, going over everything in his head again. Despite the short preparation he'd managed to fix everything he needed, well with some help from Sasuke.
The Uchiha's experience sure came in handy at times like these.
He smiled to himself, thinking of last night. They'd spent a good part of the night reading stories to Yukio until he fell asleep, despite his declaration that he'd stay up the whole night and spend it with Naruto. He'd been pretty upset in the morning when he woke up.
After that he and Sasuke had gone to bed. He'd been dreading their last night together, thinking it would be horrible. But they simply held each other, silently, everything they could possibly have said already known to the other, wanting to feel the other close for as long as possible.
Strangely, he didn't feel as worried anymore. He wouldn't forget about Sasuke, and Sasuke wouldn't forget about him. They were too involved with each other for that to happen.
Too in love.
He smiled at Sasuke when he came walking towards him, closing the trunk and giving him a peck on the mouth before getting into the passenger seat. It was a shame that he hadn't finished taking his driver's license before leaving, but he could continue later.
They spent the drive to the airport mostly in silence, Naruto occupied with thoughts of when he'd see these streets pass by in the opposite direction. How much would have changed? How much would be the same?
He'd like to think that things would only change to the better. He had to hope for that, at least.
Saying goodbye to his friends had been weird. He hadn't told them about his real reason for his trip, so after the initial surprise everyone had just congratulated him, making jokes about how Sasuke would survive without him. The only one getting angry had been Karin of course, for obvious reasons.
Sasuke didn't allow him to feel guilty though. He really didn't think he could have found a better person to fall in love with, but that made him even more determined to sort out his shit. It wouldn't do to let it affect Sasuke.
"Do you need help with the bag?" Sasuke asked as they parked the car, but Naruto shook his head.
Holding hands they walked inside the airport, a surreal feeling lowering itself over them. Suddenly the fact that he was leaving was too much to come face to face with like this, he couldn't grasp it anymore. The fact that he was going to get on a plane and fly away from here, away from Sasuke, he couldn't think like that right now.
So he focused on the feeling of Sasuke's hand in his, the familiar warmth of it reassuring him for the umpteenth time.
"Are those…?" he asked with a frown, seeing a few people looking suspiciously like paparazzi following them as they walked towards the check-in.
"Just ignore them" Sasuke answered, glancing at him.
"Won't it cause trouble for you?"
Naruto frowned, worried now. They hadn't really talked about what might happen if the media found out they were having some problems. Not that the problems had anything to do with their relationship, but media isn't known for being able to distinguish things like that.
"They can think what they want, but I'm going to kiss you so hard it won't leave any doubts."
Naruto couldn't help but stop and smash their lips together hearing that. He let go reluctantly, breathless.
"I love you so much you know" he said, Sasuke's face lighting up with a smile.
Later, as they were standing a ways off from the line waiting to go through the security check-up, Sasuke caringly combed his fingers through Naruto's hair, standing so close their noses almost bumped.
"Be careful alright?" he murmured, not wanting to let go.
"Don't worry about me."
"How am I supposed to not worry about the person I love?"
Naruto made a sound in-between a chuckle and a sob.
"Don't say things like that, you'll make me cry in public."
Sasuke brushed his lips lightly back and forth over Naruto's, feeling his heartbeat speed up just from that.
"There's nothing to cry about" he said, trying to convince himself as much has Naruto. "You're just going on a nice little trip, and then you'll come back."
Naruto placed his hands around Sasuke's back, pulling him closer.
"Make sure Yukio doesn't feel lonely."
"I will. I wasn't lying when I said I love him the most you know."
Naruto snorted lightly.
"Should I be worried then? A rival like him will be difficult to beat."
"Don't be stupid moron" Sasuke smiled and tugged at his hair. "And you make sure you don't lose all that nice muscle you've managed to build."
"I knew it, you just want me for my body" Naruto joked.
"I'll admit it's a nice bonus."
They stood there smiling at each other for a while, their little banter managing to lighten up the mood. Then Sasuke sighed, his arms moving to circle Naruto's neck.
"You should go."
"I should. But you haven't kissed me yet."
A smile ghosted over Sasuke's lips before he closed the short distance between them, initiating a slow and sweet kiss, deepening it when Naruto asked him to. Soft lips against soft lips, all of it so familiar, the shape, the taste, the movement. No one else could kiss him so perfectly, everything about Naruto was perfect no matter what the blond himself thought. Everything from the way he touched him to the way he craved ramen at odd moments.
All of it, all of it belonged to Sasuke now.
He tried to put all his feelings into the kiss, all the things he tried but couldn't express with words. All his strength, all his weaknesses, all his hope and worry and wishes for the future. He wanted Naruto to know it all, feel it all, and he wanted to feel the same when Naruto moved with him.
Everything Naruto sent to him through the physical contact, he wanted to swallow it all and keep it to himself, treasure it until Naruto came back.
Treasure it forever.
"If you don't leave now I really will cry."
He thought Naruto said it but it could just as well have been him. Releasing those desirable lips he pressed their foreheads together, he didn't want to walk away. He didn't want Naruto to leave. For a few seconds he allowed his mind to rush with thoughts of lifting his boyfriend up and running back, back home, back to their apartment, tying him to their bed and never letting him outside again.
"Sasuke" Naruto whispered, and he forced his body to relax, taking deep shaky breaths.
"I love you. I love you I love you I love you."
"I'm not leaving you. I'm just going on a trip so I can go back again right? You said so yourself."
Naruto's voice was thick as he clung to Sasuke, desperately, almost laughing at how impossible it felt to disconnect. As if they were sewn together by an invisible thread that refused to let them separate.
"I know. I love you."
Staring into each other's eyes they couldn't breathe anymore, couldn't think, only feel.
Feel as if they were dying.
"I love you too" Naruto whispered.
Then he straightened up, letting go of Sasuke and gently removing his arms from his neck.
"I'll come back soon, I promise."
"I'll wait."
Naruto nodded, feeling as if he moved through sluggish water, taking a step backwards, how could a movement so simple feel so difficult?
Sasuke tried to control his breathing, his head was spinning and dark spots seemed to dance in front of his eyes. With one last look, one last trembling finger stroking a whiskered cheek he turned and left, forcing himself not to turn back.
Naruto wasn't leaving, he was going so he could come back again. It would be okay. He could handle it. He'd go to work, and then he'd pick up Yukio from school and they'd go to the local swimming pool and he'd teach him to swim, just like he'd promised.
They'd be okay.
Just like they promised him.
No matter how hot the tears streaming down his cheeks felt.
So... Itachi and Sakura... more about that in the next chapter. And Naruto just left! You know, in the original draft for this story Naruto was supposed to leave for three years to study. That wouldn't really work out now though... heh. And as for Australia... To me that's really far away, but lots of my friends have gone there for a few months up to a year, just traveling around and working. It's pretty popular. I think it seems kinda scary though since one of my best friends have a spider phobia and won't shut up about all the dangerous animals there... My cousin is currently in Mexico instead, another popular place to go... And here I sit in cold lonely little Finland...
Just kidding Finland suits me perfectly haha!
Next chapter we're introducing a new character I've been waiting for, and things finally start getting revealed for real! Let's pray for a faster update this time... :p
AND YUKIO IS SO ADORBS I'M GONNA EAT HIM LOOOVE ^_^
