A/N: I don't have a Beta but I try to minimize the mistakes. Thank you for reading. Review if you like. [Credits to original creator for cover image art.]

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any relative characters. They're property of Masashi Kishimoto.

Warning: Slash. Shounen-Ai. Angst-ish. You no Like, You No Read!

Chapter 6~ Blueshift.

Naruto hung up the phone and stood dumfounded for a few seconds. 'Did Sasuke just agree? Just like that?' He was finding it hard to believe but a part deep down was incredibly happy at this revelation. He got up with shuffling feet to prepare tea for them. On a side chance, he had made a cup of cold coffee for Sasuke's preferences. At last, he crossed his fingers and sat down on the carpeted floor with his back against the couch, wondering how exactly to play out the conversation.

Naruto was still thinking over how to go about steering to the topic at hand without coming across as too harsh. It was proving difficult even thinking of it, so he gave up and sat back against the couch and closed his eyes. A couple minutes later, he blinked them awake, lifting his glasses and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

Then, the shrill sound of the doorbell being rung repeatedly, buzzed in his ears. 'Shit.' He got up and raced to the door, stumbling on his way over his jacket. 'What?' He picked it up and hung it properly on the rack, reaching for the doorknob as the bell rang once more.

The door opened to reveal an Uchiha, slightly shivering in the cold with a navy blue casual light jacket wrapped around his frame. He huffed giving the blond a once over. "You fell asleep, didn't you?"

The blond chuckled with one hand behind his head. "Maybe?" He stepped aside, letting the grumpy Sasuke inside. He followed behind closely, his arms itching by his sides to close the raven in a tight embrace.

Sensing his urge, or for whatever reason, Sasuke swivelled and looked at him with one raised eyebrow. "Aren't you feeling cold, dobe?"

Naruto pouted at the nickname and spoke marching footsteps to the kitchen. "No, bastard. I'm quite cosy in my boxers and sweatshirt."

Not that Sasuke minded his attire. The lack of trousers allowed him a free view of his toned legs. The same legs that belonged wrapped against his waist whilst he… Sasuke forcefully derailed his train of thoughts; he could feel his initial resolve staggering.

Naruto's hands trembled slightly as he poured the tea into two mugs. 'Dammit.' He had goose bumps running up his arms and legs, and he was quite sure it wasn't just the cold. Just Sasuke's presence was enough to turn around his mood and transform him into an incorrigible mess. He was still struggling to contain all his emotions that were ready to spill at any moment.

Naruto sat down on the couch, setting the mugs on the coffee table. There was a questionable distance between them. He was wringing his hands in anxiety. Sasuke was oddly taken with the coasters on the table. He sighed loudly and picked up his mug, slurping the tea.

Sasuke turned his head slowly at the irritating sound and stared at Naruto who retracted his lips from the mug, inch by inch. Sasuke was fighting down the urge to smile. They both stared at each other before they broke into laughter. Naruto nudged his glasses by the crook of his finger and blinked back the doubts. They had quietened after a moment or two.

Sasuke was staring at the mug in his hands. "I missed this." He sounded so sad that Naruto was itching to close the little distance between them. But he had to remind himself, why exactly he had called him over. It was because they needed to talk, properly. Only then, could he effectively close the distance between them. With an inward sigh he finally spoke. He missed it as much as he did after all.

"Me too, but…you don't even invite me over anymore, Sasuke." He trailed off, biting his emotions at bay.

Sasuke stared back at him. "Since when do you need permission to come over, dobe?" He ruffled his hair pulling lips into a smile. But wait, he wasn't supposed to fix things. He had to break up with Naruto even if he was looking at him like he was now. He couldn't afford to break his heart even more. Then why won't the words leave his mouth?

Naruto finally looked away, he felt as if Sasuke was holding back something. "Don't call me that…" He heard a soft chuckle escape his lips. "…bastard." He smiled back at Sasuke, his eyes scrunched up. It didn't take much for the Uchiha to tell that it was a painful smile. The silence hung between them and they seemed content with it.

…

Naruto glanced at the wall clock, it was late in the evening but they could always watch a movie. He looked to Sasuke who was glum in thought. He walked to him with careful steps and tugged him by his arm. "What?" Sasuke's eyebrows knit together; adding to the confusion evident on his face.

"Come on." Naruto saddled his laptop from the table to his side. Sasuke gave him a curious glance. "We're watching a movie." Sasuke didn't know why but he let himself be led along. He had only given a grunt of a response but Naruto seemed so eager and happy he couldn't crush that. So he let himself be dragged to his bedroom where they sat huddled in his blanket watching a 90s movie he had watched alongside the same blond idiot when they were little.

Why was he doing this? What was he doing? Sitting there so comfortably with Naruto's head on his shoulder; he couldn't help but comb his fingers through his hair. He couldn't help but watch entranced; the lights from the television play a trick of colours on his face. He couldn't help but care less of the consequences. He couldn't help but stare intently at his blue eyes when Naruto looked back to him. He couldn't help but pull his cheeks and lean close to steal a kiss, ignoring his screams of protest. He always gave in; he was always, always just the same. So, he couldn't help but fall for him.

…

Naruto woke up and on first thought, searched the bed. He remembered last night and smiled. While they hadn't had sex, Sasuke had helped him get off and he had dozed off in his arms. Speaking of Sasuke, he was nowhere to be found. Naruto frowned and slipped from under the covers and walked barefoot around the house in his boxers. Sasuke really had left early.

Well, no mind. He typed in a quick text and packed his backpack; it was a weekday all right. Last night had given him a sliver of hope for their relationship. He had plans on never letting that shred of hope go. Even if most of his questions remained unanswered, he knew Sasuke would talk to him about it when he wanted to. He'd get him back for it, but as long as it wasn't anything too serious, he was willing to let it go. For now. 'Yep, that's how nice Naruto Uzumaki is!' The blond couldn't help but skip a step as he entered his school gates but the thin smile on his face quickly faded into a forlorn one.

It was gone as fast it came though. Because, he knew Sasuke loved him, even if he was by her side right now. Even if he was unexpectedly pulling a smile. Even if she was leaning over him and pulling him close. He scrunched his eyes close, too soon to watch Sasuke push her away. Naruto's eyes were downcast as he walked past them, amidst the early crowd in the hallway and to his class.

He couldn't focus on his lessons that day. Kakashi-sensei had threatened him after class but that was still the least of his worries. He was running laps beside Kiba in the grounds but his mind was still chock full of thoughts about Sasuke. He had successfully tuned out the brunette's loud ringing voice. 'Why is he shouting so much anyway?'

The answer met him soon enough when he found himself seeing stars. He sat up rubbing his forehead and looked around, dazed. "Get your head in the game, Naruto!" Kiba was shouting again, he was ten paces behind him but caught up to where he was sitting on the tracks.

Naruto shot him a dirty look. "How was I to know that they were setting up these goalposts so early? The soccer tournament doesn't start in a month or so." He was pointing accusingly at the metal posts fixed on their multipurpose school ground.

"Practice, dude. PRACTICE!" Kiba chuckled patting his shoulder and offered him a hand but Naruto eyed it doubtfully, smacking it away and stuck out his tongue.

"You could've warned me..." He muttered half-heartedly, dusting his clothes as he got up.

"Yeah, I did. I was shouting but you just kept running straight ahead." Naruto looked away scratching his head unconsciously. "Ignoring just about everything I said…"

"Oh." 'Damn that Sasuke.' Kiba kept quiet but he noticed Naruto was zoning out again.

"Yeah, OH!" He stepped close to Naruto with an evil smirk unseen by blue eyes.

Kiba pinched and twisted Naruto's nipples through his sweaty jersey and ran faster than the wind with screaming laughter. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET!"

"KIBA! WHAT THE FUCK! OWW!" Naruto pressed the palms of his hands against his chest for short-lived comfort against the stinging pain and ran after the escaping convict. He sure had it coming.

…

He couldn't believe himself, but Naruto was really stalking Sasuke now. So it was true, he had gotten it from his very reliable sources. Sasuke was apparently 'dating' Sakura. Did he honestly think he wouldn't find out about it? Naruto wanted to think he was wrong; the worries had him drawing blood from his chapped lips. Well, they weren't really dating, he could tell as much. From sneaking around parking lots and hiding behind café menus. He knew that Sasuke was only entertaining her fantasy, but, Why? He couldn't even stalk properly with Kiba at his heels, who had no idea of his sexual orientation or his relationship with Sasuke.

Naruto was plagued with questions when he went to practice for try outs, walked the streets, when he hit the sack or when he woke up and occasionally put on his contacts for his morning routines. He had been trying them out in short durations, with or without the overfriendly advice from Kiba. He still refused to wear them to school though; he truly didn't need any extra attention drawn to his anxious self.

It was about to be a week, since when, he couldn't remember. Three months from his godfather's homecoming and a couple days from Itachi's. Well, at the very least, they could present him a home-cooked meal sans the effort he did himself every day. Thinking along those lines, Naruto had dragged Sasuke to his apartment again to plan out things.

He was sitting with his arms across his chest and huffing silently. "What is it now?"

"Could you be more enthusiastic?" Naruto was getting annoyed by Sasuke's attitude. First off, he wasn't fully honest with him. Never mind that, this was about his brother, the same brother who slaved each day to put food on the table, the same one who was always looking out for him. Itachi was the best big brother anyone could have. It was a universal fact.

But then, why did Sasuke act like a fuming hissy cat each time his name was mentioned? "Hmpf." He sat down on the couch with an equally grumpy face, mirroring Sasuke's moves. The raven gave up after Naruto started a staring contest. He couldn't tell if he was cheating through his glasses anyway.

Much to his confoundedness, Naruto was immune to his glares and used to his grouchy attitude. Pretty soon, he was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder beside him, his laptop in their lap. Naruto was pointing out potential gifts and dish ideas. "Hey! Wait! What about that one?" Naruto frowned, inching close and pointing at a certain object that Sasuke quickly scrolled past on the screen.

"Yeah, No." Sasuke shoved him back by his hand and the blond fell back on the couch. He sulked quietly but sprang back quickly when Sasuke spoke again. "This is more like it." Naruto squinted at the screen.

"Why is that any better than what I chose?" Naruto puffed his cheeks angrily. The traditional whatever dish couldn't possibly be better than what he had picked earlier.

"Because, this is supposed to be for Itachi." He spoke pointedly.

Naruto turned his eyes away grumbling about the awesomeness of ramen which could be cooked in many different ways.

"And…" Sasuke was speaking quietly now, so the blond perked his ears, straining to make out the words. "…last I checked, his favorite was still omusubi with konbu and cabbage…" Sasuke was still scrolling down the screen, his eyes were fixated elsewhere.

"Eh? Onigiri!" Naruto was too busy staring at Sasuke to watch what he spoke.

"Hn." The grunt of a response may have been less than satisfactory for most people but Naruto knew that behind his non-caring façade, he did care for his brother. After all, he still remembered what he liked best. A slow smile curved his lips as he hugged Sasuke who pushed him away ruthlessly.

'Traditional Japanese cuisine, eh? Ramen qualifies as that too…' Naruto was watching Sasuke bookmark a few how-to pages from various websites. But was rice balls all Itachi liked? Wait… "Hmm. I thought he liked Dangos!?"

Sasuke spoke curtly, eyes still glued to the screen. "Yeah for desserts but like I said…"

"HEY! Then why don't we just give him a bento? Baka-suke…" He poked the raven to elicit a response.

Sasuke didn't mind the interruption or the rude-names…anything as long as he didn't have to speak while looking him right in his innocent, ocean eyes. He could feel his questioning gaze on him and he would admit he was wrong in doing so, but he didn't know what course of action would turn out better. Most of them ended up with a blond in tears and he didn't want that.

"Usuratonkachi, feel free to give it to him. I'm getting late, let me go…" Sasuke shoved off his elbow that Naruto had propped on his shoulder and got up from the couch. He stretched his limbs, raising arms above his head after depositing the laptop in Naruto's lap. The blond didn't make any sudden movements, he was awfully quiet.

Sasuke decided to take the chance, as given. If he left now, he'd regret it less later on. "If you need help, call me but don't come knocking on my door over every little thing." He headed for the front door, pulling on his shoes. Naruto waved one hand from the couch where he lay in good comfort. Surprisingly, he hadn't said much. But he could think it over later. "…Bye."

Sasuke shut the door softly behind him and exhaled loudly. 'What was that?' It wasn't like Naruto to not retort and act quiet. Did he push too hard? He got home with a deeper frown than usual and decided to sleep on it.

A/N: Blueshift: A shift in the lines of an object's spectrum toward the blue end. Blueshift indicates that an object is moving toward the observer. The larger the blueshift, the faster the object is moving.

Yeah, until I get done with my college admissions...expect updates to be abit slow. But after that, no stopping me! XD

Well, thanks for reading. Stay Curious folks.

...

NEXT CHAPTER: Itachi's back in town but what's this he sees? Sasuke and Naruto fighting, well, maybe he can fix it? Or did he make it worse? Also, try outs startt next week, do you think Naru-chan will make it? Kiba is pumped and so are the few people who watch from the bleachers. Until next time...