17 months later
"Ino, you don't have to do that," Naruto said as he stepped into the kitchen doorway.
For some reason, Ino'd decided to assist him with some apartment cleaning. He'd been busy dusting the bedroom, hence the bandana on his head to keep dust from getting into his eyes. She was busy tackling the pile of dishes in the kitchen.
"Please, who else is going to help you with this? I wouldn't be able to come over here anymore if we didn't clean this place up. I have no idea how men can live like this."
"Mah, well. If you think this is bad, don't ya remember how Kiba and I used to live in our first apartment?"
"Oh, God, that was horrid! It always smelled like something died in there." Ino threw him the dish towel. "Why don't you help me dry if you're taking a break from the bedroom? I've got to get going so that I can meet TenTen and the girls later."
"I thought you guys weren't goin' out til much later? Kiba's not even comin' over until 7."
Ino hummed as she continued to wash some green bowl that had weird brown spots on the bottom. If it was up to him, he would've just thrown it away.
"Well," she said, tossing her head so that her long ponytail went over her shoulder. It didn't make it all the way, so Naruto reached over and flicked it for her. "I have to go home and shower so that I don't smell like your apartment funk. By the way, I lit a candle in your living room to help with that, and your window is open, too."
"I didn't even know it opened," he admitted. "So, it's gonna take you three hours to shower then?"
"Hardly. I want to get in a quick run and then shower, and then I have to find something to wear, and then I have to do my hair, maybe paint my nails, and then we're pre-drinking at the apartment, so obviously I don't have much time!"
"Definitely, yeah." He wasn't going to argue.
Naruto was more than aware how much time women could take to get ready. Luckily, he hadn't had to worry about that for a while. Not that the results were ever bad, but when you really had somewhere to be, it could get annoying. It took him 10 minutes to get ready, and if he was going out, maybe 30 tops and that included shaving. Getting ready for work might take longer but that's because half the time he couldn't find a certain shoe or sock or tie.
Ever since he graduated about a year ago, he'd been working with his dad at the boat shop. It was May, so the season was already picking up, which meant long hours on his feet. Ino and Kiba worked with him, too, since they were all in need of jobs after graduation.
"So what are you boys going to do tonight? Get drunk and play video games?" She asked sarcastically.
"Hey, don't mock the lifestyle," he said, bumping her with his hip. "We could always mix it up tonight. Y'know, play video games and then get drunk. But, nah. I think Keebs and I are goin' to Pauly's or whatever. Get a drink there, play some darts and video poker."
She handed him the green bowl, and he was impressed that she'd managed to get all the mold off of it. He dried it and set it on the counter.
"You know," Ino said in a tone that put him on alert, "There are going to be some single ladies at my place tonight. You could always stop by if - "
He put up a hand. "Pass. I'm not interested right now."
"I know, I know. I'm not saying you need to commit or that it has to be anything serious. I have girlfriends who would be fine just having sex with you. In fact, a couple of girls who work at the gym are going to be there, and one of them said she - "
"I'm sure your friends are great and all, and, wait, which one from the gym?"
"You know, the one who teaches yoga,"Ino said, waggling her eyebrows at him. "She's very flexible. I've seen her. I love her classes. I think she teaches first or second-grade, too. I don't remember."
"Hm. Yoga and a teacher?" Naruto cocked his head. "I dunno. Maybe another time."
Ino sighed. "Well, suit yourself, but I think it's okay for you to date. I mean, it's been over six months."
"I know. I'm cool with how things are now. I like this."
"Me, too. I mean, if you two were still together, she'd probably bitch me out for being alone with you in the apartment." Ino handed him a few more pieces of silverware and a Tupperware container that had lost its lid.
"Was she really that bad?" He asked.
After returning from New York, he and Shion decided to try and work out their issues. At first he'd been hesitant, but Shion promised that they would take it slow and spend more quality time together. She'd been busy working at the hospital around then, so they really weren't hanging out as much as they had done when they'd first started dating.
New York was something he thought about occasionally. He'd spoken to Sasuke maybe three times since then, but the other man wasn't much of a phone person, and Naruto wasn't really either. However, he'd talked with Deidara a few times, and every once in a while, he received a card from him, too. He didn't try to ask too much about Sasuke since it seemed that if Sasuke wanted him to know what was going on, he would've called him. He didn't want to say he was disappointed, but he'd hoped they could've stayed in touch.
And even though his and Shion's relationship fell apart, Naruto didn't regret trying to fix what was broken with them. He'd never been the type to give up easily, and they had a long history together. It was worth at least trying. It probably said a lot that once they decided to break up (mostly Naruto's decision but it seemed mutual), Shion disappeared less than a couple of weeks later in order to move to Europe.
"Naruto?" Ino swatted him with a towel. "You okay?"
"Uh, yeah. I just was zonin' out, sorry." He smiled brightly at her.
Ino clucked her tongue, apparently not buying it. "What are you wearing anyway?" She ripped the bandana from off of his head.
"What? It looked cool, and it was keepin' the dust out of my eyes."
She gave a sniff. "You stink. How about I go get your sheets out of the dryer while you hop in the shower? I'll have your bed made before you're done. Otherwise I know you'll just throw the sheets on the floor and sleep on top of the mattress."
"Heh, that's true, but I can't ask ya to do that. I'll take care of it."
"It's fine, Naruto. I like cleaning. It relaxes me, and Kiba's not coming back from Chicago until 6, so I'd be alone at the apartment. Go now," she attempted to shoo him away from the kitchen. "Go take a shower."
Naruto placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek. "How did Kiba get so lucky?"
"Duh," she said. "You were taken at the time."
"Ah ha, is that how it worked? Are you sure you don't want help bringin' stuff up from the laundry room?"
"I'll use this thing they call a laundry basket and be just fine. I had to do the same thing at the apartment in college, remember?"
"I know, I know. Alright. I'm goin'. I'll even remember to bring clothes in with me this time so I won't walk out naked."
"I wouldn't complain if you forgot," she said, giving him a sly grin.
"Cheeky bitch," he said, which earned him a punch in the shoulder.
"You dick!" She sent an apple flying at him from the fruit bowl on top of the bistro table.
He caught it in the air, though, took a bite and dodged another flying fruit by jumping into his bedroom. Quickly, he searched through his drawers for at least a clean pair of boxers and a pair of old jeans since most of his t-shirts were in the dryer with his bed sheets. It was a bit incestuous to have his best friend's girlfriend going through his underwear and other clothes, but they'd been a tight circle for years now. And Ino was like a sister to him anyway. A really hot sister, but totally off limits.
By the time he popped into the bathroom, Ino was just leaving the apartment to head down to the basement of the complex. He and Kiba were going out later so the girls could have their own night out. There was a baseball game on, and they could sit at the bar and drink all night, maybe eat some wings. No big plans, really. Then they'd come back here and play video games like usual.
After he closed the bathroom door, he tossed his t-shirt, shorts, and underwear into the hamper. This week had felt kind of long, so he was glad it was over. He took his time, more than he'd meant to considering Ino was probably waiting on him to get out. Then again, she knew him well enough that she could take off if she didn't want to stay. He slathered his hair with some generic dandruff shampoo and used what was left of the expensive body wash Shion had bought him for his birthday. That shit lasted a long time, and he wasn't such a bitter asshole that he'd trash it.
He was only in there 10 minutes before he got out and dried himself off. Since he couldn't remember if he'd done it this morning, he brushed his teeth, too, and then slipped on his underwear and jeans. He threw the smaller towel around his neck and walked out just as Ino was coming from his bedroom.
"Well, I've put your sheets on the bed and your pillows have clean pillowcases now, too. I think I can sleep better at night knowing that you have clean sheets."
"Heh. They won't be clean for much longer."
She thwacked him in the chest. "Pervert, and put a shirt on. Those muscles make me feel like such a slob. I need to work out more."
"What are you talkin' about? You're at the gym every day. You go more than I do."
Ino rolled her eyes as she pulled the ponytail holder out and let her hair fall down her back. "Whatever. My thighs are all weird and wobbly." She glanced down at them.
Naruto snuck a peek, but he didn't get it. She had a nice, athletic body, but she was still pretty curvy. Women were always so hard on themselves about this stuff.
"Thanks again," he said and dragged her into a hug.
"You're getting me all wet, you butt!"
He laughed out loud. "Kiba's gonna kill me if I tell him you said that!"
She pushed him away. "You're sick. See. You should totally go out with us tonight. You've obviously got sex on the brain!"
"I'm a dude. I've always got sex on the brain." Teasing her, he snatched her wrist and swung her arm.
"Tell me about it," she said.
"Ah ha, well where do you think Kiba learned it?"
"Oh," said Ino, smiling widely at him as she grabbed his bicep. "So you were his first time? Naruto, you swing both ways? That's kind of hot when you think about it, isn't it?"
His smile turned lop-sided as he tugged her in for one last hug. "Think so?"
"As long as you're happy, I'm happy," she said. "But I think you can do better than Kiba."
Naruto barked out a laugh. "He's all yours."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Ah, speak of the devil," he said. "He's back early. Probably came to check and see if we were havin' an affair."
"But it's only 5!" She headed to the door to let Kiba inside. "God, if he was speeding again, I'm going to kick him in the balls."
"Please don't do that," he said and was just about to go into the bedroom to find a shirt when Ino's uncertain voice called him back.
Naruto peeked around the corner to see what was up and saw Ino standing in the doorway, obscuring his view of the person she was talking to. Worried that it might be some weirdo neighbor or a solicitor, he made his way over, but quickly discovered that it was neither.
"Sasuke," he exclaimed in surprise when he saw him standing there.
"Sasuke?" Ino asked excitedly. "Oh my God. That Sasuke? The one you met in New York? Come in!"
She grabbed Sasuke by the hand, even though he appeared as much in shock as Naruto was currently. Ino manhandled him into the apartment and shut the door before anyone could say anything.
"Why are you here?" She asked Sasuke, then asked Naruto the same thing. "Why is he here?"
He couldn't say, but even if he'd had the answer, his voice didn't seem to want to work. Instead, he simply stared at Sasuke, whose expression was hard for him to read. He looked nearly the same as the last time they saw each other almost a year and a half ago. He was dressed in designer jeans, fitted black t-shirt, and an expensive looking pair of sunglasses that sat atop his head. Naruto was almost annoyed with how good he looked given that he hadn't heard from the bastard in nine months.
"I see," said Ino. "It's a surprise visit! That is so awesome! Have you even seen each other since that trip? Good thing we just did all that cleaning, huh, Naruto?"
"Uh, yeah," he said awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Good thing."
Ino kept glancing between the two of them, but Naruto didn't know what to do. He was too surprised to do much, and Sasuke wasn't giving him any signals as to whether this was a friendly visit... or something else entirely. Like, maybe something was wrong.
He frowned, suddenly concerned. "Is everything okay?"
Sasuke seemed to snap out of whatever daze he was in, too. "Yes," he said quietly. "Everything's okay." He smiled politely at Ino. "I guess you could say I was in the neighborhood."
"You were?" Naruto asked incredulously. "How did you even know where I lived?"
"How do you think?" Sasuke asked.
"Ah. Deidara? Yeah. He writes me sometimes, but he didn't say anything - " Naruto stopped, though, when he happened to catch the look on Ino's face.
She was gazing at him with the strangest expression of wonder.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing." She shook her head. "Um. Sasuke," she sounded like she was testing out the name, "Are you staying a while? I have to get going..." Her eyes flicked Naruto's way again, "But maybe if you're staying long enough, I might see you tonight?"
Naruto glanced at Sasuke expectantly.
Sasuke's eyes met his. "I wasn't planning on staying long..."
Naruto felt a sharp pang of disappointment.
"Well, either way," said Ino (Naruto was so grateful for her outgoing personality in that moment), "If you do end up staying, I'd love to get a chance to talk to you! I'm sure Naruto would love for you to stay. I just cleaned his sheets, so you're not likely to catch anything if you spend the night here."
"Jesus," Naruto muttered under his breath.
"What?" She asked. "It was gross. He probably knows what a slob you are if he stayed in a hotel room with you - "
Naruto clamped a hand over her mouth before she revealed anything else. "I'm not that bad. C'mon now." He removed his hand. "Ow, did you just bite me?"
"Yes, I did! Okay, I'm going." She punched him in the chest, hard enough that he had to rub it afterward. "Sasuke, lovely meeting you. I want to see you tonight! Don't run away!"
As she was running out the door she stopped long enough for him to catch her mouthing "Oh my God" and then she put her hand to her ear in a gesture that he should call her later. Then she was gone, leaving the two of them alone.
Without her, there was no one left to displace the tension.
Eventually, Sasuke spoke. "She's blond."
"Huh?" Naruto stared at him quizzically.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner, and it dawned on him what he was asking.
"Oh. That's... no, that's my friend Ino."
Sasuke nodded, observing him quietly.
"So," Naruto started awkwardly, "What are you doing here?"
"Like I said," Sasuke, very casually, slipped a hand into his jean pocket, "I was in the neighborhood."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Last I checked, this neighborhood is a long way from New York."
"It is," Sasuke replied. "A very long way."
Naruto noticed the way his dark eyes swept low for a brief second before Sasuke's gaze met his again.
"Uh, do you wanna have a seat on the couch?" He asked. "Can I get you anything to drink? I have some bottled water maybe, or some beer?"
"A beer would be good," said Sasuke, as he glanced around the small living space. "If you don't mind."
Naruto left long enough to retrieve a couple of Bud Light bottles from the fridge. When he returned, Sasuke was sitting on the couch, and Naruto, after handing him his beer, opted to sit on the carpet in front of the TV and all the tangled wires connected to his gaming consoles. He pulled his knees up, observing Sasuke closely. He was being more quiet than Naruto remembered.
"How's my pal, Deidara?" He asked when he couldn't take the silence any longer. "Does he miss me?"
"I think so," Sasuke answered. "He speaks of you often."
"Does he?"
He was left to wonder how much Sasuke knew about his life now. It was nine months since the last time they'd spoken on the phone. Deidara probably knew more personal details about his life, but Naruto wasn't sure the older man ever passed on what they talked about to Sasuke. Last he and Sasuke spoke, Naruto was still with Shion. He wasn't sure if Sasuke even knew they'd broken up, and it would've been impossible to tell as much just from searching Sasuke's face for clues.
"About why I haven't really called," Sasuke began to say as if reading his mind, but Naruto held up his hand.
"It's fine. Water under the bridge." He sipped his beer. "I'm sure you were busy."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed the slightest bit. "...I was."
"Are you CEO of the company yet?" He dug his big toe into the carpet, watching it at first before raising his eyes to Sasuke's again.
"Not quite. But I... have some interesting opportunities."
"Oh?"
"I'll be flying to Europe in a few weeks," Sasuke elaborated. "The office in London wanted a me to assist with some of the summer festivals over there."
"I see." He was surprised to feel another pang of disappointment. What the hell was he expecting anyway?
"I'll only be there for a few months."
Naruto nodded almost imperceptibly, confused by the small amount of relief he felt. "I thought you were gonna say you're movin' there permanently."
"Do you think I would come all the way here to tell you that?" Sasuke reached for one of the cheap cardboard coasters and set his bottle on top of it.
"I dunno. I don't even know why you are here, Sasuke."
"Before I tell you, the pretty woman who answered the door… the two of you are… together?"
"Is that really any of your business?" He asked irritably.
"No... I suppose it's not."
"Did you think she was Shion?" He asked.
"For a second, yes, I did. Because you described her as being very pretty and very blond, and also... the lack of shirt."
Naruto glanced down at himself before smirking. "Nothin' you haven't seen before."
Sasuke, not looking amused, was apparently still waiting for an actual answer, so Naruto took pity on him.
"Shion and I aren't together anymore," Naruto said. "If you were wonderin' or if you hadn't heard already."
"You're single."
Sasuke's tone made it sound more of a statement than a question, so Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he took another swig of his beer, watching the flame of the candle Ino lit earlier.
"But she cleaned your apartment," Sasuke said.
Surprised at the comment, Naruto looked up at him and barked out a laugh. "Jesus, Sasuke. She's my best friend's girlfriend. She's a friend. That's all."
"I didn't say anything." Sasuke lifted his chin haughtily.
Naruto laughed again and stood up, wiping his hand across the side of his jeans. "You didn't have to." He approached Sasuke until they were only a foot away from each other, and in a lower voice asked one more time, "Sasuke, seriously. What are you doin' here?"
Sasuke shot him a wary look before leaning forward and setting his elbows on his knees. "I just came from an interview."
"An interview?" He asked. "An interview where? I thought you were going to Europe."
"I am."
Naruto frowned. "So what was the interview then?"
"I've been asked to interview for a director position at the Chicago office. I'll retain a lot of my current clients and still get to do talent recruitment."
"Chicago?" He must've looked dumbfounded. "Seriously?"
"And that," said Sasuke, "Is why I was in the neighborhood. They gave me a rental car, and apparently you were only an hour away, so how could I not drop by?"
Naruto bit his lip. "But why... why didn't you call?"
"I thought you'd appreciate my attempt at spontaneity."
"Liar."
"Fine," he said, having the decency to look halfway guilty. "I thought you'd tell me to fuck off if I called and told you I was coming. When I haven't tried to stay in touch."
Naruto went around to the other side of the coffee table and sat on the sofa. He adopted a similar position to Sasuke as he drew forward and placed his elbows on his knees.
"You'd only be an hour away," said Naruto as if it hadn't dawned on Sasuke already.
"I would be," Sasuke replied. "If I decide to move downtown."
"Where else would you move?" He asked curiously.
"I didn't have anything in particular in mind, Naruto," he said softly. "It's a good opportunity for my career, and I think..." He dabbed his tongue across his lower lip. "I'd like to get away from New York for a while. I'm doing a lot better than the last time I saw you."
"Apparently so," he murmured. "You've done just fine without me, huh?" He meant it as a joke but it ended up sounding bitter.
"I've done fine because you encouraged me to want more for myself."
Naruto's eyes went wide. "What?"
Sasuke smirked at him. "Have you gotten more stupid since we last met?"
"Asshole, I'm just surprised is all! And confused, I guess. You drop by outta nowhere and then tell me you might be movin' to Chicago, so how the hell am I supposed to feel?"
"If you want me to go, just say the word."
"Jesus." He rubbed the back of his head. "Of course I don't want you to go. I just... am confused."
"Okay," Sasuke said simply.
"I mean," Naruto fell back against the sofa and rubbed at his forehead, "Where are you stayin'? How long are you here? Are you really leavin' tonight?"
"I need to fly back no later than tomorrow night," Sasuke answered.
"I suppose we can't expect a blizzard in the middle of May, huh?"
"Why?" asked Sasuke. "Would you want me to be stranded here so that we can spend the weekend together?"
"Jerk, don't be fuckin' coy with me."
He hadn't meant to get angry, but he felt frustrated. With Sasuke, but also with himself.
"You know I want you to stay, Sasuke," he said, lowering his voice. "I've wanted to talk to you all this time, and I felt so stupid holdin' out that you might call, but then days went by. Weeks. Months. I heard nothin', so I figured you didn't wanna hear from me - "
"Naruto."
Naruto stopped sulking long enough to glance at him. Sasuke was actually smiling, his expression more soft, more warm than he remembered from that time. He seemed different. Like he was happy.
And maybe he was. Maybe not talking to him had been a good thing for Sasuke. Obviously good things were going on in his life. He was traveling to Europe, he was up for a promotion at the office in Chicago…
All this time, though, whether it was because of Shion or because of what happened between them in New York, he'd thought it was his fault that Sasuke didn't want to stay in touch with him.
But, he definitely felt like he owed Sasuke for taking care of him that weekend.
"You can stay here if you want," Naruto told him. "I mean, if you don't already have a hotel. I dunno what your plans are."
"I don't have any."
Naruto blinked at him. "No?"
"No." Sasuke gave him another one of those rare smiles. "I'm all yours."
He had to ask. "Are you… seein' someone?"
Naruto hadn't considered the possibility, but maybe that would explain why he seemed so... Calm? Nearly 18 months ago, Sasuke had been angry and anxious and now he gave off a totally different vibe. He appeared more in control of his emotions.
Then again, Naruto was in a good place, too. At least until today. He hadn't thought about Sasuke for a while, hadn't dwelt on it. Although upset at first, things had become a lot better for him since breaking up with Shion.
"Why do you ask that?" Sasuke asked in a quiet voice.
"Because," he replied, "You seem different."
"How do I seem different?" Sasuke set his hand down on the middle cushion, which placed it half way between them.
Naruto eyed Sasuke's hand. "You seem... happy, y'know. Content?"
"You did, too. Until you saw it was me at the door."
"Heh. Maybe so."
"You know," said Sasuke. "I waited to get your demo tape. But it never came. Maybe it got lost in the mail?"
Naruto smiled at him. "You remember that? God, I was such a sarcastic asshole back then."
"Only back then?" Sasuke smirked.
Naruto chuckled, but then he grew somber and started chewing his lip.
"I remember that habit," said Sasuke.
"Do you."
"If you've got something you want to say to me, Naruto. Go ahead."
"I don't have anything to say... I just," he let out a sigh, "I don't fuckin' know what I feel."
"As I said, I didn't come with any expectations."
Naruto didn't know whether he believed him or not, but at least he figured the promotion was more of a motivation for Sasuke moving here than anything to do with him. After all, why would Sasuke move here with him in mind when he hadn't shown any interest in maintaining a friendship?
It hurt to think about, which is probably why he'd stopped trying to figure out what he'd done wrong.
A week after he'd returned to Illinois, Naruto had given in and called Sasuke. And that was right before he and Shion officially got back together. Then Sasuke called once more about a month after Naruto'd begun dating Shion again. After that, he didn't hear from Sasuke for a long time. Three months later, he and Shion broke up. At that time, he would've killed to have talked to Sasuke, but it didn't seem right or fair.
This past Christmas and New Year, Naruto texted him but heard nothing back. He supposed he just took it as a hint that Sasuke had moved on or chosen to forget about him.
"Naruto. Can I spend the night here with you?" Sasuke asked, and for some reason, Naruto's heart must've skipped about three beats.
"Yes," he said too quickly to be cool. "Er, I mean. You can have my bed. Like Ino said, she just put on new sheets. I'll take the couch."
"You'll take the couch?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"My bed's way more comfortable. There's a TV in there, too, and an AC unit in the window. Not that it's been too hot, but it does tune out some of the street noise."
"Don't you already have plans for tonight? Your friend said you were going out."
He'd totally forgot. "Oh, right. Shit. Yeah, Kiba. He was gonna come over here later, and we were goin' out to a bar."
"Oh. Then maybe I shouldn't stay - "
"No, shut up. You can go out with us, or... he'll understand if somethin' came up. Obviously I wanna show you the same hospitality you showed me. So stay. It's up to you whether we go out or not. It's not New York City, but I'd love to show you around. If you think it'll keep your interest."
"I think there's plenty here to keep my interest," Sasuke remarked.
If Naruto didn't know any better, he would've thought Sasuke was flirting with him.
"I noticed that Ino seemed to know who I was," Sasuke continued, his dark eyes still as magnetizing as Naruto remembered. "I didn't think you'd tell anyone about me."
"Why would you think that?" He asked, taking offense.
"I didn't mean anything by it."
He frowned. "If you're askin' whether I spilled my guts, I didn't. Not completely. I told them about you, how we met, and how you took care of me. I probably would've said more, but since you apparently lost interest in me afterward, there didn't seem to be a point."
"Naruto."
"What?" He snapped.
God, why couldn't he get his stupid emotions under control? Why was Sasuke showing up at his doorstep totally throwing him off?
"I..." Sasuke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "It's not that I lost interest. You and I..."
He waved his hand at Sasuke, his tone wavering, "You don't have to explain. It's cool." He picked up his beer and drank nearly all of what was left in one go. "No hard feelings. Like I said, I'm happy to return the favor, so you're totally welcome here."
Naruto got up with the intent to go into his bedroom and put a shirt on but Sasuke was quick to grab his wrist and pull him back down on the couch.
"Don't do that," he said to Naruto, expression serious.
"Don't do what?"
"Don't put words in my mouth. Don't act like you know what's going on inside my head."
"I have no fuckin' clue about what's goin' on in your head," he replied angrily. "I dunno if I ever did."
"I came to see you," said Sasuke. "I wanted to see you. Yes, I came for the interview, but I wanted to see you." He squeezed Naruto's wrist. "I tried to convince myself not to, but the thought of being this close to you and not seeing you, I couldn't do it. Take it for what you will, but that is the truth, Naruto."
Naruto's mouth fell open, his eyes moving to Sasuke's fingers around his wrist.
"Okay." He nodded. "I believe you. I'm just... I have to get used to it. I, for a while now, thought you didn't give a shit."
"I'm sorry I left you with that impression, but as you can imagine, and I don't mean this to be an excuse, I've had more than a few things to work through, and I wanted to be able to do it on my own."
"I understand and... that's really great, Sasuke. You deserved to be happy."
"What about you?" Sasuke asked. "Are you happy?"
Naruto blinked a couple of times at the question. "...I don't know."
"Hm."
"No, I know. I dunno why I said that. I'm good. I know I'm not bein' myself right now..."
"I see," said Sasuke. "I guess I'm finding out that the person who loves surprising people doesn't much care for other people surprising him."
Naruto smirked despite himself. "Tch. Cheeky bastard. I just... gotta get used to this. Havin' you here. Havin' you... Anyway." He turned away for a second even though Sasuke still had a hold of him.
"Having me... what?" Sasuke asked, moving closer to him on the couch.
He took in a sharp breath. "This close," he said. "Havin' you this close again... is very distracting."
"Well," Sasuke's voice made it sound like he was speaking right next to his ear, "Don't worry as I intend to be on my best behavior."
"Considerin' I've seen you at your worst, I suppose I shouldn't feel too worried."
"Indeed," said Sasuke. "Speaking of distracting, could you please go put on a shirt?" Sasuke knocked into him. "You've been going to the gym a lot I take it?"
Naruto grinned despite himself. "You noticed?"
"Hard not to," Sasuke said with a smirk, "When you answer the door like that. Does Kiba know you were shirtless while his girlfriend cleaned your apartment?"
"Aw, Sasuke." Naruto leaned into him and placed a hand on the other man's knee. "You sound... jealous. Are you jealous?"
"Hardly." But he noted the way Sasuke pressed and rubbed his lips together.
"Should I give you a tour of the place?" Naruto asked, feeling a strange sense of deja vu. "Let you see where you're gonna sleep?"
"Where all of the magic happens?" Sasuke finally let go of his wrist.
Naruto scratched at the back of his neck. "There hasn't been a whole lotta magic happenin' in there lately. I can tell you that much."
"That's a shame," Sasuke said dryly, though his dark eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "Seems such a waste."
"I think so, too. Don't worry, though. I keep a box of tissues on my nightstand."
"Charming." Sasuke snorted. "I forgot how classy you are."
"Don't be such a snob. You're not in New York anymore."
"Clearly."
Naruto felt an inclination to kiss him for some reason. It wasn't fair. He wanted to stay angry at Sasuke, but the banter was starting to feel the same.
In order to disguise the blip, he got to his feet and pretended to stretch. He caught Sasuke watching him. Or, should he say that Sasuke was leering at him a bit?
"Enjoyin' the show?" He asked.
"I'm getting what I paid for, I suppose."
"Come and see my bedroom, Sasuke." He started heading for his room, and was beyond certain Sasuke would follow.
Once they were in his room, Naruto searched through his top drawer for a shirt while Sasuke took a seat on the foot of his bed.
"It's... very firm," Sasuke remarked about the bed.
Naruto chuckled as he shut the drawer.
"I'm sure it's seen a fair amount of action?" He asked Naruto.
"Hm. You know me. I don't kiss and tell."
"But you do kiss," Sasuke replied, leaning back on his bed, exposing the column of his neck to him.
Naruto received the message loud and clear. "Fucking flirt."
"Hn. I learned from the best. So, we're going out tonight? I'd love to meet this friend of yours. I assume he's as idiotic as you?"
"Don't be an ass," he said while tugging the shirt over his head. "He's my best friend. You'll love him."
"Love is a strong word," said Sasuke.
"It is. And I love him, so you be good to him, or you'll answer to me."
"Oh, and if I misbehave, will you punish me?" Sasuke ran his hand across the corner of the duvet.
Naruto licked his tongue across his teeth. "I thought you would've grown out of that by now."
"I might make an exception," Sasuke said. "This one time."
"Hmm."
"But since you don't kiss and tell, I'll also be discreet. Shall I try to put on the 'straight' act tonight?"
"No," he said immediately. "I don't want you to be anything other than yourself. You're my friend, too."
Sasuke raised both of his eyebrows, and even Naruto was surprised that he'd said that.
"Well, you are, aren't you?" Naruto asked.
"I'd like to save us both from embarrassment by not answering."
"I'm not embarrassed to tell you that I think of you as a friend, even if you abandoned me for a while to do some soul searching."
"That's one of those qualities I like about men." Sasuke removed his sunglasses and set them on the bed. "They're strong and forgiving. I knew you, out of all the people I've ever met, wouldn't crucify me."
Naruto took a step toward him, then another until their knees nearly touched. "I like you how you are. I always did. Even when you're bein' an arrogant bastard. Even when you're self-deprecating. Even when I didn't hear from you for so long..."
"I'm sorry."
"Sasuke Uchiha is apologizing?" He teased, even though it's what he'd been dying to hear.
Sasuke placed a hand at his waist, and Naruto didn't so much as bat an eye. In fact, the touch, the weight of Sasuke's hand there felt incredibly familiar.
"Well," he said. "I'll give Kiba a call and let him know we're gonna be a threesome tonight."
"Oh, are we?"
"Pervert." Naruto spotted a chain hidden underneath the collar of Sasuke's shirt.
Without really thinking about it, he reached for it, pulled it free, and admired it. It was only a silver chain with this strange sort of amulet hanging from the center.
"What's this?"
"Something my brother sent to me after his last trip to Japan."
"How's he doin'?"
"Good," said Sasuke. "Not that we've spoken much. His boss seems to be a dick, but other than that..."
"That sucks. Maybe I should fly to Seattle and beat up his boss."
"I'm sure Itachi can handle it."
"Mm," he agreed. "Okay then. So you're staying here, and we're on for some drinkin' and darts tonight?"
"Sounds very Midwestern."
"Heh. Take a load off." He pushed Sasuke backward until he fell on top of the sheets. "I'm gonna go call Kiba, and then I'll help you bring your luggage in from the car. I assume you have some?"
"Only a bag. I can get it myself."
"Just wait for me. I'll only be a sec." He grabbed his phone off the dresser. "Feel free to imagine' me jerkin' off on that bed while I'm gone."
"I am. I already have." Sasuke smirked.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Uh huh. Be right back, Sasuke."
"I'll be here," he heard Sasuke reply as he headed into the other room and dialed Kiba's number.
Naruto smiled as he listened to the ringtone. "It's about fuckin' time."
xxx
After Naruto accompanied him down to the rental car to "help" him with his bag, they went back inside to Naruto's apartment. It wasn't the most amazing apartment he'd ever been to, but it was kind of cozy. It reminded Sasuke of the brief time he'd spent at the University of Washington in Seattle. He'd dropped out after only a couple of years.
In coming to see Naruto this afternoon, he hadn't been sure, even up until the moment he left Chicago that he would be driving down here. Of course, he'd thought about it nonstop while in New York. The new job opportunity had presented itself without him seeking it and, rationally, it was the best move for him. He knew he needed to get out of the city, it came with a slightly better salary due to the promotion, and he would have his own team and definitely more responsibility. Plus, the office in Chicago was still small and boosting its reputation would only make him that more valuable to the company.
That's what he kept telling himself every time he wondered how much knowing Naruto was out here played a part in his decision to accept the interview. He knew there were two other people being interviewed for the job, but both of them were from other agencies. Sasuke was rather young to be a director, but he also had the numbers to make up for his overall lack of experience in the business. He considered himself on par with the average agent who'd been in the field for 10+ years.
"So," Naruto was saying as they were taking the elevator up. "What do you think of Chicago? Had you been there before?"
"Besides layovers at O'Hare, I think once when I was in high school. My mother went to a conference at one of the hospitals. She used to work for a company that sold medical equipment."
"Ah, is that so? I don't think you told me that before."
"No, probably not."
While Naruto turned away briefly to look at the elevator doors, Sasuke observed him intently. He figured he would be, but now he was sure that he was still very attracted to Naruto. He looked tan, and the sun had made his blond hair appear even lighter. He appeared thinner, though. Before, he'd asked if Naruto was working out, and that was because he did seem to have more definition in his arms, chest, and stomach. Idly, he wondered if that was the result of getting back with Shion or maybe their break up.
He'd be lying if he said he hadn't heard about it. Deidara, not that Sasuke ever asked, often shared gossip with him if they ran into each other (Sasuke'd moved out of the apartment in Brooklyn some months ago). So, he was aware, but he never thought it made a difference. What was he supposed to do? Swoop in like a vulture and take advantage of Naruto on the rebound? Not to mention he figured Naruto would be pissed off at him for never calling or returning his texts.
"Kiba should be here any minute," Naruto said as they arrived at his floor. He'd been checking his watch.
If Sasuke didn't know any better, he'd say the blond man looked nervous.
"Are you more worried about what I could say to Kiba, or what he could say to me?" He asked.
Naruto nearly stumbled as he stepped out at the elevator. He turned to Sasuke as he walked out behind him.
"I'm not worried."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "You look worried. Tell me about him."
He followed Naruto as they walked down the hallway to his apartment.
"Well, I've known him since junior high, I guess. We weren't always good friends. We actually hung out with different crowds for a while, and after my mom died and my best friend, Gaara, moved away, Kiba and I started hangin' out more. We both went to Northern, which is where we met Ino, and, well. Shion."
"Ino seems very... flirtatious," Sasuke commented, keeping his voice neutral.
"Are you still on about that?" Naruto opened the door for him. He had Sasuke's backpack on his shoulder and when Sasuke tried to take it from him, Naruto caught him by the wrist. "Would you just let me play host? I'll bring it in."
"When we were together in New York," said Sasuke, "And we went out and then when you stayed at my place, it wasn't because I expected something in return."
"That's good." Naruto grinned. "Since you didn't get anything out of it." He let go of Sasuke and half-pushed him into the apartment. "I'm still not sure why you did all that to be honest. Like, the first night at the bar, I have no idea why you agreed to takin' a total stranger out. I could've been a homicidal maniac."
"You still could be," said Sasuke, watching as Naruto disappeared into his bedroom. When he came out again, he was sans backpack, so he supposed that meant Naruto really was forcing him to take the bed.
He didn't want to presume that they would've been sharing it, but, for the record, he would've been fine taking the couch. When he decided to drive to Joliet to see Naruto, he thought about reserving a hotel, just in case Naruto kicked him out. Although, he supposed that if that had happened, he would've turned around and gone back to Chicago. Or maybe he would've begged for Naruto's forgiveness? He really didn't have expectations. He just... took off from Chicago, and when Ino answered the door, Sasuke thought he'd made one of the biggest mistakes in his life. Maybe it was Shion and she and Naruto had gotten back together or maybe they still hooked up. How should he know?
"You want another beer?" Naruto asked him. He'd slipped off his sandals and was now standing in the hallway leading to the kitchen with bare feet.
Out of habit, Sasuke'd taken his shoes off upon entering Naruto's apartment again. "Only if you're having one," he answered, eyeing Naruto as the blond (nervously?) swept a hand through his hair. No, not nervous. Naruto seemed calm, especially once Sasuke apologized, which wasn't something he did often, but, in this case, he considered it a peace offering.
Instead of waiting in the living room, he followed Naruto into the kitchen. It was small but clean. However, that may be the result of a woman's touch. Sasuke was a clean freak, but he didn't expect that of Naruto.
"That was nice of Ino to help you clean," he remarked. It smelled of dish soap and vanilla, probably from the candle on the coffee table in the living room. "Do you usually rely on women to do your chores? Are you a Neanderthal, Naruto?"
"Ass." Naruto handed him his beer after popping off the cap by slamming his hand down on it while holding it against the counter edge. "We left work early today, and Kiba was up in Chicago for somethin'. Ino came home with me and then started yellin' at me when she saw the state of things. It wasn't that bad. Until she cleaned out the fridge anyway."
"Hn. If you say so."
Naruto leaned against the counter as he sipped his beer, gaze drawn toward the larger window at the corner of the kitchen. The sunlight made the room feel bright and warm. It also made Naruto's eyes look especially blue, like the color of the ocean when he'd gone to Hawaii once with Itachi and some of his friends.
He glanced at Sasuke, and Sasuke thought he'd stopped breathing just looking at those eyes.
"What's up?" Naruto asked. "Sorry the beer is so cheap. If I'd known you were comin', I would've gone to get some fancy Craft stuff."
"This is fine, Naruto."
"Hm. So your mom worked for a company that sold medical equipment, and, your dad worked at the company that Itachi does now?"
"Did I tell you that?" He asked. "I don't remember."
"Yeah. You did. I think it's the only thing you mentioned about your parents."
"Yes, well. My mom retired from that before I graduated high school. My father did well enough for her to stay home, although she did some consulting work on the side. She also gave piano lessons to some children in the neighborhood."
"Ah, so you do play the piano!" Naruto pointed at him.
Sasuke smirked. "Are you still on about that?"
"Yes, yes I am. I knew you played stuff. Dammit, Sasuke, you modest bastard!"
"Modest bastard?" Sasuke questioned. "Did you give up on, what was your band name - ?"
"Gas Station Sushi." Naruto smiled. "I'm sad you forgot."
"Well, it was a very forgettable name." He smirked and moved from where he'd been lingering by the wall over to the counter, so that he could set down his beer. "I suppose I don't see anything wrong with telling you that I might play a few instruments."
"A few?" Naruto nearly shouted. "I'm gonna throw my bottle at you."
"You wouldn't waste such precious cheap beer."
"True. I wouldn't. I'll wait until I finish it first before I start throwin' it. It'll be like that scene in Blues Brothers when they're performin' at that bar."
"They were on a mission from God," said Sasuke as he gulped down some more of Naruto's Bud Light.
"I like how you always get my references," Naruto told him quietly. "Reminds me of why we got along in New York."
"I did say you'd make an excellent Trivial Pursuit partner."
"Heh. Yeah. They have this pub game at the bar. Maybe we can team up."
"I'll need the practice, I'm sure," said Sasuke, "Since they have one in every pub in England, I think."
"Ah... yeah." Naruto bit his lower lip, one of his more obvious "tells". "When did you say you're leavin' for Europe?"
"A few weeks."
"And you're stayin' with...?"
"People who work in the London office. They're letting me crash in their flat, but I'll also be traveling across the country, and then up to Scotland for the Fringe Festival."
"Sounds fun."
Sasuke didn't sense much enthusiasm on Naruto's part, though. "Have you ever been to Europe?"
"Nope. I think the only excitin' places I've been are Mexico for spring break, and Vancouver once."
"New York wasn't exciting enough for you?" He asked with a smirk.
"That..." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "New York's in a whole 'nother category, I think."
Sasuke dabbed his tongue across his bottom lip, curious about what was really going on inside Naruto's head, but before he could ask, there was a knock at the door.
"Ah, that's gotta be Kiba!" Naruto rushed off to answer the door, but it sounded as if someone was already barging into the apartment anyway.
"Where is he?" was all Sasuke heard before there was a loud crash that drew him to the hallway.
Sasuke blinked as he discovered two grown men wrestling each other on the floor. Naruto was on the bottom, grabbing hold of the brunette's shirt.
"What, why would you jump me the second you come into my apartment? That's cheap!" Naruto shouted.
The other man, who had short, spiky brown hair, brown eyes and was maybe slightly shorter than Naruto, had the blond pinned beneath him and was holding him down by the shoulders.
"Is that him?" He asked Naruto and glared at Sasuke.
"Uh, if by him, you mean, Sasuke, then yeah. I take it Ino called you," said Naruto. "Uh, Sasuke? This is Kiba. Kiba, this is Sasuke. He knows who you are."
Sasuke held up a hand. "Hello."
"Get off me!" Naruto growled and gave Kiba a push that sent him flying off sideways.
The grinning brown-haired man quickly got to his feet and held out his hand to him. "Hey, Sasuke. Thanks for takin' care of this idiot while he was there."
They shook hands, and within seconds, Sasuke already knew why these two idiots were such good friends. Birds of a feather, he thought.
"My pleasure," he said, casting a glance at Naruto, who was pulling a face (but at him or Kiba, he wasn't sure).
"It's cool that you're in town. I thought Naruto said you two didn't even talk anymore, so - "
Naruto thwacked Kiba upside the head. "Do you mind? Can you try to be cool tonight, Kiba?"
"What the fuck are you talkin' about? I'm always cool, and that's what you said!"
"Yeah, he knows that we haven't talked, we already had that conversation, why do you have to bring it up again!"
"How the hell was I supposed to know that?" Kiba flailed at Naruto. "I didn't mean anything by it anyway!"
"Yeah, well. Shut up."
Sasuke's laughter seemed to bring their attention back to him.
"What's he laughin' at?" Kiba asked.
Naruto was glaring at him, too. "Who knows. Probably lookin' down on us Midwesterners 'cause he's from New York City."
"Hasn't he seen that one salsa commercial?" Kiba asked.
"Who am I?" Naruto said. "His A&E biographer?"
"Children," Sasuke interrupted. "Did I mention I'm originally from Seattle?"
"Still a city brat," Kiba remarked.
"Don't talk about Sasuke that way!" Naruto shoved his friend.
"Oh, so now you guys are such buds that you're defendin' him! You're the one who started it!"
"Do you wanna take this outside?" Naruto asked, grabbing hold of Kiba's shirt.
"No, I don't wanna take this outside. I just came from outside, and I wanna sit down 'cause I just drove in heavy traffic for an hour."
"Sasuke just drove down from Chicago, too, but you don't hear him complainin'," Naruto grumbled.
"What, is he your boyfriend now?" Kiba snarled.
"How could he be when you're actin' like you're my boyfriend, you asswipe!"
Sasuke cleared his throat. "Should I...leave the two of you alone? Maybe give you some privacy?"
"Wha - No!" Naruto pushed Kiba away from him.
"See, you're givin' him the wrong idea," said Kiba. "He's gonna think we're gay for each other."
Naruto shot Sasuke a look.
"Just shut up already," mumbled Naruto. "Go get a beer, and let's figure out what we're doin' tonight. Sasuke's comin' with us, by the way."
"That's cool with me." The two of them glided by Sasuke and headed toward the kitchen. So, did he no longer exist once Kiba entered the picture? What the hell?
With a scowl, Sasuke headed after them, back to the kitchen, although as soon as he walked in, his phone went off in his back pocket. He checked it. It was from the man who'd interviewed him. It just said he wanted to thank him again for coming all this way for the interview and that he'd be in touch.
"If that's Deidara," said Naruto. "Tell him I said hi."
"It's not Deidara." Sasuke put the phone away.
"Who's Deidara?" Kiba asked.
"I told you," Naruto replied. "He was Sasuke's roommate. The one I stay in touch with."
"Oh yeah, you mean unlike Sasuke here." Kiba snickered and sent him a look as he used the same technique Naruto did earlier to open his bottle.
"I can tell now I should buy you a bottle opener before I leave," Sasuke said.
"Why?" Naruto and Kiba asked at the same time.
"...Nevermind," he said and had to rub at his head. Sasuke wasn't sure if he could handle the both of them tonight. It was amusing, but it was also tiring.
And... it was kind of making him jealous. In New York, he'd had Naruto's full attention, and now that he had to share it, he didn't like it as much.
"So what are we gonna do then?" Kiba asked. "Should we do dinner first? Are you hungry, Sasuke?"
"I'm okay," he answered. "Unless you two want to get something."
"Eh. We can get somethin' once we get to Pauly's."
"So we're still goin' to Pauly's?" Kiba asked.
"Where else would we go on a Friday night?" Naruto crossed his arms.
Kiba shrugged. "Don't care. Pauly's is cool. They've got a pool table and darts."
"That's what I said!" Naruto went on and then pointed in Sasuke's direction. "But he made fun of me."
"I think you're exaggerating, Naruto."
"Heh. He does that sometimes," added Kiba.
"Hey." Naruto punched his friend. "Whose side are you on?"
Kiba rolled his eyes. "You're just tryin' to show off in front of your new friend."
"Huh? How am I - " But Naruto stopped, glanced at Sasuke, and then took in a deep breath. "Pauly's it is. They've got wings and typical bar food, Sasuke. If that's okay. We can always take ya somewhere nicer, too, if you want."
"Bar food is fine with me," he said.
"The chicks are gonna be all over him you realize," Kiba commented to Naruto.
Naruto shared a look with him.
"Probably," was all Naruto said.
"That could be good for you, though." Kiba nudged Naruto with his elbow. "Maybe Sasuke can pass all the ones he rejects your way. Did you hear that he finally broke up with that girlfriend of his? I'd been tryin' to convince him to do that for the past two years."
"Don't talk shit about her, Kiba, jeez."
"Why, aren't you mad? She's the one who left to go to Europe without tellin' you and changin' her number and all that weird, crazy shit."
"Sasuke doesn't want to hear about that, so cram it."
This was new information to Sasuke. He took it in quietly. It wasn't his business, but if Naruto wanted to talk about it at some point, he would listen. Even if it... annoyed him. But, really, he thought he was more jealous of Kiba at this point. The two of them seemed exceptionally close and Kiba was so... fucking physical. Even now, the two of them were side by side against the counter. Damn bromances. Sometimes they were harder to penetrate than an actual homosexual relationship.
He shouldn't have used the word penetrate.
Now he was getting distracted. Didn't Naruto mention a threesome earlier?
No, Kiba wasn't his type. Naruto hadn't been either in the beginning. But Sasuke was more than sure there was something between them still but with Kiba around... it would be difficult to get close to Naruto.
"Sasuke, you okay?" He heard Naruto ask.
Sasuke snapped out of it. "Yes, I was just thinking. Did Ino say she might stop by?"
"Oh, Ino? Doubt it. She's goin' out with some of her girlfriends, but I guess they could stop by later... who knows."
"She's awesome, dude. She helped clean my apartment all afternoon, even changed my sheets and everything," said Naruto.
"Yeah, she goes on these weird cleaning sprees, like she's nestin' or somethin' in the apartment."
"Heh. Yeah. Shion used to - " But he stopped. "If I'd known Sasuke was comin', I coulda asked him to do it. He's OCD about keepin' shit clean, aren't ya?"
"I'll try not to take offense to the OCD comment, but yes. I do like to have things clean and organized. Clutter can make me slightly homicidal," he admitted.
Naruto chuckled. "I can see that about you. Everybody's got a dark side."
"Yeah, even Naruto," interjected Kiba. "You shoulda seen this kid in high school. Before he and I were good friends, he was such a punk ass. Used to be in detention all the time. He'd hang out with this kid Gaara who used to scare the shit out of all the other kids, but he and Naruto were tight. Until he moved or whatever. Then Naruto and I started hangin' out... kinda like I stole you away from Gaara, eh?"
"Well, if you did it's only 'cause Gaara neglected me. Bastard doesn't even have a cell phone."
"Isn't he in Australia or somethin'? Buildin' houses for orphaned aborigines?"
"This is a story I need to hear more about, I think," said Sasuke.
"Oh don't worry." Kiba walked over to him and threw an arm around his shoulders. "I'll tell ya all the embarrasin' stories about Naruto I can think of tonight. After we have a few more drinks that is."
If he was a lesser man, Sasuke would've snapped his arm out of its socket, but he allowed it. "I look forward to it."
His and Naruto's eyes met, but the blond's expression had changed from humor to... something else. Annoyance? He wasn't sure.
"Cool, well I wanna change before we go out maybe finish my beer," Naruto said, shaking his bottle. "Why don't you entertain Sasuke for a while, huh? Since you two have become such besties."
Naruto left the kitchen and Sasuke fought this urge he had to follow him.
He decided to turn his focus to Kiba instead so that he wouldn't end up thinking about Naruto changing and getting naked in the next room over.
"So Sasuke," Kiba said, arm still around his shoulders. "I'm very curious about Naruto's time in New York. You know, when he came back, all he did was talk about you nonstop. He sounded like a girl gabbin' about some boy she developed a crush on or whatever. It was all "Sasuke this" and "Sasuke that". It was really fuckin' annoying, but at least he was talkin' about other stuff besides Shion. I thought for sure he was gonna break it off with her, but, like, a week later she wormed her way back into his life. He was always such a sucker for her, I swear. I guess the sex was fuckin' crazy and wild, so maybe that's why he stayed with her so long."
"Kiba," he said suddenly.
"Yeah?"
Sasuke let out a sigh. "I doubt Naruto wants me to know all of this."
"Eh. He's an open book. Mostly. He was bummed when they broke up, but I think he's been happier since. I'm sure he was pretty stoked when you showed up outta nowhere."
"I'm not so sure about that," Sasuke replied, trying not to think about the wild sex Naruto had with Shion. It made him reluctant to take the bed tonight. The idea of sleeping where those two had sex was slightly unnerving.
Although, he shouldn't talk. It's not like he didn't bring people to his bed and then Naruto slept in it.
Then again, Naruto hadn't really been single at the time or necessarily interested in him the way that Sasuke now felt about -
Wait.
Sasuke pushed that thought aside very quickly. That's not why he was here.
"But, it's weird though," Kiba continued, "As much as he went on about you, he didn't really give me a lotta details. Just said you met at a bar and then got sick and passed out and Naruto had to drag you to the hotel, then you took care of him when he got sick the next night, haha. You two know how to party, I guess. Well, I already know Naruto does. He's been pretty subdued lately, but we'll have fun tonight."
"Yes," said Sasuke, "I'm sure we will."