Imma warn y'all. I feel like this chapter is absolute garbage. I got the shit that I wanted to happen this chapter to happen but not in a way I like. But I've also written this about seven times and this is the version I like best.
'Good morning beautiful.'
He couldn't help but smile as he read the text for the millionth time that day. That man was just too cute for his own good. And that was the issue. Sasuke couldn't help but feel guilty about what had happened that weekend. It wasn't like him and ScaledSand were dating, after all, he didn't even know the other man's name. But he still felt like he did something dirty. But it was just a kiss. He shouldn't feel guilty he wasn't cheating in any sense.
Ugh.
Emotions were too complicated for him.
"Hey, Sasuke!"
Ugh. Just another person he didn't know how to talk to at the moment.
Maybe if he kept walking he'd get to the crowd of people in the cafe before the blond caught up to him. As he picked up his pace in order to achieve his goal of avoidance he felt a hand grasp his wrist.
Fuck.
He should have known a determined Naruto is something you can't escape.
"Hey, I was calling for you bastard!"
"Oh, I didn't hear you."
"I don't believe you, but oh well you can have lunch with me."
An arm wrapped around his shoulders indicating he had no choice in the matter.
"Okay."
"So what happened Saturday night?"
A large roll of onyx eyes was the only response he could muster. Figures his friend wouldn't remember.
"Besides you being the biggest, grossest cockblock in this century? Not much."
The blond stopped their walking and turned to face him, grabbing the pale man's shoulders. He lightly shook the other man.
"Wait! Who were you hooking up with?"
"It's none of your business."
"Hell, it's not! My party, my business! Was it someone who was part of the party?"
"I don't know why I'm answering but yes."
"Oo, this is exciting! Imma guess alright!"
"Knock yourself out. Even if you guess right, I'm not going to tell you."
Sasuke decided not to mention the fact that he didn't know the correct answer anyways. He sat down mindlessly at the empty high top near them. The blond man sat across from him, magically producing two bento boxes.
"Hinata made them for us."
It made sense and the raven was personally thankful that Hyuuga woman would not only make him lunch but a special lunch from their shared heritage. He was even more grateful when he began to eat the delicious contents inside. It tasted like his childhood, innocence and contentment being the main flavors.
"Was it Kiba?"
"Huh?"
"Who you made out with. Was it Kiba?"
Oh, yeah, he forgot about the topic of his current conversation.
"I don't know who that is."
"Dude I introduced you two back in July."
"Is he brunet with weird triangle tattoos?"
"Yes!"
The blond got excited, his friend could tell he thought he had found the culprit. He almost smirked as he told him the disappointing news.
"No, it wasn't him."
"Damn...hmm..."
The blond held his chin as he was thinking, trying to look scholarly.
"Please tell me it wasn't Sai, that'd be like fucking yourself, dude. I didn't think you were that narcissistic."
"That's Haruno's boyfriend, the painter, right?"
"Yes."
"Then no."
"Shikamaru?
"Who?"
"He went to high school with us, always slept through class but still was valedictorian."
"The dude with the spiky ponytail?"
"Yeah! That's the one!"
"No."
"Why do you keep asking for descriptors of everyone as I name them? You should know just by the name...Unless!"
A lightbulb went off over Naruto's head. He even stereotypically brought a finger up once he discovered his theory.
"You don't know his name!"
The blond screeched, several eyes turned to them. He was making a scene, again.
"How could you try and stick your-"
"If you finish that sentence at the current volume you are at, I will finish you."
The raven cut him off before the tan man got them removed and banned from the company eating area for inappropriate conduct or worse. The threatened man realized his mistake and sheepishly looked at his best friend.
"Sorry. But how could you, ya know, without even knowing his name?"
Naruto asked quietly.
"In all honesty, that man did something to me that has never happened before. I lost myself in him, everything became pure instinct. It was almost as if we were just basic animals. But then after we lugged your fat ass home. He was so sweet and charming and it was all so good it was overwhelming. I honestly just forgot to ask for his name in it all."
Sasuke was surprised at how much he revealed about this experience. Even with Naruto when it came to anything romantic he kept it all to himself. Probably the reason his previous relationships failed but oh well.
"Oh, wow. I thought this dude was just the beginning of a one night stand but like now I NEED to know who he is."
"Why?"
"Because if you are feeling this way after just one night, I need to set you up with him. And since he was one of my party guests that means I know him. So spill what does he look like?"
"I don't know, what if he doesn't want to talk to me?"
What about ScaledSand is what he left out.
What about the amazing man living in Suna, who made Sasuke swoon from just a good morning text?
What even were they?
Did that man even feel the same way about him as he did?
Fuck he never had two interests at the same time before and he wasn't digging it. Let alone the love interests were so different! One he had met in person but didn't know anything beyond he was nice and quiet. The other he didn't know what they looked like but knew so much about who they were as a person. How could he be in this situation with only half the information he needed for both of them?
"Dude, when did you become insecure? Nevermind that, I promise you that he is going to want to, after all, you are the best."
The raven didn't really agree with his friend, but he also didn't have much of an argument for it either. That didn't mean he was ready though. He still had too many questions.
"Thanks, moron. But just give me some time to tell you okay?"
"I want to know why but for now I'm going to give you space. So we'll put a pin in it till you are ready."
Sasuke felt like he had just been slammed into by a brick wall. Where the fuck did this mature Naruto come from? He wasn't throwing a tantrum to get his way and was instead granting him the time he needed? What kind of witchcraft was this?
"Okay, I know you just turned twenty-four like a week ago but when did you become so, so not Naruto?"
His friend chuckled and a soft, almost sad smile graced his lips.
"I am just glad you are opening up to me and I want you to feel comfortable to continue doing so. I'm trying my best not to be too into your case about it. Just don't expect this kind of patience all the time ya know? I can only try so hard."
It was the raven's turn to laugh.
"Okay, well I still appreciate you trying."
"Yeah, yeah no problem."
'April 15,
My boy graduated from secondary school today. I can't find the words to say how proud I am. He is going to do great things for this family. I just worry that he is going to suffer due to that good for nothing Hokage. Sarutobi needs to go. He is absolutely worthless! The old fart has no leadership qualities in him. Under his administration, this city has gone to shit. There are gangs everywhere, spending for the force has been cut in half, I was fucking shot! If he stays in charge there won't be a city by the time Sasuke is an adult. He needs to go. I am the only one who can do it.'
Shivers ran up the Uchiha man's spine. He'd watched enough true crime documentaries to know where this was going. Still, it couldn't be true. His father, HIS FATHER couldn't have been planning on assassinating the Hokage. That was pure crazy.
Yes, his father had been distant with him.
Yes, he was the chief of police and worked closely with the Hokage in many situations.
Yes, he was shot in one of the situations.
Yes, after he became outright cold towards his youngest.
Yes, he was resentful.
Yes, he wanted the Hokage no longer in his position.
But could he take the man's life?
No, he wasn't that cruel.
Not his father.
Although he did serve in the war before Sasuke was even born.
In the special forces.
Which earned him the nickname 'Wicked Eye'.
No.
That didn't mean anything.
His father wasn't a murderer.
Nope.
Not possible.
And that was the end of that.
He closed the journal unintentionally slamming it on the end table. The sound caught the raven off guard he needed to calm down.
Inhale.
Exhale.
In.
Out.
Much better.
He made a mental note to, at some point, thank the man in his phone for teaching him the breathing techniques. They were actually helping.
One more time.
In.
Hold it.
Out.
'Did I do something wrong?'
Ugh. This is not what Sasuke wanted to deal with right now. It had been five days since he lasted responded to the other man. He didn't mean to, it just he was really trying to figure out what the hell was going on with his dad's journal and just didn't have the time.
Okay, no that was an excuse.
It was just anytime he thought about responding to him the pit in his stomach, aptly named guilt, would sucker punch his spleen. He didn't know what to do about the situation. But he guessed he should start with replying.
'No, sorry I have just been busy.'
'That is a lie.'
Of course, he fucking knew. Fuck now what was he gonna say? He very well couldn't lie again.
Deep breaths.
In.
Out.
Inhale.
Exhale.
In.
Out.
Since his brain was now clear, the raven knew what he had to say. Even if it embarrassed the fuck out of him.
'Can I call?'
'Yes.'
The phone barely had the chance to ring once before it was picked up.
"What has happened, Just_A_Person?"
Another deep breath. And another. Let's try six more. No, scratch that, it would take too long. Do it now.
"So I have a confession kind of."
"Okay, I am listening."
"So I made out with this dude this weekend. And I've been feeling guilty about it because I really like you. But I don't even know you! And we aren't dating and it is insane because it was just a round of tonsil hockey. I mean there is no way you even feel the same way about me. I'm just some mess of a person who lives in a completely different province who won't talk about the important details because he doesn't even know them himself!"
Everything came out in one breath, making it sound like one long, slightly hard to follow sentence. Relief at finally confessing caused him to begin to breathe again, anxiety at the upcoming response made his lower lip become a chew toy. Speaking of which why was the other man taking so long to respond? Surely, he didn't need time to think of how the reject the raven, did he? Maybe he wasn't going to reject him after all? What was this metallic taste on his tongue? Oh, fuck. That's blood.
"Well, Just_A_Person, I have a confession of my own. I do hold true romantic feelings towards you."
A light breeze could have carried him off as all the weight that had just been crushing him disappear in an instant. As the heat kicked on he began to feel as if he was actually floating.
"However, you should pursue the other man. He is there with you. I am positive he is better for you."
The crash back to earth was so hard, Sasuke was certain that his body was encased in earth with only his head protruding from the soil.
"Um, if that's what you want."
It was all his upset brain could muster.
"I will still be here for you as your friend. You are precious to me and I hope for the best for you."
"How are you so sure that's not you?"
"By the reason that the only Haku my story will have is my snake."
The sadness in the voice on the line caused the trembling pale man's heart to shatter. How could a man so kind, and helpful feel that way about themselves? He needed to know he still deserved love. He just needed a second to think of how to say it. The other man needed to believe him. He needed him to believe him.
"Sleep well, Just_A_Person."
"Wai-"
The call disconnected.
Welp, there's chapter 8. I like the conversation between Naruto and Sasuke but everything else is the equivalent of your cat peeing on your bed.
I do, however, hope you guys enjoy this chapter despite my lack of a clear style in this chapter. (Yes that's my issue with the chapter. style/flow and yes it's hella petty but we are all our own worst critic.)