Okay, y'all don't get mad but this is a Christmas chapter in November. Simply because it's where I am in my timeline. I could have just waited till December before posting this chapter. Originally this chapter was going to be much longer, but I decided to cut it in half and make the other part chapter 11. So enjoy.
The smell of freshly made popcorn fluttered up into Sasuke's nose as he sat curled up on his best friend's couch. He was basked in the warm glow of light coming from the tree. He heard from inside the kitchen Hinata humming along as Naruto belted out Christmas carols.
As he breathed in all the festivities around him, he felt a certain peace overtake him for a moment. Most years he was beyond annoyed at all the cheery goodness that the blond made a fuss about. This year however he even found himself humming along to the other man antics.
"I am back!"
The tan man sang obnoxiously as he walked towards the raven with a bowl of popcorn and thread. He plopped down on the floor in between the coffee table and couch setting up the boys' work station.
"Now do you want to thread or put it on the tree?"
"Naruto, every year you try to thread it and end up crumbling the popcorn into a million pieces. So, of course, I'll put it on the tree."
The Uchiha couldn't help but smirk when his best friend pouted and glared. He slid his way off of the couch and onto the floor next to the other man. He began to gingerly thread the popcorn as his companion just stared in amazement.
"Even after all these years I still haven't figured out how you and Itachi do this so flawlessly."
"Its called patience and care. Something an oaf like you wouldn't understand."
The light hit to the shoulder he received was well deserved. He knew he was being an ass. He just couldn't help himself, it was one of the few things that he had always been good at that Naruto wasn't. There weren't many of those.
However, he was surprised when the blond didn't retort but just stared at him. Judging by the other's expression, he began to wonder if he had begun to grow another head. That stare was unnerving him to say in the least.
"What?"
"There's something off about you. Well not off, just different. I don't mean to sound like an ass but you seem kind of happy."
"Ouch."
A hand released the popcorn to cover his heart in a feigned pained way.
"You know what I mean Sasuke. You seem like you are finally beginning to be okay. I mean every year you complain about almost everything we do. But this year you are just participating and smiling about it. It's nice, don't think I'm complaining. Just weird."
The younger one bit his lip, obviously contemplating continuing his thoughts. The older reached out and squeezed his shoulder, encouraging him to go on.
"Also, I just mentioned Itachi and you didn't get snippy with me. Yeah, you got sassy, but you weren't pissed at me. It's just so beautiful to see you like this again."
Onyx eyes because as wide as saucers. He knew he had been feeling weirdly happy tonight but he didn't think the change in his attitude was that drastic. But as he saw Naruto's eyes fill to the brim with tears and his signature over the top grin melt into a soft overwhelmingly compassionate smile, he dismissed his shock and replaced it with his own warm smile.
"Alright, alright, little brother, enough of this sappy shit. Let's get these popcorn strings up so you can go to bed. After all, Santa won't come if he knows you're awake."
"You're just mad Santa brings you coal every year."
The blond stuck out his tongue at his friend.
"Wow, I knew you took Christmas seriously, but I didn't realize I was housing actual children in my apartment."
Hinata laughed from the doorway. She went and joined them at the coffee table, turning on a movie. They stayed like that for hours before finally, they all went to bed.
Christmas mornings with Naruto were always loud, and juvenile. He always woke up at the crack of dawn, always then proceeded to wake up the entire neighborhood with his yelling, always managed to piss Sasuke before he left his bed. But this Christmas morning things were different. Yes, he woke up at the crack of dawn. Yes, he was yelling. But Hinata put an end to the yelling in record time. And this time Sasuke wasn't pissed off before he even made it out of the guest room. Yes, this Christmas was already a fucking miracle.
"Hina Baby, can we see what Santa brought us yet?"
Naruto whined at his girlfriend as the raven-haired man stumbled into the living room. His nose was hit with the smell of fresh tea and quickly the kind woman handed him a cup. She smiled her usual kind and gentle smile at him.
"If Sasuke is ready."
The blond bounded over towards the Uchiha and pleaded.
"Please!"
The pale man stood there drinking his tea for a moment, not even acknowledging the man on his knees before him. A few more sips later and he looked down.
"Yes, we can see what Santa brought you."
Blue eyes disappeared as the tan face was split into two by an earth-shattering, sun-smothering smile. He quickly left Sasuke's side in order to sit in front of the tree. The other two followed suit.
"Okay, Naruto grab the presents from under the tree."
He did as he was told, fetching the four presents. Four? That was odd. Usually, it was one per person.
"Why are there four?"
"Two are for you Sasuke. Santa must have been very impressed with you this year."
Hinata chimed earning a pout from her boyfriend.
"It's not fair! Why did Santa bring him two presents and me only one?"
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are twenty-four years old. Act like it. Be happy Santa brought you anything at all."
The fair-skinned woman chastized her partner.
"Alright since Sasuke has two I think he should start by opening one then you can, then me, and then he can open his other one. Does that sound good?"
Both men nodded and Naruto passed Sasuke a simply wrapped box. As he held it in his hands, the Uchiha had a sneaking suspicion he knew what was in the box. As he tore open the paper and opened the plain box, he came across a familiar, a very familiar, sight. Coal.
"If I got two presents and one is coal. Does that mean I'm on the mediocre list?"
The couple chuckled at his attempt at a joke.
"Maybe they are both coal and you are on the super-naughty list."
Naruto suggested.
"I swear to God Naruto if Santa brought me not only one box of coal this year but two Santa's getting his ass kicked."
Onyx eyes shot a warning glare at the blond. He wouldn't be stupid enough to do that, right?
"See super-naughty list language right there."
"Naruto, just open your present."
Hinata intervened. She effectively ended the argument before the inevitable coal fight could start. She had heard about it from Naruto and she did not want her boys throwing chunks of coal in her house much less at each other, at least not this year.
"Okay, Hina Baby!"
The manchild greedily grabbed the present with his name on it. His tan hands savagely tore through the paper, making Sasuke cringe in distaste. He secretly hoped that none of the contents were ripped in the process.
"Huh?"
Inside was a familiar journal and an envelope.
"Santa must have wanted you to start your New Year with some new knowledge. Maybe the contents of the envelope explain what he wants to be done with that knowledge."
Sasuke guessed, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
"Okay, weird gift for me. But whatever."
The blond tilted his head up to look up to the ceiling.
"But next year I want something cool...Like a shark!"
The other two adults in the room facepalmed. How did they ever end up with such a dunce?
"Alright, Hinata your turn."
Sasuke prompted. She nodded in response and opened the box set in front of her carefully. She pulled out two rings. She looked up confused.
"Those are the Uchiha family rings. Maybe Santa knows that while he knows you two aren't ready to be married yet he still wants to show you that you are an important member of this family."
Hinata and Naruto both gasped softly and stared at the rings in her hand. The Hyuuga heiress clasped them tightly to her chest and looked up at Sasuke. She began to cry as she jumped at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"Th-thank you Sasuke. This means the absolute world to me."
Sasuke wrapped his arms around her torso hugging her back. He'd deny it if anyone brought it up but his eyes were a little misty as well.
"Guys! You aren't supposed to acknowledge that the gifts aren't from Santa! That's our tradition."
Naruto whined but joined in on the embrace. The other two quickly regained their composure and soon they all let go.
"Alright, Sasuke you have another gift. You should open it."
He grabbed the last represent. This one was very beautifully wrapped with a bow and a name tag. The tag stated it was from Mrs. Clause. Sasuke smiled softly and rolled his eyes. He gingerly unwrapped the package. As he reached in and grabbed on the edge he realized it was something in a frame. A sharp intake of breath was the only response he could manage as he took in the picture.
It was what could be only be called a family portrait. Hinata was in the front, her posture a paradigm of elegance as she sat in a beautiful lavender sundress. She was adorned by a gentle smile that was warm and inviting. Her image felt like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
Behind her to the left was Sasuke himself. He was in a more relaxed position as he stood with one hand in his pocket the other casually resting on Hinata's shoulder. He had on a black button-up with a navy tie pinned neatly in place. He had a soft smirk on his face, his overall appearance gave off the impression he was content.
To the left of the young Uchiha, Naruto stood in a button-up as well. As always he made semi-formal clothing feel much more relaxed as his was soft orange, the top few buttons left undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had his left hand scratching the back of his head, his right tenderly placed on the Hyuuga heiress's head. His signature goofy smile lighting up the photo as a whole.
As the Uchiha man stared at the portrait tears began to well in his eyes. There behind the boys stood Itachi his right arm loosely wrapped around and squeezed Sasuke's outside shoulder, his left tenderly petting Naruto's hair. His usual cold calculating eyes held a warmth that Sasuke only remembered from his early childhood. With the smallest smile displayed, his older brother looked completely at peace. A look that the younger Uchiha could only wish he had achieved in life. It was doubtful but he hoped his brother had gotten the chance to experience the emotion this painting portrayed at least once before he had passed.
"H-how?"
He finally looked up from the picture, his vision blurring with the unshed tears building up in his eyes. Hinata reached out and gently grabbed his hand.
"Well, I bet Mrs. Clause couldn't let Santa give you coal for Christmas… for the fifth year in a row."
She looked very pointedly at her boyfriend, then turned her gaze back to the eldest. She squeezed his pale hand and scooted to be next to him. His head quickly finding its way to lean on hers as they both admired the painting.
"After this past year, she believed you deserved to have at least one family portrait that showed us all together. She also just so happened to know this very talented elf who specializes in painting portraits that look like photographs. It might have taken her a very long time to find all the reference materials the elf needed but the smile on your face was definitely worth it... This is just mere speculation of course."
Sasuke gently sat the painting down in a safe spot, then turned and scooped the small woman into his arms. The tears he had been holding back overwhelmed him and they began to fall freely. He buried his face in her hair, the soft smell of lilac wafting up into his nose.
"I love you. I love you so fucking much."
He mumbled into her scalp.
"Sasu-chan! Hina Baby is my girlfriend you aren't supposed to hold her like that."
Naruto whined, squirming uncomfortably. The Uchiha responded with his middle finger.
"Naruto, if you don't get your ass over here, Hinata is going to dump you and marry me. I might be gay but at least I'm pretty."
He received a punch to his bicep before a warm presence found its way behind him. Tan hands found themselves wrapping around to where they were holding both of their precious people. It became a tearful, warm, emotionally charged sandwich of blubbering adults, all thanks to Santa and his life partner.
Alright, this chapter is sickening how cute it is. As always, I appreciate feedback so please give it to me. It doesn't have to be a compliment, as long as it's constructive.
BTW, now that I have gotten through ten chapters, I just wanted to let y'all know I am going to start my new story. Dear Whoever is still my priority, but it might take me a bit longer to update. If you are interested, it is a GaaHina, but the romance is more of a side part of the story. It's called survival and I will be posting it shortly after I post this chapter.
Thank you all for reading Dear Whoever, and it means the world to me.