So the second half of this chapter is basically pure Kiba/Suigetsu smut. If that is something you want to read you can on Wattpadd or Archive Of Our Own as it will not be posted on here.

Chapter 16: Distraction

It had been a month since Sasuke had been forced to stay home and rest. He was now able to use crutches to get around, but Itachi and Naruto had told him to take another month before coming back to work. Itachi had even gone so far as to have the IT department cut off his access to his remote desktop and email. It was driving him crazy. So instead of sitting around, he had thrown himself full force into wedding planning, which was something he hadn't expected but was really all he could do at that point.

He had weekly therapy sessions, which had been slowly helping him cope, but he still had nightmares sometimes. He listened to the doctor and let himself cry when it all got too much, though he still had a hard time doing it in front of Naruto. He still felt a little pathetic every time he'd breakdown, no matter how many times the people around him told him it was normal.

Sometimes he had a hard time looking at himself in the mirror. The scars were fading, but they'd never truly be gone. They'd forever be a reminder of what happened. They made him feel ugly and worried that Naruto didn't want him anymore. It didn't help that Naruto didn't really touch him or even look at him the same way he used to. Instead of try to start something, he'd look at him with pity. Sasuke hated it. He found himself doubting that Naruto was even attracted to him, which hurt more that he cared to admit. The scars on his back were the worst and he had caught Naruto staring at them multiple times. It made him not want to even take off his shirt in front of the man.

He looked at the ring on his finger, wondering if it was just a matter of time until the blond broke it off with him. He would wonder if the man was just waiting for him to be fully physically healed before he left. His doctor told him it was normal to feel that way after a traumatic event. It was normal to question things, but that he had to trust Naruto. He needed to talk to him so the other man could reassure him. Of course he didn't. Instead he kept his thoughts to himself and found everything he could to distract himself.

"Which color blue do you like better?" he asked Naruto when the other man walked into the room. "Kelly dropped them off yesterday for us to decide which one we liked best," he told him. The woman had accommodated them, not making them come to her office or a neutral location due to Sasuke's injuries.

"I think you need to take a break from wedding planning," Naruto told him as he grabbed the swatches out of his hand and placed them on the table.

"Why?" Sasuke asked quietly. It only fueled his thoughts that Naruto planned to leave eventually. The blond had been so excited to plan their wedding before everything happened. "You used to want to plan our wedding. What changed?"

Naruto grabbed his hand, "Nothing, I just don't want you to overwork yourself."

"By sitting on the couch looking at swatches?" Sasuke asked doubtfully. "Are you rethinking getting married?" he asked. "Is it the scars? I know I don't look the same but I didn't think that mattered to you."

"Baby, what are you talking about?" Naruto asked, concerned that Sasuke would even think about them not getting married now. "Of course I want to get married, why would you think I don't?" he didn't understand why Sasuke was questioning his feelings.

Sasuke looked down. He wanted to retreat into himself, but the cast on his leg made that a little difficult. Instead he just made himself as small as possible and pulled his hand away from Naruto's. "You don't look at me like you used to," he told him softly, like he was scared the words would make Naruto leave.

"What?" Naruto was surprised. He didn't think he had looked at him any differently.

"You lookout at me with pity. You never even try to touch me anymore unless it's to help me get around somewhere. "The most intimate thing we've done lately is when you help me take a shower and even then nothing sexual happens. Before you'd take any opportunity," he told him, feeling insecure as to how Naruto would respond.

"I don't just pity you," Naruto moved closer to Sasuke so they sat close enough that there was no space between them. He grabbed is hand again as he made Sasuke look at him, "Your body isn't ready for anything physical."

"That doesn't mean you can't hold or kiss me like you used to," Sasuke argued. He tried to pull his hand away, but Naruto wouldn't let him.

Naruto sighed, "That's because I don't want to end up trying to push it too far. If I hold you, then I'm going to want more and you're not physically or emotionally ready."

"Don't act like you know exactly what is going on in my mind," Sasuke snapped. "Did you ever think that maybe I need that reassurance? I need to know you still want me even though I'm messed up."

Naruto hated himself for making Sasuke feel unwanted, "You're not messed up. You're working on getting better."

"I don't just mean emotionally," Sasuke admitted. "I know the scars are ugly. I'm not as attractive as I used to be." He wouldn't look Naruto in the eyes, feeling weak. He hated feeling like this. He never used to care about what other people thought, he'd just brush it off. Somewhere along the way Naruto had changed that. Even if no one else mattered, Naruto's opinion did.

Naruto let go of his hand so he could wrap his arms around the other man, "I hate the scars, not because they make you ugly. I hate them because it's a reminder that I couldn't get to you in time. I almost lost you. But they also remind me how strong you are, they will never make it so I don't want you." He could tell that Sasuke was trying not to cry as he ran his fingers through the other man's hair.

"I just want to be with you again," he told him, wishing the other man would understand. Maybe he was wrong, but he felt like the intimacy would help. Getting back the affection and even just a little bit of normalcy, even if they couldn't do everything he wanted to.

Naruto held him tighter, "I just want to make sure you're truly ready." He pulled the man so they were cuddled together the best they could. Sasuke's leg limited how they could lay, but it wouldn't prevent him for cuddling the other man. "I'm sorry, I focused so much on making sure you were physically okay that I neglected you emotionally."

Sasuke buried his head in Naruto's chest as the blond continued to run his fingers through his hair, trying to help him calm down. All he wanted to do was make the man feel safe. He had missed the physical touch aspect of their relationship. It wasn't just the sex, but the cuddling and the nights they'd just relax on the couch watching their favorite shows. "I missed this," Sasuke admitted.

"Fuck, I'm such and idiot," Naruto sighed. "We'll have sex, just not tonight," he promised. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" he asked, hoping that the man would open up to him.

Sasuke didn't really want to talk about it, but he knew he should. He felt like he'd told his therapist enough, but deep down he knew Naruto needed to hear about it. He explained it to him, not wanting to go into too much detail about every thought and feeling he had during that time, but he'd told him what had happened. From Jona going home sick, to the chest of "toys" and gun being held to his head. He let it all out as Naruto held him tightly.

Sasuke had told him bits and pieces, but never the full story so hearing it all together and getting a full picture made Naruto want to cry. "You're so strong," he told him as he kissed the top of his head. "I don't care how long it takes, I'll show you how sexy you still are," he promised. "I'll kiss every single scar and worship every part of your body until you realize just how beautiful you sill are."

Sasuke looked up at him, shifting so he could kiss the other man. It was soft, but intense. His hands roamed under his shirt, his fingers sometimes brushing the faded scars on his back. Every time Sasuke winced at the thought of the scars, it would only make Naruto kiss him deeper. He pulled away when he could feel himself getting hard just from a kiss, "See, you still very much turn me on," Naruto told him as he moved Sasuke's hand over his cock.

"Then let me take care of you," Sasuke suggested, but Naruto moved his hand away.

"Not tonight," Naruto told him. He wanted it more than anything and it was taking a lot of self restraint not to give in. "Tonight, we're going to cuddle on the couch and watch TV.

Sasuke knew that if he kept pushing it, the blond would probably give in. He just laid his head on Naruto's chest. The closeness helped him feel more secure in their relationship, even if it wasn't sex. "Just want to point out the doctor did clear me to do some physical activity," Sasuke told him. "I really don't think a blowjob or hand job would be too much."

Naruto groaned a little, "You're making this very hard."

"I mean, isn't that the point," Sasuke teased. He knew nothing would happen that night, but that didn't stop him from planting the seed.

Naruto licked his lips and took a deep breath, "You're trying to kill me." He squeezed Sasuke tighter, "Let's call the doctor in the morning and get some clarification as to what falls under limited physical activity." He hesitated before adding, "I'm also calling Dr. Tanaka to see what she thinks."

Sasuke appreciated Naruto's concern. Talking it out had helped him understand how Naruto felt. He didn't argue, he just hoped neither of the doctors would cock block him.