Topsy-turvy
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Kiba and his awesomeness! Enjoy!
In the week that follows, I'm convinced I'm being punished for lying to Sasuke on my Hakone trip. My work burden has increased so much that my world gets limited to classroom, library and my room. In between the numerous meetings I've had not just with Tenten-san or my advisor regarding my research paper, our course teachers have also been generous with the homework. It's so bad that I'm fast asleep as soon as I'm back in my room. As a result, I'm cranky and irritated with everything. But above all, I hate that I've barely got to speak to him this week, let alone look at him. The weekend was going to be my sole reprieve but then I remembered our Geography assignment.
Geography is a mandatory subject given to us compulsorily when we enrolled. Our professor, a man called Ibiki sensei, has organized a small trip to a nearby mountainous town for us. He is a kind old man who's passionate about history as much as geography but looks like he could kill you with his bare hands. And the trip has been scheduled for Saturday. The only silver lining is the fact that it is a day trip only. So at least I'll have Sunday free.
Even though I love to trek, I trudge aimlessly behind everyone as Ibiki sensei points to this and that and explains something in a strict, foreboding tone. I scuff my sneaker aimlessly against the side of a sewer that's survived since the Kamakura Period. And though I like Japanese history, right now I can't give a single shit about it.
"Busy?" I pull out my phone and text Itachi.
Five minutes go by and he doesn't reply. It only makes my bad mood worse. Kiba finds me from where he was jabbering incessantly with the group of Korean boys from a different program who are also with us. He says his quick farewells to them and walks over to me. "What's wrong with you?" he asks me under his breath as a group of girls call out to him. He just lifts his hand and waves at them.
I click my tongue annoyed. "Nothing," I say.
Kiba sticks out his tongue in return. "Spill it," he says, tapping his foot impatiently.
We thankfully move away from the historically precious sewer and start walking towards another path. All of this feels like the waste of a day. As it is, my days here are limited. "I hate this," I tell him.
"Yeah, me too," Kiba pushes his sunglasses higher on his nose. Above us, the sky is clear but the sun beats down mercilessly at our heads. "This is boring as fuck!" he mutters under his breath. He turns to me. "Hurry up and tell me what's got you looking like a dying rat." He nudges me with his elbow.
I take out my water bottle to take some time to think of where to begin. Finally, I decide to start from where he knows.
We walk together in silence. "I ditched Hakone for Itachi," I blurt out suddenly.
Kiba looks at me and laughs. "I know that! Tell me what's bugging you!" Kiba gestures agitatedly.
So I start from the beginning. I tell him how I initially went to Hakone before I decided to run back to Itachi when he told me it was his birthday. I don't tell him about the whole conversation with Juugo and Sasuke even though I need to, lest Sasuke confront him about it. But I have yet to tell my own lover and I know I need to talk to Itachi first before I tell Kiba. Instead, I tell him how I haven't had a single opportunity ever since to see Itachi and its gnawing at my insides.
Kiba puts an arm around me. "I don't get what the problem is. Are you guilty for leaving a trip by lying or are you just…" he gives me a funny look as I continue chugging down water. "Are you just sexually frustrated?" he asks disbelievingly and promptly bursts out laughing when water spills out from my mouth. He sidesteps quickly, pricking my ire further. Once I'm done choking, I give him my best reproaching glare. He laughs then, throwing his head back and guffawing like it's the best joke of the year.
"I don't think I need to tell you how to solve that problem, right?" he says loudly and laughs some more.
"Shut up!" I hiss, my cheeks heating as people turn to look at us.
He sobers at that and we begin walking slowly towards whatever it is that Ibiki sensei wants us to see next. "Dude, if you're guilty of this double life that you're leading, then maybe you should come clean to Sasuke. I mean, perhaps he could give you two his blessings for all you know!" Kiba shrugs. I've considered this possibility right from the start! Hell, I've even fought with Itachi because of it. But telling Sasuke was a big no. It was non-negotiable. Itachi made that very clear. And now after Hakone I know where this relationship stands.
If I ever come to the crossroads where I have to make a choice, I'd rather rip my heart out.
My mood plummets further.
By the time we get back to the University, it's already ten at night. The whole day has been as dark as this night as I walk towards my dorm. My other friends who live in the nearby dorms join me. We walk quietly, all of us too tired to laugh and joke. Kiba too looks exhausted as he pushes his bag higher on his shoulder. Our dorm buildings line up in a semi-circle. People start to wave and wish good-night when they approach their building till there's only Kiba and I left.
Kiba asks me about my plans for tomorrow as I stifle a yawn. I think I'm going to sleep the whole day tomorrow. My phone beeps and I quickly pull it out of my pocket to see if it's Itachi. Though he'd replied to my message, it was to tell me he was busy. That he'd be busy throughout the day. So we didn't talk after that. I unlock my phone and burst into a smile when I see his name on the screen, the sleepiness that threatened to overtake me a moment ago, gone.
Kiba snickers beside me. "Sasuke has to be blind!" he mutters. I shove him rudely. He only giggles harder as he puts his hand around my shoulder.
"Look to your left," it reads.
My eyes turn immediately, something powerful and beautiful blooms in my chest, much like the man who stands there in the center of the semi-circle. I wave at him like a madman. I turn to Kiba, my feet dancing because I just can't wait to run to him. Words fail me as I look at Kiba who laughs. "Go, you idiot!" he says. "Keep it low," his voice echoes. I give him the finger as I continue running the hundred meters to him.
I run like the world is on fire. Itachi waits patiently under the lamp. He takes a step back when I stop right in front of him, too close to him. I look into his eyes, dying to touch him. "Is this real?" I ask. The surrealism of this moment is intoxicating.
Itachi's hand comes out from his pocket to grasp mine. I take it as I twine my fingers with his. He brings up our hands under the pretense of a cough and brushes his lips against the back of my fingers. "I would like to think so milady," he says quietly.
That rich timbre of his voice resonates inside me. It's like sudden rain on a hot day. Every forlorn thought that was drowning me slowly, vanishes in an instant.
I smile. I hug this man. I just hold him to me, to hear his heartbeats and marvel in his existence. He moves me like no other. "Shall we go up to my place?" I ask.
Itachi shakes his head. "It's still early. How about we go to the park?" he suggests instead.
I nod. And then we both set out towards the park. Our entire pathway is lit up with street lights that cast shadows ahead of us as we walk. Our hands are still joined as we make our way. "How was your day?" I ask him breaking the silence once we're close to where the bus left us earlier in the day.
Itachi's other hand comes out from his pocket to run across his silky hair. Jealousy blooms in my chest. "Hectic," he says, exhaling deeply.
He lightly shakes our joined hands. "How was yours?" he asks. "Was Ibiki sensei too hard on you?"
I turn to him. "You know Ibiki sensei?" I ask.
Itachi nods. "Anyone who's studied Humanities in your university knows him. Geography isn't just compulsory for you. He makes the whole Humanities department do the trek every year. It feels good to know he hasn't changed."
"You went on a trip like this too?" I ask, curiosity raising its fangs again.
"Yes."
"How was it? Will you tell me about it?" I ask.
A smile flits across his face. "It was an ordinary trip. There was nothing special about it."
I shake our joined hands between us. "Is there something you can't tell me?" I ask, tensing immediately.
Itachi shakes his head. "Oh no, nothing like that. It's just as it was. Shisui pretended to faint when Ibiki sensei's explanations got too long a couple of times. Till Ibiki sensei, irritated with his antics, made him drink a whole bottle of water and walk beside him." He laughs. "Shisui was sour for the rest of the trip."
I force a laugh. My insides churn the way they always do when Shisui is brought to the forefront. A part of me thinks that's the reason why Itachi hesitated before launching into the story. I think he gets that I'm not fond of him.
He stops once we enter the park. There are a few benches near the entrance, under the awning of branches from opposite trees that have joined to form a canopy of sorts. He pulls me to the shadows. "You know you don't have to worry about him, right?" he asks, his dark eyes bore into mine imploringly.
I nod. Rationally I know this. Every inch of me acknowledges the fact that they're just good friends. But that's not why I dislike Shisui. It's the bloody years that he's spent with Itachi which make me irrational. The fact that my man is so close to someone else, hurts. The urge to monopolize this man rises on such occasions to inappropriate proportions. "I'm sorry, I'm such a jerk," I mumble, placing my forehead on his shoulder as I lean into him. The shadows prevent us from being seen enough that I can turn my nose and inhale his scent. I'm convinced that fragrance he wears is some kind of a magic potion.
He takes my hand and we walk leisurely to our bench.
"Is there something you have to tell me?" he asks me suddenly once we're seated.
I look up at him from where I was admiring the stained-glass window. "What do you mean?"
How does he know?
Each time he's brought up Hakone I've only spoken the bare minimum with only grins and smiles, just wanting to postpone the inevitable. "You know what I mean."
I look up at him. I'm going to smile and deny it like I've always done. I can do this. I cannot lose him. "Juugo saw us," the words erupt from my mouth the moment my eyes meet his. "At the station last Friday, kissing."
"What?" Itachi tenses.
It feels like my moment of truth. Everything I've built in the past six months is at stake. My hands shake as I look at him. I tell him everything. I tell him what Juugo said to me and then I tell him about everything that transpired between me and Sasuke. I don't hide anything. I can't hide anything when it comes to this man. My voice breaks when I tell him Sasuke cannot even fathom the idea of us.
I don't touch him. I just sit beside him and watch him, careful of his every action. I close my eyes and brace myself for what's to come. Juugo's words feel like an omen. I'm not ready to hear it.
"So what you're just going to break up because my brother won't approve of us?" that's not what I expected him to say. I turn to look at him. But he looks furious. "I've told you this before, I'm not a consolation prize."
"You're my world, Itachi-sama! How could I ever put you after someone else?" I ask him. "It's just that Sasuke has always been your first priority and it kills me inside to realize that maybe I am the one who's ruining your relationship with your brother. I didn't…," I take a deep breath as tears clog my throat, "I couldn't bring myself to tell you this till now only because I feared you'd choose him. That you'd break up with me."
"Listen, Sasuke is my younger brother and I love him as much as I love Kiyoshi," he takes my hand in his and pulls me closer. "Keeping the matter of my sexuality aside, when I agreed to us, I knew what I was getting into, okay? I knew what was at stake. I knew what Sasuke felt for you then hasn't changed in the time we've been together. But I know him Naruto. I know that it might take him a while but he'll eventually come to accept us." Itachi's hand squeezes tighter and I find myself smiling again.
"I'm sorry," I apologize sincerely.
Itachi exhales loudly. "And to think I was worried about this!" Itachi runs an agitated hand through his hair as he looks at me. "All this time I kept thinking you weren't telling me anything because Sasuke tried to do something to you."
I pull him to me and kiss our joined hands. "Never! That was never a possibility from the start," I smile at him, "after all, someone had already placed a mark of their claim on me. There was no way in hell, anyone would have dared come close. But I was teased mercilessly because of it."
He chuckles pleasantly. "From now on, please don't bottle up things like these on your own. We're in this together, okay?"
I nod, smiling at him. "Is it okay if I kiss you Itachi-sama?"
He turns and presses his mouth to mine. "Must you even ask?"
"But we're outside. What if someone sees us again?" he runs his slender fingers through my hair, his mouth skillfully taking control.
He breaks the kiss to bite my lower lip. "See if I care!"
My head comes up. I tilt his chin up and gaze at him. "You drive me absolutely crazy; do you know that?" I ask, against his lips.
He kisses me again. It's hot and possessive and leaves want behind in its wake. "Then that's good."
He leans against me, his head resting against my shoulder, his face buried in my neck. He fits perfectly there. He inhales deeply and then drops a small kiss to the underside of my jaw before turning his mouth to my ear. "I've missed you like crazy," he whispers.
My eyes close in bliss. The hell this whole week has shown me vanishes from within me. Every inch of pain finding relief at those words. Like a balm they soothe my soul. I let go of our hands to wind mine around him, pulling him closer to me. I drop a kiss to the top of his head. "Me too, Itachi-sama. Every single second away from you is torture."
We sit like this for a while, just taking each other in. I'm absolutely lost and found in him.
"Tell me one of your secrets and I'll tell you one of mine," I say smiling at him as his eyes turn to me full of interest.
"Since you suggested the game, you go first." Itachi says.
"Okay. Till I was in second grade, I used to sneakily eat my boogers," I start.
Itachi laughs as his expression turns disgusting. "Ew," he says, making me laugh.
He sobers then hums for a second. "When I was thirteen, I once fapped to a character of an anime Sasuke was watching. I could never stand the anime after that," he says.
"Why?" I ask. If it were me, I'd watch it on repeat.
"Getting a boner in front of my little brother just about killed it for me." Itachi explains. A snort escapes me as I picture him as a horny teenager. It does things to my insides.
I hum. "I once had a wet dream about my principal at school. Worst third year of my life. I was the basketball team captain and I was often expected to meet with him to discuss things. Could never look him in the eye again."
"I get that," he says as he stares at me. "I know exactly how it feels," he mumbles.
"You had a wet dream of your principal too?" I ask him when I notice the emphasis.
Itachi gives me a weathering glare. "I was talking about my English teacher! Our principal was a man Naruto." He looks offended for some reason. "Just so you know, before you, I've never been interested in a man," he adds heatedly.
Thank god or I'd have ripped him apart limb from limb. The thought of another man even coming close to catching his fancy makes me see red.
"Next you'll be growling. Can you stop behaving like a primitive animal? It's part amusing and part emasculating," he reprimands.
"Sorry. But seriously? You've never looked at a guy and thought him attractive?" I ask. I mean even heterosexual men appreciate each other.
"Yeah, but never in this sense. I've never wanted to be physical with one, I guess." He's testing where this is going.
"But then you met me. One look at me and you just couldn't help it, could you?" He flicks me on my forehead and makes a face.
"Shush you talk too much," he turns and kisses my cheek. "All that narcissism Naruto…where does the confidence come from?"
"Let's just say I was born this way," I grin at him and wink.
"I wish I'd known this earlier," he sighs exaggeratedly, making me laugh.
"Even then you'd be here, wouldn't you?" I raise my brows at him.
He doesn't reply. He only laughs shyly and looks ahead.
I bury my nose in his hair and close my eyes.
We enjoy the amicable silence between us till his phone beeps in his pocket.
I curse as his hand moves towards his pocket and this spell breaks.
Itachi checks his phone. "It's Sasuke. He wants to know when I'll be home," he looks up at me and then down at his phone again.
"What's the time?" I ask.
"It's close to midnight," he whispers as he stands abruptly. "So much time has passed! I must go."
Where does the time go when I'm with him?
"What excuse did you make to come here?" I enquire.
Itachi looks up at me sharply. "I told him I was going to Shisui's for a bit. I lied and said Shisui has a fever and he needs me," he informs me. My mouth twists with the thought that Shisui needs my Itachi-sama when he falls ill. I don't like it at all.
I nod. "Alright. Just reply and tell him Shisui's fever is not subsiding and that you'll be here till morning. That way you get to stay over," I wink.
Against my assumption that he would dismiss it the moment he heard me, Itachi looks like he's considering it as he stares down at his phone. "That's a good idea," Itachi says as his fingers fly across his screen. A moment later he puts the phone to his ear. "Sasuke," he begins, "Uh, listen…um…Shisui's fever isn't subsiding so I don't think I'll be home until morning." He trails off as Sasuke says something. I take his free hand in mine and begin to lead us out of the park. I smile when he lets me as he gets closer. I put an arm around him and draw him to my side. Even though the sun is becoming merciless during the day, the nights are somewhat chilly.
"Yes, that's what I said," Itachi says as we exit the park and turn towards my dorm. "Can you check on Kiyo to make sure he's asleep?" He nods and hums quietly in satisfaction when Sasuke replies. I want to shamelessly eavesdrop but the volume is too low for me.
"Alright then. Just keep an eye out for him. I'll see you in the morning." He hangs up a moment later.
Then he turns to me and grins beatifically. "Yay!" I say making him laugh.
"So where were we?" Itachi asks as he leans into me. We're close to the dorms now.
I don't miss a beat. "You were in the middle of confessing how as an adult you once mistook a toilet you saw in your dream as real and wet your bed," my lips twitch even as I put on a serious expression.
Itachi eyes me funnily as he hears what I have to say. "How do you know that?" he asks, confused and slightly irritated. "Did I ever mention it? Did Sasuke?"
I'm immediately on the defense now. I can't believe this happened! This immature arrow of mine would strike in the dark is beyond my wildest fantasy! "Oh no!" I wave my hands to clear the air, coming to stand in front of him. "I was just making a joke and – I…" I try to explain desperately. I stop when I see his shoulders shaking with laughter. It is probably the oldest trick in the book and yet I fell for it. "You tricked me," I shake my head, rib-tickling laughter flows in the air around us as he laughs.
"And you fell for it," he says in between laughs. "Oh god your face! There's never a dull moment with you."
I link his arm in mine and march him to the closest alcove I can find. I'm only satisfied once I've kissed the laughter away.
"Let's go. We have stuff we need to do."
He laughs as we march towards my room, arm in arm.
We know how we look right now and we both love it because it feels right.
We look perfect.
"Can I ask you a question?" I ask.
We lie side by side, two adults crammed in a single bed. But with the way every plane of his body fits against mine, I don't think I want to complain.
"You taking permission to ask a question is perhaps my favorite thing about you. It's adorable." Itachi says, smiling at me. "I was waiting for it," he says, carding his hand through my hair. "Ask."
"Did your English teacher seduce you?" I ask. Itachi's eyes lower as he looks down. In the light of the single night lamp I insisted we keep on just so that I can look at him to my heart's desire; Itachi's eyelashes fan across his cheeks, casting shadows. He contemplates the answer. "How do you know?" he deadpans.
Oh, I'm not falling for the same trick twice.
"Uh-huh. I won't be fooled again." I shake my head and look at him grinning but his body stiffens in my arms.
"Do you and Sasuke talk about me behind my back?" he asks me, his eyes carefully hidden in the dim lights, under his lashes.
"What makes you think Sasuke told me?" I ask, playing along. I'm not falling for this bullshit!
"Sasuke is the only one who knows," Itachi's voice is quiet and cold. Ice drops to the pit of my stomach.
That uncertain feeling rises. It's like crossing a landmine. And I feel like I'm taking that one step out of line.
I narrow my eyes at him. There's nothing about his body language that states he's joking. I have to take this gamble. "Hurry up and tell me the story!" I say, batting a hand at his stoic face.
He tsks after a long moment. "I almost had you," he says.
I laugh, intoxicated on this man's company. "Your English teacher seducing you sounds so fucking hot!" I say.
He raises his eyebrow at me. "Real life isn't porn. You're a pervert, Naruto-kun," he says, primly.
"Yes and proud of it!" I laugh when he bites the side of my neck.
I run my hand lightly across the sharp incline of his shoulder. His nipples harden. My mouth waters to take them in my mouth. "Bet I was unforgettable!" I smile at him smugly as I lower my hand slowly down the front of his shirt.
He grabs my finger and curls his fingers around it. He scrunches his face at me. "How can you always be so full of yourself? What makes you think you are memorable in bed?"
I flail around, affronted. "I rock your world, Itachi-sama!"
Itachi laughs. "Do you?" he peeks at me, a smile lingering on his lips. His brow furrows. "Hmm, I seem to forget," he muses. His voice lowers when he traces my lower lip with his thumb. His eyes raise to mine. "Maybe you could show me again to prove it?"
As if he needs to ask! I lower my mouth to his and get down to it.
Thirty minutes later, when I'm wiping my mouth with the back of my hand as I watch Itachi pant as his legs shake. "Hence proved," I say and Itachi bursts into laughter.
We talk for a long time after that. We exchange stories after stories. Itachi yawns as he quietly settles, clearly too tired. It's a little after four in the morning. We settle down and lie quietly for a while. My fingers on his neck are still, enjoying the silky texture. All my attention is focused on him in my arms. This is the first time since Hakone that I've got a chance to hold my man like this for the night. I never want this night to end. Itachi shifts a little. "Naruto, have you slept?" he asks.
Normally, I would have responded, eager to talk to him. But something stops me as I close my eyes and work on breathing deeply. "Have you really slept?" Itachi's head comes up to look at me. I hate that it removes my hand from his nape but I don't move an inch of my body. I can feel Itachi's eyes on me, then he leans up slightly and drops a kiss on my lips. My whole-body fights with the urge to move, to respond.
"This whole week has been insane without you," he whispers the words into my neck. I can feel my pulse rising, unable to control my reaction. He continues. He breathes into my neck, his tongue going to trace my jumping pulse. He knows. He fucking knows I'm not asleep. He's doing this to provoke me. He's doing this to win this competition that's begun between us. He kisses a line up my neck and I swear I can barely stop my fingers from twitching with this maddening urge to touch him. "I hated that you were busy. I hated that you didn't drop by."
He's good. I can feel my resolve slipping.
He kisses the area under my ear and I moan sleepily, turning my head away from his. My smile threatens to spill. "I hated that you went to Hakone," he says and then his teeth gently skim the side of my neck. I hate how his words are heavy and his touches feather-light. I hate how the contradiction arouses me. He traces a finger down my torso, stopping near my navel. My stomach clenches nervously, the action a reflex to his touch. "I hated Kiba's arm around you when I saw you today," he continues the torture as he slides a leg up mine and his thigh rubs against my cock. His own desire has awakened near my thigh. He breathes into my neck. His hand comes up and tangles in my hair. "I hated Kiyoshi touching your hair," he whispers.
I'm ready to lose now. One more word, one more touch and I know I'll be too far gone with the things I want to say to him, to do to him. His hand fists in my hair as he pulls my face to his. "You're mine," he says as he takes my mouth in a soul-searing kiss. "Only mine," he draws away and looks at me. "And I can't even dream about sharing you with anyone, even if it's my brother or my son."
And as if to prove his point, he bends down and takes me in his mouth.
I can't even find words to spare.
On Monday, Kiba stomps up to me shooting me a murderous glare. "Uzumaki Naruto!" he snaps as he grabs me by the neck and steers me away from the building I was going inside of. He lets me go once we get to the slightly deserted side of the building. "You…I've been dying to talk to you."
I straighten out of his grasp. I know what this about. While my neighbor to the left is a sweet Chinese guy who only just smiles at me in the corridors, and usually stays out, Kiba lives to my right. Our walls are paper-thin. No matter how much we fought to keep our voice down, he had to have heard everything. I groan as I look at him. "I'm sorry," I mutter. "I swear we were trying to keep it down."
Kiba gives me a haunted look. "I can't sleep anymore," he mumbles. Now that I look closely at him, he does have bags under his eyes. "Every time I close my eyes, I can only hear you two going at it like…animals." He looks so disturbed that I feel worse.
I put my hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kiba. I really am. I…um…we didn't mean to disturb you," I blush as I look down.
Kiba moans. "You're thinking of it!" he grabs his hair and yanks it hard. "I need bleach to clean my brain, Uzumaki Naruto and it's all because of you!" he grabs me in a headlock.
"We were trying to be as considerate as possible. I mean we even moved our mattress to the floor so that the bed didn't shake-" Kiba puts a hand up to quieten me.
"Any more and I'll throw up," Kiba warns.
"Did you try listening to music before you slept?" I ask changing the subject, knowing my mouth is running away again.
Kiba exhales impatiently. "Do you really think I'd be here," he points to his swollen eyes, "looking like this if that had worked? I'm meeting my tutor Hinata today for fuck's sake!"
It's my turn to exhale. "I'm sorry." I look up at him. "Is there anything I can do to make it better?" I ask.
"Yeah. Keep your business out of the dorm room."
I bite my lip as anger rises inside me. I've never once complained when he partied or had a girl over. And it's not like he doesn't make sounds when he's with them. "Is it because I'm gay?" I ask.
Kiba looks like he's been slapped. "What?" his eyes narrow in pure anger as he stares at me. "What did you just say?" he snarls.
"You heard me," I say with stiff lips, arms crossing over my chest.
Kiba looks disgusted with me. "I thought you knew me better than that," he says.
Then he turns around and walks off.
I consider telling Itachi about it. There's a part of me that wants to hear his advice on this. I mean, the fucking fiasco involved him as well. Pun intended.
We're doing one of our night calls. My finals begin next week and even though I'm supposed to be sitting and cramming every character in the book, nothing can stop me from dropping everything to speak to him. He's in the middle of telling me about a book he just finished but I can't concentrate. My fight with Kiba stays on the forefront of my mind.
He stops and I look up. I didn't even realize I'd wasted precious seconds in staring at my table. "What's up?" he asks, his voice quiet.
I glance up at him, then down. "I met Kiba today," I start. "He…um…he heard us." I look up at him.
His cheeks turn red. His hand comes to cover his mouth as he takes it in. He removes his hands and licks his lips as he looks at me. "I don't think I can look at Kiba's face anymore," Itachi says, his eyes closing in embarrassment.
"Whatever happened to not caring?" I tease.
Itachi continues blushing. "This is different!"
"How so?"
"We were doing things more than kissing and he heard us…" he shakes his head.
I smile half-heartedly at his plight, my mind still on Kiba. "We…uh…fought. I said something silly."
Itachi's breath stills as he hears this. "Oh no," he says.
I launch into the story, quickly telling him about unconsciously waking him and then him telling me not to bring Itachi to my room. And me laying it all on being gay.
"I feel so embarrassed by how stupid I've been. I never intended to hurt Kiba," I say, running an agitated hand through my hair. Now that it's out of my chest, my feelings burst. I deflate. "I don't know how to make it better," I say.
"You could try apologizing to him," Itachi says.
"You think I haven't tried that already?" I snap.
Itachi blinks at me a couple of times and my eyes lower. "Just grab a couple of beers, walk up to his room and talk about it honestly. I think Kiba wouldn't want this to stay between you two forever. Besides, it was your fault so it should be you to apologize. I know he cares for you. He's a good person."
"And you hated his arm around me," I tease him, unable to pass up the opportunity.
"That and this are two different things Naruto." Itachi says. "Being a good person doesn't give him the right to touch what's mine." Itachi says, his voice dropping.
"I didn't know you were this territorial," I tease him.
He sighs as if unwilling to believe it himself. "Me neither."
"Can I ask you a question?" I ask.
"Ask," he exhales loudly.
I hesitate for a second. "Did…Sasuke confront you about what he said in the shop, the other day? About you being weird?"
Itachi licks his lips as he looks away from the screen. "Yes," he says so off-handedly that I instinctively know I mustn't pry further. But just like he doesn't want me bottling up things, I don't want him to either.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing much. He asked me straight up if I was seeing someone and I said yes," he looks away for a moment.
"And he didn't ask anything else?" I ask.
"Yes but I really don't think he suspects anything," he carefully deflected.
"Did he ask you who it was?" I push further.
"Yes," he says, clearly looking uncomfortable with this conversation.
"And what did you say?" I hold my breath.
"That's nothing for you to worry about," he fakes a smile.
"Is it not?" I ask him silkily and his cheeks pinken.
He rubs his face agitatedly with a hand. "I avoided the question, okay? I couldn't bring myself to take your name. I'm sorry," he exhales loudly.
"You did well," I say, managing a small smile at him, purely to ward off the hurt I should be wearing on his face. "It's what we decided upon. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Okay, if you say so."
"So who does he think you're dating?" I ask him.
"I don't know and I don't care." He rubs his face agitatedly. "And neither should you."
I nod, unwilling to say another word. We are both in the same boat, getting paired with other people. This situation is just becoming a huge mangled mess. "But Itachi-sama, he will never approve of us."
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We just have to hold out till September. And I like to live in the now with you Naruto," he says softly.
"Is it because you can't see a future with me?" the question I shouldn't be asking finds a voice.
"What is that supposed to mean?" his voice is terse as he looks at me skeptically.
"The reason why you live in the now with me is because you're going to break up with me when I leave Japan, isn't it?" I ask. I've never dared think of the answers to questions like this while all along I've been planting seeds of a future with this man, wishing for an eternity with him. But he's practical, unlike me.
"Why are you wasting your time thinking about unnecessary things that are still so far ahead? What the hell is wrong with you?" he looks at me, confused.
"I got my answer. Goodnight."
I loathe that helpless look on his face, but I hate this situation more.
I cut the call before he can respond.
I wake up with the worst of hangovers and the rancid smell of vomit. I peer blearily at my phone to see the time and realize I have no notifications from him. Not even a missed call or a Line message! The urge to pee takes over and I race to the washroom. My watch shows sometime after five in the morning. My head is about to explode with how loud it is thrumming. But this is all my fault. My agitation led me to first empty all the alcohol I'd hoarded before I went to the tiny pub behind my university and drank myself silly. Which means, the stench had to be from when I returned. I close my eyes and groan loudly, prepared to clean my mess.
It takes me an hour but I brush my teeth twice and finally manage to clean every nook and cranny of my sink. I open both my door and window to let in some air, spraying some room freshener viciously. I don't think about last night. I don't want to. I don't need to. The fact that somewhere he's seeing this relationship while it lasts, cuts me to the bone. Every inch of space where I stand next to him just makes it infinitely clear that if it's not him, there's no one else. I myself know I'm just dwelling on something that I have no control over. But it doesn't ease the hurt. I'll have to quit when he calls it quits. And his answer last night just proves that he has no intentions of continuing this. Maybe Sasuke could even be the catalyst to bring forward the deadline. I feel angry. I feel miserable. I feel like I'm trapped in my own skin. This is why I avoided talking about anything that could cause problems between us but Hakone feels like Pandora's Box and now one after another, problems keep piling up.
But fighting over something as unpredictable as our future when he's making progress in our present! I have to be the biggest fool on earth. What was I thinking? He told me Sasuke's opinion of us wouldn't deter him in the slightest but last night I doubted him and my greed only pushed my thoughts of the future on it. The incidents that kept happening one after the other only added fuel to the fire. But at least, it's brought things out in the open. The fact that he's not thought about it, is it because he can't picture it or because he's still testing the waters?
I'm prepared to work for it. To choose whichever way I can find to have us together. I'll find a job here in Japan and move permanently if I can have him and Kiyoshi by my side.
But what about him? Does he not want what I want? Does he see my return home as an end? Will he want to break up after what I said?
Questions after questions burst in my head.
What if…
I pull the bedsheet with more force when it doesn't come off the mattress. It tears and all the things I've been fighting inside me take over. The laundry basket hits the center of the bed when I throw it in anger. Clothes spill all over my mattress. I fall amidst the assorted empty bottles on the floor and let go.
When I wake up next, my head feels it will really split open and my left side is completely numb. Maybe it's all the misery and the crying, but a part of my brain feels tired. I look at my phone and gasp at the time. Not only have I missed two classes but also the deadline for my Communicative Japanese homework. That and the fact that I still do not have a single notification from him. My body feels like it's made of lead. I clamber up to my bed and lie atop the laundry. I turn to my side and close my eyes all over.
His smiling face automatically comes to the forefront of my mind and I let the pictures play.
I don't want to open my eyes, not yet.
I stand outside Kiba's door and knock. I'm a little nervous about the plan Itachi planted in my head. I shift from one foot to another as I wait for him to turn the knob and open the door. I know he's here. I waited for him. "Yes?" Kiba opens his door looking bored as if expecting me.
"I'm sorry," I lamely hold up the six-pack of beer I've bought. They're Sapporo, his favorite.
Kiba rolls his eyes. "You're an asshole, you know that?"
I look down and nod. "You really think the reason I'm like this is because you're gay? You're like a brother to me! Imagine having to hear what I heard! And all that cheesy conversation…" he rubs an agitated hand across his face. "These walls are just too thin." He shakes his head. "I must have traumatized you too man!" he says as if realizing it suddenly. A blush works up his face. "I'm sorry?" he says, as if in hindsight, debating it even.
"It's alright." I stand there at his doorstep for an awkward moment before taking off my slippers and climbing on the bed.
I hand him a beer and we open it together. We tap our cans against each other's. "Guess we're even now?" I ask.
Kiba grins. "You bet!" he grins. "But what's got you looking like a drowned puppy?"
"What do you mean?" I ask him, confused.
"You look like someone left you out in the rain, waiting to be picked," he chucks me playfully under the chin.
I smack his hand away. "Itachi and I fought," I tell him. There's no use hiding anyway. He'll just nag me endlessly into telling him.
"Because of Sasuke?" Kiba asks. Of course, Kiba must think that's the only reason we could fight. "Did you tell him?" he gasps when he looks at my face again. "Did he break up with you?"
"No."
He puts down his can. "You fought and it wasn't because of Sasuke?" he looks at me dubiously.
"Well, he was partly the reason but…" I twiddle my big toes together awkwardly.
"Let's see, did you say something unnecessary to him too?" he shakes his head when he looks at me. I nod slowly. "You've got to be fucking kidding me!" he laughs more in shock at my morose look. He sobers a second later, "What the hell happened?"
I tell him everything. This time I don't hold back anything. Not the thing about Juugo seeing Itachi and me and not how Sasuke is under the impression that it is Kiba I'm dating. I apologize for it but he just shakes his head. Then I tell him about the fight. "You realize you're asking too much of him, right?" he asks me, taking a fresh beer and opening it. He takes a deep swig from it. "I mean, anyone would get scared or backtrack in that situation."
"I know that. I'm aware of it. It's just…I panicked. I mean, from the moment I saw him for the first time, instinctively I knew that I wanted to belong to him, you know. I didn't even stop to think that this wasn't going to continue forever. I didn't even consider it or his thoughts on the matter."
Kiba puts his arm around me and pulls me closer. "You really are all about him, aren't you?"
"That's the problem Kiba. I don't know how to reset me to a time without him." Misery grips my chest. How was I mid-June last year? What was I doing? How was I doing? It feels like something of a past life. It makes me feel like I've drowned in him.
Kiba taps his cold can against my forehead. "You're overthinking everything. Well, what you said to him cannot be unsaid and now you need to give him time to process your thoughts. This relationship is not just about you Naruto. You can't race ahead and expect him to keep up." He pinches my cheek. "Besides, wasn't this get together about me, huh?"
I shrug. Fair enough.
"Did you watch yesterday's episode of One Piece?" I look up at him with a serious face.
Kiba smacks his forehead agitatedly. "What the hell was that? I've been dying to talk to you about it!" Kiba launches into his thoughts. And just like that we reset.
We catch up about stuff and he tells me about his meeting with his tutor who he's crushing on. "I think I want to ask her out to dinner but I don't want her to think it's to thank her for being my tutor." He sways slightly. We're both drinking copious amounts of alcohol, courtesy Kiba, and I can feel the buzz. "I don't know what to do man!" he says, biting his lip.
"Maybe you could write your research paper faster to impress her?" I tease.
Kiba bats a loose hand at me. "Maybe you should stop pinning everything to your sexuality and using it as a convenient armor," he mutters, leaning against the headboard.
"And I said sorry for it. You called me an asshole, remember?" I nudge him playfully.
"Speaking of ass and holes," he glances sideways at me and winks. "Did you guys really do it there?" he asks.
I smirk. "What do you think?" I ask, raising my brows at him. "Well, you must know now." I chuckle. "You heard us after all!" I laugh with full abandon as Kiba moans painfully.
"Naruto, kill me now!" he covers his face behind his hand and groans. "Why the fuck would you remind me of it?" he moans again.
I throw back my head and laugh. "I'm curious about something though."
"Nope. We're never talking about that night again. It never happened. Otherwise I can't look you two in the eye again." Kiba says, shaking his head vehemently.
"Why would you want to look into Itachi's eyes?" I ask, alcohol working its magic on my tongue. Caveman has taken over.
Kiba makes a gagging face. "Figure of speech asshole!" he knocks his foot with mine. "Not everyone looks at that man like he's the second coming." He nudges his shoulder with mine loosely, still giddy with the alcohol.
"Is that how I look at him?" I ask, genuinely curious now. The question I want to ask still burns on my tongue but this is more important.
Kiba rolls his eyes and then winces. "It's worse."
My lips stretch as I think of Itachi. "I never realized," I say.
"Well, how could you?" Kiba says, leaning to my side. "You are always too busy staring holes on that man's face looking lovestruck."
I fight the blush that rises. "Am I that obvious?" Kiba is the only one who's pointed it out so far. But he keeps commenting on how Sasuke has to be blind if he hasn't noticed. If this continues, it's only a matter of time.
He just shakes his head and rolls his eyes at me. "So my question…" I start but Kiba shakes his head.
"You asked me three already," he says, chuckling.
I frown at him. "Dude, you distracted me!" I argue.
Kiba laughs. "I'm going to ask my question," I tell him. He stays quiet as he listens as his shoulders tense. Compared to what he's obviously bracing himself for, I'm sure my question is fairly harmless. "You knew Itachi was with me. You must have heard us come in. Why didn't you put on your headphones or something?" I ask.
Kiba's face turns stony and then he looks at me like I've grown two heads. "Because I was asleep! I was awoken by the sounds next door. The time it took me to place the sounds, I'd already heard too much!" Kiba shudders. "Okay?"
I clear my throat. "Okay," I nudge him lightly on the shoulder. "So, tell me about your tutor. Hyuuga-san, was it? Hinata?" I pat his arm, as I grab us two more beers. We both have the same sixth period tomorrow in our schedules, so sleeping in is a possible option.
Kiba blushes and takes a gulp of his drink. "Hinata is…not what she seems at face value." He turns to me. "You've met her, right?" he asks me, nodding when I nod. I recall this mousy girl with midnight hair and pretty features.
He's slurring slightly. "She's the same age as us. She's quiet and mature. When I tend to slack, she immediately reprimands me on it. She responds to my texts immediately. I like these sides to her," he says. "I want to take her out to dinner."
I hum, considering his words as I look over at him. Kiba looks equally lovestruck at the moment himself. Usually if I ask him a question like this, he's awfully vulgar. But for him to have noticed someone this deep, strikes me. "Do you want to try confessing to her? Maybe then you could take her for the aforementioned dinner?' I suggest. "Or reverse the order."
"Of course not!" Kiba balks at the mere idea.
"But you won't know until you try!" I say.
He straightens. "Dude, she is my tutor! Imagine how awkward it would be if she says no? Imagine having Itachi-san as your tutor! Would you have confessed?"
I smirk at him. "Itachi-sama and I started with him becoming my tutor, man! And look where we are!" I smile at him encouragingly.
"Yeah, traumatizing innocently sleeping neighbors. Think I'll ask your other neighbor if he's alright," he cackles gleefully and I slap him on the arm. But he shakes his head. "But honestly, I'm not in a place where I could just consider not seeing her again. Just imagining how weird it would be if she declined is enough to keep me grounded." He shakes his head.
I hum. "But have you considered that may be she's this attentive because she might like you too?" I ask.
He only looks down as he ponders over this.
I leave him to it.
Itachi doesn't contact me that day or the day after. When two days have passed, I'm absolutely over my head with the questions that seek answers. My longing to see him, to set things right between us is driving me slowly to the verge of having a meltdown. It's submissions week for the most part and I haven't even started on any of them. My only outdoor activities have involved the convenience stores for alcohol or cigarette runs. But if I'm left alone to my thoughts, endless panic takes over. Two days feel like absolute torture. I need to get out and clear my head. I need to be anywhere but here, boxing myself up with my thoughts.
I step out and knock on Kiba's door impatiently. I know he's in his room. I can hear his music. He comes out a second later. "Yo! Come on in," he invites me with a swish of his head.
"Can you go with me somewhere?" I ask him.
"Somewhere? Where?" Kiba asks.
"Anywhere. I can't stand being alone right now." I sigh wearily.
"Does anywhere include a specific bookshop?" he asks me, raising an eyebrow.
I huff angrily. "No. Somewhere far, far away."
Kiba laughs. "South Korea then?" he shrugs lightly.
Some of my anger ebbs. "For what? I was only suggesting grabbing a meal in the neighborhood."
"You are awfully vague with your whims today but a Blackpink concert would be great," Kiba crosses his arms across his chest and laughs when I bristle.
"Will you go or should I go alone?" I ask him sharply.
"Depends. Does the plan include alcohol?" he asks me.
"No. I've been drowning in it since the past two days and I'm done."
"Something on your mind?" he asks.
"To the point where I think it will explode. Let's go."
Kiba crosses his arms across his chest. "Okay, I'm in. But you are paying," he smiles at me.
I nod. "Yes okay. Now grab some sneakers and come. You've got a minute. I'm waiting downstairs."
Kiba slaps me on the head. "Stop being this bossy and go change your own clothes. I've got a place in mind."
I ponder over his words before I change into a pair of black jeans and strip out of the t-shirt Itachi got me in Harajuku for a white polo t-shirt. I double-check for my wallet before exiting. Kiba opens the door almost instantly as he smiles. He's traded his joggers for jeans and is wearing a nice graffiti t-shirt. He locks his door and walks over. "Good. That garish orange was beginning to hurt my eyeballs," he says, wincing at me.
My nostrils flair in anger. "Hey! I love that t-shirt!"
Kiba clicks his tongue as we make our way downstairs. "Yeah, yeah I know! Getting so touchy about a stupid t-shirt!"
"It's not stupid Kiba! You are!" I say as I open the door to our dorm. I put my arm around him. "You know it is a present from I…" words die in my throat when Sasuke's surprised face greets me.
"Naruto!" he greets as he puts away his phone and walks up to me. My hand slips from Kiba's neck. "Just the man I wanted to see!" he hugs me like he's back from some exotic foreign trip. "I was actually about to call you."
"Oh?" my intelligent brain can only produce this nugget of conversation at this moment.
"Sasuke! What brings you here?" Kiba steps forward as he looks at Sasuke who steps away finally. I use that space to think.
"Ah, you were also here Kiba?" Sasuke shakes Kiba's hand with forced courtesy, making me wince. Of course the bastard is lying through his teeth.
Kiba fakes a smile at him. "Ah yeah. My boyfriend and I were just getting dinner, weren't we sweetheart?" I swallow nervously. I've been unwittingly thrust into a play I didn't even conceive. And Kiba, what the fuck is wrong with him? He comes over and wraps an arm around my neck. I stiffen terribly, wanting his hand off.
"Then can I join you too?" Sasuke's frank question throws me for a toss.
"Sure?" I look at him dubiously before looking at Kiba. "You don't mind, do you sweetheart?" I paste a smile on my face as I glance at Kiba.
"I'm okay with that, I guess." I like that Kiba doesn't oversell the act when he removes his hand from my shoulder and begins walking amicably towards the road. Sasuke looks somewhat convinced with our shitty acting.
We debate over where we're going. Sasuke wants to drink but I oppose it immediately and Kiba backs me up on it. Finally, we settle on a family restaurant nearby and decide to walk towards it. Random conversation flows through and I have to give it to Kiba who keeps it together for me. Sasuke keeps wanting to go into the nitty-gritty of my alleged relationship to Kiba and Kiba is keeping it at bay. But Sasuke persistently keeps throwing random questions which we ward off one by one.
When we stand in front of Denny's, I sigh. It's the same Denny's that we went to for his birthday. Looking at the same door I walked through with him makes me miss him all the more. Kiba nudges me slightly, "Are you okay?" he asks.
I look at him then at the restaurant. "I came here with them for his birthday," I tell him as I rub my face agitatedly with my hands.
"We can go elsewhere," Kiba suggests as he looks over to where Sasuke walks ahead of us, inside the restaurant.
Kiba shrugs and we silently follow suit. Kiba and I sit together while Sasuke sits opposite us. He looks fairly normal so I breathe a sigh of relief. "How have classes been?" I ask Sasuke after we place our order.
Sasuke hums as he flips the menu to the back and reads something. "Hell. The week before the finals is always the toughest."
"Yeah, teachers just try and cram the last of our syllabus down our throats, don't they?" Kiba pipes in as he leans forward. "With our research papers to add to the mix, it's becoming pure torture."
I smile at Kiba. "That's because you procrastinate too much. If you weren't this lazy, you could have emailed your draft to Hinata-chan days ago!" He bristles as he looks at me.
Then he smirks and puts his arm around me again. "Thanks to someone, I've been distracted." Ah shit! Kiba just keeps making this more and more difficult. He pinches me on my back.
"Don't lie. You've been too busy watching those three anime, haven't you?" I produce an exaggerated pout which makes him laugh as he slaps me hard across my back.
"That's for my research Naruto, what're you talking about? Anyway, Sasuke-kun, don't you have to write a paper or report?" Kiba asks him.
Sasuke watches us with obvious dislike. I cannot say I blame him. But if he was going to be so sore about it, he shouldn't have invited himself. "Not this year." He dismisses Kiba and looks at me. "What about your research, how's that going?" he asks.
"Ah, it's going well. My guide and my tutors are awesome," I smile.
"Which reminds me, you are taking formal Japanese lessons from Itachi, right? For how long do you intend to continue it?" he asks me suddenly.
His name alone burns an inferno so wild inside me; it consumes me whole. I manage a small smile. "Let's see," I answer as vaguely as possible.
"Yeah, you better end them soon. You're going to get insanely busy. Do you still want some help with your grammar classes?" he asks me.
I chew my lip. What the hell! He wants me to stop taking classes with Itachi but continue with his. Why does he keep testing me like this? Aren't Kiba and I already giving him what he wants? Anger rises but Kiba softly nudges his shoulder to mine, bringing me back. "Uh, you're busy with your studies as it is, I couldn't ask this of you."
"It's no problem, really." Sasuke's reply is flippant.
"Nah. I think I'm good," I match my flippancy to his. Kiba smirks at me which I return. It feels good to have someone at my side.
We eat quietly for a while. Kiba tries really hard to make small talk. It's evident that Sasuke did not consider Kiba a part of today's equation and I like that things didn't work in his favor. Some of the shitty feeling in my chest evaporates.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and pull it out, staring at the caller ID to see his name light up my phone. My heart has flown to my throat and it beats hard there. Two days of no contact and he's choosing to call me now. "Uh…it's my mom. I'd better take it," I stand quickly and march to the outside, picking up the phone.
"Hello?" I know I sound nervous, hesitant even. I'm scared about what he's going to say.
"Naruto," I close my eyes as I lean against the wall and soak it in. It's that warm voice which I love beyond anything.
"Yes," I answer.
"Are you outside right now?" he asks, his tone changing.
"Yeah, I came to get dinner with Kiba and met Sasuke on the way…" I trail off, thinking about the situation right now.
"I see. Good to know you worked things out with Kiba. Well then, I'll hang up now."
"Is that all you wanted to say?" my voice reeks of hope but I can't squish it.
"Ye-" he takes a deep breath. "I was actually thinking of inviting you to dinner to talk," another deep breath, "but you already had plans."
"I can cancel them in a heartbeat. You know, for you I will."
Itachi takes another deep breath. "Then meet me in your parking lot in thirty minutes."
His bossy tone makes me grin. My first real one in almost two days. "Aye! Aye! Captain!"
He laughs and hangs up.
I hurry back to the table where Kiba is sitting morosely and picking at his rice while Sasuke's nowhere to be seen. He must have gone to the toilet, I suppose. I pick up our tab and place the money on the table. "I have to go. Itachi wants to meet in thirty minutes. You can stay here and finish your meal. Just tell Sasuke my mom wanted to video call or something."
Kiba eyes me dubiously. "Please tell me you're not doing what I think you're doing," he looks at me pleadingly. I chuckle. "Please tell me you're not leaving me alone with this monster," Kiba's brown eyes widen. "After all I just did for you…" he shakes his head.
I ruffle his hair. "Did he do something to you? Does our big man here need a hug?" I ask him playfully. He swats my hand away.
"The moment you left, that jerk bombarded me with questions about us. Questions that involved your beep inside my beep and what not! I love you Naruto but I can't take this bullet for you. Take me with you, please?" I pull his cheek.
"Sure dude. I'm going back to the dorm anyway," I smile at him.
Kiba's frown widens. "Please don't tell me you're meeting him in your room! Once was enough Naruto. Don't tempt me to kill you with my bare hands."
"Trouble in paradise?" Sasuke's voice is teasing but there is a malicious edge to it.
"Naruto is choosing his mother over me," Kiba supplies efficiently. I shoot him a grateful look.
"Mom wants to video call and I promised her I will." I shrug uncaringly at the two of them.
"And you have to go now?" Sasuke asks, eyeing Kiba and then me. "We still haven't finished eating!" he points to my plate. "You've barely even touched your plate! You can call her later."
I laugh. Itachi is punctual to a fault. "It's okay, I'll grab some snack if I get hungry. I'll get chewed out if I get late, so I'm going."
Kiba stands up. "Let's go together, sweetheart," he says as he comes to stand beside me in a heartbeat. The way the endearment rolled off so smoothly from his tongue is mildly disturbing. We are being rude to unfathomable lengths but I don't care. I only have one focus.
Sasuke glares at us openly. I think somewhere he's beginning to believe this lie. Which means we were successful to some extent. I paste on my sweetest smile when I wave at him. "See you around, Sasuke."
Kiba and I exit as hastily as possible. We walk quietly for a while more to get away from Sasuke as soon as possible. Once we're a good distance away, Kiba exhales loudly. "I thought I was gonna die!" he says.
I roll my eyes at him. "It's okay. He won't pester us anymore."
"How can you be sure about it?" Kiba asks, looking at me confused.
"He believes us. He thinks we're together." I tell him with conviction.
Kiba nods and then makes a face as he almost jogs to catch up with me. "If he only knew…" he laughs at my expense and then makes a face. "Speaking of which, you are not meeting Itachi in your room, are you?" he asks again to confirm.
I move my eyes to his. "We might drop by later." We won't. After that night, my room is no longer an option.
Kiba groans loudly as he grabs my arm. "If you do so much as breathe loudly, I will kill you I swear!"
I laugh all the way to our dorms.
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