CHAPTER THREE : SOIL
The building was in the distance, the air was more warmer than last week's chill.
Sasuke was grateful that he was able to get a ride from his older brother, Itachi, after leaving his bike on campus. Of course, he had told his brother to drop him off on the corner, a ways away.
He didn't want to cause the unwanted attention from the campus population. It was inevitable, that whenever he and his brother were out together, they always seemed to be able to stir up stares.
I guess we are just too much for people to see together.
Even though the air felt like it had a bit of a bite, Sasuke could tell that Spring was approaching and if Sasuke hadn't just gone through his last bloom he would have been worried.
Bloom
It had been on his mind lately. He couldn't quite figure out what triggered such an early bloom, why his body shifted so suddenly? Sasuke was use to that pesky trait of his genetics, was use to being out of commission at least once every few months.
He usually could see it coming like clock work, could tell with just his usual symptoms beforehand. He considered it a blessing anytime his bloom would land right before a holiday or a school break, so he didn't have to worry about taking so much time out of school.
Sasuke found himself reeling, his mind in a loop. He was pretty sure this was what insanity looked like before it finally sat in.
He never almost bloomed in front of a regular human before. Never almost bloomed in front of several humans before! The only time he was shocked from his blooming was the first few times, which were to be expected.
He recalled how scared he was, how his body shook as it happened at such a young age. He was 14 the first time it happened.
It wasn't as big of a bloom or as nearly impressive as the current size of his bloom, but he did feel very uncomfortable having something new along the back of his frame. Sasuke remembers bumping things with his bloom a lot the first few times.
The memory was quite unpleasant.
The bumping, the sensitivity, the thrill that would run up and down his spine when he accidentally bumped into someone else's skin with his freshly acquired bloom. The memory was quite torturous and made him uncomfortable to meet anyone's eye afterwards.
He knows he shouldn't be too embarrassed, after all most faeries in his haven have bloomed at least once before, but Sasuke couldn't help the reaction that blooming brought with it. It was truly a nuisance in the highest of caliber.
Naruto was also probably terrified out of his mind.
Blooming wasn't usually that violent or bloody. Most of the time he bloomed slowly, gracefully, it was considered a beautiful experience to behold. It was said to be so enchanting that you would be able to capture anyone's gaze.
But nothing about his blooming this time was magical or graceful in the slightest.
As his feet carried him, he could hear the sounds of the left over sludge of snow crunching under his boots. He usually found himself listening to music on his very old, practically ancient iPod, but today, the sound of crunching snow was the only sound that he could bare with his mind in utter chaos.
His lips released a sigh, his breath still fogged even though the weather was the warmest it's been in weeks.
Gnawing on his bottom lip, Sasuke couldn't stop the trembling on his fingers. He didn't know Naruto well, but what he did know was that he was loud, annoying, and not quite the brightest bulb in the pack.
Even though Naruto seemed earnest at the time, he could change his mind or could have been lying about keeping this situation a secret. Lying about keeping the fact, that Sasuke was a faerie, safe from other's ears.
I mean, what was in it for him to hold Sasuke's secret close?
It could have all been a lie.
Shaking himself out of his anxiety ridden headspace, Sasuke could see that he was at the steps of the university now. His usually automatic steps faltered causing the lean dark haired man to halt.
Is it possible that I'm anxious, not able to rumors but about that?
His eyes traced the building, eyes roaming along the window frames, tracing the number of cracked cement steps, sweeping along the large weathered wood oak doors. His eyes trailed over the the trees that swayed along the building, the flowers along the side leading to the luscious quad. The building wasn't as well kept, but the quad and the small bed of flowers along the building were immaculate.
It's for the best. I have to do this.
This is the first time Sasuke was tempted to just ditch school, maybe even abandon the reality he had created here, and just start from scratch somewhere new. The worries were eating him alive from the inside out, it was was rattling his bones. He could feel his hands shake violent no longer just trembling fingers.
It's okay.
Taking a deep breath while wiping his sweaty palms along his jeans, he found himself walking along the side of the brick building. His hands landing on barks of the trees, his fingers caressing petals of the flowers.
They each swayed, leaning into his touch sweetly, like a child. He could tell that they were well taken care of, that they were happy to greet him, to see him walk by almost every day.
It's okay, Sasuke. It will be okay.
Sasuke found himself chuckling, his smile forming along his lips in gratitude. He sat a bit longer, he knew his time was short, the clock was ticking and he refused to be late after being away for a week to bloom.
"Thank you for the strength. I appreciate you all."
He whispered as he gave the tree a final pat. His legs carrying him forward. He took the time to check on his appearance to make sure his image was that of a perfectly normal human.
When he talked or connected to nature, he used to find himself shifting without realizing it. His lashes growing more prominent, tinted with green, and his hair growing a bit longer and thicker with such ease. But Sasuke made sure that he had mastered his shifting abilities before entering college.
No green in sight.
He was stronger than he has ever been now, he made sure of it. Squaring his shoulders, he took a deep greedy breath before making his way inside. It was time for him to face the music, even if the music was one from a horror movie.
Step. Step. Step.
Nothing was different or out of the ordinary. Girls waved at him, flirty eyes following him as he continued forward through the halls. Some guys grimaced as he passed, while some simply ignored his presence.
So far, so good.
Making it to class, he kept his eyes forward, making sure that his vision never strayed. Not even for a second. He wouldn't allow his body to betray him.
He was on a mission. He had contemplated the entire past week, he walked through scenarios on how to approach the current problem.
The problem had blond hair and a weird name. That problem was and is still currently Naruto.
As he sat, he noticed that the seat behind him was empty. He expected this, the problem in question, was never one to come in early. The idiot was usually running in at the last second, late, or just never made it in at all.
Why do I feel so uneasy? I feel a little queasy.
His lips released a sigh, before he gave himself a grimace. He couldn't believe he was even thinking about that dummy. Thinking about how his decision would make him feel.
Really?
He had decided several days ago, that the best course of action was to go back to the way things were.
Sure, the guy did him a favor and it really did help. If it wasn't for him, he would be in a way worst predicament.
But…
No matter how grateful Sasuke was, he just didn't see a point in drawing anything out from it. Naruto helped him, awesome, great. Sasuke bloodied up his seats in return, disgusting, not so great.
He only planned to compensate the man for the damage done and that was it.
Naruto will go back to calling Sasuke unsavory names to his back, and Sasuke will go back to pretending the moron didn't exist and that he never heard him speak in the first place.
He pulled the note from his pocket, the pads on his thumb gave the paper a rub before placing the note on the desk behind him.
We will go back to the way things were. End of story.
~ . ~
Fuck. Fuck. I'm late.
Naruto grimaced at the sound of his tires screeching as he made his way like a bat out of hell through the parking lot. He was thankful that the lot wasn't packed with people like it usually was, just the occasional student hustling across, probably just as late as he was.
Pedestrians, three points!
He thought with a chuckle, as he continued on up and down the lanes, trying to find an empty spot this late in the morning.
"Come on. Come on." Naruto mumbled hastily, a string of profanities flying from his tongue as he continued to the next row of cars. His joke almost became reality as his foot fell heavily on the brake, causing a loud screech from his tires once more.
"Sorry!" Naruto yelled out the rolled down window at the student that was crossing at that same moment. His tires almost flattened her like a meat pancake.
He was met with the one finger salute from a girl with long blond hair and big blue eyes, her lips in a sneer.
Fair. Fair.
He thought with a chuckle at the gesture, before he parked quickly in one of the only free spots at the back of the lot. Cutting off the car, he tried to roll the window back up, smacking the handle, before remembering that the window was currently stuck a quarter of the way open.
No matter how much Naruto pushed and grunted as he tried to get the damn thing unstuck, it was no use and he really didn't have the time.
Great. Just great.
Fuck it. He didn't have time to worry about it. Didn't have time to even complain about the state of his old car. He gave the window a a sigh, before grabbing his back pack out of the passenger seat.
No one's going to steal this, hunk of junk anyway.
He thought with a grunt before slamming the car door, making his way across the lot. A car came speeding down the lot, just as he was minute ago. Now, Naruto almost became the pedestrian pancake.
Ha, Karma.
Naruto thought as he ran across, not even checking to see if the car stopped.
He was glad that he was pretty athletic. He never really joined any sports clubs in college, but when he was in high school he was part of the track team. He was grateful for the experience, especially because he was reaping the benefits of the time spent now.
Long legs carried him up cracked steps, before tripping over one particular nasty crack.
"Fuck you!"
He released the curse with a loud grunt his finger pointing at the creak with a glare, before he continued to his class in even more of a hurry and a slight limp.
When he did finally make it to class he was greeted with an exasperated sigh from his professor who just gave him a nod and a wave of his hand to sit.
He bowed several times, thanking the professor profusely for allowing him to enter. As he continued to his seat he was meet with a sight that made his steps falter.
Sasuke. Sasuke's back!
"Mr. Uzumaki, sit down. I'm starting back up my lesson."
"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."
He continued to his seat, his eyes still on the man that sat right in front of him. He looked as he usually did. Well kept, his eyes dark and midnight hair, his pencil moving across the pages as he continued to take notes as if the lesson hadn't stopped at all.
Sitting in his usual seat, he came across something that was bizarre. A folded piece of paper sat on his desk. He pulled out his school junk from his bright orange backpack, the note still in his hands as he gave the illusion that he was getting himself prepared for the lesson at hand.
His heart was pounding like crazy. He had never received a love letter before, and at the thought of possibly having someone admit they were interested in him, he found his whiskered cheeks growing a bit warm and his lips growing wide in a dopey grin.
I wonder which girl likes me?
He thought as his blue eyes trailed around the room before making its way back to the folded piece of paper in hand.
Opening the note, his once wide smile slumped into a frown. Definitely not a love note, it was short and not so sweet. Just by reading the words on the page, he knew exactly who the note was from, even though no name was listed. He read the note three times before he could form thoughts.
Thank you. Here's something for all the trouble. I'm sorry again.
Tucked inside the crease of the page was a folded up 50 dollar bill. Just as he was about to tap Sasuke's shoulder to ask him about the note he was caught by the professor. His eyes piercing down on him with a glare.
"See me after class, Mr. Uzumaki."
God, I really hate Mondays.
~ . ~
Smoke billowed around in the tight confines of his car. The smell of weed heavy in the air.
Sitting in the driver seat, reclined back and fully relaxed Naruto released a mass of smoke from his lips. Passing the bong back to Shikamaru, his best friend was laid back as well in the passenger seat, his eyes sitting low.
Naruto found himself in mist of giggles as he saw his friend's hair sticking up in its usual brunette disarray. Blue eyes shifted to his other best friend in the back seat, and he found himself chuckling once again at how wild and unkempt Kiba's brown hair was also.
The only difference is Kiba's clothes were always covered in white dog hair and always smelled a bit sweaty, while Shikamaru's clothes were always fitted properly but reeked heavily of weed smoke.
Unkempt. Smelling like weed. Yeah, we look like some punks.
"I hate you guys."
The words were hissed from the back seat, aiming at the back of Naruto and Shikamaru's heads. Kiba was sprawled out across the back seat, his lips in a sneer.
Due to Naruto and Shikamaru having their seats reclined all the way back. Kiba gave a grunt at the lack of leg room, trying his best to wiggle more towards the middle to give himself more space.
Naruto heard a thump and a growled swear from the back seat causing him to cough before releasing an abrupt snicker that was loud and rough. Shikamaru simply took a deep greedy puff from the bong, not even glancing in Kiba's direction.
"You say some?" Shikamaru finally said after releasing an ungodly cloud of smoke from his lips.
The question made Naruto's small trembling snickers turn into loud guffaws, one arm across his wet eyes while the other cradled his stomach.
"Fuck." Naruto mumbled as he gasped for air, he couldn't stop laughing even if he wanted to.
Shikamaru soon joined in, when he heard an angry click of the tongue and grumbled "dick" aimed his way.
"Keep on, I'll pass ya, again." Shikamaru threatened as he pretended to pass the bong to Naruto. Kiba growled, snatching it from his best friend's hands with a scoff.
"I really don't know why I'm friends with you two."
"'Cuz you love us." Naruto said batting his eyes at Kiba while giving a cheesy smile.
"Because I'm your supplier." Shikamaru said as he let out a yawn, leaning back in the seat as if he was about to take a nap.
"Fuck that." Kiba said with a grunt before taking a deep puff. His phone that was usually glued to his hands, now sitting next to him on the seat. Naruto was feeling good considering how shitty his morning started off.
When they first starting having their smoking sessions, Naruto was a bit apprehensive. It wasn't that he didn't like smoking weed. The issue was more on the fact that he didn't want to have any issues with any of his professors or the school, since Shika liked to hot box his car almost every other day.
Bastard.
Naruto let his heavy lidded red eyes roam as he heard Kiba and Shikamaru bicker. Kiba was currently claiming that since he was passed up so many times (he was only passed once, he's being dramatic) that he was holding the bong hostage.
He was just about to jump into the bickering, when he spotted something from a distance that made his slumped posture go erect.
Well, it wasn't really something, it was more like someone.
It was a bit far away, but he could still see Sasuke in the distance under one of the large trees on the quad. He was by himself, and was a bit shielded from everyone. If you looked hard enough you can just see a peak here and there, beyond the branches and leaves.
Naruto's lips formed a wide grin as his hands fumbled with the door handle.
If Naruto was sober, he might have been embarrassed at the fact that he was so in tuned with Sasuke. Would have been mortified at the behavior he exuded next, but Naruto didn't have another thought in his mind, but one thing.
Sasuke. I have to talk to Sasuke.
After a couple of tries, he finally was able to open the door and a cloud of smoke left with him. He could vaguely here Kiba yelling at him to ask were he was going and Shika bitchin' about letting out all the smoke.
Naruto didn't know what left his mouth, he think he said something along the lines of "Later! Don't forget to lock up." before tossing his keys to Shikamaru. But his body was currently on autopilot, and his feet were moving fast.
"This asshole still didn't answer me!" Kiba screeched loudly from the back seat, but that tune soon changed when he realized that he could now sit in the front seat and not be squished anymore.
"Score!"
Naruto found himself sprinting over, he probably looked like some lunatic, yelling Sasuke's name as he ran over.
The terrified expression that Sasuke wore on his face didn't deter Naruto in the slightest, instead it made him giddy with excitement.
He heard me!
Naruto was a man on a mission.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! I've missed you!"
He never once thought to feel embarrassed.
~ . ~
Sasuke was having a nice peaceful moment, his eyes were closed and his head is tilted toward the sun.
Feels nice. So warm.
The sun always made him feel good, more energized. That big ball of warmth always made his mood shift, making his lips form a smile of gratitude, even if he wasn't necessarily happy.
In his hand he has a plump tomato. He had finished majority of his lunch, but he decided to save his favorite thing to eat for last. He wanted to savor it, especially after the nerve wracking day he's had so far.
Just as his lips landed on the red tender skin to take a bite out of the succulent fruit, he heard something that made him halt. He could hear screams and running feet, but that wasn't the only thing he could hear.
"Sasuke!"
He couldn't believe his ears. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Sasuke! I've missed you!"
All of a sudden, he could hear a moron, as clear as day, running through the quad at full speed. And to make matters worst, he was heading right towards Sasuke like he was a red cape and the idiot was a bull.
"I can't believe he's making such a scene." Sasuke groaned, his head in his hands. He thought about pretending he didn't hear him, but the idiot was making such a ruckus that Sasuke knew it wouldn't work.
Plus, he knows my secret.
Sasuke placed his tomato away with a pout, gathering all of his belongs as quickly as his fingers will let him.
Just as he was standing, Naruto made it to him. Sasuke sighed as a large panting body landed in his path, blocking him from evading to go towards the nearest campus entrance.
Sasuke waited, his brow raising in question while Naruto continued to pant while holding up a finger as if to say "one moment please". Sasuke could smell the marijuana on him, the fragrance caused him to chuckle, his lips moving before he could stop the reaction.
He tried to cough over the sound, but it was too late. As soon as the sound left him, blue heavy eyes lifted to meet his own. Those eyes were now dancing with mirth.
"Did you just-"
"No."
Sasuke refuses to admit that he had laughed at the display or the smell that was wafting off him in waves.
Stick to the plan Sasuke. Remember, we don't really need friends right now. Especially human friends.
"Did you want something?"
"I- uh… Sasuke…" Naruto never had a problem with talking, usually the problem was that he talked too much. At least that's the way Sasuke saw him.
Humans will only hurt you in the end.
But looking at him now, Sasuke couldn't help but find the situation a bit amusing. Naruto seemed as if he was flailing about, like his tongue was heavy and didn't work properly.
Maybe it was from the copious amounts of marijuana that he just finished smoking?
.
.
.
Naruto was positive.
It wasn't the weed. It wasn't the fact that he felt like if he concentrated, he could smell something floral and sweet coming from the man that stood in front of him.
He honestly didn't really understand himself. What drove him to make such a choice to haul ass across the lot and quad to speak with a man that usually never even gave him even the time of day.
Was it because of him "blooming"?
He had never been really interested in men, women was his preferred fancy. Women were all big tits and soft curves but for some reason, Sasuke made his brain rattle and his palms sweaty.
He couldn't make sense of the feeling. He just knew that he really wanted to get to know him, to be his friend. To be something to him.
He didn't have a name for what he wanted.
Naruto had so much he wanted to say, to confess, to understand at that moment as he stood before his newly acquired interest.
He wanted to ask Sasuke how he was? Wanted to ask Sasuke how he was feeling and if blooming took a lot of energy out of him? He wanted to know more about what blooming was and what it meant to be a faerie?
Wanted to get as close as possible and to know all the nitty gritty little details. Naruto wanted to understand what made Sasuke, Sasuke.
He has always been a bit nosy, but the way he felt, it felt beyond just that.
It wasn't just because he couldn't mind his own business. Naruto for the life of him could not explain all of this to a man that seemed to not want to be bothered.
He didn't realize that he had been staring and not speaking for a long period of time. The pause extremely noticeable for two men who were standing a couple of feet away on the quad. Especially after he made such a scene, the situation was sobering.
Sasuke gave him a look, his eyebrow raising even further as Naruto tried to gather his thoughts to make his lips work. Naruto could feel the tips of his ears grow hot as he forced one of the most important questions from his lips.
"Are you okay?"
.
.
.
The question caused Sasuke to pause, his face shifting from perplexed to something way more complex that even he couldn't decipher his own feelings. Sasuke took a moment, his lips taking in a deep breath before he he gave a slow tentative nod.
"Yes. Thank you, for everything."
"Of course." Naruto said with a wide smile, his eyes shinning as he spoke. Sasuke could feel his cheeks begin to burn, he shifted his head, hoping that his hair would be able to cover the embarrassing reaction.
I have to get out of here.
Sasuke turned so abruptly that Naruto found himself yelling "wait" his hand shooting out to grab him. Sasuke gave a shutter, the hand felt so warm and the digits so soft as it rubbed against his skin.
"I have to go." Sasuke wanted the words to be biting, to come out with a punch, but instead they came out weighted and soft, borderline pleading.
He couldn't meet Naruto's eyes, couldn't shift back towards him. He was afraid that he would change his mind, that he would do something that was completely uncharacteristic of him.
"Just… Will you please wait? I was just wondering if you would like to-"
"No."
"You didn't even let me finish-"
"It doesn't matter, does it? The answer is no, it will always be no, Naruto."
Sasuke couldn't take it anymore, he pulled his arm away, his legs moving quickly toward the building away from soft hands, and warm words. He needed to get away from smiling blue eyes and the intoxicating smell of Naruto and weed.
"You said my name." Sasuke's legs stopped without his permission, his body turning to take another glance, another look. Those words made his mind reboot.
Just one more look.
Sasuke expected anger, resentment. He expected those harsh words that Naruto usually spat at him.
But he didn't expect this look. It was too much, for someone who he barely even knew.
He didn't expect to see Naruto looking at his hand in wonder. His blue eyes heavy, no longer with weed but with hurt.
Sasuke didn't expect those eyes look up at him with determination and he didn't expect to see a soft smile, that looked like it was only just for him.
Sasuke was speechless. He felt like a deer in the headlights, his body frozen as he stood before Naruto antsy and unsure.
"I can't. I can't." Sasuke said once more. More firmly this time, hoping to convey a message without having to say the words.
He could feel his bottom lip trembling, he bite into his own flesh hoping to shield his feelings, his flaws, his weakness. He couldn't create something when he knew that it would only shatter and break. It was pointless to entertain such hopes.
He didn't need money, he didn't need partying, and he didn't need friends. He didn't! He never needed it before, never even thought about it or took it to heart.
He didn't even allow himself to fully rely on those who've tried to be his friend inside of the haven. He's kept his distance, his heart growing cold over the years.
He wasn't weak, wasn't shallow. All he needed at this moment was knowledge, understanding, all he needed was the growth to do something bigger than sitting at his haven with all the other faeries and doing nothing more.
"I'll wait for you."
Sasuke was so taken back by the words, they sounded so genuine and light. As if Naruto was talking to someone he cared for.
Why would he sound like this? What's making him sound like this? Does he think I am weak?
Sasuke's body shifted at the thought. His jaw clenching as he cleared his throat. He had to explain, he had to tell Naruto once and for all that he didn't want whatever it was he was selling. With narrowed eyes, Sasuke spoke clearly, his vision holding blue.
"Look, I appreciate what you did for me. Really, I do, but this can't-"
"Sasuke, its okay. It wasn't a big deal, you know." Sasuke found himself gasping for air, his body felt like he was dropped in a pool of ice cold water. Even though he could see the sun, all he could feel was cold dread creeping up his spine. Clenching his jaw, he opened his mouth to speak once again but his words were drowned by another.
"You may not be ready to be friends right now, but one day you will be. I'll wait until you're ready."
"We will never be friends. Do you hear me?"
I must tear him down.
"But I won't wait quietly. That's not my style." Naruto said the words with a chuckle, his foot kicking a rock playfully as he made his way closer. He didn't even acknowledge the words Sasuke was spitting back at him.
"Tch. You'll be waiting for eternity then."
Naruto was indeed a towering terror, and Sasuke was stuck to endure. He wanted to knock it down, make it see reason, but no matter what he did or said, the tower still stood, tall and imposing.
"I'll show you what a real friendship looks like Sasuke. I'll show you that you can depend on me, and trust me. I'll always be in your corner. Believe it!" The man thrusted a thumbs up in his direction, and if Sasuke wasn't so horrified he would have found himself scoffing at the declaration.
"Don't waste your time, I don't need it. Find someone else."
"But do you want it? I think you do." Sasuke was lost once again. The question caused him to pause, his mind going quiet. He refuses to agree, his hands were shaking and he could feel sweat dripping down from his hair.
"You do know it's okay to want things. Don'cha Sasuke?" Naruto said those words with a smile, the smile so wide that his eyes disappeared and became rounded squints. Sasuke couldn't stop shaking, even with the sun beating down. He no longer felt cold, he felt warm.
Naruto left with a big smile and a wave of the hand. Sasuke didn't know rather to laugh or to cry, so when he got home and he was safely behind his bedroom door, he did both.
Several hours later he realized that he wasn't shaking from anger, he was shaking from fear.
He was no longer warm, he was scolding hot.
~ . ~
Sasuke knew.
He did.
He knew that the moment he saw that moron, that he would be a complete and utter bane of his existence.
It's been a week. Just a week, but Sasuke learned that so much can go wrong in just a week.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke continued walking, his feet no longer steady but quickening in pace. He will not admit that he was running away.
Nope.
Nah.
He refuses to call this running away, and instead labeled it as a strategic evading measure.
Yes. Strategic.
Sasuke had been strategically evading for a full week now, and it didn't seem to be working. It was not really escaping as more of a tactic to keep his mind sane in the mist of the new orange obsessed whirlwind that has come into his life that was Naruto Uzumaki.
"Sasuke, stop running from me!"
Sasuke was afraid to look back.
He could tell by the shout from the moron that he was catching up to him.
Sasuke was no longer fast pace walking but was jogging, no he was running, not running but sprinting with tactic.
That's right, he was sprinting because he needed to regroup, needed to come up with a better plan than this one.
No one warns you before you get a wild Naruto attached to you, what that entails.
Sasuke thought with a sigh as he turned right abruptly down a different hallway, before slipping into an empty broom closet. He tried to silence his pants, his hand landing over his wild beating heart. It was so loud, he was afraid the organ was going to give him away.
He could hear foot steps approaching, his hands began to shake as he tried his best to calm himself or else was going to get caught.
Sasuke Uchiha caught in the closet.
What an awesome headline that would make, for the students that handled campus news.
"Sasuke? I know you're around here somewhere." The steps grew closer and closer, Sasuke could feel his body start to shift without his permission.
He was going G-R-E-E-N.
He has never had someone who could make him lose focus like this. Sasuke was sure that he was cursed.
"When I find you, I'm going to give you a big hug and tell everyone that we're the best of friends." The words sounded flowery and sweet, but Sasuke could hear the threat that the words were laced with.
Sasuke coward deeper into the closet, hoping that he could blend in with the shadows.
He didn't take a full deep breath until he heard the footsteps fully pass his hiding spot. He didn't move from the floor, his body still wedged in the corner of the tiny closet. His head was in his hands, his hand over his mouth.
"Dobe."
Ever since that day in the quad, Naruto had been popping up next to Sasuke every chance he got.
At first Sasuke ignored him, but that didn't deter the man in the slightest. Naruto continued to talk, having a one sided conversation telling Sasuke all about his day, and his troubles with certain classes. Sasuke even found himself enjoying the timber of his voice as he spoke without a care.
He didn't like the results, didn't like that his ears seemed to tune in to his sound. He didn't like that his lips would quirk with a smile when the idiot said something amusing.
Sasuke had to think of a new tactic, and quick, because without him realizing it, he was starting to become accustom to Naruto's presence beside him.
After that didn't work, Sasuke took a different approach. He can't talk to me if I avoid him. Which is what he has been doing, but Sasuke didn't take into account how persistent and athletic Naruto was.
It also didn't stop Naruto from throwing notes to Sasuke over his shoulder in their shared class.
Some asking if he wanted to hang out (Lets get a smoothie after class! My treat!) Some asking if he wanted to study together (Help me Sasuke! I don't understand what he is talking about!) Sasuke clicked his tongue at that note, his eyes taking in the poorly drawn sad crying face at the corner of the paper with a sigh.
Sasuke wanted to scream back, "well, pay attention you moron!" but he never did. Instead he simply gritted his teeth, balled up the paper and shoved it in his back pack before continuing to his note taking.
Now, Sasuke was cursed with a back pack filled with random scribbles and questions in Naruto's atrocious handwriting. Some genuine questions and other's eyesore drawings of either him or Sasuke.
Sasuke knew he had to come up with a new plan, but he couldn't stop the thoughts that seemed to be on his mind lately. He couldn't stop the doubt that was plaguing his subconscious and his well set plans. He could feel his lips shift to a smile under his finger tips in the dark corner of the closet.
"Dobe." His words were weighted and gritty.
He could feel his body leaning towards the door as he stood. His hands fidgeting with his clothes and the tops of his ears dipped red.
"Naruto."
Sasuke hated how the tone sounded fond and not at all aggravated. He hated the way his lips formed the moron's name and how warm his voice sounded. What he hated the most, was how his body seemed to yearn to be closer while his mind was in constant contradiction.
"Stop this."
He hated it all. He hated that it felt like he was stomping all over his own soil, and ruining his own flowers. Digging those beautiful flowers into the dirt.
~ . ~
Sasuke had never been grateful for Friday's.
He had always saw them as a hassle but today, as he entered his classroom he was grateful.
His eyes roamed along the room, he refused to admit that his eyes were looking for blond hair and blue eyes.
"Hn."
He said with a sigh, his heart squeezed a bit at the lack of whiskered cheeks and the smell of warm sun shine and pine trees that usually came with Naruto.
And on some days, just a hint of marijuana.
Shaking off the feeling, he sat with his eyes on his desk, his hands running along the surface before releasing another annoyed sigh.
"What's wrong Sasuke?"
"Nothing." Answered quickly to the girl that stood over him, Sakura always seemed to be watching him. Seafood green eyes keep track of his movement. The woman stood at his desk with a smile, her finger twirling one of her strands flirtatiously.
"Good. I would hate for you to not be feeling well." She said with a pout, her hand moving quickly to land on his forehead, as if she was checking his temperature. Sasuke moved to avoid it at the touch at the last second. The action was too close for comfort.
"Really. I'm fine." He said with a dismissive tone, hoping that she would take the hint.
She didn't take the hint.
Instead she continued to stand over him with a big smile, her body swaying as she continued to speak.
"I've noticed that you and Naruto have been hanging out a lot lately. Since when have you two been friends?" She said with an arch of her brow, her hand landing on her hip.
"We're not."
"Oh. That's not what Naruto said-" Her response was if she was surprised but wanting more information on the subject. Just as she was about to continue the professor entered swiftly, calling the class to order.
Sasuke held his head forward, didn't acknowledge her for the rest of the period. He also didn't turn to see if the desk behind him was still empty.
He already knew that it was.
~ . ~
Naruto never showed up for class, and Sasuke found himself having a hard time focusing that day.
He tried. He really did.
He reminded himself of his goals, his future, the things he wanted but every time he heard a laugh or running feet, he found his head snapping in the direction of the chaos, just to be met with disappointment. It happened again and again, each time making Sasuke more annoyed with not only himself but the situation.
He even found himself sitting in his usual spot during his lunch break to see if it would draw the dobe out, but nothing happened and nothing changed.
He walked around a bit, he tried to not show that he was actively searching for someone, but when he saw Kiba and Shika but no Naruto in tow, he finally let his hopeful heart crash.
I guess he didn't come in today.
… and for some reason that bothered him.
~ . ~
Sasuke is embarrassed to admit that the absence of Naruto followed him into the weekend.
He was nestled in his room, his private sanctuary. When he was home he often found himself completely relaxed, which means that he was in his faerie form, all green and succulent.
When he was in his faerie form he was more tempted and swayed by emotions, feelings, and instincts. So the fact that he was sprawled across his nest like round bed, surrounded by balled up and discard pieces of paper along his soft fluffy maroon sheets.
He shouldn't be embarrassed.
It wasn't like anyone was there to see this disgraceful sight. But, he couldn't help the fact that his cheeks burned red as he pulled each note out of his standard black backpack to smooth out the crinkled papers to read.
Sasuke! Why do you keep avoiding me? It's okay, you don't have to answer, because it won't stop me from showing you what a real friend looks like.
Sasuke couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, the crude drawing of Naruto with tears and big doe eyes with a pout, causing his chuckles to grow into a stream of tinkering laughter. He especially liked the lopsided eyes and the big spiky hair. It gave the drawing character.
Opening up the second balled up piece of paper, he was met not with words, but with a drawing of both him and Naruto.
"Idiot." Sasuke hissed as he looked at the drawing. He gave a click of annoyance with his tongue, but he couldn't help that his lips formed a small. The picture was of naruto and Sasuke standing under a tree. It looked as if they were standing in the quad.
"Why is he doing this to me?"
The image of both of their hands connected, both smiling wildly in the drawing made Sasuke cover his eyes in embarrassment. His cheeks burning red as he tossed the drawing back on the bed, but immediately moved it over to put inside his night stand with a sigh.
Opening a new note, Sasuke was grateful when he saw words on the page. His shoulders dropping and relaxing as he read the note slowly.
I can't for the life of me figure out what he is saying. Study session later? I mean I know I could probably ask Shika and he would be able to explain it but I don't want to be called a dumb ass the whole time while he blows smoke in by face.
Sasuke thought the note was over but then he saw that at the very corner of the note at the bottom of the page, was a very tiny message scribbled there. The words were small and sloppy but Sasuke could read it just fine.
Sasuke, be my friend? Pretty please.
The words made Sasuke already warm cheeks grow redder as he read the tiny scribble once more.
"He's insane. Completely and utterly insane." Sasuke said with a chuckle, his body turning to lay on his back as he released an exasperated sigh. His eyes met the stars that were twinkling brightly in the night sky.
Sasuke as well as all faeries, had the luxury of their homes having a wide glass ceiling. The glass was water resistant, so he got to see the night sky, even if it's pouring rain.
I bet Naruto would love a view like this.
The thought made Sasuke pause, before his soft red cheeks grew a deep red. He wasn't quite green anymore with how flustered he became. He was sure that he looked more like a tomato than a faerie.
Naruto
In
My
Bed?
Sasuke released a sound that he had never heard himself make before. It was loud and squeaked and it made his parents and brother come running just for Sasuke to send them away at the door with an excuse that sounded ridiculous to even his own ears.
As soon as he heard several footsteps departing from outside his door. Sasuke was once again flopping head first back into his soft sheets.
What?!
Sasuke came to one conclusion.
He was officially insane and it was all Naruto's fault.
The need to read the notes, to feel the paper under his fingertips, to find himself smelling Naruto's very faint scent along the edges of the paper. Yup, he was ready to pack a bag and walk to the nearest psychiatric ward.
What is this?
It was because he was insane, and glutton for disappointment. He knew that reading these notes, thinking about Naruto was just going to lead to nothing but pain and regret.
It's all your fault.
Naruto was human, and once he knew more about Sasuke he wouldn't want anything to do with him.
Sasuke was positive. Naruto would hear all about Sasuke, his genetics, and their faerie culture and go running for the hills.
I can't trust him.
Sasuke knows that.
I can't believe him.
He knew that too.
This could never leave his room. The reading the notes, and day dreaming about Naruto becoming more than just a pest, more than just a nuisance.
Behind this door, Sasuke was safe to imagine. He was allowed to feel everything and be anything, but as soon as he left, closing his room door behind him, Sasuke will bury it all.
He wouldn't acknowledge this. He wouldn't let his imagination leave this room to grow into something bigger.
He had to continue to bury this feeling, this want as deep as possible, under biles and biles of denial and dirt.
It's all your fault, and I'll never be able to tell you that.
Here comes the soil.
Sasuke refuses to dig up anything that was already dead.
It was pointless. It was all just pointless.
Thank you so much for the support! I know things are a bit slow, but right now I am trying to build the characters and the world. I know a lot didn't happen in this chapter, but I do hope you enjoyed this!
xoxo Ci Mai
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