A special something for pride month!
I thought now was a good time as ever to upload a one-shot for the canon couple of Naruto and Sasuke!
I've been thinking about doing this a long time, and being me, I'd rather have had it into a multi-chapter detailed fic rather than a one-shot. Felt too fast for me, lol, which is why the delay in the first place.
Enjoy this five-parter SNS and let me know what you think!
You're an Idiot, Naruto
Part 1: An Invitation for Tea
Gaara extended an invitation to Naruto for tea, an unexpected gesture that piqued Naruto's curiosity. He had always been aware that the Kazekage harbored feelings for him, a fact Gaara had never kept secret in his verbal and physical displays of affection.
He remembered Gaara's request to join him for a drink after the war ended, and he had accepted, looking forward to the occasion, having wondered in the past if the Kazekage had forgotten instead.
Always in the past, however, he had stayed silent out of respect of Naruto's journey to rescue Sasuke.
It had always been Sasuke's lingering presence which had made things complicated. He briefly thought about him, but since he stayed away for the majority of the time and didn't show much interest at all, Naruto finally relented and accepted Gaara's offer.
He had his needs. After all, he had waited for Sasuke long enough, and Hinata and him were as good as separated. He wondered if his new relationship status had prompted the Kazekage to finally make a move.
Gaara hoped to spend some time alone with Naruto, wanting to catch up and perhaps discuss matters of mutual interest without the presence of guards looming over their conversation. However, the reality of his position as Kazekage meant that his every move was closely monitored by his council and security detail.
"There's no need for guards," Gaara's annoyance showed as he protested to Kankuro. "It's a... private meeting, between... friends."
The council remained adamant about ensuring his safety at all times, citing the potential risks associated with any high-profile gathering involving the Kazekage.
"Naruto should bring his own guards as well, obviously," Temari interjected.
Naruto decided to bring along Sasuke as a precautionary measure, assigning him the role of his own bodyguard.
Sasuke, though initially surprised by Naruto's decision, begrudgingly accepted the task. Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny the underlying sense of duty he still felt towards Naruto. Plus, the opportunity to accompany Naruto on an unexpected outing intrigued him, stirring a faint flicker of curiosity within his otherwise stoic demeanor.
"It's a casual thing," Naruto informed Sasuke. "He just wants to meet for drinks."
As they made their way to Gaara's residence, Sasuke outwardly appeared composed, but inwardly, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Something about the invitation felt off, and Sasuke remained on high alert, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
Though disappointed by the intrusion of guards into what he had envisioned as a private meeting, Gaara understood the necessity of their presence, begrudgingly accepting the reality of his role and the responsibilities that came with it.
Gaara resigned himself to the fact that their time together would be far from the intimate conversation he had hoped for, overshadowed instead by the ever-watchful eyes of his security detail. But he had an idea on how to escape them.
"Naruto, it's good to see you," Gaara greeted with a warm smile.
"Same here, Gaara," Naruto replied, returning the smile. "I've been looking forward to this."
Disregarding the formality of their surroundings, Gaara attempted to infuse their interaction with subtle gestures of intimacy.
As they sat across from each other, he found himself reaching for the same glass as Naruto, their fingers brushing against each other in a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of warmth through him.
Sasuke noticed the lingering touches and frowned, uneasy. Why did the sight make him uncomfortable?
A faint blush tinted Gaara's cheeks as he glanced at Naruto, hoping that the other man might interpret the gesture as a silent invitation to share a moment of closeness amidst the formality of their surroundings.
"Sorry about the guards," Gaara said softly. "I wanted us to have some time alone."
"I understand, Gaara," Naruto replied. "It's part of the job, right?"
Though they were unable to speak freely as they had hoped, Gaara sought to convey his feelings through indirect hints and shared gestures, hoping that Naruto would understand that he was signalling him to make an escape later and meet outside, privately.
Later than evening, Naruto sneaked out easily enough and met Gaara outside, whose smile lit up more than the stars in the desert sky. He took his hand and led him to a bustling bar, the din of conversation and clinking glasses enveloping everything.
Gaara was nervous, but he knew they'd be unnoticed here and uninterrupted. Despite his casual demeanor, there was an undeniable flutter of excitement in his chest at the prospect of spending some uninterrupted time with Naruto.
"Let's find a quiet corner," Naruto suggested, guiding Gaara towards a secluded spot away from the crowd.
They found a corner where the dim lighting cast shadows across their faces. Gaara stole glances at Naruto, admiring the way the soft glow illuminated his features, accentuating the subtle curves and contours of his face.
"This place is nice," Gaara remarked, his voice soft.
"Yeah, it is," Naruto agreed, smiling. "I'm glad we could do this."
Their conversation flowed easily, each word exchanged feeling like a precious gift. Gaara, as usual, found himself drawn to Naruto's presence, his laughter like music to his ears.
In that moment, the rest of the world faded away, leaving only the two of them in their own private sanctuary. It was a fleeting moment of serenity amidst the chaos of their lives, but for Gaara, it was enough. As he savored the warmth of Naruto's smile and the sparkle in his eyes, he knew that he would cherish this memory for years to come.
Sasuke rounded the corner, sensing him quickly, having realized Naruto had slipped out. That bumbling idiot, he thought, already thinking of how he'd let him have it.
He entered the dimly lit bar and his eyes immediately searched for Naruto. The bar was bustling with patrons, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. The dim lighting cast shadows across the room, making it difficult to see clearly. Sasuke's eyes finally landed on a secluded corner, and what he saw made his steps falter.
Naruto and Gaara sat close together, their bodies angled towards each other in a way that suggested intimacy. Gaara's hand rested on Naruto's knee, his thumb rubbing small, affectionate circles. Naruto was laughing at something Gaara had said, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the overhead light.
The sight of Naruto's relaxed, happy expression sent a pang of jealousy through Sasuke.
He continued to watch, unable to tear his eyes away. Naruto's hand moved to cover Gaara's, their fingers intertwining.
Gaara leaned in closer, his eyes locked on Naruto's lips. Sasuke felt his chest tighten as he saw Naruto lean in as well, their faces inches apart.
The world seemed to slow down around him as he realized what was about to happen.
No, Naruto, stop, he wanted to scream out loud. Instead, the words just erupted like a sigh under his breath.
Gaara's free hand came up to cup Naruto's cheek, his touch gentle but possessive. Naruto's eyes fluttered shut, and a soft sigh escaped his lips as Gaara closed the distance between them.
Their lips met in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, filled with unspoken emotions. Sasuke's heart clenched as he watched them, feeling like an intruder in a moment that was too personal, too intimate.
The kiss deepened, Gaara's hand moving from Naruto's cheek to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Naruto responded eagerly, his fingers tightening around Gaara's hand, his other hand resting on Gaara's thigh. The way their bodies pressed together, the sheer closeness of their embrace, made Sasuke's blood boil with a mixture of jealousy and longing.
He could see the way Gaara's fingers threaded through Naruto's hair, the way Naruto's body seemed to melt into Gaara's.
Every touch, every caress, was a reminder of what Sasuke had been too afraid to pursue, too stubborn to admit. The sight of Naruto so openly affectionate with someone else was a stark contrast to the guarded, distant way Sasuke had often treated him.
Sasuke's fist clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palm as he fought to keep his composure. He felt a surge of anger, not just at Gaara for being the recipient of Naruto's affections, but at himself for letting things get to this point.
His mind raced with thoughts of what could have been, of all the missed opportunities and unspoken words.
Finally, Naruto pulled back, his lips slightly swollen from the kiss, his eyes still half-lidded with desire. He smiled at Gaara, a smile so full of warmth and affection that it made Sasuke's heart ache.
Gaara leaned in to whisper something in Naruto's ear, making him smile wider, and his response was like a knife twisting in Sasuke's gut.
He didn't need to hear their voice to read their lips exchanging the words.
Sasuke turned away, unable to watch any longer, and unable to intervene like he had originally intended. He felt a surge of frustration and helplessness, the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
As he made his way out of the bar, thankful for the attire provided by the Sand village which hid his face, he couldn't shake the image of Naruto and Gaara's kiss from his mind. It replayed over and over, a relentless reminder of what he had lost, and what he might never have.
Naruto was the only one he had ever loved, the light to his darkness, who had never given up on him. Who had made it clear time and again that he loved him, but Sasuke had always been afraid of being weakened by bonds and relationships.
The storm of emotions inside him was almost too much to bear. He had always prided himself on his strength and resilience, but in that moment, he felt more vulnerable and exposed than ever before.
As he walked through the darkened streets, the cold night air in the desert town did little to cool the burning jealousy and regret that consumed him.
Sasuke knew that he couldn't continue to ignore his feelings, but he also knew that confronting them would mean facing a truth he wasn't sure he was ready to accept.
The sight of Naruto and Gaara together had shattered the fragile illusion he had built around himself, leaving him with a painful realization; he had been a fool to let Naruto slip through his fingers, and now he might have lost him for good.
Why did Naruto bring him here to witness this?