CHAPTER FOUR: ROOTS
Denial (The Nile) is not just a river in Egypt.
Sasuke knew that after a while his decisions would catch up with him. He just didn't think that he would need to change his tactics so soon.
Sasuke also just really… didn't… want… to talk… about his bloom.
His cheeks would burn red anytime he thought about it.
He didn't want to talk to Naruto about it, didn't want to explain what it meant. Didn't want to explain that his body was basically luring in potential mates for lusty consumption.
What would I tell Naruto, anyway?
Naruto, blooming means that I am open for business (Flaps legs open and closed like a pair of butterfly wings).
Just the thought of him saying that made Sasuke want to bang his head against any hard surface available to him. He wanted to bang his head repeatedly, until he lost consciousness. He shuttered just thinking about it.
"Yeah, no thank you."
His words were grumbled, as he gave a groan. His hands landed in his hair, running through his strands before pulling them tight in frustration.
He didn't want to talk about his bloom. He didn't want to discuss being a faerie. He just wanted to be left alone and endure a quiet and simple college existence.
Was that too much to ask?
When it came to Naruto, I guess it would be.
His bloom and all the other forbidden and private topics was one of the billions of reasons why Sasuke had been avoiding the man for the last few weeks. Sure, some of his avoidance was due to an unshakable fear that seemed to have crawled deep into his heart.
He really was afraid of the way Naruto seemed to affect him, and without even trying. It was slowly driving him nuts, and now that he was so far gone off the deep end, he came to one conclusion on how to switch tactics.
It was daunting.
It was time consuming.
And just thinking about it made Sasuke's heart race, but it was the only thing he could think of. This was a dire situation after all.
He decided that he will not run from Naruto. He will simply let him be. He would treat Naruto as a classmate.
That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.
This tactic was not one of Sasuke's favorites, but once he sat down. Especially after he read all of those notes from the idiot. He decided that the least he can do is see what exactly Naruto wanted.
He was tired of running, literally and figuratively.
He was tired of worrying.
He decided that he will just give Naruto the illusion that he won, and once Naruto realized how boring and weird Sasuke was he would leave on his own.
That's what they all did anyway.
Sasuke wasn't always a scarred person. He didn't always have sky high walls and a disinterest in those around him.
When he was younger, he actually craved having a friend, someone who was completely normal. He wanted to know more about the world outside the haven, wanted to explore more than just the forest that they had always called home.
He also found humans fascinating. At least that's the way he saw them before he had been stabbed and left out to die several times.
Not literally, but still… it all had… really hurt him. Even if it seemed small to some, pain was pain. His hurt was valid. He refused to go backwards on all of the healing and understanding he had done throughout the years.
What was Naruto's real motive here?
Maybe he wanted to get more information. Maybe he was planning to out Sasuke, or tell people. It wasn't the first time a human has backstabbed him, after Sasuke telling someone something in confidence.
That's why Sasuke changed tactics.
Instead of waiting around, allowing Naruto take the high ground, Sasuke instead will lure him in with a false sense hope. As soon as he was comfortable, Sasuke would know exactly what the man was after.
He will not be made to play the fool again.
Humans have always been misleading and dishonest. That was nothing new. Sasuke was just much older and wiser now.
He knew the truth now.
Humans weren't all that fascinating. They weren't at all complex. They were just walk, talking piles of trash behaviors and riddled with excuses and mask.
What are you after Naruto?
~ . ~
His heart fluttered at the sight of him, Sasuke refuses to dig deeper regarding the unprompted reaction.
"Hey Sasuke!"
"Hn."
It wasn't much of a greeting, but for some reason, just the sound of a response made Naruto's whole demeanor light up. He literally gasped like some maiden in a romance novel and proceeded and exclaim to Sasuke, and probably everyone in hearing distance, that he was finally getting through to him.
"I knew it would work. My chasing after you paid off!" He said with a chuckle, his eyes so joyous they were practically closed. Sasuke gave a huff, he couldn't believe that just a small response would warrant such a big and over the top reaction.
I mean, what would the idiot do if I said we were actually friends?
Sasuke was immediately assaulted with an image of a mini Naruto running around cheering in his head. The small Naruto even had a banner that he carried around all day at school that said "Sasuke is my friend now".
It was so ridiculous that it made Sasuke to shutter in terror. Just thinking about it made Sasuke groan softly, his head in his hands.
Unfortunately, this had to be done. It's just a mask. Remember to keep up your guard.
"I'm so glad you're not running away or ignoring me anymore!"
… And that sentence was the start of it.
Nothing much really changed, Naruto still passed notes to Sasuke, which he ignored because he refuses to do delinquent behavior in class. Naruto continued to find him in the halls between class or by the big shaded tree on the quad.
It all passed by so quickly, and it all grated at Sasuke's fried, barely pieced together, nerves.
Out of the several weeks of this tactic, nothing changed. Naruto never changed, and Sasuke found himself grinding his teeth in impatience.
What the hell does this moron want with me?
Sasuke braced himself. He was terrified of when Naruto's mask finally slipped, what it would do to him. He continued to remind himself to stay strong.
~ . ~
"Hey Sasuke, do you want to go to a party-"
"No."
"Damn, Sasuke you could have at least let me finish!"
"Why bother?"
Sasuke was met with a loud laughter as if he had said a funny joke.
Sasuke glared at the attention it brought. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, making his way to his next class.
What do you want Naruto?
He was grateful that Naruto didn't have the next class with him. He needed the space. The blond hair and wide smile was doing damage to his heart.
~ . ~
Sasuke entered their wide open kitchen. Everything about their haven was about highlighting nature, so the concept was always open, minimalist and light. The sun was peeking through the tops of the trees, vines swaying along the frame, making the kitchen look ethereal.
He could hear the sounds of the chopping of fruits and vegetables, the simmering of a pot, and the humming of his mother as she glided around the kitchen with ease.
Entering, Sasuke could hear his mother's chirps in delight. His mother had always been a person who wore her heart on her sleeve.
He was grateful that his mother ended up with his father, Fuguka. The man adored his mother, alway supporting her in any and every way possible.
Sasuke used to want that, but as he's gotten older, his hopes had turned into dust. Their love was one of a kind and not very common among faeries.
"Ah hello, my sweet little tomato! Dinner will be ready soon. How was your day?"
It was good. Just had a blond guy follow me around all day like a golden retriever.
"My day was good." Sasuke said with a soft smile as he found himself moving closer to his mother.
He gently shifted her out of the way of the chopping, his own hands moving to pick back up the rhythm in her stead. His mother gave him a quick peck to his cheek, before gliding over to stir the bubbling pot.
"Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"I have- uh a problem."
Chop, chop, chop.
"What sort of problem." His mother's voice grew serious, her eyes turning toward him, watching him like a hawk. Sasuke cleared his throat nervously, as he moved the chopped tomato to a bowl. Grabbing the cucumber next, he got to work on peeling the dark green skin.
"Do I need to go and teach someone some manners? I swear-"
"Nothing like that mom." Sasuke said with a chuckle before going back to his chopping, his gaze avoiding his mother's piercing eyes.
"There's this guy at my school. He's like a big oversized puppy. He's loud, annoying, but he's also friendly. Extremely friendly. He likes to help people, and never likes to make anyone feel excluded."
"Sounds like a nice guy."
Chop, chop, chop.
"He is. He does drive like a lunatic and curses like a sailor, but mostly, he's genuine. Or I guess he seems genuine."
"Sounds so different from you." Sasuke didn't need to look at his mother to know that she was smirking as she pulled out plates and bowls.
"He is. He's the complete opposite of me. But for some insane reason he… wants to … be my… friend." Sasuke could hear the distaste in the word as he spoke it. He could hear his mother's masked laughter, he rolled his eyes as he continued to move the blade forward.
Chop, chop, chop.
Sasuke showed his petulance with a click of his tongue as he gather up what was needed. His mother's laughter turned into coughs, as she tried to give Sasuke a serious and perplexed face.
"I see."
"At first I tried to let him down easy. I told him no. I told him that it would never happen, but then he started coming up with even crazier ideas to gain my friendship."
"Like what?"
"Mom, the guy is nuts. At first he would just talk to me, ramble on about stupid things, even when I ignored him! After that, I thought 'I'll just avoid him', but then the lunatic started chasing me around and- don't laugh!"
"I'm sorry honey. Breeze through." She said as she once again, attempted to mask her face expression.
"Fine. Now I thought. I will just treat him like a classmate, you know? I'll remain neutral. Answer, but still keep him at arm's length. I thought that maybe… I don't know… I'll learn the truth—Argh! It's so frustrating. He's so frustrating!"
"Is this the same guy that triggered your bloom?"
"He didn't- what-ahhh! Mom?! Please. Who told you that? Was it Itachi-"
"Fine. I'm done. I'm done, sacred bloom. Geez, you're no fun. I still don't see the problem."
"Mom! Even though I have been talking with him for over a week, he still seems the same. No rude remarks, no gossiping about me, behind my back… and he's so nice to me even when I'm distant with him. I'm not use to… this." Once the words left Sasuke's lips, he realized that he sounded quite pathetic.
"I see. You're not use to someone treating you well. With kindness."
"No… I'm not use to human's treating me with kindness."
"Oh honey." Sasuke was wrapped up in his mother's embrace before he could blink. The warmth he felt from the hug and the love his mother had for him, was in ever molecule of his mother's touch. Sasuke could feel the love.
"I know it was a long time ago. I should be over the things that happened in my past, I mean I am… over it… but…"
"It's made you a bit timid to open up again."
"I don't know what to do. I know it's no point encouraging him, but at the same time—"
Dead air filled the space. Sasuke was grasping at what to say.
He was still nestled inside his mother's embrace. Sasuke had always had a deep bond with his mother, out of their family, she was the one that understood him the best.
"You want to be his friend."
The words that filled the dead air, caused something to stir inside of Sasuke. His heart gave a heavy thump, his lips moving on their own to form a smile, before his hands wiped it away.
What am I thinking?
His lips opened with a snap, sound filled the air, but no words were formed. He was truly at a lost for words. His mom always had an uncanny ability to give a person exactly what they need.
"It's okay Sasuke. It's normal to be hesitant or nervous at times, especially about one's character. But, not every human is the same. Just like not all faeries are the same. I'm different, and I'm greatly loved. You're different and we love you, we accept you."
"Yeah, but not everyone-" Sasuke could hear the quiver in his tone, his palms were beginning to itch.
"I, your father, and your brother love and accept you for who you are. Don't we, my little tomato?"
The words were soft, her hands gliding along his messy hair in a caress. The room felt too large, and he found it hard for him to swallow the lump that was forming in his throat. He gave a nod, his lips releasing a soft hum.
"Then maybe, this classmate is different from what you have experienced before. You shouldn't put blame on him for something someone else did. He is not them."
"How do you know that?"
"I don't. But so far, what you have told me. It sounds like he's a good guy and you want to give him a chance. I can tell."
"I don't know what to do."
The phrase was leaving his lips for a second time, but this time the words felt meaningless. He knew what he needed to do, but he was afraid.
His throat felt clogged with emotion, he cleared his throat, but he could feel his eyes began to feel pinched. He placed the knife down softly, his shaking hands could no longer chop.
"You let them in."
"Mom, I can't-"
"Listen, I'm not saying you have to let everyone in, but if you never let anyone in, then all you are left with is yourself. It's okay to try, it's okay to open up a bit, and show yourself more. It's okay to want things, Sasuke honey."
"It's okay to want things Sasuke? Don'cha know that?"
"Hn. He said that too." Sasuke released a heavy sigh. His head in his hands. His mother was no longer hovering, she sat across from him at their wooden table.
"I like him already. When will I get to meet him?" Her hands, gathered up Sasuke's hands into her own pulling him to sit by her. She gave Sasuke's hands a squeeze as her giggles filled the air.
"Mom, please." His face red hot, and he hated that his hair was pushed up into a messy bun. He wouldn't be able to hide the involuntary reaction, even if he tried.
"My little tomato." Fingers pinched his cheeks playfully, as she began to fill plates. Her cheerful voice carrying through the home, beaconing the rest of their family, that dinner was ready.
~ . ~
"Sasuke! Hey Sasuke!"
"Can you please stop screeching my name like a banshee!" Sasuke said in a whispered hiss, his eyes cutting into Naruto with a deadly glare.
Naruto wasn't bothered at all, he simply chuckled sheepishly, his hands gliding into his pockets as he walked along side him. Sasuke was sure that the two looked like a walking contradiction next to each other. One glaring and gloomy, while the other smiling and friendly to those he passed.
"What did you want, dobe?"
"Nothing." Naruto said with a smirk, his lips lifted in mischief. Sasuke found himself rolling his eyes at the look, which caused the already cocky smirk to grow even more arrogant.
"You mean to tell me that you did all that yelling for nothing?" Sasuke could hear the grit in his tone when he spoke, his hands gliding through his hair to stop him from punching the moron.
He gave himself a check over, making sure no green was in sight. Sasuke had never met someone who could make him loose himself so thoroughly.
"Pfftt. It wasn't for nothing. That look on your face is priceless, Sasuke."
"I'm going to kill you." Before Sasuke could stop himself, he found himself throwing a fist to a broad shoulder. Before he could get the satisfaction of bruising the idiot, the man moved, dodging the quick action.
"Dream on, pretty boy." Naruto said with a crooked smile, his eyes gleaming with challenge as he flexed his biceps cockily.
Sasuke won't admit to even himself that his eyes trailed along that bicep a bit too long. His head growing hazy as he thought about how quickly the man moved.
He thinks I'm pretty? Me? Pretty?
~ . ~
Sasuke was sitting alone, in the campus library on a Friday evening. His eyes roaming along a thick book. He was so focused, he didn't even notice that someone had came over and made a home right across from him quietly.
One minute he was reading an interesting book regarding the world's greatest scientific discoveries that can benefit the planet as a whole, and the next his eyes got an eyeful of unruly blond hair. His lips released a gasp, he wasn't even aware that Naruto had come over.
I didn't know that, that idiot could move so quietly.
Naruto's tongue was poking out the corner of his lips, his face scrunched as if he was trying to decipher an ancient text.
Taking a look, he could see that Naruto was having a hard time in their natural science class. His worksheet (Sasuke had finished his own several days ago) was covered in smudges and penciled in scribbles.
Sloppy.
Naruto started to write something in on his worksheet, his lips were in a wide smile as if he solved something massive, like world hunger. Sasuke was briefly distracted by that smile but as his onyx eyes drifted down he saw that the penciled answer was indeed…
"Wrong."
80% of these answers are wrong.
His lips moved before he could think about it. Blue eyes popped up, his library companion's lips dropped into a frown before he let out a low groan, his body slumping in defeat.
"I give up! Sasuke~" Naruto continued to whine his name as if he was a wounded puppy repeatedly, and a bit too loud for a campus library.
Sasuke felt himself smiling, he even chuckled a bit. He never thought he would see a grown man that was taller than him (Only by a few centimeters), more muscular than him (I still could take him though), whine like a child that was told he couldn't get any ice cream.
"Such a baby." For the first time, Sasuke found himself trying to muffle his laughter, but it was spilling out him like a waterfall.
"Sure, sure. Laugh at my pain. Asshole." Naruto's words were rough but when he gave a pout that was utterly ridiculous, Sasuke was once again trying to silence his fresh giggles that were bubbling up to the surface.
The sound was met with several shushes from different directions, causing Sasuke to apologize back in a whisper. The shushes were sobering, making it were his laughter was able to be reigned in, but Sasuke's smile was still painted on his lips.
He's turning me into a trouble maker.
"Fine. Fine. Let me see." Sasuke was pulling Naruto's book over before he could stop himself.
Naruto let out a little whoop that immediately was met with more shushes. After apologizing, a bit too loud still, he flopped in the seat right next to Sasuke, their knees brushing a bit.
"Teach me, O' wise one." Naruto whispered with a bow. Sasuke gave an annoyed click of the tongue, but the annoyance didn't hid the smile that was now etched on his lips. He could feel a slight brush of air from his breath on his neck, the sensation caused the raven haired man to shiver before shaking off the reaction.
What does he want?
Heads together, pencils and pens moving in tandem. Every once in a while Naruto would get distracted, telling Sasuke a joke he heard from Shikamaru or Kiba. It was usually quite crude, causing Sasuke to thump the idiot on the forehead with his pen, before telling him in a stern voice to "focus moron".
The time slipped away from them. The two found that several hours had passed before all the homework had been successfully understood by Naruto and completed.
"Wow, it's late. Don't think I've ever stayed at school this late before." Naruto said with a chuckle, his eyes taking in the setting sun and the dark clouds outside.
The sky that was once bright blue was now becoming richer. Sasuke knew that the library was probably closing soon, but for some reason he wished he had more time.
What is wrong with me?
"I never knew studying could be so fun. It's all thanks to you Sasuke! Now I know I'm going to ace my next test." Naruto gave Sasuke a bright smile, his hand landing on Sasuke's shoulder giving it a warm pat.
Sasuke found himself growing hot, the feeling of his hand, the knees still close together under the wooden table. Sasuke brushed off the hand, before giving a cough, his cheeks and ears were so hot that Sasuke felt a bit dazed.
What is Naruto's true motive?
"Why?"
"Why? Well, because my grades suck ass and-"
"No I mean. Why did you come to the library? On a Friday evening. Weren't you suppose to be going to a party?"
Sasuke vaguely remembered Naruto talking about a party, something that he kept trying to invite Sasuke to all throughout the week.
So why is he here?
"Well… It's a bit embarrassing, but… I saw you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, I was only coming in to drop off a book for Shika. But then I saw you sitting in the corner, and I just couldn't pass it up."
Couldn't pass it up? What does that even mean?
Sasuke felt like he wasn't really getting any answers. He had been trying to decipher Naruto's motives for a while, but all he could see was an open book. It was really messing with him.
"I'm not all that exciting."
"I beg to differ."
"Hn." Sasuke's eyes diverted to the books and papers scattered across the table, his hand landing on his pen to go back to taking notes, to studying, to something other than this conversation.
"Tch"
He had forgot what he had been doing before Naruto even showed up. It was all so very vague now. His mind only had one thing in its forefront.
"I like your laugh."
Naruto.
"My laugh?"
"Yeah. It's different."
"Different?" Sasuke could feel his heart squeeze. His mind conjuring up something that he had left behind. Conjuring up old scarred memories, those memories that first stabbed him.
"You're weird."
"Yeah, you talk funny."
They say you always remember your first time.
The first time you felt your hopes crash to the pits of hell. The first time someone gave you a cruel look. The first time words actually felt like it was stabbing you right through the heart.
"Right. I'm… different."
Sasuke hated that his heart gave another squeeze. Unbeknown to his own conscious, he had been wanting Naruto to prove him wrong, to prove all those old scars wrong.
But I guess I was right.
Sasuke felt his eyes grow pinched as his fingers shook. He gathered himself as best as he could, his tense hands moving to gather his supplies. He refused to meet blue eyes.
I'm different. I guess I'm always too different.
Clenching fingers snapped Naruto's pencil on accident, he had simply wanted to move the tool over to Naruto's side, but it seems his anger was taken out on it instead.
How weak. How pathetic.
"Different's not a bad thing." Sasuke's head snapped up so quickly, he was sure that he would get dizzy from the action.
"What?" Lips moving without reason, his mind was in the process of rebooting.
"I said your laugh is different, but it wasn't bad. I did say that I like your laugh, didn't I?"
"Yeah."
"I had fun Sasuke. Really. Don't overthink it."
Fun? He had fun with me?
Sasuke felt his lips pull upward in a smile, he felt like he was radiating from the inside out. It was a feeling similar to how he feels when he is under the sun. His emotions were swaying so much, that Sasuke was worried that he would shift to his true form, right then and there.
Sasuke's pinched eyes, released. Water flowed down the slopes of his cheeks, down to his chin, dripping into his clavicle. He shifted his hair, covering up the reaction from prying eyes.
"Sasuke"
For a long time the two sat in silence. It was saturated with so many things, pockets of unspoken desires and unheard truths. The silence sprinkled with awkwardness and longing, but nether men said a word.
Not a sound.
They were informed that the library was closing. The two gathered their books and supplies quickly.
Naruto had a look on his face, as if he was told that he was leaving the playground after his mother already gave him the five minute warning.
Sasuke knew that Naruto had something to say, but he didn't know if he was strong enough to hear it.
"Hey, Sasuke, wanna get out of here? There's this movie I've been wanting to see."
For the first time, Sasuke didn't think to say no. For the first time, Sasuke found himself considering it. For the first time, Sasuke felt his lips open to almost say 'yes', because he didn't want the night to end.
But still… he just wasn't ready. His mind wasn't ready, and his heart was banging around in his rib cage, double time.
"Not tonight."
"That's not a no. So, I'll count that as a win!" Naruto gave a little whooped cheer as the two strolled down the deserted halls. He even ran ahead, jumping into the air all while clicking his heels together, with a thump.
Ridiculous.
The two departed at the cracked steps, one going right toward the parking lot, while the other went left towards the bike racks. Naruto left Sasuke with a wave of the hand, his lips in a smile that was big and genuine.
"See ya, Sasuke! Be safe getting home."
"Yeah. You too."
Even though Sasuke could see the moon, even though Sasuke was blinded by the bright stars, he still felt warm. He didn't even notice that his own lips were still in that smile from before.
Naruto. Prove me wrong.
It felt like the sun was shining brightly in the night sky. Like the sun was shinning only for him.
~ . ~
The sun was shinning brightly in the clear blue sky, Sasuke couldn't help but bask in its warm glow. It always felt like the sun was shinning only for him.
"You're weird."
The words caused Sasuke's head to turn to greet a kid he had met a few times at this playground. He was a human kid, not like the usual kids he saw at the haven.
Sasuke wanted to ask him if he could touch his skin, to see if it felt different from he's, but he didn't want to scare anyone away.
Even at the tender age of eight, he knew that some things could push other's away from him. The kid had brown hair, brown eyes, and a mole on his cheek. He went by the name of Zac, but his mom often called him Adam.
Sasuke was a bit confused on why he told all the kids a different name. He even asked, but the boy got so mad that he pushed Sasuke into a puddle, so he never asked again.
His mom even questioned why his clothes were all wet, but Sasuke simply said that it was all a game. After all, he made his first human friend, and he didn't want to lose him.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said you're weird. Why are you just standing there."
Sasuke was about to respond that he enjoyed sitting under the sun, when another boy came tumbling over. His name was also Zac, but the difference between the first boy was that his mother actually called him Zac when it was time for him to leave.
Zac, the real Zac, actually went by Z. Sasuke didn't really think it was fair that the boy had to go by a nickname, but he had learned his lesson already once about asking about people's names. Z had silver hair and amber colored eyes, an unusual look for a human, at least that's what his mother told him.
"Yeah, so weird. Doesn't he also talk funny, Zac." Z said with a laugh, his arms crossed as he stood a bit taller than Sasuke.
"What's wrong with the way I talk?"
Sasuke could hear them mimicking his speech, he wasn't really sure what was wrong about it. His hands landed on his lips, finger nails biting into the skin. Sasuke was glad to have made friends, even though they made him feel bad.
He tried his best to stay calm, he knew that his true form would peek through if he allowed himself to feel. Sasuke reminded himself of the technique his family taught him. Taking a deep breath, he tried his very best to remain calm, to remain centered.
Later.
He gave himself a nod. He would cry himself to sleep later, but for now he was under the sunlight, talking to regular humans and he was proud that he looked just like one.
He looked over seeing his mother. She was sitting on a bench, a book in her hand and a soft smile on her lips.
Her usual green skin, hidden under pale skin like his own. He missed seeing his mother with her long tinted green dark hair, the black hair made Sasuke feel like she was a bit of a stranger.
Their eyes met, onyx to onyx. So different, but yet so familiar.
His mother gave him a smile with a wave, Sasuke turned away before he gave a secret smile. The smile his mother gave him, calmed him instantly, it reminded him that he wasn't alone.
I'm okay. I'm okay.
He had been coming to the park every weekend for the two months since his eighth birthday. It took a lot of begging and tears, but his parents finally relented when Sasuke proved that he could hold his human appearance for up to 4 hours at a time. His father took the most convincing but once Sasuke was able to prove it, even he released an exasperated sigh and said, "Sure."
He had been meeting up with this group of friends every single time. They were really nice to him the first time, but after that first Saturday under the sun, legs kicking high on the swing;
Things seemed to change slowly.
"Ew!"
"Yeah, so disgusting."
"What?" Sasuke had responded before he could stop himself. He was glad they didn't make fun of him further but there next response made him a bit puzzled.
"That!" Zac said, pointing toward two men. The men were walking casually, their lips move as if they were having a good conversation, Sasuke could hear their laughter from were he stood.
"Whats wrong with that?"
"They have a baby. They shouldn't be walking around with a baby. It's disgusting is what it is."
"Yeah! My mom said that only a man and a woman can have a baby." Z said with a glare toward the two men's direction. He even spit in their direction for good measure.
"Exactly! My dad said that two men should never hold hands… or act like that." Zac huffed as he waved his hands in disbelief, puffing out his chest as if he knew everything. As if he was right and that his dad's words were law.
"I don't get it." Sasuke didn't realize the problem before his lips opened in disagreement.
"What don't you get? It's weird. Just like you." Z said he marched toward Sasuke, his hand shoving at his shoulder. His back hitting the bark of a magnolia tree.
"But where I'm from, that's normal." His shoulder lifted in a sheepish shrug, but the two boys read it as defiance.
"WHAT?!" Zac screeched, the sound carrying towards the parents.
"Men can have babies-"
"So you're one of them!" Zac shouted, his face scrunching up in disgust.
Shouts of "Freak" and "Loser" rained down on him. He was showered in sneers and words spat in disgust.
"I don't get-" Before Sasuke could finish, hands landed on his chest pushing him hard against the tree. Sasuke stumbled around the roots before losing his footing, landing on his butt. His head hit the bark hard, causing his vision to spot. He was dizzy.
His lips whimpered, he tried to tamper down his emotions, but everything was coming down on him fast. He could hear yelling, little fist hitting him, the warm sun on the back of his hands.
It was all crashing down on him, he was so far in his head that he didn't hear when his mother came, other parents pulling their children apart. He didn't hear the yelling and accusations and the belittling tones of the parents.
"I'm sorry for the confusion. Sasuke isn't aware of those things yet."
My fault. It's all my fault.
The sun turned into darkness, the figures all turning black with clawed nails and sinister grins. All Sasuke could see was eyes, several pairs of eyes watching him. They all seemed to judge him, mocking him, making him feel small and insignificant.
His heart was pounding double time, he could feel the hysteria bubbling up inside him. Tears were pouring down, and before all those angry eyes, his skin shifted to green. He was no longer normal, he was no longer perfect.
"My fault. It's all my fault." Words spat out like a mantra that he couldn't silence. His head was throbbing and before he could take a deep breath he was falling, falling, always falling.
Sasuke woke with a gasp, he hadn't had that dream or thought about that incident for a long time. His hands glided along his sweaty hair, his breathing still panted and soft. Hi face still wet from tears formed from his past heart ache.
He knew why it came back on such a dark cloudy night. It looked almost moonless now, no longer bright like that night in front of the library.
He knew that the dream was bias, and the images were clouded by his subconscious' unease.
It didn't capture his mother demanding that the other kids apologize for resulting to violence. It didn't capture his mother tearing apart the parent's beliefs on same sex marriages and individuals ever changing sexuality. It didn't capture the conversation they had under a blanket of stars that night as they both laid in his bed after Sasuke was seen by their haven's physician.
He could still hear his mother's comforting words that what he was, was a blessing and not a curse.
"You're extraordinary, my sweet tomato. Don't let anyone dim your light. Whatever you want, whatever dreams you may have, you can have them. We believe in you."
That dream only highlight Sasuke's worst fears, and right now he was trying to calm himself down.
Deep breathes Sasuke. Its okay.
He knew what his subconscious was telling him. Knew that his mind was showing him the worst of his fears. His mind was trying to steer him away from Naruto, from the growing sentiment that seemed to have formed from just the blond's presence.
Even though his heart had been beating soundly for friendship, his mind was screaming for walls and distance.
Roots were forming inside of him, twisting and turning. Roots were squirming in his soil that was once rich with denial. Sasuke wanted those roots, wanted them to flourish, wanted to see something beautiful, breathtaking like a bloom, but he was scared.
So terrified to give it water, to watch it grow. He was so afraid to give himself over to wanting things again, trusting again.
Was Naruto really worth it or will he hurt me like they all did in the end?
It always lead back to that same question again and again.
What do you want from me, Naruto?
~ . ~
I'm an idiot.
It was not everyday, that Naruto would say such a thing, or think such a thing.
He usually thought that he was a pretty smart guy.
Sure, he wasn't your typical book smart, but Naruto was street smart. He knew how people worked, knew what people needed just from how they spoke or presented themselves.
He not only could gage people very well, he also was very good at reading a situation and coming up with suitable solutions.
Most people didn't notice that Naruto was smart in the unconventional sense. They usually saw his grades, or the loud way he carried himself and they immediately passed judgement.
Ehh, But it was whatever. He was a fan of not stressing over the little stuff or things he couldn't control.
That person thinks I'm an idiot, can't control that.
That girl thinks I'm ugly, can't control that and it's her loss.
I'm fucking hot.
Naruto could feel his lips pulling up into a smirk before he came back to the present, his lips dropping into a pout.
Why did I do this!? Sasuke's going to think I'm a stalker.
Naruto was surrounded by trees, his car parked behind him several feet away, in the exact same spot that he had dropped Sasuke off at, a month ago.
"At least, I think this is were I dropped him off."
Naruto once again looking around, trying to see if he could get any clues on if this was the right location.
"Hm? Green. Yes. That tree? Looks familiar. Mm hm. Mm hm. Yes." Naruto gave a groan of frustration as his hands landed on his face.
"What am I talking about! There's no way- I-" Blue eyes were then met to something quite peculiar.
He saw a man, sitting high in a tree. He had long blond hair, big blue eyes that were watching him closely. The man was smiling as if he had not a care in the world, his legs crossed, feet swinging playfully in the air.
"Um. Hello?"
The man simply cocked his head, his lips quirking into a smirk as he continued to swing his legs playfully. The man looked to be young. Extremely young.
The only thing that gave the man a bit of age was his eyes. His blue eyes looked sharp. Razor sharp. Borderline predatory.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Naruto didn't really know what to make of the situation he was currently in.
"Who am I? Hm.. I don't think I will answer that. What am I doing here? Isn't it obvious? I'm watching an idiot run around in the forest. You really are quite entertaining." The man's lips formed a laugh, it was sharp and tinkering, making the hair on the back of Naruto's neck raise in alert.
"Hey don't be a jerk!" Naruto yelled back, his ears red with frustration.
"Eh, I call it, like I see it." The guy said as he reclined on the tree with a satisfied smirk, his eyes closed as if he was resting. Naruto looked over, saw a rock, just as he was about to pick it up to throw at the guy, the man's light, playful voice stopped him in his tracks.
"I wouldn't do that. If I was you." He responded all while not looking, his eyes still closed in his relaxed pose.
"Hm. I don't know, your condescending smile looks a little lonely, like it could use a friend." Naruto said with a sneer, his strong biceps crossing his wide chest.
He didn't always throw his weight around. 98% of the time people saw a friendly smile and a carefree attitude, but Naruto knew that his body alone could be quite intimidating if he put in effort.
The man laughed, his voice tinkering and filling the space like a song, like wind chimes.
"I like you."
"Great, because I don't like you." Naruto grumbles back at the man. Naruto turned to leave but he had a jarring thought, that caused his feet to halt abruptly.
What if this guy is like Sasuke…
His head snapped in the direction of the man, lounging along the branches with a teasing smile. Naruto's blue eyes grew narrowed as he took in the man's appearance.
He couldn't tell if the man was a faerie or if he was just some asshat.
"Oh, going so soon." The man's voice was spoken in a purr, as if he was speaking to a lover.
"Yeah. I have to go home and jerk off. Dick." Naruto said with a growl, giving the man the one finger salute as he continued to go.
"Oh really? I hope you think about me, hmmm."
"Fuck off." Naruto could see his car in the distance, the sun peaking up ahead through the opening.
"Didn't you want to see your friend." The words were whispered right into his ear, a tongue trailing along the shell of his ear teasingly. Naruto turned quickly, reacting to push the guys face away from him, but no one was there.
It got quiet, a bit too quiet. All Naruto could hear was the sounds of his own labor breath. His eyes zoomed around, he could no longer see the long blond haired man.
Something was still rattling around inside him, telling him to stay alert. His intuition was telling him that the man was nestled somewhere in the shadows.
"Who are you?" Naruto spoke, he didn't yell, his tone low and casual.
"Someone you're going to become great friends with." The tone bounced off the trees. It was warm, sultry and inviting.
"Not interested." Naruto said as he continued towards the car, walking backwards slowly. He refused to show his back to the predator that was lurking in the trees.
"Hmm. That's too bad. It's inevitable, you know?" The words were said in a sing song way, playful but smug.
"Oi. Stop talking shit."
"I've never lied to you, not once."
"How did you know I was here, looking for my friend? Are you-"
Naruto don't be an idiot. I can't ask this unknown guy if he is also a faerie.
"You ask how I know? Well, it was quite obvious. You were wandering around like a little lost puppy. What's your name little puppy?" The words were said with a chuckle, the man sounded closer now, as if he right next to Naruto.
"Fuck off. I'm done playing games with you."
"I'll be seeing you. Same time and place, next month? I'll make sure to pencil you in." The man appeared on another tree branch, right in front of his eye line. It almost looked as if he was always there, not a hair out of place, his lips in a grin.
"I hope to never see you again. You fucking prick." Naruto was close to the car now, the sun light spilling between the tree branches at the opening.
"Tootles." The man said with a playful wave of his fingers, blowing Naruto a kiss as if he was seeing off a lover.
As Naruto pulled away, he could swear he heard singing from the trees.
A/N:
Sasuke: I can take him though.
Author-chan: In a fight, right?
Sasuke: …
Author-chan: YOU MEAN IN A FIGHT, RIGHT?!
Now, I'm off to Mexico where I plan to have multiple margaritas and hopefully catch up on some much needed rest!
See you guys next chapter! Sending love!